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You’re receiving this because you signed up for Writing Academy at some point — maybe years ago. To keep hearing from us, I need you to do one thing:
If you don’t click, you won’t hear from us again. No hard feelings — but I’d hate to lose you if you actually want to keep learning.
Now, on to the good stuff…
New Year, New Draft?
If “write that book” has been sitting on your resolution list for a while now, gathering dust alongside “go to the gym” and “learn Spanish,” I get it. Life gets in the way. The writing falls by the wayside.
But here’s the thing: it’s not too late. And I want to help you actually make it happen this year.
Why Most Writers Get Stuck (And How to Avoid It)
After helping over 100,000 writers, I’ve noticed a pattern. The ones who finish their novels almost always do one thing differently:
They plan before they write.
I know — it sounds obvious. But most writers skip this step. They dive in with a great idea, write 50 pages… and stall out because they don’t know where the story is going.
The fix? Learn the Three-Act Structure — a roadmap that shows you exactly what needs to happen in your story, and when. Here’s how it works:
Act One is where you introduce your protagonist to your readers and fill in the backstory so they understand the situation. Then a trigger throws your protagonist into crisis — and we transition to Act Two.
Act Two is the long struggle. It’s mostly plot as your protagonist attempts to achieve their goal but cannot succeed — because they have not yet changed. Act Two ends when the protagonist finally realizes the need for change, allowing them to advance.
Act Three is where your protagonist makes a plan and faces off against the antagonist (or the forces they’ve been combating) in the climax. This confrontation leads us to a satisfying ending.
Each of these acts can be broken down into precise checkpoints — specific story beats that keep your narrative on track. I detail these in my classes and books. When you know your checkpoints in advance, you can plan out your entire novel before you write a single chapter.
That planning is the key to your success. It’s the difference between finishing your novel and abandoning it at page 73.
A Little Something to Get You Started
If you’ve been thinking about finally learning how to structure and finish your novel, here’s your nudge:
Your first month of the Author’s Success Bundle — just $9.
That’s access to ALL 19 of our writing courses: - Novel Writing Workshop - Story Structure and The 9 Checkpoints - Genre workshops (Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, and more) - Screenwriting, Non-Fiction, Self-Publishing - And personalized feedback on your writing
Normally $29/month. You pay $9 to start.
Use code STARTFOR9 at checkout.
Here’s to making 2026 the year you finally write that book.
Steve Alcorn at Writing Academy writingacademy.com