Deleted (Opening) Scene: The Bride Lottery

Deleted (Opening) Scene: The Bride Lottery

by | Jul 10, 2015 | Articles

Question: How do authors determine where to begin the story?

Answer: I imagine in a group of five authors, you’d obtain at least 2 different answers. How’s that for ambiguous?

Every writer has developed their own methods that work for them. We’re all different, as unique as our fingerprints. My method of ensuring my books start at the right place may be quite different from someone else’s methods and that’s perfectly OK. My answer to this question: “As late as possible.”

This means I skip as much back story as possible– details that don’t really matter for the crux of the story yet it still makes sense. We dive right into action. It’s the latest possible moment when that “something” happens and everything changes.

Inside, I share a full, polished opening scene (not published in The Bride Lottery), deleted when I realized in the final drafts that the story was beginning too early.

My Writing Process, Part 1

My Writing Process, Part 1

by | May 20, 2015 | Articles

Authors (and their writing methods) are as unique in their methods as in their fingerprints.

Beginning writers may study books, attend courses, learn from highly successful authors in one way or another, but eventually–through trial and error–they’ll figure out what works for them. There are no right ways, no magic bullets, no fantastic formulas, just as there are no wrong ways. Just as we all might set out from Atlanta, destination, Chicago–we’ll all get there taking a variety of personally selected routes. We’ll fly. Or drive. Take the interstate or back roads. Some will push through with 16 hour days, while others spend more time visiting stops along the way and arrive much later. Nothing wrong with any of it.

Given authors are individual about the process they use to create a book, I want to share my own methods–in case it piques your curiosity. In this Part 1 of a 2-part blog article, I’ll share the first half of my process: Branding, Software (Scrivener), Ideas are Everywhere, and 7-Point Story Structure.