Archive for the ‘Writing Tips’ Category
Posted on June 10, 2012 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Beginnings: The First Few Pages
How do you start your book?
A strong opening is very important to a good story and a good book. Many people glance at the first few pages when thinking about reading a book; if it doesn’t grab them then, you’ve lost a potential reader.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got, was to start your book with conflict. Almost immediately. Somewhere in the first chapter, or the first scene, or the first paragraph or even the first sentence. {I often challenge myself to come up with the best first line I can, something that will totally make people want to read more.}
Creating conflict immediately is the fastest way to engage your reader in your story. It often gives you a chance to introduce characters immediately as well. But the key to a good opening, is definitely conflict.
But this goes even further than just “create conflict”. Basically your opening (scene or even chapter) should have some sort of conflict (could be between anyone) which is not only introduced immediately, but developed and resolved right away as well. But during this mini-conflict – there should also have a much bigger conflict introduced as well. Basically by the time the opening scene conflict ends, the larger conflict should have been introduced and be unfolding.
This is how you get a reader engaged and hold them. They will immediately find themselves wanting to know what happens next, what will the outcome be?
First Lines
Just focusing on your first line right now?
Your first line should be something catchy; or something funny. Make it something that grabs attention or makes the reader think or even ask their own questions. Something that lets us see their personality right off the bat is always very good.
A conversation pertinent to the story between the two main characters that might establish personality and relationships will help draw the reader into the story much quicker than just some random line, or even some random conversation.
It’s really important that whatever type of opening line or scene, you choose to open with is related to the story and sets the mood for the rest of the book. Obviously this doesn’t always work, so as long as it sets the mood for what you want to convey during that first part of your story.
How do you find your opening material? How do you start your stories? Do you struggle with this part, and if not – what part is the most challenging for you?
Posted on May 8, 2012 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
What are Your Words of Wisdom for Writing
Sometimes when I sit down at my computer, and I am about to pour words into my latest project, a quote or a piece of advice will pop into my head.
Sometimes I can remember where it came from; who said it or where I read it.
Other times, not so much.
The thing is, these little words of wisdom take me far in my writing {and in my every day life, but that’s another blog post}.
When I’m frustrated, I think of the words: Never give up. I’ve only heard that one a million times. But it is indeed true – I know I will never get where I need to go, if I don’t remember that phrase.
What is the best writing advice or best words of wisdom about writing you’ve ever heard and can you remember who told them to you? Or is it just one of those things you’ve heard enough that it could be anyone, including your muse screaming in your ear?
I’m looking forward to hearing what words of wisdom everyone else has to share.
Posted on May 3, 2012 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Writing a Book Backwards
Do you do this?
I know some people write out of order, that isn’t totally uncommon. Sometimes inspiration will hit and I will find myself writing a chapter that goes later in the book, because I can see the entire scene in my head.
The book I am working on now however, while not complete, has been written almost entirely backwards. It wasn’t my intention when I set out, but the ending was what prompted me to write the book, and since the entire ending was clear in my mind, I wrote it.
I was going to go back and begin writing from the beginning, but then I started thinking about what kind of conflict would bring them to the ending – how did they get there? So I wound up writing that scene, which turned into several and before I knew it, I had the last 4 chapters of the book written.
At that point, I decided just to go ahead and try to write the rest of it backwards. No reason why, just that it seemed it was flowing naturally, so I might as well do it that way.
Have you ever done this or am I totally nuts?
Posted on April 1, 2012 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Authors, Adjectives and Adverbs
At the very last minute, I decided to do the A-Z Challenge for April for my writing blog. The biggest reason I decided to, is because this poor blog has been neglected while I have put a primary focus over on my food blog. It was unintentional, I promise.
I write everyday, and I even spend a huge chunk of time almost everyday editing whatever I’ve written, so it only seems natural to continue writing over here too. It’s not that hard, right?
So what is the word I chose as the topic of letter A? I didn’t. I chose three. Why? Because they all go together.
Authors use adjectives and adverbs to make their writing more exciting, more readable … to tell the story with a bit more detail. Adverbs get you wondering. Adjectives allow you to see the picture in your mind. Let’s get started.
