Story and plot, YouTube, new website...a jam packed post!

Story and plot...are they the same or different?
The answer is...drum roll please....

They are...DIFFERENT!

I recently wrote an article describing the difference between story and plot. Here is a taste of what was written:

Story and plot are actually two different things when writing fiction. Here is a brief, but simple list of ways they are different. By understanding the differences, you can write a better book.
Story is emotional.
Plot is physical.
For example: story is to a character feeling sad as plot is to describe a character crying.

Simple examples of each:

Click here to read the rest of this informative article about story and plot!

One of my favorite articles is the one I wrote about Creating space to write your book at home.
I have been thinking about creating a YouTube channel to help aspiring writers. In addition to writing tips, I would also include my other loves...baking and running! (It's a good thing I have the running with all of the baking I do!)

I have recently completed my new website! It seems like it took FOREVER, but I wanted to be sure I included everything in order to make it successful.
Author: Deanna Martinez-Bey

Update on the writing course

Some days are definitely easier than others when it comes to keeping up with my school work! Sometimes I sit at my computer and knock out a lesson or two in no time and other times it is a struggle to focus on one chapter within a lesson!

Nonetheless, it is coming along well. I am on point with my lessons. I am learning so many new tips. I have learned about story structure, plot templates, character development, viewpoint, tenses and setting so far. All of it has been interesting and helpful.

I also continue to work on my next novel, in addition to the one I have in with my publisher. There is a lot going on at my house! I'm not only an author, but a wife and mom as well. My family keeps me on my toes!

Something I am learning is that following your dreams takes a lot of hard work. A lot of late nights. A lot of support from my husband! It would be a million times harder without his support.

Is there a second draft?

Technically, yes, there is a second draft when you are writing a book, but not really. That probably sounds confusing!

Today, I wrote an article about WRITING YOUR FIRST DRAFT. I talk briefly about what the first draft is and what to do after your have written it. Here is a sample:

If you are reading this article, it means that you are a writer or want to become one. Congratulations on following your writing dreams! So many people desire to write and never get around to actually doing it.

Let’s talk about the first draft of your book. What is the first draft? It is the original manuscript. You may be thinking… Now that I have written my book it is ready to be submitted to agents and publishers. Well… hold on just a minute. 

Do you want to know what to do next? Click here...

Brushing up on my writing skills!

It is official...I am registered at a local college to continue my education with an advanced fiction writing course! It feels amazing to have the support of my husband to press forward in my writing career! I have always wanted to go back to school and finally, after all of these years it is possible. 

Sure, taking care of a teenager and a baby makes things a little harder, but it will make me work even harder to be sure I succeed. 

My husband supports me like no one ever has before. This man pushes me to do what makes me happy and encourages me to work on what I enjoy. I used to day dream about how I wanted my husband to be and then years later he popped up! It just goes to show you how powerful our thoughts truly are! 

My class starts in about 8 days and will continue for approximately 2 months. I am in the process of getting it all ironed out as far as double checking with the school to make sure I am good to go.

You can also follow me on Facebook: Author: Deanna Martinez-Bey 

How to come up with plot twisting ideas for your book...

After I share with people that I am a writer, it may shock you how often they respond to me with, "I have always wanted to write a book. I just have no idea how to begin!" 

The majority of the articles I write are about,  HOW TO WRITE A BOOK. In my latest article I talk about how to com up with story ideas and plot twists. It begins like this...

Having an initial idea for your novel is a fantastic place to start. However, keeping the reader engaged is the whole point. A novel has to start with an initial idea, but it also needs some twists and turns in order to be a success.
How do you come up with twists and turns and new story ideas?


Please click here to read the rest of my article: Writing a novel: How to come up with story ideas and plot twists

Interested in beginning your book? Here are some helpful articles to get you going...

Easy book writing tips

How to write a book: write down your ideas

Set aside time to write

Set reasonable writing goals

These articles are great to get you started. For more easy to follow articles that will help you get things going and keep things going, check out my Writing Channel!

Finishing my book: how it started one way and finished another

Well, well, well, the day has finally arrived! So many events and circumstances arose, but I have finally completed my second novel!
I have been looking forward to this day for quite some time. It seems like if it wasn't thing it was another that stood in the way of the completion. Looking back, I have to admit that the book is so much better due to everything I have gone through and overcome in the last several years!
The novel began one way and slowly morphed into something completely different than I imagined it would. And you know what? I love it!

My first novel, Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star is inspirational fiction in genre. It has a very strong thread of Christianity running through it.

This book, which will remain unnamed for now (although, I do have a title), will be in the general fiction genre. It begins with the secondary character of the the first novel as the main "Christian" character. As the book progresses, so does she. Janine goes through a major life transformation after someone she was very close to shook her to her core!

Although, still inspiring beyond belief, it is a different type of inspiration. Travel with Janine through her struggles and triumphs. I cant wait to see it published and on the shelves of all the major book stores!

I have often said...Now the hard work begins. This is true. I am searching for a new publisher. This has been known to take time. I am hoping that because I am already a published author, it will be a bit of an easier and quicker process than it was the first time.

Thank you for your support!

How to know when to make changes in your book

The last couple of weeks I have had a persistent, nagging idea to make two big changes to my novel. Finally, I sat down yesterday and spent about one and a half hours making these said changes. After I made them, I felt relieved. I felt like a tremendous weight was lifted off of my mind.

Today, I wrote an article about Following Your Heart When Making Changes to Your Book.

I hope it will help us (myself included) listen to our minds and hearts more often. Realistically, this "listening to our mind" can apply to all areas of life! 

Ever hear a small voice almost whispering in your ear to do or not to do something? How about that gut wrenching feeling you get just seconds before you do something? We need to listen to these small voices and feelings. They can help us from making huge mistakes in our lives! 

Here is an example:

Shelly was about to get married. It was two hours before the wedding ceremony. This would be the happiest day of her life, at least she always dreamed it would be. 

Suddenly, when Sally sat down to have a bite to eat, after realizing she had gone all day without a single bite of food, she felt shaky and sick to her stomach. She began to sweat...a cold, icky, gross kind of sweat. Her palms were wet and beads of sweat were forming on her brow. 

Her father saw this transpire and noticed the sick feeling she had on her face. He asked her if she was OK. Sally responded with, "I think I have cold feet." Her father then replied. "Well, put on some slippers and warm them up!" Sally laughed it off, but she was having second thoughts about the man she was about to marry. 

About one month after the wedding, the abuse began. The man that Sally married began to physically abuse her. 

This went on for years! Finally, Sally had enough. She packed her bags and left one day when her husband was at work.

Living a much happier life now, Sally often thinks back to that day. Never mind putting on slippers to warm her feet, maybe slipping into her running shoes would have been a better choice! 

Writing books: follow your heart when making changes