The Marshall Planet - A Community of Writers Who Use The Marshall Plan®

A Community of Writers Who Use The Marshall Plan®

People use The Marshall Planet™ to keep up with fellow writers, share work in progress, and learn writing and marketing techniques.

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Curt updated their profileon Friday

T. Renee Topete joined Renee Cassese's groupJune 27

The writing process

Let's open a discussion of the process of writing. How we go about. Routines and schedules. What works when writing and revising

T. Renee Topete, vic mackey and earline a. bentley joined The Marshall PlanetJune 27

vic mackey updated their profileJune 18

Vanessa updated their profile photoJune 11

Valeria Kendall commented on Valeria Kendall's blog post 'Dang, that freak-out felt good. And it was productive, too!'June 11

Sorry it took me so long to approve this. I couldn't find how to approve at first, then I was down for a week. Hope your writing is going well!

Curt commented on Valeria Kendall's blog post 'Dang, that freak-out felt good. And it was productive, too!'June 11

Sounds like an interesting way to do things.

Valeria Kendall added 4 blog postsJune 11

1 more…

Ronald Gillum added a blog postJune 2

Writing

Valeria Kendall updated their profileJune 2

Curt commented on Valeria Kendall's blog post 'Freak-Out Day'June 2

I know the feeling...

Valeria Kendall and Curt are now friendsJune 2

Valeria Kendall commented on Valeria Kendall's blog post 'Skirt length and the economy'June 2

Intriguing!

Curt commented on Valeria Kendall's blog post 'Skirt length and the economy'June 2

I haven't decided how yet, but I'm pretty sure now, that the rumor will be confirmed.

Curt commented on Valeria Kendall's blog post 'Skirt length and the economy'June 2

By the end of the story, the rumor will probably be confirmed, along with at least one more rumor concerning her 'lifestyle'.

earline a. bentley and Evan Marshall are now friendsJune 1

Evan Marshall left a comment for earline a. bentleyJune 1

Valeria Kendall commented on Valeria Kendall's blog post 'Skirt length and the economy'June 1

Well, Curt, it will be interesting to find out how -- and if -- you allow that rumor to be confirmed!

earline a. bentley left a comment for Evan MarshallMay 31

Ronald Gillum left a comment for earline a. bentleyMay 31

Blog Posts

Under the weather for a week. Very little writing done. Might have been the swine flu.

We were all semi-sick at our house.

For a week.

But I'm still not giving up on my goal of completing some kind of workable crap draft by next week. I don't care if it seems more and more unrealistic to think this. I'm going to go for it anyway.

Life is all about having goals and being flexible about reaching them.

The person with the most flexibility wins!

It was strange, though, this illness. It was more of a malaise than anything else. At my daughter's middle school, nearly one-third of t… Continue

Posted by Valeria Kendall on June 11, 2009 at 11:23am

Writing

I've got so many screenplay ideas bouncing around in my head. I've written five already and will continue until Steven Spielberg or maybe Spike Lee will come across one of them and jump for joy. I guess I'll just keep on telling all the stories that I grew up with and lived. Be watching for a movie trailer in the future featuring something written my me!...........................Pray

Posted by Ronald Gillum on June 2, 2009 at 11:25pm

Dang, that freak-out felt good. And it was productive, too!

Wow. That was cathartic.

I got some great writing done tonight. Still not enough, only one page. But I've learned something about the way I write.

I don't do character sketches. I start out with dialogue.

Dialogue comes pretty easily for me. I think that's because I learned to speak German and French as an adult, so I had to be quite conscious of how people speak. I had to train myself to listen carefully. So for me, it seems...so far anyway...that it's through dialogue that my characters rev… Continue

Posted by Valeria Kendall on June 2, 2009 at 1:30am — 2 Comments

Freak-Out Day

Today is the day I allow myself to freak out.

Yep, I've earned a good freak-out -- and I'm going to enjoy it!

I'm going to enjoy every second of wondering why the hell I haven't gotten further along in my WIP and why my outline still isn't done. I'm going to shake my head, pace back and forth, and talk to myself. Loudly.

I'm going to beat myself up with guilt.

And then I'm going to ply myself with coffee.

Then... guess what I'm going to do?

