You’re writing a novel in 30 days. You’re trying to hit your daily word count, keep your story moving, and fit everything around the rest of your life.
And here I am telling you to post about it on social media, too.
Yes, I am.
But hear me out.
Your writing challenge gives people something to follow. They can cheer you on, celebrate your progress, and come back to see how it’s going. It’s also an opportunity to connect with other writers working toward their own goals.
After spending almost nine years in marketing before switching to writing full-time, I want to help you make the most of that opportunity.
Welcome to Marketing Mondays, where I share what I’ve learned as a marketer to help fellow writers start building their author platforms.
Grab a drink, and let’s get into it.
1. Start With Your Author Name
Before you worry about what to post, think about HOW you want people to find you.
What name do you plan to put on your book cover? Your full name? A pen name? Whatever you choose, use that as the starting point for your social media handles.
For me, that’s Elizabeth B. Yuen. I want someone who encounters my writing on one platform to recognize me when they find me somewhere else.
Go ahead and claim your preferred username across the platforms you’re interested in using, even if you aren’t ready to post on all of them yet.
That gives you room to experiment while keeping your name consistent.
You don’t need a finished manuscript or a published book to take this step. You can start establishing your author presence while you’re still working toward those milestones.
2. If You Need to Add “Author,” Put Your Name First
Sometimes your preferred username is already taken. That happened to me, too.
If you need to add a word such as “author” to your handle, my preference is to put it at the end:
YourNameAuthor
That keeps the name you want readers to recognize at the beginning of your handle.
When I first started, I put “author” before my name. Eventually, I changed it because I wanted my online presence to center on the name I planned to publish under.
Think about how your handle looks alongside your display name, profile photo, and bio. Would someone arriving at your page understand who you are and what you share?
The goal is to make that connection easy.
3. Give Your Author Account a Clear Purpose
Your author presence should reflect the kind of writer you want people to know.
That’s why I recommend keeping your personal and professional accounts separate. Having a dedicated author account gives you a space where people can follow your writing journey and know what to expect.
Professional doesn’t have to mean stiff or impersonal. You can absolutely share your personality, your favorite writing drink, or a funny moment from your day.
Think about how those pieces fit into the overall experience you’re creating.
Your bio can explain what you write. Your posts can show your process. Your updates can help people get to know the person behind the stories.
You also get to decide what stays private. Sharing your writing life doesn’t require sharing every part of your personal life.
4. Give Yourself Time to Learn What Works
One of the biggest things I learned in marketing is that people often expect social media growth to happen much faster than it does.
They start posting, don’t see immediate results, and assume something is wrong.
But a handful of posts won’t tell you everything you need to know about a platform—or your audience.
Take six months to a year for experimentation. That gives you time to practice, try different formats, and notice which platforms feel worthwhile for you.
Your 30-day writing challenge can be the beginning of that process.
Use it to figure out:
Which kinds of updates do you enjoy creating?
Where are you having conversations with other writers?
What can you realistically maintain alongside your writing?
Which posts make people curious enough to respond?
A viral post can be exciting, but you’re also learning how to show up regularly and build relationships over time.
Give yourself room to learn before deciding that something isn’t working.
5. Start With Content You’re Already Creating
You’re already doing the writing challenge. That means you already have something to talk about.
You don’t need to invent an entirely separate content project.
Start with a small update about the work you’re doing.
Share a Written Check-In
On platforms like Threads, X, or Substack Notes, you could post:
“Day three of my writing challenge: 1,200 words written, one scene finished, and a character who has decided to ignore my outline completely. How’s your writing going?”
You can share your word count, a small win, or something you learned during the session.
And if you’re outlining, brainstorming, or revising, that counts as something to document, too. Your update can reflect the goal you’re actually working toward.
Film a Short Writing Update
For Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts, try recording a few quick clips during your day.
Your desk. Your planner. Your writing drink. A short clip of you typing.
Add a sentence about how the challenge is going, and you have the beginnings of a post.
You could also share a screenshot of your word count with a little context. Just check that you’re comfortable with everything visible before posting.
Invite People to Write With You
If livestreaming is available on your account(s), a writing session can be another way to document work you’re already doing.
I host 90-minute Pomodoro “write with me” sessions on my YouTube channel on Wednesdays. We show up, work on our projects, and get some writing done together.
It gives me accountability and creates a space for other writers to make progress alongside me.
Check the current livestreaming requirements for the platform you want to use, then decide whether that format fits your routine.
Bonus Tip: Let Your First Posts Be Imperfect
Your first video might feel awkward. Your lighting might be a little strange. You might post something and immediately think of a better caption.
That’s okay.
You’re learning how to document your work while doing the work itself. You don’t need every update to look like a polished production.
Let people see your enthusiasm, your progress, and the occasional messy writing day. Those are all part of the experience.
You can improve your content as you go. First, give yourself something to improve.
Your Marketing Monday Homework
Choose the author name or pen name you want to use, and start claiming consistent handles on the platforms you’d like to explore.
Then introduce your challenge.
Keep it simple:
“Hi, I’m Elizabeth! I’m starting a 30-day writing challenge and documenting the process here. Is anyone else working toward a writing goal this month?”
You’re opening the door to a conversation. When people respond, talk to them. Visit their pages. Cheer on their progress, too.
You don’t have to wait until publication to start connecting with a writing community.
What’s your goal for your 30-day writing challenge? Share it in the comments, along with the social media handle where you’re documenting your progress. Let’s cheer each other on!
For more marketing tips from a former marketer and fellow writer, follow along with Marketing Mondays and join my newsletter.
Yesterday, we talked about choosing the right point of view for our stories. Today, we’re taking those BIG moments we’ve been brainstorming and turning them into something a little more manageable.
Individual chapters!
And don’t worry, you guys.
We’re NOT creating an elaborate, 100-page outline. 😂
We’re keeping things simple so we can head into Novel November with a clear direction and plenty of room for creativity!
1. Start With Your Major Story Beats
Remember those story beats we mapped out earlier this week?
Your opening, inciting incident, Act I turning point, midpoint, darkest moment, climax, and resolution?
Those are the landmarks of your story!
Now, we’re figuring out how to connect them.
I personally like to organize my novels into three acts, with approximately 12 chapters per act.
That gives me a starting framework of roughly 36 chapters.
But here’s the thing:
You do NOT need 36 chapters to write a novel!
Maybe your story needs 20 chapters.
Maybe it needs 50.
Maybe you don’t know yet!
That’s perfectly fine.
The goal is to create a structure that works for YOUR story.
2. Break Your Story Into Smaller Moments
Once you’ve identified your major beats, start brainstorming what needs to happen between them.
For example, imagine you’re writing a mystery novel.
Your inciting incident might be discovering a missing family heirloom.
