All writers should use a plan whether written or reflected. This includes the initial idea, the content or main points, and the conclusion whether it is an article, a short story, a chapter, or a complete novel.
Let us look at the article. This starts with main idea that is engendered in the title. Then the content is considered: the main points that will make up the article. All that is left to do now is to fill in the details of each line of reasoning. Leave it for a few days before editing, revising, and rewriting. The article is done.
Similarly, the short story starts with the intent and then the character who has a desire or want that is stymied by some obstacle. As the character attempts to overcome the obstacle, more complications occur until defeat seems the only possibility, but defeat is turned into success or disaster, success if the short story is a comedy and disaster if it is a tragedy.
The chapter of a novel follows a similar plan, but it is not as complete as the short story, since the tale or narrative must go on. The chapter is like one event in the short story with its aspiration, its impediment, its complication, and its achievement or downfall.
Even the novel follows a similar development. Novels can emphasize plot or character but in either case, the protagonist meets an antagonist that can be another human, an belief, or nature that encumber and frustrated him or her. The effort to overcome increases the difficulty rather than alleviate it, resulting in further complexity until a solution is found or the protagonist is overwhelmed.
Basically, all writing follows a similar scheme. Thus, only the details are different for each composition, be it an article, a short story, a chapter, or a novel.
Charles O. Goulet has a BA in history and a BEd in English literature. He has written several historical novels that are available at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes and Noble, and many other bookstores.
His website is http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c
His blogsite is http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c
I've just come back to work after nine glorious, sun-drenched... Read More
I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Whichever theme you choose, all the elements,... Read More
A friend and I were talking the other day about... Read More
ESSAY 3Writing an autobiography involves a matching up of a... Read More
Writing better is critical for students. But it's even more... Read More
Interesting characters that readers care about are the most important... Read More
Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More
I recently set up a website to promote a new... Read More
For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More
In the business of freelance writing, it's not enough to... Read More
Originality emerges from structure. Once you have a story idea,... Read More
The Scanning ReaderWriting for the Web is different than writing... Read More
SALE, SAIL Sale is either offering something for purchase... Read More
Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part... Read More
Finding the time to write a novel is one of... Read More
One Saturday afternoon, I sat in a packed conference room... Read More
1. Remember publication is a business; writing is an art.... Read More
This is a tough question for every freelance writer. For... Read More
"If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar... Read More
I have added a new word to my vocabulary. Logorrhea.... Read More
(excerpted from the "How to Use a Journal" audio series... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Your theme has to be something you... Read More
Each author has special editing needs. To save yourself time... Read More
Picture this scene.Your hero is sitting in a bar. He's... Read More
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More
Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we... Read More
Every hero has a seminal insight - the apotheosis. Once... Read More
If you think proofreading equals editing, then you're wrong! Editing... Read More
At some point along the way, most of us have... Read More
One day in the mid-1970's a young man stumbled into... Read More
The tiniest things can be so useful when you come... Read More
Set your journal or diary where you will see it... Read More
Or do you?Writers write. You shouldn't wait around for inspiration... Read More
GAINING WRITING EXPERIENCE Some Catch-22, huh? In... Read More
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More
Virgil, the great Roman poet, wrote "Practice and thought might... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips -We've established what a title should... Read More
There are so many ways for writers to make good... Read More
Griselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
ELICIT, ILLICITElicit means to extract or draw out; illicit means... Read More
When one population in one century survived five wars, two... Read More
FIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a... Read More
For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More
Want to write an article or book, but are stuck... Read More
A few magazines refer to their written idea sources in... Read More
When a writer is working on their next literary masterpiece... Read More
Style manuals are all well and good, and in fact,... Read More
Dr. Phil's Life Strategies, #1 New York Times Bestseller catches... Read More
A certified proofreader is one that has taken a few... Read More
Writing |