The Novelist's Guild: Recent Episodes
Jackson E. Graham
Welcome to the Novelist's Guild! A home for new writers searching for helpful tips and insight into the craft. Let's do this together!
Visit my website!: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Re-reading our old writing is one of the most cringe-worthy things we can endure as writers. In this final episode of season one, I'm going to read and critique the first chapter of my Sword and Scion series. Maybe we can both learn from my mistakes!
All the sound effects included in my dramatic reading were arranged by my awesome brother Logan—who also happens to host a super epic podcast. Be sure to check out the Dairy Free Dude Podcast to learn about thriving with a serious dairy allergy!
My website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
The Dairy Free Dude: https://dairyfreedudeid.wixsite.com/mysite
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
After establishing the rudimentary basics of our storyworld, we've now come to the heart of worldbuilding—creating civilizations. In this final episode of my Worldbuilding miniseries, we're going to get to know the people of our storyworld and the events of its history.
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Jill Williamson's Storyworld First Worldbuilding Worksheets: https://jillwilliamson.com/helps/
Positions in Medieval Society: https://jerusalemcross.info/en/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Medieval-People.pdf
Economics for Everybody by R.C. Sproul Jr.: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/599?episode=Trailer
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Welcome to the second episode in my miniseries on worldbuilding! As we spread out our map in front of us, we are faced with the challenge of bringing our storyworld to life. Our story's believably comes from research, planning, and much thought. As the construct in which the plot and characters live, our storyworld needs to have believable natural landscapes, creatures, and races.
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Worldbuilding. It's at the center of every author's trade—especially those who write science fiction and fantasy. How do you create an entire world from scratch? In this series, I'll guide you through the process. And as with a lot of journeys, the adventure of worldbuilding begins with a map.
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Hire someone to make your map: www.fiverr.com
My favorite name generator: https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/
Check out Aeon Timeline: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham/resources
Mapmaking Websites:
www.inkarnate.com
https://azgaar.github.io/Fantasy-Map-Generator/
https://watabou.itch.io/medieval-fantasy-city-generator
Cartography Books:
https://www.amazon.com/How-Draw-Maps-Charts-Pocket/dp/0746046588
https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Hand-Drawn-Maps-Creative/dp/1452169918
https://www.amazon.com/How-Draw-Fantasy-Art-Maps/dp/1440340242
Understanding Scale:
https://www.gislounge.com/understanding-scale/
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/maps/question3.html
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
We all know about music genres. When it comes to writing, however, genre doesn't seem worth studying in depth. What if I told you that genre is not only a system to classify books, but a tool to help you connect with the minds of your readers?
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Check out Fawkes by Nadine Brandes: https://nadinebrandes.com/product/fawkes/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
The end is within sight! And thankfully, we now leave the solitude of the desk to engage with our first readers—our beta-readers. What are beta-readers? And what happens after you find them? Let's see this through!
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Formatting. It's not just for computer nerds. For many, it is the most foreign and menacing aspect of publishing your book. And frankly, I don't blame them! That's why I'm going to walk you through the basic elements of formatting, as well as what problems to watch out for.
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Check out Scrivener: https://a.paddle.com/v2/click/49535/109457?link=1570
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
With the big picture edit now out of our way, it's time to dive into the details of your story. The nitty gritty stuff. While this does pose a challenge, it also provides an opportunity to see our ultimate vision for the story affect even the smallest details of our manuscript.
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Check out Autocrit: https://www.autocrit.com/?utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=Affiliate
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
After much sweat and (probably) tears, your manuscript is finally complete! Well, almost. It's time to face editing—but don't curl up into the fetal position just yet. Let's walk through the process, and watch your story come to life!
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Check out Aeon Timeline: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham/resources
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
We've tackled theme and character in depth, and now one thing lies between us and the thrill of writing—plot. While it is arguably the most concrete and understandable part of storytelling, it can easily get out of control if you don't know how to take command of it.
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Hero's Journey 101: https://blog.reedsy.com/heros-journey/
Basic Plot Structure: https://thewritepractice.com/plot-structure/
Get Plottr! : https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham/resources
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Can't get a grasp on your story's theme? You're not alone. Creating a theme for your novel is intimidating, even to experienced writers! However, by taking the time to sit and carefully go through the process, you'll find that theme really is something you can understand.
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Download the FREE theme infographic from my resources page: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham/resources
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Your cast of characters is assembled, but the journey of character creation isn't over—yet. In Part III of my miniseries on character creation, let's talk about how your story's theme is the final piece that makes your characters come alive!
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Go to the resources page on my website to download the FREE Experiment in Living worksheet and Theme info-graphic: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham/resources
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
You've got your hero and his host of supporting characters. But you can't write a story without conflict, can you? Enter your Dirty Rotten Scumbag—your villain. But how do you create a unique antagonist that stands out? Find out in Part II of my mini-series on character creation.
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Before you can write your story, you need a hero. And not just a hero, but the cast of supporting characters that accompany him. How do you start creating characters? Find out in Part I of my mini-series on character creation.
Visit my website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
My favorite name generator: https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/
Marcel Proust Character Questionnaire: https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/character-questionnaire/proust
Nanowrimo Character Worksheet (go to page 12): https://www.dropbox.com/s/axa0br2vef20w47/high_school_workbook_ed4.5_webready.pdf?dl=0
Jill Williamson Character Worksheet: https://jillwilliamson.com/helps/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Pulling your hair out over a writing problem? There's a solution for that. Not your hair, but rather your feeling of hopelessness.
My website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In life, we often depend on the help of others to succeed, and that same principle applies to writing. But if you don't personally know an author you can talk to, how on earth do you start learning to write? Here are some of my favorite writing resources—but without being grounded in reality, what purpose do they serve?
My website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Online resources mentioned:
https://jillwilliamson.com/helps/
https://writershelpingwriters.net/
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
https://kingdompen.org/
https://storyembers.org/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
When we start out writing, it's easy to dismiss community as unnecessary. After all, isn't writing a solitary activity? However, writing is too dangerous a quest to travel alone...
My website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
Kingdom Pen (UPDATE: The website has undergone construction, so access is limited until the re-release): https://kingdompen.org/kp-coming-soon-page/
StoryEmbers: https://storyembers.org/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Drafting your book. Sounds easy enough, right? But why do we drag our heels through the whole process? And no, it's not necessarily "writer's block".
My website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
It's easy to think that being an author is a matter of artistic bliss—however, this popular image of the "Literary Lifestyle" is not as truthful as you may think...
My website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Welcome to the Novelist's Guild! Want to be a writer, but don't know where to start? Or perhaps you are already a young writer, but find yourself lacking the tools necessary to maintain your creativity. Each episode will provide helpful, practical tips for writing. Let's embark on this journey together!
My website: https://jacksonegraham.wixsite.com/jackson-e-graham