Author: Writing your first novel-Some things you should know

Three Act Structure

Writing your first novel-Some things you should knowLeave a comment

Act 1

  • Hook: An event that gets your readers involved in both plot and story.
  • Backstory: Introduces your protagonist and the situation–it’s both plot and story.
  • Trigger: An intense plot event that propels your protagonist into crisis.

Act 2

  • Crisis: A story moment when your protagonist is overcome by her flaw/flaws.
  • Struggle: Your protagonist struggles against ever-increasing obstacles (plot) with deeper despair (story) after each setback.
  • Epiphany: A story moment when your protagonist realizes her flaw and decides to change (unless this is a tragedy).

Act 3

  • Plan: Your protagonist, as a result of the epiphany, can now devise a plan (plot).
  • Climax: Your protagonist confronts the antagonist, who is defeated (unless this is a tragedy) in plot-heavy action.
  • Ending: The plot and story conflicts are resolved.

I think this hand-out pretty much sums it up. It was provided in an online course I took through Udemy. I love the simplicity in the way that Steve Alcorn lays it out. He has a great ‘Novel Writing Workshop’. You should consider checking him out.

As a matter of fact, there are a lot of great writing courses on Udemy for under twenty dollars.

Something to think about.

-Jan R

Three Act Structure

Manuscript Formatting

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , 5 Comments

images2K2CCF4GYour manuscript needs to be perfect. There is no place for misspellings, grammar errors, poor formatting, or plain sloppy writing. Once you’ve corrected the problems, present your manuscript in the standard industry format.

Those of you who have been around for a while know what I’m talking about. Newbies, not so much. So here’s the deal.

  • Double-space.
  • Use a 12-point, Times New Roman font.
  • Use 1-inch margins at the top, bottom, and both sides of the page.
  • Use white paper; do not bind it (if you’re submitting a physical copy).
  • Make sure your last name and the page number are on each page.
  • Do not include illustrations.
  • Put the name of your novel, your name, and your contact information (phone number and email address are sufficient) on the title page.
  • Don’t bother with a copyright notice–it’s meaningless and the mark of an amateur.
  • Submit your manuscript electronically as a PDF, not a word document.

While this is the standard format, you should read the submission requirements carefully whenever you present your work to a publisher or agent to ensure it is formatted per their specifications.  Don’t give them a reason to toss your work to the side.

Something to think about.

-Jan R

Manuscript Formatting

Your Mind Is A Battlefield!

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , , 2 Comments

BrotherWord-Power-of-the-Mind.jpgIf you are constantly looking over your shoulder, you may not finish your novel. You will be too busy battling the thoughts of it not being good enough. No one wants to be humiliated or rejected. Your inner critic will paralyze you by telling you just how bad it really is (even if it’s not).  This is an obstacle that I have had to overcome. It hasn’t gone away, I’ve just learned to deal with it.

I remember doing a Bible study on the battlefield of the mind. Though it’s primary purpose was dealing with spiritual warfare, it also related to many of the issues that we deal with in our everyday lives. Our mind is a battlefield. In writing, for example, all of us worry about looking dumb and never getting published. Fiction writers make a business out of being scared, and not just looking dumb.

It took me six months from the time I started writing my novel, to tell my husband what I was doing. When I finally told him, I was a mess. I knew he would be excited for me and encourage me in my endeavor, and I didn’t want to let him down.

For the longest time, I treated my novel as a hobby. That’s not a mindset that will get you published. When I finished and sent it out to the first few agents, I was more than a little anxious. The first few rejections confirmed my beliefs. I just wasn’t good enough.

Note that I said, “I wasn’t good enough.” Well, that’s not exactly true. The truth is the novel wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t ready. The fact is, it was filled with grammatical and structural errors, there was some serious head hopping going on, and my on-the-nose writing was all but bringing the story to a complete halt. If you are not familiar with these terms you should be. Go back and read the posts I have written or surf the web.

I don’t know that the inner critic will ever go away. So how do you combat it? You keep moving forward and growing in your craft. Don’t stop writing. I still question my novel, but I know, that I know, that I know, that it’s a lot better than it was after the unofficial first draft. I’ve learned the hard way and hope you avoid some of my pitfalls.

