Writing a novel shouldn't feel
Like playing darts wearing a blindfold
Forget trying to write a whole book when you can't see the forest for the trees.
What you really need to know is
HOW STORIES GROW IN THE FIRST PLACE
The Plot Accelerator COACHING
Eight revelatory weeks of coaching. Don’t merely study how stories work—see how the principles work in your own story. ACCELERATE
YOUR CREATIVITY
One-on-One COACHING FOR NOVELISTS
Master the techniques of fiction writing before you’ve woven writing issues through an entire manuscript.MENTORING
AND SUPPORT
DEVELOPMENTAL & LINE EDITING
Whether this is your first book or you’re a seasoned author, give your book the professional polish it deserves. PROFESSIONAL
QUALITY & STANDARDS
Transforming Aspiring authors
into emerging novelists
Specializing in Fiction by New and Emerging Authors
What if you finally understood what's going on under the hood of your novel manuscript?
No more stumbling through rough drafts, then paying an editor to help you find the story inside. You'll write a better book from the start, from concept and story to the words on the page.
As your story coach, I'll help you connect theory with practice. You'll pick up strategies and knowledge you'll use the rest of your writing career.
This is your writing, but smarter. Your book, but better.
"(Lisa's) the real deal. Simply awesome. In the last six months, I have learned so much. And more than that, the voice inside my head has changed her tune. Now I hear, 'You're going to do this.'"—Emile Horne
"After completing the Plot Accelerator course with Lisa ... I've just hit 30K words after making a lot of cuts and reducing it to 15K. Now I’m back to where I started with a much stronger story. Nothing is lost in the process. The scenes that will never be read have enhanced my own understanding of the protagonist's situation. Originally intended to be a novella, Collisville is now writing itself. Here's to words that grow organically! Stories shouldn't be forced. Motivation drives the characters. Characters drive the action! Action and reaction IS the story."—J. C. Thomas
Empower Yourself As An Author
Read my success stories to hear from more satisfied authors and editors.
Do you know why your story will keep readers turning pages—
or are you only guessing?
Clarity
Traditional publishing, self-publishing, or something else?
When was the last time you thoroughly explored your publishing options? Are you determined to have your novel traditionally published, or are you eagerly anticipating the process of building a career as a self-published author? Maybe you’re somewhere in between, wringing your hands and wishing there were another alternative. (Spoiler alert: There is.) Most new Read more about Traditional publishing, self-publishing, or something else?[…]
Prewriting: 6 parts of the writing process that aren’t writing
This article is about the parts of writing a novel that don’t involve writing. It’s not about the business side of being an author. It’s not about book design and production. It’s also not about book marketing or promotion. This article is about the process of getting your story onto the page, and a lot Read more about Prewriting: 6 parts of the writing process that aren’t writing[…]
How to Begin Writing Memoir
Many authors are first called to writing by the lure of memoir. Exploring the interior of one’s own life is heady stuff. And in a world held at arm’s length by Covid-19, bestselling memoirs (Wild, Becoming, Educated …) have captured the imaginations of readers eager to bridge gaps and slip into someone else’s shoes. New Read more about How to Begin Writing Memoir[…]
Productivity for Fiction Writers: September 2020
Stories demand so much from us. Taking apart the engine of a story and putting it together—that’s hard work, my friends. Much as your brain tugs at the knots of your story while you’re in the shower, or at the kitchen sink, or in the car, I too worry and fret over your stories. That Read more about Productivity for Fiction Writers: September 2020[…]
How long should you query your manuscript?
The decision on how long to query your manuscript can’t be determined by a formula. There’s always the chance that your very next query will knock at the right door at the right time to generate that singular confluence of fortunate events resulting in emails and phone calls and contracts and publication. But let’s face Read more about How long should you query your manuscript?[…]
Keep It Rolling: Writing momentum hacks for authors
We’re all familiar with the idea of getting the ideas on the page first, then revising and polishing later. You’ll spin your wheels endlessly if you indulge your desire to polish every chapter, every scene, and every line before moving on the next. Finish first, fiddle later. There’s more to succeeding at this than Herculean Read more about Keep It Rolling: Writing momentum hacks for authors[…]
Productivity for Fiction Writers: June 2020
When writing is a habit and not merely a goal, tackling a creative project as large as a novel becomes manageable. Despite everything happening in the world today, writing can serve as your refuge if it’s something you’re used to turning to in your daily routine. Build your writing habit When writing is a habit Read more about Productivity for Fiction Writers: June 2020[…]
The Editing Podcast’s 18 writing blogs for editors and authors
Just look at this lineup of writing craft blogs and resources for authors and editors from Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle of The Editing Podcast. Denise and Louise are two pro editors in the UK who help authors publish better books. I’m honored to be listed among these leading resources for writers and editors. Among Read more about The Editing Podcast’s 18 writing blogs for editors and authors[…]
Updated for 2020: Best books for writers
Updated for 2020: Best books for writers of fiction It’s been a stressful year to try to write a novel. It feels easier for many authors to step back from their own pages and reframe their thinking. How do experienced authors go about developing a concept into a novel? What are turning points and what Read more about Updated for 2020: Best books for writers[…]
Best places to find a professional editor
In an age when anyone can hang out a shingle on the internet as a fiction editor, sniffing out the best places to find an editor falls to authors. “I’ve been a bookworm all my life,” a prospective editor may exclaim. Or “I understand writing because I’ve written a novel.” But claims like these are Read more about Best places to find a professional editor[…]