Scrivener Public Beta for Windows

If you are looking for software to help you organize your writing efforts, Scrivener is a great choice. If you are a Mac user, you may have been using this for quite a while. If you are a Windows user, you are now lucky enough to join the club.

I am not posting a full review here because I have not downloaded the software yet, but on reputation alone, I think the Public Beta is worth a test drive. If you have feedback on the product, please post comments.

Literature and Latte - Scrivener for Windows

Until next time, keep on writing.

yWriter5 Writing Software Review

I decided to start the year out by trying to be more organized in my writing. I have a system, but it consists of individual files for things like character summaries, plot outline, and chapter summaries. Knowing that there is software out there for writers, I decided to search and see what I could find.

After reviewing a long list of possibilities, I focused in on yWriter5. I watched the video demo and I was sold. It is feature rich, very light-weight, and FREE! And as an unpublished writer, I am a big fan of free.

I formatted my latest writing project in rtf format with chapter headings as required by yWriter5, and was able to import my whole project and have it automatically create the chapter division files.

You have options to add characters with character details, locations, items, and scenes which make up your chapters. Because of the "scene" approach, it is easy to drag scenes between chapters or rearrange them as your story fleshes out.

The reports are helpful, and you can even do a word-count report to help you stick to your writing goals.

I am really amazed at how much this free program offers, and from what I have seen so far, you are getting a top quality program.

Check it out at http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html

Until next time, let's keep on writing.

www.jhughthomas.com

Preparing Plot Archs and Character Archs

One of the most satisfying plot twists in The Empire Strikes Back is the moment when Luke and Darth Vader are finishing and intense light saber battle and Vader reveals a life altering piece of information, "I am your father."

For those of us that saw this in the theater before the information was leaked, it was a powerful moment that was emotionally jarring and instantly opened up new avenues for the plot and character development. You were left wondering what would this mean? How will Luke react? Is it true?

To me this is still one of the best examples of how a writer that plans into the future is capable of bringing more to the table than one who just writes in the moment. When you go back to the first movie, you see clues like when Uncle Owen responds to a statement that Luke has too much of his father in him by saying, "That's what I'm afraid of." I remember in the theater thinking this was an obscure thing to say but after Darth Vader's revelation, it all made sense.

I wish I could say I know how to pull this off in a magical and compelling way, but as you know, I am only learning. Here are the things that do seem important to me when approaching a story which you are sure will span over several books.

1) Write Detailed Character Sheets. This helps when you only plan to write one book with the characters, but when the story will stretch on, it is critical. The more time you spend developing these characters on paper, giving them an interesting background, the more material you have to sprinkle through the books ahead.

2) Write History Overlap Sheets. Consider this an addendum to the Character Sheets. Here you will document the ways in which the various characters have crossed paths in the past, before the beginning of your first story. These interactions will provide insight to you as the writer to explain why Judy hates Steve, or Phil is tortured when he is around Judy.

3) Write a Goals Sheet for each Character. This is from the character's perspective, and can include an old set of goals and then a newer set that changed due to some events that occurred. This gives you a clear starting point for motivations of your characters. Whenever you get stuck writing a scene with that character, go back to their goals and see if it helps you find the character's next move.

4) Write an Author's Goal Sheet for each Character. This is a guideline that you may have to scrap as your plots unfold, but it can be a useful guideline. Within each story, you want a character to make some movement as a person. It may be the realization that they will never reach their goal, or it could be the fulfillment of something unexpected. Whatever it is, if you write it down and modify it as you work on your plot, it will be a helpful reference.

5) Map the Big Pieces out for the Series of Novels. I don't know how many writers actually do this, or have the time for that matter, but I can see how good initial planning will result in a richer more fulfilling plot. If you know which pieces of character background will be revealed in which book, and which major plot points will occur and when, it can allow you the freedom to fill in the blanks knowing that you have a strong overall story map for both plot and character development.

I can only hope these steps will prove true as I work on my story and characters. If you read this blog regularly, I am sure will find out if I was right or wrong about my instincts.

Until next time, let's keep on writing.

www.jhughthomas.com

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How to write a novel... after a break.

If you have been following this blog, you know I took a detour to write a screenplay for a family movie. It is only a first draft, but I will edit the screenplay with the whole family since it is a family project. So for me personally, I am free to spend my morning writing time on my novel again.

What was my novel about? Who are the characters? Where did I leave off? I quickly find myself drowning in a sea of questions without quick answers. I know as writers, we will all be in this situation from time to time, so I will try to lay out a game plan not just for my benefit, but for all those returning from the detour.

