book, writing

The End?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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I remember going to my first movie with my Uncle Bill—and crying when it was over.

There was no escaping it because “THE END” was written in huge letters on the screen.

The world is full of more sophisticated movie-goers nowadays. No longer are those words written in books or on the silver screen.

So, how does one know the story is over? When the screen goes dark? When there are no more pages to turn?

Well, readers and movie-goers aren’t the only ones that have gotten more sophisticated over the years. Writers have, too.

First of all, we now understand that the ending is a crucial part of the story. It makes that all-important final impression on the consumer.

It provides an emotional sense of closure.

It can:

~provide a summary.

~wrap things up.

~bring the reader full circle.

It should:

~be satisfying.

There is nothing worse, in my estimation, than spending several days reading a book or several hours watching a movie only to end up dissatisfied with the ending.

Who wants to pay good money for a theatre ticket or paperback and walk away feeling gypped, cheated, underestimated, or devalued?

So does that mean that the guy should always get the girl…the fortune hunter must always hit oil…the prodigal should always return?

Yes…and…no.

Given the circumstances of the story, it should end in such a way that we see growth in the main character and it makes sense that it ends the way it does.

For instance, he may not find the pot of gold, but he learns that money doesn’t buy happiness and is content with what he has.

He might not get the girl, but finds someone that is better for him in the long run.

Do we need to see that he settles down in Oklahoma, has a half- dozen kids, and retires to play pickleball the rest of his days???  No. In fact, please don’t nail down every detail. Respect the intelligence of your reader by letting them make some conclusions for themselves.

So, this discussion brings us to question whether this really has to be THE END at all…

Perhaps this is just BOOK ONE in a series.

Maybe this movie will supply enough interesting material for a sequel.

Let’s explore the possibilities…NEXT WEEK.

The Sequel

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

                   

The Sequel follows after a Scene. (note last week’s post)

It has three parts: Reaction, Dilemma, and Decision.

A Scene ends on a Disaster. To my liking, that term is a little strong. However, it does need to end with a cliffhanger…a setback…an emotionally-charged sentence, or paragraph, which entices the reader to turn the page and READ MORE.

However, if we write scene after scene, starting with new goals and new setbacks, our readers are left with their heads swimming and nothing resolved.

We must provide a little down time in order to let our readers recover.

Thus, follows the reaction, the first of the three parts of the SEQUEL:

Reaction: This is the emotional follow-through to a Disaster. Your POV character is shown reacting…hurting… weeping.     2029424474_3ce60b5e4f

Dilemma: This is a situation with no good options. Readers worry and wonder what will happen next while you let your POV character work through the choices and sort things out. Finally, he considers what he feels to be the best option.

Decision: This is the act of making a choice among several options. Your POV character becomes proactive again.

So make your character’s decision one your reader can respect. One that has a chance of working out. With a new goal, now the reader is compelled to turn the page, yet again.

You’ve gone from Scene to Sequel and back to the Goal for a new Scene.

A Scene leads naturally to a Sequel, which leads naturally to a new Scene, and so on until you end the cycle by giving your POV character the Ultimate Victory!

THE END

Your Book, One Scene At A Time

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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Your book will consist of chapters.

Those chapters will break down into one or more scenes.

Each scene should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Something significant to the story should happen within each scene to move it forward. When the scene is finished, the reader should feel a sense of completion.

Within each scene, the characters should be actively doing something that makes the story feel as though it is happening in the here and now. (Yes, even if the story is set in the 1800’s, it should feel like it is happening now.)

Once the character reaches his objective, the scene ends.

Each scene should have three parts: Goal, Conflict, and Disaster.

Goal means simply what the POV character wants at the beginning of the scene.

Conflict is the series of obstacles the POV character faces on the way to reach his Goal.

A Disaster is a failure to let the POV character reach his Goal. If you end the scene with a victory, the reader is not compelled to turn the page. Make something happen so that the reader will want to see what happens next.

But a chapter is not just a series of scenes. It is built out of alternating scenes and sequels. 

 

Next week: The Sequel

Protagonist vs. Antagonist

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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In a writing workshop I recently attended, the presenter took us “back to the basics.”

If you’ve been writing for awhile, periodically it’s a good thing to revisit the essential elements of story.

The terms “protagonist” and “antagonist” are about as basic as it gets.

Let’s look at their definitions and what those two elements have to do with a well-written story.

The protagonist is the hero of the story—the central character whose journey we follow throughout the book. He’s the “good guy”. The one we cheer on. The one who experiences set-back after set-back, but emerges victorious at the end.

The antagonist, is the villain. His role is to block the hero’s progress toward his goal at every turn.

The cruel step-mother.

The demanding boss.

The rival for the hand of the princess.

