Plot. Plot. The word that sends tingles of excitement and fear up and down your spine. This month (March, 2016) we’ll be covering the ins and outs of this frightening-and-simultaneously-exciting facet of creative writing. First, we’ll discuss plot as a whole (lesson #3 and lesson #4). Then we’ll get into the nitty-gritty and discuss beginnings […]
Act One
Lesson #5: Beginnings (Act One)
About Beginnings The beginning of a story – and especially a written manuscript – is probably the most important part of the skeleton to catch your reader’s attention. If a reader does not like the beginning of a book, most of the time he/she will put it down. It’s very rare that a reader, reading […]
Lesson #6: The 3 Best Hints for a Fantabulous Beginning
Let’s Start at the Very Beginning (A Very Good Place to Start) In Lesson #5, we talked about the elements of Act One, or the beginning. The beginning of your story is the best – and often the only – place to hook your readers, grab their attention, and make them care about your story. […]
Lesson #17: Introduction to GMC (Goal, Motivation, Conflict)
What is GMC? This week, in Lesson #17 and Lesson #18, we’ll be discussing GMC: Goal, Motivation, Conflict. You’ll need to grab your pen and paper, current manuscript/story idea, and a blank sheet of paper. Now, narrow down your single most important character – your hero/heroine. If you have more than one, choose your most […]
Lesson #18: The GMC Chart
(Note: At the end of this post is a downloadable GMC chart.) So this lesson will be relatively short (hopefully) because you will need to try it out on your own – and because Kayla did such a great job with the introduction of the subject. *** But before we go any further – I […]
Lesson #46: Writing a FABULOUS First Line
Your first line is the opening of your story. The reader’s introduction to, essentially, these hours and hours of work which you have completed. The big hook. The main chance you have of drawing your reader’s attention… Would you rather have a so-so first line? Or a first line that makes your reader want to […]
Lesson #47: The First Chapter
Not only am I a writer but I am a rabid reader. I mean, rabies detectors clang when I pass by. Which means I am not going to waste my precious limited reading time on a book that doesn’t pull me in right away. Ain’t nobody got no time for that. So, make […]
Lesson #48: The First Three Chapters
Before we get started today, I want you to go to your bookshelves and pull out two of your favorite books of all time. Now, I want you to read the first three chapters. I’ll wait here… [Jeopardy theme music plays. I go get a Dr Pepper. Jeopardy theme music keeps playing.] Your assignment for […]
Lesson #53: Writing Different Stories in Different Lengths
Lesson #53: Writing Different Lengths Before we dive into today’s topic, you need to be familiar with a few terms and concepts previously discussed. First, GMC (aka, Goal, Motivation, and Conflict); second, basic three-act plot structure; and third, the hero’s journey including his/her lie, knot, or whatever else you call the character flaw the […]