Elizabeth Spann Craig's Blog, page 38

Cozy Mysteries: How Small Towns Chip in to Find the Killer

by Elizabeth Spann Craig, @elizabethscraig

Cozy mysteries have a host of different settings, but one of the most popular, for writers as well as readers, is the small-town setting. It's fun to have this really insular environment where everyone knows everyone else…and then have one of those well-known residents be the local killer.

Another cool aspect of small town settings for cozies is the dynamic where the town itself sort of chips in to unmask the killer. Here are a few ways that happens:

How Small-Town Residents Collaborate with Cozy Sleuths

A common goal.  With small-town cozies, you start with this idyllic locale. Then something terrible happens (or two something terribles happen) and everything becomes cloudy. All the residents want is for their idyll to be restored. Everyone is gung-ho to get rid of the person who's created this problem.

Residents supply backstory and context. If the sleuth wasn't well-acquainted with the victim, the residents are more than delighted to fill her in. Whether it's at the salon, in the diner, or at the grocery store, residents of small towns are happy to offer context for the killing and help compile a list of likely suspects.

Gossip provides clues. Not only are residents filling in backstory on the victim, they're also giving information about all kinds of things: overheard arguments, observed assignations, and phone calls they've eavesdropped on while in the post office line.

Gossip provides red herrings. Small town residents can also supply your cozy mystery novel with more complexity and length by sending your sleuth out in the wrong direction and after the wrong people. Because gossip isn't always true…and even if it is true, someone who had an argument with the victim didn't necessarily murder .

Lots of eyes, ears, and general nosiness. With the common goal mentioned above, the small town in your cozy is on high alert. Everyone is offering their own ideas, poking their nose into everyone else's business, and delving into others' secrets. It's a recipe for drama, or at least some subplots.

Alibis can be tricky. If a suspect wasn't at home with his wife, where was he? With neighbors on the lookout and small business owners happy to dispute erroneous accounts, suspects are going to have a tough time offering a foolproof alibi.

Do you write small-town settings? Read them? What aspects about small-town life do you find appealing?

How Small-Town Residents Collaborate with Cozy Sleuths:
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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Business / MiscellaneousThe Metaverse For Authors And Publishing. Web 3.0, VR, AR, And The Spatial Web: @thecreativepennFreelancing: How to Respond to Negative Feedback: @RobynRosteConferences and Events / MiscellaneousInternational Publishers Association Names Prix Voltaire Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @IntPublishers @pubperspectivesEuropean Publishers Return to FEP's ‘Rendez-Vous' at Frankfurt: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairDuring Frankfurt: Springer Nature Offers Auto-Translation for Research: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairFrankfurter Buchmesse 2021: ‘What Do We Want To Do With Our Lives?’ @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesMarkus Dohle Launches Frankfurt Studio : ‘Long-Form Reading': @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesShowcasing Work at Frankfurt: A Myanmar Publisher in Self-Exile: @rogertagholm @pubperspectives @Book_FairPhotos from Frankfurt 2021: Optimistic Start to the Fair: @HannahSJohnson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesViews from Across the Channel: UK Publishers in Frankfurt: @rogertagholm @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesSheikh Zayed Book Award Today: Arabic and Children’s Books: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration9 Writing Challenges to Inspire Your Craft: by Gloria Russell @thewritelife4 Ways to Find Inspiration When It’s Hiding: @lizjohnsonbooksCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / QuotesDavid Foster Wallace on Why You Should Use a Dictionary, How to Write a Great Opener, and the Measure of Good Writing: @brainpicker10 Top British Writers Share Their Tips For Writing Success: @JoMillerBetts @Bang2writeCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Short Stories About the Inner Lives of Athletes: @jaredklegar @ElectricLitOn the Stressful Joy of Rereading Favorite Books: @KarisRogerson @LitReactorSix Magical Schools You Wish You Could Attend: @SashaPSmith @tordotcomFive Sympathetic Science Fiction Bureaucrats: The Enduring Appeal of Fictional Sisters: A Reading List: by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb @LitReactor6 Middle Grade Books to Pull You Into a World of Adventure: by Grace Crandall @pfwbooksFive Fully Completed SFF Series: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomA Closer Look at a Collection of Sherlock Holmes Short Stories: @MargotKinbergCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingPreptober: Bullet Journaling: A Dedicated Writer's Notebook: @tishbouvierWriting Sprints: A Simple Exercise That Benefits Every Writer: @joebunting @write_practiceCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeCan I work from someone else's idea? @Janet_ReidThe Importance of Persistence in a Writer’s Life: @GoIntoTheStoryOn creating work while living with chronic pain: @TheRialMichelle5 Reasons Journaling Makes You a Better Blogger: @BirdsOAFpress @NinaAmirSetting Self Doubt on Fire: When Your Health Gets in the Way of Your Writing: @NicoleJSimms1 @HorrorTreeWriting Mantra: Set aside your attachments: @GoIntoTheStoryBehind the Cowriting Process of a Debut Author Duo (Podcast): @katzndobs @DIYMFASometimes You're the Windshield, Sometimes You're the Bug: @KAMcCleary @WriterUnboxed12 Authors Answer the Question “How Do You Write in Tough Times?” @charliejane @tordotcomWhen Writing Becomes a Job: @eseckman @TheIWSGComing Out of Hibernation as a Writer: @EldredBirdHow to Increase the Value of Your Time: @dkparsonswriter @SelfPubFormWriting and the Creative Life: Creativity-In-Action: @GoIntoTheStory5 Ways to Quit Like a Champ: @SarahSaysWrite @DIYMFAHow to Write When You’re Hurting: @tickledpinktam @EdieMelsonSurviving a Decade as a Full-time Author No One Has Heard Of: @AmongTheZombies @LitReactorCombatting Imposter Syndrome: by Ashleigh Ferguson @ProWritingAidThe Business of Being Edgar Allan Poe: @CatBaabMuguira @WSJGenres / DystopianDiscover the Plot of Your Post-Apocalyptic Novel With Our Handy Chart: @ElectricLitGenres / HorrorHow to Write the Middle of the Horror Story: 7 Tips: by Sherri Carrier @HorrorTreeWhat Makes a Good Horror Story? @HorrorTreeGenres / MemoirWhy should anybody read about your life? The 7 Ss for writing a memoir with universal appeal: @Roz_MorrisGenres / Middle-GradeThree Tips on Writing Middle Grade Novels: @Alextheadequate @NatalieIAguirreGenres / MysteryParent-Teacher Conferences as Elements in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergHow to Edit a Cozy Mystery: by Ryan Rivers @TheStoryEditorCrime Fiction: The Problems When Forgetting Members of Society are Human: @MargotKinbergOnly Murders in the Building and Twee-Crime Podcasting: @nwquah @vultureDo You Love Your Series Sleuth? @MoDawnWriter @A3writersGenres / PoetryThe Poet’s Toolbox: Generate Ideas and Inspiration: by Manuela Williams @DIYMFAYou Are a Poet (Even When You Aren’t Writing): @MarkDanowsky @CleaverMagazineGenres / ScreenwritingReader Question: What if you fall out of love with a script? @GoIntoTheStoryThe Theology of Cinema: Evil: @GoIntoTheStoryGenres / Short StoriesHow To Turn Your Short Story Into A Novella: @MiaJouBothaPromo / AdsFacebook Ads Details: @JanSikes3 @StoryEmpirePromo / Connecting with ReadersHow to Engage Readers in Your Book Marketing Strategy: @SarahBolme @IngramSparkPromo / MiscellaneousBranding a Series: by Melinda VanLonePromo / NewslettersWrite an Author Newsletter That Sells: @thebookdad @LitReactorPublishing / MiscellaneousACX vs Findaway Voices: A Complete Review: @DaveChessonToday From Frankfurt: A Look at Post-Pandemic Recovery for Publishing: @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesHarperCollins Targets 2022 To Be Carbon-Neutral in Operational Emissions: @Porter_Anderson @HarperCollins @pubperspectivesShould You Publish Your Book with a Small Press? Two Literary Agents Advise: @sangeeta_editor @JaneFriedmanFrankfurter Buchmesse’s CEO Talk: Acquisitions and Creativity: @rogertagholm @pubperspectives @Book_FairAre you Writing a Middle Grade or Chapter Book? @Kell_McK @A3writersPublishing / News / International PublishingRights Roundup: Frankfurter Buchmesse Straight Ahead: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairInternational Publishers Association Welcomes Four New Members: @Porter_Anderson @IntPublishers @pubperspectivesA Growing Breed in France: Literary Agents Find New Traction: @oliviasnaije @pubperspectivesEstablishing a ‘World Expression Forum' for Freedom of Speech: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesKarine Pansa: IPA’s Vice-President On Frankfurt’s Role in Publishing: @rogertagholm @karinepansa @IntPublishers @pubperspectives @Book_FairPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingSelf Publishing a Book Requires the Right Focus: @BookgalPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingHow Many Queries Should I Send Out? @RachelleGardnerPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / RejectionsGetting Feedback After Rejections: @BookEndsJessica @bookendslitPublishing / Process / Book DesignAvoiding Sticky Book Cover Situations: @justreadtours @SKRViLLPublishing / Process / FormattingShould You DIY or Hire a Book Formatting Designer? @DaveChessonPublishing / Process / TranslationWhy translators should be named on book covers by Jennifer Croft @GuardianBooksWriting Craft / BeginningsWIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at a Historical Fiction First Page: by Maria D'MarcoHow to Start Your Novel or Memoir and 11 Clichéd Openers to Avoid: @annerallenWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentThe Trouble with “Character Flaws”: @GoIntoTheStoryHow To Write The Outsider In Fiction: @AnthonyEhlers @Writers_WriteCreating compelling characters for your novel: @Andy_Maslen @AuthorsAiWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionHow to Describe Emotion: by Amy Wilson @GoodStoryCoWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsThe Protagonist’s Journey: “We are not prisoners of that room”: @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / Flashback and Back StoryProject Hail Mary Shows When Flashbacks Do and Don’t Work: @mythcreantsWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmWhen something happens… something ELSE happens: @GoIntoTheStory“Star Wars” and the Question of Identity: @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / Literary DevicesHow to Spot the Difference Between Analogies and Metaphors: @ZaraAltairWriting Craft / MiscellaneousSubverting Reader Expectations in Satisfying Ways: @jessicathauthorHow seriously should you take readability statistics? @pubcoachHow to Make The Reader Care About Your Story: @RossHartmann @KiingoCreativeThe Alchemy and the Craft: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsTips when writing a book: Top 10 from Now Novel’s webinars: @nownovelWriting Craft / PacingHow to Structure a Book Chapter So Readers Love the Pace of Your Novel: @ZaraAltairWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Outlining2 Key Factors in Successfully Outlining Stories: by Andrea Turrentine @LiveWriteThriveWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingA 9-Step Plotting Path to a Stronger Novel: @annharthWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchUnusual Governments to Take Inspiration From: @EleanorKonik @sfwaResearch: An Addiction, a Curse, or a Cure? by Denise Willson @WriterUnboxedHow Should I Handle Guns in My Story? by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsWriting Craft / RevisionWhat to cut when your book is too long: @NathanBransfordWriting Craft / SeriesHow to Plot a Series and Make Every Book Stand Out: @AuthorSATWriting Craft / Tension4 Powerful Ways to Raise the Stakes in Your Story: by Jodi Clark @KingdomPenMagWriting Craft / Word CraftingWord namesakes, also known as homonyms: by Anatoly Liberman @OUPAcademicWriting Craft / World-BuildingWorldbuilding Tips: @AngelineTrevena @thecreativepennUncategorizedEnhance Your Fantasies With a Dose of Reality: @jimdempsey @WriterUnboxed