Whoever they are, it’s essential that they do their part by providing those set-backs or road blocks to the hero on his journey.

It is this struggle to overcome that moves your story along to a satisfying ending.

 

 

Note: The inciting incident, another basic, was discussed in a previous post, entitled “Creatures of Habit.” You can read it under ARCHIVED POSTS.

Excuses vs. Reasons

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I don’t know what to write about.26889457414_4dcd7726b9

I don’t know the correct way to write. 

My friends might not like it.

It could be a flop.

I don’t have the time.

Last year, I read a book called, Excuses, excuses: Living the Excuse Free Life. It is a religious book, but I think there are some things the author, Peter Lopez, Jr.,, said that might be applied to the discipline of writing.

“He that is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else.”   Benjamin Franklin

Excuses somehow make us feel good about not being as great as we can be—about living up to our full potential!

But, guess what? Excuses are lies, by definition: An excuse is a lie that you give to explain why you have done something or have not done something that you should have done. 

Excuses: Why We Can’t  

The Excuse of Family: “I would, but my son has a…, my wife wants me to…, my parents…”

The Excuse of Yourself: “I’m just not motivated…knowledgeable…creative…rested…”

The Excuse of other People: Fellow writers or potential readers cast doubt or fear. Fear and doubt are the reasons most people don’t achieve their dreams.

The Excuse of the Past: Failures and insecurities keep your past in front of you, not behind you, where they should be.

The Excuse of ‘I Can’t’: “I’m too young… I’m too old… I just don’t have what it takes.”

While excuses are lies, reasons are truth: a fact, situation, or intention that explains why something happened, why someone did or did not do something, or why something is true.

Reasons: Why We Can:

1)  It is ok to say “no,” if it is the truth. 

“I don’t have the time.”

“I’m too busy.”

“I don’t have the money to do that right now.”

“It’s too far away.”

“I don’t feel like it.”

“No, thank you.”

2) If you set goals that are specific, make sense, are attainable, are relevant, and are time-bound, you will be able to achieve your writing goals.

3) Consider getting a mentor.

4) Use a weekly planner.

5) Make both long term and daily goals. Set priorities.

Remember: Don’t use excuses. They are lies. They are damaging and they poison your future.

Make yourself a NO EXCUSE card. Put it in your wallet or purse. Pull it out and read it every time you feel you are starting to use excuses!!!

Care for a Goldfish?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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“I loved your book. I was up all night reading. I just couldn’t put it down!”

Comments like those are music to this author’s ears.

From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful that The Choice: Will’s Last Testament is getting such wonderful comments and reviews.

Such a warm reception gives me the energy to forge ahead and begin writing book #3!

It’s curious, isn’t it, what things give a human being the confidence to press on toward accomplishment?

A friend of mine is running a half-marathon in a few weeks. It’s something that she has never done before. It’s the challenge from another friend that pushes her to train each day.

I know someone who is trying to break an internet record for the most podcast interviews done in a certain length of time. It’s a lofty goal involving weeks of podcasts!

When teaching my daughter to drive a stick-shift, I remember finally resorting to popping a Goldfish cracker into her mouth each time she didn’t grind the gears!

So, the goal must be set.

But, there must be something that keeps the person moving toward that goal—a reward of some kind—that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow:

A record broken,

A pat-on-the-back,

A person’s name in lights,

Winning a contest,

Great five-star reviews.

So, dear writer, don’t bail on your dreams. Maybe, like me, all you really need is a little encouragement because

YOU CAN DO IT!!!  I KNOW YOU CAN!!!

 

The Black Moment

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Your story has taken your hero out of his comfortable, ordinary life and sent him on a quest.

It stretches his limits.

Pushes him to accomplish whatever he must in order to reach his goal.

The end is in sight. He’s almost there.

And then, at approximately the 75% mark, the unthinkable happens

and beats him back and down.

It looks bad for our boy. You think, “He’s just not going to be able to pull it off!”

He was almost there…he’d almost won…they’d almost gotten together…he’d almost achieved his dream…

but then—out of nowhere— came

THE BLACK MOMENT…                           8422302030_3f048bb4ea

the old boyfriend

the chilling diagnosis

the colossal misunderstanding.

But, the story is not over.

After a few minutes/days of contemplation…feeling sorry for himself…wanting to just give up and go home

he rallies.

With new resolve—and oftentimes a new plan—he plunges ahead

against all odds.

He rejoins the battle

and although he may be the weakest and least capable,

he conquers the giant

defeats the bully

climbs the mountain

and

we stand and cheer!!!!

“Wow,” we say, “that was a close one…a nail biter…EXCITING.”

The intensity of the climax, whether a book or a movie, is directly proportional to the intensity of the BLACK MOMENT.

So, if you want your reader to be hooked—to ride the big waves with you to a thrilling and satisfying end— then be sure to include an intense and seemingly iron clad BLACK MOMENT.

