How Planning Can Help You Avoid Plot Holes

There is no one correct writing style. Find what works for you. Here are some things that helped me a long my novel-writing journey.

Before I Start Writing:

• I am a plotter or a planner. I do an outline for each chapter before I start writing the book. It’s usually in paragraph (narrative) form instead of the way your fourth-grade teacher taught you. When I start writing, I make notes all over it.

• I find that I can write much faster, and the story is much more organized if I map it out. When I tried to “pants” it, it took my years to finish the book.

• I mark the funny scenes, red herrings, key mystery points, and romantic elements in different colors, so I can visually see where they are in the story.

The Outline

• This helps me know what happens in each chapter.

• It also causes me to make sure all open items get resolved before the end of the story.

• By thinking through the contents of each chapter, I don’t usually get stuck on a story point that bogs down the writing.

• I still have a day gig, so I write in small chunks in the morning and at lunch. The outlines helps me start and stop a session without having to play too much catch up.

• By the time I start to write, I know the killer, victim, and the motive. I’ve also thought through the motives and means of the other characters.

• The outline helps me see where my story is plausible or just off base.

I usually follow my outlines, but there are time when the characters get their own ideas, and things go off script. The outline also helps me when I have to write the synopsis or marketing materials for the book.

Avoiding Too Much Backstory

I started my writing career as a technical writer for software and processes, and everything had to be explained in detail like a recipe. That was a habit I had to break when I started writing fiction. I put in way too much description, especially about how to do mundane things.

Readers needed to know your characters, but they have ti experience every moment or hear about decades of history.

Here’s what I’ve learned about backstory through the years.

• Sprinkle it in your story. Reveal bits of characterization through dialog and what your protagonist experiences.

• Avoid sounding like a travel brochure or a marketing campaign when you’re describing something.

• When you’re talking about characters or setting, don’t stop the action or the momentum of the story.

• Avoid describing something in minute detail unless it’s important to the story later.

• I do a lot of research ahead of my writing, and I have to fight the urge to add every little detail. Research is important, and you learn so many neat things. Don’t waste what you found. Figure out a way to use it in a newsletter article or a blog post. Readers like to know about behind the scenes things or how you research your work.

• I have to know my main characters before I write. I always create almost a biography for them. I keep it in my character list, so I can refer to it later when I need it. It has things like eye/hair color, birthdate, graduation year, friends, pets, and favorites. There is way more information in there than ever makes it to the book. This helps if you write a series that has reoccurring characters.

Quick Motivators - For When You Don't Feel Like Writing

It’s July! Happy Summer! The weather is warmer, it is vacation time, and I have the urge to go outside and do something. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep your writing routine on track. Here are few ideas that might help.

• Get up earlier than normal to start your writing session. Sometimes, it helps if you finish earlier in the day, and there’s still time to do something else.

• Or flip your day, so you’re inside writing during the hottest part of the afternoon.

• Editing/revising is the hardest part for me. I really have to focus (and stay focused) to make sure all the changes are made. I usually reward myself with a social media break, a walk outside, or a quick research break after I hit a milestone in the process.

• If I really can’t concentrate, I put on my noise-cancelling headphones and listen to relaxing music. I have playlists for every mood (and writing task).

• I always keep a few, small pieces of chocolate on my desk for writing sessions. It’s a nice pick-me-up.

• Take an exercise break when you need to get up and stretch. There are plenty of chair yoga and chair stretch videos online to get your endorphins going.

• And don’t forget to celebrate when you hit your milestones or make your goals.

What would you add to my list?

Mentoring - The Benefits are on Both Sides

I love being a mentor. It’s an honor to get to work with others and assist them with their careers and writing journeys. I enjoy listening to others as they explore their paths and look for opportunities.

Through the years, I’ve been a manager of staff and interns, teacher, coach, and mentor. It takes time and energy and some planning, but I get so much out of these sessions.

It’s always good to have a plan and goals for what each person gets out of the program. It’s also good to set ground rules up front for meeting times and other housekeeping items. I love to talk, but as a mentor, listening is key. I let my partner set the agenda topics, and I check in on goals and progress.

These sessions are great opportunities to get to know others and to talk about the creative things they are doing and to maybe assist with some roadblocks. At work, we often talk about how to navigate the policies and procedures, career paths, and developmental opportunities. When I meet with authors, we usually talk about publishing trends, goals for their work, expectations of readers, and book marketing and promotion.

I have met some amazing people through these mentoring programs over the years. It’s an opportunity to share, and the benefits happen on both sides.

