A Simple Novel Outline – 9 questions for 25 chapters « H.E. Roulo Just as every tree is different but still recognizably a tree, every story is different but contains elements that make it a story. By defining those before you begin you clarify the scope of your work, identify your themes, and create the story you meant to write. At Norwescon 2011 I sat in on a session called Outline Your Novel in 90-minutes led by Mark Teppo. Here are the 9 questions to create a novel: 1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 9.) Now, with those 9 questions answered to your satisfaction, try to fill in a 25 chapter, 75,000 word outline. Chapters 7-18 are the middle of your book. Chapters 19-25 depict the heroic act to victory. Wasn’t that easy? Okay, sure, the work isn’t done yet. Using the idea that there are 25 chapters, I outlined my current work in progress. I hope that was helpful. Tell me what works for you. Related 6 Steps to Masterful Writing Critiques June 7, 2013 In "Writing Tips" 8 Novel Editing Steps - The Basic Overview Writers love to write. December 2, 2011 In "News"
Story Conflict - Plot Structure This page will explain how to add complications and twists to your story conflict to create suspense and keep your reader's attention. How to Complicate Your Plot Let's say we're writing a story about a love triangle. Our main character, Martha, is in love with Steve, a married man. Martha's goal is to make Steve leave his wife for her. This might be enough for a very short story, especially if the confrontation between Martha and Steve plays out in an interesting way. In a longer manuscript, we might start the story earlier in the affair and build up to the night when Martha delivers the ultimatum. How can we keep the reader interested through all of this? She could unintentionally say something that makes Steve angry. Think about adding new plot complications to your story if: Don’t overdo it Plot complications are useful, but be careful not to overdo them. Signs that you may have too many plot complications: The most dramatic order Making your conflict build Story Conflict - Next Steps
Article of The Month This is a quick exercise designed to sketch out the major events of your novel. It only gives you a map-- you have to make the drive yourself! Get a kitchen timer or set your alarm. Type or write the question, then set the clock, read the question allowed, and go. 1. 3. There's not enough money for costumes. 7. Okay, half hour's up. Answer 4 gives the protagonist's intended destination. # 6 lists obstacles to the resolution of the conflict. Just remember, your ending is going to help determine the message your reader will retain after closing the book, so make it fit your theme. Native American Proverbs, Quotes, and Chants The Native Americans (also known as the Indians or the American Indians) are the original inhabitants of the Americas (North, South and Central America including the Caribbean / West Indies Islands; all of which is also called the New World or the Western Hemisphere). Origins Some scientists and archeologists believe that the Native Americans were people who originally came to the Americas from Asia around 13,000 BC, but possibly as early as 33,000 BC. This was a time when there was much more dry land on the earth than there is today, including a land route from Asia to North America. As centuries passed, much of the earth’s land submerged under water due to severe climate changes. Other groups contend that Native Americans do not derive from Asian immigrants. Early Native American Life Very early groups of Native Americans were probably hunter-gatherers who formed small groups of about 30 people, and frequently moved. Spreading Throughout the Americas General Life Children and Adolescents
Writing Tips for Fiction Writers Effectively Outlining Your Plot by Lee Masterson Have you ever had an idea for a novel, and then just sat down and began writing without knowing exactly where the story was going? It happens to everyone at some point, but most people begin to realize that the events in your plotline get confused, or forgotten in the the thrill of writing an exciting scene. There are those who continue to write on, regardless, fixing any discrepancies as they work, or (worse!) those who do not check that events are properly tied in place to bring their stories to a satisfying conclusion. And then there are those writers who believe that creating a plot-outline is tantamount to "destroying the natural creative process". Whichever type of writer you are, creating a simple, inelegant outline to follow s not the same thing as already writing the story, and it could save you an enormous amount of time and rewriting later. Of course, this brings us to the problem to what was discussed above. Synopsis First
Writing The Perfect Scene: Advanced Fiction Writing Tips Having trouble making the scenes in your novel work their magic? In this article, I’ll show you how to write the “perfect” scene. Maybe you think it’s impossible to write the perfect scene. After all, who can choose every word perfectly, every thought, every sentence, every paragraph? What does perfection mean, anyway? Honestly, I don’t know. But structure is pretty well understood. The Two Levels of Scene Structure A scene has two levels of structure, and only two. The large-scale structure of the sceneThe small-scale structure of the scene This may seem obvious, but by the end of this article, I hope to convince you that it’s terribly profound. Before we begin, we need to understand how we keep score. Your reader is reading your fiction because you provide him or her with a powerful emotional experience. If you fail to create these emotions in your reader, then you have failed. Large-Scale Structure of a Scene The large-scale structure of a scene is extremely simple. GoalConflictDisaster
How to Write Dialogue that Works – Elements of a Story This page talks about the essentials of how to write dialogue. At the bottom, you can find more creative writing resources, including the chance to take a free writing course. How to write dialogue that expresses your character's voice I bet if you hung around on a random street corner and asked ten different passers-by how to get to the airport, they'd all give you different answers. Okay, maybe if you're lucky, they'd suggest similar routes. But they'd all use different words to say it. "I'm sorry, I really couldn't say." Geographic background (a Texan doesn't speak the same as a Bostonian) Educational level Age (Like, is your character, like, a total teenager?) Advertisement: Dialogue is when you let the reader listen in on a conversation between your characters. This may seem like a lot to manage as an author, but it's simple to learn. Get in the habit of really listening to how people talk (not only what they say). How to write dialogue that doesn't bore or annoy your reader.
Fleshing Out Your Plot Have you asked yourself "What is a plot?" or "Why is a plot important for my story?" a carefully crafted plot will make your story impossible to put down. There are many ways to put the meat on the bones of your plot skeleton, also known as a plot outline. What is a plot? A "plot," in simple terms, is a complication and the complication's resolution. Don't lose the focus of your manuscript The most important thing in fleshing out your plot is that you maintain focus. Detective X arrives at the scene of a crime and is charged with catching the killer (this is the complication). For example, let's say the rookie has botched something up in the past and now Detective X doesn't trust his partner's abilities or insights. Don't be general! In this vein, the plot of "the story of Character X's life" is never a good plot because it lacks the focus that keeps the story and interest going. Know when to stop One of the most common issues that we encounter is plot overkill. Permalink
Native American Wisdom, Sayings, Quotes, Philosophy A collection of sayings, quotes and words of wisdom reflecting the beliefs and philosophy of the Native Americans. Also offered are a selection of Native American books and Native American music which can be purchased through Amazon. This section also provides articles and links that provide information dealing with the issues of prejudice and shameful displacement that are still faced by the Native Americans to this day. Native American Wisdom & Quotes : - Native American Wisdom Quotes - Native American Code Of Ethics - The Indian Ten Commandments - Seven Philosophies For A Native American Man - The 23rd Psalm, Native American Version - The Invitation - The Little White Lie - It's Time To Wake Up! Native American Books, Music & Resources: - Native American Books - Native American Music - Native American Directory Related Products: Video - Native American Genocide: Other Native American Websites: Daily Meditation Of The Elders A daily spiritual lesson...