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First, I must confess a shameless partiality toward Carol Lynch William’s WIFYR conference. Pronounced, wiff-er or wife-er, it is coming in June. It’s time to get your WIFYR on.
The assistants met today to plan. It felt good to be back with a community of writers. That is what the conference is about, coming out of our solitary endeavors and sharing with like-minded others. No matter your level of skill or where you are along the spectrum, there are others cheering for you and helping you improve your writing. The draw is the the collegiality, the chance to mingle with other writers.
The WIFYR site is almost up. Technicals issues, you know how they go. The authors include: Dean Hughes, Dave Farland, Kathi Appelt, Dan Wells, Julie Berry (whom I’m assisting for), Lisa Mangum, Jennifer Adams,Ann Cannon (whom I’ve assisted for previously and can attest is a kind heart and an entertaining writer. And of course, Carol.
You should consider joining WIFYR this year. It will do you and your writing good. All the local conferences - LTUE, LDStorymakers, League of Utah Writers - have a community of writers in common. It is inspiring to being in their midst. WIFYR offers five intensive days of it. The level of commitment varies with each writer depending on cost, time, and other commitments. There are less expensive options for just the afternoon sessions or one of the daily mini-workshops. But I say take a big bite of the whole thing. The morning workshops is where real writing takes place. Knowledgeable, published authors pour over your manuscript and offer suggestions. Ten or twelve of your new best friends, in a gentle and caring manner, look at each other’s stories try to make them all better it. Bang for buck, there is no better deal than this conference.
The most important reason to should consider WIFYR this year is you’ll love yourself for it. You’ll grow as a writer. Your manuscript needs this make-over.
0 Comments on Get your WIFYR on as of 1/11/2015 3:50:00 AM
To build a story you must have a story in mind. Plot – characters – conflict. Before you start to layout your plan for that book Dan Wells tells us, don’t start at the beginning, but start at the end. This is not the last chapter. It is the climax. Figure out the external conflict and internal conflict.
Once that is done then go to the other end, the beginning and start. Normally a good book will take a weak or flawed character on a journey that ends with them growing in some way. By the end, they are a better or stronger person because of their journey. I’ve heard Richard Peck tell writer that he always rewrites the first chapter after he is finished the first draft. He says you can’t know where to start until you figure out how the story ends. He is doing the same things as what Dan is suggesting, except Dan is trying to save you from having to rewrite the first chapter.
This system can be applied to almost any writing, including short stories and novellas.
Here are the notes I wrote while watching the videos below:
The Seven Points:
Hook – Starting state loser – weak – flawed.
Plot Turn 1: Introduces conflict. Just as the midpoint moves you from the beginning to end, Plot Turn 1 moves you from the beginning to midpoint. Call to adventure. Introduces the conflict. The character’s world changes: Meets new people – discovers new secrets – follows the White Rabbit.
Pinch 1: Applies pressure – something goes wrong – bad guys attack and the MC is forced to go forward – often used to introduce the villain.
Midpoint: Learns the truth. This is wear the MC changes from reaction to action.
Pinch 2: Applies more pressure until the situation seems hopeless. A plan fails – a mentor dies, leaves the hero alone – the bad guys seem to win. These are the jaws of defeat from which your hero will be snatching victory. Make sure the teeth are sharp.
Plot Turn 2: Moves the story from the midpoint to the end. At the midpoint your MC is determined to do something, and finds the resolution you do it, so Plot Turn 2 is where the MC obtains the final thing they need to make it happen. “The power is in you!” Grasping victory from the jaws of defeat. MC has the piece they need even if they don’t realize it. The piece that gives the character something they decide to do in the climax.
Resolution – What is the climax? MC succeeds, and is now a changed person.
The story is not complete. It is just a skeleton, and needs flesh to fill it out: Rounded characters – Rich environments – Prologue? – Try/Fail cycles – Subplots.
If you haven’t watched Dan Wells videos, you might want to take a few minutes to do so. At least bookmark this page, so when you have a half hour you can watch without wasting time to find it.
