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CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, SETTING, WRITING TIPSLeave a comment

Research Ideas for Fiction Writers

June 22, 2022June 23, 2022 zarawest

No matter what we write, doing background research will make it better.. Here are some research ideas for novelists. Continue reading Research Ideas for Fiction Writers

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, PLOTTING TIPS5 Comments

Brainstorming a Plot through Character Interviews

May 13, 2022May 13, 2022 zarawest

Brainstorming richly detailed characters is another way to plot a novel into existence. We usually think of a novel’s plot in terms of the actions and events that propel our characters to make choices and decisions that carry them to … Continue reading Brainstorming a Plot through Character Interviews

BOOK PROMO, BOOK REVIEWS, WORD CHOICE TIPSLeave a comment

Powerful Prose

April 24, 2022April 24, 2022 zarawest

Power Charge Your Language by Joan Koster provides a zillion ways to add vividness to your writing. Continue reading Powerful Prose

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, CREATIVITY, PLOTTING TIPS6 Comments

Brainstorming Your Plot Using GMC

April 14, 2022April 14, 2022 zarawest

GMC or Goal, Motivation, and Conflict provide a framework for brainstorming a strong plotlines and character arcs. Continue reading Brainstorming Your Plot Using GMC

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, CREATIVITY, INSPIRATION, PLOTTING TIPS, WORD CHOICE TIPS, WRITING CRAFT BOOKS, WRITING TIPS7 Comments

Using Word Storms to Plan Your Novel

March 1, 2022March 1, 2022 zarawest

If you are a writer, you love words. I know that I do. Word Storms are a writer’s way to play. They stir up creativity. They help you work through problems. They help you write your story. Continue reading Using Word Storms to Plan Your Novel

CREATIVITY, INSPIRATION, PLOTTING TIPS, WRITING, WRITING TIPS4 Comments

Brainstorm Your Novel Using Brainstorming Cards

January 30, 2022 zarawest

Inspiration for a story can come from the luck of the draw. Get a free set of Brainstorming Cards and learn how to use them. Continue reading Brainstorm Your Novel Using Brainstorming Cards

CREATIVITY, PLOTTING TIPS, WRITING, WRITING TIPS, WRITING TOOLS6 Comments

Storyboard Your Novel

October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 zarawest

Storyboards are a quick, fluid way to plan a novel. It is a way to see how your story events flow together, how they match up with the plotting template you choose to use, and where there are plot holes. Continue reading Storyboard Your Novel

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, CREATIVITY, PLOTTING TIPS, WRITING, WRITING TIPS, WRITING TOOLS7 Comments

Mind Mapping Your Story Ideas

October 10, 2021October 10, 2021 zarawest

Are you a visual person? Do you hate outlining? Then mind mapping is for you. It is also a powerful tool for any writer.
A mind map is a visual representation of connected ideas. This makes it perfect for playing with different elements of a story. Continue reading Mind Mapping Your Story Ideas

CREATIVITY, INSPIRATION, PLOTTING TIPS, WRITING, WRITING TIPS, WRITING TOOLS3 Comments

How to Brainstorm Your Novel into Existence

September 10, 2021May 13, 2022 zarawest

All the motivation and energy in the world will not produce a finished novel. We first need ideas. Focused brainstorming is one way to inspire them. Continue reading How to Brainstorm Your Novel into Existence

CREATIVITY, INSPIRATION, WRITING, WRITING TIPS2 Comments

Destined to Write

August 29, 2021August 29, 2021 zarawest

Writing is an adventure with a destination. To write freely and creatively a writer needs to have a clear mind, inner joy, and a path to travel. Here are some steps to take on your trip.

Continue reading Destined to Write

READING, WRITING5 Comments

Research Makes Your Setting Real

May 9, 2021May 9, 2021 zarawest

One way to create a believable fictional reality is by doing extensive background research for your book’s setting. Continue reading Research Makes Your Setting Real

PLOTTING TIPS, REVISING TIPS, WRITING TIPSLeave a comment

What Can a Writer Learn from the Principles of Art and Design?

April 5, 2021 zarawest

Both fine art and writing require creativity and hard work. They also require an understanding of structure and principles. Surprisingly, the same principles used by an artist can inspire excellent writing as well. Continue reading What Can a Writer Learn from the Principles of Art and Design?

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, WRITING, WRITING TIPSLeave a comment
woman peering through lights

Build Amazing Characters from the Inside Out

February 26, 2021February 28, 2021 zarawest

Creating amazing characters is key to writing a story readers will remember and return to again and again. Continue reading Build Amazing Characters from the Inside Out

INSPIRATION, ORGANIZING, WRITING, WRITING TIPS2 Comments
Bronze bowl with white glass beads next to my computer

Improve Your Focus: Try the Writer’s Magic Bowl

January 26, 2021February 27, 2021 zarawest

Do you have trouble maintaining your focus while writing? Are you easily distracted by things around you? Try the habit-changing Magic Jar. Continue reading Improve Your Focus: Try the Writer’s Magic Bowl

CREATIVITY, DRAFTING TIPS, REVISING TIPS, WRITING, WRITING CRAFT BOOKS, WRITING TIPS8 Comments
Stack of Books

A Creative Focus for 2021

January 10, 2021February 27, 2021 zarawest

Working within limitations actually forces our brains to solve problems more creatively. Continue reading A Creative Focus for 2021

EDITING TIPS, REVISING TIPS, WRITING, WRITING TIPS5 Comments

3 Revision Tips and a New Book

December 7, 2020February 27, 2021 zarawest

Three revision tips based on what I learned doing NaNoWri. Continue reading 3 Revision Tips and a New Book

BOOK REVIEWS, DRAFTING TIPS, WRITING CRAFT BOOKS, WRITING TIPS, WRITING TOOLSLeave a comment

Fast Draft Your Manuscript: It’s NaNoWri

October 23, 2020October 23, 2020 zarawest

Do you want to write faster and enjoy the process while doing so? Check out Fast Draft Your Manuscript and Get It Done.
Continue reading Fast Draft Your Manuscript: It’s NaNoWri

INSPIRATION, READING2 Comments
books on shelf

Why, How, and What Writers Should Read

October 22, 2019October 23, 2020 zarawest

~ Do you write? Are you a reader? ~ You have to read widely, constantly refining (and redefining) your own work as you do so. It’s hard for me to believe that people who read very little (or not at … Continue reading Why, How, and What Writers Should Read

INSPIRATION, WRITING TIPS3 Comments
Hand holding stone

3 Steps to Renew Your Writing Life

August 21, 2019October 23, 2020 zarawest

~Renew Yourself~  Are you stuck in a rut? Do you sit down to write and do the same things every time? Turn on the computer? Open your draft? Stare at the page? Then pray the words come? I do. For … Continue reading 3 Steps to Renew Your Writing Life

INSPIRATION, WRITING TIPS, Zara West BooksLeave a comment
Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes

Books That Change the World

August 7, 2019August 7, 2019 zarawest

~ Books and Change ~ The ability to change is essential for survival. Those who refuse to change become dull, boring, and left behind. One force for change is literature. Ever since people learned to write and read, books have … Continue reading Books That Change the World

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