Story Outlining

When writing a story of any kind, it is always a good idea to create an outline to keep your thoughts in order. Until recently I was not using such an organized method but after reading about this suggestion in How to Write and Sell Historical Fiction I have come to the conclusion that it is absolutely necessary.

For instance: The dog ran away from home. I know that the dog ends up with a little girl with pig tails. I don't however, know what the dog does until he is found by the little girl. So, where can you write down that you know the little girl will find the dog while you work on the meat of the story? The answer is an outline.

Example:

I. Dog runs away from home

II. Dog sleeps in park

III. Dog tries to find food

A. Baker throws dog scraps

B. Dog looks in garbage cans

IV. Little girl finds dog

A. Little girl puts up flyers for lost dog

Story Outline Template

Outline

The Podcast: An Interesting Outlet for a Writer

It's an odd experience listening to another person read something you've written aloud, especially on something such as a Podcast. Yesterday, the Library of the Living Dead Press, released Podcast Episode #99 with my short horror story titled Panic being the first piece read following the theme song.

It is always great to find out where a certain piece has "landed" after putting so much time and effort into it. The moderator did a fantastic job with my story, with sound effects helping to make the tale even more realistic.

To listen to Panic, click the link below. The story begins at 10:09.

Episode #99

Quiet Encouragement

Sometimes a little encouragement can go quite a long way. It could be a few kind words from a friend or relative after reading a manuscript, a husband nagging you to start a blog, or even a famous author speaking directly to her fans. I encountered the latter yesterday afternoon while checking my Facebook profile. Each day, while scrolling down my news feed, learning about what my closest chums are up to for the day, I always look forward to hearing from some of my writer friends. Having helped co-ordinate a local book festival for two years, I have gained many literary pals that span from authors in New Orleans, Arkansas, Arizona, Massachusetts, and even the deserts of California.

I haven't had the privilege to personally meet the fantastic "Vampire Queen" Anne Rice (although I have had dinner with a close runner up), I have been lucky enough to be "Friended" by her on Facebook. She attentively posts to her profile every day and offers up interesting trivia and nuggets of inspiration. So, when the rain began to fall yesterday evening and I started feeling a bit down, this is what Mrs. Rice had to say to her fans:

ADVICE TO A NEW WRITER: There are no rules in this profession. Do what is good for you. Read books and watch films that stimulate your writing. In your writing, go where the pain is; go where the pleasure is; go where the excitement is. Believe in your own original approach, voice, characters, story. Ignore critics. HAVE NERVE. BE STUBBORN.

I spent the rest of the evening piled up in bed, listening to the rain while writing page after page.

The Dance Of Writing And Reading

Each Thursday afternoon I find myself sitting in an uncomfortable chair, much like a dozen or so other mothers in the room. My daughter can be seen up on a large flat screen television as she and her classmates learn how to pirouette and plie'. I waste no time putting the ear buds into my ears and finding some great tunes on my iPod. I have put on the least amount of makeup of all the mommies around me and nobody knows about the holes in the toes of my socks. I do, however, have something going for me. I'm a writer. I open my Writing Family Histories and Memoirs book by Kirk Polking and uncap my neon yellow highlighter to begin my search for valuable information to help me create works of historical fiction. I am a poet at heart, a free-lance writer by trade, and a novelist in the making...I hope.