But before your protagonist reaches the midpoint, they might need to:
Interview someone who witnessed something suspicious.
Discover a clue that contradicts the original explanation.
Follow a lead that turns out to be misleading.
Uncover a secret about someone they trust.
Suddenly, you have several possible chapters!
And notice something?
Each event moves the story forward.
That’s what we’re looking for.
You don’t need to know every detail yet.
Just start identifying the moments that connect your major story beats.
3. My Simple Chapter Outlining Method
Here’s how I like to outline my chapters.
For each chapter, I write down:
Chapter Number: Where does this chapter belong?
Chapter Goal: What needs to happen or change?
Setting: Where does the chapter take place?
Characters: Who appears in the chapter?
Three Bullet Points: What are the three most important things that happen?
That’s it!
For example:
Chapter 4 — The Missing Letter
Goal: The protagonist discovers that someone has been hiding information.
Setting: Family library.
Characters: Protagonist, older sibling.
Three Key Events:
The protagonist searches the library for an old photograph.
They discover a letter hidden inside a book.
Their sibling catches them reading it and demands they hand it over.
See how simple that is?
We have enough information to understand the chapter’s purpose without planning every conversation or description.
And when it’s time to draft?
We still have plenty of room to discover what happens along the way!
4. Remember: Your Outline Can Change!
Here’s something I want you to remember.
Your outline works for YOU. You don’t work for your outline.
Maybe you’ll discover a better plot twist while drafting.
Maybe two chapters will work better as one.
Maybe a supporting character will suddenly become far more important than you originally planned.
That’s okay!
Your outline isn’t a contract.
It’s a guide.
And you can change it whenever your story needs something different.
What do the people in your fictional world believe? What traditions do they celebrate? And what happens when someone challenges society’s expectations? Today, we’re exploring how to create believable societies and cultures that bring our novels to life!
Maybe your fictional community places enormous importance on family.
Or tradition.
Honor.
Wealth.
Education.
Freedom.
Community service.
Personal achievement.
Maybe several of these values exist at once!
Now, here’s where things become especially interesting.
What happens when those values conflict?
Imagine a fictional town where family loyalty is considered one of the most important virtues.
Now imagine your protagonist receives an incredible career opportunity that requires moving away.
Their family expects them to stay.
Their community expects them to stay.
But your protagonist wants to pursue their dream.
Suddenly, a cultural value has become a source of conflict.
And nobody necessarily has to be the villain!
The family might genuinely believe they’re protecting something important.
The protagonist might genuinely love their family.
But their values and desires are pulling them in different directions.
That’s how society and culture can create meaningful storytelling opportunities.
Step 2: Explore Traditions & Customs 🎉
Now let’s talk about something I absolutely LOVE when it comes to worldbuilding.
Traditions!
Because traditions can make a fictional community feel incredibly alive.
Think about holidays.
Festivals.
Weddings.
Funerals.
Coming-of-age celebrations.
Religious or spiritual observances.
Family gatherings.
Or even little everyday rituals that people follow without thinking much about them.
These customs can reveal a lot about what a community values.
For example, imagine a fictional coastal town that holds an annual lantern festival to honor generations of fishermen.
Maybe families gather along the shoreline.
Maybe children decorate lanterns.
Maybe local businesses close early so everyone can participate.
That one tradition tells us something about the community’s history, identity, and relationships.
And it might also create an interesting setting for an important scene!
Maybe two characters reunite during the festival.
Maybe someone refuses to participate because of a painful memory.
Or maybe the protagonist challenges a tradition that’s been followed for generations.
Suddenly, a cultural detail has become part of the story.
And that’s what we’re looking for!
Traditions shouldn’t exist only to make your world look interesting. They can also reveal character and create opportunities for conflict.
Step 3: Think About Social Expectations
Now we’re getting into something that can have an enormous impact on our protagonists.
Social expectations.
Every society has expectations about how people should behave.
Some are formal rules.
Others are unwritten customs.
And sometimes, those unwritten expectations can be just as powerful as actual laws.
Think about questions like:
What does society consider respectable?
What behaviors are encouraged or discouraged?
What does success look like?
What expectations surround marriage, family, or careers?
How are people treated when they don’t conform?
Now, here’s where things get interesting.
What happens when your protagonist doesn’t fit those expectations?
Maybe they’re expected to take over the family business, but they want a completely different career.
Maybe they’re pressured to marry someone they don’t love.
Maybe they belong to a community where asking for help is considered weakness.
Or maybe they’re determined to pursue something that others believe is impossible.
Those expectations can create internal and external conflict.
And remember what we talked about on Day 11?
False beliefs!
Sometimes our protagonists develop limiting beliefs because of the expectations surrounding them.
Maybe they’ve been taught that success is the only thing that matters.
Maybe they believe disappointing their family makes them a failure.
Or maybe they’ve spent their entire lives trying to become someone society expects them to be.
Your world’s social expectations can influence your protagonist’s emotional journey.
And that’s why this part of worldbuilding is so important.
Step 4: Explore Social Classes & Community Structures
Next, let’s think about how people are organized within your fictional society.
Does your world have distinct social classes?
Are there wealthy and working-class communities?
Do certain professions carry more prestige than others?
Are opportunities influenced by family background, education, or connections?
And how do these differences affect people’s everyday lives?
Now, you don’t necessarily need to create a complicated social hierarchy.
But it helps to understand whether certain characters have advantages or limitations because of their position within society.
For example, imagine two characters who want to attend the same prestigious university.
One comes from a wealthy family with access to tutors, professional connections, and financial support.
The other has to work multiple jobs while preparing their application.
Both characters might be equally talented.
But their circumstances create very different challenges.
And those differences can influence their motivations, relationships, and decisions.
A believable society doesn’t require every character to have the same opportunities or experiences.
In fact, understanding those differences can help make your fictional world feel more realistic.
Step 5: Think About Everyday Life
Okay, you guys.
Here’s something that I think can make worldbuilding especially fun.
The little details of everyday life! 💕
Because while enormous political conflicts and elaborate cultural traditions are interesting, sometimes the smallest details make a fictional world feel real.
What do people eat?
What do they wear?
How do they greet one another?
What do they do for entertainment?
How do families spend time together?
What does an ordinary workday look like?
Where do people gather?
And what does a typical weekend involve?
Now, I want to be very clear about something.
You do NOT need to answer every single one of these questions. 😂
We’re not creating an encyclopedia!
But choosing a few meaningful details can help readers feel immersed in your setting.
For example, imagine a small town where everyone gathers at the same diner on Sunday mornings.
That one detail can establish a sense of community.
It can create opportunities for characters to interact.
And it might become the setting for an important conversation or conflict.
Sometimes, the simplest worldbuilding details are the most effective.
Step 6: Remember That People Within a Culture Are Different
Here’s something important to consider when developing your fictional society.
