Last week we discussed the first step to spring into success: Define it. Hopefully, you’ve done that because unless or until you know what success is to you, you’ll never know what you’re aiming at. Success is a journey, not a destination. It requires a conscious daily commitment to live in it. Right before I wrote this, took a short road trip. I had a destination in mind but getting to that place did not define my success. I didn’t commit to the destination, but rather to taking the trip. Each mile I rode, I was living in my success. Your writing journey is the same. What you’ve defined as your own success, you must commit to. Each and every day you should commit to your journey. Please notice I […]
Read the RestArchive | March, 2013
Book Therapist: How To Exit A Scene Early
Hey all, Taking a break this week from fairytales to answer a question from one of our MBT faithful. We’ll go back to fairytale structure next week. But here’s the question: Q: How do you to leave a scene early and end with some kind of “disaster?” They seem to counter act the other. A: Great question. I understand the dilemma but actually, exiting a scene early is exactly how you leave the reader wanting more and turning the pages. Let’s review what encompasses a great scene. Scene goal. All scenes need some kind of goal. Any thing that advances the plot, even a little bit, is moving the story forward and probably hints at or answers some part of the over all story goal and question. Ask yourself, “What […]
Read the RestFrom Good to Great: Editing basics
In honor of national Grammar Day, I’m going to post the MBT Good to Great Checklist! See, it’s not only about WHAT you write. It’s HOW you write it. We often say it’s about story. And it is. But a good writer can make any story compelling…..a bad writer can take a great story and blow it. Yes, there are mediocre writers out there, but the story compensates. And there are fabulous writers out there, writing a story that doesn’t deliver. You have to have structure AND art to deliver a powerful story. An author’s voice is ART. It’s how you express the story. It’s the one component that is more instinct than rules. However, before you can start to express yourself through your […]
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March into Success, Part One: Define it
Sounds remedial, I know. But why don’t you take a moment to write down what success really is. No, seriously. I’ll wait. Not all that easy, is it? When I coach individuals, particularly women, writers and women writers, they seem to define success in others’ terms. They’re looking outward for someone else to draw the parameters that define success. Here’s how I believe a writer should define success. It’s not what you think. You are a success if… You are pursuing your dream. So you want to be a writer. Great. Are you working toward that goal? I’m not referring to the dozens of already published novels by Susie May Warren or Rachel Hauck. I’m asking if you are making strides toward your goal? If so, you’re a success. You […]
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