Why reading others to hone your writing is important…
Guest Post by me on how authors like Sarwat Chadda, Curtis Jobling and Scott Westerfeld have helped me evolve.
http://nomadnovelist.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/reading-others-to-hone-your-writing/
00I am on a semi-roll. Novel 3: Adam Khan and the Desolate Djinn was written in 33 days – ending at 62k. The last 21 days have seen the redraft take place, and although there are several parts that still need fleshing out, oomphing, and uberasticulating, it’s starting to feel as I intended. Also, the current word count is 58k.
I’m feeling good. BUT – (have you noticed how most of my posts have a ‘but’ in them) - I’m going to postpone the 2nd tweak of the novel until August 2012. A break is needed from this for two reasons:
a) Going from draft to draft in succession can make spotting the tiresome parts difficult. Going back to it in Aug will make it feel like a new novel and that is important.
b) Novel 4 … yes – a new one … is chomping me every free moment I have. I really want to start plotting and bringing together the characters for this. Once I get the first draft for this done, I’ll go back to Novel 3, and then return to this.
Yup. A little bit of juggling going on… but Novel 4… Codeword = “TN” has me excited. I foresee a 7 book series.
00It’s been an age and a century since I last held a competition. Fret not, tis time for another…And this one has 4 PRIZES on offer! But – before we get there, let’s go over the entry requirements.
Question: Name a book or a movie (that has been published/released in the last 10 years) that had a flashback moment that truly rocked/moved/angered/pained/hurt/choked you. Was there a bit when the Main Character came to realise something that changed the dynamics of the plot or the movie?
Example (albeit a weird one): Kung Fu Panda 2 – When Po performs the Inner Peace ‘Catch the bubble and let it move’ routine, and he relives the moment when his family were attacked … etc … Although it was predictable, the music, the imagery, the execution of it moved me to connect with the character’s plight.
Right … Got it?
How to Enter: It’s all done via Twitter
Yes, I know that will limit your answer but hey, it’s all about succinct answers. And, when answering you have to include a link to this page and a unique hashtag that I will specify below…
So… If I was entering, my answer on twitter would be:
Kung Fu Panda 2 when Po uses Inner Peace to learn about his family being attacked.
#WinPrizeswithFlickimp
http://bit.ly/KTsbGu
Believe it or not, but that only took up 123 characters within the allowed 140 on Twitter. So it can be done.
***Remember*** The #WinPrizeswithFlickimp and the http://bit.ly/KTsbGu must be present.
Deadline: Sunday 20th May 2012 – Midday GMT
FOUR Prizes !!! A secret group will discuss each entry and award on those we agree with.
1. Paperback Copy of Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress – by Sarwat Chadda @sarwatchadda
Fantastic novel where flashbacks take the reader into the past, and propel the Main Character into a dark quest.
Ash Mistry hates India. Which is a problem since his uncle has brought him and his annoying younger sister Lucky there to take up a dream job with the mysterious Lord Savage. But Ash immediately suspects something is very wrong with the eccentric millionaire. Soon, Ash finds himself in a desperate battle to stop Savage’s masterplan – the opening of the Iron Gates that have kept Ravana, the demon king, at bay for four millennia…
2. The Writer’s Toolbox
From getting past that difficult opening line to rounding out characters, this kit will guide you round the creative obstacles on your literary path. These activities focus on a ‘right-brain’ creative approach to keeping productive. Includes: 64 page booklet, 4 plot twist spinner pallettes, 60 creative cards, 60 wooden excercise sticks and a hinged box.
3.Rory’s Story Cubes
Here you will find unique icons depicting the 54 most important verbs (action words).
4. Five-Minute Writer
This book will inspire you to write – even if you have only a few minutes a day to spare. Each chapter offers a writing-related discussion, followed by a five-minute exercise. It will help you to develop a routine, recognise your life as an inexhaustible source of ideas, stimulate creative thoughts on demand understand the nature of fiction and what it requires of you and remove writing blocks.
GOOD LUCK!
Format to use:
Kung Fu Panda 2 when Po uses Inner Peace to learn about his family being attacked.
#WinPrizeswithFlickimp
http://bit.ly/KTsbGu
00Roll out the fanfare, for the Think Less… Write More approach has served me well.
I am one evening away from completing my third novel: “Adam Khan”, and my excitement levels are p-p-p-p-popping!
It’s been a mixed experience with this novel. There have been days of words flowing like a river, and then some where I tore shreds off my lips… BUT – like I keep saying, when you hit a blocky moment, just add bullet-points and move on to the next scene. From the date of restarting this novel (because the previous 30k was absolute rubbish), I will be hitting 63k.
And that’s within 33 days!
Yes, yes, yes, I know there are some that could do that within a week itself, but for me – it’s A-mA-zing!
I’m already looking forward to the redraft stage. And after that, 2 further novels that are floating in my head.
Could I have novel 4 and 5 written before the end of the year? Maybe… Let’s Roll!
