Time to debrief
Phew! That A-Z blog challenge for April was hard work! But I learned a lot from different bloggers on the craft of writing and picked up a few blogging tips. How's everyone's blogging muscles - tired?
I found blogging everyday is possible, but seriously eats into my blog reading time. Also, shorter posts get the most comments, when we read online we are constantly moving through virtual information linking to more data. Time is our currency and we don't want to waste it.
It's interesting to see where one piece of information will lead to another, last night hubby and our 12yr. old were looking up fish for a school project, but this quickly moved onto viewing numerous Youtube clips on two headed kittens.
I've also been reading every spare second I get and the love affair with my new Kindle is still passionate. This week, I've returned to reading:
I first came across this book on Shannon's Book Dreaming, and I know she has good taste, so I thought I'd check it out. Edgerton lets you know exactly where your novel should start. It seems to be natural for us to write the events that led up to the change in the protagonist's life, but more and more I'm finding this is wrong (yes, I'm a slow learner). Holly Lisle makes similar comments in her editing course How to Revise Your Novel, she tells us if there was anything important in a prologue, it'd be called Chapter One.
In Hooked, Edgerton explains the 'inciting incident', the event that triggered a change in the world of the protagonist that leads to the 'story worthy' conflict.
I've read before that we should start with the action, right in the middle of it. But this confused me, if you start with the main action - where do you go from there? What happens to the ol' story arc? This is why I am really enjoying Hooked, it managed to make it clear, even to a dill like me, that the inciting incident and the main conflict are different. Edgerton provides plenty of examples and explanations.
You can also check out Les Edgerton's blog, he does have lengthy posts, but they're chockablock full (as we say down under) with advice and instructions on all aspects of writing. Each post is like a full lesson. Allocate some reading time and head over:
If you'd like to see a previous post I did on openings and hooks, you'll find it here:
Great advice. I especially like the line -- Time is our currency and we don't want to waste it.
ReplyDeleteTime is so bloody valuable. I'm off to check out the link - thanks :)
The A to Z Challenge did provide some very helpful information and lead me to some great new blogs. Your posts have been very informative and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
You are the second blogger that has recommended Hook in the last month. It has been sitting on my bookshelf for a few months, but I'm going to start reading it tonight!
ReplyDeleteBlogging every day is certainly a challenge. Thanks for the links and recommendations :)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice Charmaine. I do hope we stay in touch! :)
ReplyDeletegolly I cant get past the two-headed kittens hehe
ReplyDeleteI've learnt so much from you. It's great having teachers at my fingertips!! :o)
Sounds like a great book. Since I have a penchant for prologues I definitely need to check it out.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing the A-Z challenge - a job well done!
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for the book recommendation :)
Thanks for the tips and book recommendation. I'll keep it in mind if I ever get back to my novel. You did good work with the A-Z blogging!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for being part of the challenge!
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot from your blog and appreciated your comments! I guess, I also became hooked on writing and now, to go find a good punctuation book and grammar. Congrats on crossing the finish line!
Thanks for the comments everyone, I'll continue to visit the many blogs I found during the A-Z challenge and was glad to make some new friends!
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