Tag Archives: Class of 85 Series

Jana Richards on Plotting and Outlining

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Writing an outline for the plot of a novel is a little like planning a trip. It helps you figure out what direction your novel is going to take and what your major plot points are going to be, but still allows room for creativity.

What is outlining?

It’s writing out all the events of your plot from the beginning of your novel until the end. There are many ways to outline. You can do a quick set of notes on one page, write out scenes on index cards, scribble the highlights about each scene on Post-it notes that you can change and move around, or complete comprehensive scene-by-scene analysis that you keep in separate binders. There’s no wrong way to outline, just the right way for each individual writer.

Here are some reasons for writers to outline their novel before they start writing:

Using research to better effect: An outline can be changed at any time, even during the writing process. If you discover some interesting research as you write or pre-write, you can make a note of in your outline and know that that interesting tidbit will not be lost. Robert Kernen, in “Building Better Plots”, (Writers Digest books) says that outlining will “help you more smoothly and effectively incorporate new plot or thematic elements you discover during the writing process.”

Saving time: Randy Ingermanson claims that using his Snowflake method of outlining can reduce the time to write a first draft from 500 hours to 250 hours, including the 100 hours or so needed to complete the outline. He also points out that by working on an outline first, all the work of your synopsis is basically done, further reducing your writing time. Writer Joanna Penn says that when you have limited time each day to devote to your writing, you don’t want to spend half of it staring blankly at your computer because you have no idea where you’re going next.

Makes the writing process easier: Robert Kernan says that outlining will “free your mind and your intuition to work on the writing of your story, the characters, the dialogue, the language, etc., unconcerned about whether the structure is sound.” Rather than restricting the writer, Kernan claims that outlining will “liberate your writing by giving you a map, allowing you to focus on other elements of the writing and helping you avoid frustration.”

Will this idea fly?: The reason I plot my novels in advance is to figure out whether they’re going to work or not. What would you rather do: spend a few hours outlining and discover that the plot you thought so clever has too many holes in it to work, or spend 500 hours (translation: weeks, months) writing a first draft, get to the middle of it, and realize the story is totally unworkable? If you outline, you can plug holes in your plot, give your characters better goals and conflicts before you start writing your first draft. You can avoid deadends that take up so much time and cause writers so much frustration.

Whatever method of outlining you choose, it needs to hit all the highlights of a romance novel. It needs to present and resolve the goals and conflicts of the characters. It needs to show the rising action of the story and the developing romance between hero and heroine. Here is a template for plot structure that I came across some time ago.

Template – Plot Structure

Part I The Set Up

-          Introduce characters (main and secondary)

-          Introduce setting

-          Introduce Goal and Motivation (external and internal conflict)

-          Introduce first major obstacle

-          Introduce romantic attraction

-          Snappy opening – the “hook”

Part II  Plot Complications

-          Characters’ efforts to overcome obstacle make situation worse. They realize at this point how big their problem is.

-          Romantic attraction fully developed. (Perhaps the first love scene occurs here.)

-          Characters mistakenly believe a solution is near.

Part III  Switch-a-roo and Misery

-          Insurmountable obstacle shatters romantic trust. (The Black Moment).

-          Something happens to one or both characters that causes them to see a solution which turns around the plot.

-          This event triggers realization that they love one another more than they love their original goal.

Part IV  Resolution

-          Characters take action based on the realization.

-          One or both (usually the one who is being the biggest jerk, the one who is most wrong) make a sacrifice that proves their love.

-          The scene that shows this sacrifice is the climax.

-          Subplots are resolved and loose ends are tied up.

-          External goal/conflict resolved. It does not have to be achieved in the way characters thought in the beginning.

-          Internal conflict/goal resolved. Original internal conflict must be satisfied. Conflicts must be resolved in this order – external then   internal.

-          If necessary a short denoument scene to tie up loose ends.

Here are some links and books I’ve found particularly helpful with plotting and outlining:

Books:

Save the Cat! By Blake Snyder, published by Michael Wiese Procuctions, www.mwp.com ISBN-13: 978-1-932907-00-1. This book is actually about screenwriting but a lot of the information applies to novels. And it’s funny and entertaining.

