Daily Archives: January 15, 2008

No scene structure and action is episodic Why would scene structure matter? Have you ever noticed how things work better when the work is organized? Whether it’s a space launch or a pancake breakfast, organizing makes the whole thing work more efficiently. Certain people have certain tasks. Organization applies to stories too. Communication is underpinnedContinue reading “The #1 Mistake – No Scene Structure/Episodic Action”

Head hopping Head hopping is where the point of view for the characters is not fixed and hops from head to head. One of the things we look for when we read is a narrator who’s voice we like. The narrative voice chosen to tell the story affects the tone of the story and howContinue reading “Reason #2 – Head Hopping”

Limited conflict or attention I don’t want to talk about this. It could start a fight.

The character lacks yearning–the “hole in the soul” Every story is in some way a journey that moves the story’s hero from a place he is comfortable to one that is different from what he is accustomed. It is the trials and troubles that the hero deals with that allow him to see the holeContinue reading “Reason #4 – No Hole in the Soul”

Too far removed from the inciting incident Don’t spend time warming your engine. Start close to the point where the hero’s world starts to change. James N Frey says, “…beginning writers falsely believe they have to ‘set the stage’ and ‘inform the reader about past events’ before getting on with the story.” In his TopContinue reading “Reason #5 – Throat Clearing”