What I Learned about Writing and Life from Dogs

Disney and Riley are the Jack Russell Terriers who live at our house and keep us on our toes. They have two settings, warp speed or napping.

Here's what I've learned from them...

• Live in the moment. Today is what's important. The past and future don't matter that much.

• Play hard. Life can't be all work. Everything is a game to a Jack.

• Nap when you need to. You need to recharge every once in a while. You need to take care of yourself.

• Don't waste a beautiful day inside. Go outside and have fun.

• Know when it's time to cuddle on the couch with a good book.

• Bark if you need to, but not too much.

• Wag and make friends. Relationships are important.

• Don’t obsess too much about the things you can’t control. Those squirrels will never stay out of our yard. And people will continue to walk in our cul de sac. Okay, so the Jacks may need a little work on this one.

What is something your pet has taught you?

Why The First Draft is Just the Beginning...

When I talk to groups of new writers, I’m asked often about editing and revising, and they’re often surprised when I mention the number of rounds of revisions before the manuscript is ready for my agent and editors.

I love typing, “The End” on that last page, but it really is just the beginning. I print off a paper copy and do multiple (sometimes as many as 8 or 9 read-throughs). I’m looking for different things each time. Here’s what I always check…

• Are there plotholes? Does something not make sense? Did I make sure all the clues/red herrings were addressed? Are there multiple motives? Are you sure the protagonist isn’t too perfect? Is the technology and the actions plausible?

• Is the dialog pertinent? Get rid of the chitchat. Does the dialog all sound the same? Is the chatter boring? Can readers tell who is speaking? Are there enough dialog tags? Are there too many dialog tags? Did I use slang or regional sayings that most readers won’t recognize?

• Is there enough description of settings and characters? Is there too much description? Is there too much backstory?

• Are there continuity mistakes? Did your character eat lunch two times in the same chapter? Are all the details consistent throughout the manuscript? Did you change a character name in ALL the places? Is the timing of events in the right sequence?

• Check the grammar and punctuation. Do all the quotes have a beginning and end punctuation? Did autocorrect substitute any weird or wrong words.

• Do you have words and phrases that you overuse? I have a list of my biggest offenders, and I always search for these.

• Are all the chapter endings neat wrap-ups? Make sure you build suspense and cause your readers to stay up past their bedtimes. Neat wrapped up chapters make good stopping points.

What would you add to my list?

When Was the Last Time You Paid Your Website Some Attention?

I hope your 2025 writing journey is going well! As you’re planning your writing and book marketing tasks, don’t forget about your website.

• Make sure your author photo is current.

• Check your biography. Is it current?

• Are all of your books listed?

• Review the content on your pages. Check all links to make sure everything is functioning correctly.

• Add or update your event calendar.

• With all the changes and new platforms in the social media world, are your links current?

• Could your site use some sprucing up? Think about changing your colors, adding an author logo, or adding recent pictures of your book events. Do your colors and fonts match your style of writing?

• Look at your analytics page. Do you have pages on your site that no one visits (and you don’t update)? Is it time to retire them?

• Has your blog been ignored or abandoned? Is it time to think about reviving it? This is an easy way to ensure regular traffic to your website. It also gives you links to share on your social media sites.

• Is anything missing from your website? I teach a lot of classes and workshops, and someone mentioned that I should list my specialties. I created a new page and added a contact link.

What would you add to my list?

Proofread, And Then Do It Again

I can read a manuscript ten times and still miss some pesky typos. Here are some tips that have helped me with proofreading.

READ RIGHT TO LEFT

Start at the bottom of the page and read each word right to left. This takes the word out of context and allows you to focus. This is tedious, especially for a whole book, but help you see each word and not the sentences and paragraphs around it.

WHERE AND WHEN

Try to find a quiet place away from distractions. Try not to proofread for more than two hours at a time. Get up and walk around or take a stretch break.

HOW MUCH

You are going to read and revise your manuscript multiple times. Try to schedule some down time between revisions. Work on other projects. The time away helps you focus when you return

PAPER VS. ELECTRONIC

Proofread a paper version of the text. It is difficult to catch mistakes on a computer screen.

TOOLS

Do not rely solely on the spelling or grammar checker. These help, but they’re not always correct. Many word processing applications have a “read aloud” feature. This helps you to hear misused words that a spell checker wouldn’t catch.

FIND A PARTNER

Find a partner or a critique group to read your manuscript and provide feedback. Another set of eyes can always spot typos and mistakes that the writer misses.

What else would you add to my list?