I hope everyone had a great weekend. The weather was beautiful here so we soaked it in.
Great job to Kelly for holding such an awesome blogfest. I hope to take part in another one soon.
Thank all you guys for you kind comments and helpful feedback. It's helping me become a stronger writer.
Last week, after my post on my 100 follower contest (click here to enter--ends 4/7) I saw a comment from the author Les Edgerton. I was so honored and excited. As you know, I am giving away his book, Hooked, as one of the prizes in my contest. Mr. Edgerton posts are extremely helpful. Each post is a lesson that can help all of us. He even provides exercises for you to try.
So on that note, I decided to briefly discuss something that I have learned from the book Hooked. All the information is from Mr. Edgerton's book--Hooked. I think I just said that twice but I want to make sure you know that this is where the information came from.
Writing my current WiP is a complete learning experience. I didn't make an outline before I started I just wrote it. I guess you would consider me a panster (I write by the seat of my pants). Some of you may do this, some of you may think I'm crazy but it seems comfortable to me. Reading the book Hooked has been very helpful though. It has helped me dive into the inter-workings of my MC. Below are a few things you may want to think about for your protagonist. I'm not a teacher so I don't have a lot of examples. If you have any questions on this either wait to see if you win this book on Thursday or go and buy it. You will not be dissappointed.
Think about this first before writing your next story--understanding your protagonist's story worthy problem.
The story worthy problem relates more to the protagonist's inner psychology. It's a problem that must change the protagonist's world which forces him on a journey of change. This problem must be hinted at in the first chapter and carry through the entire story until it is resolved in the end.
This is different than surface problems. Surface problems are just little bumps in the road that reflect the story worthy problem but don't have enough meat to sustain an entire story.
All of these items are put into motion by the inciting incident. This is a dramatic scene that pulls the reader in to understand and grasp the protagonist's emotion. This is not to be confused with a melodramatic scene. You must provide drama which equals to conflict. But don't confuse conflict with melodrama. For example, many writers start their stories with a physical scene --like a car crash, fight, etc. This may develop into melodramatic scene. Drama is more the heart and soul of an individual --the psyche. Melodrama is more superficial and external.
Boy, do I need to pick through my MC's brain.
So have you thought about any of these topics for your protagonist?
Are you more of an organized writer or a panster?
See short and sweet. It's Monday people cut me some slack. Mr. Edgerton describes these topics much better than I do and he actually touched on this on his site over the weekend. I just thought I would share.
Check out the awesome contest Roxy from a women's write is having. If you don't- her muse, Daniel Craig, may hunt you down with gun in hand. ends 4/16.
Have a great day!
