In my last post, I talked about the kinds of questions I ask myself when I'm building a brand new world and magic system for my manuscripts. You can read it here. This time, I'm talking about the other key component of world-building: releasing information without boring or overwhelming the reader.
When you're building a completely new world, there's a temptation to explain everything about that world right away so the reader understands the mechanics upfront. You might narrate a lot of background information that the reader 'must' appreciate for the story to make sense - or to save you explaining it later. This leads to info dumping - and annoying even the most patient of readers. So, how do you let the reader into your cool new world without paragraphs of dull exposition?
Start with the barest, most relevant components and flesh them out.
Here are three broad questions I ask myself while I'm working on a new manuscript:
1. How can I show my MC in characteristic moments and keep world-building relevant?
2. What is the minimum the reader and MC must understand for this scene to matter and make sense?
3. How can I use conflict to explore this world and reveal its complexities?
I ask these and a wide range of related questions the whole time I'm drafting and revising. They all link back to that one concept - start thin, flesh out. Keep everything tight and relevant. I find it easier to add details than cut. It helps me avoid info dumping if I consider my manuscript a canvas: I can always deepen the colour and add layers if it's too sparse or pale in spots.
We don't need to know everything at once. In the opening scene or two, I focus mainly on introducing the character and an initial story question as opposed to heavy world-building. I then consider what is important to that character about the world - if it matters to the MC, it'll matter to the reader. This helps with voice, too. Starting small with a narrow focus gives me something to build upon after allowing the reader to become invested in the MC and their situation.
The gist of this, then, is to keep everything directly relevant to the main character. If it doesn't matter to the MC at that point, why are we learning about it? If we don't 'need' to know yet, why tell us? Every revelation must earn its right to be there. Start basic, then expand. Show your hero or heroine in an engaging situation and make the revelation count - readers absorb details more effectively if they feel immersed and part of the action as opposed to bystanders reading a textbook.
Speaking of showing over telling, use conflict to your advantage. Keep everything tense. Have characters bicker over a world flaw, or a poor leader, or the empty kitchen and coffers. Don't simply tell us these problems exist somewhere, some place in that world. Make your characters suffer at the hands of twisted laws. Show us the unique, personal reasons why they're marrying or allying with someone they can't stand, and the consequences of failure - don't just narrate the background.
Show us the antagonist in action, and characters debating over what to do - or fighting over the aftermath. If your MC has a sore spot, make them confront it - don't only tell us what they fear or what they hate about their world. Make setting count, but have your MC interact with it as opposed to just paragraphs of description. Again, this helps with voice - something I'm talking about next time!
Bottom line - world-building is hard. It takes practice. Keep things focused and relevant with the promise of expansion, and you're well on your way to creating an immersive world.
Sunday, 24 January 2016
Saturday, 16 January 2016
World-Building
Writing a book isn't just about the plot and the characters. Any good book needs a solid foundation - the world in which those characters live and the plot takes place. Everything is linked. When one element fails, it ruins the whole book. How do you build an entire world with its own rules from scratch?! I'm going to outline my own process.
When you're building a world for your book, you need to accomplish two main things:
1. Build a believable world with rules and history.
2. Release information about the world without overwhelming/annoying readers.
Today I'm focusing on point 1: building the world.
1. Build from character
For me, everything starts with character. How they act, think, dress....characters are a product of the world they inhabit. There's a reason for everything, although we don't need to know them all...more on that next time! Once you start getting to know your character, you learn a lot about their world and its problems. This in turn helps shape your plot. Maybe your MC is a slave. Who do they serve, and why? Who do they fear, and do their masters fear anyone? What was their life like before? Is slavery common in their world - could your MC's goal relate to freeing themselves, and maybe even others?
Sometimes I'll know a little about the world I want to write in before I find the characters, but I tweak the rules to suit the characters. Never force a character to fit into a world - let it develop from those living in it. Listen to your characters, and you might be surprised what slots into place for you.
2. Be consistent
This is especially important in fantasy. At its most basic, every world needs a governing set of rules. If you want to write about magic, you have to decide on a magic system. Can everyone use magic, or only a certain class of people? What is 'magical' in this world - are spells a part of daily life, and are dragons as common as cats? Is magic legal or illegal? These are some great initial questions to ask, and the answers help generate plot and conflict, too.
