Why your plot feels like a house of cards (and keeps falling down)


Good morning, Reader,

Can I ask you something personal?

How many times have you gotten 30,000 words into a story only to realize you have absolutely no idea where it's going?

Or maybe you've outlined the heck out of your plot, but when you sit down to write, it feels stiff and lifeless—like you're just checking boxes instead of telling a compelling story?

I see this all the time. Authors try to fix plot problems by:

  • Reading more plotting books (but getting overwhelmed by contradictory advice)
  • Using complex plotting software (that makes them feel like they need an engineering degree)
  • Following rigid story structures (that squeeze the life out of their creativity)

But here's what I want you to consider: What if plot structure isn't supposed to be a cage, but a foundation?

Think of it like this—a jazz musician doesn't ignore music theory. They master it so well that they can improvise brilliantly within it. The structure gives them freedom to be creative, not restrictions.

Your plot should work the same way. The right framework should make your story stronger, not more formulaic.

If this sounds familiar, consider joining Plot to Publish, a free online event running Sept 2-3 for fiction writers who want to understand what makes a book work .

At Plot to Publish, you'll discover:

  • The 3 emotional flow mistakes that make readers put your book down (and how to fix them instantly)
  • How to outline, hook, and revise like authors who've been doing this for decades
  • The scene-level techniques that move your story forward while capturing reader emotions

No more plot anxiety, aspiring author. Just solid storytelling foundations that let your creativity soar.

This free, online event brings together bestselling authors, publishing pros, and craft experts to help you:

· Unlock your creative flow so you can finally finish.

· Master structure and emotion so your story is unputdownable.

· Publish with confidence, whether it’s short fiction or your magnum opus.

We’ve got 12+ powerhouse presentations covering everything from writing emotionally charged scenes to crafting a sustainable writing practice to hooking readers from the first line:

5 Mistakes Fiction Authors Make that Interrupt the Emotional Flow of their Stories and Scenes with Liesel Hill

Outline, Hook, and Tweak Like a Seasoned Author with Stacy Juba

Write Romantasy Like a Pro with Jenna Moreci

Indie Publishing Your Short Fiction with Matty Dalrymple

How to Get Organized BEFORE You Start Writing with Dawn Greenfield Ireland

How to Simplify Your Fiction Writing for More Joy and Success with Lisa M. Lilly

Crafting a Sustainable Writing Practice with Bailey Lang

Unputdownable Openings with Miranda Darrow

Romancing the Subplot with Gala Russ

How to Use Intuition to Write a Powerful, Life-Changing Book with Dani Fankhauser

A Fiction Writer's Survival Guide to AI with Liesel Hill

Mastering Scene Structure: How to Craft Moments that Move Your Story Forward with Stacy Fazer

Building a Story with Kat Caldwell

How Scenes Work to Move Your Story Forward and Capture Reader Emotions with Megan Fuentes

How Your Characters are Your Treasure with Caryn Devincenti

Basic Story Structure in 3 Acts with Johnny Worthen

How to Write Backstory Without Boring Your Readers with Jennifer Larkin

Writing for Middle Grade and YA and How to Fix What You're Stuck On with Beth McMullen

Character Quirks, Personality, and Choices with Karyn Fischer (Hi! It's me!!)

TBA presentation with Romy Sommer

I hope to see you there!

I’ll be giving a presentation called: Character Quirks, Personality, and Choices: Breathing life into your characters

Whether you’ve been stuck halfway through your manuscript for three years or you’re polishing your final draft, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to take your book from “work in progress” to “published author.”

📅 Dates: September 2-3, 2025

🎟 Cost: Free (VIP upgrades available)

Sign up here

Happy Writing,

Karyn

P.S. Loving these emails? Buy me a cup of tea to say thanks. Or you can book a free 30-min story strategy chat here if you're interested in getting specific help with your book.

Granite Bay, CA
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