Building Better Plots by Robert Kernen, Writer’s Digest Books, ISBN 0-89879-903-1. Everything you wanted to know about plotting but were afraid to ask. A really great guide.

Hooked: Write fiction that grabs readers at page one and never lets them go by Les Edgerton, Writer’s Digest Books, ISBN-13:978-1-58297-514-6. Although this book is focused mainly on openings to novels, it has a lot to say about plotting in general. I highly recommend this one!

Helpful links:

http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2007/09/novel-outlining-101.html

I like the way author Lynn Viehl explains how she builds her outlines, starting with a simple statement for each scene and adding on.

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php

Randy Ingermanson explains his Snowflake method of plotting/outlining.

http://www.sff.net/people/alicia/artout.htm

Alicia Rasley tells us how to outline a novel in 30 minutes

http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/870156-Blank-Novel-Outline

Blank novel outline from Writer’s Digest

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/01/25/outlining-novel/

Author Joanna Penn discusses the merits of outlining

Do you outline/plot? What works best for you?

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Jana Richards is author of seven books and is a confirmed plotter. She can be found at http://www.janarichards.net , at my blog at http://janarichards.blogspot.com and at Facebook.

Her latest well-plotted book, THE GIRL MOST LIKELY is available from the Wild Rose Press.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Want to win some goodies? Check out this exciting opportunity!

1– eReaders and eBooks are hot. So hot, they’re on fire! The Kindle Fire, that is.
I’m delighted to announce that I’m participating in the “Reading next to the (Kindle) Fire” holiday giveaway. The prize? A brand, spankin’ new Kindle Fire and 20+ eBooks in Romance, Paranormal, Science Fiction, mystery and YA!  How do you enter? Simple.
1. Join my blog, and/or any of the blogs of the participating authors.
2. Click this link to be taken to official entry form. Fill in the required information (it’s just a few smidgens of info), and you’re entered! While you’re over there, check out the full list of participating authors and books to be given to the winner.

 

Jana Richards, Author of THE GIRL MOST LIKELY

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I am delighted to have my Wild Rose Press, Class of ’85 classmate and friend, Jana Richards, with me today to talk about her latest book, THE GIRL MOST LIKELY. Author of  7 books, Jana has been creating stories in her head all of her life–sometimes about real people but more often about people she made up.  It wasn’t until she was in her thirties that she began to put her stories down on paper.  She’s been at it for more than fifteen years, although she’s just recently become published in novel length fiction.  Jana says, “Just think of me as the poster child for perseverance!” She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with her husband Warren, two university age daughters, and a highly spoiled Pug/Terrier cross named Lou. Jana also grows Lupins, Icelandic poppies and grapes in a tough environment, so it’s no surprise she has succeeded in writing in a competitive publishing world. Jana has generously agreed to provide a free e-copy of THE GIRL MOST LIKELY for one reader. All you have to do is comment or ask a question at the end of this interview to be entered to win.

Jana, after all these years of making stories up was there a specific moment in time or a turning point that made you flip the switch from creating stories to putting them on paper?

I can’t remember what book it was (and I’m not sure I’d tell you even if I did), but I was reading a romance novel and I said to myself “I could write this.” In my arrogance and naivety I believed I could do better, or at least just as well. I thought it looked easy. I soon found out I had a lot to learn. But once I started writing romance, I was hooked. I don’t think I could stop now if I wanted to.

What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least?

I most enjoy creating characters with problems and flaws as well as good qualities like kindness and integrity. My aim is to create a character that feels ‘real’ to the reader. I also love creating worlds for these characters and giving them situations that test them.

As much as I enjoy living in my head, one of my least favorite things about writing is the isolation. That’s why my writing groups and critique partners are so important to me. It’s also why I continue to work at my day job. I enjoy getting out and seeing my co-workers. A person’s got to get out of her pajamas sometime! The other thing I’m not so fond of is marketing and promotion. I really don’t have the knack for selling or knowing what it is that sells books.

Living in Baltimore, Maryland, I shiver just thinking about winter in Winnipeg. How do you think your harsh Canadian winters have prepared you for a writing career?

Wow, I’ve never given that question any thought before. Well, I do spend a lot of time indoors in the winter. What else are you going to do but write?

