Unlock Your Writing Potential: Tools & Resources from Certified Book Coaches
At Author Accelerator, we know that the right tools can make all the difference in a writer’s journey. That’s why we asked our certified book coaches to share the valuable resources they’ve created to help writers develop their craft, structure their stories, and find the motivation they need to finish their books. Whether you're working on fiction, nonfiction, or just trying to get words on the page, these expert-designed resources can give you the support you need.
Here’s a roundup of 10 fantastic tools our coaches have developed:
1. Nonfiction Book 360 Tools: Assess your book plan in the round by Ruth Bullivant
The 360 Tools help you get clear on your book project by helping you look at it from different angles: readership, concept, risks to completion, and by making a project plan to fit into your life.
The 360 Tools will help you work out if you are in the right place, at the right time, to get down to writing your book.
When you have worked on the tools, you will be able to narrow your options down to three decision points. It might be:
1. To walk away from it with tender regret but a clear mind.
2. To postpone action until you know you can give it a better chance.
3. To cry, “Let’s do it! All systems go!”
You won’t know what’s best until you have worked through the Nonfiction Book 360 tools.
What you get:
🌟 Workbook: Find your Reader
🌟 Workbook: Explore the Shape of Your Book
🌟 Spreadsheet and Video instruction: Risk Assessment Tool
🌟 Planner: Plan to Get Your Book Done
The 360 Tools will help you:
📔 Understand what you are writing and who for
📔 Give you a starting framework for your book
📔 Identify the risks that might stop you finishing your book (and how to mitigate those risks)
📔 The confidence to take the next steps to get to grips with your book.
The workbooks, planner, and risk assessment tool can be bought individually or you can save 25% by buying them as a bundle. Instant access to the downloads on payment by credit card; your own for life.
Best for: Time-stretched expert who wants to reach their niche reader with a nonfiction book.
2. The Monster Novel Structure Workbook +downloads by Richenda Gould (under the pen name R. B. Fleetwood)
The Monster Novel Structure Workbook is an illustrated system for structuring your novel’s plot.
This book was born out of my own frustrations. I'd been studying plotting and outlining but found everything too vague or too restrictive--and they often contradicted one another. After synthesizing all my notes into something that worked I knew I had to share it!
This Workbook doesn't stop at analyzing perfect example stories. Once you've got the basics we look at a wide range of books and movies and how they bend or break Monster Srtructure. Some do it successfully, and some would be stronger if they hadn't. In Chapter Six: How to Use the Monster I provide an outlining demonstration where we turn the simple fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood into a novel. Because that's usually where the trouble starts: you have a great concept, but how do you hundreds of pages from a simple idea? I'll show you how I use structure to guide that process.
Best for: Writers who have struggled with other plot structures or beat sheets, especially if you've found them confining, contradictory, or useless the moment your plot breaks the mold.
3. Settle Your Mind, Sharpen Your Story: Mindful Writing Workbook by Candace Coakley
Unlock the power of mindfulness to transform your writing practice. Integrating mindfulness into your creative process can sharpen focus, reduce mental clutter, and help you write with greater clarity and intention.
Here's a step-by-step guide to building a sustainable, grounded writing practice that supports both your creativity and well-being.
Inside, you’ll discover five powerful strategies to cultivate a mindful writing life, helping you stay present, overcome self-doubt, and silence distractions. Each section includes guided writing prompts designed to deepen your storytelling, as well as personalized "power statements" to reinforce motivation and confidence. Whether you’re struggling with consistency, battling perfectionism, or simply looking for a way to feel more connected to your work, these tools will help you write with focus, freedom, and purpose.
Your words matter. Your voice matters. This workbook will inspire you to start showing up for your writing—and yourself—in a deeper, more meaningful way.
I wish you a peaceful and productive writing journey.
Best for: Writers of every genre and experience level can benefit from a mindful writing practice.
4. Romantic Conflict Chart by Rona Gofstein
From romance author and book coach Rona Gofstein comes a simple sheet that will allow writers to develop a strong, clear central relationship that will be at the heart of their romance.
When writing a romance, there needs to be tension, growth and resolution between your main characters. What is it like when they meet? Why don't they like each other... and what changes? What's pushing them together? What's pulling them apart. And more.
In this template, writers will be able to think out and plan how the central romantic relationship is going to grow so that either when drafting or revising, they can be sure they are developing characters that readers. This side by side chart allows writers to dive deeper into each character so that they can so how the relationship will build on the page and deliver a story that will keep readers turning pages until the happily ever after.
Best for: Romance writers in the drafting or revising stage.
5. Inside Out Synopsis by Erin Halden
www.erinhalden.com/insideoutsynopsis
The Inside Out Synopsis is a story development tool that helps writers build their stories from the inside out. Because plot is only half the story - the outer half. The What Happens. The inner half, or the protagonist's internal arc of change, is the Why What Happens Matters. You need both to write a story that works. Stories are about change. A just-right plot is designed to move your protagonist along their internal arc of change. This means you have to know what your protagonist's internal arc of change is before you can plot your novel. The Inside Out Synopsis starts with the Five Questions that will help writers dig deep into the heart of their story. Then it guides writers through the Seven Elements of the Story Spine, where they track both their plot and their internal arc of change as they game out their story. The Inside Out Synopsis will help writers keep an eye on the big picture as they begin the nitty-gritty work of writing their stories, scene by scene.
