Magic happens yet again.A writer with a very successful first book needs help with her second. Her problem? Not uncommon ~ years and years of working on the first book, layer upon layer, input, changes, rewrites, drafts and drafts, enough to make a writer wonder:"How did I do it? And how will I ever be able to do it again? Only faster this time?"With a Plot Planner in front of me, I start asking questions and encourage the ideas rolling around in her head to tumble out.Characters emerge, flaws …
Historical Fiction and Research
Authentic historical facts and details serve to ground the reader in another place and time. To find those just-right details, one must research. In researching, we writers uncover lots and lots of fascinating tidbits. One nugget leads to another which leads to the next. The more we find, the more we want to weave into the story. A plot consultation reveals a historical novel with an exciting external dramatic action plot bogged down by historical facts and details.Rule of thumb: If historical …
A Coming of Age Story or Rediscovering a Lost Skill?
She's confused about how best to begin her middle-grade historical novel.After many drafts, she's perfected the plot and structure of her story and seamlessly incorporated a fascinating historical character and event into a contemporary story. Now, as we consider only the first quarter of her story, it becomes clear that the writer has not yet completely determined the depth of who her protagonist truly is.She tells me the young male protagonist use to be brave and then lost his courage …
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The Halfway Point of Your Novel, Memoir, Screenplay
The second major turning point hits exactly halfway through your story. Something happens to force the protagonist's willing and conscious commitment to the successful completion of her goal.Throughout all the drama in the middle beams a bright and steady light at the second energetic marker. When the protagonist most wants to run the other way, this is the precise moment for her and for you to forge ahead instead. After recommitting to her goal(s) at the halfway point, or for the reluctant …
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How Character Emotional Development Merges with Thematic Significance
A character's belief system directly influences the choices she makes.The following are three different reactions to the same experience based on three different belief systems or three different character emotional developments. Each example offers its own thematic significance or deeper meaning.The protagonist is a single mother. With children to feed, she is grateful to be hired on as a night watchman. Once on the job, the woman hears screams and pleads come from the warehouse on the …
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