Janice Hardy's Blog, page 26
March 22, 2021
Two Words That Lead to a Stronger Novel
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy There’s a fine line between a series of things that happen and a plot.
Seeing exactly how a novel unfolds in your head is both a blessing and a curse. It’s helpful to know how the story plays out, but it’s also easy to get scope-locked on what you know happens that you forget to include the why or how of it. The protagonist’s actions might make sense on a first glance, but when you ask questions or poke at the plot even a little, it falls apart.
Things happen because they need to happen for the plot to work, not because the characters made them happen. There’s no cause and effect. There’s just effect.
Basically, characters are following instructions, they’re not living their lives and dealing with issues.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
March 20, 2021
WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at a Paranormal Romance Opening Page
Critique by Maria D'Marco WIP Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and we diagnose it on the site. It’s part critique, part example, and designed to help the submitter as well as anyone else having a similar problem.
If you're interested in submitting to WIP Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines.
Submissions currently in the queue: One
Please Note: As of today, critique slots are booked until March 27.
This week’s questions:
1. Does this opening grab you and compel you to read on?
2. Are there confusing details you needed explained right away? Too many details/backstory?
3. Is my MC’s voice distinctive? Interesting? Do you connect with her and sympathize?
Market/Genre: Paranormal Romance
On to the diagnosis…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
March 19, 2021
Story Structure: How The Act Three Plan Works in a Novel
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy The act three plan kicks off the end of the novel and promises readers an ending to remember.
The act three plan is one of those moments that make it easy to tell if your ending is going to work or not. If this plan is strong (even if it won’t work), and clear about what has to be done, odds are the ending and climax will be equally strong and clear. If this is fuzzy, odds are you’re going to struggle with your ending.
This isn’t an absolute, of course, just something I’ve noticed over the years. This is the moment where the protagonist decides what to do to resolve the conflict of the novel and puts a plan into action. If you aren’t sure what that plan is or what has to be done to resolve the conflict, that’s a big red flag that you aren’t clear about what your ending is. It could also suggest you aren’t sure what the core conflict of the novel is.
“I don’t know how to end it” is a common issue with novels that don’t have a clear problem to solve, and the author doesn’t know what it’s truly about. Once they figure this out, they figure out how to end the novel.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
March 18, 2021
Cathartic Writing & Cathartic Reading—An Intersection
By Bonnie RandallPart of The Writer's Life Series
JH: Stories do more than simply entertain or inform us. Bonnie Randall shares why reading is critical to good health, and why writers should write the tough stories.
‘Catharsis’—a word derived from the Greek Katharos; to purify, and Katharein; to cleanse. To experience catharsis is to know a sense of ‘renewal upon release’, and much material has been compiled on cathartic writing: there are analysis out there on everything from personal journaling to the Taylor Swift lyrics that appear to process the artist’s angsty relationships.
Less, though, has been written about the concept of cathartic reading, yet perhaps at no time quite like the unusual era we are living in now do the benefits of cathartic reading seem more profound.
Following is a compilation of reasons why the fiction and memoirs you—yes: YOU—are crafting right now are so incredibly valuable for the population you’re reaching out to.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
March 17, 2021
Is This Right? A Commonly Misused Words Quiz
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Take this quick quiz to see if you know how to use these five commonly misused words.
Being a writer is all about using the right word for the job, but there are some words that trip up just about everyone. Words such as farther or further, lay or lie, and the always troublesome affect or effect. I can’t tell you how often I’ve puzzled over that last one, since it’s particularly tricky.
It doesn't help that these words are frequently used incorrectly in the real world, either. We get so used to seeing the wrong usage that we don't even noticed it when we goof up.
Take this quiz and see how well you know your commonly misused words:
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
March 16, 2021
How to Publish Your Own Short Story Collection
By Rayne Hall, @RayneHallPart of the Focus on Short Fiction Series
JH: If you have a lot of short stories written, publishing a collection might be a great idea. Rayne Hall shares tips on how to publish a successful short story collection.
Do you want to gather your short stories in a book? Here are insider tips for publishing a successful short story collection. Whether you’re looking for an agent or publisher, or plan to self-publish, these tips will put you ahead of the game.
1. Stick to one genre
Short story collections sell best if they focus on one genre, for example, romance, fantasy, historical or horror. Collections within a sub-genre are even more popular, e.g. paranormal romance, urban fantasy, mediaeval historical or psychological horror.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
March 15, 2021
4 Ways a Strong Point of View Strengthens a Novel
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Point of view is one the most valuable tools a writer has.
I think at some point in their writing journey, every writer goes looking for the “secret” to writing. Is it the perfect writing template? A members-only plot generator? The ultimate list of words to cut from our manuscripts?
Nah.
It’s point of view.
I’m a huge believer that mastering point of view (POV) will solve 99% of common writing problems. If a writer understands POV, then showing comes naturally, description is easier to write, character goals are clear, the stakes are personal, and thus stories feel more organic.
POV is all about being inside the character. To be inside a character you have to understand that character, and once you understand them, writing them becomes easier.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
March 13, 2021
WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at a Short Story Opening Page
Critique by Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyWIP Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and we diagnose it on the site. It’s part critique, part example, and designed to help the submitter as well as anyone else having a similar problem.
If you're interested in submitting to WIP Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines.
Submissions currently in the queue: One
Please Note: As of today, critique slots are booked through March 20.
This week’s questions:
1. Does it draw you in?
2. Would you want to know more about Jeff and his goal to reach Abby?
3. Also, is the specific mention of Biosphere 2 and Celebration, FL helpful to understanding the type of town that Nathan Stotfold created or confusing?
Market/Genre: Short Story
On to the diagnosis…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
March 12, 2021
Story Structure: How the Act Two Disaster Works in a Novel
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy The act two disaster shows readers what your protagonist is truly made of.
Since I enjoy putting my characters in terrible situations, the act two disaster is always a lot of fun to write. Writers who want to protect their characters probably won’t find it so entertaining, but remember—this is the moment that allows your poor protagonist to become the person they want to be. So it’s good for them.
All through the middle the protagonist has been trying and failing, feeling the pressure, ignoring their flaw and the lessons the plot has been trying to teach them all book. Just when things are the most dire, something happens that causes catastrophic failure—often something they did, or didn’t do but should have. (Adjust this to fit the scale or scope of your story. What’s catastrophic in a science fiction epic is different from what’s catastrophic in a romance).
In cliché speak, it’s the darkness before the dawn. It all becomes too much and the protagonist feels like giving up, but finds the strength to carry on. They realize the only way to succeed is to face the problem head on and do what they’ve been scared to do all along.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
March 11, 2021
Want to Write Unforgettable Characters? Do this One Thing.
By Angela Ackerman, @AngelaAckermanPart of The How They Do It Series
JH: Quick—who are your favorite characters? Do you know why you love them so much? Angela Ackerman does, and she shares how you can write characters your readers will never forget.
Angela Ackerman is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression and its many sequels. Available in eight languages, her guides are sourced by US universities, recommended by agents and editors, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, and psychologists around the world. To date, this book collection has sold well over half a million copies.
Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers, as well as One Stop for Writers, a portal to game-changing tools and resources that enable writers to craft powerful fiction.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Take it away Angela...
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