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Subverting Expectations in Satisfying Ways

By Jessica Thompson, @jessicathauthor

I stumbled across the concept of subverting expectations while studying the movie Knives Out. This movie felt so revolutionary and perfect, and digging deeper, I found the internet a-buzz with discussions of how this movie used this storytelling tool.

Since I have been studying this lately and was having a hard time grasping it, I decided to write down what I have learned and share it with you.

If you find a good example or think of something I haven’t said, please comment below so we can all learn from each other.

We will talk a lot about movies because they are the most available examples of how to subvert expectations, but this is a principle that you can, and probably should, incorporate into your writing. Before we begin, SPOILER ALERT! We will be ruining The Last Jedi and Knives Out, so go watch those before reading this.

First, definitions.

Subvert – verb    gerund or present participle: subverting

undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).

(Dictionary.com)

Subvert Expectations 

To behave contrary to an established belief or assumption for the purpose of being fresh and interesting. Usually used in the arts when analyzing the reaction of the audience to a performance or piece of writing.

(urbandictionary.com)

Verisimilitude – noun (stay tuned, we’ll get to this)

the appearance of being true or real.

having the appearance of truth : PROBABLE

a theoretical concept that determines the level of truth in an assertion or hypothesis. It is also one of the most essential literary devices of fiction writing. Verisimilitude helps to promote a reader's willing suspension of disbelief.

(Dictionary.com, Merriam-Webster.com, Masterclass.com)

I don’t know about you, but isolated definitions don’t help me much. I need concrete examples. Popular culture gives us many examples of creators subverting the audience’s expectations–both done well and done disastrously.

Knives Out is a widely accepted example of “subverting expectations” being done well.

For one thing, it echoes a traditional mystery in many ways, but then changes from a ‘whodunnit’ to a “how will she get away with this” type story.

The Last Jedi is a widely accepted example of it being done wrong.

The example that springs to mind is the fizzled mystery of who Rey’s parents are.

Why is the entire internet comparing these two movies? Because they were done by the same director in quick succession. What did Rian Johnson learn in between making these two films? How to subvert expectations in a satisfying way.

How do we do this as writers? How do you find a fresh way to surprise your readers, but not in a way that feels contrived and unnatural?

According to The Closer Look on YouTube, three things are needed to make the subversion satisfying.

It needs to serve and improve the story from that point forward

It must have strong verisimilitude to the story that came before it

It can’t break promises

Subverting expectations is a way to break the rules or expectations of storytelling, or the genre, and when done successfully it creates interest or humor. In her day, Agatha Christie did just that by having our main detective be a short, funny-looking Belgian man (Poirot) or a kindly, soft, pink, old spinster (Miss Marple.) Nowadays, subverting expectations is almost the norm. It seems that every movie, especially remakes, have something that recalls expectations and pokes fun.

But it needs to be done in a satisfying way, or the internet will destroy you forever… apparently. So, let's tackle these one at a time.

It needs to serve and improve the story from that point forward.

A subversion should only be attempted if it will actually improve the story. If it leaves your reader saying, “what?” or the dreaded, “Yeah, so?” then it has been done wrong. I would say that Luke Skywalker tossing his lightsaber off the cliff was an example of a subversion NOT serving to improve the story. Sure, it showed that he had turned his back on the Force and the ways of the Jedi, but we already knew that. I would argue that it was put in to surprise the viewer, but did not actually improve the story. In a writing class I took from the genius Heather Harper Ellett, she said, “Things should not be put in just to be weird. They have to serve the story.” I would assert that things should also not be put in just for shock value.

Don’t add a subversion that sacrifices your long term story in exchange for an immediate thrill.

A good example of this being done wrong is the mini storyline between Finn and Captain Phasma. She was his former commander and essentially should have been his arch rival. As I have learned in my efforts to learn how to write good villains, the good guy should not defeat the bad guy in their first meeting!

Wouldn’t it have been much more powerful if Finn had left Phasma’s unit (as he did,) then faced her and almost been killed, then met her again later after more character growth, as equals and warriors, then defeated her with his old weapon, or maybe hers, and a one-liner that stung? I think so! Even if looking to subvert expectations and mess with that formula, they could have toyed with details and still kept that element of growth and defeating one's own demons.

Instead, that character arc and growth was abruptly ended by killing her off way too early. I would argue that the director sacrificed the potentially fulfilling longer story of Finn’s growth, in exchange for immediate gratification.

Don’t do that. We’re writers. We play the long game.

I would sum up that it means the subversion has to take the story in a direction, from then on, that is interesting and makes sense, which brings us to our next point.

It must have strong verisimilitude to the story that came before it.