-Jan R

Your Mind Is A Battlefield!

Do’s And Don’ts of Dialogue

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , 2 Comments

images-2People Do:

  • People interrupt each other a lot.
  • People Rarely complete a sentence at all.
  • People exaggerate, prevaricate, and lie.
  • People pause. Conversations aren’t continuous, silence is important.
  • People use slang words. They also say uh, um, and yeah a lot.
  • People use profanity.
  • People pair verbal communication with body language.

In real conversations, people also chatter endlessly about nothing, but that’s not something you want to include in your novel. Remember dialogue has to move the story forward.

People Don’t:

  • People don’t make long speeches unless of course, they are making a speech. Conversation involves a lot of back and forth, in very short phrases.
  • People don’t talk in long complex sentences.
  • People rarely talk about things they already know unless a question is asked.
  • People rarely say the name of the person they are conversing with and almost never more than once.
  • People don’t use proper grammar during day to day conversations.

Eavesdrop on conversations at the mall, restaurant, church social, coffee house… I think you’re getting the picture. You can pick up some great examples of dialogue for that next best selling novel you are about to write.

Reminder:  Dialogue and conversation are not always the same. It’s important that you know the differences. I would recommend that you visit my blog: Dialogue Vs. Conversation: They’re Not The Same!.

Something to think about.

-Jan R

Do’s And Don’ts of Dialogue

Add Authenticity By Exploiting Experience

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , , 2 Comments

untitled.pngAdd authenticity to your writing by exploiting your experiences. Use what you know and what you’ve gone through as a person.

Nicolas Spark’s books are set in North Carolina. Why? He lives in North Carolina. He’s familiar with the towns and the customs of the south.

Beyond settings, think of embarrassing moments in your life where you simply wanted to disappear or have a do-over. Is there something there that could be used with your main character. You should have no problem defining the moment. You went through it and have all the raw emotions tucked away in your brain somewhere.

We all go through cycles in our life. I’m in the midlife cycle and often wonder if I’ll ever be successful or do anything meaningful in life. What is my purpose? Think about putting your characters in similar situations to your own. It will help you to connect with them and understand their thought process.

What are your weaknesses? How might you plunder them for story fodder? I have to admit, I’m a little OCD. One of the characters in my current novel is a little OCD. I almost feel as if I’m cheating while writing her story line, because I know her so well she’s a breeze to write.

Who do you know? What your family and friends do for work may be a useful benefit as well. My novel is set, at least for a short period, in Afghanistan. I’ve never been and never will go, but my stepson is in the marines and spent six months there. He provided a wealth of information to get me through the one chapter devoted to the area.

Think of sensations. I love the smell of lavender, the feel of silk against my skin, the beauty of a newly fallen snow. I love calming instrumentals and the taste of chocolate lava cake. I hate the smell of rotten eggs, the feel of burlap against my skin, the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard and the taste of raisins (Yes I hate raisins, unless theyre smothered in chocolate, then I like them 🙂 ). Use your own experiences to make your character’s reactions believable.

Something to think about.

-Jan R

 

Add Authenticity By Exploiting Experience

Facebook-It’s A Gold Mine Of Information

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , , Leave a comment

untitled.pngAccording to Orly Konig, if you use it wisely, social media isn’t a time suck – it’s a gold mine, and I agree.

Why connect on Facebook when you have a local clan or critique partners? It’s called connections, networking, and support. There’s something for everyone.

  • Critique Groups
  • Genre – Specific Groups
  • Association Groups (Women’s Fiction Writers Association, for example)
  • Marketing/Prom Support Groups
  • Agent/Publisher Groups
  • Event – Specific Groups (Writer’s Digest Annual Conference)
  • Reader-Oriented Groups

Facebook groups are a great place to ask questions and get honest answers. It doesn’t matter if you’re starting out or multi-published, there’s always something to learn.

Keep in mind, as with most things, you get what you put in. If you’re joining a critique group, jump in and critique for others. Answer questions and offer advice if it’s a subject you are comfortable with. Share experiences and encouragement with others as appropriate.

