Author: Steve Alcorn
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781470102616
Category : Authorship
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Have you started a novel, only to get part way into the manuscript and find yourself stuck? Or do you have an idea for a novel, but aren't sure where to begin? Have you completed a first draft, but feel it doesn't quite have the luster of professional writing? In this lively and fun-to-read guide, Steve Alcorn shows you the remedies you need to achieve success. Step by step, you'll breathe life into old manuscripts, create new novels that read like bestsellers, and put the spark back into your writing life. Topics include: Story Structure Character Building Viewpoint Tense Voice Setting Conflict Suspense Mystery Dialogue Writing Big Beginnings and Endings Getting Published Whether you're a first time novelist still planning your story, or an experienced author looking for ways to bring your fiction to life, How to Fix Your Novel is the ideal prescription.
How to Fix Your Novel
Author: Steve Alcorn
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781470102616
Category : Authorship
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Have you started a novel, only to get part way into the manuscript and find yourself stuck? Or do you have an idea for a novel, but aren't sure where to begin? Have you completed a first draft, but feel it doesn't quite have the luster of professional writing? In this lively and fun-to-read guide, Steve Alcorn shows you the remedies you need to achieve success. Step by step, you'll breathe life into old manuscripts, create new novels that read like bestsellers, and put the spark back into your writing life. Topics include: Story Structure Character Building Viewpoint Tense Voice Setting Conflict Suspense Mystery Dialogue Writing Big Beginnings and Endings Getting Published Whether you're a first time novelist still planning your story, or an experienced author looking for ways to bring your fiction to life, How to Fix Your Novel is the ideal prescription.
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781470102616
Category : Authorship
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Have you started a novel, only to get part way into the manuscript and find yourself stuck? Or do you have an idea for a novel, but aren't sure where to begin? Have you completed a first draft, but feel it doesn't quite have the luster of professional writing? In this lively and fun-to-read guide, Steve Alcorn shows you the remedies you need to achieve success. Step by step, you'll breathe life into old manuscripts, create new novels that read like bestsellers, and put the spark back into your writing life. Topics include: Story Structure Character Building Viewpoint Tense Voice Setting Conflict Suspense Mystery Dialogue Writing Big Beginnings and Endings Getting Published Whether you're a first time novelist still planning your story, or an experienced author looking for ways to bring your fiction to life, How to Fix Your Novel is the ideal prescription.
Elements of Fiction Writing - Scene & Structure
Author: Jack Bickham
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0898799066
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 177
Book Description
Craft your fiction with scene-by-scene flow, logic and readability. An imprisoned man receives an unexpected caller, after which "everything changed..." And the reader is hooked. But whether or not readers will stay on for the entire wild ride will depend on how well the writer structures the story, scene by scene. This book is your game plan for success. Using dozens of examples from his own work - including Dropshot,Tiebreaker and other popular novels - Jack M. Bickham will guide you in building a sturdy framework for your novel, whatever its form or length. You'll learn how to: • "worry" your readers into following your story to the end • prolong your main character's struggle while moving the story ahead • juggle cause and effect to serve your story action As you work on crafting compelling scenes that move the reader, moment by moment, toward the story's resolution, you'll see why... • believable fiction must make more sense than real life • every scene should end in disaster • some scenes should be condensed, and others built big Whatever your story, this book can help you arrive at a happy ending in the company of satisfied readers.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0898799066
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 177
Book Description
Craft your fiction with scene-by-scene flow, logic and readability. An imprisoned man receives an unexpected caller, after which "everything changed..." And the reader is hooked. But whether or not readers will stay on for the entire wild ride will depend on how well the writer structures the story, scene by scene. This book is your game plan for success. Using dozens of examples from his own work - including Dropshot,Tiebreaker and other popular novels - Jack M. Bickham will guide you in building a sturdy framework for your novel, whatever its form or length. You'll learn how to: • "worry" your readers into following your story to the end • prolong your main character's struggle while moving the story ahead • juggle cause and effect to serve your story action As you work on crafting compelling scenes that move the reader, moment by moment, toward the story's resolution, you'll see why... • believable fiction must make more sense than real life • every scene should end in disaster • some scenes should be condensed, and others built big Whatever your story, this book can help you arrive at a happy ending in the company of satisfied readers.
Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft: A Step-By-Step Guide to Revising Your Novel
Author: Janice Hardy
Publisher: Fiction University Press
ISBN: 9780991536450
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 380
Book Description
Get all three Fixing Your Revision Problems books in one omnibus This book contains Fixing Your Character & Point-of-View Problems, Fixing Your Plot & Story Structure Problems, and Fixing Your Setting & Description Problems--PLUS a BONUS workshop: How to Salvage Half-Finished Manuscripts. A strong story has many parts, and when one breaks down, the whole book can fail. Make sure your story is the best it can be to keep your readers hooked. Janice Hardy takes you step-by-step through the novel revision process, from character issues, to plot problems, to description issues. She'll show you how to analyze your draft, spot any problems or weak areas, and fix problems hurting your manuscript. With clear and easy-to-understand examples, Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft offers eleven self-guided workshops that target the common issues that make readers stop reading. It will help you: Flesh out weak characters and build strong character arcs Find the right amount of backstory to enhance, not bog down, your story Create unpredictable plots that keep readers guessing Develop compelling hooks to build tension in every scene Determine the right way to include information without infodumping Fix awkward stage direction and unclear character actions Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft starts every workshop with an analysis and offers multiple revision options in each area. You choose the options that best fit your writing process. Learn how to: Develop a strong and effective revision plan Analyze your manuscript to find its strengths and weaknesses Spot common red flag words for problem areas (such as told prose) Determine the best way to revise a scene, plot, character, or novel Fix problems holding your novel back Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft is an easy-to-follow guide to revising your manuscript and crafting a strong finished draft that will keep readers hooked.
Publisher: Fiction University Press
ISBN: 9780991536450
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 380
Book Description
Get all three Fixing Your Revision Problems books in one omnibus This book contains Fixing Your Character & Point-of-View Problems, Fixing Your Plot & Story Structure Problems, and Fixing Your Setting & Description Problems--PLUS a BONUS workshop: How to Salvage Half-Finished Manuscripts. A strong story has many parts, and when one breaks down, the whole book can fail. Make sure your story is the best it can be to keep your readers hooked. Janice Hardy takes you step-by-step through the novel revision process, from character issues, to plot problems, to description issues. She'll show you how to analyze your draft, spot any problems or weak areas, and fix problems hurting your manuscript. With clear and easy-to-understand examples, Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft offers eleven self-guided workshops that target the common issues that make readers stop reading. It will help you: Flesh out weak characters and build strong character arcs Find the right amount of backstory to enhance, not bog down, your story Create unpredictable plots that keep readers guessing Develop compelling hooks to build tension in every scene Determine the right way to include information without infodumping Fix awkward stage direction and unclear character actions Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft starts every workshop with an analysis and offers multiple revision options in each area. You choose the options that best fit your writing process. Learn how to: Develop a strong and effective revision plan Analyze your manuscript to find its strengths and weaknesses Spot common red flag words for problem areas (such as told prose) Determine the best way to revise a scene, plot, character, or novel Fix problems holding your novel back Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft is an easy-to-follow guide to revising your manuscript and crafting a strong finished draft that will keep readers hooked.
Self-editing for Fiction Writers
Author: Renni Browne
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 248
Book Description
Two professional editors share with expertise and proven techniques for turning manuscripts into published works of fiction.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 248
Book Description
Two professional editors share with expertise and proven techniques for turning manuscripts into published works of fiction.
The Story Grid
Author: Shawn Coyne
Publisher: Black Irish Entertainment LLC
ISBN: 1936891360
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 459
Book Description
WHAT IS THE STORY GRID? The Story Grid is a tool developed by editor Shawn Coyne to analyze stories and provide helpful editorial comments. It's like a CT Scan that takes a photo of the global story and tells the editor or writer what is working, what is not, and what must be done to make what works better and fix what's not. The Story Grid breaks down the component parts of stories to identify the problems. And finding the problems in a story is almost as difficult as the writing of the story itself (maybe even more difficult). The Story Grid is a tool with many applications: 1. It will tell a writer if a Story ?works? or ?doesn't work. 2. It pinpoints story problems but does not emotionally abuse the writer, revealing exactly where a Story (not the person creating the Story'the Story) has failed. 3. It will tell the writer the specific work necessary to fix that Story's problems. 4. It is a tool to re-envision and resuscitate a seemingly irredeemable pile of paper stuck in an attic drawer. 5. It is a tool that can inspire an original creation.
