How to keep your story moving with simple actions
By Betty Wilson Beamguard
Published: July 29, 2005
In the September 2005 issue of The Writer, Betty Wilson Beamguard wrote about how writers can use actions to advance their story and enhance their fiction. Below is another writing exercise related to this topic, followed by a list of resources for learning more.
Workout
You're the president of a large firm being interviewed by the press. You've just been asked to tell what you know about a colleague's recent sexual indiscretion. You'll want to give as little detail as possible, only telling what you know to be fact. What would you say? Now you're the secretary who witnessed the colleague's indiscretion. What will you tell your friends?
Resources
>> The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman is a valuable how-to book for fiction writers.
You might also find it helpful to read the work of fellow writers who are good at bringing their readers into the scene. Two I recommend are:
>> Harvest by Catherine Landis
>> The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Betty Wilson Beamguard |