By Natalie Bright
To start your New Year of writing, I ran across this list of story fundamentals.
During January, WordsmithSix members will meet to work on our goals list for the next year. Hope you have a wonderful and productive 2015!
Natalie Bright
POST CARDS FROM THE MUSE
Stoking Young Fire
By Nandy Ekle
So a very young person, around the age of ten or eleven, comes to you and says, I want to write a story. What do I do?” What do you say to child of that age?
Well that age of kid may not be ready to hear about plot or theme or conflict. They may not even be ready to hear about characterization.
I think one of the first things I would say to a third or fourth grader is that the key to learning to write stories is to read stories. Reading published works by successful authors can be more important than reading a textbook about how to write. We subconsciously learn to put stories together, and we learn to describe scenes.
The second thing I would tell this child is that writing stories is most like playing make believe with our friends. Instead of acting out a game of “play like,” we right down the scenarios. And this is the basis of where stories come from.
A third thing I would explain to this child is that writers write. So the best way to learn about writing is to write.
Congratulations. You have just received a post card from the muse.
Tag word: plot, conflict, make believe.
By Natalie Bright
Strengths
Weaknesses (give your character flaws to make them believable)
Self-perception
How others see him/her
Hobbies/Collections
Natural talents
Cultivated talents
Fears (What does your character fear the most? Make them face it)
Habits
Dreams (bad/good/reoccurring)
Most comfortable when
Most uncomfortable when
If granted one wish, what would it be? Why?
External conflict or problem
Internal conflict or problem
Main obstacle or problem keeping character from obtaining goal
Character Arc
How does your character change from the beginning to the end of your story.
As the saying goes, you must know all of your characters secrets. What’s hidden in their closet? You may not use this information in your story, but you still need to know.
For Your Reference Library
Psychology of Creating Characters – by Laurie Schnebly Campbell
Creating Character: Bringing Your Story to Life (Red Sneaker Writers Book Series) by William Bernhardt
45 Master Characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
Writer’s Guide to Character Traits by Dr. Linda Edelstein
Happy writing!
Where do I start?
This is a common question by those who want to write a book. With all the many instructions and how-to’s out there, let me suggest three simple Ideas.
Develop a THEME for your book.
First, develop a theme for your story. Theme is different than subject in that it expresses a purpose or intent of the subject. For example, your subject might be a run-away girl, but your theme might be, “There’s no place like home.” The theme is what ties your plot and characters together.
Develop the PLOT
Develop the Plot or the action of your story. The plot is not equivalent to conflict, but is a series of dilemmas or encounters, which may include conflict, that helps your main character to evolve through their needs and motivations.
Create CHARACTERS
These are the people who reveal your theme. They connect with the reader by their traits and inner qualities described by the writer in a believable way. By matching their characteristics with the theme and running them through the plot, they must change in some recognizable way.
These three intertwined together will form a satisfying story. So let’s get started!
Rory C. Keel
Writers Need Readers
By Rory C. Keel
As an Author, I need readers. Whether I’m writing a novel, short story or an article for publication, the written word needs an audience.
Two things must merge at this point, your work and the reader. The question is how to get your writing and the reader together in order to achieve success?
Here are three things that will help to tie your read to your writing.
Something to write about
What interests you? Is it a major news event, an evil deed done by societies misfits or a heroic action? Research your target audience and then draw ideas from current events to create a plot or story line.
Good Title
While the title is not the story, a good story may never be read because of a bad title.
The title must be a calling card to your writing. When choosing a title, think about what would cause you to read this particular piece. Is the title colorful and exciting? Does it promise something without revealing the answer? Does it strike an emotional nerve?
Ending
Write an ending that moves people. As the reader struggles through each conflict of your story along with your characters, the reader needs relief. The main character may die at the end, but if the reader receives meaning from the end of your story, you have written a successful ending.
I Admit It; I’m an Outliner.
By Rory C. Keel
It is generally accepted among writers that there are two categories of writers: outliners and non-outliners, otherwise known as “plotters and pantsers.”
While non-outliners, or pantsers, fly by the “seat of their pants” when writing, the plotter or outliner does just what the name implies, we make an outline.
Make an outline.
