Some plot twists are conventional.

Here are four strategies for how to use ghosts.

The ghost haunts the hero’s judgment.

Theme is about what the character does, not what anyone says.

This is what the hell I am doing, editing my novels for a decade.

What the hell am I doing, editing my novels for a decade?

I have been editing nine novels for ten years. 

I wrote this one in a burst of inspiration.

Let’s talk about bad guys.

I’ve done what I said I was going to do.

The wrong task changes the right hero.

Mr. B. with Royce Carol and Joseph Carol

So, like, what is your hero actually doing?

Use beats to move your character through a task.

Use +/- notations for your scenes and chapters.

A woman enters an office building.

The hero changes permanently, forever, and cannot go back.

I am heartened in my pursuit by the advice of screenwriters.

I read books. Lots of books.