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CONNECT YOUR IDEAS

Solidify your foundation.

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OUTLINE YOUR PLOT

Apply a proven framework.

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WRITE YOUR STORY, FAST

Hold a bold mindset.

The FAST DRAFT NOVEL PLAYBOOK is a print & digital workbook designed to help you brainstorm, outline & draft a novel that connects with readers. 

DO THE DREAM THING & FINISH YOUR STORY ALREADY 😉

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Straight up, this process works because it was built using the needs of fiction writers like these:

David’s Fast Draft breaks content down into manageable segments so it’s not overwhelming and his delivery is friendly and entertaining.

The second aspect I enjoyed were the action steps that coincided with each module. They allowed me to practice the principals discussed in the videos and apply it all to my own story.

The course created a lot of “ah ha” moments, and helped me identify areas where I’d been stuck.

BRENDA W. – FAST DRAFT GRADUATE

When some writers talk about outlining stories by reverse engineering from the ending, I wonder how on earth they know how their story ends, when all I have is some vague notion about the characters and maybe a scene in mind which sparked my interest in finding out what happens.

The Fast Draft exercises on thinking about possible themes and how they can influence the characters and the ending has helped immensely. I’ve never felt this confident about a story BEFORE writing it. In fact, I’ve never thought this much about a story before writing it!

MARCUS A. – FAST DRAFT STUDENT

Fast Draft is a really pro-active, no-nonsense, get-your-story-down-on-the-page kind of program. From the very first module I was able to focus my theme directly into the machinations of the protag, antag and story idea, and from there my story developed in ways I never thought possible.

David encourages you to look inside, dig deep and commit to writing your story in your own unique way.

This course has made my characters and my story come alive. 🙂

JESSICA T. – FAST DRAFT GRADUATE

I have read many books on creative writing over the years, yet David surprised me with deeper insights throughout Fast Draft.

I greatly appreciate his encouragement and willingness to share his understanding of fiction through lectures, diagrams, and slides, and I look forward to having access to what he chooses to share in the future.

RON W. – FAST DRAFT GRADUATE

Greetings.

Hello, I’m David.

Here at my blog, you might know me as the self-proclaimed Lucid Storyteller, but I am also a Lucid Editor, Storyseller, Creator, Man of Faith, Simulation Theoretician, blah, more assigned titles, yada, etc.

I’ve been published at places which could possibly impress you, yet they would not change who I am because…

Roar, I come in peace.

I growl in my sleep.

And in social scenes, I feel like an alien dressed in a human costume, but when I’m writing, I terraform the page one word at a time.

THE DARK TRUTH ABOUT FINISHING YOUR STORY

I may be comfortable being myself on the page today, but when I first started spinning prose, it wasn’t pretty.

I remember how I’d think up unique characters, drop them into fun settings, and let them roam the pages. But they drove me silly busy because they kept taking me crazy directions. It wasn’t their fault though, they just didn’t know how to get where they needed to go.

And I always had plenty of ideas, but when I actually wrote, my scenes would come out looking like jigsaw pieces and I didn’t know how to connect them.

Ha. No preparation. No organization. No mindset.

Think about how many times you’ve sat down to write after breaking away from family, friends or work, and started the perfect music playlist or dialed in just the right drink, only to find yourself leaving your writing session without making any real progress.

If you managed to get anything done, you may have found yourself filling pages with manufactured tension because you didn’t know any better.

Or maybe you weren’t sure how to pace your scenes inside the overarching plotline?

Maybe you used to be like me and you daydreamed about time traveling years into the future when you had this whole novel writing thing figured out?

Well, I have now reached the future, and while I still haven’t figured out everything, I’ve downloaded vast pools of wisdom from the writing legends

And for the past 13 years, I’ve immersed myself in the craft, and during this time:

  My eyes were opened to the storytelling patterns inside novels, screenplays & media

  I fanatically analyzed & consumed stories through books, movies, shows, yawn, more

✅  I joined & attended writing groups via online & in-person ????

✅  I consistently read & listened to “How to” books about the craft

✅  I wrote many novels ranging from one to three drafts

Basically, I geeked out on the storytelling multiverse in galactic ways. ????

And I saw that fiction breathed a proven framework inside it that could be infused into every novel.

SEE STORYTELLING COME ALIVE LIKE NEVER BEFORE

My first attempt at creating a plot structure guide. Created in July, 2011 using Excel, and inspired by Story Engineering by Larry Brooks.

My first attempt at a plot structure guide. Created in July 2011, using Excel, and inspired by Larry Brooks’ Story Engineering.

A page from a visual guide recently created. It illustrates how scenes serve as the pulse of your story which produces your overarching plotline.

Sample of 2016 visual plot guide illustrating how scenes serve as your story’s pulse which paces readers to consume your novel.

