The Marshall Planet

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.

Members

  • Neil Ian MacKillop
  • Nealey Monaghan
  • Terry R Harmon
  • Kat Yares
  • Mathew Allen
  • Brad Haakenson
  • Rob Flumignan
  • Peggy Harris
  • Raj Dash
  • natalie abraham
  • Gil Miller
  • Al Bixby
  • Anita Hackley-Lambert
  • Robert Weisbloom
  • Cari T
  • Jen Thomas
  • Bryan Michael Block
  • Tonya R. Topete
  • vic mackey
  • earline a. bentley

Latest Activity

Neil Ian MacKillop joined Evan Marshall's group
The Marshall Plan® Writing Workshop
A place to post your work in progress, for comments and suggestions by other Planet members
on Tuesday
Evan Marshall left a comment for Neil Ian MacKillop
November 14
Mathew Allen Crafting a compelling villain is proving troublesome.
November 12
Neil Ian MacKillop updated their profile photo
November 12
Neil Ian MacKillop is now a member of The Marshall Planet
Welcome Them!
November 12
A blog post by Evan Marshall was featured
Check out my newest blog post, featuring a Special Report: publishers accepting submissions directly from authors. Lists areas of interest and provides links to publishers' submission guidelines. www.WriteANovelFast.com.
November 12
Evan Marshall added 2 blog posts
November 12
A blog post by Evan Marshall was featured
Getting ready for my panel next week at the New York Public Library, "Mysteries: Amateur Sleuths and Feline Detectives." If any of you plan on attending, let me know. I'd love to see you! My fellow mystery writers are the fabulous Jane Cleland, Jo...
November 10
Evan Marshall added a blog post
Getting ready for my panel next week at the New York Public Library, "Mysteries: Amateur Sleuths and Feline Detectives." If any of you plan on attending, let me know. I'd love to see you! My fellow mystery writers are the fabulous Jane Cleland, Jo...
November 10
Mathew Allen Plotting with section sheets makes the actual writing considerably easier.
November 5
Mathew Allen added a blog post
In the spirit of my last post, here's a post about really good books. Some of my favorite books all seem to have some things in common: 1. They make me laugh out loud (most of the time - the rest of the time they make me go "wow." Or they scare ...
October 29
Kat Yares updated their profile
October 29
Kat Yares updated their profile photo
October 29
Terry R Harmon and Evan Marshall are now friends
October 29
Mathew Allen Cleaning the basement and thinking about action sequences for my story. Laptop nearby..
October 28
Nealey Monaghan, Terry R Harmon and Kat Yares joined The Marshall Planet
October 28
Kat Yares joined Evan Marshall's group
The Marshall Plan® Writing Workshop
A place to post your work in progress, for comments and suggestions by other Planet members
October 28
Rob Flumignan and Mathew Allen are now friends
October 28
Rob Flumignan I need an opposition, real bad.
October 28
 

Blog Posts

Evan Marshall

Selling Your Novel Without an Agent

I may be putting myself out of business, but you don't need an agent to get your novel published. I've posted a list of publishers that accept unagented submissions. www.WriteANovelFast.com.

Posted by Evan Marshall on November 12, 2009 at 8:30am

Evan Marshall

Report on Self-Publishing Book Expo

Check out my blog post reporting on the first-ever Self-Publishing Book Expo in New York City on November 7: www.WriteANovelFast.com

Posted by Evan Marshall on November 11, 2009 at 1:51pm

Evan Marshall

Of Cats and Cozies

Getting ready for my panel next week at the New York Public Library, "Mysteries: Amateur Sleuths and Feline Detectives." If any of you plan on attending, let me know. I'd love to see you! My fellow mystery writer panelists are the fabulous Jane Cleland, Joani Ascher, Cynthia Blair, with Daryl Wood Gerber moderating.

I'm writing a flash story in honor of the event, a 500-word mini-mystery featuring Winky, the star of my previous series. Will give the story to attendees and later post it on a new… Continue

Posted by Evan Marshall on November 10, 2009 at 3:00pm

Mathew Allen

The Best Books I've Ever Read..

In the spirit of my last post, here's a post about really good books.

