How to Write a Brilliant Novel: The Easy Step-By-Step Method of Crafting a Powerful Story (Go! Write Something Brilliant) by Susan May Warren
Authors: Susan May Warren
Tags: Fiction, General Fiction, Reference, Writing, Writing; Research & Publishing Guides, Writing Skills
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with his two kid sisters.
[Start scene]
[Setting and Hook]
He’d died and gone to paradise. Only, Gideon knew he didn’t deserve paradise, so perhaps this was simply a dream. Or maybe just an old west movie, because everything about this place screamed cowboys and horses and an episode of one of those ancient Lone Ranger shows. From the warm, dry single bed, with the wool red and black checkered blanket, to the bull riding posters on the walls, the trophies lining the dresser, a coiled rope hung on the bedpost of the other single bed, to more trophies on the opposite dresser.
Whoever had lived here had “overachiever” written all over them. Still, Gideon lay in the bed, rested for the first time in – he did the mental math and couldn’t re member the last time he hadn’t slept with one eye open, waiting for the nightmares, both real and imagined.
[State of Current Affairs, Response]
No nightmares last night. Except, of course, the big one – the fact that he’d burned down the house of mega-rich, mega-star Lincoln Cash. Yes, that should make the news and send the cops running in his direction. Apparently, he still had the knack for knowing how to really blow it, and big. Gideon’s eyes had nearly fallen from his sockets when he’d seen the movie star walk up – in fact, he would have considered brain-altering smoke inhalation before he believed that Lincoln Cash owned the house he’d commandeered, and by accessory, incinerated. But Stefanie Noble – she introduced herself and her big brother Nick, the guy who had probably saved his life, when they reached their ranch – had no problem identifying the actor.
[Motivation]
[Text Copyright © 2008 by Susan May Warren, Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A.]
He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve Stefanie Noble’s loaded shotgun defense – he’d expected to be led off in handcuffs, right back to juvie hall. He made a mental note never to cross Stefanie Noble.
Although it felt good, way too good, to have someone on his side.
[Goals, Decision – Gideon wants to make sure everyone is okay, and then keep moving with his sisters. The last thing he wants is to get caught and have them go back to foster care.]
Especially when she offered him a place to stay, as much as he hated to say yes. But Haley and Macy needed some place warm. One night, he’d told himself. One safe, quiet night. And tomorrow he’d hike back to the ranch, fetch the Impala, pile hi s sisters inside, and head…somewhere.
(Note: I deleted a bit of backstory here that also described motivation.)
[Okay, now we’re moving into the Action scene.]
He sat up, hung his head in his hands. Laughter – was that Haley? -- drifted from the kitchen.
He stood, grabbed his jeans, and shucked them on. Then he crept toward the door.
The aroma of breakfast – eggs and sausage? roped him in, and he grabbed his shirt and edged out, into the hall.
[end scene]
Or, you could write an entire 1200-1500 word passage that is just a ReAction. It’s all about the rhythm of the novel. Just make sure you have the right flow to keep the reader hooked and moving with you through the book.
See—it’s not so hard to make a scene, right?
Scene Checklist
Action
POV
Action Objectives
Goal
Conflict
Disaster
Reaction
Setting
ReAction
Dilemma
Decision
Setting versus Storyworld!
Setting is a powerful tool in storytelling. It evokes emotion and can be used as another character in the story. The overall setting is essential. it is the setting historical London during WWII? Is it a Kansas farm? Is it Montana? The setting will evoke emotions that draw in your reader. But a great book has more than setting. It also has Storyworld !
Storyworld starts, however, with setting, so let’s talk about that first.
How do you discover your setting?
Research: When you’re deciding where your story takes place, invest in researching that place. That’s why it’s good to start with a
[Start scene]
[Setting and Hook]
He’d died and gone to paradise. Only, Gideon knew he didn’t deserve paradise, so perhaps this was simply a dream. Or maybe just an old west movie, because everything about this place screamed cowboys and horses and an episode of one of those ancient Lone Ranger shows. From the warm, dry single bed, with the wool red and black checkered blanket, to the bull riding posters on the walls, the trophies lining the dresser, a coiled rope hung on the bedpost of the other single bed, to more trophies on the opposite dresser.
Whoever had lived here had “overachiever” written all over them. Still, Gideon lay in the bed, rested for the first time in – he did the mental math and couldn’t re member the last time he hadn’t slept with one eye open, waiting for the nightmares, both real and imagined.
[State of Current Affairs, Response]
No nightmares last night. Except, of course, the big one – the fact that he’d burned down the house of mega-rich, mega-star Lincoln Cash. Yes, that should make the news and send the cops running in his direction. Apparently, he still had the knack for knowing how to really blow it, and big. Gideon’s eyes had nearly fallen from his sockets when he’d seen the movie star walk up – in fact, he would have considered brain-altering smoke inhalation before he believed that Lincoln Cash owned the house he’d commandeered, and by accessory, incinerated. But Stefanie Noble – she introduced herself and her big brother Nick, the guy who had probably saved his life, when they reached their ranch – had no problem identifying the actor.
[Motivation]
[Text Copyright © 2008 by Susan May Warren, Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A.]
He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve Stefanie Noble’s loaded shotgun defense – he’d expected to be led off in handcuffs, right back to juvie hall. He made a mental note never to cross Stefanie Noble.
Although it felt good, way too good, to have someone on his side.
[Goals, Decision – Gideon wants to make sure everyone is okay, and then keep moving with his sisters. The last thing he wants is to get caught and have them go back to foster care.]
Especially when she offered him a place to stay, as much as he hated to say yes. But Haley and Macy needed some place warm. One night, he’d told himself. One safe, quiet night. And tomorrow he’d hike back to the ranch, fetch the Impala, pile hi s sisters inside, and head…somewhere.
(Note: I deleted a bit of backstory here that also described motivation.)
[Okay, now we’re moving into the Action scene.]
He sat up, hung his head in his hands. Laughter – was that Haley? -- drifted from the kitchen.
He stood, grabbed his jeans, and shucked them on. Then he crept toward the door.
The aroma of breakfast – eggs and sausage? roped him in, and he grabbed his shirt and edged out, into the hall.
[end scene]
Or, you could write an entire 1200-1500 word passage that is just a ReAction. It’s all about the rhythm of the novel. Just make sure you have the right flow to keep the reader hooked and moving with you through the book.
See—it’s not so hard to make a scene, right?
Scene Checklist
Action
POV
Action Objectives
Goal
Conflict
Disaster
Reaction
Setting
ReAction
Dilemma
Decision
Setting versus Storyworld!
Setting is a powerful tool in storytelling. It evokes emotion and can be used as another character in the story. The overall setting is essential. it is the setting historical London during WWII? Is it a Kansas farm? Is it Montana? The setting will evoke emotions that draw in your reader. But a great book has more than setting. It also has Storyworld !
Storyworld starts, however, with setting, so let’s talk about that first.
How do you discover your setting?
Research: When you’re deciding where your story takes place, invest in researching that place. That’s why it’s good to start with a
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