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KazG started the topic Plotting workshop notes in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 1 month ago
Hi everyone, I did a really useful workshop with an Australian crime writer called PD Martin looking at different plotting techniques last weekend. It looked at different ways of approaching a good story structure (which fascinates me). I was familiar with some of the methods covered, as I’m sure you will be, and others less so, but what I found…[Read more]
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KazG posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 1 month agoGood for you @philippaeast. You more than deserve that break! What a rollercoaster in a whirlwind you’ve been riding, but also, what an awesome result. Do you have an outline for book 2?
My update is that backat the end of last year I thought that Penguin Random House had gone too quiet and all was lost (my agent was getting ready to go out on…[Read more]
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That’s brilliant news Kaz. It’s like snakes and ladders, isn’t it?? Glad you’re still on an upward trajectory, and really looking forward to this book
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This is AMAZING news, Kaz! Well done! Sounds really hopeful and positive and generally fantastic. I’ll be keeping fingers and toes crossed that aquisitions are quickly on board. WIll your agent be subbing more widely anyway, or are you waiting on this one first? And good luck getting back to the NaNo book. It feels like a looooong time since the…[Read more]
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Ooh that sounds fantastic Kaz. Exciting, exciting, exciting!!! I’m watching this space…
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Thanks @raine, @daedalus, @janeshuff! Yes, Snakes and Ladders is exactly how it is. We’re only submitting to PRH at the moment; the situation is a bit unusual in that I got a response from them after pitching directly to them, before I’d even signed with my agent (which happened just after, actually). They’ve already given me editorial feedback so…[Read more]
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Oh gosh, so exciting! And well don’t for grafting out those edits. Really pleased they worked for you, and hopefully it just means you’re even happier with the book. Now I’m keeping everything crossed, but given that (if I understand correctly) your agent hasn’t even sent anywhere else yet, this is all looking super optimistic! Good luck on the…[Read more]
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Thanks @philippaeast. Yes, we’ve only submitted to PRH so far. The silence is killing me!
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Oh man, I feel your pain!!
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ps I’m trying to put an outline together for Book 2 as we speak. I’m not keen to go writing off into the wilderness as I did with Book 1! Still trying to find all the pieces, and how they might fit together….
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Oh good luck! I’m doing the same, to try to stop things flying off in all directions. What outline template are you using? By chapter?
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I’m using the Story Grid Global Foolscap template, where you block out your beginning hook (act 1), middle build (act 2) and ending payoff (act three), identifying the key plot points in each (inciting incident, progressive complications, crisis, climax and resolution). This template also gets you to define your overall genre (e.g. love story,…[Read more]
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Oh that looks interesting! A new approach. I’ve just done a plotting workshop that looks at different ways of approaching this so my head’s trying to incorporate it all and decide on the best approach for me right now. I’ll summarise and post when I get a moment. Thank you!
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And GOOD LUCK 🙂
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Jules replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium 7 years, 1 month ago
Congratulations, Stevie. Great news and very well deserved 😊
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Jules replied to the topic Monster Anthology opportunity in the forum Competitions, Open calls and Writing Opportunities 7 years, 2 months ago
Sounds like my kind of novella, Stevie 😁
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Jules replied to the topic Monster Anthology opportunity in the forum Competitions, Open calls and Writing Opportunities 7 years, 2 months ago
Go for it, Stevie. I bet you can knock out more words in 5 months than you think. And worst case scenario, you’ll still have the makings of a story if you don’t hit the deadline.
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Jules started the topic Monster Anthology opportunity in the forum Competitions, Open calls and Writing Opportunities 7 years, 2 months ago
Absolutely huge word count on these – publisher is basically requesting a novella. But you might find that works for you. Plus monster stories from a LGBTQAIP+ angle.
Here’s the link in case anyone is interested.
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KazG replied to the topic Publishing Deal in the forum Podium 7 years, 2 months ago
Happy vicarious dancing down here! Congratulations and so well deserved 😊
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KazG replied to the topic Entering the Citadel in the forum Blogs 7 years, 2 months ago
Hooray hooray HOORAY!! You deserve this so much, for your amazing perseverance, your all round kindness and your writing (looking forward to reading this!). So very happy for you 😘🍾🥂💕
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Jules replied to the topic Publishing Deal in the forum Podium 7 years, 2 months ago
Congratulations, Phillipa. I’ve loved your short stories so I’ll look forward to your book release 😊
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KazG posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 4 months agoStill SloMoing along and hitting my very modest targets. Chip, chip, chip. Over 10,000 words now and it’s been pretty easy going, really, esp after NaNo.
