tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.comments2024-03-17T06:03:00.362-04:00Fiction UniversityJanice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger26779125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-52870634479159223672024-03-17T06:03:00.362-04:002024-03-17T06:03:00.362-04:00Thanks!Thanks!Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-87473267197203802922024-03-16T12:25:13.706-04:002024-03-16T12:25:13.706-04:00nice articlenice articleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-79574078873026385632024-03-07T15:47:18.357-05:002024-03-07T15:47:18.357-05:00Looking forward to implementing these advanced mar...Looking forward to implementing these advanced marketing tactics for my next book launch! Thanks for the valuable insights. 📚✨Nikitahttps://webtopping.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-30394541273355422362024-03-07T07:20:27.110-05:002024-03-07T07:20:27.110-05:00Yes, absolutely. That's fairly common, actuall...Yes, absolutely. That's fairly common, actually. It's part of "establishing the protagonist's world and life" right before you throw them into the plot :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-47107030482536798892024-03-06T00:49:53.332-05:002024-03-06T00:49:53.332-05:00I was wondering about something similar.
Could a ...I was wondering about something similar. <br />Could a more profane goal with low stakes work in a scene (or at least in the opening scene) *if* an external incident (or inciting incident) triggers a new strong goal with high stakes?<br />For example, after a tiring day at work a single mother wishes to just relax on the couch and recharge when she gets a call that her ex kidnapped her son, threatening to kill him if she gets the police involved.<br />Her initial goal would be boring yet very relatable, the stakes low. The (inciting) incident would trigger a new strong goal with high stakes.<br />Thank you!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-33321741356016777862024-02-26T08:47:37.226-05:002024-02-26T08:47:37.226-05:00You're most welcome.You're most welcome. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-31522548400986989582024-02-26T08:46:41.853-05:002024-02-26T08:46:41.853-05:00LOL wow. Maybe it wasn't about the words but t...LOL wow. Maybe it wasn't about the words but the content and you made it better?Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-920768677389904322024-02-26T08:45:54.298-05:002024-02-26T08:45:54.298-05:00Thanks! Glad you found it helpful :)Thanks! Glad you found it helpful :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-15494329733308746702024-02-25T16:07:01.130-05:002024-02-25T16:07:01.130-05:00Thanks for posting. Thanks for posting. Teagan Riordain Genevienehttps://teagansbooks.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-87191245158706383852024-02-20T22:05:28.532-05:002024-02-20T22:05:28.532-05:00As a high school dept chair I had to contribute fo...As a high school dept chair I had to contribute for yearly reviews and five year reviews and other curriculum matters. The principal always handed back everyone's reports and we were told to cut, cut, cut. I always added 150 to 250 words and still got my "revised " version accepted and approved. Just shows the pricicipals and administrators never read a bit of anything we did. carldagostinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06974976326659279093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-38940609717040660522024-02-19T17:00:03.934-05:002024-02-19T17:00:03.934-05:00This is great advice! It's hard to want to cut...This is great advice! It's hard to want to cut stuff, but these are definitely some easy ways to whittle at words.T.J. Fisherhttps://www.tjfisherwriter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-22827186766174270192024-02-13T09:47:35.614-05:002024-02-13T09:47:35.614-05:00You're most welcome! I'm delighted you fou...You're most welcome! I'm delighted you found my posts so helpful :) Best of luck on your writing! Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-8678565895486918612024-02-13T09:46:43.409-05:002024-02-13T09:46:43.409-05:00Thank you!Thank you!Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-47686896695590762992024-02-13T09:46:10.192-05:002024-02-13T09:46:10.192-05:00I'm so sorry you had that experience (and so s...I'm so sorry you had that experience (and so sorry about your cat). That sounds horrible! Some folks just prefer to be mean than constructive, and not just writers. It's hard to just let it roll off you. Glad to hear you're back to writing and found a supportive group! Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-314017487025498462024-02-13T09:43:23.823-05:002024-02-13T09:43:23.823-05:00Glad you found it helpful. To test that, I'll ...Glad you found it helpful. To test that, I'll think about how long it takes to think the internalization, and if it makes sense to take that big a pause in the scene. I'll also look at how much of it I have in that scene. If it's a lot, and it's not a major emotional or plot turning point, then I know I might need to trim back some. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-58700418734201577542024-02-12T09:28:39.564-05:002024-02-12T09:28:39.564-05:00I wanted to say thank you for sharing your incredi...I wanted to say thank you for sharing your incredible insight. I started a novel back in 2020. ("another pandemic novel: LOL) And have been playing with it on and off. I discovered your blog, read about premise vs. plots (among many other things ) and took a quantum leap forward. I will continue to read your articles and I know I can now move forward more confidently. Thanks again for making the time to share your wisdom. Laura McCluskeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-50817242616433949702024-02-10T16:02:49.681-05:002024-02-10T16:02:49.681-05:00Really excellent article!Really excellent article!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-58192417312113250972024-02-08T18:16:29.273-05:002024-02-08T18:16:29.273-05:00I recently had a nasty bit of feedback from a beta...I recently had a nasty bit of feedback from a beta. My writing coach actually paired us off, too. She wrote a scathing criticism of my novel telling me my main protagonist was a Mary Sue. After showing the book to other betas and two editors, everyone else assured me that wasn’t even the case. This beta just apparently hates strong female characters (even though she’s a female). Then after I told my coach, he gave me the same advice you just did in this article. Choose betas carefully. I wish he’d warned me about this friend of his. I nearly gave up writing. Now, 3 months later, I’m finally incorporating the helpful beta feedback I’ve received. And things are coming along again, though not without a large amount of hurt. I’m so grateful I quit relying on my coach’s team and found my own editor. She’s An amazing lady and someone I consider a friend, though we also have a business relationship too. If it wasn’t for her and my good betas, I probably would have given up. I’m an HSP and not innately prone to thick skin either. Oh. And that nasty woman knew my cat had died and still sent me that feedback the very next day. I can’t second this advice enough!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-82291807969789825242024-01-31T15:44:36.053-05:002024-01-31T15:44:36.053-05:00This is great advice! I often wonder if I'm ov...This is great advice! I often wonder if I'm overdoing the internal dialogue. This gives me something to think about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-64244176088614488792024-01-30T10:19:20.580-05:002024-01-30T10:19:20.580-05:00Thanks! Some of it might apply to scripts :)Thanks! Some of it might apply to scripts :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-31238071366460731322024-01-25T11:44:29.699-05:002024-01-25T11:44:29.699-05:00And here lies the problem. It is a largely a list...And here lies the problem. It is a largely a list of what NOT to do. Instead of a list of what to do. Imagine asking someone what they want to eat - not Italian food. Not Mexican food. Not a steak place. Not Vegan. I don't want Southern food. No Indian Food. This is in large the standard for everything "woman" a constant list of negatives and no positives. <br /><br />1) If a woman said, "Boy stop playing." No one would bat an eye.<br />2) If a man had lots of sexual partners, and a woman said, "You're nasty" it would be fine. <br />3) Okay so don't judge them for being slutty, but also don't shame the virgin. I can't think of an instance of that. But sure. <br />4) Don't make her a badass using "male standards" like driving motorcycles and wearing black. That doesn't make sense. <br />5) What movie in the last 30 years, set in modern times has given the idea a woman is expected in the kitchen? <br /><br />Instead of an endless drubbing of the entire post. Try giving examples you expect regarding character depth. Don't say, it should be like men with a different name. Men and women are different and should be celebrated for their uniqueness. Try saying, I would love to see a woman leading a role that...........I wish there was a movie that showed women doing.............Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-68928126974133213692024-01-24T16:02:36.280-05:002024-01-24T16:02:36.280-05:00I like passes for specific things. It just makes i...I like passes for specific things. It just makes it easier to focus and not get distracted by the story. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-31723989122495345452024-01-24T16:01:58.118-05:002024-01-24T16:01:58.118-05:00Thanks! Thanks! Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-75501342292824300082024-01-24T15:36:08.754-05:002024-01-24T15:36:08.754-05:00Thanks! I'm glad it found you when you needed ...Thanks! I'm glad it found you when you needed it :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-79275623673832165922024-01-24T15:02:22.176-05:002024-01-24T15:02:22.176-05:00Great post! I'm glad you shared this.Great post! I'm glad you shared this. Michelle Gregorynoreply@blogger.com