I’ve heard it said that a lot of musical groups developed in Winnipeg because of the isolation, and maybe the winter. We’re a six hour drive to the next major city and so a lot of musicians (eg: Neil Young, The Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive, The Weakerthans) learned their skills here playing in community clubs and other local venues. It’s a long winter and people have to do something to keep amused! But seriously, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the province next door where I grew up, both value the arts and literacy. There are a lot of writers and musicians who got their starts on the prairies. When you see that other writers from your area are successful it gives you the courage to say, “If they can do it, why can’t I?”

On your website you state “For some, high school was the best time of their lives, and for others it was the worst.” What were your high school years like? Have you ever attended your high school reunion? If not, why not? If yes, what surprised you the most?

My high school years weren’t awful, but they weren’t exactly terrific either. I come from a very small place; there were 24 of us in our graduating class, 18 girls and 6 boys. With those odds, I didn’t have a lot of dates. Anyway, most of us had been together since elementary school. It wasn’t like a large school where you’d have a choice of different people to hang around with, or different clubs to belong to. You saw the same people all day, every day. And if you didn’t get along, or somebody decided they didn’t like you, it could be tough. Even small schools had their cliques and ‘popular kids’. I went out of my way to get along with everyone. To this day, I’m something of a peace-maker and appeaser.

And yes, I did attend a high school reunion. I was 7 months pregnant at the time, so not exactly at my slimmest point! I can totally relate to my character’s desire to look good for her reunion.

Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book–as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with?

The closest I came to that was with my book “A Long Way from Eden”. I really felt that I understood my characters and knew exactly what they were feeling, and that seemed to make the writing so much easier. I think it’s the quickest book I’ve ever written and then one that needed the least editing!

You’ve written 7 books in 15 years. What’s your favorite time management tip?

I am so not the person to be giving time management tips! The first four books that I published were ones that I had worked on for several years before I was first published and that I had “in the can”, so to speak. Let me tell you how long it took me to write “Till September”. My character, Hannah, has a nine year old son. I made Ryan nine because that’s how old my youngest daughter was when I began writing the book. By the time I finished it (after many rewrites) she was about 15 and I think she was 18 when it was actually published. Not exactly a fast writer here!

However, having said that, I have improved my speed over the years. Since 2009 I’ve written and published 3 books, with one more contracted. My early works suffered from endless rewrites. I would go in one direction with the plot, then get stuck and have to start all over. I think I’m a better writer now and know what works and what doesn’t, at least most of the time. I’ve also learned to trust my gut more and not be quite so indecisive about where to take the plot. I’ve also learned to take a few more chances that have made my writing more interesting.

So, the only time management tip I can offer is to do some planning of your story in advance. That way you can (hopefully) anticipate problems and plug plot holes before you even start writing. I find that doing some planning saves me time writing in the long run.

Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer?

I’m definitely more of a plotter (see above question). I generally have some sort of loose outline/synopsis that I work out ahead of time, along with character sketches for my hero and heroine. But that doesn’t mean that things don’t grow organically during the writing of the story. Sometimes the characters or the plot takes me in unexpected places. Sometimes that’s a good thing, but occasionally I’ll still go off the rails. I like to think of my outline as my road map. It’s helping to guide me from my opening problem to my happy ending. But if I get off the main road to take a side trip once in a while, that only makes the trip more interesting. I just need to remember that I have to make my way back to the main road eventually!

If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be?

Keep learning your craft. Take writing classes, go to conferences, have your work critiqued, read writers you admire and dissect what it is that makes their writing great. Don’t be satisfied with where you are now; always strive to make your writing better.

Tell me more about THE GIRL MOST LIKELY. 

Cara McLeod, the girl most likely to have the perfect marriage, is now divorced and, in her own words, “fat, frumpy, and over forty.” The thought of facing former classmates—and the ex-husband who dumped her—at her high school reunion terrifies her. Cajoled into attending by her kids and her best friend, Cara enlists help at the gym to lose weight and look great for the reunion. Personal Trainer Finn Cooper is more than willing to help—but does he have to be so to-die-for gorgeous?

Finn thinks Cara is perfect just the way she is. She’s everything he wants in a woman, except for one thing—she can’t get past the fact that he’s eight years younger. To Finn, age and weight are just numbers. But can he convince Cara the numbers she worries about add up to only one thing for him—love?

