Worksheet #38 – Skill Set Checklist
Professional writers never stop trying to learn and improve. Natural talent is a boon, but developing a strong skill set requires work.
Below is a list of skills useful for a fiction writer. How would you rate yourself for each–mastered, good, developing, or weak? Continue reading “40 Days of Worksheets – Day 38”
Worksheet #37 – Your Someday Story
Most authors have a wish list of work they would complete if life was limitless and we were all as prolific as Stephen King. Many of us also have one story we’d like to write “someday.” Continue reading “40 Days of Worksheets – Day 37”
Worksheet #36 – Write What You Know Worksheet
List topics you could write about from your personal experiences, knowledge, or interests. Example: motherhood. Continue reading “40 Days of Worksheets – Day 36”
Worksheet #35 – 10 Steps to Writing Nonfiction
From Idea to Submission in 10 Steps
You have an idea for a nonfiction piece. It can be straight nonfiction, memoir, or creative nonfiction. What do you ask after a story idea captures you? Continue reading “40 Days of Worksheets – Day 35”
Worksheet #34 – Building a Short Story
A short story requires three things: a person, a place, and a problem. Let’s build a short story from these three elements. Continue reading “40 Days of Worksheets – Day 34”
Worksheet #33 –Weekly Goals
Sunday is traditionally a day of rest and relaxation, or reflection and renewal. In my online courses, I give a day off for a mental break, but because this a short-term project, no breaks! Continue reading “40 Days of Worksheets – Day 33”
Worksheet #32: Story Success Plan
From a spring workshop a few years ago, here are some questions to rev your interest in a new project. Continue reading “40 Days of Worksheets – Day 32”
Worksheet #31 – Critique Tips
You’re asked to comment on a colleague’s work. How do you do this in a sensitive and helpful way? Continue reading “40 Days of Worksheets – Day 31”
Worksheet #30 – Market and Audience
Some questions for before and after your book goes live in the world. Continue reading “40 Days of Worksheets – Day 30”
Worksheet #29 – Emotional Journey
The following questions address the character’s personal story and how the events of the plot affects them emotionally and internally.
1. What is your character’s general emotional state at the start of the story?
2 As the story progresses, what change does she want to happen in her personal life? Does that happen?
3. If there anything at the start of the story that she wants to change about herself? Does that happens?
4. What are three things that happen in the story that affect or touch her emotionally? Does she change because of these three things?
5. Does her personal/private life undergo change or stress because of the plot?
6. Does anyone get hurt in the story because of her actions? If so, how does that change her (if it does)?
7. Does she win/lose any personal relationships?
8. Does she have an unresolved issue from the past (baggage)? If so, is it resolved? If it is not resolved, why not?
9. What is the lowest/saddest emotional moment for her in the story?
10. What is the highest/happiest?
11. Does she have a weakness or fear at the start of the story that she has to face? If so, what is the result?
12. What is she like at the end of the story, from an internal POV, as compared to what she’s like at the beginning? In other words, how has she changed?
13. Was this painful? Was it worth the pain?
14. Is your character more content or less so at the end of the story?
15. If the character is at peace at the start, is she at peace at the end? Is she emotionally distraught at the start, and the same at the end? At peace at the start, but disturbed at the end? Disturbed at the start, but peaceful at the end? Which one of these start-end questions best describes your lead character?
Please note: All worksheets posted are my original work and intellectual property. I ask that you share the links on social media, and you are welcome to share the worksheets with your critique groups and writing friends with credit given. That being said, these worksheets—despite being posted on the Internet—may not be copied, distributed, or published as anyone’s work but mine. In short: sharing is good, plagiarism is bad.
Disclaimer #2: You may post your completed worksheet if you’d like, but please remember that, by doing so, you are sharing your ideas with all of the Internet. You’ve been warned.
Ramona DeFelice Long 