Mastering Romance & TikTok: Fiona Lucas on Character Arcs, Plot Twists, and Going Viral. Welcome back to another fantastic episode of The Writing Community Chat Show! With over 400 interviews under our belts - chatting with everyone from indie debutants to NYT bestsellers - we are incredibly proud to continue bringing you the very best insights into the publishing world. It’s been an amazing journey recently reaching number 3 in the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK, and we couldn’t do it without this brilliant community. This week, we are thrilled to welcome the award-winning author of contemporary women’s fiction and romance, Fiona Lucas (also known for her decades of enchanting readers as Fiona Harper). Fiona has written over 30 books, hit the number one spot on the Kindle bestseller list, and cracked the code for authors on TikTok, accumulating over a million likes! Whether you are plotting your first romance or trying to figure out how to market your latest release on social media, Fiona’s journey from a mother of two seeking a creative outlet to a seasoned industry veteran is packed with actionable advice.

📣 New Podcast! "Mastering Romance & TikTok: Fiona Lucas on Character Arcs, Plot Twists, and Going Viral." on @Spreaker #amwriting #author #authorinterview #authorpodcast #authors #authortips #book #books #fionalucus #howtowrite #howtowriteabook #romance #romancebooks #thewayilovedyou #writing

Why is the funny character so often the side character? And can main characters also be funny? (Spoiler alert: they can.)

Full video on funny main characters: youtu.be/KRA1Lw2K48c?...

#writing #writingcomedy #writingcommunity #writingtips #writingfiction #howtowriteabook

The Central Tension of Your Book's Final Act I Have an Idea for a Novel. Now What???

Why does the final act of a book feel so intense?

hollyschindler.substack.com/p/the-centra...

#writingcommunity #writingtips #writingfiction #writing #howtowriteabook

If you're having a hard time starting scenes, start with action rather than summary language.

More on my 3-ingredient recipe for strong scene openers: youtu.be/z219Yq19dDM?...

#writing #writingscenes #WritingCommunity #writingtips #writingfiction #howtowriteabook #writersofbluesky

Want to hook your reader at the start of each new scene? Just follow my super simple 3-ingredient recipe.

Full "recipe" breakdown: youtu.be/z219Yq19dDM?...

#WritingCommunity #writingtips #writingfiction #writing #writingscenes #howtowriteabook

Funny characters do FAR more than make your reader smile.

Comedic subplots video: youtu.be/mmI8vwYdev4?...

Story Lab for comedic writing: www.patreon.com/HollySchindler

#writingcommunity #writingcomedy #CharacterDevelopment #writing #writingtips #writingfiction #howtowriteabook

Story Lab - Holly Schindler | Patreon Fiction and Writing Resources

Emphasize the humanity in your writing. Develop your voice with humor: www.patreon.com/HollySchindler

#writingcommunity #comedy #writingtips #writingfiction #howtowriteabook

Need to add tension to your book? Try adding external stakes.

External Stakes Subplots: youtu.be/mmI8vwYdev4?...

#writingtips #subplots #stakes #writingcommunity #howtowriteabook #writersofbluesky

Want to make sure your antagonist isn't wooden and two-dimensional? Try making them more like your protagonist.

More on the Rivalry Subplot: youtu.be/F1CiQ9Snds4?...

#writing #writingcommunity #writingtips #characterdevelopment #subplots #howtowriteabook

Act 4 Common Mistakes I Have an Idea for a Novel. Now What???

The sprint from the midpoint to the climax contains so much to juggle: character & subplots & themes...Knowing some of the most common mistakes can keep things on track:
hollyschindler.substack.com/p/act-4-comm...

#writing #writingtips #writingcommunity #plot #howtowriteabook #writersofbluesky

Readers can root for the most despicable main character...as long as they understand the universal emotion or desire underneath every decision they make.

Full video: youtu.be/khC5_3Ug5zQ?...

#writing #writingcommunity #writinglife #characterdevelopment #howtowriteabook #writersofbluesky

Act 4: Key Elements I Have an Idea for a Novel. Now What???

Key elements to include after you main character moves past the midpoint of your novel: hollyschindler.substack.com/p/act-4-key-...

#writingcommunity #writing #writingtips #howtowriteabook #writingadvice #writersofbluesky

Each of your main character's problems should build on the last.

