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Book in a Month: The Fool-Proof System for Writing a Novel in 30 Days
by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D.
Writer's Digest Books, 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1-58297-486-6
ISBN-10: 1-58297-486-1
$22.99 spiral-bound hardcover, 288 pages (full-color interior)

Download the Worksheets!
Start writing your book today using Book in a Month’s detailed worksheets to guide and inspire your writing. Click here to view or download the worksheets.

Read an Excerpt!
Making time for your passion isn't always easy. Here are four tips to help you better manage your time so that life never gets in the way of your writing.

Online Exclusive: Q&A With Author Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D.
Accomplished author and writing instructor Victoria Schmidt shares her insights into the writing life in this exclusive Q&A. Find out what common writing mistakes Victoria sees most, what she'd like to change about the publishing industry, and more.

About the Book
Using a combination of flexible weekly schedules, focused instruction, and detailed worksheets, author Victoria Schmidt leads you through a proven 30-day novel-writing system without the intimidation factor. Book in a Month shows you how to:

• set realistic goals and monitor your progress;
• manage your time so that your writing life has room to flourish;
• select a story topic that will continue to inspire you throughout the writing process;
• quickly outline your entire story so that you have a clear idea of how your plot and
• characters are going to develop before you start writing;
• draft each act of your story by focusing on specific turning points;
• keep track of the areas you want to revise without losing your momentum in the middle your story; and
• relax and have fun—you are, after all, doing something you love!

So what are you waiting for? If you’ve been putting off your book project, Book in a Month is a fun and useful way to gain momentum once again. All you have to do is start writing!

About the Author
Victoria Lynn Schmidt (www.charactersjourney.com) is the author of Story Structure Architect and 45 Master Characters. She graduated from the prestigious film program at UCLA, holds a master’s degree in writing from Loyola Marymount University, and holds a doctorate in psychology. She also attended film school at NYU and studied independent filmmaking with some of the top artists in the field. When her writing schedule allows it, she teaches English and Screenwriting at several universities around the USA.


Table of Contents

Introduction

How to Use This Book
Goals and Time Management: Supporting Your Motivation
Fighting Off Your Inner Critic
BIAM Online Support
No More Stalling!

The Five Secrets of BIAM

Secret #1: Work “As If”
Secret #2: Leave Out Subplots
Secret #3: Be Realistic
Secret #4: Examine Your Self-Esteem
Secret #5: Trust Yourself

Time Management

Tip #1: Make Writing the First Thing
Tip #2: Adhere to the Pareto Principle
Tip #3: Keep Track of Your Writing Time
Tip #4: Don’t Ask for Time
Tip #5: Make Appointments With Yourself
Tip #6: Buy Your Time (Literally or Figuratively)
Tip #7: Get Out the Axe
Tip #8: Just Say No

Resistance

10 Steps to Overcoming Resistance
Reaping the Rewards of Success
What’s Your Sign?

Setting and Keeping Goals

Knowing Your Passion
Developing Your Story Idea
Writing the Book You Were Meant to Write
Building Your BIAM Goals
Sharing Your 30-Day Goal
Signing Your Book Contract

The Book in Month System

Week 1: Act I
Weeks 2 and 3: Act II
Week 4: Act III
BIAM 30-Day Calendar

Week 1: The Outline and Act I
Week 2: Act II, Part 1
Week 3: Act II, Part 2
Week 4: Act III

Worksheet Index