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There are some rules to storytelling

Pixar’s 22 rules of Storytelling

First published by the Huffington Post

I believe that following the rules of writing too closely tends to stifle creativity and sometimes paints the writer into a box. But there are some universal truths to storytelling that all writers should follow to create that viral story.

Pixar Studios, creators of  Toy Story 3A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc.Finding Nemo, The IncrediblesCars, Ratatouille, and a slew other successful animated movies, has 22 rules of successful storytelling that resonate with awesome storytelling.  Graphic artist, Emma Coats brought those rules to life in a stunning infographic.

Pixar rules of storytelling

When addicted…to Writing

 

Photo of female hands typing a letter on the laptop

Writing is my addiction

People are addicted to a lot of different things; I’m addicted to writing.

In fact, I’m so addicted, that I spent my entire career as a writer and newspaper reporter, and later, an editor.

How addicted was I?

So addicted, that when I retired five years ago, I kept right on writing: stories, essays, memoir, and poetry. Once an addict…

Some people keep their addictions down to a reasonable level – after all, if you only indulge a few times a week, or once or twice a month, who’s going to notice?

But I’m not that laid back; I write almost every day. I’ve tried all the usual things, even going cold turkey, but no matter what I do, I always go back to my addiction.

I have one major piece of advice for my fellow addicts; give in. Admit you’re an addict. As the old saying goes, when they give you lemons, make lemonade. For example, here’s a poem I wrote recently about my addiction:

Writers write: Right?

 

I’ve learned some wise words that I heed

On how a writer can succeed.

Work hard; the formula will prove

The way to get you in the groove.

 

Distractions woo us from all sides;

Excuses roll in like the tides.

For best results, here’s what I say:

Do some writing every day.

 

Sit right down and write a sonnet;

Good or bad, don’t dwell upon it.

The lazy man will take a fall,

But enterprise can conquer all.

 

Or, start a novel, fiction’s fun,

Your words will flow while writing one.

The true joy’s in the work itself,

Not just some book upon a shelf.

 

It’s lonely staring at a page

That’s white and empty at first stage,

But think how happy you will feel

When your own words are down for real.

 

One caution, though, and you’ll agree;

Life gives you choices; nothing’s free.

Ideas may sparkle, shine, and gleam,

But work alone, fulfills your dream.

If you’ve finally surrendered to your addiction, and you plan to use it for positive outcomes, here are a few practical tips about starting:

desk

A quiet place with an uncluttered desk helps the creativity flow.

First, find a quiet place to work; successful writers thrive in solitude, away from the distractions of family, the day job and noise, including music. Silence is a friend to ideas, and their development through writing.

Use the best technology available, making sure that you have a comfortable chair, and plenty of light; sore butts and tired eyes are the enemies of creativity. You can write anything, anywhere and any place, but why set up obstacles for yourself?

It’s time to get serious: Topics

All right, you say; so far, so good, but what should you write about? Where do you find your subject?

Write about what you know. If you teach, you know about the satisfactions and disappointments of your profession. Your personal history is filled with people, and events. If you are a sales person, you know all about selling yourself, to sell your product; if you’ve been looking for a job, write about that.

What you’ve learned in life can be a source of inspiration for all sorts of fiction, from detective novels to fantasy. If you decide to write poetry, the gamut of emotions and events you’ve experienced will serve you well.

And don’t be put off by comparing your efforts to those of successfully-published writers. Remember, they started from scratch, just like you. They learned how to deal with rejection letters from publishers, and became successful in spite of rejections; in fact, the experience only made them redouble their efforts; it strengthened their determination.

The Nitty-gritty

Once you’ve settled on a topic (Let’s say, for example, you decide to write a short story about your five-year-old’s first day at kindergarten), Stay on topic!

Many new writers get distracted by side issues. You’re writing about your kid; what happened, what he did, what he felt. Don’t start inserting your opinions about the state of education in the United States, or go off on a rant about the relative virtues of home schooling, or go completely nuts, and start writing about a totally unrelated subject.

