A writer hears it from me when we do a plot consultation -- the mother needs to die at the 1/4 mark / the end of the beginning. Flash forward several years (I mean several, like four or five or six), she hears it again from her critique group. Then she starts reading The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master and unravels that old plot planner I created years before and affixes it to her wall. There it is again, at the one quarter mark -- the mother must die.
By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 9/14/2011
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: screenplay?, a memoir, The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of the Universal Story Structure Any Writer Can Master PlotWriMo, Plot Book Group for Writers, new plot series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Add a tag
The next Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? Plot Book Group for Writers has officially begun!
and visit:
By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 8/21/2011
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Adams Media, The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of the Universal Story Structure Any Writer Can Master PlotWriMo, pre-plot for NaNoWriMo, Capitola Book Cafe, Add a tag
A book launch is like a wedding, a birthday, a coming out party, a graduation. Two people present themselves as individuals and ceremoniously become a couple. We throw a party to celebrate the day we are born. Before family and friends, we introduce a child into adulthood. A book launch signifies the movement away from the private and ordinary world to the communal and part of the whole. It is a moment best marked with a party.
At Fort Mason in San Francisco, we bought books from stacks lining the wall and entered an enormous high ceiling room vibrating with music and packed with people. Her publisher sprang for the party with the drummer from the Grateful Dead and his band, and lights and cake.
By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 7/27/2011
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of the Universal Story Structure Any Writer Can Master PlotWriMo, Nano now what?, 2n International Plot Writing Month, Add a tag
As many of you know Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers hosts the International Plot Writing Month, also known as PlotWriMo or as my friend and short story writer Mary Eastham dubs the month of December, PostNaNoPlot Perfection.
PlotWriMo initially came about to help writers who take part in NaNoWriMo and find at the end of November they are left with a whole lot of words that do not always add up to much.
PlotWriMo annually spans the entire month of December for writers who have a draft of a novel, memoir, screenplay and are wondering, now what?
This is a chance to revision and redefine the plot arch of your project before actually rewriting the manuscript. (This also works for writers without a first draft. Whether you merely have an idea for a story, a few chapters or scenes, just tweak the assignments to make them work for wherever you are in the process.)
Writers follow the blog from all over the world everyday every December for plot tips and tricks and inspiration beginning Dec. 1st to shape their words into a compelling story.
No writing is required. Instead, you'll step back and consider the overall structure and plot of your story, push aside the words and analyze the characters and dramatic action and thematic significance you have written to craft the project into a coherent piece worthy of publication. . Brainstorm for an effortless draft two in the new year.
Have an idea for a novel?
A draft of your screenplay?
Think you've finished the final draft of your memoir?
Wondering, now what?
Everyday, a manageable new assignment tailor-made for the busiest month of the year.
Day-by-day, scene-by-scene, step-by-step tips and tricks and inspiration beginning Dec. 1st.
No writing required.
Craft a draft of your work into a novel, memoir, screenplay in a month’s time.
Who: Anyone who has written a draft of a novel, memoir, or screenplay and is now ready to craft the project into a coherent piece worthy of publication.
Why: The first draft of any writing project is considered the generative phase. The muse is often responsible for much of the generative phase. The writer acts as a conduit and allows the inspiration to come through onto the page. The generative phase is all about getting the words on the page.
At the end of the generative phase, a writer is often faced with a manuscript full of holes and missteps, confusion and chaos. This is part of the process in that editing in the generative phase risks stifling the muse, which often results in stagnation.
Good post !)