My Background:
I’m an Author.
I have five full novels, an anthology of short stories and a collection of seven short stories published, plus a number of stories and articles published in magazines and one multi-author anthology. UK US
I work as a professional Editor for a small Indie Publishing House.
I have a few years’ experience in publishing.
I was Editor in Chief of a large online magazine (approx. 100,000 hits per month at its peak).
My second novel, Cruel and Unusual was entered for The Orange Prize For Fiction in 2012.
I’ve written screenplays for movies and at least one of my stories has been made into a film.
I have a page on IMDB.
I've been asked for the links to my books. If you click the green text in the background blurb above, you'll get to the links.
Pictures either with permission or from Google free to use image search
Writing a book is easy...
I can tell you how I write a book. I can tell you how other people write their books, that’s easy, it’s researchable – anyone can find that information. I think the reason you’re reading this is because you want to learn how YOU write a book.
I’m going to try to help you with that.
For a good book to be memorable, you need great characters.
Good characters are necessary too… but the great ones will elevate your work.
Think about it… bring to mind the last novel you read. What springs to mind first?
The scenery? Description of the settings can be awesome in itself, but is that what you think of when you remember a book with fondness?
The plot then? The story, the twists and turns… is that what you recall?
The dialogue? What was said in the story’s conversations… the stinging retorts, the information gleaned from those interactions between characters?
I’m betting none of those.
In every book you remember with fondness, every story you go back to time and time again, there is at least one character that you either love or love to hate.
Darius is the one character my readers love to hate. He’s been in every one of my Wolf books except Cruel and Unusual and when I mused about writing the Darius Diaries, my followers on other social media clamoured for it. I’ve not yet written that book… but I will, because Darius is the bad lad – the one that makes the story that little bit more succulent because he can be pure evil and we all like to see how he gets what’s coming to him.
To make your characters more real you need to know them inside and out, their every like and dislike, every mood and trigger. To help yourself, write a biography for that character and keep it to hand. Write one for every main character. Make sure they are different and will clash on things as well as connect.
Ask yourself questions about your characters:
When and where – born, live, died?, grew up, life-changing event happened, first love, first murder - if you answer those questions, you have the beginning of someone that you can play with, develop and form into someone you’d follow on their adventures.
Then you can think of other things like name, parents, wealth/lack of (rich, poor, middle), school and college – subjects they liked etc. – If you have all of those things, plus any more you can throw in there as you go, you’ll have the start of a rounded and deep character that you can then place into your story.
Then the fun begins.
What motivates your character? What is the ultimate goal, their aim? Revenge? Returning a favour? Finding something they lost?
You have the beginnings of what’s known as the Character Arc - the development of the character through the story. Get that right and the story will be almost guaranteed to be satisfactory, gratifying – perfect.
The character arc shows how the character changes – all characters change because of the effects of their journey. If you have no change, the character doesn’t learn anything, doesn’t develop and grow, then you can basically say you’ve wasted your time and that of all of your readers.
How did Harry Potter get from THIS...
...To THIS?
Think about characters you’ve read about and loved. Narnia for example – Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy start off as naïve kids and by the end of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, they have grown to be warrior kings and queens.
Where’s the fun in ending the book with: Peter was still an arrogant arse, Susan was still a snob, Edmund was still a snotty snitch and Lucy was still little more than a baby.
The writer wouldn’t be happy and the readers would be dissatisfied.
There’s always a struggle
Edmund wants Turkish Delight but Aslan stands in his way. The story became more than just Edmund in his quest to get that infinite mound of Turkish Delight. It became a story of the White Queen and what she wanted. Ultimately, it became a story of how four kids from war-torn England became historical heroes of a fantasy world, defeating the evil queen and helping the Emperor from across the Sea in his quest. What no-one seems to understand is, it’s actually the story of Jesus and the resurrection.
Think about that for a moment.
The story between the start and the finish is the interesting bit. Kids torn from their family, sent out to the countryside, find a wardrobe … Come back through the wardrobe in time for tea.
The action taking place in those … is what you want to read… isn’t it?
Hazel walked slowly towards the boundary of the wood. Her Wolfhound – Mika - was missing and had been gone all day. As she pulled her woollen wrap tighter round her shoulders her pace was slowing as she neared the trees.
