Skip to content

K.M. Allan

Writing Advice From A YA Author Powered By Chocolate And Green Tea

  • Home
  • Blackbirch
    • Blackbirch: The Dark Half
    • Blackbirch: The Beginning
  • Blogs
  • Writing Checklists
  • About
  • Contact

Tag: checklist

The Chapter Checklist

On March 19, 2021 By K.M. Allan17 Comments

If you follow me on social media, you’ll know I’ve spent the last few months editing my latest WIP. It’s book 3 in my Urban Fantasy YA series, Blackbirch, and I’m aiming to have it published in the first half of this year. I spent most of 2020 rewriting the draft I penned back in …

Continue reading The Chapter Checklist

The Dialogue Checklist

The Dialogue Checklist

On November 15, 2019February 26, 2021 By K.M. Allan37 Comments

Dialogue is an important part of any story and essential to get right. Good dialogue can reveal twists, unveil character traits, motivations, change the direction of the story, and give your cliffhangers the perfect bite—I mean, who doesn't love the final line of a scene ending in a suspenseful piece of dialogue! While it's up …

Continue reading The Dialogue Checklist

The Stage Direction Checklist

The Stage Direction Checklist

On October 18, 2019February 26, 2021 By K.M. Allan28 Comments

We all have a writing habit that no matter how much we grow as a writer, sticks with us. For many writers (myself included), stage directing is one of those habits, and it takes the form of describing every physical move a character makes, beyond what's necessary. Because this habit happens naturally, it's usually hard …

Continue reading The Stage Direction Checklist

Writing The Final Draft What To Check

Writing The Final Draft: What To Check

On September 6, 2019 By K.M. Allan49 Comments

You know that meme where writers name their files "Final Draft", "Final Draft 2", "Final Draft 3", "Really Final Draft", "Really, Really Final Draft", "Seriously Final Draft" etc. I get that. I'm currently working on the sixth draft of an MS I literally named "Final Draft" three drafts ago. Past-Me probably thought it would be. Present-Me …

Continue reading Writing The Final Draft: What To Check

The Basic Scene Checklist

The Basic Scene Checklist

On May 10, 2019 By K.M. Allan41 Comments

I don't know about you, but when I write, I don't really plan. Sure, I might have an idea of what I want to write about, but generally, I'll write until something takes shape. That creative freedom is what I love about writing. It's also a double-edged sword because you've got to somehow make sense of …

Continue reading The Basic Scene Checklist

6 Draft Checklist Ideas And Why You Should Create Your Own

6 Draft Checklist Ideas (And Why You Should Create Your Own)

On February 22, 2019 By K.M. Allan54 Comments

Just as no two writers will write an idea the same way, drafting is a unique process as well. Some authors may draft their MS in as little as five passes, others (raises hand) might have 20 odd drafts under their belt for certain works in progress. When drafting is such a mammoth task, it's …

Continue reading 6 Draft Checklist Ideas (And Why You Should Create Your Own)

The Active Word Checklist

The Active Word Checklist

On July 13, 2018 By K.M. Allan47 Comments

“Keep your prose active.” It’s one of the most well-known pieces of writing advice and one of the most frustrating. Sometimes when writing, especially when you’re first starting out, you have no idea what words are making your prose non-active. You’re just writing, using the words that sound right. It’s not until you see the difference creating an …

Continue reading The Active Word Checklist

The Weak Word Checklist

The Weak Word Checklist

On July 6, 2018 By K.M. Allan28 Comments

Not all words are created equal, and as a writer, you can devote many hours to finding the best perfect one. While playing with word choice and re-writing sentences until you get them just right can help capture what you’re trying to invoke, a weak word can do the opposite. But how do you know …

Continue reading The Weak Word Checklist

K.M. Allan

K.M. Allan

YA writer and blogger. Author of The Blackbirch Series, The Beginning and The Dark Half (books 1 & 2) are out now! I'm also an identical twin, but not the evil one.

View Full Profile →

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Goodreads

Search

Blackbirch: The Beginning

Blackbirch: The Dark Half

Follow K.M. Allan on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 3,399 other followers

Recent Posts

  • 5 Ways To Describe A Character Without Using The Clichéd Mirror Look
  • March 2021 Roundup
  • The Chapter Checklist
  • Writing Do’s And Don’ts: Room Settings
  • February 2021 Roundup

Top Posts

  • The Delete Checklist
  • The Weak Word Checklist
  • Writing Tips: Building Tension
  • The Dialogue Checklist
  • 5 Writing Ideas To Transform A Boring Scene

Follow Me On Instagram

The #Blackbirch 3 edits continue! I’ve switched tactics & now I’m focusing on the notes I made during my last read through instead of trying to rewrite at the same time. It’s made the process quicker & I’m getting through 3 chapters a day instead of 1! What #WritingGoals are you working on this week?
Monday Motivation.
Happy weekend! It’s a cloudy, grey day today, but the red autumn leaves are making up for it. I hope you’re enjoying your Saturday and Sunday.
Even #DashTheCat is over editing 🤣. We’re looking forward to the weekend. How about you?
Create a website or blog at WordPress.com
Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×