Learning From the Masters
Nice to see you again! Join in the discussion!It’s that time of year again. I adore Halloween. I love being scared–in the safety of my own home of course, as I watch scary movies and shows on TV. I don’t buy into the ghost thing; it’s all just for fun. Halloween though, will have me reaching on the shelves for ghost stories. Nothing better than a rattling good ghost story on a windy night.
My particular favorites are the older, Victorian era stories. The genre was in the height of its form and popularity then. I find this genre a particular interesting one. Unless you’re writing to a confirmed believer in the supernatural, you have to sell this amazing idea that a haunting has occurred. More likely than not, you’re writing for skeptics. The story can’t be lame. It can’t be so fantastic as to be laughable. I can’t think of a greater challenge for a writer.
Of course, part of the appeal of these stories is how they are interwoven into everyday life. It’s a life that I don’t claim to know, but one which I have researched to some degree as to recognize certain customs, etiquette, and morals of the day. If I can read a story of this time period and truly be frightened or surprised, I consider the author successful. The stories of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and other now forgotten masters of their craft mesmerize me. I read these stories to learn how to create atmosphere, how to create suspense. I consider “The Monkey’s Paw”, a true ghost story. The final scene in the story is masterful. To be able to create such tension.
So, while I’m shuddering and making sure all the lights are on, I’m taking this opportunity to learn from the masters.
Writing Tools
I’ve given my latest revision to my husband for his critique. I know I still have some work, but I think I’m at a good point to take a break from it for a few days. I’ve been reviewing points of fact that may need follow up. This is a mystery, after all. I want to make sure I’ve covered the case adequately and that my detective’s conclusions are logical. My husband is a good one for tasks of this sort.
I’ve also entered a fine tuning phase of my work. Using websites such as Roy Peter Clark’s 50 Tools To Help You Write and Writerisms, I am going back and identifying trouble spots, overused words, weak words, and replacing them with stronger writing. Both websites list a concise set of guidelines. Have I really used ‘walked’ that many times? It’s amazing how empowered you feel after following these suggestions and seeing your work magically transformed into a better piece. While I try to keep these in mind as I compose, of course, in the heat of the moment getting the story down is the first task. I’d hate to be one these writers that agonizes over the perfect word. So, with coffee in hand, I’ll begin the process.
Writing Software
Different software programs have helped me stay organized and on track with my writing. There’s the spreadsheet I use to organize my scenes. For this task, I rely on Microsoft Excel. I also used Excel to do time lines on my characters, noting important dates in their lives.
For my writing, I use Word Perfect. I know, it’s not as popular as Word, but having grown up with Word Perfect, I prefer its logic, its set up. Besides, the Reveal Codes feature is priceless in my thinking. Sure, if need be, I’ll export as a Word file, but for the writing part, I prefer WP.
I came across another software through an ad in “Writer’s Digest” magazine called WriteWay Pro. Sure, it’s a word processor like the others, but there are some added features that I really liked. The character profile section has the usual prompts for age, interests, eye color, etc., but also the ability to add an image. I have very particular ideas of what my characters look like. Seeing them alongside their name and history was very powerful for me.
Another nice feature is the storyboard section. You can add screen cards with master templates as your model for Plot, Suspense, Setting, among others. A great way to organize the action of your work. Additional tools provide a word count, word count analysis and tracking. Now you can see for sure if you’ve used that favorite word of yours too much.Some may call it a glorified word processor, but for my part it made the last bit of my writing that much easier.
So as I wind down here with the revision of my work, I’ll muse about the next one and where my detective will find himself next.
Making the Writing Easier
I have used several tools to help me organize my work. Using Robert Ray and Jack Remick’s The Weekend Novelist Writes A Mystery, I followed their advice of using index cards to organize my plot. Maybe a bit dated in this computer age, but I did find that moving a scene to here or there very easy. This was important for me to establish my acts, the dramatic events and the general sequence of events. More than once I flipped back and forth with my choices.
From index cards, I built a spreadsheet. Frankly, the printed word from my laser printer is a lot neater than my own writing. I created a line of main headings: Scene, Time, Characters, POV (point of view), Place, and Description. And since this is a mystery, I also wanted to keep track of what my sleuth was learning in each scene and who was he suspecting at different points in the book. I identified that main plot points and the acts. Subplots I highlighted.
For me, outlining worked. Not everyone works that way. Some prefer to immerse themselves in the creative process and follow in its path. For me, spending weeks developing my characters, plotting my mystery in the end made the writing easier. My book had direction. Next time, useful software.
Editing My Rough Draft
If I can’t say anything else, I can say that I’ve written my book. I completed my rough draft. Overall, the writing came easy. A couple of books were a tremendous help. Robert Ray and Jack Remick’s The Weekend Novelist Writes A Mystery provided a framework with which to plan your own work. Using Agatha Christie’s ,”A Body in the Library”, as a model, the book gave relevant exercises for you to use.
provided a framework with which to plan your own work. Using Agatha Christie’s ,”A Body in the Library”, as a model, the book gave relevant exercises for you to use. However, if you’re looking for more of a book that will “hold your hand” through the process, then Halllie Ephron’s Writing & Selling Your Mystery Novel: How To Knock ‘Em Dead With Style may be more what you’d prefer. The section on character development is outstanding. You’ll know your characters well after completing the series of exercises.
may be more what you’d prefer. The section on character development is outstanding. You’ll know your characters well after completing the series of exercises.Now that I’ve completed the draft, I am in the process of revising. I have to admit being intimidated by the fact that my finished product was far short of the usual word count. I struggled with how I would be able to fill out my mystery without it seeming like fluff. Much to my surprise, by getting to know my characters better, it’s coming easier than I thought. One thing I did was to find images for my characters. Having a face to associate with a name made bringing the characters to life easier, more enjoyable.
Next time, time saver and plotting devices I used.
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