GOODREADS
Story Genius is a foolproof program that saves writers from penning hundreds of pages only to realize that something’s not working and they have to start again. Informed by story consultant Lisa Cron’s science-based insights into how story structure is built into the architecture of the brain, this guide shows writers how to plumb the nitty-gritty details of their raw idea to organically generate a story scene by scene. Once writers reach the end of Cron’s program, they will have both a blueprint that works and plenty of compelling writing suitable for their finished novel–allowing them to write forward with confidence.
Lisa Cron starts off by asking “What’s the biggest mistake writers make?…The answer is easy: they don’t know what a story is.” What an epic statement!
This is one writing craft book that’ll really keep you thinking on your toes. What am I really writing about? How does this affect my protagonists inner journey? Time after time, again and again, Lisa brings us through a case study of a real manuscript by writer Jenny Nash. Skillfully causing us to ask ourselves what is it that I’m actually writing about? What is my story? How does this affect my story?
Put this one on your TBR list to read and reread. High fives to Lisa Cron for pulling this one out of the hat.
Stories are inevitably part of our lives. They have been for centuries. We live, breath, roam about in our own story world. We face the same obstacles, hurdles and disappointments as the heroes we read about. But they inspire us in ways hard to put into words.
What is our life? You. Me. We are the composition of a great story. Every day is page in the life of a hero in the making. Of overcoming obstacles and insurmountable odds. We are the story; and I love reading them.
You wish to know the secret location of my Write Cave? That would be Yorkshire, England. (Oh, maybe it’s not so secret anymore…)
Next time I come to England we should have a nice tea time.
Writerology is my little corner of the internet, where I blog about my two greatest loves: stories and psychology. When you get down to it, writing is about understanding people—whether that’s the people you’re writing about, the people you’re writing for, or you yourself, the person behind the words. My mission at Writerology is to blend psychological knowledge with storytelling technique to help you craft a truly unforgettable tale.
I love your mission and how you blend the psychological aspects with storytelling techniques. Fascinating indeed. If you haven’t seen Faye’s blog yet, please do! I highly recommend it.
English breakfast tea, black, served in my TARDIS teapot (naturally), plus a bowl of fruit on the side. Yum!
Sounds good. My favorite teas are peppermint and my good friend Earl Grey. We get along just fine.
Fantasy is my genre of choice, and most of the stories I’ve written fall under this category, from high fantasy to urban fantasy and all things in between. With my most recent work-in-progress, Her Clockwork Heart, however, I’ve ventured into new territory by adding a steampunk twist. Clockwork follows the life of Pippa Adeney as she crafts an automaton like none before, but when her mechanical masterpiece turns into a stalking nightmare, she is forced to confront both reality and the dark secrets plaguing her dreams.
Cool, steampunk! I would love to read it someday. Very interesting premise. Yes, steampunk is definitely a genre I’d like to read more about.
The Writer’s Guide to Psychology by Carolyn Kaufman and The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi have got to be my all-time favourite writing resources. They’re the two books I always have by my side whenever I’m writing!
I absolutely adore the Emotion Thesaurus by Angela and Becca. Carolyn Kaufman’s book is on my wishlist!
I also host the weekly #storycrafter Twitter chat, which takes place every Sunday at 3 p.m. ET (that’s 12 noon PT), and love seeing new faces there! Pop over to this page for more information.
Viewing the website is a must. If you haven’t already, participate in the weekly chat #storycrafter. It’s a fun group.
I don’t know exactly when it was that I first started telling stories; I remember making up fairy tales for my sister each night before bed and coming up with the most complex of backstories for my toys when I was a child. Being able to capture the imaginations of others was simply magical. I loved to read and wanted to be an author when I grew up, but it wasn’t until I was 15 that I started putting all the stories in my head onto the page. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. The words just poured out and carried me away, as they’re still doing all these years later.
I love it. That’s awesome, Faye. Making backstories for toys just sounds exciting, and I bet you had loads of fun with it. Stories are great aren’t they?
Simply: to share my words. I’m a soft-spoken INFJ who wants to make a difference in the lives of others, and since I often get tongue-tied, words are the way I do it best. It’s my greatest wish that my stories resonate with others, inspire them, change their worlds in some small way. Even if it’s just one person, I’ll have achieved my goal.
I love the epic simplicity of your response! Sweet. I don’t think I could’ve put it any better than that.
Hinderance 1: Self-doubt
It’s that niggling voice at the back of my head: What if I can’t do this? What if I’m not meant to do it? What if someone else can do it better?
There are times when I just want to throw down my metaphorical pen and give up. Recognising that it’s self-doubt talking and not something I truly want is difficult, and several projects have died out because I didn’t realise that quick enough. I’m better at it now, but it’s definitely something I need to work on.
I think we hear the same voice speaking in our heads! Just the thought that someone can do it better is just bogus. In fact, no one can do it better than you. It’s our story. Our words. Let’s let em’ fly.