The Story Pulse

2019 version of the Scene Pulse which is the cause & effect pattern connecting scenes in novels & movies. The Scene Pulse is the heartbeat of your novel.

BECOME THE WRITER YOU’RE MEANT TO BE

After years of consistently writing, studying the craft, and working with mentors, I realized something that bugged me.

I recognized that despite doing all of these things to reach THE END, I still got stuck.

 Ever go to write, but instead find yourself searching the internet for the perfect character names?

 Ever experienced progress writing a scene, but then you come across a topic that you’re compelled to research, and it kills all of your momentum?

 Ever left a writing session knowing you checked Facebook or Instagram more times than the number of words you left on the page?

Or maybe these thoughts enter your mind:

⚠️  I’m starting too late in life

⚠️  My ideas aren’t good enough

⚠️  I’ve got too many ideas spread out

⚠️  I’m just not capable of filling 200+ pages

⚠️  I’m not organized enough to connect everything

⚠️  My story can never be as cool as others in my genre

⚠️  I guess I’m just not naturally gifted at writing or storytelling

Those are all self-sabotaging behaviors and thought patterns that prevent you from becoming the storyteller you’re meant to be and I’ve suffered the same symptoms.

So I decided to look closer at the head games holding me back. I observed the pro storytellers once again. I collected their suggested approaches, and documented what worked for them.

Then I took inventory of my habits and trialed different techniques, determined what worked best, outlined it into a course for potential students, pre-sold the course, created and delivered that course, went back gathered feedback and improvement recommendations from students, and then finally, I strategically assembled everything inside the current print & digital Fast Draft Playbook.

FAST DRAFT will help you create a cohesive, compelling, and comprehensive scene-by-scene outline

And once you have this outline, you will write your novel (fast) assuming you’re committed like these storytellers:

    Fast Draft makes the writing process smooth and clear, allowing me to get straight to the heart of my story. I haven’t been blocked since I started the program, and I’m writing at a faster pace than ever before!

    SARAH Y. – FAST DRAFT GRADUATE

    I have enjoyed every moment of Fast Draft! Its structure was so relevant to creating my story, and I am finding my own story thanks to all of the advice. I recommend this course and David is supportive all along the way. 🙂

    JUDE D. – FAST DRAFT STUDENT

    The loneliness of writing can be truly intense. Having started my attempted novels, I realised that I experience a crisis point when I begin to lose the plot…. quite literally.

    But doing David’s Fast Draft course helped to centre me, made me look again, rethink, rewrite. Most importantly it made me reach out and have the confidence and courage to do that. To allow other people in, without prejudicing my story.

    David and his course have now become an integral part of my writing life. If you are just starting out or – like me – a bit more into it, I highly recommend this course to help you along your way.

    AMANDA P. – FAST DRAFT STUDENT

    DON’T TRUNK ANOTHER DRAFT

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    INSIDE THE COMPLETE FAST DRAFT PROCESS

    The Fast Draft Novel Writing Playbook includes a uniquely organized set of print / digital coursework, action steps, visual guides, detailed resources, and surprises.

    All 40+ lessons and 30+ action steps have been converted from their original video recordings to new print and/or digital playbooks. 

    The FAST DRAFT Print Playbook and the FAST DRAFT Digital Playbook each house the entire online course – except instead of my fat talking head on a flat screen, you get my writing voice in a paperback workbook or editable workbook (PDF).

    To create the lessons for the playbooks, I studied the story structure inside best-selling novels and movies, observed the work of pro storytellers, gathered feedback from fiction writers, determined what worked best all around, and loaded everything into the current playbook materials.

    The playbooks cover stuff anywhere from sorting your ideas to focusing on the right things, and implementing it all into a story that inspires, changes, and entertains readers.

    It’s crazy how easy it is to swim for years without knowing exactly how to set up characters in a plotline from beginning to end.

    It’s pretty silly how often we finally make time to write a cool scene, only to get stuck inside our own heads, and end up leaving our writing sessions with the same blank pages.

    But I digress… Anyway, here’s some of what’s covered inside the Fast Draft Novel Writing Playbook:

    Chapter 1: CORE IDEAS

    • The classic concept vs. premise conundrum: A simple approach even if you’re not sure you have either
    • How to discover the story idea you want to tell – and more importantly, the reasons behind the story you are creating (Hint: It can change over time and affect your inspiration/ motivation)
    • Strategies to expand your ideas into a story that keeps you writing until “The End”

    Chapter 2: STORY HEART

    • Unite your core ideas to create the heart of your story
    • Solidify your non-negotiable characters, their story goals, and how they will deliver the primary conflict in your storyworld
    • Step-by-step breakdown to define your story’s stakes – using a clear-cut “stakes formula”
    • Transform your Story Heart into a simple Story Summary – to equip you with an elevator pitch that you can easily share with agents, editors, friends, etc.