Best for: Fiction writers, writers at all levels.
6. Time to Write by Janet Fox
When it's hard to get motivated and keep going, an accountability journal helps keep you on track. TIME TO WRITE includes instructions for time management and mulitple writing prompts.
This planner will set you on the path to completing your best book with a calendar, planner, prompts, and exercises at every step of the way. With pages and pages of support, this reusable undated planning journal is for all writers of fiction. The planner includes a video lesson to provide context.
For a purchase of only $7, you'll have a tool that will keep you going on every writing project from now on.
If you struggle with keeping on track, if you want to become the writer you dream to be, you need accountability. From Janet Fox, the author of an award-winning book on organizational skills, this journal will do the job. Start to take complete control of your writing today!
Best for: New to experienced writers who need to stay on track.
7. Your 5-Step DIY Writing Retreat Planner by Amy Goldmacher
This planner provides a 5-step process and tools that get you super clear, super fast, on your ideal retreat.
In it, you get:
- Questions to guide your planning
- Example responses so you know how to answer and where to go next
- Key considerations for fine-tuning your retreat
- Two example schedules
- A matrix for comparing options
- Tips for scaling your solo retreat into a group retreat or for leading a retreat
- A shoppable list of travel & writing retreat must-haves
- A shoppable recommended reading list on and for retreats
- BONUS: What to do if you get stuck while writing
This is the process I use to plan my own retreats, including the one I took myself on in Fall 2023 and the one I'm leading in Fall 2025!
This resource will help you create your ideal retreat, for yourself or with others. Make your retreat custom and special -- and get writing done!
Best for: Anyone who wants to plan a writing retreat, either for themselves or for others, and would like some tools and a process to do so.
8. Supplementary List of Novels for Writers by Robin Henry
This is a list of great novels for writers to read that includes annotations about what they can pay attention to in each one.
It is a companion for an earlier list of novels for writers that may be found on my website.
Writers are always told to read, but it can be difficult to know what books and to know what one might learn from them. This list makes it easy for writers—all genres are included—the books on this list have won both critical acclaim and sold multitudes of copies. They may not love all the books, but they will certainly be able to find a few they love and more that they can learn from to help them craft their own beautiful book. The list also includes links to podcast episodes featuring the titles and reviews on the Readerly website. Clients have told me they love these lists and learn a lot from them.
Best for: Writers who care about their book being both beautiful and a gripping read.
9. Guide to Finding Your Character's Distinct Voice by Leslie Horn
A character’s voice is more than just dialogue—it’s the heartbeat of their personality, emotions, and worldview. The Guide to Finding Your Character’s Distinct Voice is a powerful resource designed to help fiction writers craft compelling, authentic character voices that resonate with readers.
This step-by-step guide walks you through key elements of voice development, including:
✅ Core Personality Foundations – Understand how values, fears, and motivations shape a character’s speech.
✅ Figurative Language & Expressions – Learn how to infuse personality through metaphors, similes, and unique word choices.
✅ Speech Patterns & Rhythms – Identify sentence structures, pacing, and verbal quirks that set your characters apart.
✅ Emotional Tone & Perspective – Ensure consistency in how your characters interpret and react to the world.
With exercises and creative prompts, this guide makes it easy to break free from generic dialogue and develop voices that feel natural and unforgettable.
Perfect for new and seasoned writers alike, this guide ensures that every character speaks with clarity, purpose, and personality.
Get ready to elevate your storytelling—your characters have something to say, and now, they’ll say it in a way that’s uniquely theirs.
Best for: Fiction writers focused on character-driven stories who struggle to make their characters’ dialogue, inner thoughts, and personality feel distinct, engaging, and true to their world.
10. Emotional Echoes: The Art of Character Backstory by Stuart Wakefield
https://www.thebookcoach.co/bookcoachingcharacterdevelopment
Discover how linking backstory to desires can propel your characters through your plot, making them truly three-dimensional individuals. Learn to unveil their pasts, layer emotions and experiences, and create characters that captivate and resonate.
Why Choose "Emotional Echoes"?
Rich Character Development: Craft characters with compelling backstories that drive their motivations and actions.
Practical Techniques: Hands-on exercises and writing prompts to help you integrate backstory seamlessly.
Expert Guidance: Insights from seasoned authors and real-world examples.
Deeper Storytelling: Elevate your narratives by understanding the connection between characters' pasts and their core desires.
Lifetime Access: Unlimited access to course materials to revisit lessons anytime.
Immediate Application: Apply your newfound knowledge to enhance your writing projects instantly.
Best for: Writers struggling with bringing their characters to life.
