Category Archives: I Write

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I Write…

once uponWriters are always asking other writers about ways to make their own books better. It’s easy to give advice—but sometimes it’s even better to point a writer in the direction of a great teacher. In my quest to help authors around the world, I have compiled a list of books that will help you become a better writer. These books have proved crucial to authors the world over—and, if you don’t know them already, they will more than likely prove to be crucial aids on your journey towards success as a writer.

Donald Maas

Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook

First published in 2004, this is the book that gives backbone to Mr. Maas’s famous Writing the Breakout Novel training modules. Its three sections cover a wide range of topics under the section headings Character Development, Plot Development and General Story Techniques. This workbook should definitely be in your library, especially if commercial success is something you are hoping to achieve.

Diane Ackerman

A Natural History of the Senses

First published in 1991, this book is a grand tour of the realm of the senses. In it she describes the evolution of the kiss, the cuisine of eighteenth century England, and a lot more. Structured into chapters for each sense, this unusual and thought provoking book is a treasure trove for those who are interested in helping readers see what they see and feel what a character feels.

Sol Stein

Solutions for Writers

First published in 2005, this is the essential guidebook on how to write for today. Broken up into sections and covering both fiction and non-fiction, it contains a huge amount of practical advice on issues from the writer’s job, to the Keys to Swift Characterization, to adding Resonance.

Drew Yanno

The 3rd Act

This is a book that has helped many writers over the years. It’s mainly aimed at script writers and features lots of references to many of the best movies of all time. But I don’t think that makes it any less relevant to fiction writers. Plus, there are so few books about how to construct a good ending, this one deserves a place on your shelf just for that reason alone.

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I Write…

once uponThis week’s “I Write” blog article is all about writing fiction. We are doing a series of articles examining the way fiction writers, well, write! We will look at how to start your book, how to create your characters, how to work your chapters and how to give your character’s obstacles that can be either devastating or overcome. This week will all be about the building blocks of a book.

Keep Tense

Time and time again you’ll hear fiction writers and instructors telling you that you have to start with action! I think it’s better to start with a nice big healthy dose of tension, like a character falling short on a goal that causes the story to continue— a character who can’t save his father from falling off the side of the cliff. A character who can’t walk but tries desperately to do so. Add tension—add excitement.

Know Your Characters

Interesting stories come from characters who want something. Lovers want each other. Writing a fiction book requires that you have interesting characters, and characters who have strong wants and desires are the most compelling kind there are.

Chapters Ending on a Cliff

End each chapter with a question that needs to be answered. You don’t have to tie up the book with each question answered, and even if you do, there’s nothing stopping you from asking more questions. Fiction is built on the interest of the reader. If you don’t get them interested early on—why should they bother finishing the book? Why would they read a possible sequel?

Obstacles to Overcome

The obstacles can be as difficult as you want (and should be pretty darn difficult to help spice up the story). But the key here is that they have to be able to overcome the obstacle no matter what it is—drug addiction, in love with a person who’s on the antagonist’s side, etc. Fictional writing is strongest when characters face tough odds and still come through in the end.

The Audience and Your Understanding

What are you writing? A fantasy novel? Erotica? What is this book you seek to write? All of them are written in different ways. Each audience has a different expectation. If you’re writing crime fiction you have to give readers a crime and then give them a story where they are solving the crime, see? You have to give the audience what they want.

YOUR VISION TORCH Series
Achieve Your Dreams, Ignite Your Vision, & Re-engineer Your Life Purpose

AVAILABLE: amazonbarnes and noble   

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More blog articles at www.yourinneryou.com
Dear Princess Column at: www.sentimentalnursewriter.com

Download your free sample here