Hinderance 2: Distraction
With books and Twitter and Netflix and friends all vying for my attention, it can be hard making time to sit down and make headway on a project. That’s why I’m a proponent of writing a little every day. If I can fit 10 minutes of writing into my day, that’s 10 more minutes than I might otherwise have done. It may not sound like a lot, but it really does add up over the months and years.
I’m a big fan of writing in small amounts, especially if you don’t write full time and have other responsibilities. 100 words a day is my ultimate baseline. It’s not much but it’s been extremely helpful.
Hinderance 3: Plot bunnies
I’ll get halfway through a first draft, then an adorable little plot idea hops into my head and demands that I write it. If I can fend off that idea and stick with my current project, I’m assailed by more plot bunnies once I’ve finished that first draft, then once I’ve completed the edits, and then again when I’m supposed to be revising. Saying no to those shiny new ideas and sticking to one project at once is something I always struggle with, and many a time I’ll find myself pulled away from my first project and tumbling down the rabbit hole.
Oh no, Zombie plot bunnies! Run for it! I know this all too well. Makes it hard to concentrate and complete your initial project. Way too familiar with this one.
I remember that I have a story to tell and that there are people who want to hear it. Knowing that I have the full support of my friends and family inspires me to no end and gives me that extra boost when I’m struck by the Three Hindrances of Self-Doubt, Distraction and Plot Bunnies. (And if all else fails, said friends and family will badger me to write until I do. They’re nice/evil like that.)
That’s great! You have a wonderful support system. Love it.
My own mind is my greatest foe. I have the time and space to write, I have the stories I want to tell, but getting over my own mental hurdles is the real challenge. Determination, motivation, inspiration, self-doubt and self-discipline all stem from my mindset, so when my head isn’t in the game, I’m not making any progress. It’s infuriating, but it also means the power to change is in my hands.
Ah, the foe of mind. He’s a worthy adversary, but it only makes the story better.
It’s so much easier to give in than to struggle on in the face of fear or uncertainty or criticism. That’s what makes the temptation to quit so strong. If we don’t finish that project, no one can judge us, our words can’t be criticised, and we don’t have to agonise over whether readers like our stories or not. It’s safer to give up—but it’s braver to carry on.
This is spot on. You hit the nail on the head with this statement.
It’s not too late. It’s never too late. Be brave. Remember why you started writing in the first place: What drew you to the words? Why that story? What do you love about writing? Which characters are your favourites? What would you love to write about more than anything else? Write your answers down, let them fill your whole being and remember that feeling. Whenever you feel the temptation to give up, bring out those reasons to write and reach for that feeling again. Forget why you want to quit and remember why you started in the first place.
This is so encouraging. I should print this out and frame it.
*How long did you live in Kansas?
I was born and raised in Atchison, Kansas, a small town on the Missouri river. Atchison is the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. It is also considered the most haunted small town in Kansas. I came to New York after I finished school and have lived in the same general area (the Hudson Valley region) ever since.
Haunted small towns, eh? Just in time for Halloween!
*What sorts of books did you read growing up?
I come from a family of readers, all with different interests, so the bookshelves in my house were bursting with books from all genres. I was an early reader. In elementary school I devoured my older sibling’s collections of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, but by the time I was in middle school I was reading a lot of the classics. Some of my favorites were: Gone with the Wind, Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Frankenstein, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Northwest Passage, The Time Machine. I loved mysteries and gothic novels. From there, I moved onto historical fiction and horror. I didn’t start reading fantasy until after high school when my brother bought me a copy of The Mists of Avalon. I fell in love and read it twice within a couple of months. I had already finished my first novel at that point, but that book changed everything for me. It narrowed my writing focus. Once I read Mists of Avalon, I knew fantasy was my genre.
That’s an interesting mix of books there! It intrigues me how certain books can have a particular affect on us. In your case it was The Mists of Avalon.
*Who were your favorite characters growing up, and how did you relate to them?
I adored Scarlett O’Hara. She was such an amazing character. On the surface she was this incredibly strong woman who let nothing stand in her way. She knew how to work the system to get what she wanted. Yet underneath, she was vulnerable. Scarlett O’Hara was the first truly flawed character that I ever encountered and she definitely set the bar high. I was also drawn to Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. To me, at the time, he was the epitome of a tortured character. I loved his passion and recklessness.
YESSSS. Flawed characters are the name of the game. It’s amazing how we’re touched by them isn’t it?
*What’s your educational background?
I’ve had no formal writing education. Writing is just something I’ve done for as long as I can remember.
Me neither!! Hah! But you’re trilogy looks AMAZING. The reviews I’ve seen are also very astounding. Impressive for someone who has no formal background in writing. You’re an encouragement for the rest of us!
*Who are you favorite characters today and how do you relate to them?
One of my favorite characters that I’ve discovered recently is Mason Stone from the Saint Monolith series by fellow indie author Tom Reinhart. Mason Stone is such a compelling character. He’s an unsung hero, a loose cannon vigilante, a tortured man, and a very lost soul. I can’t say that I relate to him, really, but I admire how he doesn’t hold back. He does the things that everyone else wishes they could.
