Skip to main content

A to Z Challenge: Day A

I'm so excited for today to finally get here! The A to Z challenge and Nano both start TODAY! I'm participating in both, so this month will be busy!

My theme for the challenge is Plotting a Novel!!

A is for ACTION

When you first begin plotting your novel, the first thing you may think of might be your characters. But since today is A day, I'll begin with action.

You see, well developed characters are ALWAYS effected by the events that take place in the story. And it's these events, the ACTION, that changes the characters. Without the character ARC of the story, there will be no meaning, no transformation, for your characters.

So, as you plot your novel, remember, in order to keep your story exciting and interesting, make sure the ACTION revolves around the character and the changes he or she goes through because of the ACTIONS.

Never plot action just for the sake of action. In other words, if you think a car chase sounds exciting and you plot one in your story for the fun of it, yet the chase has no bearing on the story whatsoever, your character arc will suffer, as will your plot.

But, it that car chase changes your character emotionally, spiritually, or mentally, then the action of your plot has added depth and meaning to your story.

Keep this in mind as you plot your novel!

Thanks for visiting. I hope to see you tomorrow, you beautiful guys and dolls.

Comments

  1. Alex J. CavanaughApril 1, 2014 at 10:25 AM

    If the action doesn't change the character or propel him forward in the story, it doesn't belong.

    ReplyDelete
  2. cleemckenzieApril 1, 2014 at 11:41 AM

    Those action scene are so fun to write, but as you've said, they must be integrated into the story and have a purpose. I've tossed a few because they weren't necessary.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousApril 1, 2014 at 12:54 PM

    Good luck with the month ahead! I like writing action too, but as you say, it has to feed the story, be charged by the characters and move everything forward

    ReplyDelete
  4. River GlynnApril 1, 2014 at 1:51 PM

    I'm looking forward to this series. The A-Z challenge is great for introducing me to bloggers I don't yet know. I'll be back!

    ReplyDelete
  5. randi leeApril 1, 2014 at 1:55 PM

    100% agree with Alex!

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownApril 1, 2014 at 2:48 PM

    Couldn't agree more.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownApril 1, 2014 at 5:03 PM

    Absolutely. I cannot tell you how many times I have noted to authors that they need to work on "forward progression." I should feel like if I don't turn the page, I might trip over my own feet and fall over. Okay... well, maybe that was a *little* extreme. LOL. Still, great post. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Stephen TrempApril 1, 2014 at 9:41 PM

    Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! Action and adventure are the names of the game for my books. I let the story unfold as I outline and write it. The action and adventure elbow their way for space as we move along. It happens naturally and elegantly, not forced.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Alex HurstApril 2, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    Absolutely. I've yawned at over-the-top, fifteen page action sequences that aren't there for any other reason than to show off the character's skills. I get that... now how do they affect the story?!

    Great first post. :)

    Alex Hurst, fantasy author in Japan. "B is for Books" is my current post.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Operation Agent Ink

UPDATE: PLEASE FILL OUT THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AFTER YOU SIGN UP. Have you ever wondered what agents were dying to find in their inbox/slush pile? There have been many times I entered a contest and not even received a comment, not even from one of the agents. Or maybe the agent was kind enough to leave a comment that simply said, "Sorry, this just isn't what I'm looking for, but I love the premise and your voice." I always walk away feeling unsatisfied. If I had known exactly what the agent wanted beyond, "YA" or "Fantasy" I might not have even entered a contest I knew I wouldn't win! Even more, I wasted a very busy agents time! Well, your time of guessing is up! OPERATION AGENT INK to the rescue! That's right! This workshop will help aspiring authors get on the list of an agent's WISH LIST! When the workshop is over, your manuscript will be ready to view by a group of AMAZING agents who are dying to see what you've wri...
111 comments
Read more

Writer In Motion CP feedback

Hey beautiful guys and dolls! Here it is! My CP feedback edited story. Had a hard time with this, but I hope it makes sense. I've got a post I'm working on I plan to put up after Thanksgiving. Here ya go. Enjoy... Every morning I wake to carnival day.  Today, though, I have my key. If I don’t use it before midnight, my way of escape will gone. It’s a silver key with a twisted metal handle, a sapphire stone half moon and engraved stars. There’s a tiny inscription on the moon, but it’s so small, I’ve never been able to read it.I’ve always kept mine in my jewelry box, but today, I string it on a ribbon and tie it around my neck. My two best friends will be wearing theirs, too, and I wonder how they will escape this carnival of dreams. “What’s it for?” Cress asks as we stand in line for the swings. I run my fingertips over the entire silver surface. “I don’t know. It belonged to my grandmother,” I say. “Whatever.” She shrugs her shoulder in a dismissive way. “Have ...
3 comments
Read more

Workshop 10

Today, let's get readers hooked from the very first sentence. If you do, you are off to a great start and hopefully a great first chapter. We are going to focus on the first and second sentence and how you can draw readers in while introducing two major items about your book: 1. Your MC 2. The main conflict. How? Is it really possible to do this in only TWO sentences? YES! Example: My name is Snow, like the white powder that falls during winter, though I don't know what my mom was thinking because it was ninety degrees the day I was born. I turned twelve the year I married a man I hated and thirteen when my first baby was born. This sentence tells us a lot. It shows us a little about Snow's personality, it hints toward a shortened childhood and could possibly point to a different time era. I also can definitely see the conflict. Can you? You only have a few minutes to make a good, first impression. Make sure you wow your reader enough they'll actually t...
115 comments
Read more