As with a few weeks ago, this Wednesday we're lacking any submissions for the author self-promotions and self-improvement blogs (shown below) so I thought we'd focus on some information and questions shared on GA by members and authors and maybe some other help I could provide when it comes to another vital aspect to writing to build on last week's post. The earlier exploring characterization explored past blogs that had different angles for writing characters as well as two file downloads I've used over the years to create characters. This week, let's take a look at what most people is the other essential aspect crafting a story (for some authors, it's primary aspect, but I'll let you decide that for yourself!)

First, the author improvement features, so you can sign up if you're interested. Don't miss out on these, guys!

• Story Critique: Open to all GA authors. Sign up here.

• Ask An Author: Send your questions for your favorite authors to Carlos Hazday (no questions = no Ask An Author)

• Story Recommendations:  Open to all GA authors & readers. PM your recommendation and why you recommend it to a Site Admin.

Of course, you can find information on writing books as far as length (a vital part of plotting) and so much more in a lot of other places, such as:

Writer's Circle Club

Book Lengths - Writer's Circle Club

To Structure or Not to Structure Your Stories - Writer's Circle Club

Ideal Chapter Length - Writer's Circle Club 

The 8 Point Story Arc or What My Story Was Missing - Writer's Circle Club

Writer's Resources Forum

Ten Ways to Hook Your Reader

Places to Plot - Websites/Programs

Do you mind map or use notecards? You can sign up for free accounts with Onedrive and GSuite to access Powerpoint or Slides. Or you can use Trello after you check out this YouTube tutorial. 

X-Mind a visual mind-mapping resource for free

Scrivener: very popular and well-known, but this is something that authors have to pay for

Resources for Authors - Direct Downloads

Elements of Literature - This is actually a PDF guide for analyzing literature for readers, but I find it's a primer for what authors should show readers as well. Source: TeachersPayTeachers

Download: ElementsofLiteraturePowerPoint.pdf

Story Idea Map - Basic Idea with character addition PDF

Download: 30Days-Story-Idea-Map.pdf

Three-Part Plotting Worksheet - Word file with 3 Act plotting outline with conflict prompts

Download:  Plotting-Worksheet-by-Annie-Neugebauer.doc  More in-depth guide: Plotting-Worksheet-with-Prompts-by-Annie-Neugebauer.doc