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Writing a novel and getting it published: That's your goal. And nothing will keep you from making it happen. Such a goal, of course, presents a number of challenges. Make sure you have the tools you need to overcome them and succeed. In THE NOVEL WRITER'S TOOLKIT, NY Times Best-Selling author Bob Mayer shares a veteran writer's hard-won advice with a style that's straight from the hip. He lays out the nuts and bolts of novel writing, along with guidelines for starting, finishing and revising your work. You'll learn how to: Develop story-worthy ideas Translate those ideas into a compelling plot -- one that keeps readers mesmerized Pace your story for maximum excitement Create realistic, complicated characters Submit attention-getting manuscripts Self-contained chapters make it easy to focus on the just the elements you need. Take in the advice, sharpen your skills, and hit the ground running. Mayer provides all the reliable information and instruction you need to make your dreams of publication come true. What are you waiting for? THE NOVEL WRITER'S TOOLKIT ensures that you're properly equipped for success! “A book to inspire, instruct and challenge the writer in everyone.” #1 NY Times Best-Selling Author Susan Wiggs "An invaluable resource for beginning and seasoned writers alike. Don't miss out." #1 NY Times Best-Selling Author Terry Brooks "Something for every writer, from neophyte to old hand. My hat is off to Bob." Best-Selling Myster Writer Elizabeth George
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Outlining & Plot:The Events of Your Story
This presentation is brought by former Green Beret and NY Times bestselling
author of Factual Fiction... Bob Mayer
For more Information:Please contact Bob Mayer at
[email protected] or Jen Talty at [email protected]
Wednesday, June 19, 13
“An invaluable resource for beginning and seasoned writers alike. Don’t miss out.” Terry Brooks. #1 NYT Bestseller.
“Bob Mayer is a gifted writer and generous teacher.” Susan Wiggs. #1 NYT Bestseller.
Wednesday, June 19, 13
Plot•A story is a character trying to resolve a
problem.
•A plot is a series of events that outline the action of a story.
•The characters’ motivations drive the plot toward the climax.
•Time is linear. Usually.
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Outlining•Do you have to outline?
•Genre can make a difference:
•Thrillers/Suspense/Mysteries usually rely more heavily on plot.
•Science Fiction/Fantasy usually needs world-building.
•Literary/Romance rely more heavily on character so plot might have to follow out of character.
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Outlining
•How you organize your life, is how you will
organize your book.
•GET IT OUT OF YOUR HEAD.
•WRITE IT DOWN IN SOME FORMAT.
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Narrative Structure Elements
•Initiating Event.
•Escalating Conflict.
•Crisis.
•Climax.
•Resolution.
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Narrative Structure.
Initiating Event
Escalating ConflictInitiating Event
Crisis
Climax
Resolution
TIME: THE FLOW OF THE STORY
SUSPENSE
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Before The Initiating Event
•Back-Story fills almost half your outline.
•The complete history of:
•Characters.
•Problem.
•Setting.
• Include the antagonist’s complete plan.
•Most of it never gets into the book, but you have to know it.
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Initiating Event•Opening scene does one (or perhaps both) of two
things:
• Introduces the protagonist.
• Introduces the problem.
•This decision tells the reader which is more important.
•The next scene does the other.
•Where you begin writing does not necessarily equal the beginning of the book.
•Who introduces the problem?Wednesday, June 19, 13
The Opening Scene
•The first ‘shot’ is important.
•The first scene is important.
•Your opening scene often mirrors the climactic scene, just at a lower level.
• Sometimes the opening scene is the protagonist vs. antagonist and the antagonist wins.
•Your protagonist, as he/she is at the beginning of the book would most likely fail if suddenly thrust into the climactic scene.
•Your first “shot” sets the tone.
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Escalating Conflict
•For both the protagonist and the antagonist.
•A series of progressive complications that ups the stakes.
•The stakes get higher, the suspense rises, and the pace of the story gets faster.
•Surprise is not suspense.
•Suspense comes from caring about character. (Dancer, TX)
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Crisis
•The darkest moment, when it looks as if all is lost.
•The protagonist reaches the point where she has to make a decision, usually fight or flee.
•The decision leads to a course of action and it shouldn’t be an obvious choice.
•That choice drives the protagonist toward the inevitable collision with the antagonist in the climax.
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Climax•The choice comes to a conclusion.
•The Protagonist versus the Antagonist and one wins.
• Both are on stage. No proxies.
•The solution to the problem introduced in the inciting incident.
•You only get one climactic scene.
•The climactic scene is often the same or a mirror image of the opening scene, just at lower level.
•The protagonist has changed from who she was in the opening scene to the point where she can win.
•As soon as you finish reading a book, go back and re-read the opening chapter.
•Out of the climax, comes the resolution.
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Resolution
•The emotional pay-off to the reader.
•Should be one, short, last scene.
•All subplots should have been closed out prior to the climactic scene, usually in reverse order from when they were introduced.
•A return to stability or a new reality.
•We SEE the change in our protagonist.
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