Loved this!! I would love to hear some advice on learning from reading other fiction…do you read and take notes along the way? Read multiple times?
It sounds so silly but I get stuck reading novels nowadays because I’m trying to take in so much from them… I can’t even finish half the time or if I do, I feel like I didn’t learn enough to bring back to my own writing 😣
Oh thank you -- and how interesting! That doesn't sound silly at all. My answer might sound a little strange though, because I think a lot of that learning from reading kind of just sinks in through osmosis. The more you read, the better your instincts as a writer. That said, I do think it's useful to take a book you love and "reverse outline" it -- like write down what happens in each chapter or section, how much it moves plot or reveals character. It can help to wrap your mind around how the book was put together -- or I find this useful anyway!
Even though the book was written for screen writers, "Save the Cat" is a very helpful book for novelists. It's also slimmer and far less expensive than "Story" by Robert McKee (a hardcover book I read so many times, the binding fell apart on me).
"Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start." Sound of Music. Little better than your 'dad', I do have the situation. Have been mulling it over for several years now. However, I have only met the lead character(s) in superficial ways. Despite the outlining I've done, I've yet to learn how it begins exactly, or how things turn out in other than the most general terms. Looking forward to discovering answers as I go through this workshop.
I like the tangible vs existential idea. I've heard that talked about as concrete desire vs abstract desire, but I think your words at a sort of scope.
Loved this!! I would love to hear some advice on learning from reading other fiction…do you read and take notes along the way? Read multiple times?
It sounds so silly but I get stuck reading novels nowadays because I’m trying to take in so much from them… I can’t even finish half the time or if I do, I feel like I didn’t learn enough to bring back to my own writing 😣
Oh thank you -- and how interesting! That doesn't sound silly at all. My answer might sound a little strange though, because I think a lot of that learning from reading kind of just sinks in through osmosis. The more you read, the better your instincts as a writer. That said, I do think it's useful to take a book you love and "reverse outline" it -- like write down what happens in each chapter or section, how much it moves plot or reveals character. It can help to wrap your mind around how the book was put together -- or I find this useful anyway!
This is really helpful, thank you! 🥰Maybe I need to develop the skill of discerning which books to simply
read, versus the ones to spend the extra time on.
Thank you for taking the time to reply☺️
Thank you! This article is such a gem, Amy.
Even though the book was written for screen writers, "Save the Cat" is a very helpful book for novelists. It's also slimmer and far less expensive than "Story" by Robert McKee (a hardcover book I read so many times, the binding fell apart on me).
"Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start." Sound of Music. Little better than your 'dad', I do have the situation. Have been mulling it over for several years now. However, I have only met the lead character(s) in superficial ways. Despite the outlining I've done, I've yet to learn how it begins exactly, or how things turn out in other than the most general terms. Looking forward to discovering answers as I go through this workshop.
Is there anything better than someone who can make me lol while discussing Mrs. Dalloway / V Woolfe? Very little, thank you!
Kara! Thank you! 💖
looooove the Dalloway deep dive, such a perfect example of how a "simple" premise can actually be quite complex
Right?? Loved your workshop last month btw!
thank you! super looking forward to yours as it came at the perfect time for me!
I like the tangible vs existential idea. I've heard that talked about as concrete desire vs abstract desire, but I think your words at a sort of scope.
Concrete vs abstract is a good way to think of it too!