Comments on: Agency: The Critical Component of ALL Great Stories

By: R Coots

R Coots — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:44:22 +0000

Well, thanks for completely altering my idea of Sarah’s childhood apart XD. Among fanfic writers, there’s a strong fanon of her mom having abandoned her (the playbills are obvious). But I’d never noticed that it’s Jareth in the photos. Aaaahh!

I had an editor tweak me on my first book saying the female MC had no agency and she’d like to see her take some control of things at a crucial point. It really made me realize that while the character was a POV, the story wasn’t HER’S. It’s interesting to see how things play out in a series (not quite like LotR, but a true ‘planned as a series’).

By: rogernay

rogernay — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 18:48:29 +0000

After a long vacation, then getting sick for the first time in years, I’m catching up on your posts. Excellent as usual. This one is timely, I rewatched the Lord of the Rings movies on our long flights. And you convinced me I need to become a plotster.

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 21:17:12 +0000

In reply to Barbara Meyers. Sadly, I think we writers all share a brain. Explains a lot, LOL.

By: Mary Foster

Mary Foster — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 18:50:06 +0000

Just one word Kristen: Excellent.

By: Barbara Meyers

Barbara Meyers — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 16:29:52 +0000

“You come up with a BRILLIANT story idea and begin writing. The first 10,000 words are amazing! The words flow and you write until you think your hands might fall off.

By about 15,000 to 20,000 you begin losing steam.

After 28,000 to 30,000 it starts feeling like it might be easier to do brain surgery from space…with an egg beater.”

Kristen, can you please get out of my head? It’s already overcrowded in there!! (Adding books to AMZ order.)

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 00:25:02 +0000

In reply to Rachel Thompson.

That was one of my early ones, too. Yeah, Larry’s book is dense but I gotta say his book was the one that finally clicked with me. That’s why it is always a good idea to read a number of craft books. You will always learn something new. Different teachers, different styles and angles.

THANKS!

By: Rachel Thompson

Rachel Thompson — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 21:10:47 +0000

Of the 50 books on craft I have read Larry Brooks is the best. I’ll reread him soon. Some of my new-writer friends had a hard time digesting Larry. His book is dense with info. I suggest to my newbie buds this book. Deb Dixon’s, GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict. It’s easy to digest, short, and has great examples from movies such as, The Wizard of Oz . I don’t know if it is still in print but it’s worth having if you can get a copy.

By: Helen Liptak

Helen Liptak — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 14:29:09 +0000

Very helpful post. Thanks.

By: alicemfleury

alicemfleury — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 02:49:22 +0000

I super enjoyed this post. Larry Brooks is where I learned structure too. I own all of his books on writing. I think I’ll go back and read Story Engineering again, when I finish Jack Bickham’s writing novels that sell.

By: Jean Lamb

Jean Lamb — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 21:39:40 +0000

Now, this is one reason I don’t like The Magnificent Ambersons–even when they finally get their act together and realize what’s happened and what they need to fix it–rocks fall, everyone dies. Boo, hiss!