Samuel L. Jackson said of Snakes on a Plane, “All I needed to hear was the title and I knew I wanted to be in this film.”
Snakes on a Plane may be a dubious movie but it has a title Ronseal would be proud of - it does exactly what is says on the tin. But is it even necessary for a title to hint at its content? As Homer Simpson once said, “I read To Kill A Mockingbird and it gave me absolutely no insight on how to kill mockingbirds!”
Maybe there are no rules when it comes to great titles: You just know one when you see it.
John Gray didn't get much attention with his book What Your Mother Couldn't Tell You and What Your Father Didn't Know. He shortened it to the now famous, Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus.
In 1924, F. Scott Fitzgerald sent his new novel - Trimalchio in West Egg - to the publishers. They hated the title so he changed it to The Great Gatsby.
Jane Austen's father submitted an early version of Pride and Prejudice to a publisher, under the title First Impressions. It was rejected by return of post.
Strangers from Within was the title of William Golding's first novel until an editor changed it to Lord of the Flies.
You get the idea!
Titles can benefit from being snappy, symbolic or memorable but most of all they just need to look and sound right.
Monday
Wednesday
Crime: Short Story V Novel
In the consumption of a novel, not every reader will have invested money but they will all have invested their time. It is this commitment that places demands on the author. The upshot of which: readers will put in the hours, providing the following is met: a) The crime is solved. b) The protagonist survives relatively unscathed. c) The bad guys get their comeuppance.
Breaking these rules is doable, but risky. Novel writers aim to cultivate a deep emotional attachment between the reader and their characters. This restricts what the author can get away with. Ultimately, good has to prevail. My point is this: The more time a reader invests, the more they will expect to be rewarded with the payoff, and that folks, means a happy ending.
Pssst, keep this to yourselves. Short stories are different, not all the rules apply.
The engine of the novel is the what happens next, each passage should be crafted with the purpose of keeping those pages turning. Short stories are concerned with the what happens now.
Authors of short stories can ultimately shock in any way they please. By all means kill off your heroes, reveal them as evil, or end with the bad guy becoming the true victim. But aren’t these twists familiar to novels? Nope, they break the formula, and are therefore rare and hard to pull off. Readers won’t accept a journey of trials and suffering only for your main character to be unmasked as the murdered. In a short story, you don’t even have to root for your hero, you just have to be interested in them. (Sit-coms are aware of this. Characters like Basil Fawlty, Blackadder and David Brent, work well in the short - 1/2 hour - format).
So short stories are easier to write than novels, right? Wrong.
Shorts are best set over a short period of time, usually an event, or in the case of crime writing, the crime itself. But crimes are concerned with much more than this. Predominantly, crime novels are about how the perpetrators are caught. But motive must be also explained and victims sympathized with etc…All of which is difficult in a short story. Your protagonist hasn’t the time to fail a few times, or overcome obstacles, before solving a case. There is only one pace to a short story. FAST. Writers of short stories and novels can be as different as a sprinter and a marathon runner. One is built for power, for full-throttle energy. The other is a master of pacing, tactics and timing (whilst holding enough back for a final burst).
Short stories can still follow the basics: The Hook, The Conflict, The Climax, The Resolution, but often they fail because they do just that!
Breaking these rules is doable, but risky. Novel writers aim to cultivate a deep emotional attachment between the reader and their characters. This restricts what the author can get away with. Ultimately, good has to prevail. My point is this: The more time a reader invests, the more they will expect to be rewarded with the payoff, and that folks, means a happy ending.
Pssst, keep this to yourselves. Short stories are different, not all the rules apply.
The engine of the novel is the what happens next, each passage should be crafted with the purpose of keeping those pages turning. Short stories are concerned with the what happens now.
Authors of short stories can ultimately shock in any way they please. By all means kill off your heroes, reveal them as evil, or end with the bad guy becoming the true victim. But aren’t these twists familiar to novels? Nope, they break the formula, and are therefore rare and hard to pull off. Readers won’t accept a journey of trials and suffering only for your main character to be unmasked as the murdered. In a short story, you don’t even have to root for your hero, you just have to be interested in them. (Sit-coms are aware of this. Characters like Basil Fawlty, Blackadder and David Brent, work well in the short - 1/2 hour - format).
