Amber Ravatsaas, Writer

August 26, 2020 by Amber

Using Roam Research to Outline Your Novel

My mother introduced me to this fantastic note-taking app called Roam Research. I’ve been using it for a while and have to say, it’s precisely what I have been looking for! I’ve tried Evernote, OneNote, and various other note-taking apps, but this one works the best for me.

I have two graphs, one for my daily life called Amber and the other called Series Bible. When you log in, the first page you see is called daily notes. It’s where you can do a brain dump about the day. Each of my children has a page within Roam, and so when I click their name, I get a breakdown of what they did or something funny they said on a day to day basis.

My mom and I are reading Allie Beth Stuckey’s new book called, “You’re not enough (and that’s ok)” it’s REALLY good!!! #afflink

Making pages in Roam is so easy, all you have to do is type [[ ]] and whatever word(s) is between the brackets will become a new page. You can also use the # to create new pages, but they have to be one word. The blue words (pages) you can click on and see the other places you mentioned that specific word, phrase, name, etc.

If you ever get stuck or forget a key command, click the handy little question mark in the bottom right corner, and a box will pop up, providing you with the most useful key commands. Also, if you want a page to show up under the shortcuts click the star in the upper right corner.

So, now, how to use it to outline.

I set-up a page with the working title of my novel, and then linked the various pages that go along with it. When I click the setting, it will lead me to a page with the two cities my novel takes place in. There I can make mental notes of the weather or other fun, interesting facts that may be useful. The plot leads to my elevator pitch, the outline to my three-act structure.

When I click on the Opening image, it leads me to a page that describes what this act should entail. I use the space above to pinpoint specific things that have to take place and people we have to meet.

My character page contains, my characters. When you click on a name it takes you to a page showing all about that specific character.

Here it even breaks it down by each act where her name is mentioned and what she’s doing. For some reason, this way of taking notes works the best with my brain. I love that everything is in order, labeled, and I can easily find what I need. It’s a bit pricey at $15 a month, but you get a 31-day trial to see if you like it before buying it.

You can find a bunch of videos about Roam on YouTube that will give you a more in-depth look at the things you can do within this app. I haven’t even scratched the surface 🙂 If you end up trying it, let me know what you think!

Roam Research does not have an affiliate program, just love the app 😉

Interested in writing prompts? Check out my blog So Novalike!

August 14, 2020 by Amber

Redemption

This year’s theme has been redemption, mostly because that’s what the story I am working on is about. The daily reminder that I am never too far gone for God’s grace is a sobering thought. By no means does this mean sin all you want and ask for forgiveness, then you’re golden. If you’re truly in Christ, you will desire to love and obey His commands.

𝘕𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘥’𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥.
1 𝙅𝙤𝙝𝙣 3:9

My main character runs away from her problems, feeling as if she’s too broken and damaged to be loved by anyone, especially Christ. We’ve all felt that way, at least I know I have. Things seem to be spiraling out of control, and we turn to everything but the one thing we need, Christ.

𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘐 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘐 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦. 𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴 2:20

Christ’s blood delivers and redeems us. When we feel too far gone, we should come back to the truths of God’s word. We are new creations, who we were in the past is no longer who we are today.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺; 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦. 2 𝘊𝘰𝘳. 5:17

July 25, 2020 by Amber

Stories about Redemption

I need your help dear readers, what are some of your favorite stories in the Bible about redemption?

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⠀ #question What are some of your favorite stories about redemption from the Bible?⠀ • ⠀ • ⠀ • ⠀ • ⠀ • ⠀ Love writing prompts? Follow @sonovalike —————–⠀ #questions #amwriting #writerscommunity #instawriting #spilledthoughts #writingislife #christianfiction #christianwriters #yawriter #fictionwriter #writerslife #aspiringwriter #amwritingyaromance #acfwcommunity #writingprompts #amwritingya #quotes #cleanromance #write #storyideas #prompt #writersofinstagram #writersofig #writing #writersnetwork #aspiringwriters #embersgram #redemption #bible

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July 25, 2020 by Amber

Writing Motivation

Anyone else needed this motivation today? I sure did.

