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Starting a book? Don't forget your worksheet.

Starting a book? Don't forget your worksheet.

December 4, 2018 By Meredith Bond Resources

I’m a fiction writer. I write traditional Regency romances, medieval Arthurian romances, and Regency romances with a touch of magic. Because of my subject matter, many readers might assume that I develop my novels laying on a chaise lounge, sipping tea, and gazing out at a misty moor.

While it is true that I live a good deal of my life in a fantasy world like most fiction authors, the half-naked hunk plying me with nibbles of juicy exotic fruit is only in my imagination–and besides, sticky fruit juice and computers don’t go very well together. No, the harsh reality is that before I can indulge in my fantasies, I need to do some cold, hard plotting and character development. I do so systematically, using the most unromantic of tools: a worksheet.

The worksheet lays out tough questions I need to think about, like “what’s the point of this book” and “why do I care about it,” and even more difficult, “why would the reader care?” It forces me to define key elements of the plot, such as crises, major turning points, and the resolution. And it helps me articulate who my characters are: their wounds, their motivations, and what makes them lovable.

In addition to writing, I love helping other people attain their writing and publishing dreams. To that end, I’m sharing the worksheet I use when I’m starting a project. If you’d like to learn more about my methodologies, check out my blog: meredithbond.com/category/writing/.

Here’s to living your own fantasy and finding your Happily Ever After!

Known for her characters “who slip readily into one’s heart,” Meredith loves to take her readers on a journey they won't soon forget. She is currently living in Europe enjoying the Bohemian life. Find her on Amazon, follow her European odyssey on Instagram and learn more at meredithbond.com.

Image credit: Photo by Aziz Acharki on Unsplash

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