Welcome to Christiane Howards' Your Fret Free Writing Method where you'll learn several simple techniques, including how to use fanfiction to intuitively, boldly, and authentically write the one book you've been fretting over and have always dreamed of!
Here I will help you develop your intuition, creativity, courage, and confidence to express yourself in your own style and voice!
In just the 3 easy steps below you'll be on your way to creating your own unique brand of fiction in no time - fret free! For fanfiction we'll use Book 1 in my series, Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile: The Angels of Chessman Bishop, a mythological and angelic creature dark urban fantasy. You can download a copy here for a discounted price on Amazon or get it for free with an Amazon Kindle Unlimited membership!*
*A digital copy is included for free when you join Insider membership program here.
WHO AM I ?
My name is Christiane Howards, and I'm a Gen-Xer who grew up believing that self-expression is part of the formula to finding joy, contentment, and satisfaction in life! I'm also a formally educated writer, painter, teacher and coach who's been working in the field of creativity for over 30 years.
In true Gen-X fashion, I went out to pursue my dreams but found myself caught up in the rules and norms of Baby Boomer culture. Don't get me wrong, I respect my elders, and family is one of the most important things in my life. I was raised to believe that I could do anything I wanted - as long as I kept with their program. So, I suppressed my creative side only to end up feeling stifled, unhappy, and a bit lost.
If I couldn't be myself in the traditional workplace I was going to need an outlet for self-expression - some way for me to be my authentic self. I chose the arts - writing, painting, and even dabbling in music. I found passion in all the mediums and my creative soul came back to life! I began to feel joy, freedom and peace that I hadn't known for years, and you can, too!
So, let's talk about the one book you've always dreamed of writing...
I've been there and if you're anything like me you may have found yourself lacking in courage and with the idea that you weren't talented enough to write a book that anyone else would want to read. Or maybe you've tried, but couldn't quite get the words correct or couldn't get the mood or emotions to come across in the way you'd imagined. I held these same false beliefs. I was so used to doing things someone elses way that I struggled to find my own style and voice, but I didn't give up and you don't have to either.
There is hope!
I can help you to get in touch with your creativity, imagination, intuition, and authenticity both boldly and confidentally in your own style and voice.
Through trial and error, I've found some tools that keep me in touch with my creative and authentic self.
In Your Fret Free Writing Method I share them with you so that you, too, can build confidence and finally experience the joy of personal self expression.
Take a few minutes to read through the steps below and check out the FAQ to get a good idea of how it all works! I know Gen-Xers can't ignore a good dare, so, I dare you to take a risk and give it a try! It's FREE.
You've got nothing to lose!
Journal
Journal for a positive growth mindset!
Record thoughts, goals, dreams, practice writing prompts, and gain competence and confidence.
Read
Be a better writer by reading! Reading inspires, introduces a variety of styles, improves grammar, vocabulary, and over all communication and expression of ideas.
Write
Learn to write in your own creative style and voice! Practice fanfiction or skip the fanfiction and start working straight away on your one.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is fanfiction? Fanfiction is stories written by everyday fans featuring characters, settings, and plots from their favorite, pre-existing TV, novels, manga, movies, and other media. Sometimes fans expand on story lines or write their own. Some are even spinoffs based on concepts and ideas. Here at Your Fret Free Writing Method, we will be writing fanfiction about the series of books I'm writing entitled Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile. You can buy an eBook or paperback copy here or read for free on Kindle Unlimited. A free eBook is included with your membership to Insider.
2. Why are you suggesting we use fanfiction? Writing fanfiction is a great jumping-off point when you're feeling stuck and don't quite know where to start. Maybe expand on a scene in chapter three with your favorite character, fill in a plot hole, or change the scene altogether. The idea is to get your creativity flowing and build confidence.
3. Isn't fanfiction frowned upon? Not here! It's encouraged! The series Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile is written specifically to be expanded upon by its fans.
4. What kinds of tools are we going to utilize? It all boils down to three easy steps of just journaling, reading, writing, and practicing in different styles and techniques to get your creativity flowing. All are gone into greater depth inside the INSIDER membership program.
5. How is writing fanfiction going to help me write the one book I've been fretting over? Fanfiction helps you learn how to write in your own style and voice by providing the topics and characters so that you can spend your time focusing on expression. Practice breeds competence and competence brings confidence which is exactly what you need to start off on your own unique endeavor.
6. Will we be able to share our work on the site? Yes as a member of Insider! There is a file-sharing program on the webpage that allows for uploading files. We can then discuss and critique via groups or forums.
7. Do I really need to read the blog? Well, you don't have to but then you'll be missing out on lots of information about writing, styles, writers, confidence, creative flow, and a myriad of other relevant topics which will prove helpful in working on your one story.
8. How long will it take me to be able to write in my own style and voice? You can write in your own style and voice immediately, but I guarantee it within 45 days. Start by writing the way that comes naturally to you rather than the way you think others want you to write. And, if you're feeling stuck, join us in Insider where you can go to one of the discussion groups for help where we are all working towards the same goals.
9. How long till I'm writing my own book, the one? This all depends on how much you participate and work the variety of techniques. With consistency and effort, most people are writing their one within 45 days to six months' time.
10. Tell me again, what all is included in my paid monthly membership to Insider? Your Fret Free Writing Method, a monthly book club meeting to discuss Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile, Discussion Boards, Blog, Writing Prompts, Weekly FB Lives, FB Group, Content critique, and File sharing of Individual Work, all in a supportive and encouraging creative community.