She called out for him often "Mika! Mika!" Listening to hear the deep bark from him, she walked on.
“How do we travel, Anton?” Nichasin asked.
“We travel, as ever, as swiftly as is inhumanly possible, my boy, light and fast. We have been fortunate it seems, in your deception at Marseilles, we seem to have lost our pursuers, but I fear that cannot last, we must begin to move once more. Niall will join us a few miles hence. Gather money and food, we leave everything else here.
And so they made for the capital.
Want to know the machinations, plots, twists, other characters and their adventures that go on between those two excerpts?
I did… and so I wrote it.
The saying Life’s a journey, not a destination – the same with the ‘lives’ of your characters. Show their journey.
More tomorrow
Great tips! I have always fancied writing a story as I love to write, however every time I have started, it always gets a bit 'samey'and I get bored with my own writing. Perhaps I need to start with some real basics and just try writing a short story. Do you have any tips for writing short stories?
I would defnitely start with a shorter piece if things get boring on a longer one, but don't be discouraged. Once you find that spark, that one thing you need to write about, it gets easier... a little...
My tip works for any story. Try to put your reader at the side of you as you experience the 'action' (there doesn't have to be blood or mayhem, the 'action' is what's happening). Write details that you may think aren't important at first. The overcast sky may make it difficult to see the traffic - and pedestrians - for example.
these wonderful tips that are based on your personal experience have value. If you unite these 3 of your posts, you can create a manual on writing a book. I see many useful tips that will definitely help those who are engaged in writing, or want to become a writer.
Thank you, I liked it :)
Thank you for your encouragement, it's always appreciated.
Today, I spoke with the owner of the Indie Publishing House I work for and he's interested in the tips I'm writing. He'd like to see it as a book, so you're on the same page as he is, I think.
That's what I'd like to see... people that are engaged in writing, using these tips and improving their work and enjoyment.
It really would be a new achievement.
I imagine that for some novice writers you could become a teacher. Given that you have a lot of experience and you write such interesting works, this would give you additional status.
People are always interested in taking an example from someone who, on a personal example, shows what he is capable of.
It is interesting to observe the development of events, I wish you to publish such a book - a handbook :)
I've written a few posts like this... not really with any structure behind them, just tips I thought would help people here, on Steemit.
I'll find them and post the links to them all. I've been on Steemit since August 2016 so I've got a bit of experience behind me ;)
you have a lot of experience here ...
it seems to me that significant events and changes in people's lives occur precisely when we least expect
The main thing is never to miss the opportunities that are provided to us
maybe this is your opportunity :)
Please publish a book with writing tips--I would be first in line to buy it. Thanks for all your great work and sharing your hard-earned skills with all of us.
Thank you! I'm working on it ;)
Truly you're a decent writer...
Upvoted and resteemed dear...
Thank you.
I had no idea you had written 5 books thus far, that's quite an amazing accomplishment. I've never been a great writer, I think I lack multiple aspects needed to be great, but I've decided that I am just going to write more this year. Whether it be through steemit posts, a pen and paper journal or some magical fantasy, I think the more often you express your thoughts through writing, the better you become.
Have you ever read 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami? I am reading it right now and having trouble putting it down. Its a monster of a novel (over 1100 pages) but the story grasps the reader right from the beginning and its an amazing journey of two separate but connected individuals. Murakami has got me begging for more haha.
It all adds up over time ;)
You do have to keep going at it, dogged determination is what's needed. I had to push myself hard to complete the books I've finished and I really do need to re-learn how to push myself again for the others I have waiting to be completed.
I've not read that book... I seem to be in the middle of books I want to read for pleasure and those I have to read for my job, but I'll keep an eye out for it if you're recommending it :)
I hope people appreciate your work in these 'how to' posts. I can't tell you how much money I have spent on how to write books in the past. Love the examples you use, both from your own work and others, it really brings it alive.
Also, on an unrelated matter, are you going to post any more Bouncer stories? Unless I missed them... I have looked, but can only see Part one.
Ah... you liked Zack's story did you?
Well, the good news is I've been testing out the story on my daughter and I think we've got a storyline in place. More on that later.
YAY! :)
To be honest, I haven't read many how to write books and those I did buy were pushed to one side when I discovered Stephen King's On Writing because that turned into my Bible.
