Writers in the Storm

by Sandy Vaile

Too often I see authors enthusiastically start writing a novel, only to run out of steam part way through. In fact, only 30% of people who start writing a novel will actually finish it. It’s heartbreaking when a fantastic concept languishes in the bottom drawer forever.

Why does this happen?

You could be writing a shiny, exciting idea that doesn’t have the substance to support an entire book. A lot of this hinges on the main character (and it doesn’t matter if you prefer to plot or discover your way into a story).

A story’s rock-solid foundation comes from knowing who the main character is and what their journey through the story looks like, especially their motivations and “why” everything happens, which provides readers with a deeper understanding of the story as a whole.

This clarity is what turns your awesome idea into something tangible and purposeful.

Today, I want to explore the very inception of a story and how we can shape those initial ideas into a tale we are passionate to tell.

Why Writing a “Shiny Idea” Can Lead to Disappointment  

Any author who has ever attempted to write a novel knows it’s no easy feat to get to “the end.” It’s even harder to shape those words into a compelling read.

When we jump into writing with nothing more than a brilliant idea, it can result in:

• Characters that aren’t well developed
• Fragmented situations that lead you down dead-end rabbit holes and
• Surface level conflict that doesn’t really disrupt the plot

The good news is, by following a few key steps, you can ensure your story has a solid foundation that will drive it through purposeful scenes, all the way to a satisfying conclusion.

There are a few things we need in order to go from an idea to a solid outline (or first draft): 

• Explore potential directions to take an idea.
• Give the idea wings by focusing all of those great ideas in one direction. 
• Build a structure durable enough to support an entire novel.  

The Inception of an “Idea”

The first kernel of an idea can come in many forms:

• An observation about society of a situation
• Current events that pique your curiosity
• A fascinating character who is keeping you awake at night
• A question you want answered
• A clever conflict or twist that intrigues you 
• An unforgettable personal experience
• Mythology, fairy tales or urban legends you’ve heard about
• Inspiring dreams
• Recurring themes in your life or
• An injustice you want to see resolved

To turn the potential of any of those kernels of ideas into a brilliant story, there are a few key aspects that create a solid structure from which to build the whole story around.

4 Must-Haves for a Successful Story

Figuring out the core elements below at some stage, could make it a stronger manuscript, and hopefully prevent a big messy pile of I don’t know what the heck they should do next. 😊

• A compelling main character who wants/needs something desperately enough to fight through thick and thin to get it.
• Something that makes the concept distinctive from all the other stories like it (and there will be many).
• Conflicts that will make the character’s journey difficult (both external and internal struggles).
• A central purpose to provide direction and purpose to every scene. (For a deeper exploration of what a story’s central purpose is, see Write a Better Fiction Story by Finding its Beating Heart.)

A story that lacks these basic elements may be difficult to sustain and less likely to keep readers engaged.

Example

My first book, “Inheriting Fear” started with this vague idea and story question:

• A woman has to figure out who wants to kill her and why.
• What if a woman who didn’t trust police was forced to work with a cop to save herself and people she cares for?

Ways to Turn an “Idea” Into a Compelling Story  

When we are caught up in the exhilaration of creation and opportunity, it buzzes about our imagination like the butterfly-inducing thrill of a first kiss. While jumping straight into writing the story is exciting, it can lead to a burst of activity followed by collapsing into a pile of Where do I go next?

Giving some thought to the main character’s journey and what is driving them, is a great way to transform a vague idea and into a tangible concept. There are countless directions their journey could take, but knowing what’s important to the story makes it so much easier to focus on the ones that both excite you and align with the story’s central purpose.

Now is the time to take a breath and savor the thrill of creation.

Exercise

Remember, during the early stages of a creative project (before writing and after the first draft), we are just throwing ideas at the wall and seeing which ones stick. As we write and edit, we can choose the ones that align best.

Jot down all the ideas that come to mind in relation to the kernel of an idea.

Here are some prompts to guide you. (I’m a huge fan of “What if?” questions when brainstorming.)

• Who are the main characters and what do each of them want?
• Why are they driven to want this goal?
• What internal belief/wound would make getting that goal difficult?
• What kinds of past events could show how the characters developed their internal belief/wound?
• What characteristics (positive and negative) do the main characters have?
• What situations could you put them in to organically show those characteristics?
• What things (events, situations, people) would make it difficult for them to reach their goal?
• How will these events support the underlying themes surrounding the story concept?
• Where might the story take place?