As we covered in the definitions, verisimilitude refers to how real the subversion seems. Your world can have dragons and magic and zombies, but that is all established in the setup. The subversion that comes later needs to seem “real” within the world that you have set up. It needs to follow the magic rules, align with the timeline that your reader is following in their head, and be in character with the personalities you have already created.

When Luke Skywalker throws his beloved weapon and family heirloom off the cliff, it wasn’t believable because it wasn’t congruent with the story.  In Pride and Prejudice, if the haughty and reserved Mr. Darcy had suddenly said, “I’m sorry I’ve been so prideful, I’ll change, will you marry me?,” it would have been totally out of character. If his love interest Elizabeth Bennett, strong and witty, had replied “It’s okay, I forgive you. I’ll marry you” then all readers would have thrown the book down in disgust. That exchange would have not been verisimilar to the characters that Jane Austen had set up. We all know they will eventually get there, but they have a lot more growth to do before that happens, and that’s the essence of the story

Sometimes, a book or movie intentionally and dramatically delivers something contrary to the audience’s expectations. Addressing it outright can help the audience follow along.

When a movie about time travel messes up the movies that came before it, producers call it a “reboot”. We accept that this reboot-time-traveling business is going to logically interfere with the events that occurred in the past or might happen in the future; we’re okay with it because it’s been branded as a reboot. Think of the Terminator and Star Trek franchises. They address and lay to rest the fact that it is not going to line up nicely with your expectations.

When this is done on a small scale, it’s often humorous. This morning, my son’s episode of Hello Ninja had our protagonists in a Wild West situation. Then they said, “The only thing we haven’t done is have a showdown with a bad guy in a black hat.” (Or something to that effect.) Then a rabbit steps out to have a showdown with them. The kids look at his absence of hat, so the rabbit steps out of frame, then comes back with a black cowboy hat. They followed the rules so rigidly that it was funny because they addressed it. In the first X-men movie (the first one made, not talking about the chronology inside the franchise), Cyclops says to Wolverine, “You’d prefer yellow spandex?” It’s a throwback to the cartoon! They gave Wolverine a way better outfit, but then called attention to the tiny subversion of expectations in a funny way! I love it! It didn’t line up with the previously established wardrobe choices of the franchise, but it worked especially well because they poked fun at it.

It can’t break the promises

In Brandon Sanderson’s video lectures on YouTube, he talks about an author’s “promises” in the setup of the story, and then delivering on those promises. He shares that one of his manuscripts failed at this in the first draft. He says that all of his characters are prepared and determined to go to one place, let’s call it “A,” but he, as the writer, knew that the main action was really going to go down in another place, we’ll call it “B.” When the characters got diverted during their travels, essentially as a subversion, and ended up at “B,” the readers thought it was a side story or side quest. They were all waiting for the characters to get back on track and go to “A.”  He explains that it was because the promises that he had set up were not kept. The reader did not feel satisfied by this change because it did not keep the promises.

Many critics say the same about the reveal in The Last Jedi about who Rey’s parents are/were.

The script that came before had promised a mystery. It had set up that Rey’s parents were somehow important or that it was going to be a significant plot point. Instead, our expectations were subverted in a way that was not satisfying when it is casually revealed that her parents were nobodies and not important to the story. (That changes again later, but that's another discussion.) That promise was never delivered, so it felt wrong and unsatisfying.

Knives Out, however, circled back and delivered on its promises even though it looked like it might not.

When the genre changed from a “whodunnit” to a “how will she get away with this” I was not convinced that we had abandoned the original mystery. I couldn’t anticipate where the story could go after we saw the suicide, but I waited with baited breath to see how it would turn out. The story then came back together and satisfyingly delivered on BOTH storylines or genres and fulfilled all its “whodunnit” AND “How will she get away with this” promises. The ending resolved all my questions and wrapped up everything perfectly.

If you are trying a subversion, make sure you follow all of these guidelines to make it satisfying. Do it right, even if you're trying to do something new and different. Serve the story that comes before, make it congruent with the story that comes after, and keep your promises to the reader. If you follow these three guidelines, there will still be room for creativity. Done correctly, a subversion improves your story and helps you build a solid relationship with your readers.

Good luck!

When Jessica discovered mystery novels with recipes, she knew she had found her niche.

Now Jessica is the author of the Amazon best-selling culinary cozy mystery, “A Caterer's Guide to Love and Murder,” and will be publishing her second book of the series, “A Caterer’s Guide to Holidays and Homicide,” on October 19, 2021. She is active in her local writing community and is a member of the Writers’ League of Texas and the Storymakers Guild. She received a bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University but has always enjoyed writing and reading mysteries.

As an avid home chef and food science geek, Jessica has won cooking competitions and been featured in the online Taste of Home recipe collection. She also tends to be the go-to source for recipes, taste-testing, and food advice among her peers.

Jessica is originally from California, but now has adopted the Austin, Texas lifestyle. She enjoys living in the suburbs with her husband and young children, but also enjoys helping her parents with their nearby longhorn cattle ranch.

 

Deck the halls…with a personal chef, a snowed-in lodge, and a sprinkling of murder!

“Watch the knives!”

While acting as personal chef for a friend’s mountain retreat, Violet and her husband, Jake, must set aside their stress over infertility and create a magical and delicious holiday – until tragedy crashes the party.

Being snowed in and unreachable from town, Violet and Jake end up hired for a different kind of job – finding out which of the guests committed murder and why they’re trying to frame their hostess.

Violet must find a balance between following her gut and keeping it all under control until the police can reach them, while still managing the kitchen. But can she sniff out the killer before anyone else bites the big one?

A Caterer’s Guide to Holidays and Homicide will give you a culinary holiday you won’t forget!

 

