Tip:
...begin by taking charge of your story. Though even a completed first draft will rarely provide you with full mastery over your story, you have now managed to tell the story once.
...Note well: I'm suggesting you write your scenario after - not before - you finish your first draft. You were in no position to write a scenario before you'd done the first draft. You did not know the story well enough for that.
Top:
Stephen Koch in his book The Modern Library Writer's Workshop (which I confess I call 'the green book' because the title is...uh...unforgettable)
My Take on this Tip:
Having just been through a very intense revision process I feel I am more than ready to address this tip. I lived it! I didn't write a scenario, whatever that is. I wrote a synopsis based on The Hero's Journey. Now this was after many drafts, not just my first. I admit I don't know how many - I went through that sucker from the tiny details to the big picture. That's right, hot shot! Backwards and in high-heels. And I totally agree with Mr. Koch - couldn't have done it earlier. I took charge of that story. I saw which parts were meanders going nowhere, or ego-trips, or just plain mistakes - like the appendix - and had to be cut out. Once I really knew the story I could see all that wasn't it.
"Your story lies before you, fresh territory. Now you need a map." Koch, TMLWW
Now I'm going to do the same thing with The Rock Walker. Well, as soon as I get these query packages done and out for True. I feel pretty darn confident about this tip and I hope it helps anyone out there who gives it a twirl.
That's it for today's post. Hope you are all well and good. I'll be by this weekend to visit. Dust and vacuum!
6 comments:
Yep, just finished a first draft and boy do I find this true. There is so much to change...how could I know at this point where the story is going. But, at least there is a story.
Editing and revising are my least favorite things, but they are necessary. And these are great tips.
Thank you.
Thanks for the tips, Jan!
I never feel I have a handle on a story until the first draft is complete. And my favorite part of writing is rewriting. Unfortunately, I don't seem to know when to stop.
Ha! Beautiful job, Jan! I'm excited with you. I just sent one off to my agent, and am now in the drumming fingers stage. Synopsis, though, is funny. I think I stayed fairly true to the synopsis I started with. As this is more of a grandchild of the first draft, though, maybe it doesn't count. Good words! I've heard of this Koch book. Need to read it!
Ha! Beautiful job, Jan! I'm excited with you. I just sent one off to my agent, and am now in the drumming fingers stage. Synopsis, though, is funny. I think I stayed fairly true to the synopsis I started with. As this is more of a grandchild of the first draft, though, maybe it doesn't count. Good words! I've heard of this Koch book. Need to read it!
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