If you said, sit down and write, you're wrong!!!… Continue

Posted by Valeria Kendall on June 1, 2009 at 2:23pm — 1 Comment

Skirt length and the economy

While shopping with my daughter at the mall today, I noticed the hemlines weren't just inching down, they were tumbling down. As far to the ground as they can get.

I recalled somewhere talk about women's hemlines being an economic indicator. It seems that the longer the skirt, the more dour the economic outlook.

There are various explanations for it. My son and I had a talk-- he thought it might have to do with people expressing a type of mourning when they are feeling depressed about the econ… Continue

Posted by Valeria Kendall on May 29, 2009 at 1:30am — 5 Comments

Voices... revisited...sort of

I mentioned in an earlier post that one of my characters hears voices in her head. Okay, I did after all create her, so I guess I can deal with that, but did I also mention she's doing her level best to take over the story?

She is.

Can't say that I blame her either.

Much of what takes place in the story is the result of a series of events she set in motion, but for the most part she's behind the scenes, appearing occasionally to A: distract the reader and B: offer bits of timely if somewhat c… Continue

Posted by Curt on May 28, 2009 at 11:23pm — 2 Comments

Day one

Thought I wouldn't start until today, but found myself putting scenes on paper over the weekend.

I'm deviating from my usual procedure; I'm trying to get the outline complete before I write scenes. Yet sometimes you'll just get a flash of a conversation or a conflict between two people and you have to write it down. It won't wait. So I've created a folder I titled "random scenes" to put scenes that look as if they must go in the story but I don't know where yet.

So I'm thinking that as I go, t… Continue

Posted by Valeria Kendall on May 26, 2009 at 11:50am — 2 Comments

Gearing up for the "Crap Draft"

The goal is to get the novel finished, more or less, by June 17.

As I mentioned previously, I don't expect to have anything readable by then, but I do plan to have something I can work with.

The term "crap draft" seems to fit. After all, Hemingway has been famously quoted as having said, "The first draft of anything is always shit."

(If anyone has an exact reference for that quote from his published work, I'd appreciate it.)

Well, if Hemingway's first drafts were shit, then my first drafts w… Continue

Posted by Valeria Kendall on May 24, 2009 at 11:50pm

Hi, all! Looking forward to working with this group!

Hello, folks!

I just signed up for this group today and I'd like to introduce myself.

I'm a professional writer looking to write more fiction. Actually, I'm doing a complete life makeover...returning myself to the person I was before I was married.

Sad, yes, but on the other hand, makes for great fodder for writing. Out of my bad marriage, I think I can get several nonfiction books and an endless supply of villains for my novels.

Just kidding. (Or am I?)

Actually, I am kind of serious. I am… Continue

Posted by Valeria Kendall on May 22, 2009 at 10:26am

Section 1: Written! (Critiques are appreciated)

And that means I've finished the first chapter of my novel! It took me four days of trying to find time, but I did it.

I'm calling the book "Upgrade" unless and until I think of something better. It's a soft science-fiction novel, in the darkly humorous subgenre, about a tech journalist who inadvertently starts a war when he tries to pay off a blackmailer.

This is chapter one, as ready as it'll ever be for an initial critique. Thanks in advance!

-------------

The robot could not even bring h… Continue

Posted by Stephen C. Phillips on April 23, 2009 at 11:30pm — 4 Comments

The voices in her head...

That's right. One of my characters hears voices in her head. Worse, they're usually arguing over what she should (or should not) do. As if she didn't have enough problems.

At this point, the only thing I know for sure is that by the end of the novel the voices (along with a few other characters) will be little more than a memory, but I have the feeling things will get rather interesting along the way.

Posted by Curt on April 21, 2009 at 12:51am — 1 Comment

Editing Editing Editing

I haven't been on here in a while! I hope everyone is moving on in the directions they want to, regarding their writing.

Meeting Joshua is still in the editing process. Of course....
I actually wrote a good amount of new chapters. I felt like parts of the overall story were cut short, so I went back and extended them in ways. It helped a lot. Now the some of the characters have more of personalities, and you learn more about their history and things like that. --which has helped me with the who… Continue

Posted by Caroline on April 16, 2009 at 4:00pm — 1 Comment

A new member's introduction

I've been a member of this site for a few days but haven't had time to formally introduce myself and describe my current project. Time to take advantage of a self-imposed break at the office.

