My summary of K.M. Weiland’s excellent article presented in Writer’s Digest, Work Book: Exercises and Tips for Honing Specific Aspects of Your Writing presents the key points of her exceptional article via Writer’s Digest 2014 Reblog. It is especially for writers penning their first novel, but also for seasoned writers to again remember a classic, Jane Eyre, a novel that was ahead of its time, by Charlotte Brontë. Often, reading classics, as most of us do, gives us fresh insight to dramatic storytelling par excellence. K.M. Weiland gives us 10 distinct techniques for dramatic masterful writing.
- Hook: Start in the middle of some type of interaction within environment, statement, or internal angst to provoke reader curiosity.
- Characteristic Moment: Reveal/show a personality trait of the Protagonist.
- Setting Description of Scene: Start broadly, and then zoom in.
- Symbolism: Small details set story’s tone and foreshadows its course.
- The World Protagonist Inhabits: demonstrate character’s interior and exterior world.
- Back Story: Intersperse with dialogue, don’t dump back story in long paragraphs in chapter 1.
- The Premise of Story: Present the Dramatic Question early on, involving the moral foundation, the impetus that drives the story forward.
- Physical Actions: The physical movements of characters interspersed throughout dialogue increases depth of character traits.
- Protagonist’s Belief: Once Dramatic Question is identified, writer presents obstacles for protagonist until she/he can relinquish belief/misconception and meet deepest needs.
10.Extraordinary Factor: What makes the Protagonist important? How at odds is protagonist in his/her world with others that creates friction, tension, and thus the central conflict of story premise.
***see Writer’s Digest, October 2014 edition, for full article.
All good points to keep in mind…
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Thank you for this wonderful post that can useful to all writers!
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Charles, thank you so much and I do think that Ms. Weiland’s article is one of the best I have read. It is very useful for new writers and as a reminder for more experienced writers. K. D. 🙂
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Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
This is an excellent post that all writers can benefit from reading.
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Vincent, thank you so much for reblogging Ms. Weiland’s great article on “Write Like a Master”. I think it is a simple, yet very effective article about writing! K. D. 🙂
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You’re very welcome K.D. 😎 indeed
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Thank you for sharing this. I subscribed for many years to Writer’s Digest. I have saved this in my writing tips.
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So have I. They are wonderful tips! Karen 🙂
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Hello, I have nominated you for the LIEBSTER Award! Karen 🙂
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Thank you kindly, Karen. I must decline as I have an award free blog. I do appreciate the nomination.
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Hi and I completely understand! Karen 🙂
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