If we get even more basic, does your world have the same concept of time as ours? What about gravity and geography? Does it have four seasons? What about animals, food, and plants? Asking these really simple questions sometimes offers up unexpected answers - allowing you to build richer, more original worlds.
Whatever your world, you should stick to the rules once you know them. If it's impossible to fly in this world, your MC can't suddenly use flight when it's convenient. If it's always dark, don't include scenes involving the sun (unless your MC is remembering a different time, or something). Don't be afraid to rewrite the rules if the world no longer feels right, but don't bend them because it's easier than figuring out a solution to the problem.
3. Politics
You need to figure out how your world is governed. Do you have city states, countries, kingdoms? How many? Who rules, and how effectively? You also need to question things like trade, religion, succession, crime and law, commerce, form of governance, rights, and the military.
History is GREAT for this. Seriously, it's a goldmine. Research will help you build great worlds. For example, how do wars break out? What were the motives behind them? Why did that kingdom stop trading with another? This can also help you build more convincing antagonists.
4. The little things
Sensory details reveal heaps about a world and add depth to scenes. They are key to a convincing story - the feeling of immersion as opposed to just reading words. Is a character drinking coffee? Mention the smell or the taste. Maybe it rains a lot and your character comments on having cold, wet feet. Or perhaps they're uncomfortable trudging through the desert with their clothes sticking to them. Little details enrich your story. They also add voice - let your characters show off their personalities!
Ultimately, everything I do comes back to character. Once they start opening up to me, I uncover the details I need to flesh out the world. And I always, always tweak the world to serve them when I'm outlining - not the other way around. World-building is FUN. Don't let it intimidate you! :)
Next week - how to release all the necessary details about your cool world and its inhabitants without overwhelming your readers!
When you're building a world for your book, you need to accomplish two main things:
1. Build a believable world with rules and history.
2. Release information about the world without overwhelming/annoying readers.
Today I'm focusing on point 1: building the world.
1. Build from character
For me, everything starts with character. How they act, think, dress....characters are a product of the world they inhabit. There's a reason for everything, although we don't need to know them all...more on that next time! Once you start getting to know your character, you learn a lot about their world and its problems. This in turn helps shape your plot. Maybe your MC is a slave. Who do they serve, and why? Who do they fear, and do their masters fear anyone? What was their life like before? Is slavery common in their world - could your MC's goal relate to freeing themselves, and maybe even others?
Sometimes I'll know a little about the world I want to write in before I find the characters, but I tweak the rules to suit the characters. Never force a character to fit into a world - let it develop from those living in it. Listen to your characters, and you might be surprised what slots into place for you.
2. Be consistent
This is especially important in fantasy. At its most basic, every world needs a governing set of rules. If you want to write about magic, you have to decide on a magic system. Can everyone use magic, or only a certain class of people? What is 'magical' in this world - are spells a part of daily life, and are dragons as common as cats? Is magic legal or illegal? These are some great initial questions to ask, and the answers help generate plot and conflict, too.
If we get even more basic, does your world have the same concept of time as ours? What about gravity and geography? Does it have four seasons? What about animals, food, and plants? Asking these really simple questions sometimes offers up unexpected answers - allowing you to build richer, more original worlds.
Whatever your world, you should stick to the rules once you know them. If it's impossible to fly in this world, your MC can't suddenly use flight when it's convenient. If it's always dark, don't include scenes involving the sun (unless your MC is remembering a different time, or something). Don't be afraid to rewrite the rules if the world no longer feels right, but don't bend them because it's easier than figuring out a solution to the problem.
3. Politics
You need to figure out how your world is governed. Do you have city states, countries, kingdoms? How many? Who rules, and how effectively? You also need to question things like trade, religion, succession, crime and law, commerce, form of governance, rights, and the military.
History is GREAT for this. Seriously, it's a goldmine. Research will help you build great worlds. For example, how do wars break out? What were the motives behind them? Why did that kingdom stop trading with another? This can also help you build more convincing antagonists.
4. The little things
Sensory details reveal heaps about a world and add depth to scenes. They are key to a convincing story - the feeling of immersion as opposed to just reading words. Is a character drinking coffee? Mention the smell or the taste. Maybe it rains a lot and your character comments on having cold, wet feet. Or perhaps they're uncomfortable trudging through the desert with their clothes sticking to them. Little details enrich your story. They also add voice - let your characters show off their personalities!
