TACKLING THE DROOPING MIDDLE

Your novel starts out like a rocket, and the ending keeps the reader on the edge to the very last word.  Yet, the middle is starving.  So what should the middle of your story include?

For starters, it must include significant events that draw the protagonist closer to achieving a specific goal in the story.

The pace of your story is crucial.  You don’t want the middle to fizzle, thus, leaving the reader falling asleep on an essential scene. Remember, if it’s boring for you to reread, it is likely the same sentiment for the reader.

Your characters should have a strong voice and emotion that draw-in the reader. The middle is no time to hide their distinct personalities and challenges dealing with conflict.

Keep in mind, dialogue speeds up the action, so avoid going more than two pages without it. Your middle will gain momentum if you have a well-defined plot and the ability to amuse the reading audience.

Additional reads . . .

Beginnings, Middle, and Endings

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/40-FE2-BeginningsMiddlesEnds.html

 

Stuck in the Middle of your Story? Try Prompts!

http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/prompts.shtml

 

DEFINING YOURSELF AS A SUCCESSFUL WRITER

 It is unrealistic to think that there is a magic number which marks a writer’s success, especially in this fickle literary industry.  Yet, becoming a hit as an author may not necessarily render immediate income that allows you to quit your day job. So how does one define being successful in such a competitive business?

For starters, toss aside the notion of making millions your first book out with a movie deal to follow. Yes, it happens, but, it’s one-in-a-million! Think of the reasons you chose this profession in the first place, which is your love for writing.

Focus on launching yourself as a dedicated professional, author, which entails a great profile through social media. Read everything you can get your hands on such as, magazines, news articles and books.

Establishing long and short-term goals can help to guide you through each phase of your writing career. Be mindful to bypass projects that detract from your main ambition, or embracing unrealistic timelines.

These days, a writer should be involved in marketing their work, provided there are no contractual stipulations. Being regarded as a successful writer is a dream of many. After all, a great amount of time went into your craft.  And for that, there is no dollar amount that can truly match it.

 

 

6 WAYS WRITERS CAN LEAVE VIRTUAL FOOTPRINTS USING SOCIAL MEDIA

If you are serious about building your brand, you’ve probably already taken advantage of modern linking channels such as Twitter, Facebook and blogs. Every aspect of social connections should represent the core of who you are and how the public identifies with you. Centering on your brand doesn’t mean you have to become obnoxiously self-absorbed. Take a gander at these helpful tips to see how it’s done:

1)     Give a shout-out to writers who have recently published.  This not only shows that you are well-informed regarding the industry; it also reveals you are confident enough to share the spotlight with colleagues. 

2)     Offer literary tips to beginning writers. Your specialized expertise can showcase your own work through points of reference.

3)     Your email contact list should work in conjunction with your websites and blogs. Updates to the public will keep them in-the-loop regarding your next book release, up-coming book signings, even scheduled television appearances and radio spots.

4)     Reciprocity is as important in social media as any other means of communication.  You can’t expect to be supported and disregard the undertakings of everyone else.

5)     Watch overexposing personal events of your life.  It’s wonderful to share as others feel they are getting to know you; however, too much private information is off-putting and unprofessional.

6)     Being unfailingly negative or political can hurt your reputation as an established author. This is not to say writers cannot draw upon controversial issues.

Using social media to your advantage presents a win-win setting if you know how to work it.  Above all, have fun!  Don’t feel that every typed word has to point to your latest project.  Remember; see the overall picture and your audience will gravitate to you and your product!

 

WRITING DOS AND DON’TS

It seems logical to follow the directions from a map or GPS if you are going to an unfamiliar destination.  The same holds true for novel writing.  Yes, with time, writers develop expertise along the way, but why stumble into a pit when you know what to avoid? Here are a few steps to keep you on the right path:

 

Do embrace the art of rewriting your work.  During this process, you will look for mistakes in your work which may range from editing to getting rid of words and/or sentences that aren’t needed.

Don’t write without making use of a thesaurus, reverse dictionary, spellcheck and any tool that enhances the quality of your work.

Do write about familiar places.  It may seem wonderful to write about Spain; however, if you’ve never lived or traveled there, inaccuracies may show in your book.

Don’t ignore the pace of your novel. Action and dialogue speeds up your story and narrative slows it down.

Do include conflict in your story.  In fact, the lifeline of your manuscript depends upon it. Whether your main character’s conflict is within himself, with someone else, or with nature, you must have conflict in your story.

Don’t create characters in a contrive manner just to jilt your readers. On the other hand, if your character is a bona fide slime-ball, then, let him be authentic!

Do allow your readers to help solve the story if you are writing a mystery.  You have to state all the clues.

Don’t restrict your characters in any way.  Allow life to breathe into your characters, even if it means the direction of a scene changes.  Your characters know what they are doing; it’s up to you to follow.

