You finish your rough draft. Now what? How do you write an effective second draft of your story rather than just edit what you've already written or simply move words around?I have a few tips.1) Fill out a Scene Tracker for your project. Scenes that fulfill all seven essential elements of plot -- date and setting, character emotional development, is driven by a specific character goal, shows dramatic action, is filled with conflict, tension, suspense or curiosity, shows emotional change within …
POINT OF NO RETURN
Livvy asks:On your Blog, under the Plot Consultation page, you have an image of your plot planner which shows The Beginning section of the planner to be disconnected from The Middle section. However, in your book, the plot planner is different and is shown as one fluid line.I know that in one of your DVDs (not in your book), you mentioned that the reason for this is that the end of the Beginning Section is to be considered as the "Point of No Return".Martha answers:I usually talk about the end …
What do you think when you think plot?
Kids and teens learn in school that plot is a series of events linked by cause and effect. That definition of makes me think a jewel thief wrote it. Someone dressed in black in a room full of shadows. A lightbulb hangs from the center of the room. She's wearing all black, and chalking out for the others her plot to steal a diamond ring. Step One:Get past the guard at the front door Right off the bat and she is in trouble. HOW does she get by the guard at the door? The character element. If …
DREAMS VERSUS GOALS
I received this question from Livvy a long, long time ago, and am only now answering. My apologies, Livvy. I'll get to your other questions soon......Hi Martha,While rereading your book for inspiration, I came across a few points that I would like some clarification on.The Overall Story Goal; The Protagonist's Personal Goal; and the Protagonist's Dream.So what is the difference between a Protagonist's personal goal and Dream?The grand question is if a Dream is not attainable and goals are,then …
Guest Blogging
Tomorrow, Thursday, 4/24th, I'm guest blogging at The Graveyard Shift, Lee Lofland's blog. Lee Lofland is a retired police detective and the author of Police Procedures & Investigations: A Guide for Writers. Please stop by and say hello. …
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