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⠀ Anyone else needed this reminder today?!? 🙋‍♀️⠀ • ⠀ • ⠀ • ⠀ • ⠀ • ⠀ Enjoy writing prompts? Head over to @sonovalike⠀ —————–⠀ #writersblock #amwriting #writerscommunity #instawriting #spilledthoughts #writingislife #christianfiction #christianwriters #yawriter #fictionwriter #writerslife #aspiringwriter #amwritingyaromance #embersgram #raybradbury #amwritingya #quotes #inspiringquotes #write #writersofinstagram #writersofig #writing #writersnetwork #aspiringwriters #justkeepwriting #acfwcommunity #writerquotes

A post shared by Amber (@amberravwrites) on Jul 22, 2020 at 4:07pm PDT

January 24, 2020 by Amber

Ink-stained Fingers

Ink-stained fingers inscribed words on a page, some remain in my mind persistently expanding until they age.

January 23, 2020 by Amber

Perfection Suffocates Creativity

Perfection is the killer of creativity. When we aim for perfection, we fail to take risks and try to meet other’s standards instead of trying to achieve our own.⁣⁣
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⁣⁣Perfection shouldn’t be our intention; instead, let’s concentrate on progress and making strides in our own time, no one else’s. Don’t be afraid to fail, and don’t be scared to try, you learn the most from your shortcomings.⁣⁣
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December 30, 2019 by Amber

In lieu of a Word

⁣So instead of coming up with a word for the new year, I have set a purpose or plan that I aim to accomplish. My intention this year is to be more intentional. I want to deliberately spend more time with the Lord, my husband, children, family and friends, and less on social media. I want to live in the moment and be with them taking the time to have deep, meaningful conversations, one on one time getting to know them better, and have more experiences than things.⁣⁣
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⁣⁣Have you come up with a word or intention for the new year? I’d love to hear it, drop a comment below!

June 25, 2019 by Amber

Dealing With Imposter Syndrome

As a writer, I have these thoughts often, am I good enough? Will I ever be good enough? There are amazing writers, I will never be that good. First, I need to stop striving to be someone that I am not and second; they didn’t get there overnight. Practice makes progress, not perfect because none of us will ever be perfect. God has me on the path I am on and I need to stop listening to the voices around me telling me otherwise.

“Do you need someone to make you a paper badge with the word ‘WRITER’ on it before you can believe you are one?”
–Stephen King

All writers, I have realized, have these same thoughts running through their minds. We all feel as if someone will find out what a fraud we are and our “fake it until you make it” attitude will be exposed for what it truly is. The truth of the matter is we aren’t fake at all. We love the craft of writing and forming words into sentences and pages and books.

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”
–Ernest Hemingway

Fiction writing is subjective. It’s based upon our thoughts and the things WE imagine and come up with. No one else can delve into your brain and write what you do. We need your voice in the Christian community, your ideas, your thoughts. Don’t hide that creative spark and passion that the Lord gave you.

“Bad writers tend to have self-confidence, while the good ones tend to have self-doubt.”
-Charles Bukowski

I went back the other day and read over my first novel that I wrote; it was awful, and I am not being hard on myself- it was awful. Now I look at my recent work and can see the improvements over the years and areas that still need work. So we work on those areas and we do our best! I’m in a large critique group as a member of the ACFW and it was difficult getting back that first critique from my WIP, but you do not understand how helpful their advice was. I want to put something out into the world that I did my best at, something that I can be proud of. There will be people that don’t like it and I am ok with that because I didn’t write my novel for them.

June 23, 2019 by Amber

Setting a Writing Schedule

As a mom of three littles and a homeschooler on top of it things get chaotic and busy. My writing life is in the evening when the kids have gone to bed, but that’s also the time that I spend with my husband, clean the house, you get where I am going with this.I’ve been pondering the reasons I haven’t finished my novel yet. One of those being, I haven’t treated my work as a job. To me, it was more like a hobby, something I did in my spare time.

