Finding Your Story

Sometimes a story just won't cooperate. Sometimes I just can't get it to make sense to anybody else, or it goes so far and won't go any farther, or there's just something wrong with it and I don't know what it is.

Those problems--and many others--usually mean I don't actually know what my story is. I have characters I like, a tone I like, a theme I like, a situation I like, a general shape I like and/or an ending I want, but I haven't dug into all those things I like and defined the story.

That's because defining the story means removing a lot of what I like. I want to say this, I want to say that, I want to explore this setting or that emotion, but I want to write a short story. Well, a short story only has room for so much. If you want to present more than a short story is capable of carrying, you have to write a novel--or a poem.

Jim Butcher calls defining the story coming up with a story skeleton or story question. In his definitive LiveJournal postings, which I highly recommend, he says:

The story skeleton (also called a story question) consists of a simple format:

*WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS*, *YOUR PROTAGONIST* *PURSUES A GOAL*. But will he succeed when *ANTAGONIST PROVIDES OPPOSITION*?

"Antagonist" can mean someone else, a goal that's counter to the goal he's pursuing, circumstances or whatever:

When the ghost of his dead partner shows up on Christmas Eve, moneylender Ebenezer Scrooge just wants to be left alone to continue his miserly life as it is. But will he succeed when he's forced to relive his past, view the present, and foresee the future?

Another way to find your story is to pretend it's already written and you're writing to an agent. You have one paragraph to grab the agent's attention. Kathryn Craft, a developmental editor at Writing-Partner.com had a wonderful post about this on The Blood-Red Pencil, a fantastic blog for writers and editors which I also highly recommend. She says, among other things:

The pitch is a 2-3 sentence summary that includes the “who, what, why, and why not.” Just enough information to intrigue the agent (I want to read that book!) and induce salivation (I think I can sell that book!).

You can structure the pitch any way you want, but you can’t go wrong with the following formula: When [A] happens, [B] wants [C] because [D], but [E] must first be overcome before [F].

A = inciting incident

B = protagonist

C = desire that drives the book

D = motivation of main character

E = obstacle/conflict

F = ending

To get the most out of your pitch, layer the A-to-F formula with
descriptors that imply the genre.

When a dark power overshadows Middle Earth, Frodo Baggins, a mild young Hobbit, is determined to defeat it or die trying. Though the destinies of many races hang in the balance, it's love of the ordinary peace and plenty of his native Shire that gives him his courage, and the loyalty of his Hobbit companions that sustain him in his journey. Although the Dark Lord sends legions and monsters, creatures and corruption against him, a small person's willingness to sacrifice self for the good of others is stronger than anything the Enemy can do.

You could probably come up with better ones. Try to. Pick a book or movie you feel is particularly strong and try to write a story skeleton or pitch summary for it. Do several for practice. Then do it for your own work-in-progress and see how that goes.

Marian Allen

Blog Fiction

Sunday-early evening-I am sitting in Grand Central Station food court, lower level, waiting to catch a train back to Connecticut. The seating area is comfortable, large, plastic high back chairs that resemble fine leather, library favorites. These are all set in a circle facing outward, perfect for people watching.

I am writing this on the week-in-review section of the New York Times. My sentences are scrawled across a photo with lots of background; a writer’s perogative to use what is handy. As I sit and contemplate the diversity of those coming and going, I am struck by the differences, none is the same but each has two things in common, a story and a cell phone. Electronic devices cupped in a hand, held to an ear, dangling off fingertips or blue tooth, from the well-dressed couple headed back to Fairfield County to the homeless man in a wheelchair parked next to a post with an outlet, his cell phone plugged in and charging.

New York could be a fictional planet not a real place, and its inhabitants aliens not ordinary citizens. I am a writer, a space walker in this city looking for creative fodder, a lineup of fictitious characters, from whom the germ of an idea can be planted, nourished and written.

Day 15, third month of the Writer’s Challenge-the writing is steady but slower than anticipated. I have gone overboard with my research discovering minute facts that may go unnoticed to the reader; however, the best news is my new title rocks.

Blog what your see, feel and think.

Have the best day everyday.

Linda

Looking For a Break From Those Pesky Tax Forms?

Now that tax season is almost here, I should probably plug my first Alex Bellamy mystery, Taxed to Death. This book was originally published in 1995 when Revenue Canada Agency was simply known as Revenue Canada. But as far as fraud and murder go, not much has changed over the years. Here’s the blurb:

Revenue Canada auditor, Alex Bellamy, has always dreamed of adventure. During a field audit, he discovers evidence of fraud. Alex learns that others, including someone inside Revenue Canada, are involved. He persuades his colleague, Andy Gowan, to help him investigate; but Andy is murdered and Alex is forced to turn to Jillian Scott; a lady he’s never met, and who has her own frightening reasons for refusing to cooperate. Soon, Jillian’s fears and Alex’s search for a killer embroil them in a bizarre and disturbing nightmare not everyone will survive.