Style

Dozens of style guides are available, and many of them give conflicting advice. New writers are often confused and discouraged after reading some of them.

Here’s my advice, based on decades of experience:

Keep it simple. That means, use short, declarative sentences and the simplest words you can find to adequately describe a scene or situation. Where possible, stick to nouns and verbs; nothing messes up a narrative more than strings of adjectives and adverbs.

The whole point of writing is communication. Whether you are writing fiction, or reporting a news event, the aim is to let the reader know what he needs to know, as economically as possible. If you adhere to this, the story will almost tell itself.

Voice

A lot has been written about “voice”; has the writer found it, does he have a genuine one, what are the nuances of his “voice,” what is his “voice” trying to convey? Does it succeed?writers-voice-1

Pundits on all things literary, like to freight “voice” with semi-mystical qualities, and use it to rank writers to make pronouncements about their chances of immortality.

I’ll let you in on a little secret; everyone has a “voice.” Some are pleasant, some not; some, gentle; some sharp. A writer’s voice is nothing more, or less, than the way he or she puts words on the page; if the voice is clear, you’ll understand what he or she is saying, and enjoy the way he or she says it.

It’s a job

One reason why new writers fail is their misunderstanding of what they are trying to do. If you approach writing as a hobby, something you spare half an hour for when you’re not mowing the lawn, or catching a football game on TV, you’ll fail.

No matter how creative you are, no matter how well you write, always keep one thing in mind; like anything else in life that’s worth doing, successful writing takes hard work, and requires commitment.

Set up a routine

Every writer worth his salt has a routine which he follows religiously. It doesn’t matter how you arrive at that routine; without it, you’ll just be wasting your time, and anything you produce will show it.

Carve out a block of time each day when you’re most rested and alert. If you’ve paid attention to me so far, you’ve already set up a place to work, and have the tools you need ready at hand.

Before I forget: Solitude is the writer’s best friend; turn off the TV; Shut off the music; have your partner take the kids to the playground; let the robot answer the phone; ignore the doorbell.

When is enough, enough?

Once you’ve established your routine, you have to decide how many hours to devote to your writing. The maximum time to stay focused on a task varies from individual to individual. You’ll have to experiment to discover what that time is for you.

Nothing is more crazy-making than forcing yourself to stay at a job past your ability to perform it well. That’s why airplane pilots, who perform potentially life-endangering jobs, have limits placed on the number of hours they’re allowed to fly.

How will you know when you’ve reached your limit? When you start to squirm in your chair, when your mind starts to wander, when your neck starts to hurt, it’s time to stop and do something else.

Go in the kitchen and make some coffee; take the dog for a walk around the block; or, if you need more than a fifteen minute break, shut off the computer and walk away. When you return to your desk later, or even better, the next day, you’ll be refreshed and ready to go again.

And one more thing: writing is a job that requires work, but work is supposed to be rewarding. Work is not a synonym for torture or drudgery. If you equate writing with those words, then it’s not for you, but if you find pleasure in telling a story well; if you love words, and their power, than sit right down and start to write.

What are you waiting for?

Marc Leavitt is a retired newspaper reporter and editor. These days, he writes poetry on, Marc Leavitt’s Blog, at:

Another Reason Not to Fear Short Attention Spans: The Slow Reading Movement

image by Jayel Aheram, StressedTechnician

 from Ink, bits & Pixels

Earlier today I posted an argument against authors writing for shorter attention spans. I argued that attention spans weren’t actually getting shorter; instead, readers will stick with a book which interests them no matter the interruption. I still think that is a good argument, but it’s not the only one I could make.  An article… Read More »

Source: Here’s Another Reason Not to Fear Short Attention Spans: The Slow Reading Movement | Ink, Bits, & Pixels

Sex After Sixty wins this year’s Wattys

Recognizing the best in Digital Storytelling

Ok, so what is a Watty? You’ve watched the Oscars. You know what an Oscar is.BookCover6x9_Cream_290FINAL TO PRESS What, pray tell, is a Watty?