Adverbs
Starting with a simple sentence, let’s see if we can paint a picture (adjectives) and set the mood (adverbs).
The man walked down the street.
That’s about as boring as it gets, don’t you think? Would you honestly keep reading a book if the sentences looked like that? It sounds like a child is writing that. (although in fairness, I know kids who write better than that!)
That sentence tells me nothing. It’s difficult to conjure up a picture of anything because the man could be anyone, that sentence doesn’t tell me enough to picture much.
But if we play around with some adverbs:
The man walked quickly down the street. This gives us a sense of urgency, a sense that he is in a hurry for some reason. Is he late for something? Is he being followed?
The man walked slowly down the street. This gives us a much different sense of direction. Now we begin to wonder, is he sad? Is he looking for something?
Adverbs can send a message to the reader about what you are trying to portray. Words like calmly, awkwardly, suspiciously, angrily, etc. evoke different emotions. They set a tone with a simple word.
Adjectives
Using our same sentence from above, and using one of the adverbs.
The man walked quickly down the street.
There is a mood, a tone that has been set. A sense of urgency. But I still have trouble picturing much more than a faceless person walking down a street. Let’s fix that by adding in some adjectives,
The aggravated man walked quickly down the street.
Now we’re talking. There’s something more to that sentence, something to conjure up an image in your mind. He’s upset, he’s aggravated, there’s the urgency there – now why is he aggravated?
Let’s add another adjective.
The aggravated man walked quickly down the damp street.
Look what just happened there. More than likely, the reason he is walking quickly is because it’s raining, or it just rained. He’s possibly aggravated by this.
It gives more information, it lends a sense of description and background to the sentence, not only making the sentence more entertaining to read, but helping to present a total picture.
I know I could keep rambling on about adjectives and adverbs and it’s such a simple grade school concept. The reason I chose to push those today is because I have been reading a lot of things lately, and the thing I am seeing a lot of, is sentences that don’t tell me anything. I wonder why the sentence is even there. It doesn’t tell me anything about what’s happening, and if it does, it’s so plain its difficult to enjoy.
Writers, watch your adjectives and adverbs. Take a sentence and give it a bit more punch by using words that help to tell the story, help to paint a picture.
Do you see this a lot? I admit I am a bit of a description junkie – I overdo adjectives a lot and have to edit, but I still feel like adjectives lend a lot to the story and the adverbs just give you a sense of mood. Do you agree?
Are you doing the challenge? Tell me in the comments so I can come read your stuff too!
Posted on November 8, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Squash a Tomato or Write a Lot of Words: How to Get More Words
I’m really not having that much of a problem trying to maintain my writing everyday, but with that said, since I’m trying to do the Reverse method of writing this year, I am a bit behind where I am supposed to be today. I’m supposed to be at 23,447 and I am just over 18,000. See, not quite there. That’s okay, because I am still ahead of regular NaNoWriMo, so I’m not really complaining.
I was trying to find different methods to try to see if I could race myself to write more shutting my inner editor up, because she likes to vocalize and be heard all through my writing. It’s annoying. Write or Die is great, but I haven’t really felt compelled to use it this year.
I did however find mytomatoes.com and it has been an interesting tool to use to try to get as much writing done as I can in a short amount of time. I don’t know that there is anything all that special about it, only that for some reason its fun and reminds me a little of the thrill I get when I participate in word wars. I’m notorious for missing word wars and word sprints on twitter, so this works the same way.
The idea is basically teaching you time management by using a cooking timer. Click on the link, load the page, sign in or register and start the time. As soon as the 25 minutes appears, go write. Write and Write and Write. Don’t stop. Don’t edit. JUST WRITE. Get as many words as you can in that 25 minutes. For me, I sometimes just need accountability. I also love that you do the task (whatever you WANT to do) for 25 minutes and then you take a 5 minute break. The alarm goes off and you start again. This gives you time for a reward, a potty break, getting coffee or food. When you hear the alarm again – its time to start a new tomato.
I have enjoyed this so far… I can usually get about 2 or 3 tomatoes in (sometimes 4 of 5) before I actually need to get up and do something else for a bit. I love that it gives me the time to do all of this. Check it out. If you need a push, this might be just the thing you need.
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