On Conflict -- Writing Tip

-Conflict happens when someone wants something he can't have.
-Conflict happens when someone wants two different things, but can't have both.
-Conflict happens when two people in the same orbit want different things (but also each other).
-Conflict happens when two people want the same thing, but there can only be one winner.
-Conflict happens when two people want the same thing, they can both have said thing, but they disagree over how to get it.

Putting characters at odds with each other (and themselves) is the quickest way to propel the plot and keep those pages turning.

And, let's be real, conflict is super-fun to write. :)

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

On Killing Those "Darlings"

Note: this is a throwback post from June 2017, but the message is worth repeating.

~:|:~

I'm working my way through Screenwriting for Neurotics by Scott Winfield Sublett, which has valuable information not only for screenwriters but for all writers. The chapters on plotting have been especially helpful, but he also says something truly wonderful about killing your "darlings."

Your darlings, they say, are those words or phrases or sentences (or paragraphs or entire scenes) that you've poured your heart and soul into and that you love more than life itself, despite the fact that they really don't add much to the story.  

Sublett says: 

“You might say, 

'What a pity that my inspiration should go to waste!' 

But saying that is misunderstanding the nature of inspiration: it’s not a scarce resource but rather a limitless river that flows through you. There’s plenty more inspiration in that river, so please waste it.

Building a table would produce sawdust and wood scraps. 

Would you glue them to the top of the table so that they don’t 'go to waste'?”

Isn't that a fantastic analogy?

No: you wouldn't build a table--carving and sanding--then heap the "unnecessary" back onto it, no matter how interesting or "beautiful" it seems.
 
If it really bothers you, don't delete the darlings permanently. Move them to a "darlings" file. Maybe you'll be able to use them somewhere else/in some other project one day.
   

So go ahead. Tap into your limitless river, and don't be afraid to kill those darlings. There's plenty more inspiration where that came from. 

In fact, you are a well of inspiration, and the more you create the more creative you'll be.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all my stateside readers:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

On Taking Risks

Why take risks?

The more risks you take, the more confident you become.
The more confident you become, the more equipped you are to deal with rejection.

The more rejections you accrue, the more likely you are to embrace feedback.
The more feedback you apply, the more you grow. 

The more you grow, the closer you get to reaching those important goals you've set for yourself.

Take risks.

The more darts you throw, the more targets you'll hit.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

The End--Writing Tip

The key promise you've made to your reader at the beginning of the story is that something will be different by the end.

The main character will not only possess new information, but it's likely she (or he) has done something about it.

The final pages, paragraphs, and sentences should elicit some kind of emotion in your reader (it's up to you to determine what emotion that might be).

An effective end to your story will merge your character's thoughts, symbols, and action to bring about a meaningful close to your story--and that last sentence is most powerful of all.

The feeling in this moment is what will make your story linger in the reader's mind for hours, days, and even weeks to come.

Don't squander the opportunity.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

Wishing and Hoping (Throwback Post)

While you're sitting back wishing and hoping, someone else is stepping up and getting the hard work done. It's simple, really.... 

If you want to be a painter, you should be painting. And if you drop by this blog every so often because you know me or have read my books and you think it would be cool to write one--that maybe you want to be a writer--you should be writing. 

If you want to be a blogger, you should be blogging. If you want to launch a new business venture, you should be launching. 

Vloggers vlog. Designers design. Leaders lead. Painters paint. 

WRITERS WRITE. 

Period. 

Proceed boldly, before this world sucks all of the creative out of you. 

No more excuses. 

Be Brilliant! :) 

~Katie~ 

The Denouement--Writing Tip

Post-climax, the denouement serves to wrap up your story. Where are your characters now? How are they doing? What's next for them?

The denouement answers any remaining questions. It provides closure.

Because readers don't want to be left hanging. They want to know that the characters are (or will be) okay after the book closes.

The exception to the rule?

If you're writing a series. In this case, the story should be wrapped up, but not too wrapped up.

Either way, the denouement should grow organically out of who your characters are, the conflict they faced, and the obstacles they overcame.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

The Law of Diminishing Intent

The Law of Diminishing Intent says. . . .

The longer you wait to do something, 

the less likely you are to ever actually do it.

An alternative?

1. Define your goal
2. Get a plan together
3. Take the first, most manageable step

In other words:

1. Write a Book
2. Write 500 words a day for 100 days
3. Sit down and write your first 500 words

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

The Ending--Writing Tip

What kind of ending delivers?

It depends.

What is your story trying to accomplish?
Are you aiming for emotional satisfaction or intellectual satisfaction?
Have you promised the reader a fright or love or justice?
Have you promised the answer to a problem?
A new insight?
The "warm fuzzies"?

What forces were set in motion throughout your narrative, and who is going to be triumphant?

Either way, the ending should satisfy, it should be logical, and it should be emotional.

It should grow out of who your characters are.

There is no such thing as a "one size fits all" ending. If the climax could happen to anyone, it's not your character's climax.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~