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Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part IX
Posted on November 14, 2018 Leave a Comment
Today, we’ll wrap up our series on Plotting 4 Pantsers, and for the rest of the year, we’ll reblog some things about plotting from a couple years ago. Make your story memorable by appealing to your readers’ emotions. #Plotting4Pantsers #StoryMemorability @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part VII
Posted on November 7, 2018 Leave a Comment
External character struggles revolve around character survival or solving a large problem. How will that problem be solved? That’s what the reader wants to know. #Plotting4Pantsers #ExternalCharacterStruggles #MeghansChoice @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part VII
Posted on October 31, 2018 Leave a Comment
They are the glue that unites the internal with the external. The internal deals with our feelings. External deals with our relationship with others. Interpersonal struggles are the “bridge” between internal and external struggles. #Plotting4Pantsers #InterpersonalCharacterStruggles @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part VI
Posted on October 24, 2018 Leave a Comment
Three kinds of struggles should come into play for your protagonist: Internal, Interpersonal, & External. Using all three makes your story richer without plotting a single scene. This week: Internal #Plotting4Pantsers #InternalCharacterStruggles @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part V
Posted on October 17, 2018 Leave a Comment
Choose from three types of story beginnings without plotting a single scene. The protagonist 1) has it all, but it’s taken away, 2) dangle what they most want in front of them, 3) make them face their greatest fear. #Plotting4Pantsers #StoryBeginnings @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers—Part II
Posted on September 26, 2018 1 Comment
Last week, we talked about making promises to readers. Today, I’m going to talk about plot twists. Four elements must be present in any plot twist you write: inevitable, surprising, escalation, & expectation. #Plotting4Pantsers @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers – Part I
Posted on September 19, 2018 Leave a Comment
There are “outliners” or “plotters” in fiction writing. And then, there are “pantsers.” Plotters/outliners write out the essence of every scene and chapter before they write the first sentence. Pantsers, on the other hand, may have anywhere from a general idea to an informal “outline” of a few plot points they’d like to have in […]
Writing Your Story from the Middle––Part I
Posted on October 18, 2017 Leave a Comment
It’s a radical concept. Generally, the middle is the hardest place to write through. I’ve already talked about keeping the middle from “sagging” in your story. But did I once ever discuss this radical concept I’m about to introduce? I don’t think so. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a plotter, a panster, or something in-between. […]
Keeping the Middle Moving––Part IV
Posted on July 12, 2017 Leave a Comment
What kinds of horrendous happenings can you throw in? Oftentimes, the middle gets bogged down because you’re slowly setting up for the climax, but the middle needs it’s own climax to keep it going. Disasters are great for keeping the middle moving. Weather, natural, or manmade disasters can spur on action and help develop depth […]
Keeping the Middle Moving––Part I
Posted on June 21, 2017 Leave a Comment
You’ve heard of it––in more than one way. That awful, sagging, middle. In fiction, a sagging middle will bog down your story. Click to Tweet The reader may decide to stop reading. Not what you want. #keepmiddlemoving #amwriting
Donna L.H. Smith 