Get Your Story Straight! Tips to Organize Your Novel.

lizard-is-writing:

Originally posted by heckyeahreactiongifs

That great idea you had going into your project is evolving chapter by chapter. By the time you’ve gotten two-thirds through the story, you’ve realized exact what the point of it all was, maybe you can even think of a half-suitable ending, but the point is, the story wasn’t what you were expecting, it’s not consistent and the plot is running straight out of left field - So, what do you do? You need to organize your novel. Here’s how to start:

• Start a notebook. Paper may not be faster, but it is linear and that’s super important. Put dividers in for 1) plot notes and outlines, 2) characters, 3) settings, and 4) timelines. This is how you keep your thoughts organized. Put the date on the page as you write in it. This way you can see what’s changed and when. 
• Start with plot notes. I know the story may not be all about plot, but the truth is that if you’re having trouble keeping your story on a logical, straight forward plot line, you need to lay down the law. Decide what the plot is going to be. Say it as simply as possible. Make sure the beginning is relevant to the end. The most satisfying plots generally revolve around one singular goal or wish of the main character and show a progression towards that goal. Whether or not that goal is fully realized by the character is for you to determine, but this very general suggestion will make sure that the story remains consistent no matter what happens. 
• Because this first tab is so important, read the few sentences you came up with to describe your entire plot out loud. Does it make logical sense? Read it to a friend. Ask them for a response and ways to improve. Is the character’s goal the same thing in the beginning as it is in the end? (If not, it better be a conscious switch!) Is the revelation learned in the end relevant to the beginning of the story? 
• Now fill out the character section. The more you can know about the character the better. Specifically know their goals, wishes, fears, subconscious feelings and wishes, their backstory, and their outcome. While all of this can change, if consistency is your issue, make sure you get the details down. Learn who your character is. Even try doodling them - even if you are a terrible artist, it’s for you so you have an image reference. 
• The settings tab is to keep track of places you’ve used in your writing. Write detailed descriptions, pinpoint a couple of recognizable and distinguishable features that would be memorably different if the details were altered. This is also the section to put in self-made maps and world notes. 
• Last tab, write a timeline with estimated dates. This is your safe-check. Be aware of how time passes! 

awake-society:

By: Sow Ay

amandaonwriting:

Find out more about the author here

amandaonwriting:

Balancing Plot & Character

(Source: weheartit.com)

introvertproblems:

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11/20/16 7:02 PM

I feel stuck.

Yet again.

It’s an ugly feeling.

The freedom you’ve longed to have, I have failed to enjoy.

Yet again.

Hope it ends.

Soon again.

depressionhope:

If you suffer from depression, there’s always hope!

My response to the post on “30 questions to test your personality”

  If you could have one breakfast for tomorrow knowing it’s the last day you will live, what would that be?

I would like to have the birthday noodles my mom used to prepare when I was still in the province.

Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you like as a dinner guest?

My family. If it’s just one person, probably my older sister.

Before making a phone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?

I usually do especially when it’s a stranger or someone I’m not too close with.

If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

I would probably ask if ten years from now, I would be happy and satisfied about whatever I have or doing at that time.

If you knew in one year you would die suddenly, what would you change about the way you are living your life now?

I would probably stop working and go back home. I’d start planning on what I should start from the list of things I always wanted to try out.

Do you think your name affects your personality or choice of career?

I don’t think so. I think the way to talk or the way you act on things define what kind of person you might be and what career would fit that kind of person…

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

Physically, maybe 15 or 16. Mentally, I guess a little older than what I currently am, 24 or 25?

If happiness was the national currency, what job would make you rich?

Being a writer, musician, multi-linguist or a chef…

Do you push buttons more than once and do you believe that makes it work faster?

I’ll have to push it more that once, if it doesn’t work for the first time. I don’t think that I’ll makes the work faster.

Would you want to be friends with yourself?

I would want to be friends with my younger self. I would want to teach her about a lot stuff so she wouldn’t feel suffocated, and be happy instead.

If you won a million dollars (or some large sum of money) would you quit your job?

I would. I’ll give a huge amount to my parents to help pay off the debts, donate  a portion for the sick and our local temple, fund the business my siblings and I would probably want to have, buy the dream home my older sister and I wished to have, support my mom on the things she wanted to study, and save the rest for the future.

Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?

I don’t think so. Everyday is different day for me though there’s a lot of similarity to them.

Are you really wasting time if you’re enjoying it?

I actually think it’s depends on what you are doing at that time. As long as it’s healthy and you’re not hurting anyone, go and have fun. These kind of stuff don’t happen all the time.

Would you rather lose all your money and valuables or all the pictures you’ve taken?

I would probably lose all my money and valuables, since I could just earn them back if I work hard. Memories are like series of pictures in your mind. They build what you are now. I’ll lose my identity and probably my purpose if I don’t have those

Would you rather have a horrible short-term memory or a long-term memory?

Long-term, of course. It’ll be troublesome, not for me, but the people around me if I have a terrible short memory.

Would you rather go back to age five with everything you’ve learned or live now with everything you’ll learn in the future?

I’ll probably stay in the present. I would like to hold on and cherish what I have right. I don’t want to be constantly worried on what I should do to correct my mistakes or avoid making mistakes in the future. I’ll probably go insane.

Are humans better at construction or destruction?

I think the cause of destruction is construction, so I’ll go with construction.

What is a year of life worth? What about a day?

I think they’re just the same. You’ll die one day; that’s why you have to live your life satisfied.

Are emotions necessary for human survival?

Yes. They help us push ourselves if we have a bad day and help other people surviving.

What is the TLDR version of your life?

People think I’m selfish, but they don’t know that I worry about them as well.

What should they teach in high school but don’t?

That everyone is the same, and that’s it’s okay to be you.

What inscription do you want on your gravestone?

I want to be cremated. If there was a space for that, I’ll just ask them to place a happy photo of me and my family.

If you had thirty seconds to send a message to the entire world, what would you say?

Love everyone equally. Having each other will help solving our issues faster.

If you could ask a single person a question, and they had to answer truthfully, who and what would it be?

Dear future husband - Am I a good mom, wife, and friend?

What is honor and does it matter?

Honor, for me, is something you are given for what you have you worked for which has given an impact to the people you. I think it matters, since it will motivate other people to do the same thing to earn that credit.

Do you see yourself as the hero or the villain in your story?

Both, I guess. Sometimes you get suspected to be the villain of the story and make mistakes and become one. Everyone wants to be the hero of their own story (in my opinion) and I think everyone can be as they can help someone even the littlest things.

Is being open-minded a virtue if it allows destructive ideas to spread through society?vi

Being able to identify what’s wrong and what’s right and a combination of being open-minded is what I consider as a virtue…

What questions would you ask your future self?

Are you happy and satisfied now? I hope you made yourself proud.

@psych2go