Every story starts with an Inciting Incident catapulting the hero and heroine into a journey. They’re either scrambling to get their lives back to normal or hoping to settle into their new life after some amazing “I never knew this could happen to me” experience. Each scene you write is either an Action or re-Action scene. Your characters are doing something or responding to what happened. But the challenge is to write more than just he-said-she-said or he-did-she-did scenes. You want to layer in emotional depth – and one way to do that is to know your character’s Noble Cause. What: The Noble Cause answers the question why? It’s the motivation that moves your character from chapter 1 to “The End.” Think of your protagonist saying something like this: BeCAUSE […]
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Taking The Next Step: Fast Drafting
As a newbie writer, I completed my first Fast Draft. I was elated. I even did the happy dance. I couldn’t believe just how much I learned and of course, I had to share. Plot And Plot Some More! For me, it was truly a timesaver and stress reliever to have the story plotted ahead of time. I was really blessed; my friends helped brainstorm the story. Then I used The Book Buddy to get my thoughts down. It allowed me to have all the main points of the plot and the character development done before I sat down to write. It cut down on some of the “blank-screen-staring” that so many writers go through. At the same time, it still allowed me the freedom to change several scenes and […]
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One Thing Marketing—Tips on being an “Extroverted Writer” from Agent Amanda Luedeke
Today I’m pumped to have agent Amanda Luedeke with MacGregor Literary as a guest here on the MBT blog. Tuesdays are all about marketing around here…and if there’s anything Amanda knows, it’s marketing. Well, that, and the awesomeness of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Which she may or may not appreciate me mentioning, but now that it’s out… Anyway, before she entered the world of agenting, Amanda worked in marketing at a number of top companies and she just recently released her book, The Extroverted Writer: An Author’s Guide to Marketing and Building a Platform (available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble). Connect with Amanda on Twitter (@amandaluedeke) or on Facebook. She’s here today with some helpful Q&As. 1) So, let’s say a pre-pubbed writer comes to you and asks why they should […]
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Don’t Be Fooled, Part 2: Putting Up with Writers Pollen
Pollen. One tiny seven-letter word packs a powerful impact in our day. This year, I experienced the pollen in Central Florida in January and February. Then as I traveled, I ran into it in March in North Florida. Now, I’m up in the mountains and getting my third dusting with it. The result? Read, itchy eyes, uncontrollable sneezing and a face that feels like it will explode. I think I’ve had my fill of… POLLEN! As I sit looking out the window at my yellow dusted car, I’m reminded that’s what writers face, too. You’re on a journey. As you travel the writing road, you’ll experience changes in climate and all that brings. You may have experienced your own irritants as you entered into a new season of your writing. […]
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