“Plotting is like sex. Plotting is about desire and satisfaction, anticipation and release. You have to arouse your reader’s desire to know what happens, to unravel the mystery, to see good triumph. You have to sustain it, keep it warm, feed it, just a little bit, not too much at a time, as your story goes on. That’s called suspense. It can bring desire to a frenzy, in which case you are in a good position to bring off a wonderful climax.”
– Colin Greenland
Category Archives: Writing Articles, Tips & More
Writing When the Muse Is Asleep
Today I’m the guest blogger over at the Loose Id Author blog. I’m talking about what I do when I get a creative block. Can anyone explain why this stuff works?
Guest Blog: Stretching the Creative Muscles
I guest blogged at Loose Ends (the Loose Id author blog) today. I talked about creativity and where it comes from. Stop by and let me know where you think people get their creativity. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Respect the Process
I’m the guest blogger over at Loose Ends (the Loose Id Author blog) today. I shared about my writing process and the recent bit of panic with the outline for my latest work in progress, Trapped.
Hope you have a good one!
Sloan
Take That Writer’s Block!
Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…
Last week I started plotting a new book. I wrote character sketches for my two heroes and filled over 100 index cards with plot, character, and scene ideas. Then this week I tore up some of the cards, got disappointed with a few of the ideas that I had been really excited about, stared off into space for a while, cursed all the little note cards, and was just starting to get frustrated (as if I wasn’t already) when it was time to quit for the day. The next day I was ready to throw everything out when an idea hit me that had me excited about the story again, excited about telling the journey of these men.
I just love it when stuff like that happens. Take that writer’s block! I pushed on through and am happily back to working on Walter’s story.
A shout out to these two little guys who were playing outside my window when the frustration hit. We have a woodsy area behind our house and the neighbors call it rabbit row. Watching them chase each other and play leapfrog made for a nice break from the stressful day. Thanks guys!
(c) Sloan Parker, 2010
Hope all my writing friends had a great writing week, and I hope all you readers enjoyed a good book.
Sloan Parker