Most stories have the potential for more than
one storyline or plot, and that can produce a rich tapestry as long as the threads
are chosen well and woven properly.
A basic definition of plot is what happens
in a story, or, more precisely, the main events. The bigger events, whose
impact is usually on the main characters, form the main plot. The lesser events,
whose impact is more on secondary characters, form the subplot, of which there
may be more than one. When revising your story, one question to consider is: Does
the subplot overshadow the plot?
If this is the case, the reason may lie in the strength, or
lack thereof, of the main characters. If so, consider how to strengthen
the main characters. If they’re right for the story as-is, look closer at the
secondary characters. They may be more integral to the overall work than first
appeared. If so, consider changing the balance of characters and storylines. Selecting
new narrative threads can create an entirely new design.
Share your writing
journey and queries on plot and subplot with Word for Words. Happy writing!
Continuously Published Since 2008 Jon Landau — Music Critic, Manager, Record Producer
Friday, February 5, 2016
Saturday, January 16, 2016
The Writer's Voice of Experience
Stevenson Dam, CT |
One factor that shapes a writer’s voice is her experience, not just those that are formative, but the ones that are transformative. This doesn’t necessarily mean the writer keeps rewriting her own story in different forms, although that’s sometimes true. It means that writers usually write best with their experience, thought not from it. But can voice be cultivated, or is it a gift?
Voice isn’t something that’s created so much as revealed, and nothing reveals it better than when the writer writes what she’s passionate about. Sometimes it takes a few paragraphs, pages, chapters or even an entire novel to unearth this discovery, but when you get there, you'll know it. The moment may come at a turning point in the story, through a simple setting description or even in a seemingly insignificant scene, but when you find your voice you’ll suddenly feel the story and characters come alive.
Share your queries on voice and your writing journey at Word for Words.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Great Resources for Writers
Boston at night |
Atomic Reach: Based in Toronto, Atomic Reach for bloggers uses its specially designed technology to change how people tell stories. AtomicWriter adapts feedback based on the bloggers’ audience to help them craft great blog posts.
AWP Writer to Writer Mentorship Program: AWP's Writer to Writer matches emerging writers with published authors for three months. Writer to Writer is free for mentees. Mentors volunteer their time and get a free one-year membership. The program is for all AWP members, especially underrepresented writers who don’t have an MFA.
Connecticut Public Television (CPTV): Around for more than 50 years, CPTV offers opportunities for writers to publicize their work and propose programming. This is especially true of its respected and award-winning educational programming for audiences in Connecticut and beyond.
Catapult: This innovative publishing venture geared toward emerging writers includes print and e-book publishing, classes, online writing and a platform for writers to share work and better their craft. Catapult also supports established writers by sharing revenue from classes they teach and paying to publish their work online.
Vox First Person: Vox is a general interest news site that devotes a section of its site to personal narratives on key topics. If you have a great story on an important issue, you can pitch it to Vox First Person, which seeks stories from writers of every age, gender, race and political view. They even work with new writers who have an important story but need help turning it into a piece.
WordTango: WordTango is an online community by and for writers that provides a community of classes, events and online networking to share tips, stories and contacts. Happy writing!
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