Writing prompts and I mix about as well as oil and water. I don’t want to do pointless exercises. Translation: if it doesn’t add words to my work-in-progress it is pointless.
When I received my copy of
The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts, I was skeptical. As much as I adore Martha Alderson’s
Youtube videos, I just didn’t see how a book of prompts could get me moving.
Fortunately, Alderson has anticipated this kind of reaction. “While following the plot prompts in this book, no stream of consciousness writing is allowed, unless it applies directly to the advancement of the plot of your story.”
Alderson designed her book with 120 prompts divided equally among 4 sections—The Beginning, The Halfway Point, The Crisis, and the Climax and Conclusion. Let’s say you’ve already worked up the beginning of your novel. Now you’re floundering in the middle. Turn to that section. Seem to have lost all steam as you reach the Crisis? Again, turn to that section in the book.
Each prompt is actually a grouping—an affirmation, a plot prompt and a writing prompt. The affirmation is a “you go” section to help prime the pumps. Next comes the plot prompt which reminds you what you should be considering right now in terms of story development. It might have something to do with your character’s goals or the setting or even the antagonist. Last but not least is the actual writing prompt with instructions for a scene in your story.
The wondrous thing about these prompts is that they are designed to be helpful no matter what kind of story you a writing. Mine is a middle grade fantasy. Not an adult novel. Not a screen play. Not a mystery. Yet, the prompts that got me going could be used in each of these kinds of writing.
The first prompt was to write a scene in which your protagonist takes a step to achieve his goal. My character took such a step, and I pulled down 1200 words. The next day I used a prompt about setting. I always know where my stories take place but the details are hard pressed to make it into the manuscript. This prompt enabled me to move my plot along and set the story more firmly in my fantasy world, and I compiled another 1000 words.
Unlike many other programs, Alderson asks you to come up with your own goal. Planning to write a screenplay? Or a novel? See how long a comparable work is, then divide that number by 30. Write this number of words daily for 30 days and you will have a completed draft. All you need to get yourself moving are the prompts in this book. How do I know? 2200 words in two days and counting. Not bad for someone who can’t stand writing prompts.
Find out more about Sue's writing on her blog, One Writer's Journey.*****
GIVEAWAY: THE PLOT WHISPERER BOOK OF WRITING PROMPTS
We also have
five copies of the book to give away, courtesy of the author, Martha Alderson! After that excellent review, I'm sure you'll want to win a copy for your writer's reference library. Just enter the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a paperback copy of
The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts (ARV $14.95), or a e-copy—reader's choice! The contest is open to US and Canada for a print copy, and internationally for an e-copy. If you have problems using Rafflecopter, be sure you are running the latest version of your web browser and have javascript updated.
a Rafflecopter giveawayGood luck!
Revision.
*Enter your reaction this the word here*
I must say for me, revision is much easier than facing the blank page during the draft phase. However, it can be just as frustrating. Especially when you know what you want to convey but the words don’t want to cooperate with you.
Know that feeling?
*Nod your head*
I think sometimes when we read “finished” work — work that seems so “effortless” that we can forget the hours and energy it takes to make a novel’s world breathe life. When the words disappear into your mind and create emotions and images. It’s magic because you don’t even see the words, you see the novel’s world instead. Alive and fascinating.
News flash: This doesn’t happen the first time out the gate, honey. :)
Revision is where you create the magic.
This is why during my writing retreat, I was so happy to gather ideas and suggestions to make my novel stronger — especially the ending. I’m still torn about what to do but I’m getting closer to my final decision.
One of the craft books I took with me was The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson. This fabulous book is dog-eared with several underlined passages. I just love this book. And I’m very excited that The Plot Whisperer Workbook is coming out in August.
Last night, I was reading some of my Plot Whisperer notes and came across this gem from the author:
“Appreciate that the right words do not always come out the first time. You cannot always convey what you imagine for your story the first, second, third, or even fourth try. Writing is a process. Get the words down. Later you can go back and be brilliant.”
So for those of you who are the revision phase like me, rejoice! Your magic is happening right now. You are in the process of being brilliant. Keep revising! :)
Thanks to the plot consultations I do with writers from all over the world, the plot workshops and retreats I’ve taught and the novels, memoirs and screenplays I've analyzed, I have come to believe that every scene in every book is part of a Universal Story that flows throughout our lives, both in our imaginations and in the reality that surrounds us.
Every story ever told participates in this universal pattern as words grow and expand into sentences, paragraphs, and chapters. What is left after the end of the story has the potential to transform not only the writer but all those who read the story as well.
I teach the Universal Story to writers through plot. Though difficult to accomplish successfully, plot is critical to stories. As I continue to teach and write and consult, I gain new insights into plot . . . and into writers’ lives.
You bring to your writing, your art, and your stories a piece of yourself. In return, the act of creating gives you the possibility of something even greater: true transformation.
The better your understanding of how to integrate the energy of the Universal Story into your story, you come to understand yourself better. You begin to see your writing in a different light. The ways you interact with your writing and with the world around you shifts.
Be forewarned, though. Writing a story can expand your everyday life; it can also destroy the person you are now. Commit to your own journey as your protagonist embarks on hers. Explore your true essence. Whether you emerge from the experience better or worse is your choice. But I believe the act of writing offers you the possibility of transformation.
