This is what I have learned so far from reading 'Writing the Breakout Novel' by Donald Maass.
1) If you don't like the kind of story you're writing, then why would anyone else? And why are you writing it?
2) Don't write what you know....write what you love.
3) Raise the stakes. Up the conflict. Take the one person your MC really counts on....and kill them.
4) Description is important but only as setting. Think of how a place makes you feel, whether that is comfortable or creeped out, and add that to your story.
For other great writing tips, check out Literary Rambles, every Tuesday.
Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteNumbers 1 and 2 are big ones for me. But being the type that his issues committing to ANYTHING, I have to love what I'm doing or it won't get done.
Setting is always an issue for me. Since I come from a place that most of the world isn't really familiar with, speaking a dialect that they wouldn't understand...
Thank you for posting these. Number four resonates with me. Emotion plays a big role in writing.
ReplyDeleteI read this book and I still needed to hear this! I'll have to take this in account for new WIP. Thanx!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Although I think all of us go through phases in our manuscripts where writing is a little more laborious than other parts...and we start to dislike our story a little...but then we come out of it and find ourselves on the other side. I think they call that the "murky middle?" I always have it!
ReplyDelete