Ultimately, everything I do comes back to character. Once they start opening up to me, I uncover the details I need to flesh out the world. And I always, always tweak the world to serve them when I'm outlining - not the other way around. World-building is FUN. Don't let it intimidate you! :)
Next week - how to release all the necessary details about your cool world and its inhabitants without overwhelming your readers!
Monday, 4 January 2016
Maintaining Passion for a Story
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all had a great time over the holidays. And, I hope if you're writing (or planning on writing), you stick with it. It's easy when life gets in the way to let writing slip down your priority list - don't let that happen to you. Here are my tips on how to maintain your passion for your story, and see it all the way through to the end.
1. Remember why you started it
You didn't commit to the scary craziness that is writing a novel for nothing. Something awesome - a character, a world, a cool premise - sparked your interest enough to even think about writing a whole book. When you're staring at a blank page and can't figure out how to get things moving again, always return to that seed. Maybe it doesn't excite you anymore. That's okay. It happens. But more often than not, you just lose sight of it. Refocus and you can push through!
2. Listen to your instincts
Maybe you've taken a wrong turn, or you've lost the sense of who your characters are. You could be losing interest because you know, deep down, that you need to step back and have a think before moving forward. This is great! It saves you time in the long run if you don't need to trash half a novel because it's flat or plain wrong. Think back to when you last loved your novel, and how it could take a different turn.
3. Ignore negative voices
This is a big one. It's so, so easy to let outside influences bring you down. Maybe no one understands your dream of becoming a published author, or rejections come flooding in and you don't see the point in pressing forward with a new manuscript. Writers deflect a lot of awkward questions and opinions, especially over the holidays - it's a minefield, I know. Shut all of this out and focus on what you can control - your story. Don't ever believe that it's not worth your while.
4. Break it into manageable chunks
Everyone struggles through The Middle. It's a maze of possible wrong turns and difficulties - don't stress. Take it one scene at a time. Don't fret about word count, and work at your own pace. Don't worry about how much you have left to write or fix. Think about how excited you are to find out what happens next.
5. Pause when you could write more
I find it really effective to stop writing right before something is about to happen. Unless I'm really in the zone, I always give myself a 'reward' for returning to my desk - a confrontation I can't wait to write, a kissing scene...anything. I also often write the first paragraph of a new chapter or scene before I stop so I have something to work with when I start writing again. I find this really helpful.
Sometimes, the passion for that story really isn't there anymore. Don't stress. It happens to everyone. But often, if you keep pushing, you can maintain passion for your story - enough to keep you ploughing through revisions and beyond.
Here's to a successful year of writing, everyone!
1. Remember why you started it
You didn't commit to the scary craziness that is writing a novel for nothing. Something awesome - a character, a world, a cool premise - sparked your interest enough to even think about writing a whole book. When you're staring at a blank page and can't figure out how to get things moving again, always return to that seed. Maybe it doesn't excite you anymore. That's okay. It happens. But more often than not, you just lose sight of it. Refocus and you can push through!
2. Listen to your instincts
Maybe you've taken a wrong turn, or you've lost the sense of who your characters are. You could be losing interest because you know, deep down, that you need to step back and have a think before moving forward. This is great! It saves you time in the long run if you don't need to trash half a novel because it's flat or plain wrong. Think back to when you last loved your novel, and how it could take a different turn.
3. Ignore negative voices
This is a big one. It's so, so easy to let outside influences bring you down. Maybe no one understands your dream of becoming a published author, or rejections come flooding in and you don't see the point in pressing forward with a new manuscript. Writers deflect a lot of awkward questions and opinions, especially over the holidays - it's a minefield, I know. Shut all of this out and focus on what you can control - your story. Don't ever believe that it's not worth your while.
4. Break it into manageable chunks
Everyone struggles through The Middle. It's a maze of possible wrong turns and difficulties - don't stress. Take it one scene at a time. Don't fret about word count, and work at your own pace. Don't worry about how much you have left to write or fix. Think about how excited you are to find out what happens next.
5. Pause when you could write more
I find it really effective to stop writing right before something is about to happen. Unless I'm really in the zone, I always give myself a 'reward' for returning to my desk - a confrontation I can't wait to write, a kissing scene...anything. I also often write the first paragraph of a new chapter or scene before I stop so I have something to work with when I start writing again. I find this really helpful.
