Friday, October 19, 2012

In Need of Book Suggestions, and some Friday Inspiration

I have always been a pantser, but I think I may need to change my ways, at least for this next one. I have an idea that I love, but I want to do more planning to make sure I get it where I want it in the end. But I need help!

Have you read any books about plotting that you've found helpful? Or do you have any tips for me in general? Any thing would be appreciated! Thanks!

And for some Friday inspiration I'm sharing some FB statuses of some very fun teens. As a YA writer the teens I work with always inspire me. Hopefully you guys will think these are fun, too. :)



"I'm so glad I got out of the drama scene. The most drama I ever have is wondering who ate my cookies, and 95% of the time it's me who ate them."

"Dropping out, and buying plane tickets. Leaving tomorrow? (:"

"Imperfect is my middle name."

"You know you haven't been on facebook for a while when you get confused looking for the retweet button......."
 
"Whenever I'm crabby I take a bath and pretend I'm a mermaid. And today it's bad enough where the barbies are coming with me."
 
And one that's not funny, but is brave and makes me proud to know this boy.
 
Dear 16-year-old boys that threw eggs at me and yelled "Go kill yourself, faggot" while I was running tonight,
I am not mad at you. Actually, I feel sorry at you. I feel sorry that you actually believe that throwing eggs and calling me a faggot is going to magically turn me straight or make me feel ashamed for being who I am. I'm sorry that you haven't opened your eyes yet to a changing world, a m
Sincerely,
You won't bring me down.
 

39 comments:

  1. When I started a friend gave me, Writing The Breakout Novel by Donald Maass even has a workbook! And a few chapters on Plot.

    Cute and funny FB posts, except the last. I can't believe this kind of abuse still happens, but that's probably why it does. It's so hard to believe! I'm glad you said this boy was a friend.

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    1. I can't believe it still happens either, Yolanda. Thankfully this is one tough kid. :)
      Thanks for the book suggestion!

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  2. I can't think of a book specifically on outlining, but my favorite writing book is Save The Cat.

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  3. I love that cookie post. I have the exact same problem. And I agree with Yolanda on that last post.

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  4. When I plot, I guess how many chapters I'll have and create a document with headings for each chapter (just Chapter 1, Chapter 2 etc) Then I try to put a few words under each. Eg name characters who'll be introduced. Chances are you have one or two scenes in mind, so write a note for those roughly where you think they'll happen. It doesn't take too long to build up a really rough outline.

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    1. Thanks for the tip Patsy. Sounds like a great idea. :)

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  5. I know a lot of people ignore it, but The Novelist's Bootcamp is pretty good for outlining and prepping a novel. Anyhow, I thought it was funny.

    In the end though, you just have to try on your own. I find that far more helpful than a book is having someone to bounce ideas off of. You'll find that you can really get somewhere with someone poking holes in your ideas.

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    1. Thanks Rena! I'll check it out. And I agree, actual people are always the best help. :)

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  6. Great FB statuses. Except the last of course. Sounds like a brave kid with a good head on his shoulders though.

    I have no book suggestions though, sorry. :)

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  7. That breaks my heart that the last kid has to deal with that. I keep hoping, as a society, we'll get to a place were we are post-homophobia.

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    1. Me too. And this is such an amazing kid, too. I hate that he has to go through this. Thankfully he's strong and he has a lot of great friends, too.

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  8. I can't think of a book specifically about plotting. The only thing I can say is to write the outline as if pantsing the book - just see where it takes you, but handily it's a lot shorter and easier to mess around with til you get something that sounds like a plan! Good luck!

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  9. I use the snowflake method. With it I can get from beginning to end and know the whole way, but it still leaves room for inspiration! I did a post about it.

    http://twentysomethingfictionwriter.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-i-tell-you-something-about.html

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  10. I'm more of a pantser, too, but since I'm an artist as well as a writer, I tend to draw to help me plot. Sketching my characters never fails to help me learn new things about them and their story! This tip will probably be of no use to you, though. XD

    BTW, love all the quotes you shared! And that last one...wow. So glad to see he's so strong amongst so much hate!

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    1. Lol, no that doesn't help me. :) I wish I could draw, but I can only do stick people! ;)

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  11. Oh, this is perfect timing to ask me, because I am just taking a course on plotting for pantsers by an author, and it's been wonderful! I wrote a post about it here: http://alsgeekbanter.blogspot.ca/2012/10/relationship-arcs.html and there's a link with the author's plotting method as well, if you are interested.

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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  12. ~I miss playing Barbie in the bathtub! And I haven't thought of that in years!
    ~ That young man is well-adjusted and will have a bright future.
    ~And I once read an excerpt of a book called "Writer's Bootcamp" in Writer's Digest and even the sample was helpful, but I never bought the book.

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth, a few have mentioned that one. It must be a good one!

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  13. Awww, You Won't Bring Me Down is awesome!!!!

    I haven't read any good books on writing lately but I've heard that the Plot Whisperer is great. I have it to read, haven't gotten to it yet!

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  14. i had a lovely comment but my horrid ipad erased it. technology is my nemisis

    i loved the teen talk & admire the tortured boy's bravery

    i am a professional plotter...i outline scenes in 1-2 sentences, get stuck? ask what could go wrong & add it, then write from there adding, jotting stuff that pops up, etc. sorry thats not as flowery as the original, but i'm rushing now! curse you, ipad!

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  15. Writing the Breakout Novel is great. Get the workbook that goes with it, because the exercises are priceless.

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  16. I was at a writer's conference this weekend and a book seller was there. All the speakers had given the bookseller suggestions of which books to bring (like the ones they mentioned in their seminars) and there was a half a table full of books on the craft of writing.

    Staring at those books, it was then I realized that I have NEVER written a book on the craft of writing.

    That is probably not a good thing. haha

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  17. Rachel, I've tagged you for 'The Next Big Thing'.

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  18. i'm a fly by the pants, or so i've been dubbed, too! new follower!

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  19. I enjoyed the Writing Great Books for Young Adults, and in general prompted books (Pocket Muse 2), and things like that because sometimes writing something else, will bring you back to your piece and put together the puzzle :)

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  20. I'm proud of that last boy and I don't even know him. Good for him!

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  21. Hey Rachel,

    Like A. Lex said, (whoever he is?) "Save the Cat" allllll the way... it's a FAB writing book and it will give you some great ideas on story arcs and plotting :)

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