Subverting Reader Expectations in Satisfying Ways (by @jessicathauthor ):
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The post Subverting Expectations in Satisfying Ways appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Business / MiscellaneousTurning Down Book Blurbs: @authorterryo @killzoneauthorsWhat to Include When Contacting an Editor: @JodieRennerEdFree Business Bootcamps for Writers: @AuthorsGuildSelf-publishing News: Amazon expands its network of “4 Star” stores: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLILessons Learned From A Decade Of Self-Publishing And Marketing Children’s Books: @kareninglis @thecreativepenn“What I Learned From Launching a Book”: @JDEdwinAuthor @write_practiceConferences and Events / MiscellaneousFrankfurt Week Planning: International Publishers Association Events: @Porter_Anderson @IntPublishers @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesA Frankfurt Masterclass: PLOS, CCC, and How Open Is Open Access? @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairFrankfurt Partnership: Indonesia’s JakTent Program Has Sarinah’s Support: @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesLydia White, Frances Clarke Win Germany's €3,000 ‘GINT' Translation Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe Booker Prize Outlines Its Winner Ceremony, Partnered With the BBC: @Porter_Anderson @TheBookerPrizes @pubperspectivesThings to Consider for Successful Book Signings: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthorsAfter Frankfurt: Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah Headlines Sharjah’s Fair: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesConferences and Events / NaNoWriMoNotion Template for NaNoWriMo Writers: @EvaDeverellWant to Win NaNoWriMo? 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Use ‘The Four Tendencies’ Framework: @pick_penCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeRedefining What It Means to Be a Horse Girl as a Writer: @HalimahMarcus @frumpenberg @ElectricLitHow To Stay Focused on Your Writing Priorities: @BirdsOAFpress @NinaAmirWhy are writers so prone to self-doubt? @ShavinDana @TheWriterMagHow to Maintain Momentum in Your Writing Practice: @kristen_kiefferTake what works, leave the rest: by C.S. Boyack @StoryEmpireThe Painful Cost of the Writing Life: @JamesTateHill @lithubThe Hardest Part of Writing: by Brenda Wilson @KiingoCreativeDitching Your Comfort Zone with NYT Bestseller Chuck Wendig (Podcast): @ChuckWendig @BookTribWhat to do when you feel out of touch with your creative energy: @GoIntoTheStoryGenres / Horror10 Sources of Inspiration for Your Next Horror Book: @LeonCollier12 @HorrorTreeClichés in Horror: @stacitroilo @StoryEmpireThe Monstrous and the Fantastic in the Short Stories of Edgar Allan Poe and the Paintings of Antoine Wiertz: by Jan Vander Laenen @GNutsofHorrorGenres / MysteryWriting Mystery as Series and Stand-Alone Books: @ellygriffiths @DIYMFAEnvying Another's Life as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergA Fresh Perspective by a New Crime Writer: @kareneosbornePharmacists in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / RomanceA Love Story: Tips on Writing Romance: @MorganHzlwoodGenres / Science FictionFive Strategies for Sneaking Stealthy Space Hijinks Into SF: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomGenres / ScreenwritingThe Expanded Ultimate Story Checklist: Is this a story anyone can identify with, projected onto a bigger canvas, with higher stakes? @CockeyedCaravanPromo / MiscellaneousCaring is great marketing: @DanBlankPromo / Social Media TipsWhy Pinterest May Be The Greatest Website For Writers: @teaganberry @TheRyanLanzPublishing / MiscellaneousElsevier's Scopus Now Includes Preprints from the SSRN Platform: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesStephanie Barrouillet at Frankfurt: An Outlook on Children’s Books: @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesTime for a Second Edition? @johnpwriterAssociation of University Presses Signs Onto the SDG Publishers Compact: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRichard Charkin: An Heretical View of Academic Publishing: @rcharkin @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingA Frankfurt Conference Interview: Siv Bublitz on Publishing ‘Books That Speak to Each Other’: @Porter_Anderson @sfischerverlage @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / Querying10 Query Mistakes You’re NOT Making: @BookEndsJessica @bookendslitHow 1 Agency Reads Queries: @bookendslitAgent Spotlight: Kristin Ostby Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @NatalieIAguirreAn Agent on Comps: @Janet_ReidWriting Craft / BeginningsWriting the Cozy Mystery: Quiet Beginnings: WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Drawing Readers into Your Novel: @Janice_HardyWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentBuilding Characters Using Direct Characterization: @HLCornetto @HorrorTreeDo Characters Need to Be Likable? @mythcreantsCharacter Development Through Emotional Needs: @thejkstudioRelationship Thesaurus Entry: One-Night Stand Lovers: @beccapuglisi12 Character Archetypes to Drive Your Writing: @BryanJCollinsCharacter Development: Easy-to-Follow Tips to Make Readers Love Your Characters: @hannahxyang @ProWritingAidWriting Characters: Narcissists and How They Operate: @cyallowitzWriting Craft / Common Mistakes3 Mixed-Up Writing Goofs You Might Be Making: @AlyConnerBrownWriting Craft / ConflictStory Need More Conflict? Look to Your Setting: @AngelaAckerman @TheIWSGWriting Craft / Endings3 Things to Know About the Ending of a Story: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmPage One: “Source Code” (2011): @GoIntoTheStoryGreat Scene: “The Godfather”: @GoIntoTheStoryNon-Linear Storytelling in ‘Pulp Fiction’: @GoIntoTheStoryThe Theology of Cinema: Despair: @GoIntoTheStoryThe Mindy Project: 10 Top Tips So You Can Be Just Like Ms. Kaling: @JoMillerBetts @Bang2writeWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWriting Authentically: @DonMaass“What I Learned About My Writing By Seeing Only The Punctuation”: @pomeranian99Can algorithms help your writing? @pubcoachUsing Objects as Symbols: from Edittorrent8 Elements That Get Readers Invested in Your Story: @StefanEmunds @LiveWriteThriveAre Epilogues Good or Bad? by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsHow to Write Relationships Your Readers Can Get Behind: from Let's Write Some NovelsHow to Persuade with Rhetorical Appeals: @themaltesetigerAsthma Tropes and the Kids Who Hate Them: @LiviaGershon @JSTORWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Outlining3 Steps to Writing a Novel Without an Outline: by Grace A. Johnson @KingdomPenMagWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingGive Your Novel Structure: @AJHumpageWriting Advice: Perfecting Your Plot: by Bob ByrneWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story ConceptThe Expanded Ultimate Story Checklist: Is the concept simple enough to spend more time on character than plot? @CockeyedCaravanWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarCan You Start a Sentence with Because? Yes, if You Do it Right: @BryanJCollinsWriting Craft / Revisions / Critiques5 Things To Do After Getting Beta Feedback: @KMAllan_writerWriting Craft / ScenesThree Easy Ways to Strengthen A Scene: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionLocation. Location. Location: Bring Your Book to Life: @LoriAnnFreelandWriting Craft / World-BuildingWorld Building Using Tabletop Games: by Kris Hill @DIYMFAWriting Tools / Apps7 Best Comma Placement Checkers: @BryanJCollinsUncategorizedMemoir Writing Advice to a Young and Hopeful Writer: @LisaTener wkb55

 

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Writing the Cozy Mystery: Quiet Beginnings

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I spend a lot of time reading blog posts and sharing them. I've noticed there are tons of posts on crafting better story openers. The posts usually talk about hooking readers quickly, drawing them into the action or the character. Agents and experienced writers share critiques of story beginnings and offer suggestions for making them shine.

This is also something that can be important in a cozy mystery, of course. No one wants a beginning that's stifled by exposition or backstory dumps or introducing an excessive number of characters at once.

And the opener of the first book in a cozy series needs special attention. Readers need to be introduced to the sleuth and hopefully drawn in by the sleuth's personality. The story world needs to be set up, as well as the series hook (crafts, cuisine, animals). Then there's a crime to be introduced. There's a lot to juggle in the first book of a cozy series.

But if you're writing a cozy mystery series, I think it's often preferable to start the story out a little differently.  That' s because you can start out with your idyllic, happy, safe…and, yes…cozy environment. You can start out with what's routine: what a normal day in your story world looks like. This doesn't have to go on for chapters–just a glimpse of happy normality and what's lost when someone dies in the close-knit community.  You wreck the idyll by introducing a murder and a subsequent investigation. Then, at the end of the story, you tidy it all up again and deliver that same sense of safety and reassurance. You can deliberately mirror the beginning and the ending to give an especially satisfying air to the story…that it's all been wrapped up and order and justice have prevailed. Janice Hardy has a nice post on mirroring.

That's not to say I haven't started books out with a body practically on page one, because I definitely have. But I often like to start out with my octogenarian sleuth and her senior sidekick quietly working on puzzles together and sipping coffee–before the knock on the door that jumpstarts everything.

That's my quick cozy writing tip of the day. :)  If you read or write cozies, is the quiet beginning something you've noticed, too? Are there other genres that use this approach?

Cozy Mysteries: The Quiet Beginning:
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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Free Resource for My Blog Readers

The folks at The Story Grid site have generously offered to provide my blog readers with a free digital copy of  The Story Grid, written by publishing veteran Shawn Coyne. To grab your copy, head over here: https://storygrid.com/escraig/

