Module 2: Planning

Now that you’ve had some time to think about your publishing path, let’s make a plan for your story. In this module, you’ll start off by learning how to keep an audience and genre in mind and how to set yourself up for writing success. Life comes at you fast, so you’ll also learn how to stick to your writing schedule when things don’t go according to plan. Once you’ve set your overall writing goals, you’ll learn how to brainstorm and outline your story, find a unique writing voice for your story, and discover which point of view best serves your story.

Creating a Writing Project Plan Part 1

Creating a Writing Project Plan, Part One

Module Two, Video 1 (7:54)

Keith Ogorek, senior vice president of marketing for Author Solutions and a published author, shares his tips on how to finish writing your book. He walks you through creating a writing project plan, with steps that include identifying your writing goals, identifying your readers and identifying your book's genre and subgenre.

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Creating a Writing Project Plan Part 2

Creating a Writing Project Plan, Part Two

Module Two, Video 2 (4:12)

Keith Ogorek, senior vice president of marketing for Author Solutions and a published author, shares his tips on how to finish writing your book. He walks you through creating a writing project plan, with steps that include managing a writing schedule, setting deadlines for yourself, finding a place to write most effectively and learning to make adjustments to stay on track.

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Planning Your Book Part 1

Planning Your Book, Part One

Module Two, Video 3 (6:48)

Jim Menick, an editor from Reader's Digest, introduces a lesson in prewriting organization. This video shows you how to plan the plot of your book by suggesting techniques for brainstorming and outlining, such as free writing, making lists, mind mapping, forming questions, classical outlining, summary outlining and storyboarding. Even the most spontaneous writers can improve their work by learning these creative exercises.

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Planning Your Book Part 2

Planning Your Book, Part Two

Module Two, Video 4 (6:12)

Jim Menick, an editor from Reader's Digest, introduces a lesson in finding the voice that best represents you as an author, as well as choosing your story's point of view. This video shows you how to find both your genre-based writing voice and your individual voice as a writer. You'll also learn about the different points of view in writing, including which viewpoint works best for each genre.

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