The Determined Writer
I loved the diversity of courses I completed getting my undergraduate degree. While I took a heavy load in the sciences (preveterinary curriculum), I added extra English classes whenever I could fit them into my schedule. I wasn’t an avid reader growing up. I was too busy exploring the outside world, building tree forts and probing the flora and fauna of local creeks and woods to care much about fiction. But those wonderful college literature and writing courses fired my imagination and wonderment for the world. They introduced me to character and plot development, theme and symbolism, and got me thinking about, maybe someday, writing my own stories.
Years later, I used what I learned in college when I started experimenting with my writing. I also plowed through a plethora of writing books, many which emphasized the same things I had already learned. I attended writing conferences that always seemed heavily focused on developing a writer’s voice and the submission process. While having a good understanding of these basics of writing fiction is important, it turns out there was one essential element I missed along the way. Looking back, I’m not sure how I overlooked it, maybe it was my blind eye or perhaps it was in the books and lectures and I had simply taken the information for granted.
Several years ago, I was brainstorming a new writing project with my writer friend Nancy Webb, and she gently suggested I learn more about story structure. I wrinkled my noise and ignored her suggestion. Story structure sounded too formal, too confining. But Nancy was persistent. She laid out the basic arc of a story and showed me how you could find this fundamental concept in nearly every novel and film.
It turns out I had purchased a book about story structure years before called “Story Engineering” by Larry Brooks, that was sitting on my shelf ignored. I decided to give it a try. What Larry had to say reinforced Nancy’s advice. I was still skeptical, but as an exercise I used Larry and Nancy’s suggestions in laying out the story arc for my new novel. It was an awakening experience.
Though I thought I knew the direction of my story, writing out the key structural elements brought a fresh clarity. New ideas emerged, and I had a better idea where to place different plot features for maximum effect. Typically it might have taken five or six drafts to get a coherent manuscript, utilizing the new technique, it only took two.
Obviously, understanding story structure doesn’t guarantee my story will sell, but it has sure made the story writing process easier, more fulfilling and quicker. I have included several books and a helpful blog link to those of you interested in learning more.
The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks. Larry also has a recent blog post that summarizes his thoughts on story structure. You can read his post here.
For those who are “pantsters,” (writing by the seal of their pants, no outline) if they don’t have an intuitive feel for what makes a story, the study of story structure is a must. The “planners” (writers who outline before writing) the incorporation of structure is part of the way we work.
I agree. Even though I am a pantser, and with some intuitive feel for a story, I found digging into story structure has made a huge difference in my writing. While I don’t outline, I do think about and write out the major plot points in my stories before writing them.
Structure is my nemesis, but thanks for the link; probably something I should print and read again from time to time. I’m pretty sure I’ve written each of my novels about 10 times before publication (because I just start writing, with some vague idea of where the story is going). Oh, well …
I actually write the same way. For me, at least, gaining a better understanding of structure has helped to keep a tighter focus as I move through a draft. Glad you found the link useful.