Some of my favorite books all seem to have some things in common:

1. They make me laugh out loud (most of the time - the rest of the time they make me go "wow." Or they scare the bejesus outta me).
2. Each chapter ends in a cliffhanger.
3. I learn something super cool.
4. The action is so good, I just can't put it down.
5. I feel like I'm actually the viewpoint character (Stephen King is the master of this, IMHO).
6.… Continue

Posted by Mathew Allen on October 29, 2009 at 6:20pm

Mathew Allen

The Worst Book I've Ever Read

What is the worst book you've ever read?

For me, it's "Patriots" by James Wesley, Rawles. Yes, the comma is supposed to be there (wtf?). It is so bad that it actually makes me ball my fists and gnash my teeth and punch the air. Even as I speak.

Why, you ask, do I find this piece of work so objectionable? Here is the best way I can describe the experience of reading this book:

It's like watching a movie where eight people sit around a table in a room lit only with a single bare bulb on the cei… Continue

Posted by Mathew Allen on October 28, 2009 at 1:30am

Tonya R. Topete

Vacation

I'll be out of the U.S.A. for the rest of October. I'll respond to messages when I return.

Posted by Tonya R. Topete on October 8, 2009 at 12:08am

Gil Miller

Expanding on the Plan

This may sound like s dumb entry, but keep in mind that I am still familiarizing myself with The Marshall Plan. In going through the Plan, I like that it's not strictly one of those old outlines we all had to learn how to do in school (and quickly forgot, if you're like me). I like that it lets me summarize scenes and narrow everything down until all (!) I have to do is write the novel.

But in studying the plan, if I use the Novelmaster to decide on my book length, I notice one thing: it is int… Continue

Posted by Gil Miller on September 30, 2009 at 12:39am — 2 Comments

Anita Hackley-Lambert

Anyone used The Marshall Plan Software to write nonfiction?

Just checking to locate anyone who has used this software to write in nonfiction. What have you discovered?

It is my desire to give it a trial run, especially since my writing time has been slowed down by my call to preach and teach. I have so much writing to do I could use a little support.

Mr. Marshall, I have previously purchased the Marshall Plan book and workbook. Love your concept to writing. I have no problem with motivation but I do hope your software will enhance my writing and help m… Continue

Posted by Anita Hackley-Lambert on September 1, 2009 at 6:00pm

Stephen C. Phillips

How fast can you write?

Or should I ask: How fast do you write?

Reading about the various processes people use to finish their novel, I find that getting through that first draft is a universal struggle. Some people have problems turning off their inner editor. Others second-, third-, and fourth-guess their scenes, characters, or just the entire story itself. And there are those who have a blank-page anxiety -- they never feel like they're prepared enough to sit down and write another scene -- and they waste ho… Continue

Posted by Stephen C. Phillips on August 22, 2009 at 7:22pm — 3 Comments

Lilly

In their shoes

I've been trying an experiment by myself to help me gain insight into some of my characters. I've been trying to live in their world(1940's) if only for half an hour or so. Wearing the clothes that they would worn-the local thrift shop has tons of stuff, watching the movies, listening to the music, trying the liquor that they would of drank, wearing some of the perfumes that were popular at the time-a lot of it smells like old ladies-no offense please! and plucking your eye brows thin like Greta… Continue

Posted by Lilly on August 4, 2009 at 10:00pm

Evan Marshall

New Blog on the Writing Life

I've just posted a piece on my blog site that I thought you would all enjoy called "Building a Successful Writer's Life." Please check it out at http://www.writeanovelfast.com.

Please DIGG this article if you feel you want to, to help get out the word! : )

Thanks and enjoy.

All the best,

Evan

Posted by Evan Marshall on August 3, 2009 at 10:19am — 10 Comments

Lilly

Glenn Miller

What do you do to get yourself in the mood...for writing that is....since I've been tinkering with a 1940's style detective short story, I've been listening to the music from that era, i.e. Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, etc.when I'm writing and watching some of the movies that were made in that era to sort of get myself psyched about it. It's fun really and I do mean the writing.

Posted by Lilly on August 1, 2009 at 8:00am — 3 Comments

Curt

The voices are at it again....

