The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Debra

How Do Plot and Scene Work Together, Part 2

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Updated September 14, 2020.

Working with scenes, defeat in the boxing ring

In my last post we looked at plot. Today we’ll look at working with scenes.

What goes into a scene? All the same things that go into plot.

Think of a scene like a mini plot. The character(s) has a goal, which represents a small step in achieving the story goal. In each scene the character meets with conflict and setbacks.

The key to remember about scenes is that they occur now. It’s moment-by-moment action playing out on the page.

Example:


“Here’s today’s mail, Miss Clark.”
Startled by the voice, I jerked in my chair. “Joey, one of these days I’m going to end up with coffee in my lap.” I turned from the computer and reached for the letters. “Do you sneak in here on purpose?”
“No, ma’am, I’d never intentionally try to scare you.”

This example shows the action playing out moment by moment.

[Read more…] about How Do Plot and Scene Work Together, Part 2

How do Plot and Scene Work Together? Part 1

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Updated August 2020

Many fiction writers struggle with what plot is and how to develop it, including me. We envision the end product and wonder how we’re going to get there.

Some writers develop their plot through first writing outlines (called plotters); some write by the seat of their pants (called pantsers). But much like a chef, our work has basic elements. The chef has meat, veggies, fruit, dairy, and spices. He combines these to create a delectable, unforgettable dish.

The writer has characters, goals, conflict, and setbacks, and blends them to create a riveting (best-selling, we hope) novel.

At its very basic, plot is characters attempting to reach goals, but who meet with conflict and setbacks along the way. Whether you are a writer who works with or without an outline, if these elements are missing from your manuscript, you do not have a story. So let’s look at how these elements fit together to build a plot.

[Read more…] about How do Plot and Scene Work Together? Part 1

How to Understand Print Book Specifications

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In my last post, I discussed bulk sales and how using printers outside of the KDP print-on-demand process can save you dollars (sometimes big dollars) with bulk sales.

Essential to the bulk sales scenario is knowing about book specifications and understanding how a book is printed. While working at Focus on the Family I went to Michigan for print training. I learned the book specifications lingo during this training, but they made a lot more sense when I started publishing my own books.

Geek that I am, I love touring a printing facility. I witnessed magazine pages being printed, assembled, and ad cards being blown-in (literally), all at an amazing speed of thousands per minute!

If you have a local printing facility, call and find out if they will give you a tour.

Whether you ever decide to bulk print or not, knowing these terms and basics about book production will help you make decisions about your print-on-demand book.

[Read more…] about How to Understand Print Book Specifications

Are you seeking bulk sales for your book?

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Pallets of book pages being readied for bulk sales.
These are pallets of coloring book pages being readied for bulk sales to various merchandisers.

When thinking about selling their book, many authors think about selling to the individual book buyer who walks into the bookstore or buys online. That’s “one book at a time” thinking. This is limiting your sales potential.

People buy in bulk all the time (the toilet paper shortage is evidence). So don’t think that “bulk” means 100 or more. Open your thinking to book clubs, Bible study groups, and organizations outside of bookstores.

[Read more…] about Are you seeking bulk sales for your book?

Are You Trying to Reach Your Goals?

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Person jumping from hill to hill. Doing rather than trying.

Do you have a vision of your book as a best seller? An award-winner? Many writers have these dreams, myself included.

You could write the greatest novel since Dean Koontz or James Patterson, but if you don’t market your book, you won’t accomplish best-seller status.

You could have the most amazing marketing strategy and plan, but if you’ve written a terrible book, you won’t accomplish best-seller or award-winning status.

And underlying all this is your mindset—your paradigm.

[Read more…] about Are You Trying to Reach Your Goals?

PENCON Editors Conference

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As writers, we know it is important to attend conferences. It’s where we make connection with other writers, literary agents, and acquisitions editors.

Several years back (2016, I think), I decided to attend an editors conference. I wanted and needed to connect with other editors. I don’t remember how I even heard about PENCON Editors Conference, but they were meeting in Colorado Springs that year. An ideal place for me because my son and granddaughter live there. I used to, so it would be like going home.

I met a lot of people there, and two have become key people in my work as a writer and editor.

If you are thinking about becoming a freelance editor to supplement your work as a writer, or you already are an editor, consider attending this conference. It’s virtual this year! So you’ll save on travel expenses.

“PENCON is the only annual conference for Christian editors. This year’s interactive virtual conference will be held July 8–10. Our seasoned faculty will help you brush up on your editing skills and learn new skills. Our broad range of workshops will cover coaching clients, contract essentials, developing an editorial voice, growing your business, and more. In other sessions, you’ll get specific tips on editing Christian nonfiction, fiction, and children’s books. Check out all the workshops at penconeditors.com. Conference fee of $169. Use code NONMEM when you register. For more information, please contact admin@penconedtiors.com.”

Ask the Editor – What Are the Different Types of Editing?

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Ask the EditorUpdated March 2020.

Do you have a question for the Motivational Editor? Drop it in the comments below or email me at deb [at] DebraLButterfield.com. Once a quarter I’ll be dedicating a post to answering your questions.

What are the different kinds of editing services normally provided and what can we expect from each? [Read more…] about Ask the Editor – What Are the Different Types of Editing?

What’s the Difference Between Passive Voice and Passive Writing?

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In the world of writing blogs, I see passive writing and passive voice discussed as synonymous. They aren’t!

While passive writing is to be avoided as much as possible, there are times when passive voice is the only tool available.

Passive Voice

Take a moment and access your memory banks for elementary school grammar lessons. [Read more…] about What’s the Difference Between Passive Voice and Passive Writing?