REVIEWERS SAY:

“Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down until I was done.” George Robertson, Beyond Numbers

“Taxed to Death is a superb mystery of plot twists and turns. A masterpiece of suspenseful storytelling.” Jim Cox, Midwest Review

“Purdy Kong does not hold back from taking a look into people’s interior and private lives, and that’s a quality which will take her far. Her writing is clean, capable, even poetic. Purdy Kong has found her voice.” Edgar award winner, G. Miki Hayden, author of Writing the Mystery.

“Debra Purdy Kong provides the audience with an entertaining mystery that will gain her many fans who will relish the British Columbia setting.” Harriet Klausner

TAXED TO DEATH can be purchased in print at http://tinyurl.com/czsy5n

Kindle version is at at http://tinyurl.com/ld4pcf

"I Read About You in the Bathroom"

Back in 2006, I had an interesting experience, one I'll never forget. It taught me that readers and fans were to be valued above all else in this industry. Without readers and fans, I'm just someone with a lot of crazy ideas who happens to type them out.

On this particular day many years ago, I packed up my laptop and headed for my favorite haunt, a local coffee shop. I got there in the morning, sipped four jumbo mugs of cinnamon hazelnut coffee, had lunch (the Cheryl's Special Quesadilla), then later had a slice of lemon poppy seed loaf. I didn't leave until after 10:00 PM.

Talk about buzzed!!

I worked on Children of the Fog, my new suspense novel that asks, "How far would you go for your child?" (It's now in the hands of my agent.) I wrote in a frenzy, finishing 2 chapters, plus some editing. I was lost. Lost in my world--the one I had created for Sadie and Sam, the mother and son in my novel.

Then a small voice brought me back to reality.

"Are you Cheryl...T?" a young girl asked hesitantly.

"Yes," I answered. "Are you a friend of my daughter's?"

The girl shook her head. "I read about you in the bathroom."

I smiled. I had two posters on the bathroom walls of the coffee shop--one with the cover of The River, one with the cover of Divine Intervention.

"Do you have any of your books here?" the girl asked me.

Without a second thought, I put aside my laptop and searched the canvas tote bag, coming up with one Divine Intervention and the very last copy of The River (it had sold out across Edmonton by December 20th).

"I have both," I said.

She immediately raced off. "I'm going to tell my mom!"

A minute later, she reappeared with her mother in tow. The girl's enthusiasm was contagious and for a moment, I forgot they were here to see me...and not some rock star. :) The mother introduced herself and asked about my books. A minute later, Julie was writing me a cheque and I was signing her new books. Her daughter smiled all the while, then made my day all the more special by a simple request.

"Can I have your autograph?"

"Of course," I said, happily signing one of my bookmarks for her.

Julie walked away with her 2 books, while her daughter skipped away with her treasure--the bookmark.

I had to smile. The simplest of things and a few minutes of my time had made two people happy.

It wasn't until I got home that I recalled the girl's words: "I read about you in the bathroom." How funny that seems now.

Back then, I was confused. I realized that my posters couldn't possibly have indicated who I was. After all, they showed book covers, not ads saying, "Look for the woman with red hair typing maniacally on a laptop. That's Cheryl Kaye Tardif."

So how had she known?

When realization hit me, I began to laugh. You see, earlier that day I had switched the cover posters in the men's and women's washrooms. And I removed two smaller signs that announced a past book signing event. On the bottom of those signs I had mentioned that I could often be found in this coffee shop. There was even a small photo of me. But I had folded the signs in half and tossed them in the garbage can.

THAT'S how this young girl knew who I was.

Bless her heart for being so interested! :)

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
author of Whale Song, Divine Intervention and The River

First Time Novelists Can Make It Big

I read an interesting piece in John Kremer’s marketing newsletter about the number of authors who’ve sold their first books to major publishers. Some on the list sold their first books decades ago, but I’m sure they had as many hurdles as we do today. Here’s a partial list of successful first-time novels. Notice how many of them have been made into movies.

The Mystery Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Gone with the Wind by Margaet Mitchell
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (one of my favourites)
Snow Fall on Cedars by David Guterson
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Well
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
The Rule of Four by Dustin Thomason

According to the newsletter, author Kim Edwards’ first novel, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter sold 55,000 hardcover copies and over 2.5 million in trade paperback. Because it was #1 on USA Today’s bestseller’s list, it was also chosen as Book of the Year for 2006. Wow!

Canadian author Terry Fallis published his humorous novel through print-on-demand. It sold lots of copies and he won Canada’s Stephen Leacock Medal for literary humour in 2008. You see, it is possible!

And here’s a tidbit of interesting info: Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl was rejected by 15 publishers before it was picked up by Doubleday in 1952. The book has sold more than 30 million print copies.

To read Kremer’s entire article go to http://www.bookmarket.com/debutnovels.htm

FATAL ENCRYPTION can be purchased at http://tinyurl.com/ddzsxl
TAXED TO DEATH can be purchased at http://tinyurl.com/czsy5n

It's Gonna Be A Good, Good Book!!

Check out this Black-Eyed Peas inspired video "Gotta Keep Reading." Oh, it will inspire you!

--

K. Harrington

Author, Janeology

www.karenharringtonbooks.com