Before sending your novel, memoir, screenplay out into the world, go behind the scenes for one final check. Step One: Go Behind the Scenes - Emotion. Go Behind the Scenes program works best with your plot and structure already set and the story is written to the end. If not, 1st follow the on-line video course that best serves your needs or adapt the exercises for your specific needs. Scene Tracker I use a Scene Tracker during this program to celebrate the release of my latest book Writing …
Resurrect that Novel
All writers have them ~ a dead novel stuffed at the bottom of a file cabinet, that 90,000 word docx stuck in an obsolete computer, the final draft shoved to the end of your to-do list. As doves coo outside my window and flowers burst forth in my garden with new life and renewed vigor now is as good a time as any to resurrect that novel, the story you've never stopped thinking about, the goal you continue to believe in. Take on the task of reviving your old dream with the spirit of balance that …
Evolution of a Book From Indie to Traditional
The evolution of my first plot book from indie published to traditional began twelve years ago as spiral-bound handout for students in the University of California at Santa Cruz writing program extension. I shared what I was discovering about plot while researching and analyzing stories to improve my own fiction writing. The visual approach I created to teach plot and for creating plots appealed to more and more writers who expected more and more information. Suddenly I was teaching more and …
The Effective Use of Thematic Details
In anticipation of the Oscars, I watched the nominated foreign film Theeb, and found myself instantly captivated by the history, setting, exoticism, the emotion, relationships to others and the natural world, the plight and fight for survival. I also appreciated the effective use of thematic details. Two Story Concepts for Theeb 1) Google In 1916, Theeb lives with his Bedouin tribe in a remote part of the Ottoman Empire. When his older brother has to escort a British officer across the …
The Recommitment / Rededication Goal
I received the following question on the Plot Whisperer Facebook page: "I am currently rereading The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure any Writer Can Master and really enjoying it! I am however struggling with identifying my recommitment scene. The goal that is introduced in the beginning changes, should the recommitment goal reflect that original goal, or the new and bigger goal? Thank you so much!" Gisele Goal setting is an important skill for any writer to master. Overall story …
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