You Can Write Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction

ABOUT KELLI A. WILKINS

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her latest release, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in April 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in May 2023.

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

​

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & DEDICATION

This book wouldn’t be possible without a little help from my friends. Special thanks go out to my writing instructors, Pat Marinelli and John Torre for their technical edits, comments, and suggestions. (I admit, I learned from the best.) Thanks to Deborah A. Bailey and Diane Goldschmidt for their editorial review and feedback. And thanks to Claudia Petrilli at Designs by Claudia (www.designbyclaudia.com) for creating my awesome cover.

You Can Write—Really! is dedicated to everyone who has dreamt of having their story published, and to my husband, Robert, for having the patience and understanding necessary to live with a writer.

​Romances by Kelli A. Wilkins

A Deceptive Match*

A Secret Match*

A Most Unusual Princess**

A Most Intriguing Temptation**

A Most Unfortunate Prince**

A Thousand Summer Secrets

Beauty & the Bigfoot

Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover

Cupid’s Schemes (Volume 1)

Cupid’s Schemes (Volume 2)

Dangerous Indenture

For Love’s Sake

Four Days with Jack

In Another World

Killer in Wolf’s Clothing

Love, Lies & Redemption

Loving a Wild Stranger

Midsummer Night’s Delights***

Midwinter Night’s Delights***

Redemption from a Dark Past

Trust with Hearts

Ultimate Night’s Delights***

The Viking’s Witch

* A Deceptive Match and A Secret Match are related titles with shared characters. However, each novel can be read separately.

** These titles make up the Royal Desires series. Although connected, each book stands alone as an individual read.

*** These novellas complete the Naughty Nobles trilogy. It is recommended that they are read in sequence.

Kelli’s horror fiction appears in these anthologies

The Best of the First Line: The First 3 Years

The Big Bad Anthology of Evil

Dark Eclipse #18

Dark Moon Digest #1

Dark Things II: Cat Crimes

The Four Horsemen

Frightmares: A Fistful of Flash Fiction

Halloween Horror Vol. 2

Haunted: An Anthology of the Supernatural

Madam Gray’s Creep Show

Mistresses of the Macabre

Moon Shadows

Nothing Ever Happens in Fox Hollow

Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #14

What If...

Wrapped in White

Don’t miss Kelli’s self-published horror stories!

Visit her website: www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list.

​Table of Contents

ABOUT KELLI A. WILKINS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & DEDICATION

Romances by Kelli A. Wilkins

Kelli’s horror fiction appears in these anthologies

Introduction

PART 1: BEFORE WE BEGIN

Chapter 1: Meet the Muse

The Creative Process...

Getting in a Zone

Writing Exercises

Paper & Pen

Why Write?

What to Write?

Chapter 2: Excuses, Excuses!

I Want to Write, But...

One Day, I’ll...

Do the Work

PART 2: THE STORY IN YOUR HEAD

Chapter 3: Ideas

Where Do Writers Really Get Their Ideas?

Anytime, Anywhere

Look Around

What If...

In Search of Ideas

Let Ideas Come to You

Chapter 4: Creating Characters

Meet the Players...

Know Your Characters

Heroes and Villains

Movements & Props

Motivation & Reaction

Secondary Characters

What’s in a Name?

Chapter 5: Point-of-View

Me, You, and Him, Too!

First Person POV

Second Person POV

Third Person POV

Whose POV to Use?

Chapter 6: Dialogue

What Do You Have to Say?

Say What?

Talk to Me

Chapter 7: Setting, Details & Research

Where Are We?

Creating a Setting

It’s All in the Details...

Do Your Research

Chapter 8: Genres

What Kind of Story Are You Writing?

Romance

Horror

Mysteries

Suspense & Thrillers

Science Fiction & Fantasy

PART 3: GET WRITING

Chapter 9: Plotting

Tell Me a Story...

Plots

Beginning, Middle, End

Subplots

Plotter, Pantser, Or Both?

Chapter 10: Scene & Sequel

Bring Your Story to Life...

Scene Versus Sequel—What’s the Difference?

Writing Scenes

Goal, Motivation & Conflict

Sequels

Pacing

Get Writing!

Chapter 11: Editing & Revising

Fixing Your Story...

Start at the Beginning

Show, Don’t Tell

Passive Voice Versus Active Voice

Bad Words

Titles

Chapter 12: Sharing with Others

Let Your Story Be Read...

Why You Need a Reader

Where to Find a Reader

Sharing With Other Writers

After Sharing...

PART 4: SUBMITTING & MARKETING YOUR WRITING

Chapter 13: Submitting Your Story

Where Do I Start?

Markets & Guidelines

Multiple and Simultaneous Submissions

Cover Letters

Payment

Contests

Chapter 14: Acceptance or Rejection

The Yin and Yang...

Acceptance

Rejection

Chapter 15: Marketing & Promotion

Let Me Tell You About Myself...

Websites

Social Media Sites

Blogs

Amazon Author Page

Conclusion

PART 5: APPENDICES

Sample Cover Letter

15 Frequently Asked Questions

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Q&A on Horror Writing

Creating a Rough Road to a Happily-Ever-After

Historical Romances Are Anything But Boring!

