- The Ending
I have a habit of killing off my characters, so when I read this forthcoming tip, I was deeply touched. "The struggle is life, not death." Beautiful isn't it. I never looked at it this way. Of course I know this truth. Of course I understand the difficulties life hands us, but I never really understood what this meant for my writing. Basically, be careful when you're writing the death of a character. Perhaps it's not always the best option. Death is not always the answer when it comes to resolution or appeal. This is important too because the best stories end with characters, not an idea. Perhaps the idea can still be raised, but it can be done through the character. That being said, good endings never really conclude or close, but rather, they open.
Here are a few ideas on how to end the story: repeat imagery or lines throughout the end of the novel, end with a journey, think of the ending first and then write the climax when plotting the story, and save the best for last.
I'm going to emphasize the latter. Saving the best for last can really be what sets your story apart from all the others. For example, Ned Stark's death in Game of Thrones has literally changed me. I have never been able to read a book and feel for a character again like I have for Ned, and I set every character up to Ned's standards, constantly comparing them. This would not have affected me so greatly if it had not been at the ending of the story. Now I know to say careful when ending the story, but trust me, if you've read the series then you would understand that Ned needed to die in order for the story to develop into five books. The point is, if Ned had died earlier, I would have definitely shut the book and never continued reading the series. Because he was beheaded at the end, I was forced to keep reading, to see if what I had read was a mistake Maybe he will come back, I always thought. Maybe Ned died for something more than what I am understanding. I could not find peace until I knew that he did not die in vain, and after reading the series, I have learned that he did. I am still not over my mourning period, but I do love those books over all others really. Ned is by far my character, mainly because of timing of his death. Know how to manipulate your story line in order to affect your readers as I have been affected. I surely will not forget this great lesson when writing.
- Dialogue
This is what the book called "7 Tools for Talk"
- Let it flow. Write as fast as you can and get it all out, paying no mind to sense or correct writing. Just get it all out there, then worry about editing.
- Act It Out. I'm really shy just to do this with myself, but I tried it once, in a British accent, and I actually think it's the best dialogue I've done in a story before. Just try it. The point of being a writer is to feel the words and make them come alive, so what could be better practice?
- Sidestep the Obvious. This makes me so happy because I resent back and forth dialogue. Try to add new concepts within the conversation, rather than just answering the direct question or comment. Make it interesting, like real life.
- Cultivate Silence. As they are talking, have them focus on something else, look at an item, pause between dialogue. Build the spaces, as we do in everyday conversations.
- Polish a Gem. Now you may edit and perfect.
- Employ confrontation...this is really self-explanatory.
- Drop Words that you know you do not need. Limit them. Words are precious, so don't take them for granted.
Also, a random tip for you...be careful of tag lines. I know, surprising. Nevertheless, they destroy a story, so keep them limited.
- Details
You authenticate things by inventing details on how it works. Get specific with your details, but be careful not to use so many that it distracts the reader from what they are supposed to be able to extract from your story. You don't want to write a story about a woman who is throwing a party and leave the reader putting the book down remembering nothing but the beautiful, Victorian-styled lamp. Try not to make obvious detail either. It has to be believable, yet more interesting than real life. I know it's confusing, but that's the trick of being a writer, being able to balance the impossible. An exercise I know that I will use is observing something in a public place and writing down all the details that I see, but here's the spin...they have to be colorful details, details I can only pick up if I'm paying attention. Try it. See if it helps. Write!
- Adding Real Life to Fiction
Here's the thing...don't do it. It doesn't really work in fiction. However, coincidence isn't believable either. Try to make your story real enough where they can escape into it easily, but not too real where it feels as if they never left their bedroom. A book is a new world, so give your readers a good one. One last thing to remember when it comes to this is that complexities and contradictions of human beings must usually be redefined in fiction without reducing characters to attributes.
- Genres
This one isn't really from the book..it's just my own input. That doesn't meant that you should skip this section. I've learned that you should really stick to your trade. Although it is good to push your boundaries and see what areas of writing you are good at and love, I find it is much more beneficial if you stay true to who you are. Personally, I cannot stand mysteries. Sherlock Holmes will never be a love of mine, sorry Sir Conan Doyle. However, when it comes to historical fiction, my passion is endless. I can read about medieval times until the end of my days. I also feel that writing about history with a creative twist is my trade. I know that I am passionate about, I know that I can write this genre well, and I know that I love the dramatic appeal that history gives the story. Therefore, I will develop my writing skills in this genre, occasionally adding elements of other genres in my story. I would advise you to do the same. I say the rule of thumb isn't write what you know, it's write what you love. After all, isn't love what we are known for?
- How to Get Yourself Writing
One trick that the book gave was using the acronym LIFE.
L= Literature
I = Imagination
F = Folklore
E = Experience
**Using all of these together can help your mind begin to pump creativity into your writer veins. Interpret them as you will.
Other tips to help you think of ideas is to change your perspective. Let serendipity happen by breaking your routine. Don't be afraid to do this, because I guarantee a breath of fresh air is everything for a writer. Set boundaries for the idea you have by building a fence around them. Look for connections. Ask stupid questions...this is my specialty ;). Lastly,when all else fails, question your direction. No matter what, keep writing. DON'T STOP WRITING! STAGNATION WILL BE THE DEATH OF US!
- Revising
Here is a four step plan on revision.
- Edit the Structure
- Edit the Texture
- Edit the Dialogue
- Edit just to edit....edit all you can until you are happy.
You need to know that you will have to stop. Perfection will never be attained. It is not possible. However, you can get pretty darn close, so don't be disheartened. More steps on revision will be in later posts but they are referring to different books.
- Miscellaneous Tips that are just too good to miss out on
Strong verbs are the key to taut writing. This will also help your editing process.
Name as few characters as you can; describe even fewer.
When necessary, it is okay to tell...don't over-dramatize though.
Never skip a step.
Always remember to write. Never stop. Never, ever, ever stop writing.
That's all the tips I have from the book. Don't worry though, for I am not done! I have read a couple more books on how to write and cannot wait to share the information I have learned. By the time you are done reading my blog, you will be a writing expert. For now, cheerio!
It's really nice to see what you are learning and what you will be applying. This is much better than having to look through your notes! I'd love it if you'd include some of the exercises that you are doing...it is more fun to grade them from here.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm not sure when you'll check this, but hopefully typing this will help me remember for tomorrow. Evidently, your paperwork for the independent study is lost, so you'll need to go down to get new paperwork tomorrow.
Alright I'll be sure to get the paperwork in then.
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