Business / MiscellaneousBranded Email Addresses, And How Not to Use Them: @inkbitspixelsSelf-publishing News: $59m investment in Inkitt to take self-published stories to the screen: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIPaper Shortage, AI Audiobook Narration, and Brief OnlyFans Ban : What Do They All Mean for Indie Authors? @agnieszkasshoes @Howard_Lovy @IndieAuthorALLIEditing or Proofreading: What's the Difference? by JoEllen Nordstrom @ProWritingAidConferences and Events / MiscellaneousRights Roundup: Frankfurt Anticipation Picks Up Speed: @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesALTA’s 2021 National Translation Awards: Shortlists in Prose and Poetry: @Porter_Anderson @LitTranslate @pubperspectivesThe US National Book Awards Announce the 2021 Finalists: @Porter_Anderson @nationalbookGet the Jump on Frankfurt: A Concise Preparation for Academic Publishing: @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesBefore You Go to Frankfurt: Trade Publishing in Focus: @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesPeter Frankopan Opens Lecture Series in Athens on ‘Global Connections': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada's Governor General Announces She'll Attend Frankfurt: @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesFrankfurt Studio: Canada’s Cundill History Prize to Name Its 2021 Finalists: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIPA's Al Qasimi at Riyadh Book Fair : ‘Arab Culture Renaissance': @Porter_Anderson @Bodour @IntPublishers @pubperspectivesConferences and Events / NaNoWriMoPreptober: 7 Steps and Tips To Help You Prep for NaNoWrimo: @tishbouvierCreativity and Inspiration / Goal settingDon't Finish Your Book: @AllieLarkin @WriterUnboxedCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationRediscover Your Creative Free Spirit: @pelegtop @thecreativepennCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersWhat We Can—and Can’t—Learn About Louisa May Alcott from Her Teenage Fiction: @KristopherJans @ElectricLitFive Speculative Visions of Britain in Chaos: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomThe Dream of a New Society as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergFive Fantasies Drawn From Neglected Histories: @ausmazehanat @tordotcom10 Best Books to Get Your Travel Back On: @EmmanuelNataf @ReedsyHQ @LitReactorThe Sex Industry as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergSix SFF Works to Embrace When You’re Not Feeling Your Best: by Ratika Deshpande @tordotcomUnsettling Crime Fiction Stories: @MargotKinberg9 Books About Crafting Identity on Social Media: @alexbethjuarez @ElectricLitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in Writing15 Tips to Help You Find Time to Write: @EdieMelsonCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer's BlockDebunking the Myth: Writer’s Block: by Lucie Ataya @KiingoCreativeCreative Resistance: 4 Actionable Tips That Combat Your Struggle to Write: by Marcy McKay @write_practiceCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeWriting Community Etiquette: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthors4 Questions to Help You Determine Whether Your Writing Matters: @colleen_m_storyPassive Tense Isn’t Good for Writing or our Bodies: @diannmillsHow to be a Failed Novelist: A Caveat: @greg_levin @CareerAuthorsEmbrace These 4 Key Roles for a Flourishing Writing Life: @annkroekerRevitalize Your Writing Resolve: @Livy_Fisher @DIYMFAWord Count Is Not the Only Metric for Productivity: @SpencimusSunsets: the Writer’s Choice: @gmplano @StoryEmpireWriting and the Creative Life: There are no useless ideas: @GoIntoTheStory#5onFri: Five Yoga Poses to Boost Creativity: by Urszula Bunting @DIYMFAHealth and creativity for writers: @DanBlankOn the Inescapable Indeterminacy of Writing: @Peter_Rey_4 Reasons to Keep a Journal: @radekpazderaThanks to @EmmaGWriter and Shelley Shearer for a great interview on productivity and moving from trad. pub to indie: Are You Writing For Love or Money? by Debbie Burke @killzoneauthorsHow to rediscover your passion for writing: @lindsayvant @NathanBransfordGenres / FantasyHow Do I Limit Shape-Shifting Powers? @mythcreantsGenres / Picture BooksThe Difference Between Nonfiction and Informational Fiction for Children: @ChildrensBookAcWriting Picture Book Biographies: by Katie Munday Williams @WriteNowCoachGenres / PoetryWeird as Hell: Falling in Love With Speculative Poetry: @QuotidianWriter @tordotcomGenres / Screenwriting10 Quick Tips From TV Showrunner Ashley Pharoah: @Bang2writeHow to Do a Scene-By-Scene Breakdown: @GoIntoTheStoryThe Expanded Ultimate Story Checklist: Does the concept contain an intriguing ironic contradiction? @CockeyedCaravanPromo / AdsSmarter Book Promotion on Amazon with Seasonal Ads: @BookgalPromo / BloggingHow to Blog Your Way to a Solid Brand Identity: @BirdsOAFpress @NinaAmirMaintaining an Author Blog is Easier Than You Think. @annerallenPromo / MetadataKeywords that Actually Sell Books: Broad vs Niche Keywords: @DaveChessonPromo / WebsitesHow to Choose Fonts for Your Website | Quick & Easy Tips: @RobynRostePublishing / MiscellaneousWiley Acquires J&J Editorial; Open Road Revenue Is Up 22 Percent: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesWhat Do Fiction Writers Owe Their IRL Inspiration? @alicebolin @vulturePublishing / News / AmazonThe HoneyMoon Effect: Does Amazon Give Preferential Treatment to New Books? @DaveChessonPublishing / News / DataAAP StatShot Annual Report 2020: US Book Revenues Flat at $25.71 Billion: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingDenmark's JP/Politikens Acquires Norway's Kagge Forlag : ‘Synergies': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGermany's Knowledge Unlatched Partners with Canada's JMIR, Iowa State: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesEuropean Writers Council Reports the Belarusian Writers Union ‘Forcibly Dissolved': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesItalian Publishing Shows More Growth in 2021: Up 29 Percent: @Porter_Anderson @SalonedelLibro @pubperspectivesThe UK's IOP Publishing Opens Three ‘Environmental Research' Journals: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanadian Independent Bookstores Report 2020 Shipping Cost Increases: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing14 Reasons Agenting Is Harder Now Than 20 Years Ago: @agentkristinNLAPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / Querying“How I Got My Agent: A Lesson in Resilience and Hope”: @Talicktweets @WomenWritersPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / Rejections7 Questions For Writers On Rejection: @MiaJouBotha @Writers_WritePublishing / Process / LegalitiesHow Bad Contest Entry Rules Can Be Mitigated: The Medium Writer’s Challenge: @victoriastrauss @PassiveVoiceBlgWriting Craft / Chapter EndingsRewriting Chapter Endings: Get Readers to Turn the Page: @LindasclareWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentA List of 125 Talents and Skills: by Gill Donovan @BrynDonovanWhat is a Dynamic Character? @DaveChessonRelationship Thesaurus Entry: Adult Child and Elderly Parent: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionTips on Writing Grief: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsWriting an Active Protagonist: by Michal Leah @GoodStoryCoWriting Craft / Common Mistakes3 ways “show don’t tell” can lead you astray: @NathanBransfordWriting Craft / ConflictWant Powerful Conflict? Don’t Forget the Stakes: @AngelaAckerman @onestop4writersWriting Craft / Flashback and Back StoryThe Back Plot Thickens: by Marilynn ByerlyTips on Introducing Backstory: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmWhy? Seriously, WHY? An Investigation Into A Quiet Place Parts I & II: @cloudy_vision @tordotcomPage One: “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993): @GoIntoTheStoryScript To Screen: “12 Years a Slave”: @GoIntoTheStoryRedemption as a Movie Theme: @GoIntoTheStoryGreat Scene: “Up”: @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow To Foreshadow: @writingandsuch4 Practical Exercises to Improve Writing Skills (and Keep Practicing): @JDEdwinAuthor @write_practiceHow Do I Write a Character vs Environment Story? by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsTen Not Absurd Tips for Writing Fiction: @MargieLawsonResonance and The Reader’s Journey: by Steve Hooley @killzoneauthorsKeep a Light Burning: by Tonia Harris @WriterUnboxedConfession as Narrative Device: @GoIntoTheStoryRhetorical Analysis and How to Write a Great One: @HellyDouglas @ProWritingAidThe How and Why of Epigraphs: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthors6 Twisty Ways to Trick Your Reader: by Dana Isaacson @CareerAuthorsWriting Craft / POVHow to Write Point of View: First Person: @harmony_kent @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningThe Magical Reverse Outline: @brandiejune @DIYMFAWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story ConceptHow to Organize Thoughts on Paper? A Step-by-Step Guide: @BryanJCollinsWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesHoning Your Process of Receiving Feedback and the Revision It May Require: @writeabookWriting Craft / ScenesEverything You Ever Wanted to Know About Scene Breaks: @richardgthomas3 @LitReactorWriting Craft / Scenes / ConflictPrefer Dilemmas over Obstacles in Your Conflict: @RossHartmann @KiingoCreativeWriting Craft / Settings and Description101 Words To Describe Weather: @Writers_Write

 

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Want Powerful Conflict? Don’t Forget the Stakes

by Angela Ackerman, @AngelaAckerman

A common writing misconception is that conflict automatically means reader engagement. After all, story experts are always ringing the conflict bell (me included), telling writers to include lots of it to make sure things aren’t easy for your characters. And it’s true; we should have lots of meaningful conflict in the story to ensure they are challenged, stressed, and forced outside their comfort zone.

But conflict alone won’t pull your readers in.

Don’t mishear me–as a reader, I like fictional car chases, wedding sabotage, and homicidal maniacs at the bedroom window as much as the next person. But for the conflict craziness to really hit home, I need to know why it’s happening, and why it matters. In other words, something meaningful must be at stake to make me care.