Publisher: Black Irish Entertainment LLC
ISBN: 1936891360
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 459
Book Description
WHAT IS THE STORY GRID? The Story Grid is a tool developed by editor Shawn Coyne to analyze stories and provide helpful editorial comments. It's like a CT Scan that takes a photo of the global story and tells the editor or writer what is working, what is not, and what must be done to make what works better and fix what's not. The Story Grid breaks down the component parts of stories to identify the problems. And finding the problems in a story is almost as difficult as the writing of the story itself (maybe even more difficult). The Story Grid is a tool with many applications: 1. It will tell a writer if a Story ?works? or ?doesn't work. 2. It pinpoints story problems but does not emotionally abuse the writer, revealing exactly where a Story (not the person creating the Story'the Story) has failed. 3. It will tell the writer the specific work necessary to fix that Story's problems. 4. It is a tool to re-envision and resuscitate a seemingly irredeemable pile of paper stuck in an attic drawer. 5. It is a tool that can inspire an original creation.
Angel Stations
Author: Gary Gibson
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 1447221192
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 422
Book Description
For an age, humanity has borrowed from caches of alien technology found in space. Among these artefacts are portals known as Stations, which our spacecraft now use to traverse the galaxy. The ‘Angels’ who created this technology vanished aeons ago, but they left behind powerful enemies with long memories. These are about to target the Stations with a wave of destruction – and nearby worlds will suffer the same fate. One Station orbits the distant planet Kaspar, now occupied by scientists and armed militia who monitor life on the surface. Here, ignorant of our existence, the only known sentient species other than humankind is slowly evolving. But things are about to change. As devastation sweeps the galaxy, Kaspar’s mysterious ‘Citadel’ may be key to repelling this threat. But at what cost to its native inhabitants – and its human guardians?
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 1447221192
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 422
Book Description
For an age, humanity has borrowed from caches of alien technology found in space. Among these artefacts are portals known as Stations, which our spacecraft now use to traverse the galaxy. The ‘Angels’ who created this technology vanished aeons ago, but they left behind powerful enemies with long memories. These are about to target the Stations with a wave of destruction – and nearby worlds will suffer the same fate. One Station orbits the distant planet Kaspar, now occupied by scientists and armed militia who monitor life on the surface. Here, ignorant of our existence, the only known sentient species other than humankind is slowly evolving. But things are about to change. As devastation sweeps the galaxy, Kaspar’s mysterious ‘Citadel’ may be key to repelling this threat. But at what cost to its native inhabitants – and its human guardians?
