tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post5639993155389326730..comments2024-03-17T06:03:00.362-04:00Comments on Fiction University: Revision Workshop: Day One: Analyze the Story StructureJanice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-39687966892114109962020-07-23T14:50:40.229-04:002020-07-23T14:50:40.229-04:00Welcome! Still answering questions, and the blog i...Welcome! Still answering questions, and the blog is still active--just been around 12 years, and the older posts are still being tweeted.<br /><br />A proactive protagonist has strong and clear motivations for their actions, and they make choices that drive the plot. When they do realize things, it's due to them actively uncovering information and putting pieces together. It's not typically sudden and out of the blue--they did the legwork to get there. <br /><br />Reactive protagonists tend to have things happen TO them, not BECAUSE OF something they did. They also often let others tell them what to do and what has to be done and they just go along, even if they decide to simply listen to advice. <br /><br />I have plenty of article to get you started in this:<br /><br />Here's one on reactive protagonists: http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/03/the-trouble-with-reactive-protagonists.html<br /><br />Here are some on character choices: http://blog.janicehardy.com/search/label/choices<br /><br />Character motivation is another topic to look at: http://blog.janicehardy.com/search/label/character%20motivation <br /><br />Narrative drive could also help: http://blog.janicehardy.com/search/label/narrative%20drive<br /><br />You'll find a lot there, and hopefully you'll find something to fix your issue.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-54948760420063188462020-07-23T13:50:38.610-04:002020-07-23T13:50:38.610-04:00Google revision and alas, I found you.
Incredible ...Google revision and alas, I found you.<br />Incredible website and timely! Thank you.<br />No sure if you are still answering questions related to revision, or if you have a more recent blog, but...<br />My beta readers, for the first act, are telling me my protagonist doesn't seem to make her own decisions. Your sentence, "Revision Red Flag: If you have a lot of “realizations” or “learns something” moments, that could indicate a reactive protagonist who’s not driving the plot." rings so true. Any advice on where I can go to learn how to fix this? Thank you.girl of the sunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228364858751214541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-2340562015300573272017-08-08T10:54:54.701-04:002017-08-08T10:54:54.701-04:00Thanks! I'm happy you found it! Best of luck o...Thanks! I'm happy you found it! Best of luck on your August revision workshop :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-52027292599891718702017-08-01T07:28:05.462-04:002017-08-01T07:28:05.462-04:00Hello Janice, great work you are doing here. I'...Hello Janice, great work you are doing here. I'm starting out on this today Aug 1 and will follow through till the 31st. I'm looking to start sending out my manuscript from the 1st of September. Been revising and editing my 100,000 word manuscript for the past two months without much of a structure and couldn't be happier to find something that pinpoints if I'm on the right track or not.<br /><br />I must say your site is quite resourceful and the name Fiction University is truly befitting. I'll be spending the rest of my summer here! Chinenye Emeziehttps://chyadolph.wixsite.com/chinenyeemezieauthornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-54859426555917655792017-03-02T07:16:10.380-05:002017-03-02T07:16:10.380-05:00Oh good, I'm glad you decided :) Best of luck ...Oh good, I'm glad you decided :) Best of luck with your revision!Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-60307755533077846852017-03-01T20:32:52.764-05:002017-03-01T20:32:52.764-05:00I finally worked out which project was ready for r...I finally worked out which project was ready for revision - thanks to your Revising Your Novel. Few days behind as still creating my editorial map but so pleased to be taking part. This is the motivation that I need - thank you for the online workshop and the book. Fortunately, I am a plotter and my first draft used The Heroine's Journey version of the Hero's Journey...with a few other 'pillars' to keep the structure standing - so far.Roland Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03302133565980901397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-21638479164748854752017-03-01T15:44:25.438-05:002017-03-01T15:44:25.438-05:00Thank you so much, Janice. This is very helpful an...Thank you so much, Janice. This is very helpful and appreciated. You're right on the last point.Sussuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10060179011416062341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-26876224397969228802017-03-01T15:36:33.353-05:002017-03-01T15:36:33.353-05:00Glad you found it helpful!