How about an excerpt from THE GIRL MOST LIKELY?

He chuckled. “Jessica better watch her back. You could give her a run for her money.”

He heard Cara’s throaty laugh, and various parts of his anatomy tingled in response. “Yes, that’s my evil plan. Take over Rochester Noon, then the world.”

“If you set your mind to it, I’m sure you could do it.”

“Thanks Finn.”

“For what?”

“For believing in me.”

“Are you going to be okay now?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

He wanted so badly to tell her he loved her, adored her, thought she was the most amazing woman in the world. But fear stopped him. Was she truly over her ex-husband? Why else would losing weight for the reunion be so important to her if not to impress Peter?

“I’ve got to run. Thanks again. I’ll talk to you later at my condo, right?”

“Absolutely. I can hardly wait to hear about your big TV debut. Break a leg. Isn’t that what they say in show biz?”

She laughed. “Yeah, that’s what they say. Bye.”

Finn replaced the receiver and closed his eyes. He hoped everything went well with this interview. Cara deserved to realize how amazing she was.

If she did come to that realization, would there still be room in her life for him?

Where can readers find more about your books and you on the Internet?

I’m at http://www.janarichards.net , at my blog at http://janarichards.blogspot.com and at Facebook.

Jana, thanks you so much for being with us here today. I know my readers will enjoy your work and your interview.

Thank you for letting me take over your blog today. And thanks for the insightful questions.

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Want to win some goodies? Check out these two (2) exciting opportinities!

1– eReaders and eBooks are hot. So hot, they’re on fire! The Kindle Fire, that is.
I’m delighted to announce that I’m participating in the “Reading next to the (Kindle) Fire” holiday giveaway. The prize? A brand, spankin’ new Kindle Fire and 20+ eBooks in Romance, Paranormal, Science Fiction, mystery and YA!  How do you enter? Simple.
1. Join my blog, and/or any of the blogs of the participating authors.
2. Click this link to be taken to official entry form. Fill in the required information (it’s just a few smidgens of info), and you’re entered! While you’re over there, check out the full list of participating authors and books to be given to the winner.

2–Join me at The Romance Reviews Year End Splash for a month long event celebrating romance. I’m giving away two (2) e-copies of DESIRE AND DECEPTION. Stop by, chat with authors and enter contests to win lots of really cool prizes! 

An Interview with Rachel Brimble, Author of Paying the Piper

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This week I am thrilled to have the very talented Rachel Brimble as a guest on my blog. She and I met through the Class of ’85 Series with the Wild Rose Press. Please welcome her today and remember, I’m celebrating KISS OF THE SILVER WOLF’s first birthday by selecting one lucky commenter on my blog each week up to October 31, 2011 to win an e-copy of my werewolves meets X-files novella. So, don’t delay! Start commenting!

I am thrilled to be appearing on Sharon’s blog today! We met online via The Wild Rose Press yahoo group and Twitter. She is a lovely, generous and fantastic writer, who I count among my many good US friends. I specify US because I am British and lived in the UK all my life but write for the American market. I often talk to my American friends online than I do my living, breathing UK ones here, lol!

So even though I am here to promote my latest release, Paying The Piper (coming September 19th, yay!), I thought I would talk about one of the places I am lucky enough to live by that often serves as a setting for my stories, but not for Paying The Piper, because I know how you guys like to see our English countryside.

I live in one of the most beautiful counties in the UK, called Wiltshire which is in South West England. Biddestone is a tiny village, just a short fifteen minutes from where I live and where my husband would like us to retire.

I mention Biddestone in my short novella, Transatlantic Loving which is part of the Wild Rose Press Class of ’85 series (it’s actually Biddlestone in the story). It is nothing short of beautiful and lots of US tourists visit there as a short stop on their tour of Bath.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_140&products_id=4244

My family and I often start our long treks across the country at Biddestone as gorgeous fields and landscape surround it. My mad Labrador, Max can roam to his heart’s content. The place is steeped in history, right back to the Saxon age. However, most of the buildings and houses are late eighteenth century and built from stunning creamy-yellow Bath stone.

