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Writing Tips
Welcome my Friend and Thank You for joining our Class!
This old One Room Schoolhouse in Roaring Falls serves as our only currently available Classroom. Due to its small size, we frequently hold classes outdoors under the spreading Chestnut tree, or seated along the edge of the old Stone Bridge.
The classes held here are devoted solely to helpful Writing Tips, and other goodies not directly associated with the Roaring Falls Series. On occasion I may expound on certain facets of Roaring Falls in examples, as part of a lesson or two.
Because this page could grow quite large over time, rather than having it look like a jumbled up slow loading Blog. For your, and our mobile visitors convenience, we have divided each Topic and Sub-Topic, placing them on separate Schoolhouse Bookshelves.
Maximize Interest In Your Story
As writers, we often ask ourselves; “How do I turn a bland scene into an interesting one?” or “What will add spice to a boring but necessary event in my story?”
We often encounter the second question, when a specific scene must take place; because the action is integral to our plot and required to complete the throughline.
The obvious answer, which is of little help too many of us; is to create a serious or difficult problem for the protagonist to overcome. We shrug our shoulders and say, “Yeah, I understand that much, but how do I achieve that goal?”
Providing an example problem. Then showing the steps taken to arrive at a solution. Provide a better understanding of how to think through difficult situations in your novel.
In our first rough draft, we insert a problem the protagonist must face. However, during a reread, we realize the resolution presented for the situation is ho hum dull, boring almost to tears. Try another approach.
Have no fear, such problems are easy to resolve. Simply remove all expected possibilities, then commit to a probable solution. The easiest way to do this; is begin making a list of all fixed facts regarding the scene. From this list we can think of the most likely possibilities. Then negate each one, as being to simple, or not exciting enough.
What are we doing here? For each escape route developed, we make a statement blocking that conclusion. I do this, by creating a list of “What if's.” Then treat it like a logic puzzle. Solve for the unknown element.
For our example, we will place the protagonist in a precarious situation. Then remove every possibility the reader may think of, to prevent making a guess of what may happen. Our goal, to surprise the reader. On how the predicament takes place, or the resolution unfolds.
Before I begin; included at the end of this tutorial, for your perusal; is a copy of the horrible first draft for this section. Example development takes place within a single paragraph, extracted from near the end of this chapter.
The following unedited text contains two paragraphs, quoted from the original work. First, an outline the story is built from, the last line of which is the topic for this tutorial. The second, is the focal paragraph from the first rough draft.
- The graduation exercises behind him, Jerry eagerly stares from his dorm window in anticipation. His father habitually sends a new sports car to each of his children on graduation day. Traditionally, the new car is delivered after the family boards their plane for home. He can show the car off for a couple of days at school, before driving home in time for Friday night dinner. Once home, he spends the weekend showing off his new car to friends.
- Jerry familiarized himself with all the locations and who would be at each one. He loved surprises, and learned on Saturday nights, the friends he missed, socialized along the strip. Before leaving for college, the once popular strip became Deadsville. Pleased to hear it returned to being their favorite hot spots, his excitement soared. Driving the strip never failed to catch every ones attention. Jerry welcomed the completely renovated night spots, with all new super bright lighting. He drove the entire length of the strip several times before stopping at the busiest corner to chat with friends.
Our goal: To render a more appealing and interesting story, as a replacement for the above paragraph.
One way to spice up this novel; develop a serious situation the protagonist must face, and build a whole new ending for this scene. To do this, we will create a problem, then remove each logical solution. Then come up with a final resolution, which keeps the reader turning those pages to find out what happens next.
Our first step: Create The Problem. Return To Top
Although there are many possibilities to create a unique situation for the protagonist. The one I chose for presentation here, will suffice as a good example. It presents a secondary problem, searching for the ideal scene to make the action work properly.
I often make things hard on myself, by removing most of the probable solutions. However, by doing so, an interesting story can develop.
Let's create the problem then remove these resolutions by creating a “What if” table.
- The table is based on these opening facts:
- A boy receives an expensive new sports car as a graduation gift from his father.
- He drove the vehicle to the strip, to show off for his friends.
