October 14, 2007

Ray-Anne has written a fascinating post about structuring a novel and about using the ‘beats’ and scene technique. It’s here.

I couldn’t write this way but lots of people seem to find the approach invaluable - including one of the most successful contemporary romance writers in the world, Jenny Crusie.

I use the ‘lie back and think of England’ method which is probably why I’m just a minion!

And on that note, here’s an illicit pic of Guy of Gisbourne (played by Richard Armitage) with his shirt off. I can’t say where I got this from but thank you to the source.

1. On October 14th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
   Alyssa Goodnight Says:
   

   Thanks for the link (and the photo ;)). I’ve heard of this method but haven’t managed to find much info on it…until now.

2. On October 15th, 2007 at 1:55 am
   Ray-Anne Says:
   

   Thank you for mentioning my feeble efforts Phillipa - and for the man boobs! LOL ;O)

3. On October 15th, 2007 at 2:06 am
   Ray-Anne Says:
   

   Oh - and of course you are not a minion! The screenwriters who developed these techniques have to show studios who are going to fork out squillions that they have a story with universal appeal - and these are the basics of storytelling which seem to work with audiences. And you know what? They often write the first draft out of the mist - then rewrite and rewrite, slashing and rebuilding around the simple framwork.
   Someone once described story structure as the foundations of a house - but the house on top can be anything from a mansion to a garden shed.
   A John Grisham thriller, Stephen King or Nora Roberts - they all have the same six steps. Nothing scary. And yes, Nora has said publically that she writes a first draft using the ‘lie back and think of America’ method, then rewrites. So has Jenny Crusie.
   Only good times ahead - Ray-Anne. Who is rewriting phase. Gulp.

4. On October 15th, 2007 at 5:02 am
   Rosy Thornton Says:
   

   Thanks for the link, Phillipa. I followed the link and found it fascinating, Ray-Anne. I’ve left you a comment there, too. But I must say I’m with Phillipa on this - my writing has to come from the subconscious, and I could never follow a plan like this. I never even manage to make my characters follow even remotely the outline synopsis I have for them! And my chapters and scenes are hugely variable in length, etc., too. Don’t you think that the natural ebb and flow of the story are what matters most - and not making the ’shape’ of the individual constituent elements conform to some pre-ordained pattern? Maybe I’m a natural anarchist, but I tend to balk at the idea of any one-size-fits-all model, to suit every book from Grisham to Roberst - even if it is only a foundation, as you say!

   Rosy

5. On October 15th, 2007 at 9:34 am
   Kate Hardy Says:
   

   LOVELY pic, Phillipa - thanks for sharing.

   Will have to go check out Ray-Anne’s site now.

6. On October 15th, 2007 at 11:17 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Hi Kate (waves). I understand the (cough) pic is from the preview of next week’s Robin Hood episode.

7. On October 15th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
   Michelle Styles Says:
   

   Lovely picture Phillipa. Very inspirational somehow…

   McKee who talks about building in beats, makes it clear that it is a technique for when a scene feels flat. Often it is not the dialogue that is wrong, but the beats.
   Also I love McKee for his — logic is something that happens in reverse order when writing a story. In other words, it is okay to have insight late in a story and go back and tweak…

8. On October 16th, 2007 at 6:23 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Flipping ‘eck! You should see my blog stats - they have doubled thanks to this picture, links from Michelle and Nell and ray Anne’s post. I wonder who caused the most traffic?

   I hope you all see next week’s Robin Hood - that programme gets quirkier, madder and more fun every week. Good job I didn’t post a screencap of the Sheriff standing up in his bath. :0

9. On October 16th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
   Christina Phillips Says:
   

   OOh yummy. Another nekkid pic!!! I’m so full of inspiration now!!

   And I was lucky enough to hear Jenny Crusie speak at the NZ conference. Oh my. That woman is amazingly motivational and inspiring.

10. On October 18th, 2007 at 8:55 am
    Kate Johnson Says:
    

    Jenny Crusie is indeed inspiring, and just as funny in person as she is in her books. Her ‘day job’ is teaching creative writing–so no wonder she’s great at conferences!

    And THANK YOU for the picture. I could really do naughty things to that man…

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