Not everyone within a culture will think, believe, or behave exactly the same way.
People have different personalities.
Different experiences.
Different values.
And different opinions about the traditions and expectations surrounding them.
Some characters might embrace their community’s customs.
Others might question them.
Some might feel deeply connected to their cultural identity.
Others might feel trapped by certain expectations.
And some might have complicated feelings about both.
Those differences can make your fictional society feel more believable.
Because real communities aren’t made up of people who all agree about everything.
And your fictional communities shouldn’t have to be, either!
If you’re drawing inspiration from real-world cultures, take time to research them thoughtfully rather than relying on stereotypes.
Consider the variety of experiences and perspectives that exist within those communities.
The goal is to create people who feel like individuals, not simply representatives of a cultural category.
And that applies to fantasy worlds just as much as contemporary fiction!
Let’s Look at an Example: Pride and Prejudice 💕
Since we’ve been using Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen throughout our Preptober E-Guide, let’s explore how society and culture influence the novel.
Because if there’s one thing Pride and Prejudice demonstrates beautifully, it’s how social expectations can create compelling conflict.
Marriage & Social Expectations
One of the most important cultural expectations in Pride and Prejudice surrounds marriage.
For women in Elizabeth Bennet’s social position, marriage could have enormous financial and social consequences.
And because the Bennet estate is entailed away from the daughters, their future financial security is uncertain.
This helps explain why Mrs. Bennet is so determined to see her daughters married.
But Elizabeth doesn’t want to marry simply for financial security.
She values genuine affection, mutual respect, and personal happiness.
And that creates conflict between her individual desires and the expectations surrounding her.
Social Class & Reputation
Social class also plays an important role throughout the novel.
Characters are constantly aware of wealth, family connections, manners, and social standing.
And those differences influence how they perceive one another.
Think about Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
She places enormous importance on social position and family connections.
And when Elizabeth challenges her expectations, their interaction becomes a powerful moment of conflict.
Elizabeth’s willingness to stand up for herself reveals her character while also challenging the society around her.
Balls, Visits & Social Gatherings
Now let’s talk about some of the traditions that shape the novel.
Balls!
Visits!
Dinner parties!
Social gatherings!
These events aren’t simply opportunities for characters to wear beautiful clothes and have interesting conversations.
They’re important parts of the social world.
They provide opportunities for introductions.
They influence courtship.
They create situations where characters are observed and judged by others.
And they become the settings for some of the novel’s most important moments.
Think about the Meryton assembly, where Elizabeth first encounters Mr. Darcy.
Their initial interaction influences Elizabeth’s opinion of him.
And that first impression becomes an important part of the story’s central conflict.
Different Perspectives Within the Same Society
Now, here’s one of my favorite things about Pride and Prejudice.
The characters don’t all approach their society’s expectations in the same way.
Elizabeth values independence and genuine affection.
Charlotte Lucas approaches marriage more pragmatically, recognizing the importance of financial security.
Mrs. Bennet is deeply concerned about her daughters’ marriage prospects.
And Lady Catherine strongly reinforces social hierarchy.
All of these characters exist within the same broader society.
But they have different perspectives on what matters most.
And those differences create conflict, reveal character, and help explore the novel’s themes.
That’s effective worldbuilding!
The society isn’t simply a backdrop.
It’s actively influencing the story.
Step 7: Don’t Overcomplicate Your Society & Culture
Okay, you guys.
Here’s your friendly reminder for today.
You do NOT need to invent an entire civilization before November 1st. 😂
I know.
It’s tempting.
Especially when you’re writing fantasy or science fiction.
Suddenly, you’re creating fictional holidays.
Designing elaborate wedding ceremonies.
Inventing traditional clothing.
Developing entire educational systems.
And spending three hours deciding what everyone eats for breakfast.
And listen…
If you genuinely enjoy that process, there’s nothing wrong with it!
But remember why we’re doing Preptober.
We’re preparing to WRITE our novels.
We’re not trying to create the most elaborate worldbuilding documents imaginable.
So focus on the cultural details that are most relevant to your story.
What does your society value?
What traditions matter?
What expectations influence your characters?
And how might those expectations create conflict?
You can always expand on the details as you draft.
Your worldbuilding should support your writing process, not become another reason to delay starting.
And whether you’re a dedicated plotter, a proud pantser, or somewhere in between, you’re welcome to join us!
You don’t need a fictional calendar.
You don’t need to invent twelve different holidays.
And you definitely don’t need to know the traditional breakfast foods of every community in your world. 😂
You just need to understand the cultural details that influence your characters and the story you’re trying to tell.
Coming Up Tomorrow: Who Lives in Your Story World? 🧚♀️🐉
Tomorrow, we’re moving on to Day 15 of Preptober 2026, and we’re exploring the different people, creatures, races, and communities that inhabit our fictional worlds.
For my fantasy writers, this might involve magical creatures or entirely fictional species.
For my contemporary and historical fiction writers, we’ll explore the different communities, social groups, and populations that make your settings feel alive.
Because understanding your society’s traditions and values is important.
But understanding WHO actually lives in that society?
That’s where our fictional worlds become even more interesting!
Before you go, I’d love to hear from you:
What’s one tradition or social expectation that plays an important role in your novel? 👀💕
Is it a family tradition?
A cultural celebration?
A social rule your protagonist wants to break?
Or an expectation that makes your protagonist’s life significantly more complicated? 😂
What does your protagonist want? What do they actually need? And what false belief is holding them back? Today, we’re exploring the emotional foundations of character development and how they can transform your novel.
You guys, we’re officially eleven days into our 31-day novel-planning challenge!
And over the past few days, we’ve been getting to know our characters on a much deeper level.
We’ve identified our protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters.
We’ve explored their personalities, values, strengths, and flaws.
And yesterday, we figured out three incredibly important elements of storytelling:
Goal. Conflict. Stakes.
We know what our protagonists want.
We know what’s standing in their way.
And we know what they stand to lose if they fail.
But today?
We’re going to emotionally traumatize—I mean, DEVELOP—our characters! 😂💕
Because there’s something even more interesting than what our protagonists are trying to accomplish.
And that’s understanding WHY they want it.
What do they believe about themselves?
What do they believe about the world?
And what might they need to learn before they can truly grow?
Today, we’re talking about wants, needs, and false beliefs, and how these three elements can help us create compelling character arcs.
What Is a Character Arc?
Before we dive into today’s exercise, let’s talk about character arcs.
A character arc is the internal journey a character experiences throughout a story.
It’s how their beliefs, values, perspectives, or behaviors change—or sometimes refuse to change—as a result of the events they experience.
Think about some of your favorite protagonists.
Chances are, the person they are at the beginning of the novel isn’t exactly the same person they are at the end.
