Benjamin Alire Sáenz

 via  Gridllr.com   —  find your first love!

emelinaah via instagram

Understanding The Plot of Your Book

Sounds silly doesn’t it? ‘Of course I understand my book’, I hear you say, I would have said the same before. You might be right, but here is a very simple exercise/test to ensure that you do:

One line summaries. 

Previously, these words invoked a feeling of dread in my soul but they don’t need to! It all changed once I started to follow this easy structure:

While struggling with their everyday life, Character finds the catalyst; BUT when the stakes rise they must learn the theme before the consequences ruin their life. 

Let’s take The Hunger Games for example: 

With her family on the brink of starvation, 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen must leave them and take her sister’s place in the Hunger Games, an annual event where 24 teenagers fight to the death until only one survives; But when she is hunted by a pack of elite, highly trained tributes, she must learn who she can trust and form an alliance before they kill her and her family are left to rot.

Well damn, that sounds dramatic and enticing, but it also lays out our characters life, wants and challenges all in a single (albeit rather long) sentence. 

After writing my one line summary, I began to understand my plot in a much clearer light. I understand my theme, my focus and it allows me to ground my plot as I edit my manuscript. I only wish I’d known to do it before!

Whatever stage your at—drafting, editing, querying—I highly recommend you give this a try. Feel free to drop a one sentence summary of your WIP below as getting feedback is always really helpful! I’m there much could be done to improve the one line summary I’ve given above, so feel free to improve on that too. 

[If reposting to Instagram please credit @isabellestonebooks] 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm_qkzqHIj0/

 via  Gridllr.com   —  Likes well done!

Going off of a previous ask, any more sat or act prep blogs?

Hey! I’ll link you to blogs and posts.

How to self study for the SAT

Last minute SAT prep tips

Guide to SAT prep

SAT post

SAT prep group (inactive, but still useful)

Prep for SAT (inactive, still useful)

Words

Useful things

This blog is great

SAT review posts

ACT prep blog (inactive)

Surviving the ACT

SAT/ACT tips

SAT & ACT practice tests

ACT prep blog

these are actually nice ASKs

1. selfie

2. what would you name your future kids?

3. do you miss anyone?

4. what are you looking forward to?

5. is there anyone who can always make you smile?

6. is it hard for you to get over someone?

7. what was your life like last year?

8. have you ever cried because you were so annoyed?

9. who did you last see in person?

10. are you good at hiding your feelings?

11. are you listening to music right now?

12. what is something you want right now?

13. how do you feel right now?

14. when was the last time someone of the opposite sex hugged you?

15. personality description

16. have you ever wanted to tell someone something but you didn’t?

17. opinion on insecurities.

18. do you miss how thing were a year ago?

19. have you ever been to New York?

20. what is your favourite song at the moment?

21. age and birthday?

22. description of crush.

23. fear(s)

24. height

25. role model

26. idol(s)

27. things i hate

28. i’ll love you if…

29. favourite film(s)

30. favourite tv show(s)

31. 3 random facts

32. are your friends mainly girls or guys?

33. something you want to learn

34. most embarrassing moment

35. favourite subject

36. 3 dreams you want to fulfill?

37. favourite actor/actress

38. favourite comedian(s)

39. favourite sport(s)

40. favourite memory

41. relationship status

42. favourite book(s)

43. favourite song ever

44. age you get mistaken for

45. how you found out about your idol

46. what my last text message says

47. turn ons

48. turn offs

49. where i want to be right now

50. favourite picture of your idol

51. starsign

52. something i’m talented at

53. 5 things that make me happy

54. something thats worrying me at the moment

55. tumblr friends

56. favourite food(s)

57. favourite animal(s)

58. description of my best friend

59. why i joined tumblr

60. ask me anything you want

 via  Gridllr.com   —  easy reblogging from your Likes!

*sound on*

creds: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk5QTBaFGkS/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=gtaqk9vjsap5