When tackling a book do you map it all out ahead of time with a storyboard illustrating the beginning, meticulous plot, turning point, resolution, and end all decided from the start? Do you instead plan the beginning and end and let the middle unfold along the way? Another method, know your beginning and let the rest spontaneously develop.
There is no set in stone correct method. I think it depends on your personality and whether you are analytical or more the creative 'artiste'. I tend to concentrate on a strong beginning and plan and outline as I live the story. I do feel it's important to develop your main characters ahead of time. Who are they inside and out? What's their story? What will cause your reader to relate to them, fall in love with and root for them?
Think about the books you consider to be best sellers. What attributes pulled you in and kept you turning the pages until the end? For me, a biggee is humor. Not a comedic read from front to back but quick witted characters with catchy comebacks as they banter back and forth while deeply entrenched in suspense.
Study your favorite authors. Read their work on tapes or CDs. Experience the different voices, accents, and tones. I love listening to fiction CDs. Two of my favorites are Janet Evanovich and Nora Roberts. Janet's bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is hysterical and why read her male counterpart, the mysterious Latin Ranger when you can hear his dripping with sensuality reprimands and teasing. And Nora's JD Robb series is uniquely set in 2055 and beyond. You've got the sleek, powerful long dark-haired Irishman (ohh that steamy brogue) and the kick butt attitude filled cop wife. (I relate to her, the attitude part)
If you're not sure what kind of writer you are here's a few ideas that may help you to discover a style that will work for you:
Go to your favorite author's website. They usually feature a section of Q & A. Get to know the men and women that pen your beloved titles. They offer great advice, upcoming appearances, and inspiration. Most popular writers experienced rejection in the beginning too. Keep that in mind as you continue sending out those manuscripts.
Take a creative writing class. The first one I took was small, only five students. My teacher would close his eyes and have us read our latest chapter to him, then he'd critique it. He wanted to hear our work the way we had scripted it.
Critique groups also help you to figure out your own style. I meet wiht mine every two weeks. We take up residence in Barnes and Noble, enjoy coffee and read stories. We joke about carving on one of the tables or the railings, 'remember when' as in, remember when we were "starving writers" crafting our best sellers at the local cafe. For those of you who haven't heard about JK Rowling of the Harry Potter Series, that's how she started! The advice of my critique partners is incredibly valuable. Having a regular meeting where others are depending on you to bring writing helps to keep you disciplined and consistent. And that's what it takes to reach "The End"
The last way is just go for it! Try one of the three I mentioned here or make up another. But write and have fun!
Do you have the perfect writing style or some advice that could encourage our fellow writers? I'd love to hear!
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