Maybe they learn to trust someone.
Maybe they discover their own worth.
Maybe they confront a fear that’s been holding them back.
Or maybe they realize that something they’ve believed their entire life isn’t actually true.
And here’s what makes character arcs so interesting.
Sometimes, the biggest obstacle standing between our protagonists and happiness isn’t the antagonist. It’s what they believe about themselves.
Now, not every story needs a dramatic transformation.
Some characters remain steadfast in their beliefs and change the world around them instead.
Others experience tragic arcs where they become more deeply entrenched in their flaws.
But today, we’re focusing on a common type of character arc: one in which the protagonist gradually confronts a false belief and discovers a deeper truth.
And to start building that arc, we need to understand three things.
What they want. What they need. And what they falsely believe.
Step 1: Identify What Your Protagonist Wants 🎯
Let’s start with the WANT.
What does your protagonist believe will make them happy?
What are they pursuing?
What do they think will solve their problems?
Yesterday, we explored our protagonists’ external goals.
Today, we’re digging into the emotional motivations behind those goals.
For example, imagine a character who’s determined to become the most successful chef in their city.
Their external goal might be to win a prestigious cooking competition.
But WHY do they want to win?
Maybe they believe success will finally earn their family’s approval.
Maybe they want to prove they’re capable of accomplishing something extraordinary.
Or maybe they’re convinced that achieving professional recognition will make them feel worthy.
Suddenly, their goal has a deeper emotional meaning.
And that’s what we’re looking for.
Your protagonist’s want is often connected to what they believe they need to be happy, safe, loved, or successful.
But here’s where things get interesting.
What they WANT and what they actually NEED aren’t always the same thing.
Step 2: Discover What Your Protagonist Actually Needs 💕
Now let’s talk about the NEED.
What does your protagonist need to learn, accept, or change to grow?
This is often the emotional truth they haven’t fully recognized at the beginning of the story.
Maybe they want everyone to admire them.
But what they need is to recognize their own worth without external validation.
Maybe they want complete control over their lives.
But what they need is to learn that trusting other people doesn’t make them weak.
Maybe they want to avoid heartbreak at all costs.
But what they need is to understand that meaningful relationships require vulnerability.
See the difference?
The WANT is what they’re actively pursuing.
The NEED is the emotional growth that might help them find genuine fulfillment.
And here’s something important to remember.
Your protagonist doesn’t necessarily know what they need.
In fact, they might actively resist it!
They might believe that changing their perspective would make them vulnerable.
They might cling to familiar behaviors because those behaviors have protected them in the past.
Or they might be so focused on achieving their external goal that they don’t recognize the internal problem.
And that tension between what a character wants and what they need can create a compelling emotional journey.
Step 3: Identify Your Protagonist’s False Belief
Okay, you guys.
This is one of my absolute FAVORITE parts of character development.
False beliefs! 😂
Because if there’s one thing I love, it’s a protagonist who’s completely convinced they’re right about something…
Only to discover that they might have been wrong all along.
A false belief is an inaccurate or limiting assumption your protagonist holds about themselves, other people, or the world.
It’s something they believe to be true, even though the story will challenge that belief.
And here’s the thing.
False beliefs don’t have to be completely irrational.
Sometimes they develop from very real experiences.
Maybe a character was betrayed by someone they trusted.
So they come to believe:
Trusting people only leads to heartbreak.
Maybe someone grew up feeling that their accomplishments were never good enough.
So they believe:
I’m only worthy of love when I’m successful.
Or maybe someone experienced a painful failure.
So they believe:
If I try again, I’ll only disappoint everyone.
These beliefs might make sense from the character’s perspective.
They may even have helped them cope with difficult circumstances.
But as the story progresses, those beliefs can begin creating problems.
They might influence the protagonist’s decisions.
Damage important relationships.
Prevent them from recognizing opportunities.
Or lead them to make choices that push them further away from what they truly need.
And that’s where our character arcs begin to take shape.
Step 4: Where Did That False Belief Come From?
Now that we’ve identified a possible false belief, let’s dig a little deeper.
Why does your protagonist believe this?
What happened in their past?
Was there a particular experience that shaped their worldview?
Did someone teach them this belief?
Did they misunderstand an important event?
Or did they gradually develop this perspective after experiencing the same disappointment over and over again?
Let’s return to our aspiring chef.
Maybe she grew up in a family where accomplishments were constantly compared.
Every award.
Every grade.
Every achievement.
And over time, she began to believe:
If I’m not the best, I’m not good enough.
So now, as an adult, she desperately wants to win a prestigious cooking competition.
Not simply because she loves cooking.
But because she believes winning will finally prove her worth.
And suddenly, we understand something important about her character.
Her ambition isn’t necessarily the problem.
It’s the belief driving her ambition that creates the internal conflict.
Now, here’s where things can become especially interesting.
What happens when she fails?
What happens when someone challenges that belief?
And what happens when achieving her goal doesn’t give her the emotional fulfillment she expected?
Those are the kinds of questions that can help us develop a compelling character arc.
Step 5: Connect the Want, Need & False Belief
Now let’s bring everything together.
Because these three elements work best when they’re connected.
Let’s use our fictional chef one more time.
Want: Win a prestigious cooking competition and prove she’s the best.
Need: Learn that her worth isn’t determined by her achievements.
False Belief: If I’m not successful, I’m not worthy of love or respect.
Do you see how these elements influence one another?
Her false belief motivates her want.
Her want influences the choices she makes.
And the events of the story challenge her belief until she’s forced to confront what she actually needs.
Maybe she sacrifices important relationships while pursuing success.
Maybe she makes a terrible decision because she’s afraid of losing.
Or maybe she finally achieves her goal and realizes that winning hasn’t solved the emotional problem she thought it would.
Her external journey and internal journey are connected.
And that’s exactly what we’re trying to accomplish!
Because a compelling character arc doesn’t have to exist separately from the plot.
Ideally, the events of the story help challenge the protagonist’s beliefs and push them toward growth.
Let’s Look at an Example: Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice 💕
Since we’ve been using Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen throughout our Preptober E-Guide, let’s take a closer look at Elizabeth Bennet.
I love using Elizabeth as an example because her strengths and flaws are so closely connected.
She’s intelligent.
Observant.
Witty.
Independent.
And she’s incredibly confident in her ability to understand other people.
But that confidence also contributes to one of her biggest flaws.
Her tendency to judge people based on first impressions.
So let’s break down her character arc.
Elizabeth’s Want
Elizabeth wants to maintain her independence and find genuine happiness.
She doesn’t want to marry simply because society expects her to.
She values affection, respect, and personal integrity.
And she wants to make her own decisions about her future.
Elizabeth’s Need
Elizabeth needs to recognize that her judgments aren’t always accurate.
