A Simple Novel Outline – 9 questions for 25 chapters « H.E. Roulo Just as every tree is different but still recognizably a tree, every story is different but contains elements that make it a story. By defining those before you begin you clarify the scope of your work, identify your themes, and create the story you meant to write. At Norwescon 2011 I sat in on a session called Outline Your Novel in 90-minutes led by Mark Teppo. I’ll give you the brief, readable, synthesized version. Answer 9 questions and create 25 chapter titles and you’re there. Here are the 9 questions to create a novel: 1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 9.) Now, with those 9 questions answered to your satisfaction, try to fill in a 25 chapter, 75,000 word outline. Chapters 7-18 are the middle of your book. Chapters 19-25 depict the heroic act to victory. Wasn’t that easy? Okay, sure, the work isn’t done yet. Using the idea that there are 25 chapters, I outlined my current work in progress. I hope that was helpful. Tell me what works for you. Related 6 Steps to Masterful Writing Critiques
FAQ Manuscript Formatting General Book Formatting: While formatting my manuscript, does Trafford have any suggestions to help create a clean and professional layout?Should I include my cover in the manuscript?How should I set up my title page within the manuscript? What is an ISBN? More Detailed Book Formatting Information: Should I use footnotes or endnotes? General Book Formatting: While formatting my manuscript, does Trafford have any suggestions to help create a clean and professional layout? Yes, there are a few things to keep in mind when preparing your manuscript that will greatly increase the overall professional appearance of the book. Consistency throughout the book goes a long way to adding to the professional appearance of your book. Just make sure you are consistent each time. The readability of a book is extremely important since it is the means through which you will reach your audience. Line spacing plays a big role in readability and most books are easiest to read with 1.5 lines. Back to top No. No.
Dr. Abel Scribe's Guide to Chicago Style Research Papers Chicago Style is the style of formatting books and research papers documented in the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), 2003, and Kate Turabian's Manual for Writer's of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 2007 (both published by the University of Chicago Press). While reference is sometimes made to a "Turabian style," this is simply the Chicago style applied to research papers. It is based on the most recent (15th) edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (2003), and has been revised and expanded fall 2007. © Copyright 2007 by Dr. Abel Scribe PhD. Links & Resources: Doc's CMS Home Page | CTS Lite PDF (120 kb) CTS Lite Topics FBI Warning? Official Websites: AMA Style (Oxford UP) APA Style Site Chicago Manual of Style MLA Handbook 1.0 Chicago Style & Usage Dictionaries. 1.1 Abbreviations (TOP) Abbreviations--other than acronyms/initialisms--are rarely used in the text, other than in tables, figure captions, in notes and references, or within parentheses. Acronyms/Initialisms. Definitions.
The Art of Character Development As authors, it is our Duty To create lovable, enticing Characters And do horrible, evil things to Them. This guide is designed to help people with writer's block, role-players of all levels, and people who are just interested in psychology and philosophy as it applies to fiction. Here you'll find tips, examples, suggestions, general information to aid in creating rounded fictional characters for your stories and/or RPGs, and perhaps even information useful for everyday life. There are many aspects of character development, and your character could be nearly as deep and complete as anyone you might know in real life. However, there are basic keys to fleshing out a character that can help break through blocks and get you and your creation on their way to a great story. ♦ Being informed is a vital part of all storytelling. ♦ Learn the importance of Point of View and Background. ♦ Motivation and Alignment: "Good" VS "Evil", what drives your character. The characters come before the story.