I got some editorial notes from a publisher who’s shown some interest – all of which is gold and so useful – but one of the comments was that a 2 book series would be easier to sell, so I…[Read more]
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Well done @kazg on keeping that word count going. 10k in the run up to xmas is a pretty impressive feat!! And I think your plan makes sense – write the thing first, then see how overall structure might work across the novels. Saves having to be thinking ont he large scale whilst trying to write. So what are you focussing on atm? Drafting #2 or editing #1?
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Thanks @raine 😊 finishing book 2 is my focus. I have to keep some momentum up or that book world will feel cold, if you know what I mean. Also it might affect book 1 edits once I know what happens next!
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I know what you mean about momentum @kazg. Once lost it can take a while to get back on track.
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Oh wow! Huge credit to you, @kazg for staying so steady as you work through this and absorb that editorial feedback. I think your strategy is a good one – get your vision down first, then step back and review. Really good luck!
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Thanks @philippaeast! God knows I’ll need it 🙂
Yes, momentum has an energy it itself I find @libby. Even just a little helps.
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KazG replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium 7 years, 4 months ago
Hooray Stevie! Congratulations!
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KazG posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 4 months agoWell done all SloMoers and it looks like gentle forward motion is happening for everyone, even if it might not feel like it (@daedalus – I’m a firm believer in the power of mental gathering and composting, even if no actual words are landing on the page).
I’m finding SloMo a lifesaver – it’s slow enough to feel like a break from the frenetic…[Read more]
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Oh good for you @kazg. I am glad it’s helping you conquer the fear. Driving with headlights, yes! (Ug). Chipping away, exactly, and I’m so pleased you feel “rested but engaged”. NaNo really is crazy… I have never done it. I fear I’d lose my mind!!
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I love that analogy – I will think of that as I plough through each slow chapter!! I’m driving in pretty dense fog at the moment, but there are cats’ eyes. And actual cats on my desk, obv. Well dones for sticking to your targets – that’s bolstering & will hopefully keep you moving.
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KazG replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium 7 years, 4 months ago
Hope the launch was fun @hilary, and congratulations!
And @elle, I’ve just been reading back thorough this thread and seen your other stories – absolutely stunning writing, no wonder you keep getting placed! Well done 🙂
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KazG posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 4 months agoSo I managed 203 words yesterday. That’s a little too Slo Mo for my liking. I think I need to embrace the theme of this group a little less enthusiastically.
In my defence, it was the day after said music festival, kids had music performance of their own AND husband back in the house after a month away. So not a normal day…
Have to get…[Read more]
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Good luck Kaz. I am off to bed now after a fabulous evening learning about search and rescue dog training.
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Ha ha! My SloMo is mutating into ReallyQuiteSloMoActually! Fingers crossed for more words today.
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203 > 0.
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🙂 Indeed!
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KazG posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 4 months agoThanks for setting this up @raine, great idea, and inspiring to read about all the gentle but still moving forward targets in here.
I’m in dire need of SloMo December, especially after coming back from a brain-and-soul-rejuvenating music festival in the beautiful middle of nowhere. Which was fabulous on every level but very lacking in sleep…[Read more]
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I didn’t realise you could keep using the nano site like that – oh YAY for the chart – That lovely thing gace me such a geeky glow of pleasure!
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Also, music festival sounds amazing! I spent the weekend on trains and hosting family, so slightly less rejuvenating!
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It was BRILLIANT. such a good vibe, amazing range of music, lovely people, food and coffee 🙂
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I didn’t know that either, I’ll have to go check it out
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Yes, it’s a bit different to the normal graph in that you have to add your TOTAL every day, not just what you did that day and then it updates it for you (unless there’s a setting I’ve missed somewhere). I learnt that the hard way today, but luckily the grand sum of 203 (yesterday’s achievement) wasn’t hard to remember, so I just add that to…[Read more]
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Jules replied to the topic NaNoWriMo in the forum Coffee Shop 7 years, 4 months ago
Well done, Ath 🙂
And well done other fellow NaNoers
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