She needs to become more willing to question her assumptions and consider perspectives beyond her own.
And she needs to understand that her pride and prejudices can prevent her from seeing people clearly.
Elizabeth’s False Belief
For our character sheet, we might describe Elizabeth’s false belief as:
I can accurately judge a person’s character based on my first impressions.
And throughout the novel, that belief is challenged.
Elizabeth initially forms a negative opinion of Mr. Darcy.
She also accepts Mr. Wickham’s account of his history with Darcy without fully questioning it.
But as new information comes to light, Elizabeth begins to realize that her judgments weren’t as accurate as she believed.
And that realization forces her to confront her own pride and prejudice.
Elizabeth’s Character Growth
By the end of the novel, Elizabeth has developed a deeper understanding of herself and Darcy.
She’s learned to reconsider her assumptions.
She’s become more aware of her own flaws.
And she’s able to recognize a relationship she might otherwise have dismissed.
Notice how her character arc connects directly to the novel’s themes?
Pride. Prejudice. Love. Self-awareness.
Her internal transformation isn’t separate from the romance.
It’s an essential part of it.
And that’s what makes her journey so satisfying!
Step 6: Think About How Your Story Challenges the False Belief
Now that we’ve explored our protagonists’ wants, needs, and false beliefs, let’s think about how those beliefs might be challenged.
Because identifying a false belief is only the beginning.
Your story needs opportunities to put that belief to the test.
Maybe your protagonist meets someone who challenges their worldview.
Maybe they experience a failure that forces them to reconsider their priorities.
Maybe they make a decision based on their false belief and experience painful consequences.
Or maybe they encounter a situation where their usual approach simply doesn’t work anymore.
And here’s something I want you to think about.
Your protagonist doesn’t have to recognize the truth immediately.
In fact, they might resist it!
They might double down on their false belief.
They might make excuses.
They might blame someone else.
Or they might briefly recognize the truth before retreating into old habits.
Because change is rarely easy.
And in fiction, that resistance can create some incredibly compelling moments.
Eventually, your protagonist may reach a point where they have to make a choice.
Will they continue believing what they’ve always believed?
Or will they embrace a new perspective?
That decision can become an important part of your story’s emotional climax.
And don’t worry!
We’re not plotting every single moment of that journey today.
We’ll have plenty of time to explore our story beats and outlines later this month.
For now, we’re just beginning to understand what our protagonists might need to learn.
Every great novel has something beneath the surface. Today, we’re exploring your story’s themes, emotional journey, and the deeper meaning that makes readers care.
You guys, we’re almost a week into our 31-day novel-planning challenge!
And can we just take a moment to appreciate everything we’ve accomplished so far?
We’ve figured out WHY we’re writing our novels.
We’ve gotten all those messy, wonderful ideas out of our heads.
We’ve started connecting the dots.
And yesterday, we took our big story ideas and condensed them into one sentence.
That’s a pretty big accomplishment!
But today?
We’re digging a little deeper.
Because knowing what happens in your novel is important.
But understanding why your story matters?
That’s where things get really interesting.
Today, we’re finding the heart of our stories. 💕
What Is the Heart of Your Story?
When I talk about the heart of a story, I’m talking about everything happening beneath the surface of the plot.
The emotions.
The themes.
The questions.
The lessons our characters learn—or sometimes refuse to learn.
It’s the deeper meaning that gives all those exciting plot twists and dramatic moments a sense of purpose.
Think about your favorite books.
Chances are, you don’t love them just because of what happened.
You love them because of how they made you feel.
Maybe a character’s journey reminded you of something you’ve experienced.
Maybe a particular relationship made you believe in love again.
Maybe the story challenged the way you think about the world.
Or maybe it simply made you feel a little less alone.
That’s the power of a story’s emotional heart.
And today, we’re going to start discovering what that looks like for our own novels.
Step 1: Identify Your Story’s Theme
Let’s start with one of those writing terms that can sound a little intimidating.
Theme.
Now, before anyone starts having flashbacks to high school English class (omg those days)…
Don’t worry! 😂
We’re keeping this simple.
A theme is a central idea, question, or concept that your story explores.
For example, your novel might explore:
Love and sacrifice
Identity and belonging
Grief and healing
Freedom and responsibility
Courage and fear
Trust and betrayal
Family and forgiveness
And here’s something important to remember.
Your novel doesn’t have to explore just one theme.
Most stories touch on several!
But identifying one or two central themes can help give your novel direction.
For example, if your story explores trust, you might have characters who struggle to rely on others.
You might create conflicts that challenge their assumptions about loyalty.
And you might develop relationships that force them to reconsider what trust actually means.
Suddenly, your theme isn’t just an abstract idea.
It’s influencing your characters, their decisions, and the events of your story.
And that’s exactly what we want!
Step 2: Think About Your Protagonist’s Emotional Journey
Now let’s talk about something I absolutely LOVE.
Character development. 💕
Because while your protagonist might be trying to solve a mystery, win a competition, or accomplish some enormous goal…
There’s usually something happening internally, too.
Maybe they’re learning to trust someone.
Maybe they’re discovering their own worth.
Maybe they’re confronting a fear that’s been holding them back.
Or maybe they’re realizing that something they’ve believed their entire life isn’t actually true.
And here’s the question I want you to think about:
Who is your protagonist at the beginning of your novel, and who might they become by the end?
They don’t necessarily need to become a completely different person.
Sometimes the most powerful character arcs involve small but meaningful changes.
A character who learns to ask for help.
A character who finally stands up for themselves.
A character who realizes that being loved doesn’t require being perfect.
Those changes can give your story an emotional payoff that stays with readers long after they’ve finished the final chapter.
And don’t worry if you haven’t figured out your protagonist’s entire character arc yet!
We’ll be diving deeper into our characters over the next several days.
For now, we’re simply exploring the possibilities.
Step 3: Ask What Your Story Is Really Saying
Here’s where things get interesting.
We’ve identified some themes.
We’ve started thinking about our protagonist’s emotional journey.
Now I want you to ask yourself:
What question is my story exploring?
Maybe your novel asks:
Can love survive without trust?
Is success worth sacrificing your happiness?
Can someone truly change?
What does it mean to belong somewhere?
Is courage the absence of fear, or the decision to act despite it?
You don’t necessarily need to have a definitive answer.
In fact, sometimes the most compelling stories explore complicated questions without offering a simple solution.
But knowing what question you’re exploring can help you make decisions as you plan your novel.
Because your story’s theme should ideally influence more than just the ending.
It can shape the conflicts your protagonist faces, the relationships they develop, and the choices they make throughout the story.
Your theme isn’t something you have to explain to readers. It’s something they can experience through the story itself.
Step 4: Decide How You Want Readers to Feel
Now, I want you to think about your future readers.