I've only used my own writing for the examples because I don't want to get in trouble for copyright. I do find it easy to swap styles and voice in my writing and I very much doubt that is a skill I'd be able to teach anyone.
To be honest, I think a lot of people (and when I say people I mean me!) buy books on how to write in order to avoid actually doing it. :)
I apreciate original authors that write amazing stories. That spend their time to put their thoughts on a papper. Author like you deserve our atention because not anyone can write such an amazing fiction stories. Good job ! :)
Thank you. I cannot promise to make everyone into a great author (not even myself) but if I can help people to learn how to be happy with what they're writing, I think that's a step in the right direction.
Exactly. We must be thankful with what we write, not everyone have the same originality. Thank you for replying :)
Thank you so much for this! I was a high school english teacher for years...wish I'd had your post then😄
You're most welcome. Actually, that's flattering... when I was at school, my English Teacher didn't like me ;)
Of course he/she didn't :) As a teacher, and a good one I must say ;), I swore I would never be like my high school teachers! I taught kids who are now married with kids of their own and we stay in touch! Actually, one of them e-published a novel...I encouraged her when I first saw her writing in grade 8:) Anyway, thank you again, and thanks for the response!
This is awesome @michelle.gent! I enjoy your tutorials. Thank you very much. :) Resteeming! ♥
Thank you! Appreciated :)
loved it!! btw i started reading your book but havent had much time to lie down, but as soon as i am in chill mode - back to your book :) xx
Haha! Wonderful! I'm loving your cookery blogs too - especially the videos!
When you create and fully develop a character, does he/she become a part of your life? I mean, when something is going on in your like and you think, "What would Darius do in this situation?"
By the way, the Dead Walkers: Rise of the 4th Reich is a definite must-watch for me. What could be better than Nazi zombies, gore, and girls dressed in leather.
I'm more likely to think "What would Red do in this situation?" As in... would they still be living or not? Then I have to remember, I'm not a werewolf and much as I'd like to, throats have to be left where they are... ;)
Of course it's not simple to arrange your thoughts and write them in easy-reading fashion but superb tips. Thank you
If you've got your head around that fact, you're more than halfway there!
You're most welcome.
Useful read indeed. Yes you are right in pointing that characters should be dynamic and developing, flat or round character is of no use in fiction because fiction is based on real life examples. We associate these characters with our life. You are very right in knowing of one's characters inside out with their weaknesses and strengths. Loved the saying,"Life is a journey, not a destination". Thank you for providing an opportunity to a layman like me to comment.
Thank you for commenting on what points were useful to you :)
"Want to know the machinations, plots, twists, other characters and their adventures that go on between those two excerpts?
I did… and so I wrote it.
The saying Life’s a journey, not a destination – the same with the ‘lives’ of your characters. Show their journey"
More great information, that story I am writing has become a bit more while delving into the depths of it. It is growing. I am not sure it will make the deadline for the contest but I am continuing it anyway to see where it takes me. this story is a bit different for me. A bit more modern day and no Vampires! So I can say, I do so believe in your posts. As I can see the results first hand.
Well, thank you so much!
You seem really enthused with your writing at the moment and I do hope that's partly down to these tips.
I really do wish you good luck in the competitions and in your writing in general.
Yes I am, unlike a few months ago when I nearly gave up completely. Since I have been following you and reading your posts along with others of the group especially those with problems like mine. I have found renewed interest.
i love to read love story....😁
That's one genre I haven't completed a book in... maybe one day.
Wow!
I'm loving your stories dear.
Would love to read more.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you.
If you scroll down my blog, there is 16 months' worth of posts (I joined August 2016) and I post quite regularly.
You're a good writer.. I love to read books written by a good writer..can any of this books be order online and be sent here via Fed Ex or dhl?
Thank you.
You can read most of my books in serialised form right here on my blog. Otherwise, the links are in the post in green text.
Thanks for your work, time to make STEEM and Steemit more professional than ever ... things are going BIG TIME !!
Thank you.
The hardest thing about writing a story that is research and the ability to resist feeling lazy. Now there is a stronger temptation that is social media, he is a writer broke the focus. select social media or prepare a written draft.
Oh yes, I can't help with keeping you off social media... but maybe the posts you make will get more likes if you follow the tips? ;)
The problem of being too preoccupied with social media is a personal matter that must be resisted from oneself. And apply the principle: Writing is a debt.
Thanks: D
This is magnificent @michelle.gent. I make the most of your instructional exercises. Much thanks.
Resteemed and upvoted
Thank you!
Very nice explaination @michelle.gent
Thanks for sharing your writing experience and skills, surly it will help many to get perfection in writing as you have. You have got some great writing skills.
You are a great author, this is what i get in last some days by reading your posts. I also need to read first 2 parts of this article. Again thanks for share.
Thank you. I'm pleased you're enjoying my work.
Wow you provide new writing part..Actually i wait for your new part..I appreciate to your every part..thanks a lot for sharing your new one..
Carry on my friend ..focuses your creativity on steemit. .Best of luck ...Upvote and resteemit done..😊😊✌✌✌✌
Thank you.
Most welcome my friend...
Thanks Michelle, this is exactly what I needed in my thinking. It's the structure and order I was lacking and you've laid out the path for me. I'm going to follow your advice and keep to the structure you've advised in that exact order. Now onto the plot! :-D I missed your last instalment as they're coming out so quickly, so going back to that in a bit.
One of the benefits of the blockchain is that everything is permanent - you just have to find it.
:)
great stuff.. well you summed up a lot in a few sentences.. and I agree and also let's enjoy the journey together .. lol had to add that. :)
:D
I'd be pleased to take this journey along with you :)
Love it!
yet again some really great tips... I am reading your tips continuously... And these tips are really helping me writing my stories... Thank you so much for this series... Now I am waiting for your next tips... Great work my friend! Please read my story if you got sometime and I would appreciate some suggestions about those stories from you as I am just a new writer and you are really experienced one...
Thank you.
If I steal your writing Skills I will become SEO Queen. kidding aside These information you provided in this post can not be found on internet.
Please keep posting like this So i can keep learning from you.
Haha! Thank you... but you can't have my skills... get your own :D
I'm so pleased you find my tips useful.
Another round of wonderful tip. I drink them up like a rat to poison!
Thank you... I think?
yes, it was a compliment.
In that case, thank you so much :)
Great tips! But umm... I worry about your statement that writing a book is easy. There’s a reason there is only one series as wildly popular as The Harry Potter series. I believe it’s because getting the right mixture of all those important elements you mentioned is an enormous challenge. It takes study and mastery of the techniques as well as fierce determination, because it’s easy to get derailed by all the hurdles along the way. And early drafts can be painfully difficult—misguided, full of technical errors and dishearteningly flat. Most emerging writers deal with all of these struggles in spades before they begin to see real progress.
I am writing this comment not to challenge you in a negative way, but because I love the art of fiction writing, I love conversing about it, and, most importantly, I just hope that as a mentor and a person who is advising emerging writers, that you remember to acknowledge the challenges of this craft and support your protégées through the pain. It is not easy. It is not any easier than becoming a successful surgeon or lawyer. That, of course, is just my humble opinion. I would prefer to talk about the real challenges that writers face than risk new writers feeling like failures when they discover that it is very challenging to write well. ❤️
Those for whom writing is a challenge not a source of inspiration and joy are not writers but the mere typists with larger than average vocabulary.
Ow, but a challenge is the greatest source of inspiration and joy...
Well, if you draw inspiration from stress, pressure, frustration, and dependence on someone else's opinion, then indeed, a challenge can be inspiring.
I'm sorry to hear that a challenge creates stress, frustration and dependency for you. It doesn't for me, maybe that's what our difference of views comes from.
Challenge can be inspiring only when you are able to meet it. Please don't tell me that you feel euphoric when things are not going your way. People who say that challenges drive them usually have a lot of sleepless nights lying on a pillow drenched in their tears.
The euphoria comes after having faced the challenge. And I actually am a pretty sound sleeper...
I also wouldn't say a challenge is when things are not going my way. It's also not that I search for challenges. Yet, I do try to push my own boundaries, learning and being amazed along the way. And yes, that is awesome.
That made me laugh out loud, @alexpavlenko. But yes! It really must inspire and fuel you, or what is the point? The challenges involved are well worth it if it brings you joy. Your statement needs to be a meme. It is fabulous.
I am glad that you appreciate my sense of humor @jayna but I do think that people who perceive the process of writing as a challenge can't be considered as real writers. Same as those who kick the ball around can't be called footballers.