Sometimes, the passion for that story really isn't there anymore. Don't stress. It happens to everyone. But often, if you keep pushing, you can maintain passion for your story - enough to keep you ploughing through revisions and beyond.
Here's to a successful year of writing, everyone!
Saturday, 19 December 2015
Looking Back on 2015, and 2016 Goals
So, after spending all afternoon working on an outline for my latest manuscript (yay!), I started thinking about my goals for 2015 - and what I'd love to achieve in 2016. In January, I promised myself that I would:
A) Query THE MAID AND THE CRIMSON BLADE
I didn't achieve this goal, but only because TMatCB is now HOUSE OF SMOULDERING TEARS. In brief, I picked TMatCB apart, kept my heroine and some of the other characters, threw them into a whole new world, and so HoST was born. In 2015, I learned how to accept when a manuscript isn't working. And, I gained the courage to burn said manuscript and forge a new one from the ashes, so to speak. Okay...now I sound like my heroine!
Sometimes, you have to let a manuscript go - or at least be daring enough to rewrite the thing.
B) Find time to read more books
Yeah, I definitely made time to read more this year. I explored genres I wouldn't normally read, and branching out fuelled my creativity in unexpected ways.
C) Exercise more
Lol, LET'S JUST SKIP THIS ONE.
D) Draft something new
I drafted HoST, half of another manuscript I'm shelving for now, and a few other random things. So yeah, I'm calling this a success!
E) Never forget why I'm doing this
This is a big one. I am a writer. It's what I love. I didn't forget that this year - not even once.
So, goals for 2016:
A) Get an agent
I have literally no control over whether or not this happens, but publication is my dream and I'm determined to chase it this coming year.
B) Draft two more books
I'm about to start a new manuscript - that's one draft. And, whatever happens with HoST, I'm working on the sequels. I adore the characters, the world...everything. At the very least, I'll rewrite HoST if need be. But, if HoST is simply not working, then I'll have something new to hopefully query later in the year.
C) Never give up
Like I said, I have no control over what will happen with HoST, or anything else I write. But I will NOT give up on my dream. Achieving it is my only option - however long it takes!
I wish you all a happy, healthy and successful 2016!
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Choosing Between Ideas
I've been super busy recently, so I haven't had the chance to blog in a while. But now it's time to start on a new WIP (yay!), so I thought I'd explain how I choose between ideas.
Like all writers, I have lots of little plot bunnies bouncing around inside my head. At the moment, I have pitches jotted down for fifteen different YA fantasies. FIFTEEN. How do I decide which one to focus on first?
I try not to worry too much about market viability at this stage. I'm aware of trends and what else is out there, but now isn't the time for limiting my creativity. If an idea really speaks to me, I can always work on making it stand out before I start drafting.
I build everything around character. So, at this point, I look at those pitches and consider which characters appeal to me the most. Do I have a sense of who they are? Do I understand the challenges they face, and what burdens they carry? Can I visualise the main character and/or supporting characters, and maybe even the opening scene? Sometimes I'll come up with a cool concept, world or magic system first. But unless I can answer those questions, I can't get excited about the project and it always stalls.
Then, I get a notebook and start jotting things down to see if I can identify the heart of the story, or the story question. I know I'm on the right track when I understand how the story ends (and why it ends the way it does). At this point, I'll actually draft another pitch and possibly even the query. When I have the right character, the core conflict and stakes come pretty naturally to me, and I'm now VERY enthusiastic about the project. There's a good chance I'll dance at my desk. With all these feelings, I know this project is The One to work on.
Once I have a main character (and possibly even other characters) I consider how to make my project more original if marketability is an issue. Otherwise, I'll work on getting to know my characters better. I'm going to spend a lot of time with them, so I need to know their quirks and understand their personalities. I thought of an awesome concept recently, but I just couldn't visualise the MC and I didn't feel passionate about her journey. I stalled. But when I returned to my pitch list, another character and her dilemma called to me - and I can't wait to get started!
Everyone has a different process, and every project has its own unique challenges, but if you're struggling to pick an idea, I recommend starting from character. I wrote my Pitch Wars manuscript because I fell in love with the characters and their issues, so I'd say this process works pretty well! :)
This also applies if you're struggling to come up with an idea in the first place. Think of someone you'd love to write about, and what kind of challenges they face. You never know what you'll end up with!
