I just finished book 2 of the Hunger Games series, Catching Fire. Excuse me while I go pick up book 3 and spend the day ignoring my to-do list. This series is a lesson in how to create fabulous tension. Not only is the story premise powerful, but every chapter has that “can’t put down” quality. Why? TENSION on every page (as the Master Donald Maas would say!) But what is tension. Recently, I read approximately 1,768,639 contest entries. Okay, not quite that many, but it felt like it. And very few really wove real tension into their story. Obstacles and Activity are not Tension. Tension is a combination of a Sympathetic Character + Stakes + Goals + Obstacles + Fear of Failure. If any of these are missing, we don’t […]
Read the RestTag Archives | writing a novel
Quick Skills: Tips and Tricks for building Scenes
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 […]
Read the RestConversations: Building your story through the rhythm of scenes
The sun tugged at the irises peeking from the dirt edging the coffee shop. Another month in the northland and spring might actually arrive, cascade into summer. I found Sally at our table, grinning at me. “What?” “Now that I know my characters, and my story structure, I think we’re coming to the best part – the scenes.” “You’re right. At least, that’s my favorite part about writing. Because we can talk big picture and characters all day long, but when you create scenes, you are bringing the story to life. Think of every book as live action that we can observe, like a movie. In fact, for me, writing is not unlike viewing a movie…I close my eyes, see the scene and walk through it with the reader.” “That’s what […]
Read the RestHow to Write a Suspense Chapter 2 – Moving the Character toward the Noble Quest!
You’ve jump started your story with an inciting incident, and home world (maybe not in that order, but definitely in the first chapter) and now you need to write…Chapter 2. Last week we talked about the considerations in crafting Chapter 1. To see the checklist, click here. And, to catch up with the story to date…Chapter 1, Scene 1 Kenzie, Chapter 1 Scene 1 Luke That first chapter is key for pulling your reader into the story. They need to like the characters (and worry about them) enough to keep reading to chapter 2. But now, you need to give your reader a reason to go on the Noble Quest with them. This chapter is all about giving your character (and your reader) enough motivation to go on the journey. […]
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