Thanks I get from writers for the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? is an added gift.
I did the vlog (which I later learned means a video blog) on a lark with my friend Cathy Cress , fiction writer and expert on the aging family and sibling warfare. My vlogs are on plot for writers. Cathy's vlogs Mom Loves You Best - Forgiveness are on sibling reconciliation and forgiveness which grew out of her own life, her writing and her lifelong work. While I filmed her, I was struck how writers could benefit from the juicy and touching and horrific sibling stories she relates for creating more realistic familial back-stories and antagonists in stories and also for tips on how to heal your own personal sibling back-story.
I brought up the idea of creating vlogs. Sight unseen, no explanations needed, Cathy was in. Cathy's latest book: Mom Loves You Best - Forgiveness was just released. The month before I had met my soon-to-be agent at a writers retreat where I was teaching plot and she was teaching about voice and being her -- a high-energy light. Jill Corcoran of the Herman Agency loves my plot teaching. I love everything about her.
I brought up the idea of creating vlogs. Sight unseen, no explanations needed, Cathy was in. Cathy's latest book: Mom Loves You Best - Forgiveness was just released. The month before I had met my soon-to-be agent at a writers retreat where I was teaching plot and she was teaching about voice and being her -- a high-energy light. Jill Corcoran of the Herman Agency loves my plot teaching. I love everything about her.
Cathy's and my spontaneity and rookie filming is evidenced in the first video -- Step One: How Do I Plot the Dramatic Action Plot. If either Cathy or I had heard LingLing (the dog barking) we would have stopped filming and opened the gate. I heard nothing, not even the sound of my own voice or what I was saying. We followed outlines on giant Post-It Notes -- Cathy's amazingly plotted out. Mine more by the seat of your pants.
The series evolved from our own gardens to using cool local landmarks as backdrops on Step Five: How Do I Plot the Three Major Plot-lines in a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay.
By Step Ten: How Do I Plot the the Beginning of a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay. the
4 Comments on The Evolution a Book -- Part One: The Vlog, last added: 8/2/2011
Display Comments
Add a Comment
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: plot whisperer, Blockbuster Plots for Writers, Martha Alderson, Writing is Risky, determination, perseverance, Add a tag
The further I put myself out there teaching, writing, consulting, living, the more vulnerable I feel.
It's risky, following the energy out of the comfortable zone.
Inside a turtle's shell seems the perfect place to dream and imagine. It's also a good place to lick wounds. So many decisions, so much work, too challenging. Always on the edge of barely knowing.
The part that believes I'm not good enough, not smart enough, not enough whispers how easy it would be just to stop...
Safety becomes confining. Life pulses minus one.
Still... the shell is protective and cool and all mine.
So tell me. What about you? Put yourself out there for your writing today? Take any risks?
5 Comments on Writing is Risky, last added: 8/26/2010
Display Comments
Add a Comment
interesting thoughts
I'm so glad Ms. Corcoran had a link on her website that allowed me to find your amazing vlogs! Great advice! I loved them so much that by the end I was desperate for more and purchased the Scene Tracker Kit and the Revision eBook (which I'm downloading now).
Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us!
Thank you for reading the post, write my essay.
Your kind words fill me with joy, Joan. Thank you!
Sounds like you've got yourself some hard work ahead of you.
Enjoy and happy plotting.
Thanks again