I'll be talking about how I maintain passion for a story next year! :)
Like all writers, I have lots of little plot bunnies bouncing around inside my head. At the moment, I have pitches jotted down for fifteen different YA fantasies. FIFTEEN. How do I decide which one to focus on first?
I try not to worry too much about market viability at this stage. I'm aware of trends and what else is out there, but now isn't the time for limiting my creativity. If an idea really speaks to me, I can always work on making it stand out before I start drafting.
I build everything around character. So, at this point, I look at those pitches and consider which characters appeal to me the most. Do I have a sense of who they are? Do I understand the challenges they face, and what burdens they carry? Can I visualise the main character and/or supporting characters, and maybe even the opening scene? Sometimes I'll come up with a cool concept, world or magic system first. But unless I can answer those questions, I can't get excited about the project and it always stalls.
Then, I get a notebook and start jotting things down to see if I can identify the heart of the story, or the story question. I know I'm on the right track when I understand how the story ends (and why it ends the way it does). At this point, I'll actually draft another pitch and possibly even the query. When I have the right character, the core conflict and stakes come pretty naturally to me, and I'm now VERY enthusiastic about the project. There's a good chance I'll dance at my desk. With all these feelings, I know this project is The One to work on.
Once I have a main character (and possibly even other characters) I consider how to make my project more original if marketability is an issue. Otherwise, I'll work on getting to know my characters better. I'm going to spend a lot of time with them, so I need to know their quirks and understand their personalities. I thought of an awesome concept recently, but I just couldn't visualise the MC and I didn't feel passionate about her journey. I stalled. But when I returned to my pitch list, another character and her dilemma called to me - and I can't wait to get started!
Everyone has a different process, and every project has its own unique challenges, but if you're struggling to pick an idea, I recommend starting from character. I wrote my Pitch Wars manuscript because I fell in love with the characters and their issues, so I'd say this process works pretty well! :)
This also applies if you're struggling to come up with an idea in the first place. Think of someone you'd love to write about, and what kind of challenges they face. You never know what you'll end up with!
I'll be talking about how I maintain passion for a story next year! :)
Friday, 30 October 2015
My Pitch Wars 2015 Experience
I haven't updated this blog for what feels like forever because I have been super busy writing and editing! In September I got into a contest called Pitch Wars, where writers get selected to work with agented/published authors in order to make their manuscripts shiny and ready for agents - yay! If you want to check out my informal bio for Pitch Wars and a little bit about my manuscript, you can find it here!
This post is about what I've learned over the last eight or so weeks - A LOT - and I'd like to offer some tips and advice to other writers based on everything I've gained from this amazing experience!
1. Always have a PLAN.
Eight weeks is not a lot of time to edit a manuscript, polish it up and write a compelling pitch, but tight deadlines are pretty common so it's vital to have a coping strategy. And by that I mean you need a plan outlining everything you need to do and how you plan on doing it. Breaking everything down this way not only makes everything less scary (trust me), but ensures you don't forget anything.
As soon as I got my first edit letter, I cracked open a new notebook. I jotted down all the key points and any solutions that popped into my head. At first glance, it wasn't difficult to rank everything in order of priority - starting with large-scale arc changes down to line edits. Luckily for me, my mentors are geniuses who touched on everything I secretly wanted to change but didn't know how, but without outlining the necessary changes I would have had no idea where to begin. I plotted out my plan of attack and set myself strict deadlines - I managed to turn in my big picture edits EARLY, even if I still had a bit of work left to do on a smaller scale.
On that note - deadlines are important and Pitch Wars is seriously good practice for understanding what deadlines will be like down the road if all goes well. So yeah, have a PLAN and you'll be okay!!
2. Editing is scary. But it's manageable. You will survive - I promise.
So I suppose I've made it sound like I wasn't all that daunted by revisions - not true! Truthfully, the thought of all the new scenes I had to write and relationships I had to develop made me eat a lot of candy and flail. But I didn't dwell on my feelings. To make a manuscript stand out, to make it publishable, sometimes big changes have to be made. Is it painful? Sure. Is it doable? Absolutely. Because after having a plan comes having the right ATTITUDE. If I'm ever lucky enough to work with an agent and editor, I'll no doubt be asked to make more changes. That's just how it is. But I am 10000% more in love with my stories and charactersthan before, so the flailing (and toothache!) was worth it.
