Started Writing a New Book Tonight

Tonight, I started work on what I hope will be a new novel. After spending about 2 weeks learning about Blake Snyder's story beats, I spent this evening developing the first several beats of this new work. I'm about halfway through mapping it out, and I can see the rest of the story quite clearly. 
I am using a well-known story as a template of sorts (think O Brother Where Art Thou?/The Odyssey and Ready Player One/The Wizard of Oz), which feels kinda like cheating, but also not. Snyder teaches that most movies (and I see this readily applying to any kind of story) have the same structure of beats. In this sense, coupled with the fact that all characters, settings, and actual writing are entirely my own, I feel quite comfortable with the approach.
Not only is the approach entirely new for me, so is the genre and subject matter. Needless to say, I'm quite stoked. Let's see if I can keep that fire alive!
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Published on July 18, 2016 20:24
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message 1: by Mike (new)

Mike Voss New approaches can freshen your technique and your overwiew of the story - and your tools are always worthy if they work well for you. I wouldn't worry about your template as long as it isn't a blow by blow reproduction of the original inspiration. I enjoy that kind of frame whether in the stories I consume or in my own. At best readers will recognize and appreciate the references, or at worst miss them entirely but still have your story to entertain them. Carry on!


message 2: by Robert (last edited Jul 19, 2016 11:05AM) (new)

Robert Pipkin Thanks, Mike. I'm thinking the end result won't bear overt resemblance to what I'm modeling it after. I appreciate the support!


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