Yes, you'll have v...Glad you found it helpful!<br /><br />Yes, you'll have victories and defeats. Any victories will most likely lead to bigger problems as the stakes get higher, so it's a balancing act. A great way to use this, is to have the protagonist face tough choices, so there are consequences to their actions. A victory might have bad repercussions and actually be bad in the long run, even though it seems like a win at the time. <br /><br />As for when, when, and how many, that depends on the story. There's no set rule, so use your instincts and aim to keep the pace moving, and the reader hooked with how the plot unfolds. For example, too many victories in a row might cause the story to drag as nothing is a challenge anymore. Too many loses might make it feel like it's not getting anywhere.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-17716935200909446422017-03-01T15:30:25.501-05:002017-03-01T15:30:25.501-05:00This is so thorough. Thank you for doing this, Jan...This is so thorough. Thank you for doing this, Janice. I have one question if it's okay to ask. In the middle of the story, things escalate, going worse and worse. However, I wonder if I should have moments of victories too and how many? Should they pertain to the plot layers or the subplots? I would appreciate any pointer.Sussuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10060179011416062341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-3331780797340922772017-03-01T10:01:32.469-05:002017-03-01T10:01:32.469-05:00No problem :) I have them go out a little later in...No problem :) I have them go out a little later in the morning (10am EST).Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-18612488131061576862017-03-01T09:58:00.548-05:002017-03-01T09:58:00.548-05:00Ooops, here it is. Now I feel embarrassed about my...Ooops, here it is. Now I feel embarrassed about my tantrum. Thank god no one was watching or listening. Cheers. RooAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12094832398222355088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-36697145934146599252015-03-08T14:23:13.474-04:002015-03-08T14:23:13.474-04:00She means the Real Life Diagnostic column. Every S...She means the Real Life Diagnostic column. Every Saturday, I critique a 250-word sample submitted by a reader. They ask a question about something they're doing, such as, "am I showing or telling? "Does this opening work?" "How do I mix the description with the action better?"<br /><br />Here's the link for more info: http://blog.janicehardy.com/2008/01/real-life-diagnostics.html<br /><br />However, I just closed it to submissions until May, as I'm a little swamped right now. But you're welcome to submit something when I re-open it.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-86403274145724420682015-03-07T14:51:12.981-05:002015-03-07T14:51:12.981-05:00Forgive me for asking if I should know from readin...Forgive me for asking if I should know from reading, but what is the 250 crit? It sounds like something I could really use. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-24149048520378265842015-03-05T15:40:28.198-05:002015-03-05T15:40:28.198-05:00A lot of writers really enjoy that structure and i...A lot of writers really enjoy that structure and it works well for them. The book is quite good, and you'll gain a lot of insights into the individual beats after you read it.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-89369287479257594502015-03-04T21:54:16.557-05:002015-03-04T21:54:16.557-05:00I followed your link to Snyders Save the Cat and r...I followed your link to Snyders Save the Cat and really found that helpful. I have the book but haven't got around to studying it yet. I used your explanation like a questionnaire to set up my plot points. It worked better for me than other charts and diagrams. Everyone understands things differently and for me this one works. Thanks. Chris Olesenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12791311724278884178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-38101603740864096052015-03-03T15:14:28.091-05:002015-03-03T15:14:28.091-05:00Glad you're finding them useful :)Glad you're finding them useful :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-6950926841025084922015-03-03T04:11:51.559-05:002015-03-03T04:11:51.559-05:00This is brilliant! I'm not at the editing stag...This is brilliant! I'm not at the editing stage at the moment with my WIP, but I know one of my coaching clients could really benefit from this, so I'll send it her way. :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-82306771714196815072015-03-02T16:43:27.927-05:002015-03-02T16:43:27.927-05:00I'm very excited about this revision month. I...I'm very excited about this revision month. I am joining late as well, but, thanks to your wonderful archives, Janice, I'm already familiar with the story structure templates. The revision red flags you include here are very helpful. Thank you!feecarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05870296710292727675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-60754212282475645662015-03-02T14:35:22.962-05:002015-03-02T14:35:22.962-05:00No worries, late is fine :) It's a guide to he...No worries, late is fine :) It's a guide to help, and you can work through it at your own pace.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-40654382858978619632015-03-02T14:33:36.180-05:002015-03-02T14:33:36.180-05:00No worries, work through at your own pace :) Glad ...No worries, work through at your own pace :) Glad it's helping you pinpoint those plot moments. Just forcing ourselves to write them down makes a huge difference. I spotted a few places myself that need a tweak here and there on my day two session. :) Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-63347823718400443602015-03-02T14:30:49.480-05:002015-03-02T14:30:49.480-05:00Yay, grats! edit maps are awesome. So much easier ...Yay, grats! edit maps are awesome. So much easier that scanning through pages to find a scene. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-83368292820532033292015-03-02T14:30:06.623-05:002015-03-02T14:30:06.623-05:00I plot this all out myself, but I was able to real...I plot this all out myself, but I was able to really tighten and focus my plot yesterday when I did this again. Felt good to see it all connect how I'd hoped it would. :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-77271737070272294442015-03-02T14:28:58.750-05:002015-03-02T14:28:58.750-05:00Yay! Hope it was productive! Yay! Hope it was productive! Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-2715132417014513212015-03-02T14:28:44.415-05:002015-03-02T14:28:44.415-05:00That is the plan :) Writing it all down always hel...That is the plan :) Writing it all down always helps me clarify what I'm doing. There was so much I "knew" about my story, and doing this on Sunday really focused in on how I could tighten it up. Hope your day was equally successful.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-62856947280979587502015-03-02T14:27:08.994-05:002015-03-02T14:27:08.994-05:00Most welcome! Be brave :) Just tell me you're ...Most welcome! Be brave :) Just tell me you're nervous when you send it in and I'll be extra careful. I understand how scary it can be to get feedback. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.com