You can handle any scale of revision - even if it feels insurmountable at first. Don't be afraid to do what's necessary for your book baby!
3. The writing community is incredible. Make the most of it!
I already knew this, but seriously, reach out to your fellow writers. Help each other. Offer encouragement (and virtual hugs when things get tough). Part of what makes Pitch Wars so awesome is the camaraderie between mentees and sharing this journey with other writers. You'll make new friends if you seek them out, and maybe even some critique partners for future manuscripts!
So, there you have it - the key things I can take from this contest, and hopefully writers reading this find something useful in my ramblings!
I cannot thank Brenda Drake enough for this incredible opportunity - you do so much for the writing community, Brenda, it's amazing! And to my mentors Kathryn Purdie, Shannon Parker and Janet Taylor - you guys have been so, so supportive and encouraging, and I can't thank you enough for believing in my story enough to help me make it shine! You all totally 'got' my story and characters, and I am so grateful for that.
Best of luck to everyone participating! I can't wait and I wish everyone ALL THE SUCCESS!
This post is about what I've learned over the last eight or so weeks - A LOT - and I'd like to offer some tips and advice to other writers based on everything I've gained from this amazing experience!
1. Always have a PLAN.
Eight weeks is not a lot of time to edit a manuscript, polish it up and write a compelling pitch, but tight deadlines are pretty common so it's vital to have a coping strategy. And by that I mean you need a plan outlining everything you need to do and how you plan on doing it. Breaking everything down this way not only makes everything less scary (trust me), but ensures you don't forget anything.
As soon as I got my first edit letter, I cracked open a new notebook. I jotted down all the key points and any solutions that popped into my head. At first glance, it wasn't difficult to rank everything in order of priority - starting with large-scale arc changes down to line edits. Luckily for me, my mentors are geniuses who touched on everything I secretly wanted to change but didn't know how, but without outlining the necessary changes I would have had no idea where to begin. I plotted out my plan of attack and set myself strict deadlines - I managed to turn in my big picture edits EARLY, even if I still had a bit of work left to do on a smaller scale.
On that note - deadlines are important and Pitch Wars is seriously good practice for understanding what deadlines will be like down the road if all goes well. So yeah, have a PLAN and you'll be okay!!
2. Editing is scary. But it's manageable. You will survive - I promise.
So I suppose I've made it sound like I wasn't all that daunted by revisions - not true! Truthfully, the thought of all the new scenes I had to write and relationships I had to develop made me eat a lot of candy and flail. But I didn't dwell on my feelings. To make a manuscript stand out, to make it publishable, sometimes big changes have to be made. Is it painful? Sure. Is it doable? Absolutely. Because after having a plan comes having the right ATTITUDE. If I'm ever lucky enough to work with an agent and editor, I'll no doubt be asked to make more changes. That's just how it is. But I am 10000% more in love with my stories and charactersthan before, so the flailing (and toothache!) was worth it.
You can handle any scale of revision - even if it feels insurmountable at first. Don't be afraid to do what's necessary for your book baby!
3. The writing community is incredible. Make the most of it!
I already knew this, but seriously, reach out to your fellow writers. Help each other. Offer encouragement (and virtual hugs when things get tough). Part of what makes Pitch Wars so awesome is the camaraderie between mentees and sharing this journey with other writers. You'll make new friends if you seek them out, and maybe even some critique partners for future manuscripts!
So, there you have it - the key things I can take from this contest, and hopefully writers reading this find something useful in my ramblings!
I cannot thank Brenda Drake enough for this incredible opportunity - you do so much for the writing community, Brenda, it's amazing! And to my mentors Kathryn Purdie, Shannon Parker and Janet Taylor - you guys have been so, so supportive and encouraging, and I can't thank you enough for believing in my story enough to help me make it shine! You all totally 'got' my story and characters, and I am so grateful for that.
Best of luck to everyone participating! I can't wait and I wish everyone ALL THE SUCCESS!
Sunday, 14 June 2015
The Joy of Beat Sheets
So right now I'm knee-deep in the Editing Cave of Doom, but I'm taking a break to blog about my favourite synopsis tool: the beat sheet.
