Resources to Better Writing (ReOrganizing & Editing)

Quick Start

Every story, no matter its length, begins with an idea. So the first thing to ask yourself;

Is your idea workable? Your plot must have rules that are defined with why and how

Is it stupid? Self explanatory really

Is it interesting? Does it have merit and do you believe in it?

If you can answer yes to all three then it's time to work on an outline for your story. An outline is basically a blueprint of your story to help keep you on track with where you want it to go. This process can be as simple or complicated as you need it to be.

Personally I find it helpful to do an outline for the overall story and then one for each chapter, making sure to include any key elements like location, characters, majic, and/or special item(s).

Original Story Idea:

Characters:

Majic:

Item:

Location:

Book Outline (Just a brief description of each of the following parts):

1- Exposition (Introduction) - presents the characters, the setting, and the central conflict.

2-Rising Action (Development, Complication) - main character(s) will face various impediments to the achievement of their goal, this is part of the story's satisfaction (keep in mind readers love to see struggle and feel as though the payoff at the end is well deserved).

3-Climax (Crisis) - turning point in the story

4-Falling Action - this is where the central dramatic all encompassing question is solved/answered one way or another

5-Resolution (Conclusion) - tying up lose ends

The chapters basically work the same way as the book outline and it is a chance to broaden the storyline and make things interesting, for both you as the writer and your readers. Many examples can be found on the internet with a simple search or just follow the links below;

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/feb/20/10-rules-for-writing-fiction-part-two

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/articles/snowflake-method/

Once you have completed or at least started the outline(s), it is time to create your character(s) more fully. I have provided a character bio template for convenience, to help with rounding out your character(s) and make them believable. With main characters it is important to give the impression that all one need do is walk out their front door in order to meet the character in real life. These make for the best main characters and readers will love/hate them as you see fit to portray them. I have also provided additional questions to ask yourself or the character you're creating to help round them out fully. Pick & choose freely, you don't have to use all of them (around 200)!

Once the character(s) is complete, it is time to do a little research (internet, library, and/or bookstore). This is usually to help with terms, depending on what you're writing about. It will help make the world, characters, cultures, and other creations in the story more believable by doing this. I highly recommend keeping track of the research done and where the information was obtained in the event you need to reference it again at a later date.

Then we have Grammar, everyone's least favorite part of writing. Nothing will turn a reader off faster than poor grammar, misspelled words, incomplete thoughts, etc. Some of the most common errors are;

Over use of commas

Not properly separating dialogue passages from paragraphs

Over use of adjectives/adverbs

Spelling goofs such as using "there" instead of "their"

Misuse of apostrophes

Using the wrong emphasis: putting words in Bold Text or CAPITALS, instead of Italics

As stated before, these are only some of the most common errors. You can find more information and help on this part by following any of the following links;

http://www.holtuncensored.com/hu/the-ten-mistakes/

http://ptbertram.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/grammar-guide-for-self-editing/

http://www.publishingbasics.com/2008/07/08/don%e2%80%99t-let-this-happen-to-you-from-the-vault-of-publishing-horror-stories/