    Chapter 3: FEEDBACK LOOP

    • Why gathering feedback is one of the most helpful decisions you’ll ever make
    • How to develop a process for requesting feedback – without worrying about someone stealing your ideas
    • How to navigate criticism and use it to your advantage – including what positive, neutral, and negative feedback really means

    Chapter 4: CAST OF CHARACTERS

    • Exercises to help you brainstorm, create, and further develop your most important characters
    • The necessary steps and layers required to position your make-believe characters as believable
    • How to make sure you cast the right characters in the right roles – and which roles are non-negotiable

    Chapter 5: PLOT BLUEPRINT

    • In-depth examination of the plot structure used in best-selling novels and movies – including one-of-a-kind videos that illustrate the plot structure being built, and showing you how the pieces connect
    • Analysis of the exact big picture framework that best-selling novelists use to drive their protagonists from Hook to Climax
    • Step-by-step strategies that show you how to take the proven framework and apply it to your unique story

    Chapter 6: SCENE BLUEPRINT

    • Dissection of the scene structure used in best-selling novels and movies
    • The scene writing patterns you need to keep your story moving forward – displaying scenarios such as what it really means when people claim each scene must have a beginning, middle, and end –  and how to position multiple Point of View Characters in a story –  and how master storytellers blend scene types
    • My exact recommendations on how to create, build, and outline every scene – including a Plot Outline Guide detailing how to position your scenes inside Module 5’s Plot Blueprint

    Chapter 7: WRITING PLAN

    • In-depth analysis of your writing time and how to maximize it
    • Step-by-step walkthrough showing you how to design your writing schedule
    • Create a prewriting checklist that works for you – so you can achieve your daily and weekly writing goals

    Chapter 8: MINDSET FOR SUCCESS

    • The psychology of writing fiction: How to silence writer’s block, stop being perfect, and keep writing – fast
    • Why you don’t have to be a master storyteller to find and release your true writing voice – and how to overcome fear, self-sabotage, and distractions
    • Everything your writing psyche needs to stay productive – and more importantly, everything you have my permission to NOT worry about

    If a first-time author completes David’s Fast Draft program, they will not only finish their draft, they’ll have something head and shoulders above what they’d have if they didn’t know or follow the principles and processes that David walks you through.

    Even an experienced author will learn ways to streamline their work and identify gaps in their creative work flow.

    JOEL C. – FAST DRAFT GRADUATE

    For years, I’ve worked without a guideline or map. It’s always easy to buy another book or download articles off the Internet, but none of these methods really help a beginning writer understand the true inner workings involved when writing a novel.

    David’s Fast Draft provided visual examples and its worksheets gave me the tools to take a great deal of difficulty out of the novel writing process.

    Yes, it’s hard work, but anything worth doing requires hard work, right?

    ANWAR W. – FAST DRAFT STUDENT

    OUTLINE WITH EYES WIDE OPEN

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    BEHIND-THE-SCENES GUARANTEE:

    EXPLORE THE FAST DRAFT PROCESS, RISK FREE

    This is simple and straight up:

    NO RISK because If you purchase the Digital Playbook and decide it didn’t help you create in new ways, just shoot me an email, and I’ll refund you – 100%.

    Also, NO RISK bc If you buy the Print Playbook at Amazon, we’ll work it out through an Amazon return and make you whole. 

    Here’s all I ask, just make sure you continue to explore your story. I request you keep creating and stay on your path to impact audiences.

    IS THE FAST DRAFT PLAYBOOK RIGHT FOR YOU?

    THE FAST DRAFT PROCESS IS NOT FOR YOU IF…

    • You’re looking for a magic bullet (a program that manufactures best-selling novels).
          You’ll have to put in the work of expanding your ideas, being open to new advice, learning the intricacies of storytelling frameworks living inside fiction, and adjusting your mental approach to your writing sessions.
    • You think one solid story will take you to financial freedom.
          Novel writing and storytelling is all about the long game. It’s about understanding what it takes to finish a story you’re proud to share with the world, actually accomplishing that once, and then doing it all over again.
    • You already have a story and you aren’t willing to change your ideas or anything about it.
          If you oppose feedback, how can anyone help you?
    • You’re simply looking for a “kick-in-the-azz” or some “super inspiration” to finish your story.
          I believe your purpose starts inside you and I’m here to support your calling, so while I’m open to giving you solid frameworks, unique support, and healthy psychological approaches to writing, I’m ultimately worried if your dreams aren’t already being inspired from within.