1) Read everything that you have written so far - This seems like a simple and obvious choice, but if you aren't careful, you can derail your writing efforts quickly. Just because you are reading your novel, it does not mean that you are editing. However editing, for me at least, seems the natural tendency when reading my work. Therefore be deliberate in reading for content, tone, plot, character, and flow... not for editing. Use the reading time to get back into the mindset that you were in when writing that which is complete.

2) Read your character summaries - If you don't have character summaries, this may be a good time to write them. Otherwise, review your character summaries to remind you of background history not revealed in the story. Get back in touch with who they are and how they fit into your plot. Which characters cause natural conflict and natural harmony? Are their key events in your plot that are driven by aspects of certain characters? Ask these types of questions to refresh your memory, and prepare your mind.

3) Review your plot outline - During step one and two, you may find that your outline is slightly off, or that the story has moved some in a different direction. Take this opportunity to modify your outline some if necessary, but don't get bogged down. I don't consider this editing since it is not finished words committed to the page, but just an outline. And if you make some quick outline changes now, you are really just getting into the flow that you were in when writing your first draft a month or two (or more) ago.

4) Prepare for your next chapter - When you are writing a first draft, you may not do much preparation from chapter to chapter. You are writing in a flow. However, after a break in the flow it can be scary to return to your manuscript. What if I can't do it? What if it does not flow? What if I am a pathetic excuse for a writer and I have no business killing trees to preserve my writing? Push these questions out of your mind because by the fact that you constantly question yourself, it proves that you are a writer, regardless of skill level. I suggest preparing for the next chapter with maybe a more detailed approach to give you the confidence to start typing again. If you are like me, confidence is the attribute always in short supply.

After the next chapter is written, hopefully you, and I, will be back in the flow again... pressing on to the end of our novel. My challenge to you and myself is not to allow fear of failure to prevent a return to the vulnerability and challenge of writing a novel.

We are capable of finishing. It is a decision.

So until next time, let's all keep on, or start, writing.

www.jhughthomas.com
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How To Find A Writing Routine

As often happens, this blog is born out of my writing situation... in this case my personal state of unrest and dissatisfaction with my consistency in a writing routine. And as the title indicates, I think this is more of an art than a science. Therefore, I will try to help you (and me) "find" a writing routine that works for us respectively.

We have all heard a million talks, seminars, and slogans on establishing a routine. Here are a few items that seem relevant to our position as writers, presumably all of whom hold down full-time jobs (and yes, that includes stay at home moms).

1) What is your current routine? - This may be the most important step. Everyone has parts of their life that are routine, affixed to specific times that occur every day, or at least on weekdays. Write down a list of the items in your current routine that are fixed in time so you have them available to you in the following steps.

2) What time of day do you write your best work? - This is trial and error. If you don't already know, take a few Saturday's and try different things. Get up early once, try the afternoon next, and then try evening and late night. See which of these times seems the most productive and the time when your creativity seems to flow with the most ease.

3) What time slot can you consistently use? - Here the pain begins. Those who don't really want to write will find an excuse for all times of the day. But in reality, if you want it badly enough, you can make time. The ideal situation is to pick a time where point #1 and point #2 converge so you can be most productive and follow a daily routine. In the practical world, you may have to settle for a time that you can squeeze into your schedule, regardless of how it suits your preferences.

Bottom line is routines are hard to establish. It feels less like creative fun and more like work. My question to you (and myself) is how important is it that you finish your novel? How badly do you want to be published? In twenty years, will you regret that you never spent those extra minutes writing and editing? Will you ask, "What if?"

My advice is simple. Don't forecast regret. Take action today.

Better to try and fail than never to try at all.

On the writing front, I finished another two scenes in my script. If I have a productive Christmas holiday season, I may even finish before years end.

Until next time, let's all keep on writing.

www.jhughthomas.com
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MindMapping a Novel and Industry Insiders

I found a great blog entry on MindMapping to prepare for a novel written by Michelle. It is written in the context of preparing for the latest write a novel in one month contest, which runs for the month of November (http://www.nanowrimo.org/). The principles are sound and helpful, plus it is worth your time to look around at the rest of the Juiced On Writing blog site.

http://juicedonwriting.com/517/mindmapping-to-prepare-for-a-novel/

Also check out this blog by an assistant at a literary agency. It is a great source for inside information that might just help you get past the gatekeeper.

http://rejecter.blogspot.com/2008/10/back-and-on-how-to-write-real-good.html

Here's my weekly writing update. I've written another three scenes for the movie and refined some of the story overview. Most importantly, I'm working on it and moving forward. So until next time, let's all keep writing.

http://www.jhughthomas.com/
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Research to keep it real

This post really belongs back at the beginning of this blog. Research is not necessary for every novel, but it is most likely that your novel does require at least a little research. Lets start with the scope of research.

