Story Creation
Posted by Rick on Sep 14, 2009 in Blog | 284 comments
Story creation is (for me anyway) a lot like pearl creation for an oyster. It starts off with an irritating little idea in the back of my head that won’t go away. If it doesn’t get rejected during the process of adding layers to it, it eventually becomes a book. Here’s how that layering process works:
Story summary. I try writing up a short informal synopsis of the plot. This is short–roughly 300-500 words. If I can’t turn it into something that “sings,” I know it’s probably a dud and I drop it.
Partner review. Next I find out whether my idea sings to my wife and writing partner, Anette. Anette has a very good eye for stories that work–and those that don’t. She’s also perfectly willing to “speak the truth in love” when an idea doesn’t quite make the cut, which is absolutely invaluable. But if she likes the story, I know I’ve got something worth taking to the next step.
Agent review. If Anette likes my idea, I turn the synopsis into something longer (ca. 1-2 thousand words) and more formal. I also do a little market research to make sure the story I’m proposing hasn’t already been written. Then I send it to my agent. He’ll let me know whether he thinks I’ve got a “big book” idea–one that’s not just publishable, but has a “wow” element that will make it stand out from the rest of the market.
Proposal. The final layer (short of actually writing the book) is creating the proposal. If the story still looks like a “big book” after two or three sample chapters and a marketing analysis, my agent starts pitching it to publishing houses.
BTW, fewer than 1 in 10 ideas make it all the way through this process and wind up as proposals. But well over half of the proposals sell.
Cross-posted at http://fictionmatters.blogspot.com/
284 comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- XBox Release Dates - Happy Sautrday... Check out this posting from our good friends...
- cell phone dealer - Awesome website…... [...]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[...]……...
- Coupons - Check this great posting out..... ...Really good read!...
- Stair Lift Prices - Hi,... A powerful share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit of analysis on this.…
- Christmas Gift Suggestions - Sunday Posting Of Day:... ..Great read to start Sunday off...
I’m intrigued with your article content. You’re a great writer with a lot of insight and knowledge on this subject. I appreciate your unique points and dedication to good writing. This is really good content.
Your article is certainly very well-researched and unique. I believe your content to be valuable and loaded with information. This is well presented. If I were rating your material I’d give you a 9.8.
I read so many articles with poorly-written content that your article is very impressive. It’s good to know there are writers that can write well and make their points clear.
There are valid points made here many of which I concur with completely. Some I will have consider, but this has really made me think.
I’m no expert on this topic, but apparently you are which is evident from your article content. This information is interesting and compelling. Thank you.
I suppose if I had to pick a perfect article, it would be yours. I know no article is perfect, but yours is as close as it gets. Good job.
Writers like you are one in a million these days. Unique and original ideas are uncommon in most articles today. You have a great writing style and a lot of new ideas in this article.
You have made some really great points here. I hope numerous people are able to acquire access to this information. This is great quality of writing is deserving of attention.
I am the type of person to show appreciation for good writing when it’s deserved. You deserve to know what a great writer you are.
This content is very descriptive and informative on this subject. The work you put into this really shows. Thank you.
I am continually amazed by the amount of information available on this subject. What you presented was well researched and well worded in order to get your stand on this across to all your readers.
It’s refreshing to read interesting content like this. Your unique writing style brings forth thought in the reader. I agree with a lot of this content. Thank you for writing this engaging and intelligent article.
I enjoy reading well-written quality articles like this. There’s no mistaking your unique ideas because you have made them so very clear to the reader. I hope I can read more from you very soon.
If I had to describe this article in one word, it would be awesome. I think this is a wonderful piece of work that deserves recognition. I enjoyed reading it. I completely agree with you.
This article honestly impressed me. I have to say, your writing talent and knowledge about this topic is unsurpassed by many other writers in my opinion. You do great work.
This could be the best content ever put to pen and paper on this subject. It is obvious that by taking opposing views and looking at the similarities in them, you have written great content.
This is certainly valuable and impressive information. Thank you for sharing your fresh views and knowledge on this subject. I would like to see more.
This article is fantastic! I really relate to the viewpoints you make. I plan to revisit your article so I can further process this information.
Very interesting. I think you made valuable and valid points in this writing. I agree with you one hundred percent and am glad I had the opportunity to read this.
I think I shuld warn you that you’re web page is behaving strange on my internet explorer. I expect you can make it work as I cant read it currently. Abdul Kareem79
The excellent use of the information unique to this subject compelled me to read further and delve deeper into research on this subject. Thank you.
I wish I could come up with something profound to say, but wow is the only word that comes to mind after reading your article.
I read a lot of online articles that are all over the place, confusing, off topic and boring, but not yours. Yours is right on topic and it stays there.
Your article is very well written and informative. It’s a pleasure and an honor to read such great material. I wish more writers cared about their work as you do.
I am impressed with the effort you have so obviously put into this content. I am also impressed with your point of view on this topic, especially since you have made your points so clear.
I am very impressed with your article. This is great information with engaging and useful content. I share in many of your thoughts and I am still considering some other aspects of your article’s content.
Your content is nothing short of brilliant in many ways. I think this is engaging and eye-opening material. Thank you so much for caring about your content and your readers.
You are utterly correct on that!
This information is great. Thank you for writing and sharing this valuable content. It’s a pleasure to read content with value. This kind of quality writing is a welcome change.
Writing is an art form that not everyone has, but you are a true writer. You appeal to modern readers with unique ideas and content.
I wish I could give you an award for this content. Your article rates a blue ribbon in my opinion. This is great quality content.
Reading this article was such a blessing to me today. Thank you for sharing your insights in such an interesting manner. The information has been useful to me and I will continue to use it.
This kind of reading material isn’t something I’m usually interested in. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your content. It’s obvious you put a lot of work into this. Good work.
You have really done a lot of research for this article. It really shows in how you present your thoughts. You have kept your information interesting and original. Your talent for writing is truly amazing.
You are one straightforward writer. I enjoyed reading your article and taking in all the interesting information. I share your thoughts on many points in this content. This is great.
I give your article five stars for informative content. I agree with you and I am intrigued by all the effort you’ve put into this.
Passion in one’s true talent is impressive. Writers today usually have little passion about what they write, but you are a unique and great writer. I am glad to see that writers like you exist.
Excellent job on this article. I am totally impressed. This information has brought forth more brain power than I’ve used in some time. Thank you for writing this great article.
I have honestly enjoyed reading the information you have shared through this article. I agree on most all points of interest, but I need to consider some with much thought.
Quality content. This is sometimes an oxymoron, but not in this case. You have written content that is the kind of quality I can appreciate.
Somebody essentially help make critically reports I would personally talk about. That is the very first time My partner and i been to your internet site website and this time? I actually surprised while using investigation you’ve made to generate this particular posting astounding. Spectacular undertaking!
weblog. Loads of gratitude sharing. cegbgcdgkddb
Thank you for this web page, can blissfully
announce we currently have a steam shower of our very own and we love it
Visit my web blog – steambath generator; Gwblogspot.blogspot.Co.at,
General Dope Here this by-product