All of these things will help you gauge the potential of a story idea, by making sure it has the substance to become a fully-fledged book.

Give Your Story Idea Wings

After doing all of that groundwork, you should have a better feel for who your main character is, what they want, and why they want it. This is what provides a stable base to build a story on.

Check that your story premise aligns with that character’s journey and if not, tweak it.

Example

Building on the previous example of a vague idea, this is the story premise that came from it: 

• A reclusive motorbike-riding chef is stalked by an enemy from her past and forced to rely on a cocky detective to avoid becoming the next victim.

Now it’s time to give that “shiny idea” a chance to succeed by focusing all of the stuff from the brainstorming exercise in a single direction. The direct of the main character’s journey: from where they start to the goal they seek at the end.

Sort through all of your ideas and determine if they are aligned with the story premise and the main character’s goal. Any that aren’t aligned, don’t resonate with you or you simply don’t like, put aside. 

This should leave you with heaps of potential for when you outline or start writing.

Remember to...

...take your time and be patient when coming up with possibilities that fit with your vision for the story. You may even find its direction has nothing to do with the initial kernel of an idea, but this doesn’t matter because it will have morphed into a solid concept you can wrap your mind around and see endless possibilities for. 

You can be sure you have transformed a shiny idea into a solid story concept when you know who the main character is, what they want, and why they want it. The specifics of what’s going to make their journey difficult can evolve as you write, but those key details will keep the narrative on track.

Happy writing. 😊

What are your go-to tricks for turning your shiny ideas into solid story concepts? Are you a plotter or a pantser? What exercises or habits help you when you get stuck? Please share with us down in the comments!

Note: If you are stuck in a rut of writing novels you never finish, never submit or aren’t sure how to fix, then it’s your lucky day. I’m offering WITS readers a FREE masterclass, which reveals the real reasons few aspiring authors finish their novels (and how to avoid them).

Grab the Quit Procrastinating and Write a Publishable Novel masterclass here.

About  Sandy

Sandy Vaile is a motorbike-riding daredevil who isn’t content with a story unless there’s a courageous heroine and a dead body. She is an internationally published author, writing romantic-suspense for Simon & Schuster US, and experienced fiction coach, supporting aspiring authors to write novels they are proud to share with the world (and which get noticed by agents, publishers and readers), through coaching, courses and developmental editing.

Having a writing coach is like having an industry expert in your back pocket, to hold your hand through the writing process and act as a voice of reason when you’re standing on a ledge. Sandy’s exclusive Active Storytelling Method helps authors find the hidden gems in their manuscripts and make them shine.

Connect with Sandy Vaile on her website or social media.

by Diana Stout, MFA, PhD

Have you ever asked for a beta read or critique and got back so many comments on the manuscript that you wanted to quit writing? Or maybe you cried, or became angry at the critiquer, then vented to anyone who would listen?

As hard as they are to receive, critiques are a necessary element to your growth as a writer.

Finding great critique partners is like looking for a marriage partner. Not everyone is going to be a good fit. Nor do they have the same level of expertise.

What is your intent in asking someone to read your work?

When you're ready to have someone read your work, which by the way should never be a first draft, ask yourself: What is my intent? What is my end goal?

• Do I just want someone to like it?
• Do I want to become published?
• Am I entering a contest, wanting to place or win?

Other questions to ask yourself:

• Am I ready to receive criticism?
• Do I internalize criticism as personal?
• Do I view criticism as constructive?

If your sole goal is to have someone like your book and your feelings are easily hurt, then let a relative or best friend read it. They'll love anything you write, provided their jobs weren't as an English teacher or editor.

If your intent is to become published or to enter a contest, then you want an honest, direct critique where your writing flaws are highlighted.

Who should be reading your work, then?

Ideally, you want someone with experience in your genre. They could be:

• a reader who reads a lot of books in your genre.
• a writer who is published in your genre
• an editor who edits in your genre
• an agent who has clients in your genre
• a publisher who publishes in your genre
• a teacher of writing in that field and who ideally is published

Are you seeing a pattern here? The secret to finding a good critiquer is choosing someone who works or reads heavily in your genre.

