How to Move Forward by Going Backwards

An interesting thought occurred to me recently whilst pushing on with getting a first draft of my new novel down. The thought was that whilst I was trying to get my first draft down as quickly as possible new ideas and plot points kept occurring to me. Although I write with a kind of outline – especially for the first half of the book, so I do not get stuck - I also like to leave myself open to new directions as I write. And writing as fast as possible for first draft seems to be best for me.

Some of the ideas that occurred to me were good ones that seemed to have come up epiphany-like from the ‘girls in the basement’, but should I stop and incorporate them? I wanted to do just that but it meant going back and introducing something much earlier in the draft in order for it to make sense. Which, in turn, meant that I wasn’t actually moving the story forward. But the extra material did add more depth (or a subplot) to the story. Great you might say…

But doing this kind of toing and froing took time (when I was trying to write fast) and it also risked me becoming confused as to where I actually was in the story.  Plus, although I had a fair idea of where the plot would eventually end up, I had no clear idea of the ending so introducing more story lines could potentially jeopardise my entire plot if I wasn’t careful. So, what to do?

I read somewhere that a good idea was to keep a revision sheet alongside you as you write so that you can jot down the idea as it occurs to you. Also to make a note of where the material needed to be introduced (approx.) and then continue to write the draft as if the plot point was already incorporated. Lately I have been trying this method with my present book and it is surprisingly easy. I know I will have much more work to do in second draft but once I have the main story down I don’t feel the pressure to rush through that. In fact I like to take my time and re-consider everything that has gone into the story.

Anyway this is my best tip of the year!

Do you have any good tips to pass on to others to try?

The Click is KIng! Long Live the King!

The click is mightier than the pen - they say...

I once put pen to paper (literally) and wrote.

Now I click, tap and navigate. What a huge change to the way we all communicate. I can’t even remember when I last received a hand written letter.   I am not a bright, young thing (although I’d like to think I’m still reasonably bright!) but I know many others of a similar age group who are also very au fait with computers and indeed to some degree, social networking.

For me the keypad is quicker than the pen when it comes to getting tumbling thoughts and ideas down on paper. Free writing engages the creative right side of the brain and not the analytical, logical left brain. I believe getting something, anything, down on a blank sheet is the best way to avoid writers block and so I often use free writing to help me think and get going on a project.

Using the keypad rather than the pen gives me a quicker easier way to use this stream of consciousness writing and make some sense of it. In longer pieces (and especially at the beginning of a novel when my thoughts may be a little muddled anyway) it’s far easier for me to rush on knowing I can come back and sort it later. Editing with pen and paper just leaves me with a confused mess of crossings out and no sense of what I am really trying to say.  Having said that, I have friends who continue to write in longhand – at least initially. They still cherish the feel of pen on paper and love to fill the blank white pages of a notebook.

Just occasionally I write something longhand – maybe a rough draft of an article or something short. However I do find the writing tends to end up almost note-like with no proper sentences. I guess that’s because my hand cannot keep up with my brain! No, wait… That can’t be right! My brain is definitely a slowcoach… (Thinks….)  Or maybe not…

Long live writers of all kinds!

So do you still write longhand occasionally or are you a total keyboard convert?

A Flipping Good Day

Today is a good day because I am back in beautiful Lanzarote - AND today I have my PC back and it's all mended. I have been struggling with it for a while but I have now had a new motherboard??? And it works fine so it's full steam ahead for all my writing and blogging etc.

Today is also a good day because my latest novel  The Afterlife of Darkmares is now out in paperback form on amazon.co.uk as well as on kindle. Yay!!

And to cap it off today is also 'bloglights' day. Yay again! ( I'm getting rather good at cheering...)
For the uniniated this is a new feature I am trying out where I highlight a few other good blogs I have visited which I think are worth a visit.

So here goes:

First up is Bea Sempere (aka Denise Baer). Her blog Skipping Stone Memories is a favourite of mine. She posts some thought provoking observations on life and writing and she has some fabulous quirky pics too.

Next is Annalisa Crawford. Some great posts and she often has guest interviews too. She is also a member of the Insecure Writers Group (IWSG) and I belive all are invited to join.

Another interesting blog is Maria Zannini who writes paranormal historicals and mythological - type stories. Her blog is often full of contests and give aways. She can be found at lots of places on the web but her blog is well worth a visit.

Last ( but not least) is Frances Garrood whose blog aften brings a smile to my face. I just love that her posts are relatively short and so easy to read. She has an amusing outloook on life and her comments are to the point and often quite funny. Just the thing for a moody monday morning...

So there we have it - just a few of the blogs I enjoy. Do visit if you can.

Do you think this kind of promotion is worthwhile?

