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Imagination Stimulation: Science Fiction mind prompts
I recently signed a contract for a fantasy. I’ve been thinking about fantasy a lot. I eagerly watched every episode of Game of Thrones last Spring. When I checked NPR’s top 100 list of science fiction...
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The Pipeline: The writer’s vein of gold
Today a novelist posted that he always wondered what he would do the first day after he finished his first novel. He started his second novel. But you don’t have to wait to start your next story....
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Character weakness adds interest: 8 easy choices for character development
When characters have weaknesses they are more interesting. Will the protagonist succumb to his desire for alcohol? When you are developing characters for a story make certain you assign at least...
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Subplot takeover: Mapping the plot beforehand helps
I am currently reading a book with a multiple plot format with many characters accomplishing different goals all headed toward the same objective. It doesn’t matter what book, or who the famous and...
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The outline as a lifesaver
For the past two weeks, I have had a problem with my home which required hours of time, interactions with pompous and inefficient “service” personnel, canceled appointments, etc. I have been...
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Research baseline: Look for authenticity
“No doubt you have the power here to talk about why…” “That’s not as bad as the Ramero brothers…” “Do you want to write an apology to her family?” “What I have here in my hand is the result of our...
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Background work first: save yourself hours of time
The more you prepare the more you can stay true to your story and make it true for your reader/audience. For the past month I have been setting up the background for several scripts. Each has its own...
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Your agreement: Hooking the audience for the whole story
Beginning writers often misinterpret the call for a beginning “hook.” The story device that pulls the audience immediately into the story. But the real draw is an agreement with the reader/audience...
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Structure Reigns: Combining the elements of the story
Structure Rules: Combining the elements of the story A time comes when you have built your character background and done as much research as feasible. It’s time to start writing the story. All of a...
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Plot templates and devices, Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
You’ve seen them— the books, lists, articles—that enumerate plots. The betrayed lover, coming of age, the quest, the hero’s journey, etc. There’s nothing wrong with them—as tools. Any reader can tell...
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