When your writing begins, make a brief outline of the story you want to create. It doesn’t need to be a formal outline with roman numerals and such, but a basic list of plot points. It can be very general or elaborately detailed, either way you know the direction you want to take your story.
Benefits of Outlining
There are several benefits in outlining.
If you are struggling with writer’s block, try outlining the rest of your story to move you forward.
Try living with your character
When creating a character try this exercise.
As you build a character, or characters, you should be able to see them and answer questions about them. As you take action and make choices during the day, do the same with your character.
What do you eat for breakfast? Does your character eat breakfast? What foods do they like or dislike?
Do you wear a particular style of clothes? What does your character WEAR? Why do they like to wear them?
Do you go to the store? Where does your character shop and what do they buy?
What do you do for fun, sports or hobbies? What about your character?
What’s important is NOT what the character did, but what you learned about what you know about the character.
Rory C. Keel
Where do I start?
This is a common question by those who want to write a book. With all the many instructions and how-to’s out there, let me suggest three simple Ideas.
Develop a THEME for your book.
First, develop a theme for your story. Theme is different than subject in that it expresses a purpose or intent of the subject. For example, your subject might be a run-away girl, but your theme might be, “There’s no place like home.” The theme is what ties your plot and characters together.
Develop the PLOT
Develop the Plot or the action of your story. The plot is not equivalent to conflict, but is a series of dilemmas or encounters, which may include conflict, that helps your main character to evolve through their needs and motivations.
Create CHARACTERS
These are the people who reveal your theme. They connect with the reader by their traits and inner qualities described by the writer in a believable way. By matching their characteristics with the theme and running them through the plot, they must change in some recognizable way.
These three intertwined together will form a satisfying story. So let’s get started!
Rory C. Keel
Reading for the Music
By Natalie Bright
Successful authors tell us over and over again to write every day and read every day. Why is reading so important?
Do You Hear the Music?
NYT and USA Today bestselling author, Jodi Thomas, [www.jodithomas.com] explained it like this at a talk she gave to area writers; “writers must be able to hear the music.”
As you listen to the radio, you can distinguish between rock and roll or country. How about classical or bluegrass? By reading the genre you want to write, your brain becomes geared to the flow of a romance novel, or the twists and turns of a mystery, or to the humor that would appeal to children.
Goodbyes are Hard
I found this to be so true in my own writing. My first middle grade novel took three years to write. I loved those characters, and never got bored with the editing process. I probably read that story hundreds of times. My husband, a man of few words, said, “It has no plot.”
As much as I loved that story, he was right. I had to bury that one in the closet. I then focused on reading middle grade novels, starting with award winners and those that made bestseller lists.
Story, Story, Story…
I printed lists by authors who posted their favorite reads in blogs or on their websites, and scanned Amazon for used editions of Newberry winners. I read hundreds of middle grade books over the next year, and discovered so many amazing authors.
Recognition!
From a dream, a new character took shape in my head: a feisty, eleven year old named Silver Belle. Her personality jumped off the page, and the story emerged. Recently, Silver Belle’s Train Caper received a 2nd place award in the OWFI ’12 contest, which tells me the story has potential but still needs polish. The work goes on.
Have I finally recognized the “music” of a middle grade story? I don’t know, but the melody continues to fill my soul and keeps me on task.
Are you listening to the music of your story?
Natalie Bright
WIP? Do Tell!
By Natalie Bright
Do you talk about your WIP (work in progress)?
Some writers feel it takes away the momentum of their story. They don’t breathe a word about the characters and scenes mulling around in their head. Ask me about my stories, and I’ll talk your ear off.
The first niggling of an idea works itself out in my brain, and as I ponder the possibilities a character, a place and usually their problems begin to evolve. Once I have the ending in my head, I like to verbalize the story idea. When I talk about my characters, it makes them even more real to me. Their personalities and quirks come to life. The whys and reasons and obstacles begin to make sense. And thank goodness, I have a critique group that listens.
Our meetings usually run long. We delve into much more than commas and sentence structure. Since we’ve been meeting together for several years, we are familiar with each others projects. We dig deep and talk character motivation and plot structure, and it’s wonderful.
What about you; do you spill about your WIP?
Natalie Bright
Wordsmith Six 