Welcome to my page dedicated to anyone who's always wanted to write a novel, but didn't know where to start. I'll post a tip each day from my book YOUR PERSONAL FICTION-WRITING COACH: 365 Days of Motivation & Tips to Write a Great Book! and then, I want to hear from you: Like the Personal Fiction-Writing Coach FB page and leave a comment to let me and your fellow writers know if the day's tip or writing exercise resonates with you and your project. Grab your writing pals and send them over, too!
So you want to be a writer? Or maybe you’re already a writer, but can’t seem to get that novel written? Or you’ve written a few books, but the thrill is gone. Is there a trick, you wonder, to writing a great book, or even finishing a so-so book? Why, yes—there are three tricks, actually, that veteran writers like me keep top secret (shhhh!):
The list probably isn’t the romantic, idealistic answer you were hoping for, but I wrote this book with the idea of dispensing daily inspiration to get you to think about your story—and to write. Because I know from experience your motivation will give out before your imagination will. This book is structured to ease you through the life-cycle of creating a full-length novel, from broad stroke advice and self-evaluating questions, to more specific tips when you get to the planning and writing stages. I’ve also included pitfalls to avoid, lessons I’ve learned and techniques to help you manage your writing time.
If you like guarantees, writing isn’t for you. That said, if you write a novel and put it out into the universe, I guarantee you will:
And that’s cool. Ready? Let’s do this. ~
This daily serial will run through December 31. Each day's writing tip or exercise will be posted for 24 hours, 4am Eastern to 4am Eastern. Set a reminder on your calendar, fridge, or phone so you don't miss a single day of advice to get your novel finished! (For general writing advice and to find out how I sold my first book, check out my Writers Q&A page.)
A high concept idea, in my opinion, can be one of two things:
1) An idea with universal appeal (tried and true), but with a contemporary twist
2) An idea global in scope and consequences (cinematic)
For example:
Universal appeal (tried and true): a parent who has lost a child
Contemporary twist: told from the murdered child's point of view
Book: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Global in scope and consequences (cinematic): A professor stumbles onto the secret that Jesus Christ may have produced a child.
Book: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Using some of my own books for further examples (all of which fall in the first category):
Universal appeal (tried and true): A working girl struggles with life issues
Contemporary twist: She works for Neiman Marcus by day and moves bodies from crime scenes by night.
Book: Body Movers
Universal appeal (tried and true): A woman is recovering from a messy divorce
Contemporary twist: She stabs a voodoo doll of her ex as a joke, and he’s found murdered.
Book: In Deep Voodoo
Movie people in particular are fond of the “high concept” expressed in a pithy logline that would look good on a movie poster. Remember, a high concept idea can be expressed with a minimum of words, i.e., everyone "gets it" without a lot of explanation.
Q: Is YOUR story idea high concept? Share with other writers on Facebook.
Check back tomorrow for the next tip from
YOUR PERSONAL FICTION-WRITING COACH:
365 Days of Motivation & Tips to Write a Great Book!
Can't wait or need to catch up? Get your own copy!
