All writers should use a plan whether written or reflected. This includes the initial idea, the content or main points, and the conclusion whether it is an article, a short story, a chapter, or a complete novel.
Let us look at the article. This starts with main idea that is engendered in the title. Then the content is considered: the main points that will make up the article. All that is left to do now is to fill in the details of each line of reasoning. Leave it for a few days before editing, revising, and rewriting. The article is done.
Similarly, the short story starts with the intent and then the character who has a desire or want that is stymied by some obstacle. As the character attempts to overcome the obstacle, more complications occur until defeat seems the only possibility, but defeat is turned into success or disaster, success if the short story is a comedy and disaster if it is a tragedy.
The chapter of a novel follows a similar plan, but it is not as complete as the short story, since the tale or narrative must go on. The chapter is like one event in the short story with its aspiration, its impediment, its complication, and its achievement or downfall.
Even the novel follows a similar development. Novels can emphasize plot or character but in either case, the protagonist meets an antagonist that can be another human, an belief, or nature that encumber and frustrated him or her. The effort to overcome increases the difficulty rather than alleviate it, resulting in further complexity until a solution is found or the protagonist is overwhelmed.
Basically, all writing follows a similar scheme. Thus, only the details are different for each composition, be it an article, a short story, a chapter, or a novel.
Charles O. Goulet has a BA in history and a BEd in English literature. He has written several historical novels that are available at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes and Noble, and many other bookstores.
His website is http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c
His blogsite is http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c
All the famous writers I heard of could paper the... Read More
Do you suffer from writer's block? Is there a pending... Read More
1. No one else will do it for you.2. No... Read More
Recently I was watching the Oprah show and it was... Read More
According to one of my previous articles, whenever a Southerner... Read More
Communication is effective when we follow certain rules. These rules... Read More
During the past few months I have received many questions... Read More
It's clich?, but true-a picture does paint a thousand words.... Read More
Sometimes there is confusion about the exact meaning of the... Read More
* Scanning and Skimming Practices *Whether you're writing e-mail messages... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?What a plot is and what a... Read More
The dash--that curious mark of punctuation people use in their... Read More
I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of... Read More
SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?Many people have entertained... Read More
A writer can never be self indulgent whether writing fiction,... Read More
"If you want to change your life," Harry Beckwith wrote... Read More
There's a little known secret we writers like to keep... Read More
Or do you?Writers write. You shouldn't wait around for inspiration... Read More
I owe the completion and success of my book to... Read More
As writers, we initially tend to be either more cerebral... Read More
A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was... Read More
Rudolph Flesch, a pioneering advocate of readability, put great stock... Read More
Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More
Here's something from my mailbag. "Dear Michael, do you need... Read More
The first step in the writing process is to put... Read More
express cleaning service Des Plaines ..I just finished to read a book. A story for... Read More
Anyone who has read any of my articles on the... Read More
1. Set aside a time to write and keep it... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips -We've established what a title should... Read More
FIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a... Read More
Don't they drive you nuts?You can visit all the rules... Read More
In my ten years as an advertiser, I've encountered plenty... Read More
Readers often send me interesting and exciting e-mails about the... Read More
So many clients come to me as a book or... Read More
There is a lot of confusion about recommendation letters.Recommendation letters... Read More
Let's Discuss Publisher Ethics:If you are an ezine publisher or... Read More
Next time you're tempted to use italics for emphasis... STOP!"Why?"... Read More
Golden Rules For New Writers - Things you need to... Read More
How many of you take the time to really write... Read More
Think of writing like karate...it's about DISCIPLINE.Writing, like other forms... Read More
Way back in your early school years, you were probably... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?By now you should have an idea... Read More
We've all seen those ads that grab our attention and... Read More
In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More
Mixing and mingling with industry professionals is an opportunity that... Read More
Writing better is critical for students. But it's even more... Read More
Language Training - A key to Global CommunicationLanguage Training is... Read More
You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More
I've just come back to work after nine glorious, sun-drenched... Read More
How do you choose a name? Do you put down... Read More
Writing |