So short stories are easier to write than novels, right? Wrong.
Shorts are best set over a short period of time, usually an event, or in the case of crime writing, the crime itself. But crimes are concerned with much more than this. Predominantly, crime novels are about how the perpetrators are caught. But motive must be also explained and victims sympathized with etc…All of which is difficult in a short story. Your protagonist hasn’t the time to fail a few times, or overcome obstacles, before solving a case. There is only one pace to a short story. FAST. Writers of short stories and novels can be as different as a sprinter and a marathon runner. One is built for power, for full-throttle energy. The other is a master of pacing, tactics and timing (whilst holding enough back for a final burst).
Short stories can still follow the basics: The Hook, The Conflict, The Climax, The Resolution, but often they fail because they do just that!
Tuesday
Where do you get your ideas?
This perennial question is feared by writers, mainly because we are expected to offer up a hidden insight that only we are privy to. Some authors shrug off the question with a quip, such as, from the merchant if ideas. Others go with the truth: Ideas come from everywhere and everything, the trick is in selecting the good ones. Of course this is not what people want to hear. They want to know the secret.
Well here goes: Think of any idea that involves conflict and turn this idea into a, what if? Once you have this, the story is simply down to plotting, or repeating a new question, what next?
Fine, but that doesn’t tell me where the ideas come from? I hear them groan. Then try this: Take two existing and different ideas, now gel them together, thus, creating a fresh story. By the time you’ve re-shaped your tale you’ll be hard pushed to find any resemblance of the originals.
Alternatively, eavesdrop. Recently I overheard one woman gossip to another, “They’d been taking each others drugs by mistake.” If that line doesn’t conjure up an idea or two, you can’t be helped.
And be forewarned, the next time I’m asked: Where do you get your ideas? I’ll be sure to reply: From standing on my head in a bath of brain dust.
Well here goes: Think of any idea that involves conflict and turn this idea into a, what if? Once you have this, the story is simply down to plotting, or repeating a new question, what next?
Fine, but that doesn’t tell me where the ideas come from? I hear them groan. Then try this: Take two existing and different ideas, now gel them together, thus, creating a fresh story. By the time you’ve re-shaped your tale you’ll be hard pushed to find any resemblance of the originals.
Alternatively, eavesdrop. Recently I overheard one woman gossip to another, “They’d been taking each others drugs by mistake.” If that line doesn’t conjure up an idea or two, you can’t be helped.
And be forewarned, the next time I’m asked: Where do you get your ideas? I’ll be sure to reply: From standing on my head in a bath of brain dust.
Links for Writers
A list of websites/blogs that may be useful to authors or aspiring writers:
The Most Common Mistakes I See in Fiction Manuscripts
http://www.webdreamer.com/gross_fiction_mistakes.html
from Jerry Gross
Ten Mistakes Writers Don’t See (But Can Easily Fix When They Do)
http://www.holtuncensored.com/hu/the-ten-mistakes/
from Holt Uncensored
5 Editor’s Secrets To Help You Write Like A Pro
http://www.remarkable-communication.com/5-editors-secrets-to-help-you-write-like-a-pro/
from Remarkable Communication
How to write a book proposal
http://www.bubblecow.co.uk/2009/09/how-to-write-a-book-proposal/
from BubbleCow
Creating realistic characters with depth
http://www.kriscramer.com/how-to-create-realistic-characters-with-depth/
from kris cramer
Write Characters, Not Mary Sues
http://bethanyharvey.com/blog/posts/2007/07/write-characters-not-mary-sues/
from Born Liar
How to Create Suspense in a Story
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_4406265_create-suspense-story.html?cr=1
from eHow
How to Use the ‘Rule of Three’ to Create Engaging Content
http://www.copyblogger.com/rule-of-three/
from copyblogger
How To Write A Fight Scene
http://community.livejournal.com/start_writing/38697.html
from Start Writing Fiction
How To Spice Up Your Writing With Dialogue
http://www.archetypewriting.com/articles/writing/spiceUpWdialogue.htm
from Archetype
Ending a Scene by James Thayer
http://www.authormagazine.org/articles/thayer_james_2008_12_15.htm
from Author Articles
An independent directory of online writing resources http://www.websitesforwriters.net/
from Websites for writers.