Do research for your novel. Whether you are writing about vampires or the injustices in Zimbabwe, know the subject thoroughly.

Don’t stall the story by failing to move it along.  Every word, sentence, paragraph and chapter, should move your story to a conclusion.

Do craft a query letter that represents your novel.

Don’t submit your manuscript to unsolicited publishers.  This is wasting your time and the publisher’s time.

Do invest the time and effort to aid in the marketing of your novel, whether you self-publish or not.

 

What dos and don’ts do you follow?

 

 

 

 

 

IS THERE A SCREENWRITER IN YOU?

 

Any writer who enjoys reading books and reinterprets them as movies, can seamlessly transition to screenwriting. So, what does a screenwriter do?

In simple terms, he/she writes scripts that are filmed, either for television or the big screen. A screenplay is a written document for the cast and crew which is between 90 to 120 pages. (For additional definitions, see Wikipedia’s breakdown. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenplay.) 

The blog site, The Script lab, draws upon the contrast from novels and screenplays in the article “What is a Screenplay,” http://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/what-is-a-screenplay.

Unlike novels, where the story is told through words, screenwriting allows that articulation to filter through a camera lens, which captures nonverbal dialogue through action, scenes and the expressions of the actors.

To stay a cut above the rest, a screenwriter must have a solid script that embodies a great story and compelling characters.  Incidentally, the protagonist should exemplify the main idea of the script. (Think of movies like, Scarface, Gone with the Wind and Superman.)

Remember, keep scenes short, dialogue brief and stay true to the original voice. Create a unique and interesting character. The protagonist should have a weakness and is always in search of something.

Screenwriting demands dedication on the part of the writer.  At the onset of your screenplay, keep these points in mind:

Ø Know the type of story you are telling.

Ø The flaws of the main character should be revealed and challenged throughout the story.

Ø The protagonist’s dilemma is essential to the entire story.

There are a number of online film courses at your fingertips such as, Lights Online Film School, http://www.lightsfilmschool.com/blog/free-screenwriting-courses/346/.

Through mastery in knowing your craft and dedication, your screenplay can be worthy of a film production!

Are you writing a screenplay?

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GENRE

Choosing the right genre can differ from writer to writer.  Some authors follow their hearts, penning their novels after the subject that suites their fancy.  Others make decisions based on the most popular or bestselling genres. Whether the genre is romance, horror or fantasy, there are specific elements your story should possess:

Romance Novel

The heroine must be likeable.  The book usually centers from the protagonist’s point of view and all problems presented to her must be solved and lead to a happy ending.  The reader must feel like they are on a wild ride and truly believe the plot of the book. The story, no matter how many twists and turns, will always be about two people finding love with each other.

Horror Novel

You can’t have a horror story without creating fear within your readers and the main character!  Sometimes the fear has already manifested itself in the character’s thoughts, long before the evil-doers show up! Ultimately, the protagonist gains strength and/or conquers prior fears to defeat the rival spirit or villain.

Fantasy Novel

The key to writing a fantasy novel is making sure the story follows its own logic. Too many changes to a rule throws the reader off and makes them doubt otherwise pertinent details in your story. This created world must be visualized by the reader so that they too, can understand it. Keep a history log or an outline.  This is useful when tracking the particulars of your story and pushing it forward. These details can propel the plot and conclusion of your novel to a triumph in the eyes of the reader.

How do you pick the genres to your books?

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TownsPamela

 

HOW WRITERS CAN OPTIMIZE THEIR TRAVELS

Writers are always trying to sniff out information from their surroundings to spice up their scenes and characters.  Yet, some writers fail to take advantage of their travels to enhance their manuscripts.  Whether you are taking a never-before trip to Rome, or revisiting a distant relative, here are a few ideas for maximum travel results:

Pamphlets, maps and tour guides.

Hotel rooms provide an excellent source of cool ideas on the happenings of the city, such as tours, special events, maps, restaurants, and entertainment.  Not only will this grant the utmost results for your trip, it will prove beneficial later on when adding depth to your scenes.

Let your five senses guide you.

Remain cognizant of the smells and sights of the city.  How tall are the buildings?  Are the streets filled with cobblestones or bricks? What restaurants are most introspective? Even your own reactions can be helpful for later notation.

Revisit familiar places.

Chances are there are dozens of places in your own home town that you’ve taken for granted.  With fresh eyes, visit historical buildings.  Go to the science center, or a food and wine taste quest.  Check out art festivals and parks.  Scope your local paper for unusual events coming to town.

Whether you’re taking a business trip for the umpteenth time, or a well-deserved vacation, always capitalize on an opportunity to capture your experiences in a book!

Check out these sites for additional travel and writing tips:

Travel Tips and Doo Dads for Writers:

http://augustmclaughlin.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/traveling-tips-and-doo-dads-for-writers/

 

Recording Your Travels:

http://www.flightster.com/2011/02/16/recording-your-travels/