Drastic Revision in Search of Voice

When you revise your novel or story do you look at what you wrote before or start totally from scratch?
Revise Previous Text
Usually, I’ll work with the text that I already have written. The idea here is that I’m close, but it isn’t quite there yet. In this case, I’m refining the text and story as [...]

Can you say that in a novel?

Are there untouchable topics in literature? No, of course, not. But there are topics that are difficult to do well, or it feels like you are preaching.
You know the ones: alcoholism, abortion, medical ethics, underage drinking, etc. These are hard to put into a story or novel and have it work.
Dealing with Flash point, Difficult [...]

Test Your Skill at Characterization

Ever wonder if you’re good at characterization in your novel or story? A good way to evaluate your skill in characterization is the Page 5 Test.
Page 5 Test: Are you Good at Characterization?

Read the first five pages of your manuscript.
Turn over page 5 and on the back,

Obamas & Twilight Impact Baby Names

In two or three years, will we see lots of books with characters named Isabella and Jacob? It’s likely.
Obama’s and Twilight’s Names are Popular: Barack and Malia
The Social Security Administration tracks the most popular names and says that the changes this year bring Isabella and Jacob to the top. However, President Obama’s family has [...]

Old Manuscripts? 2 Questions Before Deciding to Revise

This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series File Cabinets
I’m at a place where I’m looking for a new novel idea. (Yes, I’m still looking around for a new idea. I’m slow this time, but I think I’ve found an event that is fascinating. Reading background material now.)
One strategy I’m using to find [...]

working methods

Find a Working Method that Works for You
My current WIP novel is at a curious stage. I’ve finished two drafts and now have feedback from two readers. I collated all the critiques onto one printout and have made even more notes on these pages.
So, the creative writing problem has been how to proceed from here.

The Best Way to Tell a Story

Finding the Best Way to Tell a Story
First drafts are for finding out what story you are telling. Second and subsequent drafts are for finding the best way to tell that story.
I finished a second draft yesterday and someone asked what I concentrated on in that draft. Basically, refining the story and exploring options for [...]

Plot: My personal approach

My Plotting is Messy
This week, we’ve discusses 9 ways to plot. So, how do I plot?
Basic story line. Two of these are probably worthless for me:

Plot: Software

Plotting Software
I’ve been looking around at plotting software and not finding much. There are a couple interesting programs, though.
Ywriter
This superb program

Plot Enhancers

In parts 1 & 2, I discussed 8 ways to plot. This last plotting idea is about deepening and extending the effectiveness of a plot.
9. Success Plot Enhancers.
There are two books which stand out, not for their overall structure of a novel, but for deepening the impact of a novel: