Shopping for yourself? For the writer in your life? It’s tough work.

Thousands of how-to-write books line the shelves and pop up on screen when you search.

Ask any writer which books help them and you’ll get hundreds of different answers. Selections will change over time as we learn different skills. 

What I like, in other words, may not please the writer in your life, but they may enjoy having something to pass along to other writers, too!

*BONUS: shopping tip: USE THOSE REVIEWS!

• Select a book title you’re interested and hit an online site
• read some 4-5 star reviewer comments
• read  some 1-2 star reviewer comments
• see if the comments for either sound just like something the writer in your life would say
•  then you’ll have a better idea if that selection’s likely to be a good one for YOUR writer!
  

PERSONAL PREFERENCE: I ALWAYS BUY HARD COPIES OF WRITING-CRAFT BOOKS. Electronic versions are easier to carry, etc., but I like to have room to scribble on the pages as I read, and it’s far easier to flip through a hard-copy book to reach a section.

BONUS shopping tip: If your writer has craft-books on the shelf near their writing space, buy HARD COPIES!

These are 3 writing-craft books I came across that had a lot of impact for me this year (in no particular order):

Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author’s Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development (Helping Writers Become Authors Book 7)

Author: K.M. Weiland

Excerpt from the official blurb:

This comprehensive book will teach you:

How to determine which arc—positive, negative, or flat—is right for your character.

Why you should NEVER pit plot against character. Instead, learn how to blend story structure and character development.

How to recognize and avoid the worst pitfalls of writing novels without character arcs.

How to hack the secret to using overarching character arcs to create amazing trilogies and series.

And much more!

Why I bought it: I kept seeing this book referred to by screenwriters and others on Youtube, and blogs, and I wanted to focus on developing an emotional experience for the readers—through the character’s development.

The first reference I can recall, although there were many afterward, was from the Youtube channel by Michael called Lessons from the Screenplay

Best Way to Use/Read this book: I read it straight through the first time, although it lends itself to skipping to whatever points are the most intriguing at the moment.

Best for: all levels of writers If you’re just starting out as a writer, some of these concepts may be a little advanced for you, but it’s worth reading to start seeding them into your subconscious. If you’re at the character-prep stage, starting to outline your bigger scenes, or if you’re reviewing a draft with an eye toward revision, this book has a lot to offer. THINKERS will like the tie-ins to research and FEELERS will find the layout and examples appealing.

Quote: “Once you understand how plot, character, and theme all work together, chances are good that, if you get one of them right, you’ll get all three right.” -K.M. Weiland

How to Write Dazzling Dialogue: The Fastest Way to Improve Any Manuscript

Author: James Scott Bell

Excerpt from the blurb:

In How to Write Dazzling Dialogue

you’ll learn:

• What fictional dialogue is … and isn’t
• The 11 secrets of crafting memorable dialogue
• The 5 essential tasks of dialogue
• 5 ways to improve your dialogue ear
• 4 can’t-miss methods to increase conflict and tension in any dialogue exchange
• The top 10 dialogue issues, and how to resolve them

You’ll also see dazzling dialogue in action with examples from hit novels and screenplays.

Don’t sabotage your chances of selling your work to readers or publishers because the dialogue is unexceptional. Dazzle them with what the characters say.

Why I bought it: I honestly can’t remember. The purchase was likely inspired from a reference by one of the many writing email-newsletter subscriptions that pop into my inbox on a weekly basis.

Best way to use/read this book: This one I read straight through, marked items I thought were the most intriguing or applied to scenes I’d written. Now I go back to the marked spots to review as I’m revising or starting to write a dialogue-heavy scene.

Best for: Intermediate to Advanced Writers This is most helpful if you’ve already familiarized yourself with the basics of writing, and you have a few scenes (at least) with dialogue you want to improve. GOOD BALANCE FOR BOTH THINKERS (Analytically-minded folks) and FEELERS (Layout’s widely spaced, language is very user-friendly)

Make A Scene: Writing a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time  (Revised and Expanded Edition) 

Author: Jordan Rosenfeld

From the official blurb:

Scenes are the building blocks for any work of fiction–the DNA sequence that makes a novel un-put-downable and unforgettable. When writers are able to craft effective, engaging scenes, they can develop a complete, cohesive story–and a mesmerizing experience for readers.

Why I bought it: I was looking for books with checklists to help me identify elements/missing elements in SCENES, with an eye to improving my current manuscript one scene at a time.

I found this one through sheer shopping persistence online, reading everything I could find labeled “scenes” until I saw the format of this one looked promising.

Best way to use/read this book: It’s a highly detailed book with great excerpt examples of the various types of scenes, with a neat little list at the end of each chapter. i DO NOT recommend reading this one cover-to-cover straight through…it is best for me to pick out a few key types of scenes and read the relevant chapters, take some notes, and work on my manuscript.

BEST FOR: intermediate to advanced-level writers. If you’re still struggling with the basics of writing a story, hold off on this one until you’re reviewing a nearly-complete manuscript. ANALYTIC THINKERS will like this book more than FEELERS (the format is very structured, the vocabulary’s more technical in nature)

Full Disclosure: I haven’t bought my second copy YET, but I will.

Why did I buy these twice? 

One for my library, one to have on hand when I want to give a gift to a writer-friend! The moment someone seems serious about writing, or shares that they’ve started working on their first novel, I LOVE to be supportive, and one way is by sharing some of the tools I’ve found most helpful.

3 books I’ve bought MORE than twice, in past years, to give as gifts (great for all levels of writers):

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/151535.Writing_the_Breakout_Novel_Workbook?ac=1&from_search=true

I prefer the workbook. There is a book-book version, but the workbook has large pages and larger print, and it’s more user friendly IMHO!

PROBABLY MORE FOR THINKERS, who like to get into the items they’ve written and dig deeper, although there’s a lot that will appeal to FEELERS about hitting emotional points more effectively.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44905.Writing_Down_the_Bones?from_search=true

For the more reflective/spiritual side of writing development. Bonus, buy a nice little journal and a couple of pens to go with this one, makes a neat little gift-bundle!

FEELERS first on this one, it’s more free-form and tactile. THINKERS can benefit from the exercises to become more self-aware.

AND…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6635667-the-artist-s-way-workbook?ac=1&from_search=true

This one’s a fun series of tasks to help stimulate and encourage creativity and awareness! If you’re a Thinker, there are “tasks” to be done, if you’re a Feeler–it’s a multi-sensory approach to creative development!

If you don’t know what to buy your writer-friend as a gift, it’s okay! You can’t go wrong with gift cards for meals or coffee or carwashes—the gift of FREE TIME to write is always appreciated!

BONUS SHOPPING TIP: If you’re not sure you’ve chosen the “right” book, couple a gift card with a note suggesting a few titles you’ve researched your writer “might like.” It’s a very pleasant and personalized work-around!

Finally, if your writer has suggested a specific brand of pen, type of notebook, or a specific book or creativity tool (multiple-sided dice, writing game, hard-bound reference book)—they REALLY mean EXACTLY that one in that form is what they will be the happiest to receive.

Happy shopping!

-Elizabeth Ellen Everson

P.S. And hey, while you’re at it, buy a few extra copies of books to donate for use by local teachers, schools, youth shelters, etc.! Generosity is always in season.

You have a dream, to get a great start on writing that novel? FANTASTIC! But for any journey, there’s preparation to be done. I’m sharing a few hints I’ve come across that can help you on your way!

TODAY, get your “cast list” together— at least cover your main character, antagonist, and a few key characters, with some basic details!

Photo by Peter Fogden on Unsplash

You’re going on a journey in November. You’ve got your time set aside, you’ve got your word count goal figured out, you’ve got a few plot point scenes organized…

FANTASTIC!

If you’ve ever managed a field trip for kids, you know how important it is to have a list, and a little info about each kid. Alys might be allergic to peanuts, while Alice can only eat peanuts. 

Your characters don’t have to be completely figured out. 

At least pull some info together and PRINT IT OUT… and you’ll save yourself a lot of mental grief trying to remember who has the Power of Freezing Water vs. the one who carries the Eternal Flame of Meltingness.

Why a printout? It’s easier to glance at than digging through your computer.  

NOTE:  LEAVE BLANK SPACES to pencil in more info as you write.

Some ideas about what to include:

• First Name (Full) plus NICKNAME (what everyone calls them)
  
• Last Name (or some job or location-based title—”Fred of Yorwood” or “Jaquenta the Blacksmith”)
  
• Title or Rank, if applicable (Lord, Duke, Earl, Queen, Head Witch)
  
• “Job in the STORY” (Protagonist, Ally, Antagonist, Love Interest, Henchman)
  
• Describe a few items of clothing they normally wear
• What is their “DAY JOB”? Are they good at this job, showing aptitude, or horrible at it?
• What is their hobby?
• What is their worst fear?
• What is their greatest triumph so far in life (even if it’s not exactly like they remember it)?
• List special abilities:
• Symbols associated with this person: aroma, color, images, coats of arms, flowers, etc.
• Dimensions and basic “looks” (tall, short, color of hair, eyes, complexion, age—YOU WILL NOT NEED TO REVEAL ALL OR ANY OF THESE UNLESS THEY ARE PERTINENT TO THE STORY!!! It’s good if you’re aware to help make them more dimensional. Examples: Super Tall Guy may regularly bend down to go through doorways. Long-haired woman may get her braid grasped and yanked during an attack.)
• Vehicle:  what do they drive, ride, or pilot? If they have a horse, what’s its name and what color is its coat?
• Where did they grow up?
• Family connections–kids? spouse? Grandparents?
• Co-workers, partners, assistants, lackeys, henchmen, etc.

NOTE:  *NAMES NEED TO BE SPELLED THE SAME WAY THROUGHOUT THE MANUSCRIPT* IF you decide later to change a character’s name-spelling later, it’s easier to hit FIND and REPLACE if you’ve been consistent.

AS YOU ARE WRITING…if you don’t know a key detail exactly… don’t stop and try to figure it out…instead
Type in “XXX” as a placeholder and keep moving forward.

Later, DURING EDITING, when you take the time to come up with an idea, you FIND “XXX” and REPLACE it with your well-researched detail.

SUPER IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: DO NOT NAME ALL CHARACTERS WHO APPEAR IN YOUR NOVEL!!! 

Ditto with a “backstory” for everyone—a walk-on doesn’t need much of a history. They’re a blip along the way.

Why not? The more info you give us about a character, the more “important” we think s/he is! IF you fully describe everyone…yawn, yawn….

I was told to PRETEND that you have a limited budget:

• Your “stars” get three  character names or more, a title, a job, and lots of words devoted to them. They get to speak a LOT of lines.
  
• Your “secondary”, recurring characters get a first name, maybe last name, maybe a job title. They get some lines of dialogue…SOMETIMES
  
• Your “incidental” walk-on characters are known by MAYBE one name OR just a job title, and very little description.  Example: “The waitress took our order.” If a character speaks, you have to pay them more than if they’re just a “walk-on.”
  

OKAY, you can do this.

You’ll add characters, of course. 

Your printout will get to be a hot mess after a while, but you’ll be better off for having it ready!

P.S. EDIT this manuscript in December or January. Please don’t publish your rough draft, don’t market it to agents, it WILL need work!

NOW SHUT OFF SOCIAL MEDIA, set your phones to go to voicemail STARTING NOV 1, and get this done!

Cheering you on,

Elizabeth

You’ve got your WORD COUNT, you’ve got APPOINTMENTS set on your calendar so you have the time set aside to write…

You have a dream. You want to get a great start on writing that novel?

FANTASTIC! But for any journey, there’s preparation to be done. I’m sharing a few hints I’ve come across that can help you on your way!

Hint 3: PLOT A FEW Scenes at crucial POINTS

Photo by Peter Fogden on Unsplash

Why work out a few plot-critical scenes ahead of time?

When you take a vacation, you don’t just walk out the door at a random time, shut your eyes, and start walking to find out where your feet take you. 

IF it’s a lousy idea for a day trip, why would “no planning at all” work for your writing?

(Exception: there are novelists who swear they just sit down and let the words flow and somehow a story happens. Here’s ONE: Cormac McCarthy)

Your storytelling is also NOT likely to have every little detail pre-figured 

(Exception: there are novelists who can, and do, create detailed outlines I swear have everything figured ahead of time. Here’s ONE: Jeffrey Deaver) 

Generally, there’s a “middle ground” of preparation between extremes..by at least outlining scenes to cover a few PLOT POINTS, you’ll have destinations to hang on to. 

HOW: Pick some BIG scenes you already have in mind, and write ‘em down just like you’d pick destination cities to stop at on your epic road trip.

Q: How many plot points are necessary for a novel?

A: Experts?

8:”I find [the eight-point arc] most useful as a checklist against which to measure a work in progress. If I sense a story is going wrong, I see if I’ve unwittingly missed out a stage of the eight-point arc. It may not guarantee you write a brilliant story, but it will help you avoid some of the pitfalls of a brilliant idea gone wrong.”-Nigel Watts, Writing A Novel and Getting Published . Explored in this post by Ali Hale:  https://www.dailywritingtips.com/how-to-structure-a-story-the-eight-point-arc/

5: “Plot structure simply determines the sequence of events that lead the hero toward this objective. And here’s the good news: whether you’re writing romantic comedies, suspense thrillers, historical dramas or big budget science fiction, all successful Hollywood movies follow the same basic structure.”- Michael Hague,STORY STRUCTURE: The 5 Key Turning Points of All Successful Screenplays, September 22, 2014

4: Fairy tales. Once there was…until one day…and then (and then and then)…Until at last…

I’ve seen arguments for 7, 12, 3…

Look, pick a number that suits you. Maybe it’s just the “most awesome” scenes you’ve imagined. WRITE THEM DOWN. 

Include at least:

• who is the main character (for this scene)
•  what they want to accomplish at the start (desired outcome from JUST THIS ACTION)
•  what’s spurring them on (internal and external motivations)
•  what (and who) gets in the way
• and how it ends
  
• What’s the emotional shift for the READER in this scene?

NOTE: ALMOST ALL OF THE OUTCOMES SHOULD RESULT EITHER IN FAILURE, OR, if “moderate success” happens, lead to the character CHANGING WHAT HE OR SHE WANTS. Your “triumphant climax scene” might result in unqualified success.

Other “big plot point” moments:

• How does your character get the first hint that the ordinary world is about to be changed? (aka write the Inciting Incident or The Call)
  
• What’s your character’s  worst possible Momen ever in this entire story? (Darkest hour, etc.) Think abandonment, despair, false sense of failure, broken legs, imprisonment, disgrace when everything that can fall apart, falls apart.
• Midpoint (”WHO AM I going to be now?” reflection, etc.) Main character makes a decision about his or her identity or commitment to an action aka “I am a monster” or “I will die for this cause” or “I will take leadership” or “I will run away forever” Want help with this concept? check this post out: https://diymfa.com/podcast/episode-108-write-novel-middle-interview-james-scott-bell
• Tell us when your main character first meets a Major Ally or Love interest (gathering the team) 
• Share a scene when a Big Bad thing happens (LOTS of these should happen throughout the story) (murder? Deception? Betrayal revealed? Cowardice shows up in ally? Chief takes away character’s gun and badge? The enemy takes the hill? The “enemy” turns out to be right?)

Try to have at least FIVE of these roughed-out and written down. They may change, but at least you’ll have a goal to try to reach when the going gets tough. 

(BONUS:  About 14-21 days into your project, when RESISTANCE crashes your plans like SPAM slamming into  your inbox, you can still flounder forward!)

You can do this!

Elizabeth