Table of Contents
Introduction 11
Section 1 Think 15
Chapter 1 Get to the Point 19
Writing Problem: I don't know where to start!
Rx: Answer three questions about people, problems, and promise
Chapter 2 Copy, Copy, Copy 33
Writing Problem: I don't know how to write what I have to write
Rx: Copy first, create later
Chapter 3 The Dreaded Theme Statement 47
Writing Problem: My writing ideas are wandering and unfocused
Rx: Create a cable-car sentence to take you where you want to go
Section 2 Structure 59
Chapter 4 Story Arc to the Rescue 61
Writing Problem: My writing is boring and flat.
Rx: Climb the story arc
Chapter 5 The Hero's Journey 73
Writing Problem: I've got a real-life story. How do I tell it?
Rx: Borrow a structure from the fictional Hero's Journey
Chapter 6 Other Structures, Other Forms 95
Writing Problem: I'm not telling a story. What structure should I use?
Rx: Twelve structures get the job clone
Chapter 7 Constructing the Personal Essay 113
Writing Problem: I need to tell a story from my point of view
Rx: Use the personal essay structure-yes, there is one
Section 3 Edit 135
Chapter 8 The Big-Picture Edit 135
Writing Problem: How do I know what to keep and what to cut?
Rx: Snap your Ideas into line with a long-view edit
Chapter 9 The Medium-Focus Edit 147
Writing Problem: I've done my big-picture edit, but my writing still feels weak
Rx: Four fast tactics help you create clarity and power
Chapter 10 Pointer Sentences Put You in Charge 161
Writing Problem My writing jumps from thought to thought
Rx: Add pointer sentences to guide your reader
Chapter 11 The Close-Up Edit 175
Writing Problem: I don't catch my grammar/spelling/usage mistakes
Rx: Tackle picky details with these simple suggestions
Chapter 12 Help Yourself by Helping Someone Else 199
Writing Problem: My writing isn't improving fast enough
Rx: Try a group
Resources 211
Index 219
About the Author 223
