#358 Against the Odds with Jessica Brody

This week, we're running a takeover in collaboration with Jessica Brody, author of the #1 bestselling plotting guide, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel. The winner of this contest will not only be awarded $250 — they’ll also receive a special bonus prize: a 1-year membership to Jessica’s Writing Mastery Academy (worth $289). Here's what she has to say about her takeover:

97% of writers who start a novel never finish it. My new book, Page One to Done, teaches you how to defy those odds and finally type “The End.” You don’t need more talent, time, or even a better story idea. You simply need a method that’s designed to help you finish. I developed this method for myself years ago, and I’ve since taught it to thousands of writers in my Academy who have already defied the odds and finished their first drafts in as little as 30 days. Now, for the first time, the complete system is available as a book.

This week, let’s celebrate characters who dare to defy their own odds. I’m talking about the underdogs, the unlikely comebacks, the dark horses and Cinderella stories, the quiet triumphs no one saw coming.

I can’t wait to be inspired by your tenacious characters!

Special Update: The Results 🏆

The top pick for this takeover was "A Delusional Housewife" by Sarah Bachelder. Here's what our guest judge had to say about the winning story:

This was such a clever story that kept me actively engaged from start to finish. The nameless POV had such an authentic and biting personality, I couldn’t stop reading. At first I thought, “Oh, it’s a jealous co-worker.” Then, “Oh, it’s a jealous sibling.” Every new piece of information or detail drew me further into the narrative, changing my perception. I eventually figured out the “twist,” only shortly before the author revealed it, which made the reveal feel earned and even more satisfying (a difficult thing to pull off!). This felt like an experience I was a part of, not just a narrative I was reading. Bravo! (I won’t lie, the meta-twist ending sealed the deal!)

Congratulations to contest winner Sarah Bachelder and the runners-up, Sarah Luster and Clare Stroll!