I think I mentioned recently that I'd made a different character lead in order to sort out a few 'holes' that somehow came up...things looked to be coming together quite nicely until one of my characters reminded me I'd only solved "part of the problem"

The other part was the ability (or lack thereof) to solve problems, so I decided to give my lead less 'ability' and more 'lack' and things are starting to get interesting again.

Posted by Curt on July 31, 2009 at 8:50pm — 2 Comments

Lilly

Mental Illness...

Does this happen to you... you're doing fine, going along having a dandy day until.........you sit down to write....then WHAM!!I don't know what happens but every mental illness that exists all of sudden appears!! All of sudden I have the urge to wash my hands a hundred times or have the most urgent need to clean out that front closet or suddenly I get really thirsty or have a need to go out for a pound cake...all of sudden the living room light is to bright...too dim...my hair is botheri… Continue

Posted by Lilly on July 31, 2009 at 4:01pm — 1 Comment

Lilly

cusing characters

I have a character in my novel that likes to curse.. since I only know the ones found in The Godfather or The Sopranos, I had to go and "re-educate" myself for this particular writing challenge. Luckily there is a whole websites dedicated to this stuff. Here is the link....

Posted by Lilly on July 30, 2009 at 9:30am — 2 Comments

Lilly

The Maltese Falcon


This has nothing to do with writing but I have to complain about certain "classic books." I've been glancing at my copy of the Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammet. I have to admit, I don't get what the big deal is. The book wasn't that good and the movie was no big deal. Yet e… Continue

Posted by Lilly on July 29, 2009 at 8:34am — 2 Comments

Lilly

A little inspiration

Here is a link to an article in this weekend's Parade Magazine by novelist Lee Child. I thought it was very encouraging....he says he doesn't want to encourage us to write because he doesn't need the competition....

Posted by Lilly on July 28, 2009 at 4:00pm

Lilly

genre that I fear?

Does anyone have a genre that they want to write but they fear it because...well they're afraid they might suck? I do. I'd love to write horror like Stephen King but I'm really afraid that my ideas are stupid or scenarios are too cheesy. Boy, if I had King's talent, I'd go crazy. I come up with horror ideas everyday. Like today, I was doing a drive in car wash. They tell you to put your car on neutral and sit and wait for the conveyor belts to move you through the assembly line. I had this image… Continue

Posted by Lilly on July 26, 2009 at 1:00pm

Lilly

World Building

I've been world building now for about three months for my fantasy novel. It's been a lot of fun to my suprise. Sometimes I have to stop myself because I get overly detailed. I drew a little atlas and have been having fun naming the countries and creating wars between the nations-hope this isn't how God does it...At first when I started on the novel a year ago, I didn't think or wanted to do this because well I was too lazy...but then as I got to writing more and more I realized that I was build… Continue

Posted by Lilly on July 25, 2009 at 12:30pm

Lilly

adverbs

I have a complaint about writing. Why are adverbs such a pain the in behind? I try not to use them but still they creep up like some boogie man always on my tail...Stephen King says the road to hell is paved in adverbs....

Posted by Lilly on July 24, 2009 at 6:30pm — 2 Comments

Forum

Rob Flumignan

The Nature of the Crisis 5 Replies

I'm brainstorming ideas for a new novel, thinking a lot about the crisis my lead must face, and the nature of that crisis in overall story structure. According to the Marshall Plan, the crisis disr...

Tagged: Goal, Suppose, Crisis

Started by Rob Flumignan. Last reply by Rob Flumignan Oct 27.

Ronald Gillum

Black urban fiction 6 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 Anita Hackley-Lambert Sep 12.

Stephen C. Phillips

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.

J. Scott Milford

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.

James M Ellis

The Opposition 3 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 James M Ellis Feb 4.

robert

template generator software 5 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.

J. Scott Milford

Best Writing Tips 1 Reply

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.

Christopher D. Kish

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.

J. Scott Milford

How do you motivate yourself to write? 15 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.

cstcross

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.

Heather

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.

Heather

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.

J. Scott Milford

A Show of Hands: Are You Writing a Novel? 51 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.

Steve

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.

Steve

Just saying hi from the UK 7 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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