There are three stages to the discovery stage of writing a novel: Character development, Story development, and Scene development. Like building a house, the book takes shape as you craft each scene. Yesterday, we went over scene rhythm, how an author knits together the story, through Action and Reaction scenes and the components of each. Here are some tips as you work through each component. Action Scene Tips: Goal – A character has an overall story goal, but inside those goals are smaller goals, goals derived by the situation, or his motivation, or the events happening around him. For each scene, make your goal specific, tangible, measurable and timely. This will give an urgency to your scene, and will make your character alive and interesting. A character that wants something […]
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Quick Skills: Tips on Creating that First line
How you hook your reader on the first page? I love this quote by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who won the 1992 Nobel Prize for Literature for 100 years of Solitude. “One of the most difficult things is the first paragraph…in the first paragraph, you solve most of the problems with your book. The theme is defined, the style, the tone. At least in my case, the paragraph is a kind of sample of what the rest of the book is going to be.” By the way, that book sold over 10 million copies. The hook paragraph, your first paragraph just might be the most important paragraph you write in your entire story. Yesterday, I talked about four ways to begin your story. Today, I’m going to share with you my […]
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Conversations: Crafting the first sentence hook!
“I’m sorry Sally, I don’t have much time today. I’m on my way to the airport.” I unwound the scarf from my neck and slid into the chair. “But I did want to talk to you quickly about Hooks and First Lines.” I pulled out the printed email she sent me. “I have your new draft here. You did such a great job of pulling me into the story and deleting all but the essential backstory. Now I want you to take a look at that first sentence. “See, most authors don’t start their stories out in the right place, and even when they do, they struggle to get that first line. I often write the first line last, after the book is written just because by then I know […]
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Continuing from my post last week on fast notes on characterization during a Donald Maass session. These are an eclectic gathering designed to make you think differently. Have fun! “These are the moments the characters become larger than his or her own life. Break out of box, out of character, do the unexpected. The are the moments we remember.” “A “wink” can be the most unexpected thing a character can do.” But it must be out of character. “Take your characters to places they would never go.” Eventually they have to become who they really are – reverse or repent of what they’ve done. Stop thinking about redeeming our characters. Can’t always be thinking of redeeming them. Redeem them from what? Take your characters to the bad/dark/confused place, wrong place, […]
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