Hello, Ken-Yatta.
Thank you for the congrats re: the Children's Choice Award for ENCYCLOPEDIA HORRIFICA! I get nervous in front of crowds, too. But fear can be an inspiration....
Paranormally,
Josh G.
For news about upcoming author appearances in YOUR town, plus other bone-... more

Hello, Ken-Yatta.
Thank you for the congrats re: the Children's Choice Award for ENCYCLOPEDIA HORRIFICA! I get nervous in front of crowds, too. But fear can be an inspiration....
Paranormally,
Josh G.

For news about upcoming author appearances in YOUR town, plus other bone-chilling bonuses, join the mailing list at JoshuaGee.com/join

Thanks for your question. I'm not the best person to ask because I don't outline first. I do character pre-writing, then write a draft, then throw it away and delete the file, and then rewrite until I have something I think I can build into a real story. Hm.
That said, these are craft-boo... more

Thanks for your question. I'm not the best person to ask because I don't outline first. I do character pre-writing, then write a draft, then throw it away and delete the file, and then rewrite until I have something I think I can build into a real story. Hm.

That said, these are craft-books I've found helpful:

FICTION FIRST AID: INSTANT REMEDIES FOR NOVELS, STORIES, AND SCRIPTS by Raymond Obstfeld (Writers Digest, 2002). Excellent resource for revision; highly recommended to novelist at all stages. Great for both global rewrites and spot fixing.

IMMEDIATE FICTION by Jerry Cleaver (St. Martin's Press, 2002). An entertaining, straightforward, faith-filled book that every novelist should read and reread. Craft oriented and tremendously helpful.

THE NOVELIST'S NOTEBOOK by Laurie Henry (Story Press, 1999). "An inspiring journal to help you complete your novel. Filled with imaginative exercises and advice from well-known writers." Written in a conversational, upbeat style, The Novelist's Notebook is a mentor in book form. Includes: planning; beginning to write; necessities; possibilities; when you're stuck; and double-checking and revising.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY? A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO WRITING FICTION by Marion Dane Bauer (Clarion, 1992). An excellent overview of the craft of writing, including story plans, selecting an idea, character, focus, plot, point of view, beginnings, dialogue, story tension, endings, revising, and polishing as well as fiction writing as a career. Marion's clear, conversational style makes for a read as enjoyable as it is enlightening. Though marketed to young writers, also highly recommended to adult writers.