Your main character needs people to interact with.
Some are minor, but others are more important
Ingredients for a side character
The reader does not get to see their viewpoint
Introduce them twice - the first time in passing and the second time more clearly so the reader thinks - oh yes I've heard his name before.
The side character doesn't know they are a side character, they are the hero of their own story and they need an arc through the story.
They are important to the story.
Never in a scene alone.
Around enough times to be more than a minor character.
They have their own voice.
They have flaws.
Generally have one clear trait- an allergy, fashion accessory etc
They may be linked to a particular place.
They add more conflict to the story by annoying the main character, pushing their emotional buttons.
They can be someone for the main character to chat to.
They are a support, sidekick etc.
Not too memorable.
They can be killed.
They can become a main character in a sequel.
Enjoy and have fun creating.
You know that feeling of going round and round and getting nowhere?
I am rewriting a story and post each chapter as I finish the rewrite. I read comments and read the chapter again and tweak.
Recently I tweaked a chapter three or four times and one of my readers said-
"Stop tweaking and move on or you will lose the flow of the story, and your momentum."
She is right.
I was worrying about leaving something in or not and then realised -If you are going to submit to an agent then they will tell you if something needs removing.
If you are going down the self publishing route its good to have other people read your manuscript to pick up plot problems etc as well as using a professional editor.
So how do you know when to stop?
When you put a word in, then change it, take it out and return to the first word
You are adding scenes or even chapters rather than reducing the word count.
You are nit-picking.
You edit but the story does not improve.
You have edited for everything you can think of but need just one more...
You have been editing for years!
Your unique writing voice dissolves under the onslaught.
It will never be perfect, but it must be finished to send out into the world.
Hi, sorry I have been away and entertaining family.
But I did manage to finish 'The Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins
I am not reviewing it here, but thinking about what I learnt from this book.
Some stories are depressing - a book can be written in the rhythm of the characters life.
Difficult subjects can be portrayed well - but you need to remember a reader does not wish to be depressed by the story.
I had to be in the right frame of mind to read this- not everyone will enjoy the stories I write
A main character does not have to be likeable - you can feel sorry for them and read on hoping their questions will be answered.
I understand what an unreliable narrator is - very clear and cleverly used in this story.
Plot twists are good when they have solid grounding and clues. I understand better how this is done.
First impressions are important - the first book a reader reads will determine whether they wish to buy any later books you write - regardless of best seller listings.
That's it.
Yep, that's how it feels sometimes.
It's not always a bad thing, and it can be pretty!
I am rewriting a book and the last chapter has taken me forever to re-write. It's not a block, just lots of backtracking.
Walking my dog in the rain this morning I pondered on this problem.
Reasons for concrete boots-
Real life distractions - turn off the phone and shut the door to your writing space. If needed put a sign on it saying disturb only in an emergency. When family visits decide to honour your writing or put it aside until they have gone. No half measures. Turn off the guilt in your head, and make a decision.
Another part of the story is interfering with your thought process - write this first - maybe in note form so you do not forget the idea, and then return to what you were working on
Another story is interfering - write a few ideas down and file it. Be firm with yourself, finish the edit or rewrite you are working on first, you can start another story while you put this one aside.
There is a problem with the plot - re look at the plot as a whole, maybe you have made a twist too soon, or not soon enough.
There is a problem with the character - check the character is reacting in the way their personality dictates.
There is a problem with the scene- maybe it is not needed at all. Check it is necessary for the story to progress. What does it add? Don't delete just put it somewhere or leave it and ask Beta readers their opinion.
It is backstory - if it is not exciting when you write it, it may not be exciting to read, is it needed at this point or in this detail?
I am sure that my problem is that the scene is not necessary, I may send it to my Beta Readers and see what they say or I may have the courage to cut it out and save it as a reject!
There are not enough hours in the day ! A common complaint of writers who also have to work.
What can you do? How can you squeeze another hour into your day?
Keep a diary of how you spend every hour for a couple of weeks- this will show you gaps.
Do not turn on the TV
No social network sites until you have written
Buy good quality headphones
Tell the dust it can stay
Learn to say 'No thanks' to social requests.
See writing as your daily wind down
Keep your writing flowing through your mind when walking, driving, eating etc
Make realistic goals for each week
Ensure your family or people around you leave you alone when you write (unless there is a life
threatening emergency) Tell them you do not need a cup of tea, thanks.
Turn off your phone
Do not put writing your blog as a priority over writing your story
Any other ideas will be gratefully received.
If you are anything like me, it doesn't matter how planned your plot is your characters have their own views on where the story is going.
Do you stick rigidly to your plans or go with the flow?
Most advice seems to be -
Go with the flow on a first draft, and then look at what has happened and make decisions on re-write
-Backtrack to the plot but save this new idea to use somewhere else.
-Change the plot line to include this new idea, create reasons and credibility.
-If you are surprised at the twist, your readers will be too.
-You may write the same chapter in two or three ways to find which feels right, just don't press delete during this process.
-Maybe the character has progressed and your original plot line is not longer appropriate.
-Often your characters are stronger for the changes they demand, and the story is more interesting.
Be reassured it is not really imaginary fiends taking to you, and you are not crazy. I believe it is your subconscious understanding of personalities and your imaginative 'what if?' coming together to create an awesome story.
Answer - a great writer!
No seriously, I watched part of a conference -
I think it was on TED, and Andrew Stanton had this to say about what a great story is.
The core of the story needs to be emotional, intellectual and concrete.
Every scene promises the story will lead the reader somewhere.
Gives the reader 2 +2 not 4 - allow them to do the maths. Readers like to work out what is happening, but not consciously.
Reason which drive the characters forward are realistic and understandable.
Life is never static for the characters.
'Drama is anticipation mingled with uncertainty.' William Archer.
There is a strong theme, the characters have a place in the world.
Wonder is invoked- awesomeness abounds.
Great story writers know the rules, but know rules can be broken.
The author writes about the values at their core.
Writing this blog is great because I am looking back over all my notes and finding interesting and useful information I have forgotten.
My thought on the above -We all have to remember what is a great story for one reader may not be for another- it is a subjective world - the world of storytelling.
