How to Plot Your Novel with a Simple Spreadsheet

Have you ever wondered what a novel looks like in a spreadsheet? The outline, I mean. Maybe you’re wondering what a novel outline even is. When I say outline, what pops in your head? Is it something like this? I. This is the first heading. A. This is a subheading. 1. This is a subsubheading. No, I’m not referring to an outline for a high school English term paper. I’m referring to a novel. When I say outline, I’m merely referring to some kind of organizational structure behind the story—a blueprint, if you will, that shows all the critical ingredients that must work together behind the scenes for the story to work. You may be surprised to learn how many organizational details must work together to make a good story, especially for a suspense novel with multiple characters and settings on a timeline. There are actually lots of ways to…

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Merry Christmas from the Blumers

Merry Christmas from the Blumers

Dear Family and Friends, As each Christmas approaches, we find ourselves thinking, Wow. The end of another year . . . already? I guess the cliché is true: time really does fly when you’re having fun. Of course, not every aspect of life is as enjoyable as others, but each plays its part in God’s design for us. Laura (12) and Julia (9) stayed busy with church events, homeschool challenges, piano lessons on Tuesdays, and horse-riding lessons on Wednesdays. Both girls found their biggest challenge to be mathematics. Laura is tackling the more complicated concepts of seventh-grade math (we are very thankful for BJU Press math DVDs), while Julia is currently immersed in geometry. Horseback riding continues to be their favorite activity, with piano as a close second. We are excited to see the girls excel on a musical instrument they can use throughout life to glorify God and minister…

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