New and changing technology is oftentimes intimidating, especially to those of us who are comfortable with our old tools.
However, we can’t become sidelined because we are afraid of change. Even though I really do get tired of constant updates. I mean can’t Apple leave my iPhone alone. Oops, sorry veered off in the ditch for a minute.
Back to Scrivener.
Like an old dog learning a new trick, I’m finally getting the hang of Scrivener. I know many of y’all are light-years ahead of me. But maybe a few of you were like me and struggled to grasp the tools this software offers.
Want to know how I overcame my fear and uncertainty?
Planning!
I’m not talking about outlining, arcs or deciding what I’m going to write. Most of that is usually stuck in our heads somewhere bouncing around like a damned ping-pong ball.
No, I like to arrange my Scrivener file just like a desk. Everything in order, everything in its place and all my ducks in a row. Then I feel as if I’m in control and ready to unleash my thoughts.
For me, this works. Any project is less intimidating if I have all the tools at my fingertips.
Here is how I get organized with Scrivener.
First, enter the appropriate number of blank chapters.
Next, enter the number of blank character templates needed.
Third, enter a blank settings sketch template.
Go back and enter info into the character templates.
Go back to the settings templates and enter information.
Okay, now that I’ve figured out her misbelief, what other questions do I need to ask?
What is her deepest desire?
We’ve all heard to ask what does the protagonist want but take it a step further.
What does her misbelief have to do with her deepest desire?
Is my protagonist loveable?
Can the reader relate to her misbelief and her desire?
And before I can go any further, do I know how this story ends?
Will her desires be fulfilled or will she fail and plummet into despair?
Now that I’ve answered these questions, I’m ready to write to the middle.
I’m learning so much from Steven James in Story Trumps Structure: How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules, which won a won a Storytelling World Award.Unlike some bloggers who write “how to” books, Mr. James is an award-winning novelist of suspense including two ChristyAwards for best suspense, The Suspense Zone’s Reviewers Choice award, Suspense Magazine‘s Book of the Yearaward. Mr. James also crosses genres, which gives me hope.
Hope you don’t get tired of me sharing on my blog as I learn. But I love, love this book!
What questions do you ask your protagonist?
Anything special that breathes life into your characters?
I’ve read many books and blogs on writing. Lots of them talk about understanding what makes the protagonist tick. What secret from their past bent their life?
After all, we are all a product of our environment. Right? Well, our characters are just like us. They too are bent by their childhood, relationships and traumas. But how do you show that? By figuring out what made them the way they are.
I know it sounds about as easy as becoming a rocket scientist. But stay with me.
This post below gave me insight into how to uncover secrets about my protagonist but, most important how to use them to tell her story.
Lisa Cron gives 3 simple steps to help us break down our main character’s beliefs. So I took those steps and this is what I did. Be sure and click on the link below, read Ms. Cron’s article for
So after following her steps I had a breakthrough with my WIP. Here is a brief glimpse of how I used her 3 step method.
#1: I sat down and thought about something she believed that could be wrong. When did this belief start? What happened to make her believe this way? How has this belief led to problems? Have her beliefs proved false?
#2: Jotted down times when her beliefs led her astray. When they tangled up her life and how I could incorporate these events into the story.
#3: Then I wrote a short scene that started her on her road to believing and behaving the way she does. (Now I doubt I will use this scene in its entirety but bits and pieces may show up in other scenes. What it did do was help me flesh out my protagonist.)
Be sure and click on the link at the bottom of this post and read Ms. Cron’s article for the entire picture. You’ll be glad you did.
So tell, what did you think about beliefs and misbeliefs?
Does your protagonist have secrets you need to uncover?
![Story Trumps Structure: How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules by [James, Steven]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51DqhKialhL.jpg)
![Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) by [Cron, Lisa]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/410G9FwWswL.jpg)
Jean's Writing 