00Pop over to read my Guest Post on the Nomad Novelists Writers’ Group site, on how ditching a novel you love isn’t always a bad thing.
http://nomadnovelist.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/moving-on-from-a-dead-novel/
00As of last Monday, I began a total rewrite of my third novel.
A new initiative has been implemented that is based on three key things:
I’ll clarify below, but I better make it clear that the attitude of the novel has changed. The MC has dropped in age to a 14 year old, and the language/tone used in the novel should be suited to 10+ readers . . . I hope . . .
Although some core elements of the initial plot will remain, the drivers are now a mystery that must be solved. Thus, rather than make it a one trick line, there are several, and that leaves the door open for a series/spin-offs. Believe me . . . in almost every chapter, when an answer is given, there are two more questions popping up. The world and the MC’s arc have me excited at what I’m creating.
Oh yes . . . better mention the title: Adam Khan and the Something Something . . . I am still debating on the something something bit.
Back to the 3 points above:
Since the rewrite, I have managed 12.5k in 5 days… and I am chuffed.
The 4.5 week goal I have set to get the first draft doesn’t feel so bad now 
+10We all have a goal.
Some will say ‘Wait’.
Others will declare ‘Jump’.
I prefer to be cautious… but that can only last for some time.
After a period of approximately 6 months that includes;
…I am ready to submit – Disconnect!!!
By 11:00pm Monday 5 March 2012, I will have done just that.
Don’t hold your breath, or you might pass out.
00Something you will hear a lot of when submitting to editors or other writers to review, and something I often fall foul of. When describing a moment in a scene where the person of interest (the one whose POV is the focus of the chapter) is doing or feeling something, it is easy to fall into the trap of just saying;
Imran was frightened. He ran out of the room.
Some will say ‘well, that’s put simply and I get it.’ But do you really get it? Can you empathise with the character. In two seconds we have gone from Imran being frightened to leaving the room. How frightened was he to make that snap decision to leave?
We get to the point, fantastic, but we haven’t drawn the reader into our world.
In a movie scene (unless there is a narrator), we have to go by the actions on screen. And sometimes the music which heightens the emotions conveyed. We are not told that Imran is frightened, but we can see it on his face or his subtle mannerisms.
Tell Version: Imran was frightened. He ran out of the room.
Show Version: Imran’s breathing was less controlled. The room appeared smaller than it was, almost caving in around him. He stumbled back to give the wall the lightest touch with his trembling fingers. He gulped at the cobweb that dangled from the ceiling, there was no spider or not one that he could see but that did not lessen the goose bumps down his arms. He could not take this any more, he didn’t have to be in this room. The door was still open so he darted for it. Everything wobbled and if not for the frame he would have fallen onto the creaking floorboards. He gasped for breath and slammed his back onto the corridor wall; he looked back into the room and dropped to his knees, clutching his head.
My version can no doubt be bettered by others, but I hope it opens up the original sentence into a cauldron of emotions.
By stating his breathing, his fear of spiders, his moment of almost fainting and the pitiful state he conveys by clutching his head, we will understand the word ‘frightened’ a little more. In fact, the word ‘frightened’ is not present anymore.
Of course, Imran clutching his head could mean a number of things;
Sometimes, it is good to let the reader come into your world and make their own mind up.
And if ever Imran needs to return to that room once again, the reader will have a sense of ‘ooh’ over what may unfold…
A worthy mentioned link to Show-Not-Tell is:
http://www.foremostpress.com/authors/articles/show_not_tell.html
It takes practice to do and I know a lot about that.
+180The last 3 weeks have been an intense time for various reasons.
But most of all, the intense strain I have put upon my cognitive-prowess has been my attempt at writing Novel 3. Believe it or not, but the plot, characters, sequence of key events have been formed within the last 3 weeks?
I am a firm believer in planning, but decided to have a go at writing blind.
And … I have loved it.
The character is taking me -alongside sub characters – into venues of words that are shocking me. Is ,y mind really that surreal and twisted that I am writing a novel where the running theme is death.
Today is my last day of writing on Novel 3 and then for the next 4 weeks, I will be pressing hard on self editing Dosconnect – Novel 2. I hope I can polish and get it out for critical massacre or applause – with a view to reach the taste buds of Literary Agents.
I hope…
As for Novel 3 that I will be returning to in March -it is a Sci Fi YA with a dark arc.
Stay safe and strong
00When submitting to a Literary Agent there are usually some things that are a must… A covering letter, Sample Chapters (depending on submission guidelines), and the dreaded Synopsis. Why dreaded? Well, it can be the most frustrating part of your novel. You have just spent weeks, months, years on perfecting your novel, and now, you are going to dissect it onto (possibly) one page?
Quote Doc Emmet Brown: “Great Scott!”
There are millions of sites with Synopsis tips and examples. I strongly recommend that you have a look. Some links that I found useful:
So now comes bits and pieces from what I have learnt.
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