The houses, the chapels, the glistening pond in its center and even the two pubs (which serve some of the best food I’ve ever tasted), all provide fascinating fodder for story ideas.

The story I am writing next, a short historical novella, will be set here and will tell the story of Lady Tasmin, who was a secondary character in my novel, The Arrival of Lily Curtis. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures I snapped on our latest outing there.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_138&products_id=4124

I am known for my genre hopping so in complete contrast Paying The Piper is set in a large town (again in South West England) against the background of nightclubs and debauchery. Couldn’t be more different than the atmosphere I intend to create for Lady Tasmin, lol!

Here’s the blurb & buy link:

Blurb:

Nightclub manager Grace Butler is on a mission to buy the pub where her mother’s ashes are scattered but the owner wants to sell to anyone but her. And that owner happens to be her father…who has a secret she will do anything to discover.

Social worker and all around good guy Jimmy Betts needs funds to buy a house for three special kids before their care home closes. Time is running out and he’s desperate for cash. He agrees to to a one-time ‘job’ for bad-man Karl Butler. But in a sudden turn of events, Jimmy finds himself employed by Karl’s beautiful, funny and incredibly sexy daughter, Grace. Their lives couldn’t be more different, yet one thread binds them: they’re both trying to escape the bonds of their fathers. Maybe the only way they’ll be free is by being together, instead of alone.

http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=424

Looking forward to chatting with you!

News Flash! Interview with Black Rose Reviews!

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A chat about my stories and the writing life http://blackroseinterviews.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-interview-with-sharon-buchbinder.html

News Flash! 4 Siren Stones for Bonded for Life from Siren Book Reviews

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Attention shoppers! We have a 4 Siren Stone review for Bonded for Life from Mona at Siren Book Reviews! Whoo hoo! Read her wonderful words at http://sirenbookreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/Sharon%20Buchbinder

News Flash! An Inn Decent Proposal is Seriously Reviewed!

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A terrific review for An Inn Decent Proposal! “This is one of those stories in which the participants seem to come alive and step off the page.” To read more, go to http://seriouslyreviewed.blogspot.com/2011/01/inn-decent-proposal-by-sharon.html

News Flash! An Inn Decent Proposal (Spicy, Romantic Suspense Novella) is out TODAY!

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I am thrilled to announce the release of my Spicy Romantic Suspense novella, An Inn Decent Proposal, available from the Wild Rose Press at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/an-inn-decent-proposal-p-4354.html and on Kindle and other e-readers, too!

Here’s the blurb and an excerpt for this latest release from the Class of ’85 Series.

BLURB

Recovering gambler Jim Rawlings returns to Summerville to take the biggest chance of his life–bidding at auction for the once-grand Summerville Inn. But to make the hotel a success, he needs a world class executive chef.

Chef Genie King attends the Summerville Inn auction with dreams of becoming executive chef in her own kitchen. Years ago, she worked at the Inn with Jim, but she never expected her Class of 85 heartthrob to bid at the sale also.

Together, Jim and Genie can purchase and rehab the Inn in time for their twenty-fifth high school reunion, but working together means Jim must share long-hidden secrets with the woman he still loves. Will Genie reject the man with a past? Or will she love the man he’s become?

(Pages 88) Spicy

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EXCERPT:

“But you wanted the Inn, didn’t you?”

“Yes—but what I did was crazy. I spent every dime I had, plus every one you had. Now what do we do?”

She let out a long breath. “We do what we’re good at. I’m a well-trained chef. You’re an experienced hotel manager.”

A small flame of hope flickered in Jim’s mind. “Seriously?”

“Yes,” she stated and sipped her latte. “Why did you want this place?”

“The old girl called to me, begged me to save her.” He gave Genie a wistful smile. “Do I sound crazy?”

“You call the Inn ‘she,’ too?”

“Yes, she’s like a grand old dame who’s fallen on hard times—and I would love to bring her back to her former glory.”

Genie leaped up, ran around the table and hugged him. “I have the same dream. We can do it.”

He hesitated for a moment, then returned the gesture, his hands unable to resist lingering on her luscious curves just a tad too long. Genie’s inviting cleavage made him wish they were somewhere private. He could scarcely breathe and he had to shake his head to dispel naughty images of nuzzling her breasts. “We can do what?”