Birthdays: Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860), Franz Kafka (1883), M.F.K. Fisher (1908), Tom Stoppard (1937), Dave Barry (1947)

Tip: Be careful about overusing tropes (a common theme that shows up in a lot of books). They can be used to your advantage, especially in some genres, but use them carefully.

Thought for the day: “Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time.” – Voltaire

Jumpstart: In 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania became the center of the conflict between the North and South. Put your character there. What side is s/he on? Is s/he a fighter or a civilian? What happens?

Birthdays: Hermann Hesse (1877), Wislawa Szymborska (1923), Jean Craighead George (1919)

Tip: Three act structure is the most common storytelling device. In Act I, the main character’s life is thrown out of whack. In Act II, he tries to solve the problem, but can’t. Act III, he uses knowledge gained in II and formulates a new plan.

Thought for the day: “One step at a time is all it takes and pretty soon, with enough steps, you’ve scaled that mountain.” – Marylee Woods

Jumpstart: You have just learned that you are the heir to a kingdom – a very small one with rich resources but surrounded by larger, not so nice ones. Do you take the throne? Why or why not?

Birthdays: George Sand (1804), William Strunk (1869), James M. Cain (1892), Emily Arnold McCully (1939)

Tip: Consider using a storyboard for your book. Set up a chart—either paper, computer or large piece of cardboard or whiteboard that you map out your scenes and chapters on. Sticky notes work well for this as you can move them around.

Thought for the day: “Writing is a long-term proposition. You must be driven by the love of doing the work, because most days, that’s all you have.” – Susan Macias

Jumpstart: Write a scene where two enemies are caught in a stuck elevator. What happens?