Think about it this way. When bad things happen to bad people, how do you feel? Let’s say a pipe bursts at a neighbor’s house, the same guy who constantly complains to the homeowner association because he doesn’t like the rainbow flag flying over your deck. Or a restaurant that once gave you food poisoning is shut down by the health department. Other than a bit of schadenfreude, do you feel anything substantial? Is your day (or life) impacted in a relevant way?

But, when bad things happen to good people, that’s a different story. If your sister-in-law goes into labor far too early or your best friend is jailed because her wayward stepson is dealing drugs out of her basement, you don’t just shrug and move on. You’re making calls, trying to figure out what you can do, how to help. You’re invested because you care about the people involved and what’s happening to them.

Stakes Reveal What’s Most Important to the Character

For conflict to matter, something meaningful needs to be at stake: a painful cost incurred if your character fails to navigate the situation successfully. If the retired munitions expert doesn’t defuse the bomb in time, it goes off and kills a building full of people. Or if our henpecked heroine can’t stop her toxic family from running her life, she’ll forever lose the man she loves. When each new problem has a serious or else attached to it, the character must act, even when there’s danger or they are out of their depth. Their desire to avoid these negative consequences becomes a big part of their motivation for achieving their goal.

Stakes, like conflict, should show up in your story like a bumper crop of rotten apples, increasing tension and raising the cost of failure by the bushel. And while the goal is to create stakes so high the character can’t turn back—not even when she's staring down her deepest fears—the consequences of failure are up to you and how evil you’re feeling. To get you started, consider the categories below.

Far-Reaching Stakes, sometimes called public stakes, are those that include loss for others if the protagonist fails. If a bomb goes off, the protagonist may die, but so will everyone else in the building. And it goes beyond them too; loved ones standing anxiously behind the police tape will also be impacted. Maybe the city loses the distinction of being the safest in America. Maybe a cure for a disease is housed in a laboratory within the building, and it will be lost if the bomb goes off. Lots at stake.

Moral Stakes are in play when someone’s beliefs are at risk. Imagine a police officer being offered a bribe to overlook a crime. If he refuses, he holds true to his moral code and identity as an officer, but the powerful person offering the payoff will be sure to end his career. If he takes the bribe, he reaps a temporary reward but sacrifices his values and his identity. Moral stakes can cut both ways and have the added benefit of revealing some of your character’s deepest layers to readers.

Primal Stakes, also called death stakes, involve the death of something significant: innocence, a relationship, a career, dream, idea, belief, reputation, or a physical life. Death takes something important from the character, something that matters. And if it matters to your character—provided readers care about them—it will matter to them too.

Connect Stakes to your Character

Stakes should touch your character on some level, even in the case of far-reaching stakes. If there’s no reason the outcome really matters to the protagonist, he’s going to look at the task and think, Well, this isn’t my problem. We need him to believe it is his problem, otherwise why should he risk hardship, danger, and perhaps even death? So, we give him skin in the game by making things personal and endangering something or someone important to him.

Mixing together different types of stakes will not only make the problem at hand more interesting for readers, it makes the struggle over what to do more realistic. In the real world when a challenge or situation comes along that’s dire or threatening, we act. But far more often the problem we’re faced with requires more than instinct, and there are layers to the situation. We weigh and measure, making calculations over how to respond. For example, something might feel morally wrong to do, like tell a lie, but if it is for the greater good, we might do it. Or if lying might light a fuse to a relationship we care about, we might tell the truth even though it’s humiliating, dangerous, or costs us an opportunity we worked hard to secure. The point is, we look at all the angles to puzzle out what we should do next, and so our characters should, too.

The Final Piece: Making Readers Care about the Character

Stakes are a necessary part of effective conflict, but another crucial piece is the reader’s attachment to the character. If readers don’t care, they may be mildly curious as to whether the protagonist will succeed, but they won’t be invested in the outcome.

So how do we make readers care? Well, it goes beyond making a character likeable or talented; it really comes down to their inner landscape: their morals and values, vulnerabilities and wounds, their fears and needs. By chipping through our character’s tough exterior and revealing their inner thoughts, emotions, and desires, readers come to know them and identify with their struggles. They may share an insecurity. They may experience some of the same doubts. Maybe the character is torn between following a dream and pleasing others, something readers can relate to because they’ve sat in that chair before. These moments become emotional touchstones because readers can connect with what the character is facing and feeling. (Here’s a tool to help with deep-level brainstorming.)

Ultimately, what’s at risk for your character is the goal. But for writers, there’s risk, too. Readers will close the book if stakes are mismanaged, they don’t care about a character, or the conflict is too low. So, focus on drawing readers in. Work at getting your character's situation firmly into the heads of your readers. Embed an invisible hook so every time they put the book down, they’re thinking about what will happen next, how the character’s going to solve the problem, and what other forces might step in to complicate matters. Make your readers so emotionally involved that they fear for the character and don’t want anything to happen to them.

Need More Help with Conflict and Story Stakes?

 

The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Volume 1). It’s packed with ideas on how to apply meaningful conflict to reveal your character, challenge them, and keep the story tense and on track. It also digs into a plethora of conflict scenarios to help you plot fresh scenes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela Ackerman is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression and its many sequels. Her bestselling writing guides are available in eight languages, and are sourced by universities, recommended by agents and editors, and used by writers around the world. She’s also one half of the popular site, Writers Helping Writers, and co-founder of One Stop for Writers, a creativity portal loaded with one-of-a-kind tools, resources, and a Storyteller’s Roadmap that makes planning, writing, and revising a novel almost criminally easy.

 

 

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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

News

Susan DeFreitas is offering a free webinar on fiction as an agent of change…on the power of storytelling to help, heal, and transform culture. For more information, visit  http://ow.ly/5zxG30rVmuY

 

