Mile 3: Working title, one-quarter twist and strong midpoint, plus: mental health check-in 🧘

Novel Marathon

Dear Novelists & Novelistas, 🏃Welcome to Mile 3 of Novel Marathon – The 2023 Edition! The basics: Novel Marathon is a self-directed class. Like you, my goal is to write a novel in a year. Let’s do it together 💪 Here are the readings and assignments to work on for the NEXT two weeks: 📚Required reading Ch. 5 & 6 in The One Year Novelist Ch. 7 in Story Genius Pgs. 13-15 in This Year You Write Your Novel 🌟Extra credit reading Pgs. 13-15 in Refuse To Be Done ✏️ Your Assignment 👟Choose a working title Give your book a name, if you haven’t already. Matt Bell quotes fellow writer Kevin Brockmeier: “I think of the title as the target toward which I shoot the arrow of the story.” 👟One-quarter twist What surprising thing could happen 25% into your book that sends the story in a new direction? Brainstorm a dozen (!) possibilities. 👟Strong midpoint Half-way through the story, how might your protagonist double down, by committing to a cause, a fight, or a larger goal? What’s the moment in your story when the main character “throws caution to the wind” and does something decisive? Previous assignments can be found at novelmarathon.substack.com 🎧 Podcast Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! Newsletter 💌 and latest post https://novelmarathon.substack.com More info💡 https://www.novelmarathon.com Good luck & happy writing! ✍️