Life Blood for fiction - Conflict

                                   CONFLICT

When I started writing fiction I did not fully understand the concept of conflict. My writing seemed dull and lifeless! I read James N Frey's books on writing and irealised what was missing. It was a eureka moment! A lightbulb flashed on and I finally understood how important conflict was. I was putting a little trouble in my stories but not enough to make readers worry or care about my characters. But when I grasped the concept properly my stories took on a life of their own as I infused them with MUCHO  TROUBLE!

I used to worry that too much conflict was not a good thing. That everyday people never (unless they were really unfortunate!) have to cope with the amount of conflict that there necessarily is in fiction. But then I realised fiction is NOT everyday life. It is made up and for the most part everyday life, for many of us, is pretty boring. Not something a reader wants to invest many hours in – especially if you are a busy kind of person with plenty of other stuff that needs doing. It’s why life stories, I think, are so boring – unless you’re famous or have done something outstanding with your life. And that doesn’t include the day you got involved with a row at your local supermarket!

Anyway, back to conflict. One look at the soaps and how they are written is enough to confirm we are not talking real life really (sorry!) We all know that but it doesn’t stop us watching and enjoying seeing other people tussle with the agonising mess they make. It’s how they cope and overcome their problems that fascinate us. So it is with conflict in novels. You have to make trouble, fling it at them and then make it worse! Finally you throw the kitchen sink at them and almost see them go down and succumb… And then… Then we see them come to terms, rise up and overcome the conflict and obstacles we have created. Ah…. Not so boring, eh?

We have to connect with our characters and see them as real people but the conflict they face does not have to be normal conflict. In fact if we raise the stakes the conflict should escalate to unbearable heights and we are on the edge of our seats wondering how on earth they are going to win through with it all!

So that states my case for more and more conflict to give your stories the life they deserve!

Do you put lots of conflict in your stories? Do you sometimes worry that you are over the top?





Xenophobia is scary!

X – Xenophobia

Fear of strangers or aliens is the dictionary definition of this word! And what a fabulous word it is to use when writing thrillers. I think it could almost be a spark for a damn good plot just on it’s own…

Fear, whichever way you use, it has been the engine for many a good thriller story. And it never matters whether the fear is real or imagined. If it is what the character feels then it is ‘real’. In fact, all the phobias are rich pickings for thriller writers. I can think of many stories where you never really know whether the character’s fear is justified or not until well into the tale or even at the absolute end.

What it actually means is that fear is an overwhelming emotion that we all recognise and indentify with. Who hasn’t imagined all sorts of creepy things when alone in the dark? And phobic fear is just as powerful to the person who suffers it. The outcome for both types of fear in a story is good old fashioned suspense! It is the stuff that keeps people turning the pages and biting their nails!

And keeping readers guessing is never a bad thing...

So do you have a phobic-type fear? Do you use it in your writing?



The 'What if' (and other W's) Factor

W - What if, when, who why, where...

I was reading some old writing articles the other day and came across the 'write about what you know' advice. I think it should be amended to 'write about what you'd like to know' and what others might like to know...
The former overused adage, I believe, can easily block a writer and tie him/her to the mundane things in life - a perfect reason for a reader to become bored and put a story to one side.   People read to learn something or be entertained and unless you can add an element of difference, they will soon be unengaged.
The latter phrase 'write about what you'd like to know' may encourage a writer to think more about what makes interesting reading and may help to stop the same old tired plot lines being re-hashed.
After all, stories about futuristic scifi, vampires and ghosts would have never been written if we steadfastly stuck to 'what we know'. And writers like Stephen King and Dean Koontz would be drawing unemployment checks!
Readers want to be taken out of their normal everyday worlds whatever the genre - whether it be soap stories, romance, adventure, mystery, or thriller. These genres still need some 'out there' plotlines or at best some exageration (or almost unbelievable aspect) of everyday life.  Even the soaps, meant to be a representation of ordinary folk and ordinary life, stretch our sense of credulity to the limit. 
Of course, introducing fanciful aspects is where the imagination comes into play. And this leads directly away from the 'write what you know' adage and invites you to ask the 'what if' question. For me this is the most exciting part of writing - allowing imagination to soar to the heavens.
I believe the 'what if' question should become the most asked question by fiction writers, whatever genre they write in.We need to make our stories as different as possible if they are to be noticed.
Asking the other 'W' questions also helps to add spice to a plot. Whenever I am planning a story they are the questions I constantly ask myself, but the 'what if' question is the most fascinating as you can let your imagionation run away with you and maybe turn a plot totally on it's head!
Having said that, readers do still need some elements of familiarity and stories still need to be believable - i.e. could it really happen like that? So 'write what you know' should still be in the mix.   I mean, what's wrong with setting 'kitchen sink dramas' in a futuristic world peopled by aliens?? What if that could really happen....

What do you think? Do you ask that question to get something different from your stories?

Brilliant 'How To' Books.

Brilliant How to Books

During my writing adventures I have been grateful for those usually famous authors who have shared their knowledge of craft to help other would-be thriller writers.

