Sticky Notes Blog

A blog of writing news, tips, and inspiration from Fat Plum

Category: Writing tips

Creating a scene

Many writers struggle with creating a scene. I don't mean screaming in public -- I mean figuring out what to include on the page and what to omit, to continue carrying the story forward.

This applies to fiction and creative nonfiction, and of course also to screenwriting. Screenwriter John August (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Big Fish, Charlie's Angels, the upcoming The Nines) has recently written several excellent posts on his blog that address the issue of how to write a scene. Well worth your time:

How to Write a Scene

Clarification of Step One in Writing a Scene

Example of a Scene, From Scribble Version to Final Version

Posted by Cindy on January 12, 2007
This entry was posted in the following categories: Writing tips
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Kelly Boyer Sagert explains how to write a book

Kelly Boyer Sagert, a great writer and editor and a close friend of us at Fat Plum, has just started an online column about how to write a book.

I Want to Write a Book!

If this has been your New Year’s Resolution in the past, I hope that, in 2007, WOM can help you make it a reality. Our goal is to provide you with writing and researching tips, including valuable and pertinent web resources, marketing advice and publishing options.

One important key to writing a quality book – and publishing it – is commitment and persistence. It’s common to get the middle chapter blues, after the initial enthusiasm fades and doubt starts to set in. Sometimes, all you can do is slog through to get to the other side.

Most of what I’ve written and published is nonfiction, so naturally my tips will focus on that genre. But, many of the suggestions can be applied to your fiction, poetry and so forth. Since research is vital to nonfiction and often to fiction, as well, I’ll start by posting an article of mine that shares research techniques used when writing a biography. Again, remember that many of these tips apply to other forms of writing.

Kelly will be creating new entries each week. If you've wanted to write but had trouble getting started, or if you've gotten stuck in the middle of your manuscript, check out her columns at Word of Mouth.

Posted by Cindy on December 09, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: Writing tips
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Give Your Character an Attitude Boost

Whether you're dusting off that neglected novel manuscript this fall or beginning a new one, take a moment to review the notes I took when re-reading Elizabeth George's book, Write Away (Perennial Currents, 2005). My jottings will appear on our Sticky Notes page in several installments, beginning with this one.

As I journey through the pages of Write Away, come with me. Read my brief, bulleted notes and vow to apply them to your WIP (work in progress). The points are deliberately concise in hopes of encouraging you to ponder what they mean--and then to stategize about how to apply them. Here goes:

Continue reading "Give Your Character an Attitude Boost"

Posted by Judy on September 13, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: Writing tips

Being a good author is a disappearing act: Elmore Leonard's rules of good writing

The official Elmore Leonard Website has a forum for fans and writers. One of the most interesting and useful things there is a reprint of his "Ten Rules of Writing" from the New York Times Writers on Writing Series.

I'm a big fan of Mr. Leonard's writing, as past participants of Book Boot Camp and our private coaching know. His writing spins along and his dialogue snaps. These rules clearly and succintly show how he cuts the fat and leaves the meat.

These are rules I?ve picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I?m writing a book, to help me show rather than tell what?s taking place in the story. If you have a facility for language and imagery and the sound of your voice pleases you, invisibility is not what you are after, and you can skip the rules. Still, you might look them over.

I'll list the rules here, but you should read the full list and explanations -- your readers will thank you.

  1. Never open a book with weather.
  2. Avoid prologues.
  3. Never use a verb other than ?said? to carry dialogue.
  4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb ?said.?
  5. Keep your exclamation points under control.
  6. Never use the words ?suddenly? or ?all hell broke loose.?
  7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
  8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
  9. Don?t go into great detail describing places and things.
  10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

Elmore Leonard sums his rules with this super-rule: "If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it." there's no better advice out there.

Posted by Cindy on February 15, 2006
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Writer's block? What writer's block?

Keith at SuccessfulBlog lists techniques for breaking through "blogger's block," and they're just as useful for writers of any sort. A sample:

  • Talk a walk. Movement will get the mind working. I like to wander the bookstore. Something about being surrounded by words and books helps me focus and come up with ideas for writing.
  • Start with the title. This is a huge help to me, especially with my blog posts. I get the title first and it sets the stage for the rest of the post. I will often jot down potential titles when thinking of ideas to refer back to when I?m in the midst of writer?s block.

Posted by Cindy on July 21, 2005
This entry was posted in the following categories: Writing tips

Finding your inner Agatha Christie

Over at Fiction Fix, Sue Raines gives us "The Rules - And Bending Them," a fine list of tips for beginning mystery and crime writers. Here's a sampling:

As a background for murder: The setting can be an exotic location, full of wealthy tourists, or a quiet suburban home, a gambler's den or a disco, an art gallery or a large convention centre. Wherever you decide to locate your scene of the crime, do sufficient research to keep your credibility intact. You may select the location of a large building which currently has another use but in your story becomes your convention centre with a number of important overseas guests. One by one they are being murdered. Your protagonist works this area of the city as part of his investigation, which means you need to know the streets, laneways, parks, landmarks of your area where the story is set, factual or fictitious. Feel comfortable with your surroundings and your story will flow.

Posted by Cindy on October 04, 2004
This entry was posted in the following categories: Writing tips

Book Boot Camp

Fat Plum's Book Boot Camp kicked off on April 18th with a great bunch of recruits. Their works-in-progress cover the spectrum of business how-to, children?s fantasy, historical fiction, suspense and mainstream fiction. One camper exclaimed that she?d gotten her money?s worth in the first 10 minutes! That?s what we like to hear. We'll keep you posted throughout the six-week boot camp and share how they are whipping their manuscripts into shape.

Posted by Julie on April 27, 2004
This entry was posted in the following categories: Writing tips