Don’t wait until you’re up against the wall and need help to join a Facebook group. If you only come out of the woodwork when you need something and don’t reciprocate, people will notice. Group members are much more likely to go out of their way to help you if they know and respect you.

Something to think about.

-Jan R

 

 

 

Facebook-It’s A Gold Mine Of Information

Infusing Scenes With Tension

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , Leave a comment

images9B8IY8URI love Writer’s Digest. If you’re a serious writer, you should consider subscribing to the magazine. They have great articles from published authors that cover a multitude of subjects-related to writing of course 🙂

I recently picked up a copy of one of my older publications and reread an article by Jordan Rosenfield on building tension, or I guess I should say, quick tips for infusing scenes with tension.

Dramatic tension relies on the reader’s knowledge that something is about to go down – but the details for how or when have yet to be revealed. To create it, you must:

  • Thwart your protagonist’s goals and delay satisfaction.
  • Include unexpected changes without immediate explanation.
  • Shift power back and forth.
  • Throw in a piece of plot information that changes or alters your protagonist.
  • Create a tense atmoshpere through setting and senses.

Tension keeps the reader waiting with baited breath, wondering if the protagonist is going to survive, find love, or achieve his/her goal.

Remember tension keeps your reader turning the page.

Something to think about.

– Jan R

 

 

Infusing Scenes With Tension

Narrative Versus Exposition-They’re Not The Same

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , 10 Comments

NARRATIVE4I remember when I first started taking my writing seriously. I did a lot of research and read a lot of information on how to write a publishable novel. Somewhere along the way, I missed the part were narrative and exposition were not the same. As a matter of fact, I used the two interchangeably.

In response to one of my earlier blogs, a fellow blogger commented that she thought I was wrong in reference to a statement I had made concerning exposition and narrative. She, of course, was right, and as a result, I took a closer look at these two concepts.

Narrative

  • Narrative is your voice as the writer sharing information with your readers.
  • It tells the writer instead of shows.
  • Narrative lets you set the scene and give background information.
  • Used for transitions, it moves the reader from one scene to another.
  • It slows the pace.

Exposition

  • Exposition provides the detached, third-party perspective on a story.
  • Shows the reader what is happening, doesn’t tell them.
  • Uses description to inform and move the story forward.
  • Exposition gives the reader more information, more emotion, and helps with active scenes by quickening the pace.
  • Allows us to hear character thoughts.

In a nutshell, narrative is telling, exposition is showing. I found the following example during my research and thought it did a good job of showing what I am trying to explain.

Exposition: Brian stopped and reached into his pants pocket. He pulled out a lighter. Then, he reached into his lapel pocket for his pack of cigarettes and took one out. He placed the cigarette between his lips, cupped his hands, and lit it. After putting his lighter back in his pants pocket, he resumed walking.

Narration: Brian stopped to light a cigarette and resumed walking.

So much info on this subject. It still can be confusing, and it seems everyone has a different opinion. I would encourage you to do your own homework and think twice about using the two concepts interchangeably. They are not the same.

Something to think about.

-Jan R

Narrative Versus Exposition-They’re Not The Same

Balancing Dialogue and Narrative

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , 4 Comments

dialogue-bullesYou have to find the right balance between dialogue and narrative, especially in the first chapter of your novel. While slow to start openings with a lot of narrative were popular at one time, these days, readers prefer a faster-paced opening.

One way to pick up the pace is to add dialogue. If dialogue just doesn’t work for a particular scene, consider throwing in a line or two of internal thought.

I’m not trying to minimize the importance of narrative. It is very important and necessary for the success of your story. Narrative is used to establish background details, setting, tone, and to set up scenes. However, narrative, by its very nature,  will slow the pace of the story and halt the active momentum.  Too many long sections of narrative will eventually bore the reader.

A quick tip for judging if your novel needs more dialogue is to print out the first chapter. If you see long paragraphs with little white space. You need to add dialogue.

If an agent or publisher sees long paragraphs and no white space, odds are, they are going to toss your work to the side. If a potential customer sees long paragraphs and little to no white space while they skim the pages, odds are, that book is going back on the shelf.  Give your reader some action, get the story moving.

Something to think about.

-Jan R

 

Balancing Dialogue and Narrative