Here we insert the problem. A fully operational new sports car is unusable by the boy for three full days. Why?
Now, we will create possible problems and promptly negate the resolutions, by showing why.
In example number one, the problem, no insurance, is resolved by the response.
- What if:
- The car is fully insured and has all necessary licenses.
- The car is legally road worthy, and the driver properly licensed.
- The vehicle is undamaged and in perfect running order.
- No mechanical or electrical failures prevent its usage.
- It is not locked away in a repair shop, service garage or impounded.
- Nor in a multi-story, closed parking garage, with a broken car elevator.
- The boy is not grounded or incapacitated, nor otherwise unable to drive a vehicle.
- The boy can look at his car, touch his car, sit in the seat, and start the motor.
- He is not in any trouble with the law, nor was he drinking.
Now for the challenge: Return To Top
A reader may come up with any one of the above as the possible reason.
Now let's add an amazing reason why the boy cannot drive the car.
What circumstances can you come up with, that meet all the above criteria?
I came up with a few, but we need to visualize the proper setting first.
Rather than skipping forward to the selected scene. You may benefit from seeing how I arrived at the solution to the logic puzzle.
For my visual, my first thoughts were to use an area, similar in scope to the old Gaslight Square in St. Louis.
Gaslight Square, became known for its many Go-Go Clubs, lining both sides of the strip, in a bygone era.
Unfortunately, I could not come up with a feasible surprise element for this setting to work properly.
Next, I turned to a downtown loft section, similar to Laclede's Landing, also in St. Louis.
Laclede's Landing has many modernized restaurants and night clubs, and in an industrialized area.
At first, this scene appeared to work. So I began rewriting the story, including several necessary details.
Although I came up with a better location, I thought you might like to view this snippet of my first draft.
- Like most visitors to the area, Jerry parked off a side street, facing the empty loading docks. The businesses who owned these, always closed down for the weekend. The only spot he found open, was in an ell with the wall of a food service supplier to his right. At his left, a couple of semi-trailers sat parked, which Jerry thought were cool, as they hid his new car from the main drag. He felt this increased the element of surprise for his friends, since they were unable to spot the car, until they were right there and he hopped in.
At the end of the packaging plant, near the main drag, stood a tall, aging storage tank. This tower was struck by a motorist, knocking a rusted supporting leg out, causing the monolith to topple into the parking lot. This blocked the sports car currently parked between the building and the tractor trailer.
After giving this some thought, the time factor was too short. It would not take three days to dismantle and remove the fallen, empty structure, nor was the scene colorful enough. I needed something a little more upscale and modern to fit with the rest of the book.
The concept met the necessary criteria for my “What Ifs.” So I began searching for a modern, élite scene, for this accident to take place. What ultra-modern restaurant or nightclub area contains industrial storage towers? I really liked the toppled tower concept. And I needed a location where he and his friends would often hang out?
Based on my last comment alone, you probably figured out an appropriate scene, long before I did!
After choosing an ideal scene, I did not have to alter the rough draft too much, merely change the location and the events that followed.
I selected a posh shopping center for the setting; with a large productive Micro-Brewery Night Club for the actual scene. The micro-brewery owned two shiny stainless steel grain towers. One leg of a tower was hit by an SUV, which caused the grain tower to topple over on its top. The cylinder burst. Spilled grain covered the parking lot and blocked the cars.
In this scenario, before the accident; his friends can view his car from their table. They looked through the windows of the club and made comments about the car, before knowing to whom it belonged. They did not know Jerry was back in town yet, nor did they see him park there earlier.
Jerry joins them at the table and engages in the conversation about the fancy new, bright red, 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO in the parking lot. They all look around the nightclub, trying to figure out who the car belongs to. Jerry admits it is his car and offers to take them each for a ride.
Then the accident with the SUV and grain tower takes place.
Several cars are parked up against a terrace wall, with the spilled grain higher than some of their bumpers. The spilled grain must be removed by hand using shovels; which could easily take three days for the clean up, and removal of the fallen grain tower.
The above closing description will suffice in showing how we develop reader appeal, to a former bland paragraph. The throughline, dialog, show don't tell details, and actions, are added to the story during later revision processes.
Thank you for visiting!