How Do You Write a Gay Romance?

CATCH UP WITH KELLI

​​Introduction

Welcome to You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction. Before we get started, let me share a bit about myself. I’m a writer, and that means I write everything—short horror fiction, full-length romance novels, science fiction, and non-fiction. I’m often asked, How can you write in so many different genres and styles?

It’s not really that difficult. Why? Because the basic mechanics of good storytelling are universal, no matter what genre you write. Every fiction story contains the same elements: an interesting and engaging plot, characters the reader cares about and roots for, and supporting details that draw the reader into the story.

This book walks you through the story-creating process step-by-step: getting a great idea, meeting your characters, developing a plot, and then on to writing, revising, and submitting your work.

Each chapter is based on my experiences as a writer, advice I’ve received over the years, and practical knowledge I’ve gained in writing classes and workshops. I’ll also answer a few questions I’m commonly asked, such as: Where do you get ideas? How do you create characters? How do I get published?

Now that you know what the book is about, let me tell you what it isn’t about—all that stuff you learned (or were supposed to have learned) in English class. I won’t give you lessons or lectures on direct objects, past participles, or modifiers. But since you are interested in writing, I’ll presume you have a good grasp of the English language, can identify a verb, and you know how to write a sentence. From there, I’ll show you how to take your story idea and transform it into a finished product.

Along the way, I’ve included helpful tips and fun writing exercises. These are designed to get you thinking and writing. Don’t be afraid to put down the device you’re reading this on, pick up a pen, and start writing.

Throughout the book, I refer to whatever you are writing as your story because it is your story—and nobody else will ever tell it the way you do. And it doesn’t matter if you’re writing a short story, a novella, or a novel in any genre—the writing process is the same.

Creative writing (whether you do it for yourself or for the goal of getting published) is a lot of fun. It’s an exciting feeling to write a story and share it with others, so if you’re ready, we’ll get started!

​​

PART 1: BEFORE WE BEGIN

Part One is a short and sweet section designed to get you thinking about writing. (Yes, thinking!) We’ll explore the questions: What do you want to write? Why do you want to write? Why aren’t you writing?

We’ll also take a look at how you can get into a writing zone and clear your mind to make room for the story, the characters, and the plot that will (hopefully) soon be coming your way.

Ready? Let’s go!

​​Chapter 1: Meet the Muse

​​The Creative Process...

Do you ever wonder where short stories, novels, and plays come from? Think about it for a minute. Every writer (or anyone who wants to write) starts out with a clean piece of paper in a notebook or a blank computer screen. Somehow (magically?) the writer gets words from somewhere and fills the page with exciting and fascinating stories.

Every book (or anything, really) you’ve ever read started out from an empty space. So where did the author get the words? How did he or she make a story from nothing?

Interviewers often ask me, Do you have a writing muse who gives you inspiration? Each time I’m asked, I envision an ethereal creature like an elf or a fairy with a wand, carrying a notebook and a pen. (I haven’t seen any of these beings around, but if magic elves want to help me edit, it would make my life easier.) I admit, no, I don’t have a muse who touches me on the shoulder with a magic wand and ZAP, I suddenly have a fantastic story and all the motivation and time in the world to write it.

However, over the years I’ve realized there is something mysterious about the creative process. You can cultivate an atmosphere that inspires your writing—or at least gets you started.

​Getting in a Zone

Stories are created from (or are harvested from) a quiet stillness. In a way, it’s almost like meditating or channeling. To get into this story creating zone you need to sit still in a comfortable place with no distractions (including people, phones, and other devices), calm your breathing, and empty your mind. Don’t think about anything in particular, like the laundry waiting to be put away, or if you fed the dog, and don’t force yourself to not think either.

Within a few minutes, random thoughts should start coming through. Don’t try to figure them out or dismiss them as ridiculous or silly. Pay attention to them. You may think of a name for a character or see a person in your mind’s eye. Don’t worry if this sounds crazy. Clearing your mind and letting your imagination run free is a good way to prep for a writing session.

When you do this, keep a pen and paper handy to take notes. (Or record your ideas and impressions on your phone or on a voice recorder.) Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll remember the story idea and write it down later. Trust me, these fleeting thoughts don’t stick around long. You have to capture the kernel of a story or a bit of dialogue the moment it comes through and write it down, or it will vanish into the ether again.

After you have opened yourself to this realm you may be inspired to write a story based on an event you saw or imagined. Great! But if nothing came through, don’t worry. Keep trying. Focusing your mind takes practice if you’re used to being bombarded with distractions.

When I sit down to write, I spend a few minutes centering myself and tuning my mind into the story by connecting with the characters. Once I’m in that world, I can stay in that world and write for hours.

TIP: When you’re in the writing zone, don’t think about what to write, write whatever pops into your head. And don’t worry about spelling or grammar—this is just for fun!

​Writing Exercises

I’ve included writing exercises throughout the book to motivate you and inspire you to write. After