Be wise about who you ask. For example: having a poet critique a psychological thriller isn't a good fit, not on that merit of writing experience alone. Each genre has it owns must-have elements that you want your critiquer to be familiar with—having experience in that genre is even better.

Another consideration: Are your writing styles comparable rather than contrasting?

Where can you find critique partners/beta readers?

• Join social media groups of your genre. Become involved. Ask questions, comment on others' posts.
• Ask other writers if they'd read a chapter of your book. If they like the chapter, maybe they'll ask to read the entire book.
• Join a national or regional writing group.
• Do a Google search.
• Ask your local librarian if they know of any local writers or avid readers of your genre who might be interested in reading your manuscript.
• Check Meetup.com and do a search there.
• If you live in a college town, contact the professors of writing classes.
• In those college towns, visit coffee shops and bookstores and look for groups of writers who will meet there frequently. Approach them.
• Form your own critique group.

Another way to get feedback is by entering contests and pay the added fee for the judges' feedback.

How should critiques be received and viewed?

Criticism always accompanies a critique. Criticism isn't negative; it's helpful. And, if two or more are saying the same thing, pay attention!

A harsh critique is one where the critiquer is attacking the writer, providing mean, nasty, comments. A harsh critique will be destructive throughout, offering little-to-no positive feedback. Don't give them a second thought; trash them.

A constructive critique is one that offers direct language when pointing out flaws and areas that need work. A constructive critique will tell you why it doesn't work and offer an alternative. A constructive critique addresses only the writing, never the writer. They give you a critique sandwich: the bread is the positive, the filling is the negative—the listing of flaws. They start with the positive, discuss the negative, and end with the positive. These critiquers are treasurers; keep them!

A helpful critiquer will answer questions and wants to see you succeed, by not getting scammed, or going down a path that could be troublesome.

When you receive the critique...

• Read it.
• Step away from it for several days. No venting or talking about it. Just think about it.
• Return and read it again. Only this time, evaluate it as you were an editor with a mind to purchase. Would you buy it as is?
• Try to remember that the critiquer's intentions were good. They were trying to help you.
• Never defend what you have written. Critiquers can only judge what's on the page. They can't see what's not on the page.

Do know that you don't have to accept every suggestion made. Keeping in mind the critiquers' expertise, you get to determine what to accept and what to reject.

Can you have several critique partners?

Yes! I have several and rarely do they comment on the same things. Why? Because they have different backgrounds and specialties.

What is the proper post-critique etiquette?

• Always send the critiquer a thank you.
• If they are critiquing without a fee, send them a signed copy of the book.
• Never allow a third-party to talk to the critiquer on your behalf.

What reactions do editors, agents, and publishers want to see?

They want to see you accepting critiques with gratitude, not attitude. Having an attitude is viewed as unprofessional, and the writer with an attitude probably won't be working with that editor, agent, or publisher for long.

Conclusion

The first critique I received was the hardest. Yes, I cried, but when I went back to it, this wonderful mentor was correct in her advice. Later, we became critique partners.

Over time, receiving criticism got easier. Today, I welcome critiques, knowing these experienced people will only make my writing stronger, and I celebrate those times when the comments are few, revealing that I have gotten better.

Do you have a critique experience or a something you learned about yourself as a result of a critique that you'd like to share?

About Diana

Dr. Diana Stout is an award-winning writer in multiple genres, a screenwriter, author, blogger, writing coach, presenter, and former English professor. She recently published her screenplay, Charlie's Christmas Carole, as a book and is publishing, Tangled Passions: A Laurel Ridge Novella (Book #5), a romance.  Her short story, "Bread Pudding" is a semi-finalist, one of the top ten in the Adult category in the Write Michigan Short Story Contest, with winners to be announced early February.

You can find Dr. Stout at her website, Sharpened Pencils Productions.

by Jenn Windrow

I've been an avid reader since I was a little girl. It was a way for a shy, introverted child to find new worlds, new friends, and new adventures. I loved going to the library on the weekends with my grandfather and picking out books to read. I think that my reading obsession developed from watching him devour books.

I grew up reading Judy Blume and Sweet Valley High and, as I got older, discovered Stephen King and Dean Koontz. My teen years were full of stories that were a little darker, along with the occasional romance and some not-very-appropriate Anne Rice.

