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f you’re writing a novel, don’t be modest about your goals. First of all, you want to write a really good novel, right? You aren’t in this game to write a piece of schlock. You have some talent, and you have a story, and you want to write it well
RANDY INGERMANSON, PETER ECONOMY
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465 reads
Master the Craft Before the Art
- Great ideas alone don’t make great novels; mastering the craft is essential.
- Focus on key skills: creating a compelling story world, characters, and a well-structured plot.
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444 reads
The Snowflake Method for Outlining
- Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method helps writers expand a simple idea into a detailed outline.
- This structured approach guides you in building complex stories from basic concepts.
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412 reads
Emphasize Character Development
- Characters drive stories; give them rich backstories, clear motivations, and realistic goals.
- Well-rounded characters keep readers engaged and emotionally invested.
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383 reads
Plotting with Purpose
- Effective plots have layers: high-level story arcs down to individual scenes.
- Use the three-act structure to create a narrative with rising tension, key disasters, and satisfying resolution.
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335 reads
Editing as the Real Writing
- The first draft is just the start; great writing emerges from meticulous editing.
- Focus on polishing characters and revising your plot across six structural layers.
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301 reads
The Road to Publication
- Becoming an author involves more than writing; learn to craft proposals, query agents, and pitch effectively.
- Persistence is key—rejections are part of the journey to etting published
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294 reads
IDEAS CURATED BY
CURATOR'S NOTE
Randy Ingermanson and Peter Economy’s Writing Fiction for Dummies offers a comprehensive guide to mastering fiction writing, from developing compelling characters to structuring plots using the Snowflake Method. Emphasizing craft, editing, and publication strategies, the book equips writers with practical tools to transform ideas into polished, publishable novels
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