Writer-in-Residence Workshop: Tools for Intuitive

No two writers are the same – and not all writing tools work for every kind of writer. If developing a detailed outline or mapping emotional beats wreaks havoc with your ability to tell your story, what’s a more intuitive writer to do?

In this workshop, we will delve into tips and tricks for preparing to write—that is, developing your story idea before you ever start writing. We will then jump into different methods and approaches to drafting, looking at how to channel the energy and excitement of the unknown to move the plot forward and create a propulsive story—while still ensuring that you’re headed in the right direction. While outlining and emotional beats are excellent tools for many writers, there are other options and resources if those methods don’t work for you—or if you need to develop a hybrid approach, leaning on some traditional methods and utilizing other more flexible options.

About Intisar Khanani

Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. She has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah, on the coast of the Red Sea. Previously, Intisar wrote grants and developed projects to address community health and infant mortality with the Cincinnati Health Department, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy.

Intisar is the author of The Sunbolt Chronicles, and the Dauntless Path novels, beginning with Thorn. Her novels, A Darkness at the Door and Memories of Ash were both Kirkus Review picks for Best Young Adult Fantasy Novels of the Year. She is deeply honored to serve as the 2026 Writer in Residence for the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library.

Learn more at chpl.org/writer.