If reading was my first obsession, writing quickly became my second.

As I read, I dreamed of my own worlds. Dabbled at trying to write them down. Creating something others would want to read. I needed to write. It had become an obsession. Story after story. Idea after idea. Notebooks full of false starts and bad writing. I failed. I failed to complete a story. I failed at putting my dreams on a blank page. I became discouraged.

Eventually, college and life goals forced me to set aside all other reading and creative pursuits. If I wanted to graduate, I had to stop reading. That also meant I had to stop writing.

I missed my favorite obsessions during those years.

The day they handed me my diploma, I raced to Barnes and Noble to feed that book-loving beast. In the years since I read anything for myself my tastes had changed. New authors hit the scene. Supernatural authors. When I explained to the bookseller what I was looking for, she gifted me with a whole new genre. Urban Fantasy!

Welcome to my third obsession.

Vampires. Werewolves. Witches. But especially vampires. I mean, if you could see my office walls, you’d think I was a vampire freak.

After devouring book after book, I knew what I wanted to write. What I needed to write. And I finally understood why all the stories I started years before seemed wrong. I wasn’t writing about what I wanted to read. I was writing what I thought other people wanted to read.

I decided to combine my three obsessions. Reading. Writing. Vampires.

There are thousands of vampire stories on the market. And if you asked any agent or editor, vampires were a no-go. A non-starter. Oversaturated in the market. No one was buying what I wanted to write, but it didn’t matter because I was determined to write my vampire story, and it would be something never read before.

That meant if I was going to write a vampire story, it had to be original. Not just another retelling of someone else’s idea. A Jenn Windrow original. But how do you approach a subject that so many other authors were writing about and give it your own spin?

This is where my first obsession came in handy.

You study and get creative. You read what others are writing. You watch TV shows and movies. You take notes of what works and what doesn’t. Learn what you can use and what you can’t. What readers enjoy and what they don’t. You treat that research like the job it is.

Now that my research was done, my goal was to find my own take on my vampire obsession and figure out how to stand out in an overcrowded genre.

I had an idea, and it was a good one. Original. Something no one had done before. Seeped in lore, but with enough originality to make it my very own.

Obsession three was complete. That left me with obsession two. Writing.

I blamed my horrible writing and inability for completing a story on not finding my niche. Now it was time to see if that was true. Could I successfully finish a novel I was passionate about?

You never know until you try.

I wrote. On my lunch hour. In the evenings. On the weekends. Even while my first baby was napping, I worked on my vampire book. You could almost say I was obsessed with my world and characters and story.

It took me years, but I finished my passion project.

Was it well written? No. It was horrible. But you can fix horrible.

I took classes, read craft books, did even more research on my second obsession, and I must have rewritten that book at least a dozen times. I went from third person to first person. From an opening scene loaded with back story to diving right into the action. I found my own voice. I made it funny. I killed a character in the second chapter that has gotten me hate mail. I broke rules and even created some of my own.

But in the end, it was my story—the perfect combination of my three obsessions. I was damn proud of that book. So proud, that I’m now writing book four in the series.

I guess the point of all my rambling is to remind writers not to force themselves to write what’s popular, in demand, or what might be the next big thing. Write what you love, what inspires you, or are just plain obsessed with.

Why?

Because in the end when you’ve written something you’re passionate about or obsessed with, it will show in the words and the character and the story itself. It won’t feel forced. It won’t be bland or boring. That obsession is passion. And passion is what will entertain readers. Impress your mom, your dad, and your long-lost cousin.

Embrace those obsessions and turn them into a profession you can be proud of.

Share a comment below and tell us about your experience.

About Jenn:

Award winning author of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. Vampires, Greek gods, and a bit of Freak Show fun for everyone.

JENN WINDROW loves characters who have a pinch of spunk, a dash of attitude, and a large dollop of sex appeal. Top it all off with a huge heaping helping of snark, and you’ve got the ingredients for the kind of fast paced stories she loves to read and write. Home is a suburb of it’s-so-hot-my-shoes-have-melted-to-the-pavement Phoenix. Where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and a slew of animals that seem to keep following her home, at least that’s what she claims.

Follow Jenn on her social media here:

https://www.facebook.com/jennwindrow

https://twitter.com/jennwindrow

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14160136.Jenn_Windrow

https://jennwindrow.com