Now the holidays are past it’s time to get that book finished.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve procrastinated enough. My WIP has languished on my computer like an undernourished waif in a Charles Dickens novel. Time to resuscitate that little devil and breathe it back to life.
So if you’re also ready to get back to work, let’s go.
One of my issues in the past was plotting and planning. I don’t do a lot of either. Nor do I do them well. LOL
But everyone knows good results begin with a good plan.
As a Panster, I find simple is best. Who am I kidding simple works best for everything?
Do you too, have an issue getting started?
Trying to figure out where and when to begin?
There is a simple method to quickly plan out a story, courtesy of Joanne over at JoanneWritesBooks.
Her suggestions I’ve taken to heart…
Always remember to ask the question “What if?”
Break story down to 3 sections. Or 3 acts.
And write.
Have you set any writing goals for 2019? Do share!
Do you have a plan to meet your goals?
Click this link and read in detail how she gets started.
A recent article by author ALEXANDRIA Constantinova explains what sets successful books apart from the masses. If you want to have a competitive edge your story must have…
Last week I wrote about seizing the reader. (click to read.) In that post, I talked about using the dramatic pause to capture a reader’s attention.
But, we don’t just want to capture a readers attention, we want to keep it and get them to share with enthusiasm. And that usually happens through word of mouth. Think back to the last book you couldn’t stop talking about…
What compelled you to tell others about the book?
Something made you want others to share in your love and excitement for the book. But what did that book have that others did not?
Even if you want to take the traditional publishing road, consider agents receive thousands of submissions each year. And of those thousands, agents usually take on between three – ten new authors a year. (Click to read more.) And should you choose to self-publish, your competition is thousands released every day. So we must write better than ever.
What I learned from Alexandra:
URGENCY must be woven into the fabric of the plot, character, and voice of your novel. It can’t be just slapped in as an afterthought.
No matter the genre, URGENCY must evolve naturally from the characters, in the plot and circumstances.
URGENCY, it is the Voice itself that makes the audience want to continue reading.
To achieve a well-rounded story, I should try and incorporate URGENCY in as many areas as possible.
Let my characters deal with conflicts in their way, NOT in the way I might deal with a conflict. This should prevent me from writing the same thing over and over. Hmm.
Any section where a reader’s attention might wander is where I need to add URGENCY.
There are 3 basic areas where URGENCY should be included:
Plot which must include conflict.
Character development.
Voice
Places to add URGENCY…
First sentence
Last sentence of the first paragraph
Beginning and end of each chapter
Beginning and end of each section, IF divided into sections
When changing narrators or Points of View
Periodically throughout the novel
End of a novel IF it is in a series
I can’t stress it enough, head over and read Alexandria’s article. It’s jam-packed with information on how to write a stand-out, attention-getting, well-rounded novel.
Jean's Writing 