Yes, those wonderful people who will one day pick up your book and fall in love with the world you’ve created! 📖💕
How do you want them to feel when they reach the final page?
Do you want them to feel hopeful?
Heartbroken?
Inspired?
Comforted?
Empowered?
Maybe you want them to laugh, cry, and immediately text their best friend about what they just read.
Or maybe you want them to close the book and sit quietly for a few minutes, thinking about everything that happened.
There isn’t a right or wrong answer here.
But thinking about the emotional experience you want to create can help you understand what kind of story you’re trying to tell.
And here’s something I want you to remember…
You don’t have to make every reader feel exactly the same thing.
Everyone brings their own experiences and perspectives to a book.
That’s part of what makes reading so magical!
We’re simply identifying the emotional experience we hope to create.
Let’s Look at an Example: Pride and Prejudice 💕
Since we’ve been using Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen throughout our Preptober E-Guide, let’s look at how its themes and emotional journey work together.
On the surface, Pride and Prejudice is a romance about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
But underneath that romance, Austen explores some fascinating themes.
Pride. Prejudice. Social class. Marriage. First impressions.
And Elizabeth’s emotional journey is especially interesting.
At the beginning of the novel, Elizabeth prides herself on her ability to understand people.
She’s intelligent, observant, witty, and confident in her judgments.
But as the story progresses, she discovers that some of those judgments were influenced by her own prejudices.
And that realization forces her to reconsider what she believes about Darcy, herself, and the people around her.
So what is the story really exploring?
One possible central question might be:
Can we find genuine love if we allow our pride and prejudices to shape how we see other people?
And by the end of the novel, Elizabeth has developed a deeper understanding of both herself and Darcy.
Her external romantic journey and internal emotional journey work together.
That’s what makes the story so satisfying!
The romance isn’t separate from the theme.
The romance helps bring the theme to life.
And that’s something we can think about when developing our own novels.
Step 5: Write Down the Heart of Your Story
Now that we’ve explored themes, emotional journeys, and the feelings we want to create, it’s time to put everything together.
And whether you’re a dedicated plotter, a proud pantser, or somewhere in between, you’re welcome to join us!
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You don’t need a perfect outline.
And you definitely don’t need to turn novel planning into a second full-time job. 😂
You just need to keep showing up for your story.
Coming Up: Who Are the Key Players in Your Novel?
Next, we’re moving on to Day 7 of Preptober 2026, and we’re officially diving into character development!
We’ll start identifying the important people in our stories, from our protagonists and antagonists to the supporting characters who help bring our fictional worlds to life.
Because now that we understand what our stories are about…
It’s time to meet the people who are going to bring them to life! 💕
Before you go, I’d love to hear from you:
What’s one theme you want to explore in your novel?
Tell me in the comments!
I cannot wait to hear about the stories you’re creating.
Happy Sunday! My days lately have been filled with Preptober videos, story planning, and getting back into revisions. Here’s what’s happening in my cozy little writing corner this week.
🍂 It’s never too late for Preptober
We’ve been going through my free Preptober E-Guide together, and if you haven’t started yet, you’re still welcome to join us!
You don’t have to catch up all at once. Start with Day 1, grab a cozy drink, and work at your own pace. These resources are here whenever you need them.
Getting feedback from my beta readers has been such a big part of this process, and now I’m taking what I’ve learned and putting it to work. There’s something exciting—and a little intimidating—about opening the manuscript again with fresh perspectives and a clearer idea of what needs attention.
One revision at a time, I’m getting closer to the version I want to send to literary agents. I’ll keep you posted as I work through it!
☕️ Let’s write together on Wednesday
If you’ve been meaning to make time for your story, come spend part of your Wednesday morning with me!
Are you planning something new for Novel November, revising an existing project, or figuring out which idea to follow next? Drop a comment below and let me know. I’d love to hear what you’re excited about this week!
💖 Elizabeth
P.S. Interested in joining my newsletter so you can stay up to date with the latest? Sign up here.
You don’t need to have everything figured out to start planning your novel. Today, we’re taking those scattered ideas and starting to discover the story hiding underneath.
You guys, we’re already four days into our 31-day novel-planning challenge!
On day 3, we did something that I think is incredibly important when starting a new writing project.
We got all those ideas out of our heads and onto paper.
The random scenes. The characters. The dialogue snippets. The plot twists. The aesthetics. The little details that have been floating around in our imaginations for weeks, months, or maybe even YEARS.
And if you’re anything like me, your brain dump probably looks like a chaotic collection of thoughts that don’t necessarily connect.
That’s okay!
In fact, that’s exactly what we wanted.
Because yesterday wasn’t about organizing our ideas or figuring out whether they made sense.
It was about giving ourselves permission to be creative without judgment.
But today?
We’re going to start looking for the story hiding inside all that chaos. 💕
Step 1: Revisit Your Brain Dump
First things first, grab your Preptober 2026 E-Guide and turn back to the Big Picture Brain Dump section.
I want you to read through everything you wrote down yesterday.
And I mean everything!
Even the ideas that seem a little ridiculous.
Even the random bits of dialogue that don’t have a home yet.
Even the scenes you’re not entirely sure belong in this novel.
As you read, start paying attention to the ideas that excite you the most.
Maybe there’s a particular character you can’t stop thinking about.
Maybe there’s a relationship you desperately want to explore.
Maybe there’s a scene you’ve been imagining for months.
Or maybe there’s a question at the heart of your story that you really want to answer.
Those are the ideas I want you to pay attention to.
Because when we’re planning a novel, it’s easy to get caught up in what we think our story should be.
But sometimes the most interesting ideas are the ones that make us genuinely excited to sit down and write.
Step 2: Look for Connections
Now that you’ve revisited your brain dump, let’s start looking for connections.
Are there characters who naturally belong together?
Do certain scenes seem like they could happen in the same storyline?
Are there recurring themes, conflicts, or emotions?
Maybe you’ve written down several scenes involving a character struggling with trust.
Maybe multiple ideas revolve around a particular setting.
Or maybe you keep returning to the same question about love, ambition, belonging, or identity.
Those recurring ideas might be pointing you toward something important.
And here’s the thing…
You don’t need to cram every idea into your novel.
I know. I know.
Sometimes we come up with a scene that’s SO good that we desperately want to include it.
But not every idea is going to serve the story we’re trying to tell.
And that’s okay!
You can always save those ideas for another project.
For now, we’re just looking for the pieces that seem to fit together.
Step 3: Start Asking Questions
One of my favorite ways to develop a story is by asking questions.
Lots and lots of questions. 😂
Because sometimes the best ideas come from being curious about what we already have.
For example, imagine you’re writing a mystery novel about a woman who inherits an old bookstore.
That’s a starting point.
But what if we start asking questions?
Why did she inherit the bookstore?
