Dreams are but stories that possess a beginning, middle and end.
Recognizing this Aristotle superimposed this organization of dreams–his three-act structure onto that of plays and stories to render them more comprehensible.
Dreams, like stories and plays, hold drama, and their trajectory of plot often includes a dilemma, even if the problem is one of overwhelming joy.
Of Silence, The Three-Act Structure and Death… Read More »
Your story lives within you. Write with it rather than about it.
–Martha Alderson of Plotwhisperer for Writers and Readers
“Don’t talk your story out. Write it.” I heard that a lot during my participation in many writing workshops, but not so much like the almost broken mantra, “Show. Don’t tell,” regarding the development of scenes.
Of Mantras, Writing, and Knowing When to Tell… Read More »
Editors encounter problems and resistance when after stating a manuscript needs work then proceed to explain how they can abandon, or as is often the case, assist with developmental editing in addition to providing copy edits.
This situation resembles the gas station mechanic who after stating your car failed smog inspection then says, “And I can fix it the problem, make your car pass inspection.”
Smog Checks, The Publishing World, and Integrity… Read More »
Whatever difficulties we have experienced with editors writers need the help of editors.
An unedited book placed on the market for public purchase diminishes our integrity as writers and demeans the skill to crafting fiction to which we aspire.
If writing a book was as simple as putting the words on paper and sending it out, then everyone would have published a book.
Blogging, Promoting, Revising and Editing… Read More »
With the help of Natalie Goldberg in her book, Thunder and Lightening: Cracking Open the Writer’s Craft, I learned how better to purchase books.
I read the first page. If putting the book back on the shelf causes distress, leaves me hungering to know more about what will happen with the characters then I purchase it.
If not, then it’s for me.
Natalie Goldberg, Writing and a Reader’s Time… Read More »
“Any event that seems to the given writer startling, curious, or interest-laden can form the climax of a possible story.”
–John Gardner in The Art of Fiction
Climax is that place in the story or novel where the protagonist, the main character, reveals in action, that she or he has integrated knowledge gained through the experience of the journey.
Through thought, word, and deed, the central character shows she or he has been changed, transformed. It follows crisis.
Of John Gardner, Writing and The Worm Hole Experience… Read More »
There are times where my writing runs head-on with my blogging. By writing I mean work on my novel. Presently, my novel, “The House” due out this summer is back from the copy editor, Shon Bacon. Once I make all the suggested changes I will forward the manuscript to my developmental editor for one more read through.
Ethics, Revisions and the Search for an Editor… Read More »