Original First Draft: Return To Top
Below is the single paragraph outline for the chapter. Following the outline, is the original first rough draft.
- The graduation exercises behind him, Jerry eagerly stares from his dorm window in anticipation. His father habitually sends a new sports car to each of his children on graduation day. Traditionally, the new car is delivered after the family boards their plane for home. He can show the car off for a couple of days at school, before driving home in time for Friday night dinner. Once home, he spends the weekend showing off his new car to friends.
From this first simple outline, the story segment grew to include eleven paragraphs. The following text is from the first rough draft before beginning the revision process.
- Jerry Powers took his place in line with fellow graduates. Rehearsal earlier in the morning did not prevent his palms from becoming damp as he inched forward. He felt slight embarrassment as the student ahead of him performed some disruptive antics. With head held high, Jerry is ready to parade across the stage to the podium. His mouth turned dry as the Dean rattled off his accomplishments with high honors. He wheezed a parched thank you while accepting his diploma, then hurried back to his seat. An instant after the mortar boards took flight, Jerry rushed to meet his waiting family.
Due to students clowning around on stage, the graduation exercises ran longer than expected. Mr. Powers business ventures demand his constant attention, and he barely had enough time to catch the plane. Jerry only received one quick hug from each family member, before they rushed down the ramp to the parking lot. A close friend offered Jerry a beer, but he declined, knowing his new car would soon arrive. He removed his cap and gown, saving the tassel, and collected his receipt from the rental agencies van. He climbed the stairs to his dorm and popped a can of soda open to quench his thirst. Jerry straddled the couch to take a seat on the back facing the window. He checked his watch every few seconds, while staring though the glass, waiting in anticipation.
Throughout his college years, Jerry loved to show off the expensive things his parents bought for him. However, deep inside, he wished for more quality time with family, especially his father. He eagerly looked forward to getting back to their Friday night dinners together. Jerry's serious nature earned him many honorable and trusted friends, the kind parents liked to meet. His father was often accused of favoritism for admiring his acute responsibility. To prevent any further sibling rivalry, Jerry requested a lower priced sports car, than his older brothers received when they graduated. Even so, he knew his father would select from one of three cars, displayed on posters, which hung in his bedroom.
Jerry never took his eyes off the entrance drive to the dorm, until several students began knocking his door down. They were all yelling, “Jerry, Jerry, come on, your car's here!” The trucker used the main gate, which took him to the other side of the building. By the time they reached the parking lot, the driver already unloaded the sports car and retrieved the paperwork from his cab. Jerry wanted to get used to driving the new vehicle before taking it on a public road, so he circled the dorm a few times. He gave each of his closest friends a ride around the college grounds, before they departed for the parties.
Invited to three after graduation events, Jerry toured each party to show off his new car. He continued making the rounds from bash to barbecue, shuttling classmates from one gala event to another. He returned to his dorm before midnight to get a good nights sleep before leaving for home in the morning. Jerry cut breakfast short, taking biscuits and a few strips of bacon along with him for the long drive.
He found it hard to slip past the exit to a friend's apartment, but his desire to be with kin, helped make his decision not to stop easier. He arrived at his parents home in time for Friday night dinner with family. Jerry arose early Saturday morning to talk with his father, who all too soon departed for the airport on another business trip. Jerry spent the rest of the day tooling around his home town, visiting as many friends as possible. While away at school, their places of congregation changed often, and he hoped to learn of their new hangouts.
Jerry familiarized himself with all the locations and who would be at each one. He loved surprises, and learned on Saturday nights, the friends he missed, socialized along the strip. Before leaving for college, the once popular strip became Deadsville. Pleased to hear it returned to being their favorite hot spots, his excitement soared. Driving the strip never failed to catch every ones attention. Jerry welcomed the completely renovated night spots, with all new super bright lighting. He drove the entire length of the strip several times before stopping at the busiest corner to chat with friends.
The throughline originally continued for four more paragraphs, with Jerry bringing riders up and down the main drag until closing. Showing off and having a good time, bragging about his new car. These were cut due to the new last paragraphs.
The scene changed to a Sunday picnic without his father present, and became the start of the next chapter.