Chapters in Review, April 2025
#8 Sunday Snippets
Did you miss anything on Behind the Chapters last month? Need a quick refresher? I’ve got you covered. Here’s a summary of all the posts that ran in April. Catch up on everything, from uncovering and refining a strong idea for that novel you’ve been meaning to write to incorporating Gothic elements into your fiction.
Spark to Story: How to Turn Your Idea Into a Page-Turning Concept for Your Novel, Week 1
The first week of a five-week workshop on uncovering and developing ideas for a novel. Includes—
An introductory essay on how and where to find ideas for a novel.
Discussion of a few of my previous bestselling novels—including one that hit the New York Times bestsellers list and another that sold more than half a million copies—and how I developed the ideas.
A list of 12 creative sources to inspire your next idea.
The first weekly assignment to help you identify an engaging, novel-worthy idea; includes a PDF worksheet.
A hint of what’s to come in the following week’s lesson.
Behind the Chapters: Celebrating a Milestone
A celebratory post spreading the word that Behind the Chapters was named among the top 10 "Rising in Fiction" publications on Substack, reaching #6, then #7. I express my gratitude and reflect on creating a fiction writing community.
From Spark to Story: How to Turn an Idea into a Page-Turning Concept
I introduce my "From Spark to Story" workshop, which runs throughout May. I explain how it helps aspiring and emerging authors transform their ideas into fully developed concepts for a novel during a structured five-week process. The workshop helps writers—
Select or evaluate a core idea.
Develop a main character with strong desires.
Introduce significant conflicts.
Craft a clear concept statement for creative direction and pitching.
5 Sources of Novel Ideas That Have Never Let Me Down
I share five sources for finding ideas for a novel and how they led to my successful works. A few below—
Personal memories and experiences—led to my first novel Sisters and Lovers (500,000+ copies sold).
Family stories and legends—formed the foundation of my historical novel A Long Way From Home.
My childhood experiences—became the New York Times bestseller Big Girls Don't Cry.
Announcing: From Spark to Story - A Four-Week Idea Workshop
Official announcement of the “From Spark to Story” workshop. Details—
The workshop's purpose and timing.
Weekly lesson breakdown.
Benefits and expected outcomes for aspiring and emerging authors.
How the workshop will be delivered over five weeks.
Including Gothic Elements In Your Fiction
An exploration of Gothic elements in fiction, inspired by a Publisher's Weekly review of my novel Chloe that praised its "gothic pleasures." Covers—
The evolution of Gothic literature.
How to incorporate Gothic elements in contemporary fiction.
Gothic traditions in Black literature.
Practical tips for writers wanting to incorporate Gothic elements into their work.