Tag Archives: Mailing Lists

Feb 26 2012

The Structure of Story

English: a sample of altered book art

Image via Wikipedia

 

Getting ready to put a project on paper can be as easy as 1-2-3. Yeah, right! It’s not so easy putting your project to paper. Most of us don’t outline or write down the ideas we have about our stories beginning, middle and end. Some of us feel it will mess with the creativity of our story. I thought that at first. I’ve been stuck on a project more times than I can count only because I didn’t jot down the important parts of the story arc. So now, to remedy that I work on an outline. I get to know my characters and their personalities.

I visited K.M. Weiland’s site and she has some interesting words she has shared in regards to story and structure. I always love to visit her site. She has such great insight on the craft of writing. Her words always guide me and help me to better understand the process of writing.

The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 1: Why Should Authors Care?

What’s the single most overlooked, misunderstood—and yet most important—part of storytelling? If you cheated and looked at the title, you already know the answer is structure. Most uninitiated writers have two different reactions to the idea of story structure. Either they think it’s great, but too mystical and lofty to be understood by common mortals, or they think it’s formulaic hooey that will sap the art right out of their books.

I started out somewhere in the “huh?” camp that didn’t even realize there was such a thing as structure. From there, I progressed to reading complicated outlines that left me shaking my head. If that was structure than my story was practically written for me before I even came up with a decent idea. Thanks, but no thanks.

What I didn’t know—what most writers don’t know—is that even as I subjected the idea of story structure to ignorance and ridicule, I was actually structuring my stories without even realizing it. In the years since, I’ve been introduced to many theories of structure, all of which bear out the inevitable components found in all good stories, whether their authors deliberately structured them or were just lucky enough to wing it on their own good instincts.  Read more here.

 

Related articles
Feb 19 2012

The Writing Dream by Terri Forehand

I love stumbling across posts by writers. We all share the sames dreams and concerns of reaching those dreams that at times can seem so far away. Today Terri talks about her story and path to writing.

Following the writing dream sounds so simple. However, there are certain things that have to happen as you are following those dreams and all of that can be very overwhelming.  Did any of you think that all you had to do was write from your heart and a writing career would unfold?

In my very younger days, yes I believed that if I wrote from my heart there would be a publisher who would scoop up those words and make my name a household brand in the world of children’s books. Oh how wrong I was. First of all, no one liked my words without changing many of them and sometimes changing the entire idea. And so my journey began.

The thing about writing and writing dreams is that it takes work, hard work. There is the work of learning the craft, that in and of itself can take years.  Then after learning the basics of the writing craft, there is a continuing education aspect that every writer must remember so never to loose site of honing the craft. I am finding new learning experiences with every assignment.
Related articles
May 31 2011

Blogathon 2011 Reaches Its End

2011

Image by rod amaru  via Flickr

I loved participating in the WordCount Blogathon 2011! I am so glad that I was able to post everyday and it didn’t kill me. I met some new friends and acquired lots of great information.  As writers we want to be able to share our experiences. Getting online and networking with others is a great and much needed experience. I look forward to doing this again. Thanks Michelle!

May 7 2011

Are You Free Writing?

Writing

Image via Wikipedia

Often times if a writer get stuck and can’t put words on a blank page one resolution is to start free writing. Lots of writers find that free writing works and I am one of them. I have been sparked by the free writing bug many times and I’ve found that I write some of the best stuff when under pressure.

To get started you need a timer, a computer or pen and paper. Set your timer for 15 minutes. Begin writing about anything that comes to mind. Don’t correct spelling, don’t go back and rewrite. This has to be a raw writing session. It can be on any topic but if possible try to focus on your manuscript. Especially if it’s the reason your are stuck to begin with.

The hope is that when you’re done your brain is free and clear and you’re ready to get back to some real writing. So, are your free writing? I’d love to hear if it works for you.

Related Articles
Sep 23 2010

Writing – The Key To Communication

William Faulkner's Underwood Universal Portabl...

Image via Wikipedia

Let’s talk, let’s chat, let’s converse, I say! Or perhaps I can just write to tell you or the masses what I am thinking. Writers want to share ideas and thoughts. That’s exactly why I write. Sometimes it’s difficult to express myself unless I write it down first. For me it’s the best way to get what I want to communicate to everyone I want to communicate with.

I love to write letters on note cards and nice paper. It’s a habit I have kept for most of my life. Emails are a favorite thing too. I am guilty of forwarding funny jokes and alerts that have dropped in my box. Emails are a great way to spread the word about a book giveaway I might be having or an article that’s being featured somewhere on cyberspace. Some people may not look at an email as a way of really writing, but it is definitely in the category of getting information out as a way of communication.

 Again, without people what would we write and who would we communicate with? How do you communicate? Is your preference a typewriter, laptop, PC or do you simply write on paper?

Related Articles