10 Ways to Improve Your Writing
http://www.teflspin.com/2008/04/10-ways-to-improve-your-writing_07.html
from Tefl Spin
Writing Links
http://www.internet-resources.com/writers/wrlinks-wordstuff.htm
from Internet-Resources.com
Checklist of Fiction Faults
http://raynelson.com/fictionfaults.html
from Ray Nelson
The 3 Most Important Elements of Fiction Writing
http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/3_elements.htm
from Absolute Write
15 worthy blogs for writers
http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2009/10/09/15WorthyBlogsIJustDiscovered.aspx from The Writer’s Digest
How to Write a Novel Using the Web
http://mashable.com/2009/09/16/write-novel/
from Mashable
Tips for Creating a Compelling Plot
http://trutor.net/plot.html
from Debbie Lee Wesselmann
50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/06/28/50-free-resources-that-will-improve-your-writing-skills/
from Smashing Magazine
10 Free Resources Every Writer Needs
http://writetodone.com/2008/12/15/the-10-free-resources-every-writer-needs/
from Write To Done
17 writing secrets
http://www.writersdigest.com/article?p_ArticleId=5387
from Writer’s Digest
Fiction Writer’s Character Chart
http://www.epiguide.com/ep101/writing/charchart.html
from EPIGUIDE.COM
Character development in fiction
http://character-development.suite101.com/article.cfm/getting_to_grips_with_character
from suite101.com
Read first chapters
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/books/chapterone.htm
from The Washington Post
Tips for Writers
http://writetodone.com/2009/08/10/the-nearly-ultimate-resource-176-tips-for-writers/
from Write To Done
13 writing tips
http://chuckpalahniuk.net/workshop/essays/chuck-palahniuk
from Chuck Palahniuk
How to Write a Great Novel
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703740004574513463106012106.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_lifestyle
from The Wall Street Journal
50 Tools to Improve your Writing Skills
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/07/50-tools-that-can-improve-your-writing.html
from Dumb Little Man.
8 rules for writing unstoppable shorts
http://io9.com/366707/8-unstoppable-rules-for-writing-killer-short-stories
from i09
10 Tips for Creative Writers
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative/shortstory/index.html
from Dennis G. Jerz
The 10 Best Books for Writers
http://editorunleashed.com/2009/04/08/the-10-best-books-for-writers/
from Editor Unleashed
50 best websites to download eBOOKs FREE
http://www.bestonlinetools.org/50-top-websites-to-download-ebooks/
from Tech tools
52 short stories
http://www.fiftytwostories.com/?page_id=7
from Fifty-Two Stories
The Most Common Mistakes I See in Fiction Manuscripts
http://www.webdreamer.com/gross_fiction_mistakes.html
from Jerry Gross
Ten Mistakes Writers Don’t See (But Can Easily Fix When They Do)
http://www.holtuncensored.com/hu/the-ten-mistakes/
from Holt Uncensored
5 Editor’s Secrets To Help You Write Like A Pro
http://www.remarkable-communication.com/5-editors-secrets-to-help-you-write-like-a-pro/
from Remarkable Communication
How to write a book proposal
http://www.bubblecow.co.uk/2009/09/how-to-write-a-book-proposal/
from BubbleCow
Creating realistic characters with depth
http://www.kriscramer.com/how-to-create-realistic-characters-with-depth/
from kris cramer
Write Characters, Not Mary Sues
http://bethanyharvey.com/blog/posts/2007/07/write-characters-not-mary-sues/
from Born Liar
How to Create Suspense in a Story
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_4406265_create-suspense-story.html?cr=1
from eHow
How to Use the ‘Rule of Three’ to Create Engaging Content
http://www.copyblogger.com/rule-of-three/
from copyblogger
How To Write A Fight Scene
http://community.livejournal.com/start_writing/38697.html
from Start Writing Fiction
How To Spice Up Your Writing With Dialogue
http://www.archetypewriting.com/articles/writing/spiceUpWdialogue.htm
from Archetype
Ending a Scene by James Thayer
http://www.authormagazine.org/articles/thayer_james_2008_12_15.htm
from Author Articles
An independent directory of online writing resources http://www.websitesforwriters.net/
from Websites for writers.