There are no challenges in writing because it is a natural high. Challenges come when one starts to perceive writing not as a process of creation but as profession or business. When it becomes challenging because the author has to satisfy too many requirements and adhere to certain standards. I guess that is what @michelle.gent meant when she wrote that writing a good (from the commercial point of view) book is tricky.
Ah, interesting! Well now I am flummoxed because I really thought I understood your intent to be about experiencing challenges but no joy, and I found your expression amusing. But if you are saying (and in fact you did say) that people who perceive the process of writing as a challenge are not real writers, then I simply, but adamantly, disagree. We are all entitled to our opinions. Yours is valid. And you are welcome to tell me I am not a real writer because I find writing challenging. I just don’t choose to agree.
I love the challenge of writing. I love everything I am learning and mastering along the way. I love sharing that knowledge with others who are struggling to learn all they need to know to get where they want to go. If you are another Shelley or something, and you just popped out of the womb with a pen in hand wowing the known world, then bully for you. I caution you against a belief that all other aspiring writers could or should be the same make and model as yourself, however. It is simply not the case.
The act of writing is what makes me a writer. Whether I struggle with it, enjoy it or am inspired by it is neither here nor there. The fact that I produce works that I am comfortable publishing is what makes me a writer and it is nothing more esoteric than that.
Your attempt to demean anyone who does not take joy from their labours and relegate them to mere typists is more, I think, a reflection of your own internal struggle than it is an accurate depiction of any writer who treats this art as a means of feeding hungry mouths.
Begone. And take your pseudointellectual bullshit with you.
I'm of the opinion that anyone who doesn't perceive the craft of writing as a challenge can't be considered a "real writer." I'm sure it's very easy to open one's mind and let a stream of word vomit pour onto the page. Probably as easy as throwing up when you have a stomach bug. The real test comes when you choose to write something people actually want to read.
Well said, Jayna. I completely agree. It can be downright frustrating, trying to write a novel. It helps to acknowledge that or some people are bound to get discouraged and unjustly feel like a failure.
Thanks, @tinypaleokitchen!
To be fair, it may very well be easy for you, @michelle.gent. I do think writing comes naturally to some, and that writing a book may not feel like the the Sisyphus feat that it is for most. I have always loved the message of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, that to master the craft you need to break it down into manageable bits. This is of course a great lesson in approaching all large projects in life.
New writers have much to learn, and I fundamentally believe in acknowledging that beautiful and sometimes painful experience with eyes wide open. What do they need to learn? How can they master the mechanics so writing does come more naturally? How can we support them in finding their way?
Note that I am a new/old writer myself, having recently returned to the craft after a very long respite, and in the process of fine tuning my skills so I can finally get my work published. For that reason the plight of the struggling, learning writer is near and dear to my heart.
Aw shoot. I just noticed that you stopped following me, @michelle.gent. I apologize if I offended you. I was really just trying to provide an additional point of view and launch an interesting discussion.
If I'm being fair, I should thank you for bringing two of your friends along to join in the discussion you started, but as none of them deigned to upvote the post, I guess I'll leave that where it is.
You haven't offended me, you puzzled me.
I wondered why you'd commented on this post and none of my other works, why you didn't bother upvoting, yet you upvoted the others that agreed with you and why two other people that you resteem on your blog came here when they don't usually come to read my work.
I wondered all of this and then also wondered if they were here just to back-up your points - out of context though the first one was.
Writing a book is easy. Writing a good book that others want to read is the trick.
My posts - all of them - are about getting it right.
I am spread thin. 😊 But I did intend to update this post. I just hadn’t yet. Sorry about that. And I will do so. You clearly spent a lot of time on it and have much to tell new writers from your personal experience. I want to support you in mentoring people who are hungry for knowledge.
Ah, I've found a handy site to help with managing my voting power.
Steemnow
I absolute agree with jayna. Writing is a big challenge - this is what makes it valuable.
@michelle.agent I have been waiting for someone like you so that we can co-write a book of love!
we?
Good pos you fren
Pleae dear vote,reputation donw
For any reason?
You are a great writer. i also love writing. i have learn many things from this post.thank you very much for sharing with us.
Thank you. I'm pleased you like my work.
You are a great writer and novelist. Thank you very much for sharing with us the wonderful part.