Your imagination allows you to see worlds invisible to others. Imagine the Universal Story into reality and reclaim a miraculous and mysterious way of being.
"Show, don't tell" is probably the most common advice given to writers. But that's not the whole story.
I've been thinking a lot about this issue in the past weeks. It came up in both large and small ways in a number of the critiques I've done for other writers recently, and it was flagged in my manuscript by a couple of the writers in my wonderful new critique group. I started thinking about researching my thoughts and doing a blog post, but serendipidously, several of the blog's I regularly read posted articles on the subject last week.
Michael Bourret described how he has been seeing a lot of manuscripts that aren't engaging or engrossing because of too much telling.
Mary Kole had a post on "Good Telling" based on an essay she received from Melissa Koosmann, one of her blog readers. The Plot Whisperer (Martha Alderson) also had a great post on
how people may hide strong emotions.
So I'm going to tell you what
I think. And I want to know what
you think. Tell me if you agree or disagree, and let me know how much you think style, skill, POV, and genre fall into the equation.
First, there's a difference between narrative and scene, and each has its role in a novel.
- A scene takes place in real time, in an idenfied location, and it involves action and/or dialogue between characters. By definition, a scene is "show." It engages the reader, engrosses them, and makes them feel connected to what the characters are feeling.
- Narrative summary describes--"tells" about--action or an event, but doesn't show it. Just as you would have a hard time selling a manuscript that's all narrative, you would have a hard time getting a reader to enjoy a book that is all nonstop action. As readers, we need time to breathe and absorb. Narrative serves that purpose.
For me, deciding whether something should go into scene is part of planning the novel, and it comes down to issues of tension and pacing. If you think you need a scene, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Is the event or information significant enough to the story to warrant a full scene?
- Does it move the story forward?
- Does it lead the character toward a turning point or plot point, preferably both, that you want the reader to remember andn experience along with the character?
- Are the events action or reaction? In other words, is something happening, or are the characters making decisions based on something that has already happened?
- If it is action, does it directly impact the POV character and are you giving her an opportunity to react to it?
- Is there identifiable conflict between two characters, between what your main character wants and what she needs, or preferably both?
- Are you providing important information that a reader is likely to skim over, misunderstand, or not care about in narrative form? Remember, the reader doesn't know what you know -- that it's important.
If the answer to any of those questions is affirmative, then you probably don't want to put information into narrative. This goes double for plot devices such as memories, monologues, and so forth. Flashbacks and visions, well-crafted and used sparingly, may work as scenes, but bear in mind that you have to give characters time to react to them. They work best at turning points in your story, the same way that backstory is ideal at turning points, where information is placed in context of past and present combining to help the character make a decision that will lead to resolution an
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I love prompt books to get the creative juices flowing. I have The Plot Whisperer on my Kindle and on my to-read list. This just gave me added incentive to move it up the list.
I have always loved prompts, but find that many are more tailored to writing flash or short stories. I love that this book is geared toward longer stories. I love The Plot Whisperer, so I'm positive this book is just as fabulous!
If this is half as good as the Emotion Thesaurus it's a must-have.
Thank you, Sue, for so clearly describing the intent of the PW Book of Writing Prompts and how to use and get the most out of the book.
I love reading that the prompts are inspiring significant word counts for you.
What a lovely way to start the day.
Happy plotting!
martha
I'm really intrigued by this book and how it works.
I would love to give this book a try. I'm working on the rewrites to my first book.
Great review and a hearty reminder. I, too am a huge fan of Martha Alderson. I love how she is able to demystify plot yet still keep it magic.
Quick update. I used two more of the prompts and have now added 4800 words to my novel. Flexible enough to be useful but pointed enough to make me think about what needs to happen in my story.
--SueBE
I'm not sure I'm a novel kinda gal. I've been working on my collection of short stories - they come easier to me...but I do have a novel in the beginning stages - and I'm stuck.
I love using prompts, and am interested in how they can further develop my novel.
I just recently found this blog and can't stop reading! It would be wonderful to win a copy of this book...I believe it would be very helpful to my writing process. Thank you!
I'm working on a young adult novel and using the oter 2 plot whisperer books already. I can't wait to get ahold of this one too!
Sue:
Do you think the prompts made you write more than you normally would have and/or better than you would have without the prompt? I'm curious if I could use this book as part of my children's novel writing workshop?
Wonderful review, Sue! I love that the prompts actually help you complete your novel. And the idea of dividing your word count by 30 is fantastic. Sounds like another must have for my library!
Margo,
For me, the problem has been that I've had too many deadlines. I do the paying work and then don't work on the novel. Just can't work up the momentum to transition into one more project. The prompts help me do that so I am writing more than I would otherwise. Better? I don't know because this is a rough draft. My rough drafts are just that...rough. It would be a helpful tool for your students to learn to use when they get stuck.
--SueBE
SueBE--I would love to win this. I am in the middle of working on a NaNoWriNOT ;) and could use any prompting/prodding...
Well darn, it looks like I am going to have to get another writing book if I don't win it. This looks really good!
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful review! I also struggle with the purpose of prompts with my work in progress, so I greatly appreciated your honesty and how you were ultimately won over by the prompts. :)
Love books on prompts! Thanks for this giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love anything that can help get those words flowing even a little bit easier.