I'm working on draft 3 of my second novel for Tor and I have to say that I reread the following books to help me think about structure, and found them as useful this time as I did the previous ones.
1. Scene & Structure by Jack Bickham
2. Writing and Selling Your Novel by Jack Bickham (only thing that doesn't work for me is the self-concept theory--it's just threats; the self-concept thing is mumbo jumbo, as mumbo jumbo to me as Campbell's hero's journey)
3. Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain (best book on writing I've ever read)
Great techniques that have helped me really juice up some scenes and fix a big plot problem. Even down to the blow by blow writing level.
I also picked up Writing Fiction for Dummies by Ingermanson. He had some interesting insights to add. In fact, he had one that I think is the best way to think about acts. Which is to forget "acts" altogether and think about what's really happening in the story. He calls it hook and 3 disasters and a resolution. I HATE "acts." They've never made any sense to me at all. Never. But talk to me about threat and problem and story is a whiz. Really is productive for me. And I liked how Ingermanson put it.
Got a few interesting insights from Scott Bell's Plot & Structure, but the 4 above were most helpful.
You want great explanations and examples, I haven't found any books that are better.
Posted by andersonmcdonald (Member # 8641) on :
John, I haven't read Servant of a Dark God yet, but I plan on it soon. I did read a little from the first chapter on Amazon and I have to say I was impressed. No flattery here, just wanted say that I think it was an excellent beginning. Gutsy even. Stolen pants! What a way to begin an epic fantasy. Loved it! Anyway I'll try to hunt down the writing books you mentioned. When I've read SOADG I'll let you know what I thought. I am definitely intrigued.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
I think OSC's discussion of his M.I.C.E. story categories in terms of structure in his HOW TO WRITE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY can be particularly useful, especially to those writers who have trouble ending their stories.
Posted by andersonmcdonald (Member # 8641) on :
Reading How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy now. Love it.
[This message has been edited by andersonmcdonald (edited March 04, 2010).]
Posted by johnbrown (Member # 1467) on :
Glad to hear you liked that beginning. I'm actually torn. It wasn't the original beginning. I feel the original is more true to the story: http://johndbrown.com/fiction/servant-of-a-dark-god-chapters/ The pants chapter originally was chapter 5. When you finish the book you can tell me if you agree.
[This message has been edited by johnbrown (edited March 04, 2010).]