Since I started writing fiction in 2011, I have always been fascinated with the subject of story structure. I have read most of the key texts written by the screenwriting masters like Syd Field, John Truby, Michael Hauge, Robert McKee, Christopher Vogler, and some of Frank Daniel's followers, as well as many more less known …
Category: For newbie authors
Story Drivers
Last month I published my third novel, AndroDigm Park 2067. Much of my time since has been taken up with marketing with little time left for writing. But now it's time to start thinking again about the next novel. I have two very different ideas I am currently exploring and it's difficult to choose which. …
AndroDigm Park 2067 – published!
It's a great feeling to publish a new novel -- somewhere between nirvana and just plain relief that it's finally out. AndroDigm Park 2067 is a project I started over two years ago. The title changed from that original title several times, but the story remains the same. So let me explain the strange title. …
Story pacing
One of my favourite sci-fi movies of all time is Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. For those that haven't seen this 1982 neo-noir movie, it's set in a 2019 dystopian world where synthetic humans known as replicants are bioengineered by a powerful corporation to work on off world colonies. Directed by Ridley Scott and loosely based …
Killing one’s darlings
If you've just finished your first draft of your novel, congratulations. Pour yourself a drink of your favourite tipple and celebrate. You're half-way to completing your project. Yes -- I did say half way. The editing process is just as important as the creation of the first draft. If your first draft reads like c**p. …
Connecting your story’s hero/heroine
Have you ever read a story or watched a movie that brought a lump to your throat and tears to your eyes? Yes, of course you have. Good stories create an emotional experience for their readers or audience. It's the reason why we like them so much. But how do their writers do it? It's …
The importance of the B Story
Recently I was going through some of my old books on screenwriting and story telling and I picked up the 'Save the Cat Goes to the Movies' by the late Blake Snyder. I found the book inspiring the first time I read it some years ago, and as I started to read it again I found …
A Story Blueprint for the Action / Adventure genre
Over the last three blogs I have looked at the five core elements of any story design: The Protagonist's Characterisation The Big Problem or Opportunity that enters their life and acts as the Catalyst for the Central Conflict Opposition - Antagonist forces and obstacles that stand in his/her way A Story World A Satisfying Resolution. …
Continue reading A Story Blueprint for the Action / Adventure genre
Story Design — Characterisation
Some very successful writers claim to produce stories without any apparent planning or preparation. Story design must be built into their DNA. Others, which I suggest is the vast majority of writers like me, struggle to find the stories within them through a variety of different processes. Some write by the seat of their pants …
Story Design – Twenty Key Questions
As a new writer one of the most difficult decisions to make is about what to write about. There is plenty of advice from experienced writers out there who say just sit in the chair and write. And that if you don't write, you can't become a writer. But that doesn't help the newbie author …
JMJ Williamson 