    THE FAST DRAFT PROCESS IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF…

    • You’re ready to invest in yourself to write a story that you’ll be able to take to “The End.”
    • You’re patient, focused, and deliberate.
          You’re committed to putting in the time to design a unique story and writing plan, and you understand this will not happen overnight. You know that if you put in 5-10 hours per Module/Chapter and do the intentional work up front, you can create a writing process you can use again and again, novel after novel, and deliver readers with impactful stories again and again.
    • You’re looking for a fun playbook, not repurposed storytelling shortcuts.
    • You’re open to to navigating the life-changing journey of writing a novel.
          As Oscar Wilde said, “The heart was made to be broken.” Except Oscar Wilde also said, “Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.”

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    “What if I don’t have any free time?”

    The Fast Draft Process will show you strategies that I spent nearly a decade learning. You get access to the course playbook without any silly dripping of weekly content so you can complete the action step coursework at your own manageable pace – including how to organize, build & write your story, with confidence. You’ll have a thorough plan to make the best of your limited time.

    On top of that, I’m just going to be blunt here — We make time for what matters most to us.

    I’ll also share that it’s never the perfect time to do most things in life, but at some point, you must decide to invest in yourself (= intention + time + money) so you can accomplish your life’s purpose and dreams – before you run out of time.

    “Is this course live? What if I can’t make it online?”

    This is NOT a live-stream course – it’s a print or digital playbook. You get to read, absorb & apply the workbook materials whenever you pick up the paperback workbook or click the editable workbook (PDF).

    Print Playbook: Entire course on paper in a paperback workbook. Write your answers in a physical guidebook that you can smell and feel. This includes everything except for staring at a screen to complete the coursework.

    Digital Playbook: Entire course on-screen in an editable PDF workbook. Type your answers into fillable fields and save progress at your pace. This includes everything except another real book to carry.

    “Why should I consider this when there’s so much free information out there?”

    I typically despise answering a question with another question, but I think this one warrants it, so here it goes… If there’s so much free information about how to write a novel, why haven’t you reached “The End”?

    When I asked thousands of storytellers during a two year period about what held them back the most, the overwhelming response was STRUCTURE – followed by TIME CONSTRAINTS. There are countless free content providers you can tap into but they often deliver stuff out of order. That leaves you with a pile of free tactics you’ll have to spend the time putting together. The Fast Draft Novel Writing Playbook will give you with a step-by-step creative approach unlike the rest.

    “How do I know this will work for my genre?”

    I won’t try and tell you that I know all genres, but I will tell you with confidence that the FRAMEWORK works for ALL genres. I’ve watched it play out in all genres of novels and flicks. The playbook shows you the proven structure that works for fiction and tells you exactly how to approach, brainstorm, create & write stories inside your genre.

    “What if I don’t have any story ideas?”

    Of course, I can’t waive a wand and transform you into a creative genius, but I’m a firm believer that every person is unique and inside them lives a one-of-a-kind story waiting to be told. With that in mind, I’ll show you how to generate and develop your ideas, and design your fresh take on a unique story. You could literally have zero ideas right now, and the playbook materials will show you where to start and how to finish.

    “How do I know this is any good?”

    First, there’s a guarantee so if you don’t feel like the Fast Draft Playbook offered enough value, you can ask for a refund.

    Second, you’ll be learning from a serial drafter and lucid storyteller. Me. Myself. I.

    I’ve written too many drafts to count and I wrote each one while studying the master storytellers including best-selling novelists and pro story coaches.

    I’ve spent years studying the craft, but I’ve spent the same time being a nonstop practitioner actually writing with my debut novel coming soon. Also, I took everything I learned from the master storytellers I studied, and the mentors I worked with, and I put it all into this playbook.

    “What if I already have a partially written story?”

    Nice, well done. You can take your existing ideas and plot, and conduct a story health check analysis using the playbook’s initial Chapters. In fact, I took an ugly draft and used the playbook’s materials to create my debut novel’s plotline. So I know firsthand that this process can help take an existing idea and plot, and transform it into a well-designed story.

    “How much help am I going to get? What if I need to talk to the self-proclaimed Lucid Storyteller, David Villalva, for a quick moment to move forward?”

    First, thanks for seeking my counsel. 😉 And as much as I may go crazy if I worked one-on-one with every storyteller, I simply can’t do it because it’s impossible.

    First, my wife would kill me before I got a chance to communicate with everyone, and there are only 17-20 waking hours in my days. But get this, you don’t need to hear what I have to say. Because multiple feedback options are laid out in the playbook. In fact, there’s an entire series of lessons dedicated to helping you explore paths to receive fresh advice.

    Second, if you’re dead set on listening to my take on your story, I offer a limited number of one-on-one connect calls for storytellers. Some people will read that and think, “Wow, it must be nice to have some money and pay extra to get access to David.” But the truth is that you can do this on your own without me. But for those storytellers who could be encouraged by my personal feedback, I’m willing to give up an hour or two of sleep to work with you. 🙂

    STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

    If I didn’t answer all of your questions, feel free to drop me a line at anytime. I promise not to forsake you. 🙂