What does she discover when she arrives?
Who doesn’t want her there?
What happens if she decides to sell it?
Why does this place matter to her personally?
Suddenly, we have possibilities for characters, conflicts, relationships, and an actual plot!
We don’t have all the answers yet.
But that’s the beauty of brainstorming.
One idea can lead to another, and another, and another.
Before you know it, the beginnings of a story start to take shape.
Step 4: Identify What Excites You Most
Now, I want you to think back to something we talked about on Day 2.
Your why.
Why are you writing this book?
What made you fall in love with this idea in the first place?
Because as we begin organizing our stories, I don’t want us to lose sight of the things that made us excited to write them.
Maybe it’s a particular character dynamic.
Maybe it’s a theme you’re passionate about exploring.
Maybe it’s the atmosphere of your setting.
Or maybe it’s simply a scene you cannot wait to put on the page.
Whatever it is, hold on to it!
You don’t have to build your entire novel around a single exciting idea.
But knowing what you’re most excited about can help guide your decisions as your story develops.
And on those days when writing gets difficult, remembering that initial spark can make a huge difference.
Step 5: Don’t Worry About Making Everything Perfect
Here’s your friendly reminder for today:
You are not writing your final outline.
You’re not writing your query letter.
You’re not even writing your first draft yet!
We’re still exploring.
And that means you’re allowed to change your mind.
You’re allowed to move ideas around.
You’re allowed to discover that something you originally thought was important doesn’t actually belong in your story.
And you’re allowed to have unanswered questions.
In fact, I’d be a little surprised if you didn’t! 😂
The purpose of Preptober isn’t to eliminate every single unknown before November 1st.
It’s to give ourselves enough direction and confidence to begin writing.
And sometimes, that starts with simply recognizing which ideas belong together.
Spend about 10–15 minutes reviewing your notes and identifying:
Three ideas you’re most excited about. These might be characters, scenes, relationships, or anything else that makes you want to write.
Connections between your ideas. Look for recurring conflicts, themes, settings, or character relationships
What’s Your Story Actually About?
Next, we’re moving on to Day 5 of Preptober 2026, where we’ll take the ideas we’ve been exploring and start putting our novels into one simple sentence.
Don’t panic!
We’re not writing the perfect elevator pitch or a polished query letter.
We’re just figuring out the foundation of our stories.
And I promise, it’s going to be easier than you think!
Until then, I’d love to hear from you:
What’s the one idea about your novel that you’re MOST excited to write?
Yesterday, we figured out why we’re writing our books—the reason we’re going to keep coming back to these stories even when writing gets hard.
And today?
We’re making a mess.
Seriously.
No outlining. No organizing. No worrying about whether an idea makes sense yet.
Today we’re taking every random thought, scene, character, trope, setting, line of dialogue, and wouldn’t it be cool if… currently floating around in our brains and getting it onto the page.
When I first start thinking about a new book, my ideas are rarely organized.
I might know exactly how two characters meet but have absolutely no idea what happens afterward. I might have a random line of dialogue I love. Maybe there’s a specific setting I can picture perfectly.
There might be a trope I desperately want to include, a plot twist that came to me in the shower, or an entire scene playing like a movie in my head.
And then there are approximately 7,000 question marks connecting everything.
That’s completely normal.
At this stage of Preptober, we don’t need to make sense of any of it yet.
We just need to get it out of our heads.
What Goes Into a Novel Brain Dump?
Anything.
And I mean anything.
Your brain dump might include characters you’ve already imagined, scenes you want to write, snippets of dialogue, possible plot twists, worldbuilding ideas, settings, tropes, aesthetics, vibes, relationships, questions you need to answer, or things you simply think would be cool.
You might write: Enemies to lovers.
And then underneath it: There NEEDS to be a ballroom scene.
Followed immediately by: Wait…why are they enemies???
Perfect.
That’s exactly the kind of energy we’re bringing to Day Three. 😂
Your ideas don’t have to be complete. They don’t even have to be good.
They just have to exist.
Don’t Start Editing Your Ideas Yet
This is probably the most important rule for today’s exercise:
Don’t judge anything.
The second you start asking whether an idea is good enough, realistic enough, original enough, or important enough, you’re no longer brainstorming.
You’re editing.
And we’re not there yet.
Today is about giving yourself permission to explore.
That weird idea you’ve been debating?
Write it down.
The scene you desperately want to include even though you have absolutely no idea where it belongs?
Write it down.
Two completely contradictory ideas for your protagonist?
Write down both.
You don’t have to decide today.
There are no bad ideas on the brain dump page.
Set a Timer and GO
If you’re staring at your blank brain dump page wondering where to begin, try setting a timer for 10 minutes.
Then write.
Don’t stop to organize anything.
Don’t erase something because you changed your mind halfway through.
Don’t worry about handwriting neatly or making the page aesthetically pleasing.
Just keep asking yourself:
What do I already know about this story?
When something pops into your head, write it down.
One idea will probably lead to another. And another. And suddenly that intimidating blank page won’t look quite so blank anymore.
And if you fill the first page?
Keep going.
Grab your notebook, open a blank document, flip the page over—whatever works.
This is one day where I actively encourage you to take up as much space as you need.
You Don’t Need to Fill Every Gap
You might finish today’s exercise and realize there are some pretty significant things you don’t know yet.
Maybe you know your protagonist but not your antagonist.
Maybe you know the beginning and ending but have absolutely no clue what happens for the 70,000 words in between.
Maybe you have an incredible fantasy world and zero plot.
That’s okay.
We’re only on Day Three.
We have the rest of October to answer those questions.
In fact, discovering the gaps now is useful because we’ll know exactly what we need to explore as we work through our characters, worldbuilding, story beats, and outline later this month.
Your Day 3 Preptober Assignment 🎃
Open your Preptober 2026 E-Guide to the Big Picture Brain Dump section.
Set a timer for 10 minutes.
And then dump everything you currently know about your novel onto the page.
Don’t organize it.
Don’t judge it.
Don’t worry about whether everything will actually make it into the book.
Just get it out of your head.
And when you finish, I want you to look at that messy page and remember:
There is a story hiding in there.
We’re going to find it.
Tomorrow, We Start Connecting the Dots
Once we’ve dumped all of our ideas onto the page, we can start figuring out which ones actually belong together.
So on Day Four of Preptober 2026, we’re going to take this beautiful, chaotic mess and start looking for the story inside it.
We’ll look for connections, identify the ideas we’re most excited about, find our must-have moments, and start noticing the gaps we still need to fill.
But that’s tomorrow’s problem.
Today?
Make a mess. 🧠✨
And when you’re finished, come over to today’s video and tell me:
What’s ONE thing you already know absolutely has to happen in your book?
A scene? A trope? A character? A setting? A completely unhinged plot twist?
