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It seems there is no shortage of plotting formulas out there. And I think they are AWESOME! Yes you read that right - even a Pantser like me has something to learn when it comes to plot and structure. The simple worksheet from SAVE THE CAT did my latest MS wonders.
Does that mean that's the magic book? The one with all the answers? No. It's a great book - don't get me wrong. But my writing, like yours, like I suspect every author's, is a conglomeration of many variables. The more of these ingredients we add, the better our writing is.
Incorporating bits and pieces from these sources makes me feel like I'm spinning a complex web. But when I stand back to take a look, it's stronger and more elegant than anything I've woven before. Where do I draw information from?
- Books on writing like SAVE THE CAT and ON WRITING
- Books I love like the HUNGER GAMES and HARRY POTTER
- Books I didn't love so much (I have to find out WHY they didn't work right?)
- The blogosphere - that's right! You guys!! So thank you from the bottom of my heart. You inspire me daily.
- Advice from other writers - Do I HAVE to mention Libba Bray's speech again? That I learned to write what scares me?
- Conferences and participation in professional groups - I cannot recommend SCBWI enough here.
- Life experience - Drawing from my own desires, fears, and feelings. Also my background in both theater and psychology lend a unique perspective to my characters. Oh and everyday things from television (E.g., Vampire Diaries) to things my kids say.
- PRACTICE. Yep just plain writing does wonders.
I'm sure I'm missing things here. The point is all of these ingredients combine to make - well - my work. It's something that's uniquely me. Something I hope others will find compelling and meaningful in some way. And it's something I will continue to add to and perfect as I go, much like the guy up in the lefthand corner.
photo credit
So true! you know I love Save the Cat but I've read and am similar with all the other plotting systems too. The nine point, the 5 point, the Hero's Journey...etc. It's the combination of everything!
ReplyDeleteUntil recently, I knew nothing about story structure. Laura Pauling has changed me on that. Now I'm pouring through books on the subject, and using the knowledge to strength my stories.
ReplyDeleteLove your list, Lisa. It's pretty much my list too. :D
I get lots of stuff from here! Yes, these are all good sources (though I admit I don't really read craft books--my attention span actually isn't that long, I'm ashamed to say). And--congrats to Ian!
ReplyDeleteI am reading The Hunger Games right now (I write MG but a friend asked me to read it with her and who can say no to reading a good book with a pal?) I am analyzing it as I go, like, "Oh, there's the hook" and "Look how she tucked that bit of backstory in so nicely...how many pages in was that and how many characters have we met so far...?"
ReplyDeleteI was even thinking of writing some info down, just for reference. Or even blogging about what I discover about her Hunger Games formula. Hmmm.
I love On Writing, but have also heard great things about Save the Cat. I'll have to get it--thanks for the tip! :)
ReplyDeleteYikes! I get the comparison, but you're much nicer-looking (and much more social) than the guy in the lefthand corner :) I really need to get my hands on a copy of Save the Cat!
ReplyDeleteOutstanding list, Lisa! Thanks for posting this. It's always a great idea to go to sources like these for inspiration when it's time to revise (I'm there, aargh!)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, you won't believe this, my blog post for tomorrow is sort of along these same lines. I'll link to yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that worksheet. I'll check it out.
Right as always, Lisa. I think the experience point is just so important. The richer our lives are, and the more in depth our analysis of life around us, the deeper our writing can be, I think.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, I love reading Harry Potter for inspiration! :-)
Great point - no one formula works for everyone, or even necessarily anyone. You have to just keep learning and writing, to see what works for you.
ReplyDelete-Vicki
Congrats to Ian!!! I love all the things that have contributed to your writing style. I think it's an organic thing that grows as we do, and that's part of the fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! Analyzing books has been a huge boon for me, and critique partners. Surprised you didn't mention critique partners? Nice point about analyzing the books we didn't like, too. did you see Kristen Lamb's analysis of why the Star Wars prequels weren't as great as the originals? I always felt they didn't have the same "kick" too, but I never could figure out why... great point about taking time to figure out the weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. Great post!
ReplyDeleteOh congrats to your friend too! :D
ReplyDeleteLove the list! Like Stina, I think it's very similar to mine, too.
I promise not to tell anyone your secret, cuz I know you have one for writing. All these little hints here and there. You're hiding something!
ReplyDeleteWaving pom-poms and cheering you on (but not doing the splits because, hello, I'm not 7 any more)
ReplyDeleteEvery novel is a sum of your life experiences and influences. You need loads of practise, of course, but if I may add one more thing:
Don't hold back.
I think this is what helped me get over the line with my seventh manuscript that became the first Ondine book. I let rip. I poured myself into those books and it created a really strong voice. The books make me sound so much more confident than I am in real life. :-D
Thanks for the links too - those beat sheets and comedy writing tips look brilliant.
Thanks heaps!
So true! There's never one formula - we each have to find our own paths and blend our own mixtures. I'm hoping I'm on my way! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, nifty links. :) I'm having a mild self-identity crises on pantser/plotter. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, Lisa - Margo makes a great point - how come you didn't mention your critique partners. *giggles* Yay for Ian, Yay for Ian! Love your list. I'm digging James Scott Bell's PLOT AND STRUCTURE and Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD. SAVE THE CAT is next for me.
ReplyDeleteAhem - Leslie - I just remedied that on Twitter. :P
ReplyDeleteEveryone else? Thanks for the awesome comments!! LOVE THEM. Especially the one that said I look better than the guy in the pic. *whistles*
I really like your secret formula. It can be disconcerting to see everything that everyone else is doing, but we each have our own secret formulas that make our books ours. We have to appreciate that. :)
ReplyDeleteI am that guy in the picture. Where'd you get that picture of me?
ReplyDeleteThe book, The Writer's Journey is good for this subject and it was the first writing book I read.
I just bought Save the Cat and will be reading it soon so thanks for the link to the beat sheet.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your partner!
Sooo true. All those different resources combine to help us figure out what works and what doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to learn to write more romantic scenes and get them steamy. That's what scares me most. I have a hard time bringing my characters there because then everyone will know my fantasies. LOL :D
ReplyDeleteAwesome resources, Lisa. I LOVE Save the Cat. And I have to tell you that I can see it at work in TD. :D
ReplyDeleteMartina
It does take a lot of different resources to help each of us find our own formula, doesn't it? That's kind of fascinating. And thanks for the great list. I hadn't heard of Save the Cat before now. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI love your #3. If I find a story that doesn't seem to work for me, I try and decipher the reasons it didn't. I always learn something new about writing and myself as a writer.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Ian Kezsbom--nice to meet another agency-bro! :)
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Great post! I feel the same way - I learn and draw from so many places and it makes my stories unique to me. :)
ReplyDeletePeople will read whatever they like into a book.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, when it comes to love scenes, do what's right for the characters.
If you hold back, because you're worried what people will think of you . . . you won't be able to set your characters free. Let them take charge and then all you need to is keep up.
(sometimes I feel like a Peeping Tom when I write kissing scenes because the two of them are going for it, LOL!)
Awesome list. I do the same exact thing.... I skim when necessary, because let's face it, there's a LOT of info out there.
ReplyDeleteBut I just read Save the Cat and applied it to my current WIP. Lightbulb! It made such a difference in my story.
I get emails from the blogs with the best writing advice so I can make sure not to miss them, and I read a new writing guide after each story I write. Always learning!!