Enjoy a guest article from one of my former apprentices and now published author, Vella Karman. After you read her article, be sure to check out her website and subscribe to her newsletter at VellaKarman.com.
If Brad hadn’t given me the advice I’m about to share with you, my book probably wouldn’t be a #1 New Release. Since then, I’ve heard Brad give similar advice a lot. If you’re using the Novel Matrix to plan your next novel manuscript, this might just save you.
First, let me set the scene.
Almost two years ago, between my first and second year as an apprentice at The Company, I sat down with Brad Pauquette at a gigantic wooden table in The Company’s HQ.
I’d mapped out three different Novel Matrix plans. Today, we would pick one.
I don’t remember what the other plans were (don’t crucify me–I’ve written three books since then), but the one that became Beyond the Mirage was my favorite.
I’d put a ton of work into planning all the story elements. I intentionally shored up my typical plot weaknesses and reread parts of stories I loved to analyze the mechanics.
This story also had more prayer surrounding it than anything I’d worked on before.
A lot of the story came together while I drove a few hundred miles to Indianapolis, worshipping and praying. I wasn’t even trying to plot a novel!
The week of June 29 only, grab the Kindle version of Beyond the Mirage for just 99 cents on Amazon!
Grab this deal here.
It’s also free to read for Kindle Unlimited members every day!
Now for the great advice…
Suffice it to say, the Novel Matrix method works. I spent around three years trying to write my second book, and after I learned TNM method, I outlined and drafted something in a little over a month.
But in the apprenticeship, Brad gave us direct writing coaching. That advice (the stuff specific to me and my books) is what really shaped Beyond the Mirage into something more.
These three tips from direct coaching with Brad helped my book succeed, and they may help you too:
Tip 1: Strong prose is a hallmark of my genre
I write stories set in the real world. There’s a whimsical twist on how it works (i.e. what if God allowed people to teleport?), but it’s still considered contemporary.
People read contemporary for the prose. I used to really struggle with prose. Brad helped me realize that if I wanted to succeed in this genre, I had to work on it.
So I got down to business. In Beyond the Mirage, that hard work paid off.
Tip 2: Cut the first act
Like a lot of writers, it can take me awhile to get to the real meat of the story. When Brad looked at my Novel Matrix outline, he suggested that I move the rock bottom moment to the beginning of the story and get rid of what came before.
Looking back, nothing that happened in the original first act needed to happen “onscreen.” It was all fluff or backstory.
Because of the change, my characters drive into a wall of fire about two chapters into the book. That hooks readers in a way my original opening never could.
Tip 4: MOST IMPORTANTLY – Add Action
At the end of our meeting, as I shuffled my papers back together (there wasn’t a Novel Matrix workbook back in those days), Brad said one more thing.
“Make sure the characters aren’t sitting in a car and talking the whole time. Add some action.”
I had the whole wall of fire thing already. I thought I’d already added action!
But that simple bit of advice (from someone who knew my strengths and weaknesses) changed the way I wrote the whole book.
It brought a lot of scenes to life, and kept the story from feeling flat.
The process works.
Coaching Is Key
I had the benefit of getting direct coaching from Brad. You may not have that (at least not until you apply to The Company’s apprenticeship), but maybe these tips will provide a little shortcut.
That’s how I—the contemporary writer who didn’t do bad guys or action scenes—released a book that hit #1 New Release status in the Teen and Young Adult Christian Action and Adventure category (as well as a few other categories) and wrote a character that her readers love to hate.
I hope the tips I shared are helpful to you, but direct coaching is a vital part of the experience. When feedback is tailored to me and my stories, I’ve learned the most.
Thank you to Brad for sharing his writing and publishing expertise (not just to me, but to all of you as well)! I truly wouldn’t be where I am without it.
The week of June 29 only, grab the Kindle version of Beyond the Mirage for just 99 cents on Amazon! Grab this deal here. It’s also free to read for Kindle Unlimited members every day!
Vella Karman is a Christian novelist drawing on her southern roots to craft stories splashed with color and emotion. Her writing has been read in more than forty countries so far and she aspires to write gripping, whimsical stories that keep readers up till three a.m.
She developed the Fantastical Summer anthology as her master project as a writing apprentice at The Company. Her debut novel, Beyond the Mirage, is a #1 New Release.
Join Vella’s newsletter for resources to fill your life with light & clean book recommendations (she’ll also send you a free short story from Fantastical Summer): https://vellakarman.com/free-shortstory-fantasticalsummer/
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Great advice as always! And I agree–you were able to have very fun, whimsical prose, and a good amount of action so things in the car never got boring!