Every story has a basic story line or plot that is central to the book. Without it, there would be no story. But to create a deeper story you need to add layers. What are layers? Layers are the different pieces or story threads that run along side your plot to make it more interesting. Often these layers are added by subplot or other POV characters besides the hero and heroine. For example, in the movie White Christmas there are several layers, here are a few: *The two sisters agreed that they won’t let a man come between them Deepening Layer: The youngest pretends that Danny Kaye is her sweetheart so that her sister will feel free to fall in love. Deepening Layer: It works so well that when the […]
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Quick Skills: Ways to get your Story Summary onto the page
I know that people panic about writing a synopsis. The fact is, there are many different synopsis styles and deliveries. There is no one right way – but there are few principles. Let’s start with Delivery: You can write the synopsis a couple different ways. First, you can tell it is if you are the narrator – telling yourself the story. e.g. This story is about Maggie, a former Red Cross nurse who lives in World War 2 New York City. More than anything she wants to get over the grief of losing her fiancé during the attack on Pearl Harbor, but her life seemed to stop the day she got the news and she doesn’t know how to start it again. Until, one day, she runs – literally – […]
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Frasier deadline is Saturday!
Tomorrow’s the big day, peeps…the deadline for the MBT Frasier Contest! The Frasier Contest is MBT’s annual contest for unpublished writers. Entry is simple – the first 1,500 words of your novel and a 500-word synopsis. Just click here to submit your piece. Okay, so maybe you’ve heard us talking about the Frasier Contest for the past couple months. Maybe you’re waffling, not sure whether or not you should enter. Would you like my advice? (I’m going to give it regardless, sooo…) Do it! Enter! Here’s the deal: Whether you’re a complete newbie or you’ve already got a couple stories under your belt or even if you’ve had a manuscript request from agents and editors and just haven’t nabbed that contract yet…this contest is for you. The whole goal of […]
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The Next Step: Putting your Phone to Work!
Hi Everyone! My name is Alena Tauriainen and I’m a newbie writer. It’s true, I’m addicted. I’ve started this amazing journey to write. Do you find this journey fun yet difficult? That’s my experience so far. With four children, a spouse, school and a family business to keep up, time is of the essence. Once I discovered this desire to write, I had to get creative in finding time to learn the craft and actually write. We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day, but some days I blink and the day is over. I’ve had to be inventive to find the time, ANY time to learn and to write. I was so very excited with my latest discovery. Smart Phones!!! I have an HTC Android and I figured […]
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