Balancing life between raising my littles and working on my writing is difficult. Can I do the thing I love and desire without sacrificing my children, husband and relationship with the Lord? Looking at my schedule and the season of life I am in my husband and I have come up with something that works for our family! It will look different for everyone but there is no right way or wrong way to do this. We’ll start small and go from there, one day a week I will either go out or lock myself in the bedroom and write. Once I come home, or downstairs, my computer goes off and I spend my time with my family. It’s a simple change, but it’s a move toward making this more than a hobby.

I’ve learned to bring my laptop with me wherever I go and when I have a moment, I will write. I use the voice recorder on my apple watch to remember things when I am driving, the note app on my phone catches everything else, and my journal goes more into depth about the ins and outs of my day. This helps when I sit to write I can quickly scan my notes and begin writing. All of that to say, I don’t want to waste time when I should be writing.

What does your writing schedule look like? How do you balance writing with littles?

March 25, 2019 by Amber

A Review of the Book, ‘Save the Cat! Writes a Novel’

One of my favorite books I reference multiple times while writing is, ‘Save the Cat! Writes a Novel’ by Jessica Brody. It has become a staple and I have sticky notes and highlighters to prove so. I’m not one for plotting but quickly realized that I needed to be as I rewrote my novel for the fifth time. Not exaggerating! I have put the beat sheets (plot points) outline into my scrivener workspace and followed it hoping and praying that this was it, that I would officially finish my first draft… side note; I’m not, but almost.

You may wonder why the book is titled ‘Save the cat’ and that’s a valid question. It comes from the late author Blake Snyder who wrote the original ‘Save the Cat!’ Book for screenwriters. It was a tip he used for avoiding common pitfalls of storytelling, “If your main character starts off somewhat unlikeable, then, in the early pages of your story they should save a cat (yes, like from a tree or a burning building or shelter), or do something comparable that immediately makes the reader root for them, regardless of their original likability.”

All right, so back to why you’re reading this post. Let’s talk about beat sheets and what they are. In the book, there are fifteen beats (3 acts) and Jessica goes over each one giving you examples from other books. She makes it easy to follow and complete each beat; it was the hand-holding I needed!

ACT 1:

1. Opening Image: A “before” snapshot of your hero and their world.

2. Theme Stated: Briefly alludes to the transformative journey that your hero will take and the flaw or flaws they will eventually conquer

3. Setup: Sets up your hero’s life and their status quo world before everything changes.

4. Catalyst: Disrupts the status quo world with a life-changing event.

5. Debate: Shows how resistant your hero is to change and/or prepares your hero to break into act 2.

ACT 2:

6. Break Into 2: Brings the hero into the upside-down world of Act 2 where they will fix things the wrong way.

7. B Story: Introduces the character that who will somehow represent the B Story/spiritual story/theme and help your hero learn it.

8. Fun & Games: Deliver on the promise of the premise of the novel and shows us how your hero is faring in the new Act 2 world (either having fun or floundering.)

9. Midpoint: Marks the middle of the novel with either a false defeat or a false victory while raising the stakes of the story.

10. Bad Guys Close In: Provides a place for your hero to rebound after a false defeat Midpoint or fall down after a false victory Midpoint, all while the internal bad guys are closing in.

11. All Is Lost: Illustrates your hero’s rock bottom (lowest moment) of the story.

12. Dark Night Of The Soul: Shows how your hero reacts to the all is lost and how they eventually break through to a resolution.

ACT 3:

13. Break Into 3: Brings the hero into the synthesis world of Act 3, where they will finally fix things the right way.

14. Finale: Resolves all the problems created in Act 2 and proves that your hero has learned the theme and has been transformed.

15. Final Image: Provides and after snapshot of your hero and your hero’s life to show how much they’ve changed.

Detailed and what I was looking for, this book helped me when I direly needed revamping on my WIP. She also reveals the ten universal story genres which helped me nail down what direction would best suit my story. If you’re stuck and need a little extra help, or you’re looking for a new way to plot your story I highly recommend checking out this book!

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