tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post4525042393706865182..comments2023-04-27T04:30:40.440-05:00Comments on Digging Out of Distraction: Twist, Turn, Pivot and Point: Structure & PlotChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-57856159984779761742010-04-13T12:30:33.497-05:002010-04-13T12:30:33.497-05:00Hi Gwen: Yes, there were some excellent bits of ad...Hi Gwen: Yes, there were some excellent bits of advice in the Brooks' book. I am certainly incorporating the "does this scene feel like a set up, a reaction or an action scene" in my revision. <br /><br />But the worst part is, as always, the dreaded cutting! <br /><br />Which is why I haven't been able to blog this week.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-60161320858853333052010-04-13T12:29:19.637-05:002010-04-13T12:29:19.637-05:00Hi Leigh: Thanks for visiting. Yes, the process is...Hi Leigh: Thanks for visiting. Yes, the process is very individual. I yearn for easy fixes, but they simply don't exist. I hope that's not true, but this feels like giving birth to an elephant, not a book, right now.<br /><br />Good luck with your revisions!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-70323430567290866842010-04-12T09:10:22.361-05:002010-04-12T09:10:22.361-05:00My favorite thing about Larry's book was his d...My favorite thing about Larry's book was his description of what your character should be doing in each part. I also like how he split up Act II and described pinch points that remind you of the antagonistic force. I'm a pantser/mister, but I still need some idea of major milestones, and I like knowing whether I'm on track.<br /><br />Wendy: James Scott Bell's book is another favorite. He also has some fun tidbits on Twitter.<br /><br />Terresa: Larry's book is available from storyfix.com.<br /><br />Christine: I can so totally relate to your angst. Good luck!Gwen Hernandezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01394401588845644494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-41275896242153513082010-04-11T14:29:52.132-05:002010-04-11T14:29:52.132-05:00I can empathize with this, Christine. I'm stuc...I can empathize with this, Christine. I'm stuck at Opening Scene, Act 3 with my WIP. I have Final Scene right there: ready, willing and able but this transition point has stopped me in my tracks. Could be why I'm doing yardwork instead.<br /><br />The creative process is as individual as you would expect from creative people. What works for one Successful Author isn't going to rate very high with Another Successful Author. <br /><br />When I worked with a dance company, the Creative Director had a mantra: 'The process is everything.' I don't buy that 100%, but it is certainly a significant part of why we write/create - we like work!<br /><br />Thanks for the insights into your process.<br /><br />LeighVRAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-11238539529595597052010-04-09T16:22:07.213-05:002010-04-09T16:22:07.213-05:00Terresa: it is a wonderful book, but ultimately, I...Terresa: it is a wonderful book, but ultimately, I am flying into the mist on this one again :-). I long to hang my stories onto a framework, and they do, but the framework seems to change all the time. And I think Romances are bit trickier because there are two heroes and that means a romantic black moment and a plot black moment. <br /><br />Ah, what a tangled web I weave.<br /><br />Good luck and definitely check it out--it's work having on your computer (it's an e-book).Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-18348364012263337242010-04-09T15:47:54.042-05:002010-04-09T15:47:54.042-05:00My writing is a lot of "organized chaos,"...My writing is a lot of "organized chaos," too. (sigh)<br /><br />Thanks for the heads up on STORY STRUCTURE-DEMYSTIFIED by Larry Brooks. I'm going to check it out.<br /><br />Happy writing!!*https://www.blogger.com/profile/06484208765656281917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-35193123610726886282010-04-09T12:21:33.163-05:002010-04-09T12:21:33.163-05:00Hi Wendy: I have that book and haven't cracked...Hi Wendy: I have that book and haven't cracked it open yet. For some reason, the Larry Brooks book really resonated with me because he doesn't say outlining is the key. He's really talking about hitting those key points. Of course, that's what all my books say to do. It's how he frames it. I still muddle along with my stories even if I do have the points worked out. The good news is that my hook, my inciting incident and my last major plot point and resolution appear to be cool. Now to find the elusive mid point AGAIN. You know--dreaded chapter ten LOL.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-50080529547210802592010-04-09T10:40:45.566-05:002010-04-09T10:40:45.566-05:00Hi Christine!
I use Plot and Structure by James Sc...Hi Christine!<br />I use Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. It follows the three act structure, like I think most of them do. If I get stuck while writing, I often refer back to it and it helps me clear my thinking.Wendy S Marcushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590562856819593365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-40082769236858204432010-04-09T10:34:05.483-05:002010-04-09T10:34:05.483-05:00Hi MaryC: I remember Scene and Sequel very well. I...Hi MaryC: I remember Scene and Sequel very well. I have used it in my writing. I just don't think there is ONE way to write a book. There are elements we strive to include, that we MUST include, but how we achieve our goals is as varied as the snowflakes dropping out of the sky.<br /><br />I think it's good to have these ideas planted in our heads without trying too hard to twist ourselves into pretzels to crank out the perfect first draft. Some of it will come out organically.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-8318851461734141472010-04-09T10:13:21.097-05:002010-04-09T10:13:21.097-05:00LOL Christine. I'm definitely feeling the same...LOL Christine. I'm definitely feeling the same muddle this week. <br /><br />And just to muddle it some more - I'll throw in Scene and Sequel. I'm rereading Jack Bickham's book on story structure right now and scene and sequel is how he suggests plotting your book.<br /><br />I was thinking the other night that I sort of feel like one of the contestants on American Idol when the judges each give conflicting advice. <br /><br />I read one blog that has a Very Successful Author say "Do This" and so I go back and look at my mss and think Voila! That's what I needed to do. Then I stumble across another blog where another Very Successful Author says "NEVER Do This".Mary Curryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04173540875518117671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-27882662848397108002010-04-09T09:47:55.819-05:002010-04-09T09:47:55.819-05:00KarenG: there are so many ways to label the same i...KarenG: there are so many ways to label the same item on the flow chart it is astounding. <br /><br />I'm just muddling through with my writing and hoping I hit all the marks.<br /><br />:-)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523176879771875815.post-49841463844222869302010-04-09T08:08:59.305-05:002010-04-09T08:08:59.305-05:00Wow, I don't know Christine, I think you'v...Wow, I don't know Christine, I think you've got it all with that list! It's a good one.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.com