The Marriage Pact
Author: Michelle Richmond
Publisher: Bantam
ISBN: 0804179867
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 433
Book Description
How far is too far when it comes to protecting your marriage? Find out in this relentlessly paced novel of psychological suspense for anyone who loved The Couple Next Door. “Ranks with The Stepford Wives and Gone Girl as a terrifying look at what it really means to say ‘I do.’”—Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of The Switch Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice’s prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact. The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact. And most of its rules make sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter. . . . Never mention The Pact to anyone. Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples. And then one of them breaks the rules. The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule. For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare. Praise for The Marriage Pact “This fast-paced nail-biter goes in unpredictable directions. . . . It also raises thoughtful questions about individual agency and marital commitment. With strong writing, intriguing characters, and a compelling conceit, this psychological thriller seems destined for the top of summer reading lists. Recommended as a fresh voice for readers of Gillian Flynn or Ruth Ware.”—Library Journal (starred review) “Creepy and engrossing . . . [The Marriage Pact takes] readers deep into the heart of a marriage and exposes some of the darker drives, such as possession and control, that can lurk within even the most harmonious of unions.”—Booklist “Gripping, thought-provoking, and irresistible.”—Dean Koontz “Riveting psychological suspense! This book will keep you up all night, while making you second-guess everything you know and everyone you’ve ever loved.”—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Right Behind You
Publisher: Bantam
ISBN: 0804179867
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 433
Book Description
How far is too far when it comes to protecting your marriage? Find out in this relentlessly paced novel of psychological suspense for anyone who loved The Couple Next Door. “Ranks with The Stepford Wives and Gone Girl as a terrifying look at what it really means to say ‘I do.’”—Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of The Switch Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice’s prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact. The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact. And most of its rules make sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter. . . . Never mention The Pact to anyone. Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples. And then one of them breaks the rules. The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule. For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare. Praise for The Marriage Pact “This fast-paced nail-biter goes in unpredictable directions. . . . It also raises thoughtful questions about individual agency and marital commitment. With strong writing, intriguing characters, and a compelling conceit, this psychological thriller seems destined for the top of summer reading lists. Recommended as a fresh voice for readers of Gillian Flynn or Ruth Ware.”—Library Journal (starred review) “Creepy and engrossing . . . [The Marriage Pact takes] readers deep into the heart of a marriage and exposes some of the darker drives, such as possession and control, that can lurk within even the most harmonious of unions.”—Booklist “Gripping, thought-provoking, and irresistible.”—Dean Koontz “Riveting psychological suspense! This book will keep you up all night, while making you second-guess everything you know and everyone you’ve ever loved.”—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Right Behind You
Book in a Month
Author: Victoria Lynn Schmidt
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1599634317
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 345
Book Description
What Can You Accomplish in 30 Days? If you make time to write and put away all of your excuses, could you stay on track and finish your novel in only a month? With a structured plan and a focused goal, yes, you can! Using a combination of flexible weekly schedules, focused instruction, and detailed worksheets, author Victoria Schmidt leads you through a proven 30-day novel-writing system without the intimidation factor. Book in a Month shows you how to: • Set realistic goals and monitor your progress • Manage your time so that your writing life has room to flourish • Select a story topic that will continue to inspire you throughout the writing process • Quickly outline your entire story so that you have a clear idea of how your plot and characters are going to develop before you start writing • Draft each act of your story by focusing on specific turning points • Keep track of the areas you want to revise without losing your momentum in the middle of your story • Relax and have fun–you are, after all, doing something you love So what are you waiting for? If you've been putting off your book project, let Book in a Month be your guide and find out just how much you can accomplish.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1599634317
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 345
Book Description
What Can You Accomplish in 30 Days? If you make time to write and put away all of your excuses, could you stay on track and finish your novel in only a month? With a structured plan and a focused goal, yes, you can! Using a combination of flexible weekly schedules, focused instruction, and detailed worksheets, author Victoria Schmidt leads you through a proven 30-day novel-writing system without the intimidation factor. Book in a Month shows you how to: • Set realistic goals and monitor your progress • Manage your time so that your writing life has room to flourish • Select a story topic that will continue to inspire you throughout the writing process • Quickly outline your entire story so that you have a clear idea of how your plot and characters are going to develop before you start writing • Draft each act of your story by focusing on specific turning points • Keep track of the areas you want to revise without losing your momentum in the middle of your story • Relax and have fun–you are, after all, doing something you love So what are you waiting for? If you've been putting off your book project, let Book in a Month be your guide and find out just how much you can accomplish.
