In preparing for my first ever Writers Plot Retreat in the redwoods on Thursday through Sunday (don't expect another post for a few days), I marvel again at how consistent the Energetic Markers arrive in the Universal Story for romance novels, to screenplays, to mysteries, young adult, memoirs, middle grade and yes, even picture books.For instance: The Cay by Theodore Taylor.Like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee where the plotline dealing with Boo breaks off after the End of the Beginning and …
You Promised to Write Your Story Today
Dear Linda,I don't know if you really promised me but I have down today is the day you planned earlier in the week to devote to your book.Before you tick off all reasons hanging out needing to to be done first, take a deep breath.Close your eyes.Enter into the belief that today is for your plot, your story, yourself (so long as the time spent on yourself is good for your story, too).It's like giving yourself your own special day with a focus on devoting yourself to your writing.Sounds pretty …
What Do You Stand to Lose?
I've fallen into the habit of asking writers to fill out the Character Emotional Development Plot Profile for themselves as well as for their protagonist. One question more than all others reveals depth of passion.QUESTION: What do you stand to lose if you do not accomplish your writing goal?WRITERS' ANSWERS:I've lost my way and haven't been able to find it againThe evil voices will be proven correctSanityMy story will not make it into the worldSelf-respectMeMy self-esteemA sense of …
Plot Whisperer Blog Makes Its TV Debut
A View From the Bay, a San Francisco KGO / ABC television show recently aired the first segment of five on How to Start Your Own Blog in 5 Minutes with website and blog expert Linda LeeWhen asked what a successful blog looks like, Linda showed a screenshot of Plot Whisperer: What a thrill to see the blog on television! Thank you, Linda, for thinking enough of my blog to highlight it in such a visual way and to so many.To watch the segment, go to: View From the BayHaving recently learned Writers …
To Those Who Never Make it to the End
My last post was a bit harsh. I take it back. It is not necessary for a writer to have to go through all that.In my own defense, my purpose here is to support writers achieve their dreams of completing a worthy project. So what about all those half-written stories that end up in the trash bin or at the bottom of a cabinet drawer? Not reaching it, our dreams hound us relentlessly. We never truly forget that which we long for. People who have faced death say they do not think about the work they …
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