FOR FICTION & MEMOIR
Story Pathfinder
A complete, step-by-step story navigation system to see what your book is REALLY about — what goes where, what stays, what goes, and how to pitch it
Are you lost in the chaos and confusion of your book?
Writing a novel or memoir is a sprawling, messy business. Whether you have a pile of ideas, notes and revisions — or a finished draft — it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important, what goes where, and even what you are really trying to say. Once you’ve lost your GPS, it’s increasingly difficult to write, revise, make decisions, and move forward.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could feel clear and focused on what’s important in your book? Coordinate and see at a glance all the necessary story elements? Know what MUST take place in each chapter or section and be certain it all leads to the right place, at the right pace?
Introducing Story Pathfinder
STORY PATHFINDER is a complete, step-by-step story navigation system to help you see the shape of your book — both the forest AND the trees. It helps you describe your story to others and pitch it to agents. This is a unique, innovative combination of template-based, self-paced instruction, and includes the option for individualized, one-on-one guidance with Jami Bernard.
Through STORY PATHFINDER, you’ll be able to pinpoint what matters in your story; map out each chapter thematically to free yourself from the tyranny of plodding chronology; and finally be able to discuss, pitch, and promote your book with confidence.
Best of all, STORY PATHFINDER clarifies EXACTLY how to structure your entire book so each chapter unfolds at the right pace, with the right material, to engage readers and land your larger themes. No more guessing about what or where to cut, or what your book is or isn’t.
STORY PATHFINDER’s unique, proprietary Master Story & Structure Templates give you an intuitive, user-friendly way to see the Big Picture and guide you through the phases of conceptualizing and refining your major book elements, including story and character arc, dramatic shape and structure, motivation, plot, characters, and what goes where from beginning to end — without sacrificing your voice and vision or forcing you into a cookie-cutter mold. You will map out individual chapters within a clear dramatic framework so you can see your entire book at a glance. The Templates provide a system for organizing ALL your material and reining in the chaos by examining and building upon each chapter’s theme and subtext while linking each section organically.
With Story Pathfinder you will…
Give your book shape and structure
Plan and coordinate all major story elements
Map out each chapter’s action, theme, subtext and transitions
Develop an at-a-glance chart of the whole enchilada
See what and where to cut
Show agents and publishers you know exactly what you’re doing
Develop the essential elements for:
Elevator Pitch
Agent/Publisher Query Letter
Book Proposal Overview
Chapter Outline
Synopsis
Book Jacket & Promotional Copy
More
Think Story Pathfinder might be right for you?
Who is Jami Bernard?
I help authors who are struggling to organize, write and polish their books. With decades of experience in writing, publishing, developmental editing, copyediting, and marketing, I have helped position even first-time writers for getting top agents and book deals — including a career coach who landed a six-figure advance from a major publisher after a bidding war.
My own books have been published by Penguin, Warner Books, HarperCollins, and other major houses. My clients’ books are published both traditionally and through hybrid, boutique and alternative publishers, as well as self-published where that makes sense.
Writing an extraordinary book is a life-changing experience. For entrepreneurs, authorship adds significant credibility, a career boost, and an opportunity for new revenue streams. For writers, nirvana. But none of this is possible if you spend time and money, only to end up writing the wrong book.
What you get with Story Pathfinder
MASTER STORY TEMPLATES
A complete packet of proprietary Master Story Templates & instructions, including:
SOS: The Secrets of Structure Master Card: Nails down story and character arc, motivation, dramatic conflict / provides foundation for pitching agents and publishers or even just framing the book for yourself and describing it to friends
The 3 Questions: Breaks down the Big Picture into a classic and easy to “feel” 3-act structure, which is essential for organizing chapters, pitching and telling your story, and/or selling movie rights
Step-by-Step Chapter Analysis: Helps shape chapters so they flow evenly / provides an intuitive way to know what stays, what goes, and in what order your story needs to unfold / taps into both larger themes and hidden subtext / helps you find a home for stray and orphaned scenes
Cast of Characters (BONUS TEMPLATE): How to position characters to complement the main story, shape subplots, and amp up dramatic conflict
STORY PATHFINDER WORKBOOK
Using the Master Story Templates as a guide, this workbook takes you step by step toward creating a roadmap for your entire book — so that you never lose sight of where you are while you write and rewrite. It also gives you the material you need for a pitch or proposal, along with what to put on your book jacket and in publicity and marketing materials.
PRIVATE FOLLOW-UP SESSIONS WITH JAMI (Story Pathfinder PRO version)
The PRO version adds a follow-up consultation with Jami, where she will thoroughly review your work and personally guide you through nailing down your story elements and chapters.
Ready to end the chaos and get clarity on your book’s structure, larger themes, purpose, and value?