The Last Draft
Author: Sandra Scofield
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0143131354
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 274
Book Description
The definitive handbook for the novelist who is ready to revise This wise and friendly guide shows writers how to turn first-draft manuscripts into the novels of their dreams. A critic, longtime teacher, and award-winning novelist, Sandra Scofield illustrates how to reread a work of fiction with a view of its subject and vision, and how to take it apart and put it back together again, stronger and deeper. Scofield builds her explanations around helpful concepts like narrative structure, character agency, and core scenes, using models from classic and contemporary writers. The detailed, step-by-step plan laid out in The Last Draft offers invaluable advice to both novice and experienced writers alike. In Scofield, they will find a seasoned, encouraging mentor to steer them through this emotional and intellectual journey.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0143131354
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 274
Book Description
The definitive handbook for the novelist who is ready to revise This wise and friendly guide shows writers how to turn first-draft manuscripts into the novels of their dreams. A critic, longtime teacher, and award-winning novelist, Sandra Scofield illustrates how to reread a work of fiction with a view of its subject and vision, and how to take it apart and put it back together again, stronger and deeper. Scofield builds her explanations around helpful concepts like narrative structure, character agency, and core scenes, using models from classic and contemporary writers. The detailed, step-by-step plan laid out in The Last Draft offers invaluable advice to both novice and experienced writers alike. In Scofield, they will find a seasoned, encouraging mentor to steer them through this emotional and intellectual journey.
Nail Your Novel
Author: Roz Morris
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781461081364
Category : Creative writing
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
By bestselling ghostwriter and book doctor with a top London literary consultancy This book is used by award-winning authors and university creative writing departments. 'A how-to-write book that actually DOES tell you how' 'There are shedloads of books on how to write novels, and a lot of them are longer and considerably less useful' 'I wish I'd had this book a long time ago' 'The author has a proven track record as a writer of fiction, as opposed to writers of "how to write" books' Are you writing a novel? Do you want to make sure you finish? Will you get lost and fizzle out? Will you spend more time reading about how to write than actually getting the words down? Most books on novel-writing will make you read hundreds of pages about character arcs, inciting incidents, heroes' journeys. It's great to know that - but while you're reading about it you're not writing your book. And what these books don't tell you is how to use this learning and get the job done. Nail Your Novel is a writing buddy - and mentor - in a book. In 10 easy steps it will tell you: *how to shape your big idea and make a novel out of it *how to do your research and how to use it *how to organise your time *how to plot and build characters *when you're going to hit problems and what to do about them *how to write on the days you don't feel inspired *how to reread what you've written and polish it. Along the way, Thumbnail Notes give tutorials about storytelling and storycraft - strictly when you need them. The author has written nearly a dozen novels that have made it into print - and this is how she did it. You don't even need to read the whole book before you get started. You read a section, then do as it says. And, once you're finally satisfied, Nail Your Novel will tell you how to sell it to publishers and agents. A FULL index means you can find what you want, when you want it. You've dreamed of writing a novel. Don't procrastinate with another theory book. Don't launch in, get stuck and throw your hard work in a drawer. Nail your novel.
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781461081364
Category : Creative writing
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
By bestselling ghostwriter and book doctor with a top London literary consultancy This book is used by award-winning authors and university creative writing departments. 'A how-to-write book that actually DOES tell you how' 'There are shedloads of books on how to write novels, and a lot of them are longer and considerably less useful' 'I wish I'd had this book a long time ago' 'The author has a proven track record as a writer of fiction, as opposed to writers of "how to write" books' Are you writing a novel? Do you want to make sure you finish? Will you get lost and fizzle out? Will you spend more time reading about how to write than actually getting the words down? Most books on novel-writing will make you read hundreds of pages about character arcs, inciting incidents, heroes' journeys. It's great to know that - but while you're reading about it you're not writing your book. And what these books don't tell you is how to use this learning and get the job done. Nail Your Novel is a writing buddy - and mentor - in a book. In 10 easy steps it will tell you: *how to shape your big idea and make a novel out of it *how to do your research and how to use it *how to organise your time *how to plot and build characters *when you're going to hit problems and what to do about them *how to write on the days you don't feel inspired *how to reread what you've written and polish it. Along the way, Thumbnail Notes give tutorials about storytelling and storycraft - strictly when you need them. The author has written nearly a dozen novels that have made it into print - and this is how she did it. You don't even need to read the whole book before you get started. You read a section, then do as it says. And, once you're finally satisfied, Nail Your Novel will tell you how to sell it to publishers and agents. A FULL index means you can find what you want, when you want it. You've dreamed of writing a novel. Don't procrastinate with another theory book. Don't launch in, get stuck and throw your hard work in a drawer. Nail your novel.