5 Keys to Becoming a Better Writer

Fiction or Nonfiction

A Webinar with LIZ CURTIS HIGGS

Key ONE: Tap into Your Best

Resource: Your Readers

1. Printed Newsletters Still Have Value

1. Printed Newsletters Still Have Value

• Surveys for information

1. Printed Newsletters Still Have Value

• Surveys for information

• Stories for illustration

2. Email Newsletters Are a Better Value

2. Email Newsletters Are a Better Value

• Contests with a purpose

2. Email Newsletters Are a Better Value

• Contests with a purpose

• Content for application

3. Reach Out to Friends, Neighbors, Groups

3. Reach Out to Friends, Neighbors, Groups

• Bookmarks to pose your question

3. Reach Out to Friends, Neighbors, Groups

• Bookmarks to pose your question

• Business cards to invite connection

4. Facebook Is Faster

4. Facebook Is Faster

• Connect with the world

4. Facebook Is Faster

• Connect with the world

• Collect content in an instant

5. Blogs Go Deeper

5. Blogs Go Deeper

• Try out new topics

5. Blogs Go Deeper

• Try out new topics

• Mine the comments

Key TWO: Create a Story Arc that Speaks to the

Heart

1. Tell TRUE Stories

2. Tell ORIGINAL Stories

3. Use the Big W to Structure Your Story

• Trouble Starts

• Trouble Starts

• Change of Plans

• Trouble Starts

• Change of Plans

• Point of No Return

• Trouble Starts

• Change of Plans

• Point of No Return

• Major Setback

• Trouble Starts

• Change of Plans

• Point of No Return

• Major Setback

• Redemption

Key THREE: Invest Time in Research

that Goes Deep

1. Why Research Matters

2. Do On-Site Research

2. Do On-Site Research

• Maps

2. Do On-Site Research

• Maps

• Small digital recorder

2. Do On-Site Research

• Maps

• Small digital recorder

• List books already own

2. Do On-Site Research

• Maps

• Small digital recorder

• List books already own

• Computer, iPad, notebook

2. Do On-Site Research

• Maps

• Small digital recorder

• List books already own

• Computer, iPad, notebook

• List questions

3. Have a Strategic Plan

3. Have a Strategic Plan

• Front desk of your inn, B&B

3. Have a Strategic Plan

• Front desk of your inn, B&B

• Public library

3. Have a Strategic Plan

• Front desk of your inn, B&B

• Public library

• Local book store

3. Have a Strategic Plan

• Front desk of your inn, B&B

• Public library

• Local book store

• Museums / historic sites

3. Have a Strategic Plan

• Front desk of your inn, B&B

• Public library

• Local book store

• Museums / historic sites

• Churches

4. Talk to Anyone, Everyone,

Always

Key FOUR: Train Your Voice to Sing in

Tune

1. In Fiction, Characters Need Their

Own Voice

2. In Nonfiction, We Want

to Hear Your Voice

3. Keep Writing Until You Find That Voice

4. Be True to Who You Are

5. Keep Your Tone Consistent

Key FIVE: Edit Your Work Like a

Pro

1. Endings Matter Even More than

Beginnings

2. Tension Keeps Pages Turning

3. Avoid 10-cent Words

and Avoid 1-cent Words

4. Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Reader’s

Heart

5. Get Help from People You Trust

5 Keys to Becoming a

Better WriterQuestions for Liz?