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Writing Resource—Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript—Part III
Posted on January 6, 2016 Leave a Comment
This week, I’m continuing my series on tips for novel synopsis formatting. Here’s the only place you can “tell” rather than “show.” Click to Tweet #amwriting #synopsis
Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript – Part II
Posted on December 30, 2015 Leave a Comment
This week, I’ll begin a series of posts based on this resource. Even though it’s six years old, it’s still a great place to start. Since I’m a fiction writer, I’ll deal with Chapter 5: Novels. I recently re-posted from February, the first article from this resource that discussed cover letters. Today, let’s talk synopsis. […]
Show vs. Tell — Part I
Posted on September 2, 2015 Leave a Comment
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers By Renni Browne & Dave King Second Edition I was recently in a small group of writers and we were discussing show and tell. Or should I say show vs. tell. The old way of writing was tell, describe, narrate. The new way of writing is scenes, show, illustrate with words. […]
Plot Patterns—Part IV Power & Allegory
Posted on August 26, 2015 3 Comments
The last few weeks we’ve been looking at plot patterns as outlined in James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure. This week, we’ll wrap up plot systems with Power and Allegory. #plotting #plotpatterns Click to Tweet To access previous posts, click here.
Plot Patterns—Part I
Posted on August 5, 2015 1 Comment
Today I’ll be using two resources to talk about plot patterns. One is James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure. The other is DiAnn Mills’ Dance of Character & Plot. I’m using both, because even though what they say is similar, the way they say is different. Both perspectives can broaden your understanding of plotting. Click […]
Plotting Systems—Part II
Posted on July 29, 2015 1 Comment
Last time, I surveyed what plotting systems could work for a “pantser” or a “No Outline Person.” (NOP). I’m using James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure. #amwriting #plotting systems #plotsystems. What are you—an OP or an NOP? Click to Tweet Let’s take a look at the various plotting systems outliners or Outline Persons use, from […]
Plotting Systems—Part I
Posted on July 22, 2015 3 Comments
In his book, Plot & Structure, James Scott Bell talks about two kinds of fiction writers: OPs and NOPs. To outline or not to outline, that is the question. #amwriting #tooutlineornot Bell encourages new fiction writers to try a little of both.
Writing Unforgettable Fiction—Part III
Posted on July 15, 2015 Leave a Comment
Last week, I talked about plot twists from Steven James’ Story Trumps Structure. This week, we’ll look at Character Struggles. Here’s a great way to start it out: “To initiate your story, your protagonist will either 1) lose something vital and try to regain it, 2) see something desirable and try to obtain it, or […]
Writing Unforgettable Fiction—Part I
Posted on July 1, 2015 3 Comments
A year ago, when I finished my Craftsman class with DiAnn Mills, she recommended I get a book entitled Story Trumps Structure, by Steven James. I finally ordered it last week. Its tagline is How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules. I haven’t read it all yet, but I’ve been skimming. This is […]
Writer’s Resource – The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit
Posted on March 5, 2015 Leave a Comment
By Elizabeth Lyon The publishing world has changed in the last number of years. This book was originally published in 1997, but came out as a paperback in 2002. Publishing has changed a lot in twelve years, but there is still a lot to be gleaned from this book. The subtitle is “Everything you need […]
Donna L.H. Smith 