The working shelf

A little structure goes a long way.

Simple starting points for finding your material, choosing your reader, and moving the work forward.

Build your Story Map →

A private worksheet you can save, print, or download. No account needed.

Your Story Map ↓

A downloadable ten-question worksheet. Find your reader, turning points, themes, and next step.

Notes on becoming →

Practical articles on authorship, discipline, and documenting what you know.

The PocketAuthor publishing guide ↗

Explore a path from source material to a finished book.

Authorship & ownership ↗

Learn about protecting your voice and keeping your work in your control.

Evidence Log

Keep claims, sources, permissions, and open questions together. Plain-text Markdown download.

One-Chapter Plan

Give a chapter one reader question, a concrete story, and a useful takeaway. Plain-text Markdown download.

Weekly Proof Review

Connect a value with one observable action and a realistic review. Plain-text Markdown download.

Writing Session Card

Choose a small task, define done, and leave a clear starting point. Plain-text Markdown download.

Make the tools work for you

Where should I begin?

Use the Story Map if your idea is still broad. Choose the Chapter Plan if you already know your reader and want to draft one useful chapter.

Do I need to complete everything at once?

No. Start with one question. Save a local copy or print the worksheet and return when you have another example to add.

What belongs in an evidence log?

Record claims a reader could reasonably expect you to verify, along with the source, its limitations, and the date you checked it.

Can I bring these notes to coaching?

Yes. Bring the questions or excerpts relevant to the conversation. You decide what to share; completing a worksheet does not submit a booking request.

How do I know when to move on from planning?

Choose a reader question you can answer with a real example. Draft that answer, mark what needs checking, and use it to test whether your outline helps.