First, location. If you are writing a small town story about childhood friends, set in a town like the one you grew up in, you know the setting. No research needed. If, however, you grew up in the city and you still live there, you may need some help understanding small town life. How do you research a setting? It can be difficult to research in such a way that you really know what you need to know, what I will call the intangibles. This is why many suggest starting by writing what you know.

You can visit areas that embody the spirit of the setting you want to portray, or read respected fiction and non-fiction books set in the same type of location. The key is that you know some of the small signs that indicate the nuances of your setting in a subtle and non-cliche way, once again, the intangibles.

Second, the characters' jobs. Unless your characters do what you do for a living, you need to research what the characters' jobs are all about, down to understanding the type of people that do the jobs. Maybe in your research you find that a job does not fit your character's personality. It does not necessarily mean you need to change the character's job, but it may tell you that the character is lousy at the job and wants to quit.

A third area of research is what I would call technical research. This really falls into the second category, because if you are writing technical information in your story, it should be from the perspective of one of your characters. Therefore, they must know about the subject area. I would make the distinction in the area of usage. An electrician will have certain habits, and probably personality traits, due to the fact that they were drawn to that job. That is separate from knowing the lingo of amps and volts. The job must be researched for realism in scenes. The only technical research you need to do is specific to details that will serve the story. You don't need to learn how to wire your circuit breaker.

Another side benefit that can come from research is great story ideas. You may find an entire story line nested in a fun fact about your character's job, or small town life.

If you research up front, your writing will be more informed, and you will save time in revisions later. I only wish I had received this advice before I started my book.

Until next time, lets keep on writing.

http://www.jhughthomas.com/
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Keeping track of plot threads

Yes, I know, we already have an outline to keep us on track. But what about the golden key without a matching lock that you introduce in chapter one? Or the shadowy figure that observes an indiscretion, but we do not see a face in chapter four?

As I write, I find many such threads presenting themselves. The trick is to resolve all unanswered questions by the end of your book. And since it is easy to loose track, I recommend having a sheet, or section of a notebook, dedicated tracking these threads.

It can be simple. Something like "Chapter 1 John finds golden key." Then later when I write the section where John finds the matching lock, I will write next to the original note "RESOLVED: Chapter 12 found trunk and unlocked it"

This process will probably bear repeating after several rewrites of your novel. If you catch the unresolved threads, you are saving time on copy editing. It also helps you to think in terms of key plot elements, both big and small. During your second draft edit, you may see a brilliant change in plot or event threads just by reviewing your "Thread Summary" sheet.

This may seem elementary to you, but to me, a beginning writer, it is very helpful. Hope it helps some of you as well. Happy writing.

www.jhughthomas.com
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Keeping track of characters

Now, where did he go to school? How old is she? When did Joe's brother die? These are just a few of the questions you might ask yourself as you write your story. Because lets face it, no matter how good your outline is, it will not provide all the back story on your characters. And worse yet, the back story is changing as you write the main story.

Therefore spending a little time tracking this character information is time well spent. I started with a character sketch page for each character. I did this at the outline stage of writing. I may not know much about some characters, but what I know is on the page.

Then as the story unfolds, I add to these character sheets any additional info that came up in the new chapter. By doing this, you have immediate access to key info without flipping through your story to find what you have already written on the subject.

It may seem simplistic but it works for me. Hope it helps someone else.

www.jhughthomas.com
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Planning and organizing the plot

Finally, I'm getting started on the book the right way. Over time, I read countless books on writing a novel and getting published. In my research I found many approaches to planning a novel, from having no plan (been there, done that) to a basic outline to a detailed summary. Here is the approach I adopted.

I bought a pack of index cards and started writing on the cards. On some cards, I wrote a sentence summarizing a whole chapter. On others, a detailed portion of a scene. I did not follow any rules, but rather tried to capture all my ideas, big and small. Often I was just pointing out background information that would help me later in fleshing out that part of the story.

As I reached the end of my plot line, I organized the cards and looked for holes in my story, to the extent that I could at this stage. The beauty of this approach is quick flexibility. Adding, rearranging, removing, and replacing cards was easy and allowed for immediate sequential review of my story.

Once I felt good about the cards, I moved on to chapter summaries. How did I know where the chapter breaks occurred in the cards? I didn't. I could only make a best guess. As I have worked on the actual text of the novel, the chapters have changed, but the summary still has provided valuable guidance.

The end result of this process was a thirteen page summary of the entire novel, an imperfect guide to lead me through the writing process, chapter by chapter. It was still hard work to start writing the book, but now I wasn't trying to touch type while wearing gloves.

http://www.jhughthomas.com/
www.myspace.com/jhughthomas