The Wattys are Wattpad’s official annual awards that celebrate the best in digital storytelling. Be it fanfiction, romance, urban, sci-fi, poetry, or short stories, we acknowledge stories of all genres and styles.

New Survey Finds Millennial Readers Clinging to Print | Digital Book World

Good News for Authors

Millenials prefer print books over ebooks.

Millenials prefer print books over ebooks.

A new study by Publishing Technology finds U.S. millennials—defined as people currently between the ages of 18 and 34—almost twice as likely to read a print book as an ebook.

That finding squares with similar print preferences Pew researchers found among older readers as well. Among adults 18 and up, 28% read an ebook in 2014 as compared with the 69% of those who read at least one print book.

Results from the Publishing Technology survey also suggests young readers are equally comfortable with digital and analog modes of book discovery. 45% of millennials report learning about new titles by word-of-mouth recommendations, 32% by online browsing and 25% by browsing through a physical store or library.

via New Survey Finds Millennial Readers Clinging to Print | Digital Book World.

Have “Breakfast” on us for $2.99

Now you can have “Breakfast” on the Publisher with a special Kindle price of $2.99, regularly $7.99 from Outer Banks Publishing Group. Order your copy of Breakfast at the Diner here before it gets cold.Want the full course? Breakfast at the Diner in print is available for $8.99, regularly, $15.99. Order a great “Breakfast” here.Breakfast at the Diner, a novel by bestselling author Scott FieldsIt has been two years since the death of his wife, and Frank Watson still struggles with the loss. Every morning, he meets with his friends at the local diner to talk and to exchange gossip, but inevitably must return to his farm that remains undisturbed since his wife’s death.Then, Pepper Ledley breezed into his life. She was the new waitress in town nearly half his age and offered Frank something he had never before considered, a new beginning.  However, it somehow didn’t seem right to Frank.As he struggles with his new feelings and the memory of his beloved wife, Frank faces the biggest crisis of his life. A large foreign corporation needs five hundred acres of land to build an egg factory and Frank alienates himself from the rest of the town when he, steadfastly, refuses to sell.What transpires is a web of deceit, manipulation and murder. Get a taste of “Breakfast” – download a free sample – A taste of Breakfast
or order your copy here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Print List Price: $15.99
Kindle List Price: $7.99
5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
240 pages
Outer Banks Publishing Group
ISBN-13: 978-0990679011
ISBN-10: 0990679012

 

Is Your Writing Frozen This Winter?

A WRITING RETREAT ON TOPSAIL ISLAND, NC

OBXLiving0031

House at Southern Shores, NC

 

Winter is a good time to write – less distractions, less daylight and less to do because of the colder weather.

Warm up your writing this winter with a long weekend at quiet Topsail Island in NC at the Winter Beach Writeaway with Mimi Herman & John Yewell.

Because sometimes writers just need to get away.

Spend a long weekend in a cozy house right on the beach, perfecting your poetry or prose with the help of other brilliant writers. The Winter Beach Writeaway is designed for writers of all genres and abilities, from beginner to MFA to professional. $400 per person includes double occupancy lodging, all meals, and wine.

Topsail Island, NC, Feb 27- Mar 2, 2015

For more information, go to www.writeaways.com or email John or Mimi at writeawaysinfo@gmail.com

Not a beach lover? Give your writing a romantic touch – write in France.

WRITEAWAY IN FRANCE

Is your writing missing a certain je ne sais quoi? Experience a week of great writing, authentic French food, and unforgettable ambiance in a 15th century French chateau, complete with 300 acres of vineyards, rose garden, and world famous topiary. Tour Loire Valley wineries (during la récolte!) and celebrate the equinox (Sept. 23) under a harvest moon!

Writeaways are designed for writers of all levels–beginner to MFA to professional. $2,250 per person, double occupancy, full board (including wine and after-dinner drinks), writing consultations and daily classes.