10 Ways to Improve Your Writing
http://www.teflspin.com/2008/04/10-ways-to-improve-your-writing_07.html
from Tefl Spin
Writing Links
http://www.internet-resources.com/writers/wrlinks-wordstuff.htm
from Internet-Resources.com
Checklist of Fiction Faults
http://raynelson.com/fictionfaults.html
from Ray Nelson
The 3 Most Important Elements of Fiction Writing
http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/3_elements.htm
from Absolute Write
15 worthy blogs for writers
http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2009/10/09/15WorthyBlogsIJustDiscovered.aspx from The Writer’s Digest
How to Write a Novel Using the Web
http://mashable.com/2009/09/16/write-novel/
from Mashable
Tips for Creating a Compelling Plot
http://trutor.net/plot.html
from Debbie Lee Wesselmann
50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/06/28/50-free-resources-that-will-improve-your-writing-skills/
from Smashing Magazine
10 Free Resources Every Writer Needs
http://writetodone.com/2008/12/15/the-10-free-resources-every-writer-needs/
from Write To Done
17 writing secrets
http://www.writersdigest.com/article?p_ArticleId=5387
from Writer’s Digest
Fiction Writer’s Character Chart
http://www.epiguide.com/ep101/writing/charchart.html
from EPIGUIDE.COM
Character development in fiction
http://character-development.suite101.com/article.cfm/getting_to_grips_with_character
from suite101.com
Read first chapters
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/books/chapterone.htm
from The Washington Post
Tips for Writers
http://writetodone.com/2009/08/10/the-nearly-ultimate-resource-176-tips-for-writers/
from Write To Done
13 writing tips
http://chuckpalahniuk.net/workshop/essays/chuck-palahniuk
from Chuck Palahniuk
How to Write a Great Novel
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703740004574513463106012106.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_lifestyle
from The Wall Street Journal
50 Tools to Improve your Writing Skills
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/07/50-tools-that-can-improve-your-writing.html
from Dumb Little Man.
8 rules for writing unstoppable shorts
http://io9.com/366707/8-unstoppable-rules-for-writing-killer-short-stories
from i09
10 Tips for Creative Writers
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative/shortstory/index.html
from Dennis G. Jerz
The 10 Best Books for Writers
http://editorunleashed.com/2009/04/08/the-10-best-books-for-writers/
from Editor Unleashed
50 best websites to download eBOOKs FREE
http://www.bestonlinetools.org/50-top-websites-to-download-ebooks/
from Tech tools
52 short stories
http://www.fiftytwostories.com/?page_id=7
from Fifty-Two Stories
Sunday
Originality. Is it dead?
Are there any truly original stories left?
Harry Potter – the tale of an orphan living with his aunt and uncle, from where he is rescued by a wise, bearded man, who turns out to have magical powers. It is revealed to the young gent that his father also possessed these powers. Later, in the finale, our hero is forced to see off a threat from a bad man who we understood killed his parents.
Original? Well here’s the story of Luke Skywalker.
Star Wars (1977 – Episode IV) - the story of an orphan living with his aunt and uncle, from where he is rescued by a wise, bearded man, who turns out to have magical powers. It is revealed to the young gent that his father also possessed these powers. Later, in the finale, our hero is forced to see off a threat from a bad man who we understood killed his parents.
Plagiarism? No, they just share a similar story, and this has been going on for as long as tales have been told. Take the following from a few thousands years ago:
A child is born on Dec 25th; a boy, born to a virgin, and the only son of God. The birth is heralded by a star and announced by angels. He grew up, going on to resist temptation and walk on water. Death came in the form of a crucifixion and he was buried in a tomb, from which he was resurrected after three days and hailed as the savoir of humanity.
You might recognise this story as the tale of Horus, allegedly written thousands of years BC.
Harry Potter – the tale of an orphan living with his aunt and uncle, from where he is rescued by a wise, bearded man, who turns out to have magical powers. It is revealed to the young gent that his father also possessed these powers. Later, in the finale, our hero is forced to see off a threat from a bad man who we understood killed his parents.
Original? Well here’s the story of Luke Skywalker.
Star Wars (1977 – Episode IV) - the story of an orphan living with his aunt and uncle, from where he is rescued by a wise, bearded man, who turns out to have magical powers. It is revealed to the young gent that his father also possessed these powers. Later, in the finale, our hero is forced to see off a threat from a bad man who we understood killed his parents.