Soho Press Soho Press is not currently accepting unagented, unsolicited submissions for our Crime or YA lists. We are open to unsolicited submissions for our literary list. Please familiarize yourself with the types of books we publish in the literary imprint “Soho Press” before submitting. Start by sending three chapters (or fifty pages) and a cover letter to Soho Press at 853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, care of acquisitions editor. Because of the volume of submissions, it can take two to three months for us to respond to queries (though often we are much quicker). Editorial Office (no orders—only editorial inquiries, please):
MLA Style - MCC Guide Introduction The Modern Language Association (MLA) is the official scholarly organization for students, teachers, professors, researchers, and others whose special study is language and the literatures of all languages (from English to Chinese and Spanish, from Arabic to Icelandic, Urdu and Xhosa). Since 1951, MLA has been publishing guidelines for style, including instructions on documenting the use of sources. In this MCC Guide to Writing Research Papers, we give examples for the types of resources used by students most often. Note how in Works Cited sources are alphabetized, indented, and spaced. Citing Books and Other Non-Periodical Publications The order of information in an MLA listing is fixed. Smith, Alison. *In research papers and manuscripts submitted for publication, titles of sources are best underlined rather than italicized. Examples of In-text Citations and Source Listings Book by a single author In-text citation: (Saferstein 98) Saferstein, Richard. Saferstein, Richard. Review
back story How to Weave Backstory Into Your Novel Seamlessly Today's guest newsletter is from Karen Dionne, contributor to Writer's Digest. My first science thriller, Freezing Point , opens with the crew of a fishing trawler braving rough seas off the coast of St. John’s, Newfoundland: The wind howled around the solitary trawler like an angry god. Inside the wheelhouse, Ben Maki braced himself as an errant wave hit broadside and the trawler listed heavily to starboard. Who is Ben Maki? Backstory refers to the characters’ history and other story elements that underlie the situation at the start of the book. But as authors, we need to be careful: Backstory by definition takes the story backward. Too Much, Too Soon One of the most common mistakes I note when I’m called upon to offer comments on aspiring authors’ manuscripts is that the author has included too much backstory in the opening pages. Including backstory in the opening pages is the same as saying to the reader, “Wait a minute—hold on.
"No Unsolicited manuscripts?" Doesn't mean you can't send something! A recent discussion on the Yahoo CW list reminded me of some advice I posted there once about the meaning of the term "no unsolicited manuscripts." Here's the post: "No unsolicited manuscripts" does not mean you can't send something to these publishers. (Those who are truly closed will say something like "Not accepting submissions.") "No unsolicited" just means you must send them a one-page QUERY first. If they like your idea and feel your book is a possible fit for their list, they will reply to your letter inviting you to send your manuscript. I understand your confusion. You do not have to be previously published or famous or have any sort of contact in the industry for a publisher to take your query seriously. (Now I know what some people are thinking: "Why not just mark the envelope "requested material" FIRST and send it off? There is lots of information online and in books on how to write a good query. Good luck!
25 Things You Should Know About Word Choice 1. A Series Of Word Choices Here’s why this matters: because both writing and storytelling comprise, at the most basic level, a series of word choices. 2. Words are like LEGO bricks: the more we add, the more we define the reality of our playset. 3. You know that game — “Oh, you’re cold, colder, colder — oh! 4. Think of it like a different game, perhaps: you’re trying to say as much as possible with as few words as you can muster. 5. Finding the perfect word is as likely as finding a downy-soft unicorn with a pearlescent horn riding a skateboard made from the bones of your many enemies. 6. For every right word, you have an infinity of wrong ones. 7. You might use a word that either oversteps or fails to meet the idea you hope to present. 8. Remember how I said earlier that words are like LEGO, blah blah blah help define reality yadda yadda poop noise? 9. Incorrect word choice means you’re using the wrong damn word. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Am. 15. No, really. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.
The Golden Rules for a Good Plot Writing a novel can be a daunting task. Here are some helpful tips to ensure you write a good plot. Is it your dream to become a best-selling author? Plot Rule 1: Create a plot skeleton A plot outline will help you choose a complication and the steps to resolve it. Plot Rule 2: Flesh out your plot Fleshing out your plot with colorful characters and a vivid setting will enhance your novel and grab your readers’ attention. Plot Rule 3: Bring your plot to a powerful resolution Have you used each scene and story event to guide readers to a plot resolution? Plot Rule 4: End your story at a natural stopping place After the climax, wrap up the story as quickly as possible. Plot Rule 5: Make sure your characters resolve conflicts on their own Don't rely on an act of nature or an unknown hero to clean things up at the last minute. A final note on creating a good plot… Creating a good plot isn't as easy as it sounds.
NO UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, OK???? One of the hurdles which publishers sometimes put in your way is the "No Unsolicited Manuscripts" one. Bit like arriving at a house for a party to find the lights off in the hall and the door shut. You can see the party going on upstairs but no one's answering the bell. Damned irritating. As a party-goer, you have three choices. 1. 2. 3. As an author, you have three choices. 1. 2. 3. Each of these choices carries risks of a negative outcome.1. 2. NB: the reason why they say No Unsolicited Submissions is, basically, that they are sick of being overwhelmed by the utter crapulosity of the guff that lands on their desks, often accompanied by toffees*, tea-bags**, stupid rhymes***, and glitter confetti****. * - see this post. ** - an agent friend just received another one, accompanied by a covering letter suggesting that she might enjoy a cup of tea while reading the jolly MS. 3. The query letter approach is also very difficult. Having said that, you expect me to advise you and so I shall.