Jennifer at Write Kids' Books said, on 12/2/2014 4:08:00 AM
I like this seven-point structure because sometimes, the classic 15-point “beats” system seems too elaborate for a children’s book, particularly one without a “B” plot. Thanks for sharing it in such a clear and understandable way!
Thanks Kathy! Went to a recent plot workshop with Mina Witteman based on Save the Cat. This is a great review!
Kathy Temean said, on 12/5/2014 4:05:00 PM
Laurel,
I know many writers know about the 7 Point System, but sometimes we pick up things we forgot when we read something again. Or sometimes we say we are going to try something, but you haven’t tried it yet. So I am glad you let me know you thought it was a good review.
I just finished reading four books, back to back, and each one was STELLAR. That never happens, so you better believe I’m excited to praise these reads, all of which have a common thread–each features a flawed, unconventional protagonist.
I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER by Dan Wells.
Six Second Summary: John Wayne Cleaver is dangerous, and he knows it. To keep his obsession with serial killer under wraps and under control, he lives by rigid rules he’s written for himself, practicing normal high school life as if it were a private religion that could save him from damnation. After a string of brutal murders terrorizes his town, John has to confront a danger outside himself, a threat he can’t control, a menace to everything and everyone he would love, if only he could.
I loved it because: Wells’ voice is electric–he keeps the action moving at a fast clip, but all the while, we feel the misunderstood, melancholy wounds that John Wayne Cleaver tries to conceal. There are twists and unexpected turns of fate that make I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER nothing less than stone cold stellar–don’t miss it.
Shelve it between:DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER by Jeff Lindsay and your copy of SUPERNATURAL: Season One, two other chilling, thrilling diversions.
BLACK HEART by Holly Black
Six Second Summary: Cassel Sharpe comes from a long line of con artists and curse workers. Everyone wants him–the crime families and feds, but he’s just trying to stay out of trouble and protect the headstrong girl who’s always held his heart. Cassel will need every ounce of wit and will to make one last score, a final play to win his freedom, once and for all.
I loved it because: It’s no secret I adored WHITE CAT and RED GLOVE, but Holly Black outdid herself this time–BLACK HEART is a David Mamet meets Mario Puzo masterpiece, one of the very best trilogy conclusions I’ve ever finished. Get thee to a bookstore right now and pick it up.
Shelve it between: David Mamet’s sleeper con-artist flick, THE SPANISH PRISONERand Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER: PART II. Yeah, it’s that good. A top shelf trilogy.
DROWNING INSTINCT by Ilsa J. Bick
Six Second Summary: Jenna Lord hides a lot of scars–her psycho dad and drunk mother haven’t protected her in life, and when Jenna meets Mitch Anderson, her chemistry teacher and coach, she’s drawn to him. He’s the one person she can trust, the one honest adult who makes her feel safe. In
2 Comments on Books I’ve Loved Lately: Flawed Protagonists, Perfect Reads, last added: 4/29/2012
Today for Trailer Tuesday, check out these trailers for The Fault in our Stars by John Green and Partials by Dan Wells.
The Fault in our Stars by John Green Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.
Partials by Dan Wells Recovered from an off-site ParaGen records facility on July 17, 2063, the above archival footage is from an investor reel, dated March 1, 2056.
Don't miss this year's blockbuster novel, where the very concept of what it means to be human is called into question. Check out PARTIALS now!
2 Comments on Trailer Tuesday: The Fault in our Stars and Partials, last added: 1/11/2012
Kathy, this is great! Thank you! :D
I like this seven-point structure because sometimes, the classic 15-point “beats” system seems too elaborate for a children’s book, particularly one without a “B” plot. Thanks for sharing it in such a clear and understandable way!
Reblogged this on Darlene Beck-Jacobson.
Very helpful post Kathy! Thanks.
Thanks Kathy! Went to a recent plot workshop with Mina Witteman based on Save the Cat. This is a great review!
Laurel,
I know many writers know about the 7 Point System, but sometimes we pick up things we forgot when we read something again. Or sometimes we say we are going to try something, but you haven’t tried it yet. So I am glad you let me know you thought it was a good review.
Thanks,
Kathy