Two plot consultations in two days with two writers struggling with the same dilemma I see more than any other and could very well be the deadliest writers' flaw of all. An overzealous critic silences the creative process in general and especially so in the first draft.2 Bits of Advice: 1) I encourage you to keep going. Do not go back and start again. Rather, pick up where you left off and write all the way through to the end. Write early in the morning before the critic has awakened -- your …
Opposite of Foreshadowing
A recent post about Foreshadowing talks how every paragraph, sentence, word in the Beginning (1/4) introduces or foreshadows the character emotional development, dramatic action, thematic significance.The opposite is also true.Anything you introduce in the Beginning (1/4), the savvy reader knows on some level is important to the overall story.Therefore, be careful about every word you use. If you use dark and ominous words in the Beginning, the reader expects the story overall will be dark and …
Your Truth is Trying to Reveal Itself to You
Listen to yourself. Write the way that feels right to you. Often comments from others are more an indication that something needs work. In our zeal to support our fellow writers, we come up with all sorts of solutions. However, what's most important is to know something isn't working and for you to come up with what is the best fit. I just don't want you to get into trying to please everyone else. Most important is your relationship to the story. The story will tell you everything you need to …
Protagonist & Climax
The protagonist is always the character who is the most changed or transformed by the dramatic action in the story.At the Climax (the scene right before the Resolution at the end), the protagonist does something to "show" the ultimate change or transformation. Whatever she does at the Climax -- the crowning glory of the entire story -- she is unable to do anywhere else in the story. She has to first endure all the dramatic action that comes before in order to gain the abilities and skills and …
Foreshadowing
Whether you have a critique group or simply valued and trusted readers, you may receive feedback about some element not working in your story. Often the readers, in an attempt to be helpful, attempt to come up with reasons why something doesn't work or give advice about how to improve the questionable section(s).However, I usually find the problem occurs because the element -- plot twist, character reaction, goal, motivation, whatever -- comes out of the blue with no or little warning.A simple …
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