Chateau du Pin, Champtocé-sur-Loire, France, Sept. 21–27, 2015

Mimi & John in Paris

Mimi & John in Paris

For more information, go to www.writeaways.com or email us at writeawaysinfo@gmail.com

“One must be ruthless with one’s own writing, or someone else will be.”
-John Berryman

Breakfast at the Diner cooks up Love, Deceit & Murder

Now have “Breakfast” on the Publisher with a special  discount of $8.99, regularly $15.99 only from Outer Banks Publishing Group. Order yours here.

By Scott Fields

Breakfast at the Diner

Now $8.99, regularly $15.99. Order your “Breakfast.”

It has been two years since the death of his wife, and Frank Watson still struggles with the loss. Every morning, he meets with his friends at the local diner to talk and to exchange gossip, but inevitably must return to his farm that remains undisturbed since his wife’s death.

Then, Pepper Ledley breezed into his life. She was the new waitress in town nearly half his age and offered Frank something he had never before considered, a new beginning.  However, it somehow didn’t seem right to Frank.

As he struggles with his new feelings and the memory of his beloved wife, Frank faces the biggest crisis of his life. A large foreign corporation needs five hundred acres of land to build an egg factory and Frank alienates himself from the rest of the town when he, steadfastly, refuses to sell.

What transpires is a web of deceit, manipulation and murder.

Get a taste of “Breakfast” – download a free sample – A taste of Breakfast
or order a full copy from our bookstore.

____________________________

List Price: $15.99
5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
240 pages

Outer Banks Publishing Group
ISBN-13: 978-0990679011
ISBN-10: 0990679012

Wishing you and your family much happiness & success

Capture

 

 

 

 

 

Now priced lower than Amazon

Curl up to a warm fire with these blazing titles

Two great titles from OBX Publishing Group author Mary L. Tabor are now reduced through Outer Banks Publishing Group. Visit our bookstore to order.

Tabor Price Reduction copy

 

 

 

 WHO BY FIRE – Fiction. Print version $10.99; Kindle $5.99

WHO BY FIRE breaks new literary ground: A complex tale of love, betrayal, and the search for self. A male narrator tells the story he does not actually know but discovers through memory, through piecing the puzzles of his marriage, through his wife’s goodness and her betrayal. He confronts paradox with music, science and a conflagration he witness in his native Iowa. Underlying his search is the quest for heroism and for his own father. WHO BY FIRE has earned its places among books that matter.

“The beauty of the prose, the nuances of the characters, the ever-building plot—everything is in place for a novel that will touch you in all the right ways.”—Lee Martin

“Mary L. Tabor’s WHO BY FIRE is a lovely, innovative, deeply engaging novel about how it is that human beings make their way through the mysteries of existence.”—Robert Olen Butler

  • Paperback: 248 pages
  • Publisher: Outer Banks Publishing Group
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0982993145
  • ISBN-13: 978-0982993149
  • Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches

 

 (Re) Making Love – Nonfiction, Print version $5.99; Kindle $3.99

(Re)MAKING LOVE: a sex after sixty story

By Mary L. Tabor

When Mary L. Tabor’s husband of 21 years announced, “I need to live alone,” she cratered and turned to the only comfort she had left: her writing. What resulted was (Re)MAKING LOVE: a sex after sixty story, a fresh, witty, funny and brutally honest memoir of everything she felt and did during her long journey back to happiness. This deeply personal account of her saga takes the reader from Washington, DC to Missouri to Australia through the good, the bad and the foolish from Internet dating to outlandish flirting and eventually to Paris where an unexpected visitor changed the author’s life forever. Her story offers hope and joy told with passion and brilliance that is highly refreshing with the single and most prominent message—it is never too late to find love—and oneself even after age sixty and beyond.

  • Paperback: 212 pages
  • Publisher: Outer Banks Publishing Group
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 098299317X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0982993170
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
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