The author fretted about the gaps in her story. “I can’t figure out what happens next, and at the end.” She didn’t say it out loud, but that’s what she was thinking. And that’s why everyone around her saw a pensive, unhappy writer walking in circles. But maybe she didn’t need to fill the gaps. Maybe she had enough in her notes and outlines, but was not trusting the material. Or maybe she was just stuck. It happens. Cozy Mystery Novelist w/ Story Writing tipsThe wonderful cozy mystery novelist and excellent teacher Linda Palmer (a/k/a Melinda Wells), often advised UCLA Extension students to skip ahead if they felt stuck. She reminded everyone that there is no rule that says authors absolutely must write their books, blogs and articles from beginning to end, from Page 1 to Page 260. Linda’s idea appealed to me because sometimes in our search for something that we believe is missing, we over-write and waste time. When you at least write the scenes and chapters, paragraphs and dialogue, that you believe belong in the work, you may discover that those big gaps in story have shrunk. Writing Resources: Story Creation is a 'mental game'But how could the gaps have shrunk? It’s a mental game. Too often we see the holes in the story, or the imperfections, and do not realize we have done plenty of good work. Also, maybe it is time to simplify and boil down the theme or story elements to the essentials. If I can’t move forward, often it is because I have too possibilities spinning in my head. That’s when I say, “Dude, just choose one!” Jumping ahead provides another advantage. As you proceed with your story it is nice to know you have chapters down the road waiting for you. Dear Startup Author, you may fear that skipping through your outline will only result in a mess. Things don’t seem to fit together. That’s a possibility, and yet that’s why we value revision so much. On the other hand, if you insist on staying with the chronology of your outline are you imposing a uniformity that is dull? There is not one answer. But, then, who likes to sit around feeling stumped? We want to move forward on our projects. Tips & Strategies for Story Writing
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Many authors, amateur and experienced, can feel overwhelmed by the impulse to write a book or a series of professional or corporate articles. Often they begin to write too soon. Television writers, who are under enormous pressure to produce imaginative comedy and dramatic stories, know they must not write until they created story beats. The beats are the plot points, the road map, for a screenplay, novel or nonfiction book, such as a memoir or business title. TV writers understand that it is hard work to make a story. So, they sit with it. They "beat out the story" until they know the basic shape of the plot. Only then do they truly feel confident writing the script. Not every authors works this way. Plenty of successful scribes follow their instincts, either because pounding out a plot doesn't work for them, or they have a natural sense of story structure and they go with it, so to speak. Having something on the page that offers guidance is a fine way to go for new authors. You need something that gives you confidence, even if the outline, grid or beats you've created begins to shift or morph as you begin to write. Another way of working with the pre-planning process is revealed in (coming soon!) Startup Author Hacks. In short, I suggest methods for gathering all the napkin notes, tweets and other "stuff" you've jotted and then forgot. This too gives the writer something to hang onto, even during those tough sessions when he or she is not sure which direction to go. Know where your story is goingWhatever organizational method you prefer, do you best to get to the end soon. By that I mean, know where you are going. If you are writing a screenplay or novel, develop the ending first and then work your way backwards to develop plot twists. This is reverse engineering. A nonfiction business book does not have a plot, but its organization must keep the reader engaged and then deliver a fulfilling end. In some cases, new authors can't get their motor running because they haven't planned their journey. Knowing your ending is a fine place to begin. |
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