I’m so excited to announce the launch of my reference book for writers! Master Lists for Writers grew out of some popular posts on my blog, but most of the content is new. Whether you’re getting ideas for a brand new story, developing your characters, or searching for the right words as you write, I think it’s going to be a great resource.
It’s 270 pages in print. It’s available at Amazon in print or ebook versions, and at Barnes and Noble in ebook version as well. I hope you like it!
The easiest way to decide if it sounds good to you is to take a look at the Table of Contents. Check it out after the jump!
- DESCRIPTIONS
Descriptions of Facial Expressions
Descriptions of Gestures and Body Language
Physical Descriptions
Emotional Descriptions
Evocative Images
Making Metaphors
- SETTINGS
100 Potentially Interesting Settings for Scenes
Sounds for Settings
Scents for Settings
- PLOTTING
50 Romance Plots
50 High-Stakes Plots
50 Family Plots
25 Workplace Plots
25 Plot Twists
25 Plot Points That Can Crack Readers Up
10 Plot Points That Can Melt Readers’ Hearts
50 Goals and Aspirations
25 Motives for Murder
25 Reasons to Move to a New Town
25 Reasons for Initial Attraction (Besides Good Looks)
- ACTION
500 Great Words for Action Scenes
500 Great Words for Sex Scenes
Synonyms for Intimate Parts of the Body
50 Actions That Show Attraction
50 Actions That Show Animosity
25 Responses to a Crisis
- DIALOGUE
25 Ways to Write Funny Dialogue
Ways People Say Hello
Ways People Say Goodbye
Ways People Say Yes
Ways People Say No
Ways People Verbalize Positive Feelings
Ways People Verbalize Negative Feelings
Ways People Preface Statements and Questions
Words and Expressions from Medieval England
Words and Expressions from Victorian England
- CHARACTER NAMES
Names from Viking-Era Scandinavia
Names from Medieval England
Names from Regency England
200 Names from the Wild West
Names from World War II-Era U.S. and Great Britain
200 Names for Contemporary Heroines
200 Names for Contemporary Heroes
100 Very Common Last Names in the U.S. Today
- CHARACTER TRAITS
100 Positive Character Traits
100 Negative Character Traits
25 Positive Character Traits That Can Also Be Negative
50 Past Traumas
50 Ways to Show a Character is a Good Person
25 Ways to Show a Character is a Jerk
25 Very Common Jobs
25 Potentially High-Paying Jobs
25 Jobs That Sound Like Fun
50 Common Hobbies and Interests
100 Character Quirks
ONE MORE VERY IMPORTANT LIST
~
If you have any questions about the book, I’m happy to answer them in the comments, obviously! And thanks so much for reading my blog and inspiring me!
Great. Will definitely be buying. I’ve seen and used some of your lists already. Really useful, practical support for writers. It will be good to be able to dip into the book when the need arises. All best for sales.
Thank you so much, Anna, and AHHH — I just saw that you shared something about it on Twitter! I really appreciate that so much!
Congratulations! It’s on my Christmas list. It will be great to have a physical copy. I’ll be interested to see what the “one more very important list” is 🙂
Aww, thank you! Hahaha, the last one is actually the most important one 😉
Bought it! Looking forward to perusing it!
Ahh, thank you so much! I hope it’s useful for you!
I just took a peek and it’s so good. From just the few pages that I’ve skimmed so far, I can already see my current story improving. Thanks for creating this book!
Hm.
Got it! I’ve been waiting for this, really looking forward to using it for NaNoWriMo. Thank you.
Oh, thank you so much, Kimberley! I hope you like it!
I just ordered it and, as soon as as my iPad recharges, I’ll go load it up just like you’ve loaded the book. I took a look at the contents before I ordered; you under-promised and over-delivered as usual! I’ll find this very useful, I’m sure.
Ah thank you Anne! And thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comments here, always. I always appreciate it!
Just bought the book from Amazon Uk. It’s just what I need. Can’t wait!
Ohh thank you so very much. I hope you like it!
Hi Bryn! I hope you had a great release day yesterday. I was really looking forward to get your book, but now I’m having issues on iBooks and can’t get it 🙁 Will you ever put it on Smashwords? I’m so bummed that I’m not devouring this right now …
Oh no, I am sorry to hear that! Do Amazon or Barnes and Noble not work for you then? I wasn’t going to do Smashwords, but I will if it turns out people are having problems!
I’m not in US right now so I think that’s why I’m having issues with iBooks. Anyway, I’ll have to wait a few months to get it. But I’ll keep my eyes open if you end up putting it up on Smash.
I bought it! 🙂
Heyy, thank you! I hope you like it!
I just bought it! So glad I stumbled across your blog! What a great resource!
Aww, thank you for the kind words! I’m so glad the blog is useful — hope the book will be too! 🙂
I pre-ordered this the night before it went live on Amazon. From the lists you’ve posted on your website, I knew it was going to be a good resource and I was right. I absolutely love how you have everything categorized and all the detail you put into the book. I’m going to be using it a lot. Thank you.
I must buy this when I move back to Canada. Print version. Looks great!
Just got my Kindle copy (I use the app for PC) and OMG!!!! There’s SOOO Much inspiration in this book I don’t even know where to begin! My mind is boggled – and busy with all kinds of stories I could write with many of these ideas!
Thanks Bunches for all your hard work on this, Bryn!! May you be Abundantly Blessed for sharing this treasure trove with us! 🙂
Robin! I’m so glad you like it. Your note made my day! Wishing you every success on your writing projects <3