Thursday, October 14, 2010

Writing Tip 1 from Sam

1. - Who is your protagonist, and what does he or she want?

 
2. - When the story begins, what morally significant actions has he or she already taken towards that goal?

 
3. - What unexpected consequences -- directly related to the protagonist's efforts to achieve the goal -- ramp up the emotional energy of the story?

 
4. - What details from the setting, dialog, and tone help you tell the story?

5. - Things to cut: travel scenes, character A telling character B about something we just saw happening to character A, and phrases like "said happily" -- it's much better to say "bubbled" or "gushed" or "cooed."

6. - What morally significant choice does your protagonist make at the climax of the story?


Samantha Albright is a professional blogger and marketing editor. She is based in Pleasanton, California, but is available worldwide. Sam has been in publishing since 2001 when she received her first contract to write her own novels. Since then she has served on the editorial staffs of many small publishing companies across the country.

1 comment:

  1. I certainly find this interesting.

    http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative1/shortstory/

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