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Linkfest ~Best Reads on Writing, Screenwriting & Self-Publishing: When Everything Is Interesting

in Reads on Writing & Self-Publishing on

Susan Sontag on Writers

WRITING

 

Why is structuring a novel crucial? It puts in place the footholds you need to reach the finish. There are so many different ways of approaching structure in a novel that it can seem overwhelming. Regardless of what method of creating a structure for your book you find easiest, there are seven essential elements that most successful novels have

When you’re writing a character, it’s important to know why she is the way she is. Knowing her backstory is important to achieving this end, and one of the most impactful pieces of a character’s backstory is her emotional wound. 

Your character has gone through their final test and now … what? Do you need to have every plot thread tied up neatly with a pretty bow? What if you still have a sequel to write? Should your ending be sad or happy? Do you need an epilogue?

My mother seems to appreciate having a grammar lover in the family. For Christmas one year, she even bought me the book I Judge You When You Use Poor Grammar.

It’s common wisdom that in structuring powerful scenes, we should open in media res—that is, while something is happening. And it’s generally best to bow out while things are still happening: close the dinner conversation with the last line of dialogue, not after everyone has fallen silent, gotten up from the table, washed the dishes, and gone to bed.

Creating an effective environment is a key facet to your story’s success. It’s part of world-building; and no, we aren’t talking about weather, though naturally, that plays a part. No, my friends, the importance of environment can be summarized in two key reasons.

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 SCREENWRITING

 

Some scenes just surprise the crap out of you. And then later, when you think back on it, you realize how well conceived it was from a story point of view, how perfect it was.

  • Query Letter Tips: Keys to unlocking doors in Hollywood, Script Mag | Tweet

A winning query letter is your key to unlocking an executive’s door, so take your time and be as thoughtful about your query as you were when writing your screenplay. Industry professionals view query letters as a reflection of the writer’s screenplay and writing skills. So the assumption will be if the query letter is poor, then the script will be too. 

  • Improvising screenplays: Externalizing your character’s internal struggle, Script Mag | Tweet

We’ve all heard that hokey (but wise) bit of advice about how you shouldn’t compare your insides to someone else’s outsides. Wait, is that how that’s worded? It sounds so serial killer-y. But you know what I’m talking about. People tend to put on a brave, cool front, and peacock around, acting like everything’s going great for them, while you’re secretly thinking to yourself, “I can’t even pay my Hulu statement this month.” 

Today we look at yet another HBR article: Structure Your Presentation Like a Story.

What if you approached your writing time as non-negotiable?

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SELF-PUBLISHING

 

Smashwords have released their annual ebook survey, and it is quite startling to discover how dominant self published romance novels have become. In short, the romance genre accounts for a staggering 87% of the top 100 bestsellers on Smashwords and their aggregators. Should I repeat that number? Eighty-seven percent!

Why does your work matter? What experiences do you have to share with others and what value do you offer that only you can provide? Because, if you can’t easily and clearly articulate your vision or the purpose behind your work, you will never be able to convey its importance to others.

There’s an old online myth that says if you give something away, you will only attract people who are looking for free stuff—fans who will never pay for anything. But, like many marketing myths, this one has no legs. As a matter of fact, contests and giveaways have the opposite effect according to much of the consumer research we see today.

Peecho is an interesting solution to the problem of communicating and selling globally online, but producing printed products that have to find their way to the buyer in the real world. They call it a “global cloud print network” and I’m looking forward to learning more about it.

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