Under Development: Writing That First Novel

On her site Fiction University, Janice Hardy,  has some great basic advice including point of view, structure, and plotting as well as what not to sweat. I know I learned a lot. This article is a great overview, but she also offers deep cuts on the subjects you want to learn more about. Well worth your time! What advice would you give to newb writers?

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Under Development: Writing That First Novel

 By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Work In Progress Sign Held By Construction WorkerThis week’s Refresher Friday takes an updated look at what to worry about (and not) when writing that first novel. Enjoy!

Writing can be a daunting task, but it can be even more daunting for those who know they want to write, but just aren’t sure how to start. What do you focus on first? Should you worry about how publishable the idea is? What’s the fuss about query letters, and do you need to write one?

It can make you crazy.

Here’s my advice for anyone who’s brave enough to pick up the pen and start writing. These elements can help you build a strong foundation on which you can develop your skills. They also applies to those who are still trying to get their writing legs under them.

Read a Lot

One of the best ways you can develop your writer’s ear is to read widely, both in your genre and market and without. You’ll start seeing (and hearing) how to put together sentences and what makes a great dramatic scene. It’ll also familiarize you with your genre, let you see what else has been done, and make it easier to spot cliches. When you find a book that particularly wows you, analyze it and figure out why it appeals to you so much.

(Here’s more on analyzing our favorite books)

Write a Lot

The only way to practice writing skills is to write. Don’t worry about how good or bad the work is, just get it down. You have to start somewhere, and while you skinned your knees learning to walk, you’ll make mistakes and fall down as you learn to write. But every time you put words together, those words get better and you grow as a writer.

Now for the more specific stuff, because that’s what you really want to know, right?

Read the full post on Fiction University

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If you liked this article, please share. If you have suggestions for further articles, articles you would like to submit, or just general comments, please contact me at paula@publetariat.com or leave a message below.

Using Ebooks to Understand Story Structure

Today we visit Jamie Gold, paranormal author extraordinaire. My 8th grade English teacher would often talk about stories needing woof and weave. The terms refer to old fashion weaving on a loom. You need the woof, the long threads, to define and hold the structure and then the weave, the threads that pull it all together until you have a complete product. Jamie discusses the need for story structure, which is like the woof and provides a base for your tale to be woven on. How do you organize your story structure?

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Using Ebooks to Understand Story Structure

Fractal Structureby Jami Gold on February 11, 2016

When we’re on the writing learning curve, we have to learn so many aspects of the craft that we can become overwhelmed. We have to learn how to develop characters, follow grammar rules, include settings and emotion, etc.

One aspect that many writers struggle with is learning story structure. Story structure refers to how we can organize a story so it creates a satisfying experience for readers.

If we’ve ever had a friend try to describe a movie, book, or a real-life event and they keep rambling or going off on tangents, we understand the importance of a good structure for making a story enjoyable. A story that goes off the rails will be confusing (“Wait, who was that character again?”), boring (“Sorry, I zoned out for a second.”), or worse.

On the other hand, we might have a friend who can make their daily check of the mailbox sound like an adventure. We just know there’s going to be a point to their story, so we remain enthralled with every twist and turn.

In other words, good story structure is an important element of good storytelling. While our friend could use good story structure and still be bland in the storytelling, it’s harder to imagine a well-told story that rambled or went off on distracting tangents or dragged on too long, etc.

So let’s take a look at how we can better understand what story structure is, and how we can learn from other stories how to use it in our own…

Read the full post on JamieGold

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If you liked this article, please share. If you have suggestions for further articles, articles you would like to submit, or just general comments, please contact me at paula@publetariat.com or leave a message below.