A Hero in Pursuit of the Dragon

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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My dog wakes up at 5 A.M. each morning and whines to be let out.

The cat meows at precisely 5:15 A.M., wanting ice cubes in his recirculating water dish, and again at 9:00 P.M. to remind me to brush him.

My dog sits by the door at 3:45 P.M., waiting for my husband to come home from work.

If you have pets, I’m sure you’ll agree that they are creatures of habit.

So, what about people?

Do they like things the same, day after day?

Sometimes…but unpredictability spices things up.

Think about books you’ve read and movies you’ve watched.

You wait patiently while the story is getting set up, but then if something doesn’t happen pretty soon to knock your socks off, you lose interest.

In a book, it is an event that changes the course of the story from “same-o- same-o” into something worth investing our time in.

Something exciting…mysterious…dangerous…unusual…

And, we have to know—we just simply HAVE to know—what will happen next.

So, we read on.

If our books just meander around without purpose and without thrusting our hero onward in pursuit of

the dragon,

the beautiful girl,

the new job,

Or out of the clutches of

the killer,

the monster,

or the wicked stepmother,

readers won’t keep reading.

So, after you establish what is normal life for your character, then disrupt the normal (he suffers a loss…he’s betrayed…) and get him on his way to

the rest of the story

and the Black Moment,

which I’ll talk about next time…

 

“What? Are You Crazy?”

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

You spend months or years in learning the craft of writing.

You spend another 1-3 years actually getting words down on paper.

You type that last period               mockup2

on that last page.

Then, you run into a brick wall: publishing/marketing.

And find yourself overwhelmed.

So, do what I always do when life seems to be getting the best of me.

Break it all down into little pieces.

Little fragments that seem like I might be able to accomplish.

And, I avoid those that are too perplexing, too difficult—seemingly insurmountable.

What I am going to say next may seem surprising…actually I know if will because even as I type these words, I’m envisioning your reaction.

I followed a bit of advice I picked up somewhere (I honestly don’t remember where) that said the best way to promote your work is not social media or big ad campaigns.

IT IS TO WRITE ANOTHER BOOK!

Now, I know you are thinking just what I thought when I heard it for the first time:

“That doesn’t sound easy. I thought I could sit back and take a rest once my book was completed! And, now you’re telling me to lock myself away and start writing yet ANOTHER ONE??? Are you crazy?”

Yes and No.

Yes, write another one.

No, I don’t think I’m crazy.

Because I put it to the test and here is what I am finding:

The Choice has been out a couple of weeks, now, and since its arrival, Runaways’ sales have picked up, again.

No kidding.

Don’t misunderstand. It’s not earthshaking.

But, IT IS FASCINATING.

So much so that—yes, I’ve already started writing book #3.

I’m on a roll. A slow roll, perhaps, but still it’s a roll.

Like a snowball rolling down a hill, I am picking up new readership and sales.

Mostly it’s what’s happening on the inside of me that’s amazing, however.

The “I think I can do it” is turning into “I am doing it!”

I’ve Changed My Mind

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

 

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After a meeting, yesterday, the topic of how often one should write (every day? how many hours per day?) came up.

I listened as inexperienced writers eagerly listened to more seasoned authors on the topic that is as dear—and as often-debated—as toilet training is to young parents.

In one of my previous posts, I said that if you are researching for your book or article, or attending a conference, or viewing a webinar, that “counts” as your writing for the day.

Well, like I told the others after the meeting, I now know a bit more about the craft of writing and have changed my mind about what I advised a year ago.

There is no substitute for WRITING.

Here’s why:

You cannot learn to dance by reading a book or studying diagrams of nimble feet doing the Cha Cha.

You cannot learn to fish without baiting your hook and casting the line into the water.

There is no substitute for actually DOING.

We need to practice writing. All the reading and conference going—although worthwhile—cannot take the place of good, old-fashioned application.

Some people find themselves in such an endless cycle of “learning how to write” that they never actually sit down in front of the computer and try their hand at it.

They think that if they will just read one more book or watch one more webinar, then they will be ready…qualified…fully prepared.

All of that is well and good, but as my neighbor’s son studies his driving manual, I am reminded that he must also get behind the wheel and gain the experience of actually driving.

As a child, I heard my mother say, “Wishing doesn’t make it so,” many times. (Mostly this was in reference to having a clean room.) But, apply it to writing an article or book and you can make the connection, can’t you?

So, my conclusion is this: you must learn the skill of writing by writing, writing, and writing some more.

Every day?

Yes.

An hour a day?

At least.

Grab a partner and dance.

Bait your hook and cast your line.

Back out of the garage and get out on the highway.

Turn on the computer and let your fingers fly across the keyboard!