Hmm…I haven’t heard of him, but I’ll check him out!
*Tell us about Ian Troy and how you crafted him.
There is a quote by Kahlil Gibran that I believe describes Ian Troy perfectly: “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” That is Ian Troy.
Ian is an anti-hero, flawed as they come. He’s solder, a magic user, a drinker, a smart-ass, and an outcast who’s maddeningly stubborn and guilt ridden. Ian’s story is a dark one, and he goes to some very dark places. He doesn’t always do the right thing. In fact, he does some very bad things. But you can always count on him to be selfless in the face of danger and put other’s lives ahead of his own. How did he get to be this way? Over the course of the trilogy, you learn about the roller coaster of his life and how he was manipulated and coerced even before he was born.
I love flawed characters. The more flawed they are, the more opportunities they have to incite emotions in a reader. Flawed characters, to me, are far more interesting that the gallant white knights and the perfect super heroes. Those are fine, to a point. But I’m far more intrigued by what’s underneath the shining armor and the mask. What trials and tribulations did they have to endure? What past mistakes or secret desires are they hiding?
When I created Ian Troy, I set out to construct a character that I, as a reader, would want to get lost in. It was important to me that Ian carried traits from some of the characters that sparked my imagination growing up. I wanted him to be a cowboy and an outlaw, a good guy and a rogue; a detective when he needed to be, a monster when he could help it, and a hero even when he tried not to be. I knew his story would revolve around magic. That he would be flawed and suffering, bold yet strong, valiant yet broken. To me, the best way to create and explore a tortured character was to make his greatest strength (magic) also his greatest weakness.
I love, love, love your description of your characters and your entire premise.
*What do you love most about him?
I love Ian’s strength, his ability to keep going, to keep striving for what he knows is right even against terrible odds. It probably sounds strange, but when I’m faced with a difficult task and I feel like giving up, I think: Ian wouldn’t give up, and it pushes me to keep going.
Now that’s awesome. You’re inspired by your own character! That’s heroism at its best.
*If you were to meet him in person how would you feel?
Oh, I’m not sure! No one has ever asked me that before. I might feel a little star struck, actually. Though, I would love to find out. It would be amazing to have the opportunity to sit down with Ian and the gang at one of the taverns in my book and share a bottle. That would be a fun night!
I can almost picture this playing out in my head, lol! That would be EPIC.
*What did you enjoy most in writing the Crown of Stones Trilogy?
Worldbuilding was definitely one of my favorite parts of writing The Crown of Stones. I loved forming all those realms and crafting their history. Taking the flaws and accomplishments (and the secrets) of each society and interweaving them together over the three books was so much fun. Mirra’kelan is a world I’m proud of. I think it has a lot of potential for future stories.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the characters. One of the hardest parts of moving onto a new project was letting them go.
Yeah, that sounds like it would be pretty hard. Having to let them go and move on would be tough.
*What exactly is Epic Fantasy?
Epic fantasy is generally described as a novel set in an entirely imaginary world, completely unlike our own, with environments and societies that are fully explored and realized. As a rule, the story is lengthy and often evolves over multiple books. It frequently includes a large cast of characters, complex magic systems, sweeping battles, and/or a journey across multiple realms. The plot is complex and game-changing, leaving the story-world altered on a grand scale and the characters evolved.
I like it. Just realized my story sounds a lot like epic fantasy.
*What is Urban Fantasy?
With urban fantasy, the magical/supernatural elements are still there, but story generally takes place in more of a contemporary, urban setting than epic fantasy.
I wonder what is it if your story has both elements of Urban and Epic fantasy? Interesting.
*Can you give us a teaser about your next book?
My next book, Nite Fire, is the first in an urban fantasy series. It’s the story of Dahlia Nite, a half-dragon shapeshifter from a parallel world very different from our own. Many years ago, Dahlia’s emerging empathic abilities interfered with her job as an assassin. She failed the dragon queen, Naalish, and was condemned to die. Being half human (and able to shift into human form), Dahlia fled her home for the only other world where she had a hope of blending in: ours.
Nite Fire is set in the fictitious Sentinel City. Already a hot-spot for the unexplained, when a series of brutal killings disguised as spontaneous combustion strike the city, Dahlia knows the killer is one of her own kind. She worms her way into the investigation, teaming up with a human detective to solve the case, while struggling to maintain the lies that have kept humanity in the dark for centuries; believing myths and legends were just that.
As Dahlia searches for the truth behind the murders, the bit of peace she’s found in this world starts to unravel. Nite Fire is the first book in a series. An early excerpt is posted on my website on the Playground page Nite Fire Play if you’d like to have a look! Leave a comment, too. I’d love to hear what you think of it.
You really now how to craft a story with intriguing characters! Please drop me a line when you finish. I’d be open to review it.
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Learn how to start your own publishing company with Kristen Martin, the author of The Alpha Drive Trilogy, and owner of her own publishing company! AMAZING.
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