So often when we think of a novel’s main characters, we zero in on the hero and heroine. That is all well and good, after all, what is a romance without a hero and heroine? And every story, no matter what genre, needs a protagonist – a good guy or gal, someone the reader is rooting for. But in your zeal to craft a compelling hero and/or heroine, don’t forget to ask yourself: Who is the villain of this story? What: A villain is the antagonist of your story. When you think villain, don’t just think danger, think threat. Or opposition. A villain can be a person. Hans Gruber, the lead terrorist in Die Hard, goes down in my book as the archetype villain. A twist on the […]
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The What and Why of Writing: Stakes
Why should anyone care about the story you’re writing? Before you launch into an explanation of how your stoic hero is also tenderhearted and how your heroine helps heal his wounded heart, step back for a moment. Yes, compelling characters are vital to a good novel, but you also need to consider the big picture and ask the question: What’s at stake? What: There are three different types of stakes: public, private and personal. Public stakes are what we care about as a culture: an alien invasion of our planet (Independence Day) or some sort of global attack on humanity. The movie Sahara has public stakes because an unknown toxin threatens the world’s entire water supply. Personal stakes hurt the heart of your main character. Think about it: How often […]
Read the RestThe What and Why of Writing: Theme
There are so many vital elements that go into crafting a can’t-put-it-down manuscript: engaging characters, a vivid Storyworld, a strong spiritual thread and knowing what’s at stake in your story. But so often, as we craft these aspects of our story, we overlook a fundamental aspect of our novel – and then we have to back up and figure out something we should have known from the beginning. What: Theme We often shut down when we hear the word “theme” because we recall high school English class and the dreaded “What’s the theme of the book?” question. Theme is the overall idea of a book – what the book is about. As you read, theme is what you’re going to discover about yourself, others and God – and it’s usually […]
Read the RestThe What and Why of Writing: Layer or Subplot
We often focus on plotting our stories – you know, everything that happens between our hero and heroine. The Inciting Incident. The Ds (Disappointments) or obstacles, that force them to face Ys in the Road and ask the question, “Which way do I go now?” over and over again. The Black Moment. And the long-awaited Happily-Ever-After, where our hero and heroine ride off into the sunset . . . Sorry. I lapsed into a cliché there, didn’t I? It’s vital to plot a strong main story, but while you’re doing that, remember to deepen your story too. How? Weave in an intriguing Layer or Subplot What: A story Layer and a Subplot are two different elements: A Layer adds depth to the plot and enhances the character’s struggle – and […]
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