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So true! you know I love Save the Cat but I've read and am similar with all the other plotting systems too. The nine point, the 5 point, the Hero's Journey...etc. It's the combination of everything!

Until recently, I knew nothing about story structure. Laura Pauling has changed me on that. Now I'm pouring through books on the subject, and using the knowledge to strength my stories.

Love your list, Lisa. It's pretty much my list too. :D

I get lots of stuff from here! Yes, these are all good sources (though I admit I don't really read craft books--my attention span actually isn't that long, I'm ashamed to say). And--congrats to Ian!

I am reading The Hunger Games right now (I write MG but a friend asked me to read it with her and who can say no to reading a good book with a pal?) I am analyzing it as I go, like, "Oh, there's the hook" and "Look how she tucked that bit of backstory in so nicely...how many pages in was that and how many characters have we met so far...?"
I was even thinking of writing some info down, just for reference. Or even blogging about what I discover about her Hunger Games formula. Hmmm.

I love On Writing, but have also heard great things about Save the Cat. I'll have to get it--thanks for the tip! :)

Yikes! I get the comparison, but you're much nicer-looking (and much more social) than the guy in the lefthand corner :) I really need to get my hands on a copy of Save the Cat!

Outstanding list, Lisa! Thanks for posting this. It's always a great idea to go to sources like these for inspiration when it's time to revise (I'm there, aargh!)

Oh my gosh, you won't believe this, my blog post for tomorrow is sort of along these same lines. I'll link to yours!

Thanks for that worksheet. I'll check it out.

Right as always, Lisa. I think the experience point is just so important. The richer our lives are, and the more in depth our analysis of life around us, the deeper our writing can be, I think.

And of course, I love reading Harry Potter for inspiration! :-)

Great point - no one formula works for everyone, or even necessarily anyone. You have to just keep learning and writing, to see what works for you.

-Vicki

Congrats to Ian!!! I love all the things that have contributed to your writing style. I think it's an organic thing that grows as we do, and that's part of the fun!

Great list! Analyzing books has been a huge boon for me, and critique partners. Surprised you didn't mention critique partners? Nice point about analyzing the books we didn't like, too. did you see Kristen Lamb's analysis of why the Star Wars prequels weren't as great as the originals? I always felt they didn't have the same "kick" too, but I never could figure out why... great point about taking time to figure out the weaknesses.

Thanks, Lisa. Great post!

Oh congrats to your friend too! :D

Love the list! Like Stina, I think it's very similar to mine, too.

I promise not to tell anyone your secret, cuz I know you have one for writing. All these little hints here and there. You're hiding something!

Waving pom-poms and cheering you on (but not doing the splits because, hello, I'm not 7 any more)

Every novel is a sum of your life experiences and influences. You need loads of practise, of course, but if I may add one more thing:

Don't hold back.

I think this is what helped me get over the line with my seventh manuscript that became the first Ondine book. I let rip. I poured myself into those books and it created a really strong voice. The books make me sound so much more confident than I am in real life. :-D

Thanks for the links too - those beat sheets and comedy writing tips look brilliant.

Thanks heaps!

Oh, nifty links. :) I'm having a mild self-identity crises on pantser/plotter. :)

So true! There's never one formula - we each have to find our own paths and blend our own mixtures. I'm hoping I'm on my way! :)

Yeah, Lisa - Margo makes a great point - how come you didn't mention your critique partners. *giggles* Yay for Ian, Yay for Ian! Love your list. I'm digging James Scott Bell's PLOT AND STRUCTURE and Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD. SAVE THE CAT is next for me.

Ahem - Leslie - I just remedied that on Twitter. :P

Everyone else? Thanks for the awesome comments!! LOVE THEM. Especially the one that said I look better than the guy in the pic. *whistles*

I really like your secret formula. It can be disconcerting to see everything that everyone else is doing, but we each have our own secret formulas that make our books ours. We have to appreciate that. :)

I am that guy in the picture. Where'd you get that picture of me?
The book, The Writer's Journey is good for this subject and it was the first writing book I read.

I just bought Save the Cat and will be reading it soon so thanks for the link to the beat sheet.
Congrats to your partner!

Sooo true. All those different resources combine to help us figure out what works and what doesn't.

I'm going to have to learn to write more romantic scenes and get them steamy. That's what scares me most. I have a hard time bringing my characters there because then everyone will know my fantasies. LOL :D

Awesome resources, Lisa. I LOVE Save the Cat. And I have to tell you that I can see it at work in TD. :D

Martina

It does take a lot of different resources to help each of us find our own formula, doesn't it? That's kind of fascinating. And thanks for the great list. I hadn't heard of Save the Cat before now. Wow!

I love your #3. If I find a story that doesn't seem to work for me, I try and decipher the reasons it didn't. I always learn something new about writing and myself as a writer.

Congrats to Ian Kezsbom--nice to meet another agency-bro! :)

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

Great post! I feel the same way - I learn and draw from so many places and it makes my stories unique to me. :)

People will read whatever they like into a book.
Brenda, when it comes to love scenes, do what's right for the characters.
If you hold back, because you're worried what people will think of you . . . you won't be able to set your characters free. Let them take charge and then all you need to is keep up.

(sometimes I feel like a Peeping Tom when I write kissing scenes because the two of them are going for it, LOL!)