What is a beat sheet, then? Basically, it's a way of mapping out the plot points that determine the direction of your story. Whether you like to outline meticulously or fly by the seat of your pants, there will come a time when you have to consider how solid your plot is, and if there are strong enough conflicts and challenges to propel your story forward from point A to end point B.
Without a compelling plot, your characters just kind of meander around doing pointless stuff with no clear goal. And just as bad, you might have a lot going on, but none of it gels together to create a solid, developing narrative. I am guilty of BOTH plotting fails, but that all changed when I discovered the beat sheet. At the same time, I changed my whole approach to synopsis writing.
Before I start writing a new novel, I now like to have a solid idea of the major turning points - the events that'll shift the direction of the novel in the most meaningful way. I like to know specifically how my character will be dragged into the action kicking and screaming, or how and why they choose to get involved. I consider how the gears shift again around the midpoint, then what major event launches my characters into the final act. I have a clear idea of how the novel will end, and how the characters have changed by this point - during this process, I also note how the characters themselves develop and grow.
These major events are the bare bones of a synopsis. If I make a note of them, I can later develop those one or two lines into a skeletal synopsis. If I go a step further and consider the smaller conflicts and decisions linking all those major parts together, I pretty much have a draft synopsis in front of me before I even start writing. It's not perfect, and I still have to redraft (and redraft some more), but I can test my story for major problems before getting too far into a draft. This solves serious headaches further down the line when you realise your chapter has no real goal, or something equally nightmarish.
So how do you create these things? You can simply write your turning points down on a sheet of paper. Or, you can find amazing style sheets (and lots more detail on beats themselves) here. Seriously, go look. I learned everything I know about beat sheets from Jami Gold's amazing writing guides! They might look intimidating, but they'll transform your writing.
Try it - it's sure helped me, so hopefully you take something useful away, too. In summary: thanks to beat sheets, it took me a HALF HOUR to draft a relatively competent synopsis instead of days like before. If synopsis writing gets you down, TRY THIS.
Finally - Susan Dennard's guide to writing a synopsis is also seriously useful, and explains the major events you need to include in a really clear, succinct manner, whether you're just new to story structure or more experienced. Find it right here.
Happy synopsis writing, fellow writers! :)
What is a beat sheet, then? Basically, it's a way of mapping out the plot points that determine the direction of your story. Whether you like to outline meticulously or fly by the seat of your pants, there will come a time when you have to consider how solid your plot is, and if there are strong enough conflicts and challenges to propel your story forward from point A to end point B.
Without a compelling plot, your characters just kind of meander around doing pointless stuff with no clear goal. And just as bad, you might have a lot going on, but none of it gels together to create a solid, developing narrative. I am guilty of BOTH plotting fails, but that all changed when I discovered the beat sheet. At the same time, I changed my whole approach to synopsis writing.
Before I start writing a new novel, I now like to have a solid idea of the major turning points - the events that'll shift the direction of the novel in the most meaningful way. I like to know specifically how my character will be dragged into the action kicking and screaming, or how and why they choose to get involved. I consider how the gears shift again around the midpoint, then what major event launches my characters into the final act. I have a clear idea of how the novel will end, and how the characters have changed by this point - during this process, I also note how the characters themselves develop and grow.
These major events are the bare bones of a synopsis. If I make a note of them, I can later develop those one or two lines into a skeletal synopsis. If I go a step further and consider the smaller conflicts and decisions linking all those major parts together, I pretty much have a draft synopsis in front of me before I even start writing. It's not perfect, and I still have to redraft (and redraft some more), but I can test my story for major problems before getting too far into a draft. This solves serious headaches further down the line when you realise your chapter has no real goal, or something equally nightmarish.
So how do you create these things? You can simply write your turning points down on a sheet of paper. Or, you can find amazing style sheets (and lots more detail on beats themselves) here. Seriously, go look. I learned everything I know about beat sheets from Jami Gold's amazing writing guides! They might look intimidating, but they'll transform your writing.
Try it - it's sure helped me, so hopefully you take something useful away, too. In summary: thanks to beat sheets, it took me a HALF HOUR to draft a relatively competent synopsis instead of days like before. If synopsis writing gets you down, TRY THIS.
Finally - Susan Dennard's guide to writing a synopsis is also seriously useful, and explains the major events you need to include in a really clear, succinct manner, whether you're just new to story structure or more experienced. Find it right here.
Happy synopsis writing, fellow writers! :)
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