Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch (How to tell people about your story)
This was from a short session that James Scott Bell discussed at the Lone Star RWA Conference that I thought you might like: Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch: Every writer needs to be prepared to promote their book at any moment to whomever they meet. You never know when the person you run into will be a potential reader. Or even a potential publisher or agent that's seeking new material. Knowing what to say is a necessary process and once you practice it a few times, you should be able to rattle it off at will. Your elevator pitch should consist of three basic parts, which should be no more than a sentence or two each. Once you have it, it also makes great cover copy. Step One: Identify the Character, their vocation, and the initial situation For example: Greg Davidson, former cop now working as a private investigator, showed up [...]
A great story plot and death?
A great story is life with the dull parts taken out --Alfred Hitchcock I had the opportunity to attend a day long seminar by James Scott Bell on writing and he started out with this quote. I loved it and thought it great to share. I'd also like to add just a few key points from his lecture. The plot of a story can be best and most briefly defined as the record of how a character deals with death. There are three types of death that she/he may face: Physical - most common in thrillers, suspense, and horror Professional -- most common in contemporaries, and literary Psychological -- can cross all genres, but is the key to most comedy How do you define the character's approach to this in a way that keeps the reader reading? Mr. Bell promotes using the LOCK System (Lead, Objective, Confrontation, Knockout (ending)). Lead [...]
On writing — so much to learn
I met Rebecca York at the RWA Conference and I doubt she even remembers meeting me...but she made an impression and after reading her blog, I was so impressed I had to share the knowledge. http://www.onromancewriting.com/2012/10/more-on-details.html For instance, here's one she wrote on conflict: http://www.onromancewriting.com/2012/09/conflictthe-essence-of-good-fiction.html And integrating plot and character: http://www.onromancewriting.com/2012_08_01_archive.html Read some of her posts, she is amazing, and the knowledge applies to all genres.
Plotting for the Non-Plotting, Disorganized, Jump-Right-In Writer
I have read numerous articles on writing that start out with ten steps, three steps, eight things, etc….in other words, a nice neat list of items that will help you plot your next novel. I am not bashing those lists. Yet, for me, the most disorganized of writers –trying to remember those ten things plus those eight things or three – well, it just isn’t going to happen. I need simple and easy. I need something as disorganized but inspiring and fun as…well, I want to be. It’s not because I am too forgetful or stupid to follow a list. Absolutely not (my teen may differ with that observation). I just don’t like rules and people telling me that this is the only or best way to reach your goal of success. Granted, for the most part, there are a few things you really must do as a writer or you’ll never actually [...]
Would you want to be a Moravian?
I got a wild hair last week and decided to attend the Writer's Police Academy in Greensboro, N.C. - I am there now, getting ready to start first session this evening. While waiting for it to start, I drove to Old Salem for a tour of the historical museum there. Sorry. No Witch-burnings or hexes given. And I was so looking forward to that part. BUT I did learn a few interesting things about how certain sayings began in our history. SO, here's a history lesson (mostly related to the printed word) you might find fun: While in ye old salem print press shop, I learned that the reason we call Capitalized Text "upper case" and non-cap "lower-case" was because the big letters were normally stored in the top case (drawer) of the print-press. And, yes, the smaller were in the lower case. How logical. The reason you are "out [...]
Thrill Me, Please….
With entertainment....I love a good thrill, whether a movie or a book. Scare me. Excite me. Keep me guessing what you're going to do...and even if it's you or someone else. Thrillers are fantastic. It doesn't even have to revolve around a crime, although the scare factor gets a bit more intense when it's a matter of life or death (for the characters that is). What is your favorite Thriller Book or Movie of all time? I'm curious as I'd like to read or watch it.
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