Plagiarism? No, they just share a similar story, and this has been going on for as long as tales have been told. Take the following from a few thousands years ago:
A child is born on Dec 25th; a boy, born to a virgin, and the only son of God. The birth is heralded by a star and announced by angels. He grew up, going on to resist temptation and walk on water. Death came in the form of a crucifixion and he was buried in a tomb, from which he was resurrected after three days and hailed as the savoir of humanity.
You might recognise this story as the tale of Horus, allegedly written thousands of years BC.
Monday
Just don’t upset the children.
Nursery rhymes are being altered in order for them to have happy endings. In a recent BBC broadcast Humpty Dumpty was not beyond repair, if fact all the King’s horses and all the King’s men were able to make Humpty happy again. Then on a CBeebies channel near you, Little Miss Muffet was spotted welcoming the spider that sat down beside her. Is the santisation of children’s literature a good thing, or should we be preparing our little people for the harshness of life?
Well, which of the following do you prefer?
Three blind mice, three blind mice,
See how they run, see how they run,
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a thing in your life,
As three blind mice?
Three kind mice, three kind mice,
See all their fun, see all their fun,
They all looked after the farmer’s wife,
Who cut them some cake with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a thing in your life,
As three kind mice?
Personally, I like happy endings, but only after the characters have suffered on a difficult journey. Many fairytales aren’t far off the mark. With their goblins, witches, and trolls they are the stuff of nightmares but, by and large, they end in a happy place and all is forgiven. Imagine the Brothers Grimm trying to get published today. “It’s a horror story for kids. The title ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, basically a wolf disguises himself as a grandchild in order to eat her Granny.” Good luck with that!
And another thing, If the fun police are to insist on protecting little Timmy from violence then they should start with computer games.
Well, which of the following do you prefer?
Three blind mice, three blind mice,
See how they run, see how they run,
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a thing in your life,
As three blind mice?
Three kind mice, three kind mice,
See all their fun, see all their fun,
They all looked after the farmer’s wife,
Who cut them some cake with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a thing in your life,
As three kind mice?
Personally, I like happy endings, but only after the characters have suffered on a difficult journey. Many fairytales aren’t far off the mark. With their goblins, witches, and trolls they are the stuff of nightmares but, by and large, they end in a happy place and all is forgiven. Imagine the Brothers Grimm trying to get published today. “It’s a horror story for kids. The title ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, basically a wolf disguises himself as a grandchild in order to eat her Granny.” Good luck with that!
And another thing, If the fun police are to insist on protecting little Timmy from violence then they should start with computer games.
Friday
Reviews matter!
Reviews matter! They shouldn’t, after all they’re only one person’s opinion and not everyone will like your book, but for new writers, they really matter. So in thanking Borders for the following review, I do so with great gratitude.
Danielle Siddons at Borders Book Store, Leicester:
‘Wow! What can I say? Chasing Shadows absolutely blew me away! It was like a cross between 'Life on Mars' and '24', with ample doses of action, gore, thrills and humour! Never a dull moment, the plot doesn't halt for a pause with twists, turns and new discoveries unfolding in every chapter. The characters were beautifully put across, in equal parts our protagonist was heroic and wholesome, made massively credible by his witty and dry sense of humour, and the 'bad guys' were deliciously detestable. With its short chapters and John's concise, to-the-point writing style, this book was unstoppable; it had me gripped from the first page until the side-splitting, shocking and genuis conclusion. A fantastic book!'
Danielle Siddons at Borders Book Store, Leicester:
‘Wow! What can I say? Chasing Shadows absolutely blew me away! It was like a cross between 'Life on Mars' and '24', with ample doses of action, gore, thrills and humour! Never a dull moment, the plot doesn't halt for a pause with twists, turns and new discoveries unfolding in every chapter. The characters were beautifully put across, in equal parts our protagonist was heroic and wholesome, made massively credible by his witty and dry sense of humour, and the 'bad guys' were deliciously detestable. With its short chapters and John's concise, to-the-point writing style, this book was unstoppable; it had me gripped from the first page until the side-splitting, shocking and genuis conclusion. A fantastic book!'
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