Learn Writing with Uncle Jim, Volume 2

[FOTSGreg]

In my book Hatchings I had the main character listening in to a telephone conversation. Since the story is told in third person, but almost entirely from his viewpoint and he only heard one side of the conversation it's a weird scene, but one we've probably all experienced more than once in a store or mall.

It was an interesting challenge writing it though, I must say.

 

[James D. Macdonald]

I have the MC's POV who is the one making the phone call.

If you're in the POV of the person making the call, you'll hear both sides.

Next question: Does it work?

Is this the best way to get the information across?

Does it move the story along?

 

[Calliopenjo]

Thanks Uncle Jim. You definitely give me something to think about everytime.

 

[Ken Schneider]

(snip) quite small indeed.

Quite small, plus quite small, plus quite small, times X number of works = full time writer.

 

[Elizablue]

Outlines

I am not a "trained" writer. Fortunately or unfortunately it just sort of happens. Often at thousands of words at a time before the plane lands and I have to gather up all my lined notepads, along with the napkins I ventured onto when the pads ran out.

So...my question is what does one do when you're a third of the way into a story and suddenly realize you have no idea where it's going. An outline at the beginning would have been smart, but I never claimed to be such.

I have a novel WIP with almost 1500 known readers. I have previously posted segments as I went along on a third party web site. I sort of know where it could go but cannot seem to find the magic that caused me to write it in the first place.

 

[James D. Macdonald]

When in doubt, have a man with a gun come through the door.

 

[IceCreamEmpress]

When in doubt, have a man with a gun come through the door.

I disagree.

A woman with a gun is much more interesting. Or a bear with a gun, if you're writing urban fantasy.

 

[RJK]

Or, "In the other room, a naked lady screamed."

 

[FOTSGreg]

How about a really sexy Irish redhead?



Yup, I did that in a Quentin Dallas story called The Midnight Box.

 

[allenparker]

Or, "In the other room, a naked lady screamed."

This happens in my books all the time. They are usually screaming at their husbands. They probably deserve it.

 

[James D. Macdonald]

Where do you get your ideas?

 

[Noah Body]

Funny how the Randolph character had a superficial resemblance to you.

Or... is it?

 

[Bookewyrme]

Where do you get your ideas?

And bookmarked. On the one hand....ew. But on the other....where can I get one of those flower things?

 

[Perle_Rare]

Where do you get your ideas?

I never suspected... Does that mean I'm dreadfully unimaginative? ;-)

 

[Blue Sky]

During breaks from the Amazon Jihad and other things, I'm still interested in giving us time to read a specified book, then analyzing the ending.

How about one of Robert B. Parker's Spencer PI novels? Not my genre, but I picked two and read them after Mac posted the notice of Parker's passing. The novels move along and most seem to be short. Lots of old copies available in used book stores.

Or a book you've read Jim, to save you time?

 

[Elizablue]

I am not a "trained" writer. Fortunately or unfortunately it just sort of happens. Often at thousands of words at a time before the plane lands and I have to gather up all my lined notepads, along with the napkins I ventured onto when the pads ran out.

So...my question is what does one do when you're a third of the way into a story and suddenly realize you have no idea where it's going. An outline at the beginning would have been smart, but I never claimed to be such.

I have a novel WIP with almost 1500 known readers. I have previously posted segments as I went along on a third party web site. I sort of know where it could go but cannot seem to find the magic that caused me to write it in the first place.

Um....bump please...

 

[euclid]

Elizablue: I think you probably need help. Like a second person to collaborate with you to extract the great novel that's buried in there.

Just a thought.

 

[HConn]

Um....bump please...

Elizablue, the man entering with a gun and the naked woman in the next room screaming are the answers for you. They're metaphorical answers, but they're answers nonetheless. Essentially, throw an extra conflict into the story and let it work itself out.

Also, if you're losing the magic, then you're on the right track. Every writer hits a difficult part in the middle (although it's worse for some than others) when the story seems to be losing its way.

To help combat this (aside from the man with the gun), jot a few notes about your characters: What do they want at this point in the story? What's preventing them from getting it? What resources are available to them? What are they not willing to do in pursuit of their goal?

Answering these questions should give you an idea what the protagonists (and antagonists, and supporting characters) want to do in the future.

Good luck.

 

[Perle_Rare]

Elizablue,

I asked a very similar question on this thread in post 756.

Uncle Jim kindly responded in post 762. It's been working so far! *keeps fingers crossed*

Other writers on this thread also chimed in with great ideas between those two posts. You might want to go over and see.

Hope this helps!

Perle

 

[RHQ]

Thanks for this great advice. I think it will help me with my current fiction WIP. I'm approaching the middle and I can write what comes before and jump ahead to what comes after, but it's all that stuff in between that is holding me up.

Thanks!
Kelly

To help combat this (aside from the man with the gun), jot a few notes about your characters: What do they want at this point in the story? What's preventing them from getting it? What resources are available to them? What are they not willing to do in pursuit of their goal?

Answering these questions should give you an idea what the protagonists (and antagonists, and supporting characters) want to do in the future.

 

[James D. Macdonald]

How about one of Robert B. Parker's Spencer PI novels? Not my genre, but I picked two and read them after Mac posted the notice of Parker's passing.

An excellent suggestion.

I'll be passing a B&N this coming Saturday; I think I'll pick up something by Parker. Then we can get started.

(And I still plan to write that massive post on why art is about limits.)

 

[euclid]

What's the idea? Jim picks a book by Parker and we all find it, read it and analyse it?

 

[Blue Sky]

What's the idea? Jim picks a book by Parker and we all find it, read it and analyse it?

Yes! With a focus on analyzing the ending, if I'm correct, Jim?

Remember in Uncle Jim thread 1? Jim mentioned how studying chess openings teaches one openings, but studying the end game teaches one chess. So it follows.

 

[Calliopenjo]

Well, as soon as it's decided will someone please post the title? I might be able to find it at the library.

 

[Elizablue]

When in doubt, have a man with a gun come through the door.

Okay I get it. I'm a cop by day and sometimes it's hard for me to switch hats. Thanks.