Rescue Your Sagging Middle Writing Resource: payhip.com/b/yHl2s

#writing #writeyourstory #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writersofbluesky

The middles are tough because SO MUCH can go wrong. One possible (and very fixable) mistake: did you lose sight of your main character's lie?

Full video: youtu.be/GZNHUoYgXOM?...

#writing #writingcommunity #writingabook #writingtips #writingadvice #howtowriteabook

Immerse your readers with specific stakes.

Full video: youtu.be/hpdUdkbcu_Q?...

#writing #WritingCommunity #howtowriteabook #writingtips #storytelling

Don't let your subplots feel like filler!

Full video: youtu.be/UIFUg1FX51U?...

#writing #writingcommunity #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingcraft #writersofbluesky

Don't give your side characters full arcs. Give them jobs.

Full video: youtu.be/p5wVcFzJiYg?...

#writingtips #characterdevelopment #howtowriteabook #writinganovel #writing #writersofbluesky

One of the most powerful roles your side character can play? That of the warning. Don't underestimate the power of this character.

Full video: youtu.be/p5wVcFzJiYg?...

#characterdevelopment #writingtips #howtowriteabook #writingabook #writing #SideCharacter

What backstory REALLY is.

Full video: youtu.be/5qyHDsFSvl4?...

#writer #writingcommunity #writinglife #howtowriteabook #writingtips

Mockup of a book on tree-lined background. Book cover features a road coming out of the pages. Titled Narrative Transportation: The Science of Writing Immersive Fiction

Coming Soon:

No more vague advice like “make it compelling.” I’m talking concrete techniques for writing books readers lose themselves in.

#writersofbluesky #writingtips #writingadvice #howtowriteabook #writingcommunity

$55 for one 75 min class; with Jordan's book, you'll have what you need to tell *your* story. Signups at www.sibyllinepress(dot)com/craft.
#sibylwritingcraft #writingcommunity #howtowriteabook #writersofinstagram

Deadlines — A Must-Have — Achoo! My life. The last 72 hours, I’ve been fighting a beast of a cold.

medium.com/@STOPNotWrit...

#writingtips #howtowriteabook #howtobeatwritersblock #writersblock #makingdeadlines

YouTube thumbnail of a writing-tip video, featuring a coffee cup, book, and headshot of Holly Schindler (video instructor). Reads: Stop info-dumping your main character's backstory.

EVERY writer struggles with backstory. Here, I share 3 setting types that naturally trigger memories and reveal your character’s past so you never have to resort to the dreaded info-dump! 🎬 🎥

youtu.be/cjPNJVnZ_WQ?...

#writersofbluesky #writingtips #writinglife #writingadvice #howtowriteabook

Title card for Substack post featuring hands taking notes.

Think your main character WILLING responds to the inciting event? No way. They have to be dragged into this adventure kicking and screaming. More advice for Act 1: hollyschindler.substack.com/p/not-so-fas...

#writingtips #writingadvice #howtowriteabook #writeanovel #plotanovel

Revising? Before you rip that manuscript apart, check your chapter breaks. Pacing can feel off because you're breaking chapters in the wrong place! For more, check out my chapter break course: www.hollyschindler.com/courses

#writingtips #howtowriteabook #writingadvice #writinganovel #writingcourse

Substack post title card with a typewriter.

Diving into the 5-act structure I use to plot my own books, act 1 has 2 big jobs: offer a hook and an inciting event - hollyschindler.substack.com/p/act-1-of-t...

#howtowriteabook #writingtips #plotting #writingadvice #creativewriting

The easiest, quickest way to find the theme in your book. #writingtips #writingadvice #writersofbluesky #writingcommunity #howtowriteabook

Substack header for a post on adding tension to scenes. Features picture of hands typing.

Don't just add one source of tension to your scenes. Layer. It. Up. hollyschindler.substack.com/p/biting-my-...

#howtowriteabook #writingtips #creativewriting #writingadvice #writingcommunity

Self-publishing is hard work with no glory but I at least get creative freedom. What's your favorite graphic novel?
thebopo.com

#graphicnovel #storytime #howtowriteabook #author #selfpublished

The 5-Act Structure I Have an Idea for a Novel. Now What???

Thoughts on using a 5--yes, 5--act structure to plot your novel: open.substack.com/pub/hollysch...

#plotting #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writerscommunity