Today I’m going to talk about ways to figure out if a character in your story needs to have a scene written from their point of view. First, POV is more than just using third person (he/she/they) or first person (I/we us/them). It is about choosing a PERSPECTIVE — a lens through which readers willContinueContinue reading “To POV or not POV”
Tag Archives: writing
Setting as Character
Here’s more advice about developing your story’s setting. I’ve discussed setting in several previous blogs: That Can’t Happen Here, Plan your setting, and Creating setting. So you’d think, what else can possibly be said about setting? How about making your setting a character? Making it so full and richly detailed, and integral to the wayContinueContinue reading “Setting as Character”
When Characters Won’t Act
Last week in my Build-A-Book Workshop, we were discussing developing main characters and a story plot. Previously on this blog, I have discussed plotting in Plan Your Story. That was a bit of “down and dirty” to get ready for NaNoWriMo. Figure out a character goal and several obstacles along the way that your characterContinueContinue reading “When Characters Won’t Act”
Including the past in the present story
Florida Writers Association had a good post about how/when to include backstory (and avoid info dump). Many authors I’m encountering are writing series or sequels. The question frequently asked is how to clue in a reader who may pick up a series in the middle, or a sequel when your back catalog may be unfamiliarContinueContinue reading “Including the past in the present story”
Editorial Advice 2
Today’s editorial advice is for authors writing synopses. If you are planning to traditionally publish, you have to query publishers or agents to see if they’ll pick up you and your work. What agents and publishers frequently request is a synopsis. What is a synopsis? A synopsis is a full summary of your story, fromContinueContinue reading “Editorial Advice 2”
Scene building: Endings
Listen to this post on Spotify. Today’s topic is not about how to end your story, but rather how to end a scene so that it carries the reader through the emotions just riled up and makes them turn the page eagerly to see what happens next. A scene should unfold at a pace thatContinueContinue reading “Scene building: Endings”
Scene building: beginnings
Listen to this post or others on Spotify or Anchor.fm I’ve talked previously about how to structure a scene. The beginning, or entre, should start as close to the moment the POV character starts pursuing their scene goal. But when exactly is that? And how do you decide whether to start with narrative, like describingContinueContinue reading “Scene building: beginnings”
Setting: That can’t happen here
A discussion of why setting matters in fiction Do you have any idea where any of these stories takes place? Asking these questions about a blurb, you can see how important setting is to fiction. With the exception of the last one, retreating to a beach house, there’s very little about setting in any ofContinueContinue reading “Setting: That can’t happen here”
Describing character: gain perspective
Listen to this post and more on Spotify or Anchor.fm You, dear writer, have all those wonderful character sheets filled out with demographics: Jamie Dotter is, 29, 5’11”, blonde, Nordic features, muscular build, college degree from Wellsley College, law degree from Harvard, in her fourth year working as a lawyer with Grant, Hardy, and Iglesias,ContinueContinue reading “Describing character: gain perspective”
Scene building using goals
Listen to this blog on Spotify. I previously discussed the structure of a scene is based around conflict and overcoming it. But conflict and obstacles comes in many forms. They can be as simple as encountering a child’s fallen toy on the floor while crossing the room. What really guides the scene and makes itContinueContinue reading “Scene building using goals”
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