Two recent consultations. Two common problems.1. Telling rather than showing. A scene shows. A summary tells. The difference? A summary puts distance between reader and character (this also applies to bloggers who blog about themselves). A summary is necessary for a variety of reasons, but scenes are where the story plays out. Invite your readers in by setting the stage and creating a compelling reason to stick around (character dilemma) and read more (dramatic action). Do this in scene and …
Addendum to Previous Post
I ran into a couple of writer friends yesterday, one of whom usually comments on the blog. They each said they had read the last post, but hadn't left a message.Too chaotic to ask why not, but I wonder -- did the subject of breaking through emotional walls put them off???I find the quest in the question posed in last week's post a worthy one. The closer we get to ourselves emotionally, the closer we can get our characters. I found a list of emotions I'll share below. Try exploring these …
HELP REQUESTED
I recently received the following query. Any of you have anything to suggest???Question:I really enjoyed the workshop and have gotten so much out of it. I will definitely be contacting you for future plot consultations.I really want to break through my emotional walls in order to take my writing to the next level. Do you have any recommendations for books that may help with this? I have been looking at Julia Cameron and Eric Maisel. There are so many books on this topic that I wondered if you …
WRITING THE CRISIS
At the writers conference this past weekend, I asked an audience of writer which of them knew the Crisis of their story. I had been talking about the three important scenes -- one each in the: Beginning (1/4) -- End of the BeginningMiddle (1/2) -- CrisisEnd (1/4) -- ClimaxWe had reached the Middle section and after I discussed the parameters of the Crisis, I asked for a show of hands. Barely a smattering. Surprised, I reworded my question. Still just a few.I asked if they were worried about …
PREPARING FOR A CONFERENCE
Tomorrow begins the East of Eden Writers' Conference. Steinbeck Country is difficult to describe to anyone without some first hand experience in dry, dusty heat, yellow hills and giant oak trees, hawks and buzzards, cows and sheep. The road trip runs through dirt so rich it's called black gold. Men and women bend in the hot sun to pick strawberries.250 anxious, eager, inspired, tortured writers will be on hand at the conference -- energy galore. For me, the excitement is teaching writers plot …
Follow Me!