Business / MiscellaneousWriting, Publishing, and Business Books for Indie Authors: @IndieAuthorALLIHow to Take Control of Your Writing Career: @NinaAmirShould MFA Programs Teach the Business of Writing? @JaneFriedmanSelf-publishing News: Will AI Audiobook Narration Take Voice Actors’ Jobs? @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIFreelancing: 5 Things To Keep In Mind When On A Client Call: @ashleygainerThe Ultimate Ghostwriting Guide (For Clients & Writers): @officialajc @Writers_WriteHow Pre-orders benefit your favorite authors: by Erica Vetsch @SKRViLLConferences and Events / MiscellaneousRichard Charkin: Why I’m Attending Frankfurt Book Fair in Person: @rcharkin @pubperspectives‘The Spirit of the North of England' : The Portico Prize's Longlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrankfurter Buchmesse Welcomes 1,500 Exhibitors from 74 Nations: @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesFrankfurt's Once and Future Guest of Honor : Canada on ‘Quite the Journey': @Porter_Anderson @CFbm2021 @GillyFizet @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesFor Banned Books Week: Tbilisi’s ‘Untamed Books’ Exhibition: @Porter_Anderson @IntPublishers @GvantsaJobava @KristennEinars1 @UNESCO @BannedBooksWeekCreativity and Inspiration / Careers in Writing and Day JobsTips on How to Write While Holding Down a Job: @GoIntoTheStoryCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationInspired Every Morning: @jamesscottbellCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersHumble Beginnings: 6 Stories of People Rising Above Circumstance: @BookTribFive Captivating SFF Mystery Novels: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomSeven Mysteries Filled with Families Members: @SCPerkinsWriter @CrimeReads7 Novels About Losing Faith in Religion: @mckinneykelsey @ElectricLitCreativity and Inspiration / MotivationHow to stay motivated when writing your novel: by Abby Parsons @cbcreativeCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow to Kill Your Inner Perfectionist and Write More: @PS_HoffmanWhat’s your best time of day to write? @pubcoach3 Steps to Make Time to Write: @KMazeauthorCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeHow to get back into writing: @pubcoachTry to separate process and outcomes: @NathanBransfordWant an Accountability Partner? Consider This First: @AuthorSATIs Genre Hopping Really Bad for Beginning Writers? @Peter_Rey_How Writing Through Trauma Can Lead to Publishable Stories: by Nanette Snipes @colleen_m_storyA Free Webinar on Fiction as an Agent of Change: @manzanitafireOrganize Your Writing: @nancyroeauthorWays to Deal with Hard Topics in your Writing: by Lucie Ataya @KiingoCreativeThe Reaction Phase of Story Structure: @SchmidtJesperInspirational Indie Author Interview. Mary Louisa Locke: Historical Mystery Author’s Own Story Is One of Patience, Perseverance, and Vision: @mlouisalocke @Howard_Lovy @IndieAuthorALLIWhat Was the First Banned Book in History? by Jake Rossen @mental_floss13 Things that Might Be Holding You Back as a Writer: @EdieMelsonShould I change horses midstream? (video) @pubcoach5 Common Mistakes Writers Make That Sabotage Their Success: @Bellamahaya @LiveWriteThrive3 Ways to Create More Margin in Your Personal Life: @MichaelHyattGenres / FantasyHow to write great fantasy: @Kerrie_Flanagan @TheWriterMagGenres / HorrorHaunted objects in women’s weird fiction: @Sarah_I_Jackson @HorrifiedMagGenres / MiscellaneousIt’s Never Too Late To Change Genres: @rbeccaleesmith @WomenWritersGenres / MysteryCozy to Cold-Blooded: Classic Girl Detectives: @avonlea79 @DIYMFAExams as an Element of Tension in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergDo I Need to Understand Tropes to Write a Cozy Mystery? @PStolteyCamping Trips as Elements in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergCrime Fiction: Everyday Objects as Murder Weapons: @MargotKinbergGenres / PoetryWhat Does Poetry Do? by Sara RobinsonGenres / ScreenwritingThe Business of Screenwriting: Everything You Wanted to Know About Specs: @GoIntoTheStoryPromo / Book Descriptions and CopywritingHow to Write an Author Bio That Sells: @claytonnoblit @WrittenWordMPromo / Connecting with ReadersKnow Your Readers: @LisaTenerPromo / MiscellaneousHow to Market a Self-Published Book Using Kindle vs Kindle Unlimited: @BookgalUnique Author Branding and Content Ideas Using October Observances: @BookgalPromo / Newsletters“How I Produce My Weekly Newsletter”: Publishing / MiscellaneousWhen the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going (in Publishing): @msheatherwebbJoanna Prior Succeeds Anthony Forbes Watson as Pan Macmillan CEO: @Porter_Anderson @panmacmillan @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingFrance’s Rentrée Littéraire: Books About COVID? Not Interested: @oliviasnaije @pubperspectivesSharjah Book Authority and Ambrosian Library Digitize Arabic Manuscripts: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesChina Bestsellers in August: Familiar Authors With New Success: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe Salon du Livre Africain’s First Outing: A Hit in Paris: @OliviaSnaije @pubperspectivesGermany’s De Gruyter Completes Archive Digitization: 53,000 Titles: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesNew Support for SDG13: Publishing-Related Organizations Commit to Climate Action: @Porter_Anderson @UN @UnSdg @COP26 @IntPublishers @Bodour @FEP_EU @Booksellers_Fed @Book_FairPublishing / Process / TranslationInternational Translation Day: A Call to ‘Name Translators on the Cover’: @Porter_Anderson @Soc_of_Authors @AuthorsGuild @jenniferlcroft @BernardineEvari @markhaddon @jabberworksThe UK’s National Centre for Writing Announces Translation Mentorships: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesWriting Craft / BeginningsWIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Narrative Flow in a Sci-Fi Opening: @Janice_HardyWriting Craft / Characters / ArcThe Beginner’s Guide to Character Arcs (The Three Character Arcs and How to Implement Them): by Chelsea Hindle @KingdomPenMagWriting Craft / Characters / Development200+ Character Development Questions: The Ultimate Questionnaire to Build a Character: @DaveChessonHow to Create a Character Profile: With Template and Step by Step Instructions: @StoryHobbit @DaveChessonFight, Flight, or Freeze: What’s Your Character’s Go-To Response? @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersDynamic and Static Characters: The Difference and Why it Matters: by Tami Nantz @JerryBJenkins5 Writing Exercises for Creating Compelling Characters: @NicoleJBianchiWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsNarrative Imperative: The Protagonist’s Destiny: @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / Characters / Supporting CharactersPrimary, Secondary, and Tertiary Characters: @GoIntoTheStoryHow to Kill Your Side Characters the Right Way: @sacha_blackWriting Craft / Common MistakesAvoid Overwriting: @kris10edits @GoodStoryCo10 Excruciating Mistakes Even Experienced Writers Make: @Bang2writeWriting Craft / HumorWhy humor in fiction is so essential: @sippenator101 @TheWriterMagWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmThe Ten Best (and Worst) Movie Adaptations of the King Arthur Legends: by Stubby the Rocket @tordotcom8 storytelling tips all writers could learn from the legendary Zola Twitter thread turned hit movie: by Vanessa Willoughby @lithub“Freaks and Geeks and Finding My Voice: How Pop Culture Shaped My Poetry”: @matt_mitchell48 @lithubPage One: “Shrek” (2001): @GoIntoTheStoryScript to Screen: “Witness”: @GoIntoTheStoryGreat Scene: “Inception”: @GoIntoTheStoryCinematic Writing: @EcaryllohWriting Craft / MiscellaneousDo you need a writing coach? @DaveReedMe @ReadAlessandraStory as psychological journey: @GoIntoTheStoryHow to Write about Marriage: @schoenwriter @DIYMFAThings Casual Readers Don't Care About: @helpfulsnowman @LitReactorTips for When Characters Meet: @JohnJKelley @WriterUnboxedMaking Sure Your Chapter Has a Structure: @Margo_L_Dill @womenonwritingHow To Engage The Reader: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / PacingStory Pacing: 4 Techniques That Help Manage Your Plot’s Timeline: by Joslyn Chase @write_practiceWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningThe Pros and Cons of Outlining: Writing Craft / Revisions / CritiquesHow to Handle Critique of Your Work: @FoxPrintEdWriting Craft / ScenesHow to organize story scenes (plus scene structure template): @nownovelRewriting: How to Reimagine a Scene for More Impact: @LindasclareWriting Craft / SeriesTips On Planning Out A Series: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionResources For Describing Characters: @writingandsuchWant Better Descriptions? Describe What Readers Won't Assume: @Janice_HardyWriting Craft / SubtextAdding Subtext to Your Writing – Another Layer to Baking a Novel: @AneMulligan @EdieMelsonWriting Tools / MiscellaneousVoice Technology, AI, and Other Important Tools for Authors: @bmetrock @IndieAuthorALLI

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Pros and Cons of Outlining

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I still think of myself as a very reluctant outliner. It's definitely my least-favorite part of the creative process. Brainstorming is fun, drafting is fun. Even editing can be very satisfying. But outlining? Not so much for me.

I started out as a pantser, making up my mysteries as I went along. I was, actually, pretty good at this. Then, one day, I ran right into a huge plot hole just a week or two before my deadline for Penguin. That was the last un-outlined book I've ever written.

I don't think outlining is an either/or proposition. I think there's room for a little middle ground. Even if you don't have a plan for your entire book, you could create a mini-outline for your next writing session…just a sentence or two giving you some direction when you pick up your project again.

Here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of the outlining process, as I see them.

Pros of Outlining

I write faster. Soo much faster.  That's because I don't even have to mull things over when I open my laptop: I just write whatever my outline tells me to write that day.

I don't have plot holes. My plot works because I've already tested it through a full outline.

I'm able to jump from series to series without having a hard time working on a series I haven't written in for months because everything is laid out for me.

Because I have a roadmap, I don't worry about the book very much as I'm writing it. I know the book will be finished and that everything in the story will work.

I get my covers done for the next book several months before I even begin drafting the story. After penning an outline, I write the back cover copy and the book designer goes off that.

After any sort of a break (like the one I took last December), it makes it much easier to dive back into the story.

Cons of Outlining

Time. It takes me about a week to fill out an outline for a project. My outline includes all the parts of a mystery, but also the subplots and what's happening to the secondary characters in the story.

For several books after I started outlining, I felt that my writing was a little flat or a little stilted, which had to be fixed in subsequent drafts. After getting better at following an outline, these problems disappeared.

Writing short. When I started following an outline, my writing got tighter and my books became shorter. Sometimes I do have to add more words in second drafts.