About Me:
I'm 23 years old and live in a suburb of Baton Rouge, Louisiana with my wife (married in July 2008 after six years). In May 2008, I earned a B.A. in English at Louisiana State University and took a job as a proposal writer for a Homeland Security/Emergency Management/IT contracting firm. I… Continue

Posted by Stephen C. Phillips on April 13, 2009 at 4:25pm

Create an Unlimited Supply of Enthusiasm!

Problem: You need enthusiasm but you so rarely use it that you don’t remember how to turn it on.

Solution: Try these strategies (partial list*) to get your enthusiasm machine up and running smoothly once again while producing massive quantities of enthusiasm.

* All about you: Enthusiasm comes from you, no matter what external event you think has triggered it. It’s your thoughts, ultimately, that turn on your enthusiasm-generating power.

* In the Zone: Avoid… Continue

Posted by J. Scott Milford on March 30, 2009 at 11:03pm

A stab at a summary!

Short summary:

Meeting Joshua is about a thriving young teenager fighting difficult struggles as she goes through all the faces of life. This is a story based on Faith. Faith in herself, faith in her friends, faith in love and above all faith in her Heavenly Father.

Long Detailed summary:

Meeting Joshua follows a young girl, starting in her middle teens, all the way up to her late 20s. Joshua is a young boy, about 17. There lives cross during a church camp event, and everything seems to chan… Continue

Posted by Caroline on March 25, 2009 at 12:00am

lost in more than one story

In my book Meeting Joshua, its basically about a young girl growing up. It starts off when she's simply 16, 17 years old and ends in her late 20s.

I worry that my book is to many things going on at once. When some one asks me "what's Meeting Joshua about?" I never fully know what to say. And when I answer, I feel like it sounds boring. I have no complete explanation of it or I'm not able to explain it with out getting to in depth. There are several "small stories" going on in the one big pictur… Continue

Posted by Caroline on March 21, 2009 at 12:30pm — 21 Comments

New Website for The Marshall Plan® Novel Writing Software

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce my brand-new website at www.WriteANovelFast.com.

You'll find details about the program (including a new video), regularly updated articles full of marketing and writing tips, and information about my new affiliate program for those who want to make money spreading the word!

I hope you'll check it out.

All the best,
Evan

Posted by Evan Marshall on March 17, 2009 at 7:32am — 4 Comments

4 Tips for Incredibly Easy Name Creation

A lot of writers talk about having trouble coming up with character names. Since I never have this problem, I thought I'd share a few of my own tips for generating character names.

1) Be Observant
Start paying attention to all the words that are around you. Notice brand names in stores, company names on shipping trucks, business names on signage. Look for names in newspapers, magazines, web sites, and on TV. I especially like watching for street names. Notice what real-life name c… Continue

Posted by J. Scott Milford on March 14, 2009 at 10:00am — 4 Comments

From Where do you Draw Inspiration and Motivation?

Every writer needs inspiration, from time to time. Likewise, every writer needs a little motivation when they get distracted or bogged down. I am interested in hearing your story. Please answer the following questions:

1) From where do you draw inspiration?
2) How do you get yourself motivated when you need a little push?

------------------------------
Here are my answers.

1) I am so fascinated with the world around me that I need only to observe people, pla… Continue

Posted by J. Scott Milford on March 2, 2009 at 6:51am — 7 Comments

Finding Balance In The Writing Life

What a learning process. Not only am I learning a glut of information about writing and editing, I'm learning loads about myself. My most recent bout of self discovery? I have a tendency to let my life get out of balance. Yes, I want to finish this novel. Yes, I want it to be the best it can be at this stage of my writing journey. But when I allow it to consume me, I lose perspective, joy and peace.

When I allow my life to get out of whack like this, I believe it dishonors God. He came that we… Continue

Posted by Jessica Smith on February 25, 2009 at 2:23pm — 2 Comments

Forum

Black urban fiction 5 Replies

Hello people, I'm new on this site and wondered why I haven't heard about it till now. I love writing and I write what I know and live. I never realized how difficult it was to get an agent or even...

