Outlining Your Novel
You begin with action that is compelling enough to draw us in, make us want to know more. Background is where you let us see and know who these people are, how they’ve come to be together, what was going on before the opening of the story. Then you develop these people, so that we learn what they care most about. The plot—the drama, the actions, th
... See moreAnne Lamott • Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
ASSIGNMENT: Take your list of top ten best endings of movies and books, and write down specifically, in detail, what it is about those endings that really does it for you. · ASSIGNMENT: What is your hero/ine’s greatest nightmare? How can you bring that to life in your final battle scene? · ASSIGNMENT: what is the Castle that your hero/ine must stor
... See moreAlexandra Sokoloff • Screenwriting Tricks for Authors (and Screenwriters!): STEALING HOLLYWOOD: Story Structure Secrets for Writing Your BEST Book
Write out who knows what, when. This is usually just a quick list where I look over my plot and jot down the flow of important information to make sure I haven’t done something dumb like have the protagonists making a decision using information they wouldn't actually know yet.
Rachel Aaron • 2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love
Whatever the scene conflict, it must arise organically as an obstacle to the goal. A random spat with the camp bully may offer conflict, but if it doesn’t endanger the protagonist’s ability to achieve his scene goal, then it isn’t the specific scene conflict you’re looking