In the beginning I read them for their insightful advice on developing all the usual writerly skills – this in the days before writers blogs took off. And it wasn’t as if I was ignorant about writing, I studied for a creative writing degree at University and went on numerous writing courses/conferences etc where I not only learnt from lectures but could also talk to those who had done it successfully.

But always I came back to my books. After all that is the bedrock of our profession – books. I have amassed quite a collection of writing books over the years – some good, some not so good. But the interesting thing for me is that they still provide me with inspiration! Whenever I feel a bit down – usually after a rejection or a fit of self doubt - I pull out one of my favourites and re-read. it always lifts me and fills me once again with a sense of enthusiasm.

I also turn to my books when I am struggling with a particular issue like the setting, characters or editing and revising. In the planning stages of a book my approach has been different with each project, (taking advice from my how to books) but the plus side is I now know what works best for me. 

So here’s some of my gems:

My all time favourite:

Stephen Kings ‘On Writing’

Next:

‘How to Write a Damn Good Novel’  James N Frey.

‘The Key’, James N Frey.

‘How to Write a Damn good Thriller’, James N Frey.

‘How to Write Tales of Horror, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction’ J.N Williamson.

‘Hooked’, Les Edgerton.

‘Lessons From a Lifetime of Writing’, David Morrell.

‘Writing the Breakout Novel’, Donald Maas.

‘Stein On Writing’, Sol Stein.

‘How Fiction Works’ Oakley Hall.

‘The Techniques of the Selling Writer’, Dwight Swain

And for a light-hearted read:

‘Wannabe a Writer’, Jane Wenham Jones.

So who are you favourite ‘how to’ authors?

For samples of my own writing: http://www.patricianewcombe.webnode.com/ 

OMG! a brilliant book on social networking

I just finished Kristen Lamb books on social networking and OMG my eyes have been opened! I have bumbled along with blogging, tweeting etc for a while, learning as I go and making tons of mistakes only to find someone made most of them before me and I could have saved myself a heck of a lot of time! ( that most precious of commodity)
Her books? 'Are you there blog? it's me writer.,' and 'We are not alone: The Writer's guide to social networking.'
It's not often that I read a non-fiction book so voraciously that I stay up all night but this one (We are not Alone) - it had me entranced. It's written so well too with lots of lighthearted bits that will make you smile.
I was learning in a very pleasant way. And it all made sense!
A must have book for all writers who want to move with the times and develop their social networking platforms.
Stop Press! This blog will be changing soon - please come by and visit again...

For samples of my thriller novels please visit http://www.patricianewcombe.webnode.com/

Soaps and sagas peopled by aliens.

I was reading some old writing articles the other day and came across the 'write about what you know' advice. I think it should be amended to 'write about what you'd like to know' and what others might like to know...
The former overused adage, I believe, can easily block a writer and tie him/her to the mundane things in life - a perfect reason for a reader to become bored and put a story to one side.   People read to learn something or be entertained and unless you can add an element of difference, they will soon be unengaged.
The latter phrase 'write about what you'd like to know' may encourage a writer to think more about what makes interesting reading and may help to stop the same old tired plot lines being re-hashed.
After all, stories about futuristic scifi, vampires and ghosts would have never been written if we steadfastly stuck to 'what we know'. And writers like Stephen King and Dean Koontz would be drawing unemployment checks!
Readers want to be taken out of their normal everyday worlds whatever the genre - whether it be soap stories, romance, adventure, mystery, or thriller. These genres still need some 'out there' plotlines or at best some exageration (or almost unbelievable aspect) of everyday life.  Even the soaps, meant to be a representation of ordinary folk and ordinary life, stretch our sense of credulity to the limit. 
Of course, introducing fanciful aspects is where the imagination comes into play. And this leads directly away from the 'write what you know' adage and invites you to ask the 'what if' question. For me this is the most exciting part of writing - allowing imagination to soar to the heavens.
I believe the 'what if' question should become the most asked question by fiction writers, whatever genre they write in.We need to make our stories as different as possible if they are to be noticed.
Having said that, readers do still need some elements of familiarity and stories still need to be believable - i.e. could it really happen like that? So 'write what you know' should still be in the mix.   I mean, what's wrong with setting 'kitchen sink dramas' in a futuristic world peopled by aliens??
What do you think?

NAWG

National Association of Wrting Groups (NAWG) is having it's festival of writing in Nottingham this year. Much more easily accessible, I think. At least it's in the middle-ish of the country and not so far to travel for most people... It will be held from 2nd - 4th September.
The festival weekends have been excellent events in the past and this year will be just as well planned. It promises to be a packed weekend of tutors, speakers and plain old-fashioned fun!
Do come along for the whole weeked - or just part of it - if you can. Details can be found on NAWG's website http://www.nawg.co.uk/