Started by Ronald Gillum. Last reply by Ronald Gillum May 27.

Questions about switching viewpoint characters rapid fire 1 Reply

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site and have recently revisited The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing. I bought it nearly 10 years ago when I was in high school, but I'm finally resolving to apply it an...

Started by Stephen C. Phillips. Last reply by Evan Marshall Apr 14.

Help Wanted 2 Replies

I think I've mentioned before about a non-fiction book that I'm writing about motivating piano students to practice. Well, I've put that project on hold in favor of another project. Now, I'm writin...

Tagged: career, ebooks, feedback, motivation

Started by J. Scott Milford. Last reply by J. Scott Milford Mar 16.

The Opposition 4 Replies

I just purchased the software and I am putting in the information for my current work in progress. I have gotten to the part of The Opposition and now I have a problem how to fill this part out. Th...

Started by James M Ellis. Last reply by Renee Cassese Feb 7.

template generator software 11 Replies

Hi I bought the software today and will use this thread to discuss my experiences with it.

Started by robert. Last reply by John Broadwater May 3.

Best Writing Tips 2 Replies

In my most recent blog post, here on The Marshall Planet, I posted some writing tips from Ernest Hemingway. These tips got me thinking about writing tips in general. If I could give any writer a ti...

Tagged: technique, writing_tips

Started by J. Scott Milford. Last reply by J. Scott Milford Jan 16.

Word Count 6 Replies

On the subject of word count: What is more applicable to a publisher? Like for instance, if your word count is 99,508 is that less professional than weeding it to an even 99,000 or perhaps even a 9...

Started by Christopher D. Kish. Last reply by Christopher D. Kish Dec. 30, 2008.

How do you motivate yourself to write? 17 Replies

Recently, there has been some discussion about motivation going around here. It's a subject in which I've taken much interest over the years and it's been on my mind lately. Let's open up a discuss...

Tagged: motivation

Started by J. Scott Milford. Last reply by J. Scott Milford Mar 14.

Submission Guidelines 101 - A Little Clarification On Industry Standards? 13 Replies

Perhaps it's just me, but when I first started submitting my work some years ago the industry standard for submission and query guidelines was New Courier 12 pt font--because the character size is ...

Started by cstcross. Last reply by Evan Marshall Jan 14.

Query Holiday!

Hi everyone. Firebrand Literary is sponsoring a Query Holiday event until December 15th. Rules are at http://www.firebrandliterary.com/query-holiday, but basically what they are saying is that unt...

Started by Heather Dec. 16, 2008.

The Creative Process 11 Replies

The other night I was stuck on finding a mechanism to help my protagonist carry the plot forward. I had just read an interview with Karen Marie Moning (Dark Fever, Blood Fever, Fae Fever) where she...

Started by Heather. Last reply by J. Scott Milford Jan 12.

A Show of Hands: Are You Writing a Novel? 54 Replies

Hi everybody. I'm just wondering if I can get a show of hands. How many people here are presently writing novels? In what genre are you writing? Are you using or planning to use The Marshall Plan?...

Tagged: fiction, novel_writing

Started by J. Scott Milford. Last reply by J. Scott Milford Apr 1.

Showing time 7 Replies

Hi, The story I'm writing is based on true events and has significant events happening approximately two weeks apart. I'm a bit stuck as to the best way to fill the two weeks. Is it wise to write ...

Started by Steve. Last reply by J. Scott Milford Dec. 17, 2008.

Just saying hi from the UK 8 Replies

I know this site is new but I didn't realise how new! Thought I'd make a post with a little bit about myself to get the ball rolling. I've published a few articles in magazines mostly related to h...

Started by Steve. Last reply by Heather Nov. 18, 2008.

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Events

Tues, Nov 17: Cozy Mysteries: Amateur Sleuths and Feline Detectives

November 17, 2009 from 12pm to 1pm – The New York Public Library

A panel of mystery authors who specialize in writing about amateur sleuths. Evan will talk about his Hidden Manhattan mystery series, featuring Anna Winthrop, a New York Sanitation Department garag...

Organized by Mystery Writers of America | Type: panel, discussion

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