And for the next 31 days, we’re doing something pretty exciting: we’re planning our novels together.
My goal is that by the time October 31 rolls around, you’re not sitting in front of a blank document wondering: Okay… what am I supposed to write now?
Instead, you’ll know your story. You’ll know your characters. You’ll have built your world, mapped out your major story beats, created an outline, set your writing goals, and figured out when and how you’re actually going to get those words onto the page.
I’ve downloaded a LOT of novel-planning guides over the years.
And while many of them were beautiful and incredibly thorough, I often had the same problem: they were overwhelming.
I’d open a workbook and discover dozens—or sometimes hundreds—of pages waiting for me.
Suddenly, instead of being excited about this incredible new book idea, I felt like I had homework.
I was worrying about filling out every worksheet, answering every question, and making my planning process look perfectly organized instead of doing the thing I actually wanted to do:
We’re working through the entire guide together, page by page and step by step.
Some days, we’ll brainstorm. We’ll spend several days developing our characters and building our worlds. We’ll identify the major beats of our stories and turn those beats into chapter outlines.
Then, toward the end of the month, we’ll shift from what we’re going to write to how we’re actually going to write it.
We’ll create our Novel November goals, decide how we’re tracking our progress, find accountability, build our writing routines, and even make a plan for those inevitable days when everything goes wrong.
You can print your guide or use your favorite PDF editor. Personally, I printed mine out so I can write directly on the pages as we work through them.
You’ll also want a notebook and your favorite pen or pencil for all the extra brainstorming we’re going to be doing.
Then, create a blank document for your Story Bible. You can use Google Docs, Scrivener, Word, or whatever program works best for your brain. We’ll build that Story Bible together later this month.
I also recommend having some kind of system for tracking your writing progress. I personally use Monday.com, but you could use Notion, a spreadsheet, your planner, or a regular notebook.
It doesn’t need to be fancy.
It just needs to work for you.
The Most Important Thing You’ll Need
There’s one more thing you’re going to need this month. And you can’t buy it at Target or add it to your Amazon cart.
You need to believe that you can write this story.
You do not need to know everything about your book right now. You don’t need to have your entire plot figured out. You don’t need to know your characters inside and out. You don’t even need to know how the book ends.
That’s what this month is for.
All you need right now is an idea you’re excited to explore and the belief that you’re capable of telling it.
Your Story Is Allowed to Change
Here’s something else I want you to remember throughout this entire process:
Your plan is probably going to change once you start writing.
Your characters will surprise you. You’ll come up with better ideas. A scene you thought would work perfectly might fall completely flat. You might throw an entire section of your outline out the window.
That’s not a failure of your planning process.
That’s writing.
We’re not trying to eliminate discovery. We’re creating a roadmap so we have somewhere to start.
And please don’t feel like you have to approach planning exactly the way I do.
I’ll show you the process that works for me, but this is your book.
Take what helps you. Change what doesn’t serve you. Skip something entirely if it isn’t useful.
The guide is here to make writing your novel feel less overwhelming—not more.
Your Day 1 Preptober Assignment 🎃
If you missed yesterday’s Day One video, you can still jump in! There is absolutely no need to feel behind.
Watch Day 1 of Preptober 2026, download your guide, gather your supplies, create a blank document for your Story Bible, and get ready for the month ahead.
Then introduce yourself in the comments!
Tell me what you’re planning to write for Novel November. What’s your genre? Is this your first novel or your fifth? Are you starting something brand new, or is this a story you’ve been thinking about for years?
I want to hear about it.
And once you’re ready, join me for Day Two, where we’re starting with something even more important than characters, worldbuilding, or plot:
There are moments in every big project when the finish line finally comes into view. After years of outlining, rewriting, second-guessing myself, tearing entire sections apart, and rebuilding them from scratch, I can finally say something that feels almost surreal:
I am only three chapters away from finishing Draft 2 of Project Ember.
Even typing those words feels strange.
For so long, this project felt endless.
The Long Road to This Point
Project Ember has been with me for years.
The version I’m writing today isn’t even the same story I originally started. Earlier drafts leaned heavily into a Cinderella-inspired revenge plot. Somewhere along the way, I realized the story was asking to become something deeper.
The characters wanted more.
The themes wanted more.
I wanted more.
So I made the difficult decision to rewrite large portions of the manuscript and transform it into the story it is today—a romantasy adventure centered around loneliness, responsibility, healing, and learning that strength doesn’t always mean carrying everything on your own.
That decision added months of work.
At times, it felt like I had moved farther away from the finish line instead of closer.
Looking back now, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Act III Is Different
One thing I’ve noticed while writing Draft 2 is that Act III has been significantly harder than Acts I and II.
Not because I don’t know what happens. Not because I’m stuck. But because this is where all of the emotional weight lands.
The easy answers are gone. The characters have reached the point where they can no longer avoid their flaws. Every lesson they’ve been resisting throughout the story is demanding to be learned. Every wound they’ve been avoiding is demanding to be confronted.
As a writer, those chapters take more out of you.
You can’t just move characters from Point A to Point B. You have to sit with them in the uncomfortable moments. You have to let them struggle. You have to let them fail.
And then you have to figure out whether they’ve grown enough to make a different choice.
A Nearly 6,000-Word Day
Despite feeling mentally drained, I ended up having one of my most productive writing days in recent memory.
I wrapped up:
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
By the end of the day, I had written 5,967 words.
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting that.
When I sat down that morning, my goal was simply to make progress.
Instead, I found myself riding a wave of momentum that carried me farther than I thought possible.
Those are the days every writer lives for.
Not because they’re common.
But because they remind you what’s possible when everything clicks.
Preparing for Beta Readers
One thought that keeps crossing my mind lately is how close I am to sharing this story with beta readers.
That’s exciting.
It’s also terrifying.
I’ve spent so much time with these characters that they’ve become part of me.
Soon, they’ll leave the safety of my laptop and be placed into someone else’s hands.
Someone will tell me what worked.
Someone will tell me what didn’t.
Someone will point out weaknesses I can no longer see because I’ve been too close to the story for too long.
And honestly?
That’s exactly what I need.
Growth as a writer requires feedback.
Not just praise.
Not just encouragement.
Actual feedback that helps the story become stronger.
A Reminder for Anyone Chasing a Big Goal
One thing this journey has taught me is that progress rarely looks dramatic in the moment.
Most days are small. Most days are repetitive. Most days are simply showing up.
You write another chapter. You revise another scene. You make one more improvement. And then one day you look up and realize you’re standing somewhere you once dreamed of reaching.
That’s where I am right now.
Three chapters away.
Close enough to see the finish line.
And if you’re working toward a goal of your own, I hope this serves as a reminder:
Keep going.
The finish line might be closer than you think.
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