Less fun? I still really enjoy writing, but I do miss the days when I'd just make things up as I went along.

I've decided that outlining works better for me, despite the drawbacks. But I'm wondering what your writing process is like. Do you write the story organically, or do you outline?

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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Business / Miscellaneous10 Practical Tips for Growing Your Freelance Business: @RobynRosteFinancial Advice for the Freelancer: @HelloTheFuture @CatapultStoryThe Indie Author Business Cycle: From Start-Up to Mature Business: @OrnaRoss @thecreativepenn @IndieAuthorALLIThe Secret to Finding Writing Gigs That Actually Pay the Bills: @jessgood @CatapultStoryHow to Sell Books on Amazon With Pre-Order Strategies: @BookgalHook Your Readers with a Compelling Storyline, Tagline, and Back Cover Copy: @JodieRennerEd @killzoneauthorsThe creator economy: @DanBlankSelf-publishing News: KDP introduces hardbacks as Print Supply Chain Struggles: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIChecklist: Preparing to Send Your Manuscript to an Editor: @liamcarnahan @DaveChessonConferences and Events / MiscellaneousUS National Book Awards 2021 Longlist: Fiction: @Porter_Anderson @nationalbook @pubperspectivesThe German Book Prize's 2021 Shortlist : Six ‘Artistically Outstanding Novels': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrankfurter Buchmesse’s Digital Programming: Tickets on Sale September 22: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairUS National Book Awards 2021 Longlist: Nonfiction: @Porter_Anderson @nationalbook @pubperspectives5 Tips for Navigating Writing Events as an Extreme Introvert: by F.E. Choe @DIYMFASingapore’s Symposium Honors Translation Pioneers Yang and Chan: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUS National Book Awards 2021 Longlist: Poetry: @Porter_Anderson @nationalbook @pubperspectivesThe List of Finalists for the Ngaio Marsh Awards: @MargotKinbergBeijing International Book Fair: More Than Half Its Exhibitors From Overseas: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSouth Africa: SA Book Awards Announces 2021 Shortlists: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada’s $75,000 Cundill History Prize Announces Its 2021 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe 2021 Business Book of the Year Award Announces a Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesLondon Book Fair Delivers Its Lifetime Award to Margaret Busby: @rogertagholm @pubperspectivesA Panel of Mystery Authors with a Virtual Event Tomorrow: @MargotKinbergCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationFive Alternative Tips to Boost Creativity for Writers: @IndianaLee3 @DIYMFACreate a system – Work the system: by C.S. Boyack @StoryEmpireCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers9 Books About the Complexities of Identity: @rajivmohabir @ElectricLitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingWriting On A Schedule: @writingandsuchCreativity and Inspiration / Writing Life8 irrational ways to improve productivity with writing: @pubcoachVisible Progress on Our Projects: @isekhmet @10minnovelistWriting and the Creative Life: The Joy of Running… Creatively Speaking: @GoIntoTheStoryGive Yourself Permission to Cross the Finish Line: @SueBEdwards @womenonwritingHow Women Fought Misogyny in the Underground Press in the 1960s: by Jeremy Guida @JSTORGetting to the Heart of Why You Write What You Write: @LiveWriteThriveOvercome Obstacles and Succeed: @WriteNowCoachChoose Your Own Adventure: @StoryADayMay @WriterUnboxedWhy Staring Into Space Is an Important Strategy for Success: @GoIntoTheStoryWriting while Languishing: How to be Creative when You’re Feeling ‘Blah’: @KelseyAllagood @WriterUnboxedDo you suffer from writing perfectionism? @pubcoachThe Parts They Don’t Tell You: @SSTaylorBooks @CareerAuthorsGenres / HorrorWhat Is A Slasher Horror? @aprilataylor @MandSMagazineGenres / MysteryLocal Governments in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergMysteries for Young Readers: @MargotKinbergThe Closed Circle Mystery: @lucyfoleytweets @thenovelryGenres / ScreenwritingAction Writing in a Screenplay: @GoIntoTheStoryHow do I know if it’s too much or too little scene description? @GoIntoTheStoryPromo / Book ReviewsThe Surprising Ways Book Reviews Can Help Launch Your Success: @BookgalA Semi-Comprehensive List of Horror Book Reviewers: by T.L. BodinePromo / MiscellaneousHow To Write a Logline: @thejkstudioAdding A+ Content to Your Amazon Book Pages: 5 Essential Marketing Strategies From Legendary Copywriter Claude C. Hopkins: @NicoleJBianchiSetting Up a First Book for Success: @MichaelLaRonn @OrnaRoss @IndieAuthorALLITraditional Publishing and Getting More Marketing Help: @KarenHWhiting @EdieMelsonGentle Book Marketing: @sarahsantacroce @thecreativepennPromo / PlatformsHow to Audit Your Author Platform in Five Easy Steps: @McFarlandAuthor @KillerNashvillePromo / PodcastsWhy Your Podcast Pitch Isn’t Working and What to Do Instead: by Patricia Durgin @A3writersPublishing / MiscellaneousNew books will be hard to come by for the rest of the year: @hopecolette @qzPRH Publisher Services to Distribute IDW Comics Internationally: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAuthors: Want to Be a Bigger Fish? Try a Smaller Pond. Regional Fiction Sells! @annerallenPublishing / News / International PublishingPulling Together: IPA Opens the ‘Inspire’ Charter for Pandemic Response: @Porter_Anderson @IntPublishers @pubperspectivesCanada’s Indigenous Communities to Benefit from Emerald Pilot Project: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesWriting Craft / BeginningsWIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Narrative Flow in an Opening Scene: @Janice_HardyHow to Start A Story: “The Ordinary World” Technique: @NicoleJBianchiWhere Do I Start My Story? by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsWIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Piquing Reader Interest on Page One: by Maria D'MarcoWriting Craft / Characters / Antagonists5 Famous Writers On Writing A Villain: @AnthonyEhlers @Writers_WriteWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentFinding your Character’s Blind Spot: @diannmills @KillerNashvilleFive Practical Exercises to Deepen Your Characters: by Sandrina de Klerk @KingdomPenMag11 Types of Characters in Fiction (And 4 Ways You can Use Them): @StoryHobbit @DaveChessonWhat’s Your Character’s Love Language? (And Why Does it Matter?): @allisinclair @onestop4writersTips to Help You Write Real Characters for Your Novel: @createastorylovTake Your Character to Coffee: @tickledpinktam @EdieMelsonCharacter Types: The Attention Seeker: @JoanHallWrites @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionWriting Complex Emotions In Deep POV: Shame: @LisaHallWilsonWriting Craft / Common MistakesSilence Is Golden in a Story: @nlholmesbooksWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmGreat Scene: “Get Out”: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Schindler’s List” (1993): @GoIntoTheStory5 Monsters in Need of Career Advice: @JeremyCShipp @tordotcomPage One: “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” (1989): @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWhat’s an Idiot Plot? @cyallowitzHow to Create Authentic Children’s Voices in Fiction–and Hold an Adult Reader’s Interest: @gailaldwin @annerallenThe Inherent Nature of Story Structure: @jimdempsey @WriterUnboxedWhy Editing Matters and Simple Ways to Make Your Work Shine: @KristenLambTXHow To Tell If You’re Writing About The Wrong Character: @Writers_WriteHow to Fix Aimless, Boring Scenes: @KiingoCreative“Beginning. Middle. End.” @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Deaf Characters: Sensitivity Readers: @T_FrohockThe Psychological Subtext of the Call To Adventure: @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingHero's Journey 101: How to Use the Hero's Journey to Plot Your Story: @FaithlessMTG @ProWritingAidThe Basics of Plot for Writers: @CindyDevoted @EdieMelsonWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchHow to make your research more productive: @pubcoachWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story ConceptHow To Turn A Good Idea Into A Good Story: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesFinding Critique Partners: @GGCWrites @GoodStoryCoWriting Craft / ScenesPlanning A Scene In A Story: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionWriting Character Descriptions that Hook Readers: @AngelaAckermanWriting Craft / TransitionsTips On Writing Time Skips: @writingandsuchWriting Tools / ResourcesResources for Writing The Mafia: @writingandsuchResources for Writing Injuries: @writingandsuch

 

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