Most of a writer’s genius comes in the art of the finesse. How finely you craft your project before you let it go is up to each individual writer. As a plot consultant, I developed the Scene Tracker Kit to help writers finesse their scenes. A story comes alive at the scene level for the audience, be it a crowd or an individual reader. Well-written scenes allow both the observer and the reader to viscerally take part in the story. Some people rather enjoy a more distanced, intellectual …
Writers’ Self-Sabotage
Do you have the dream of finishing your story and then find yourself not showing up for your writing?Think of today as the start of a whole new schedule. One day at a time.Everyday make time for writing and for exercise. As you exercise meditate on this:What you are writing is not hard -- it's the first draft -- it's okay if absolute shit (excuse my rant!) or second or last.What you are writing is the answer to your dreams -- a giant step toward becoming who you are meant to be -- the big you, …
The Importance of Character
A dear, dear friend asked me what I thought of an editor's comments regarding her latest book. Having been told that the book did not have a wide enough appeal to a general audience but rather more valued by family and friends who could fill in the gaps, my friend turned to me. First let me say that my friend has had / is having an amazing life and that she is a terrific writer -- she has a wonderful way with words and, though this latest book comes closer to a true memoir than her first book -- …
Foreshadow versus Flashback
A good story is able to seduce a reader by the illusion created on the page. A story written in scene creates its own time and a sense that the present moment is all that exists for the reader. As the reader sinks into the world of the characters on the page, they surrender even their emotions to the illusion. This strengthens as the reader comes to know the characters and care for them, even to worry about them. The reader's body responds on a visceral level; their hearts beat faster. Perhaps …
Fatal Plot Flaw
Of the 10 elements in the Character Emotional Development Profile, the one of greatest importance to the overall plot of the story is Goal.The other elements help create conflict, tension, suspense and curiosity -- all critical to a successful story -- as well as create a three-dimensional character.The #1 problem I find, well... perhaps that's too sweeping but I'm trying to make a point here, is that writers often neglect to create a specific goal that in turn provides specific action steps the …
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