Tag Archives | Laura Pauling

How to find practical application power for your writing? Plot Busters.

By on October 17, 2011 in Plotting a novel

What is Plot Busters?

Plot Busters is my attempt to strengthen my writing by studying the structure of published novels.

But I have a secret.

Some of you may think I created Plot Busters because I felt the innate desire to share all my expertise.

Not really. I’m not an expert. I don’t pretend to be.

In fact, looking back on my earlier Plot Buster posts, I realize I might break them down differently today. That’s how much I’ve learned doing this.

I am on a journey to become a better writer, and I knew I needed to study published novels to do it. I’d read the craft books, but I found them hard to apply. I had too much head knowledge and not enough practical application power.

My first attempts at it over a year ago were pretty pitiful. I had some turning points and the climax but I wasn’t sure how to break down each act. I’d written a middle grade ghost story that I absolutely loved. I wanted to rewrite it but I knew it was lacking structure.

Then I read Save the Cat and I loved how Blake Snyder broke down structure. So I started breaking down books. You can use many different methods to break down stories. The nine point grid (didn’t work for me), five acts, four acts, 8 sequences, three acts, hero’s journey – just to name a few. Find one that works for you.

My studies provided answers but also raised questions.

  • Do books have to follow structure?
  • When’s the best time to be flexible with structure?
  • Is it only high concept stories fit for film that work with structure?
  • Is there a difference in structure with middle grade and young adult books?
  • Is there a difference in structure with character driven vs plot driven books?
  • Do my favorite books follow structure or not?
  • Could some best sellers possibly have been even better with stronger structure?
  • Can strong writing, voice or a compelling hook make up for a weak structure?

So many questions. And I wanted answers.

Want to learn with me? Every Monday. Here. Plot Busters. Some books we’ll spend a month with and others one day.

Starting next week, we’re looking at THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, a young adult novel by Jandy Nelson. Because I was pretty sure a character driven book like that wouldn’t have a strong structure.

What do you think? Do character driven more literary books have strong structure?

Comments { 45 }

Pay It Forward blogfest!

By on October 14, 2011 in social media


Just like Matthew, I don’t usually sign up for blog fests. But this one really appealed to me. I love to pay it forward. That is 73.27% of the reason I started my blog.

Then I learned I could only spotlight three! Three? That’s impossible. I love so many blogs. I want to choose all my blogging buddies – all of you.

But I can’t. Because you all know each other! Thanks Matthew and Alex for the great idea!

So without any more suspense, here are my three blogs.

Writability by Ava Jae.

Ava always has something smart to say about the writing process. The blog directory on the tab bar has a list of all the great articles. Ava is active on Twitter and always has a friendly tweet. Definitely a must follow!

Living the Creative Life with Marisa Hopkins.

Marisa shares wacky stories of her kids, talks about her writing, and shares some fun crafty foods to do with your kids. I always come away from her blog with a smile.

I made this Ice Cream For Breakfast snack for my kids one afternoon and they were extremely impressed. Thanks Marisa!

The last one is a little different. She’s a smart woman, mother, and women’s ministry director at her church. She’s decided to live her life completely undone for God. And the blog follows the ups and downs of her past and present. You will be moved. You will laugh. You will be inspired. Whether you believe in God or not, you will walk away encouraged.

Living Completely Undone by Susan Pauling

She’s also new to Twitter. @susanpauling

What’s that you ask? We have the same last name?

Oh, right. I met Susan in 8th grade and we’ve been best friends since. She just happens to be my sister in law too.

She is a writer. And one of these days, she’ll be writing her incredible memoir.

Check out all the Pay It Forward bloggers!

If you didn’t participate in this blog fest, name a blog in the comments you feel is a must follow!

Comments { 45 }

Why too many writers is a good thing.

By on October 12, 2011 in Writing

For a while now, many people have noticed the lack of writing skill in high school and even college graduates. And guess where it starts?

In Kindergarten. At home, when a toddler learns to write his/her letters and the mom or dad reads books aloud.

For a while now, I’ve noticed all the moms who first get the itch to write while their kiddos are napping. Some moms need to feel that purpose outside of changing diapers, or it is through their children that they are introduced to the wonderful world of children’s literature and they never look back.

For a while now, I’ve heard some grumbling and groaning about all the people writing novels – more than ever before!

And I say that’s terrific.

All these writers won’t get published but the world will benefit. Because more mommy writers means more role modeling for the kiddos. That means we are able to help our kids with their editing. That means our kids might want to write. And any writing they do early on will help them when they are adults.

So here’s to the future of great writers in this country.

What do you think? If you have kids, do you see an increased interest in writing on their part because of your writing?

Comments { 40 }

A celebration of 2011 authors: THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS!

By on October 10, 2011 in book reviews

The allure of reading a just released debut author’s book, with a shiny new awesome cover is powerful. That’s why Christina Lee organized a day for us to promote some of our favorite authors of 2011.

I won the arc for THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS by Rae Carson. The title captured the imagination. The cover made it seem mysterious.

Honestly? I had no idea what to expect from this high fantasy, which I don’t often read.

I loved it!

Here’s the blurb from the back cover:

Chosen for an extraordinary and fearsome destiny, a sixteen-year-old princess becomes the heart of a revolution. Her journey from untried teen to young woman of fierce love and untold power is, simply put, epic. Lush, adventurous, and wrenching, this is the first in a trilogy for fans of Kristin Cashmore’s GRACELING and Tamora Pierce’s Tortall books.

What I loved about it.

But this story was more than a fantasy, more than a princess tale, more than a revolution. Yes, all of those things added to it. But at its core what made me love this book was the main character, Elisa, and her internal struggle with her self image, with an addiction to food, and learning to stand up for herself.

Why yes.  This was a story of a fat girl. And it totally took me off guard because Rae Carson never came out and told us that Elisa was over weight. But just a little bit into her story, through great showing, I realized it. The description of her problem and her love of food was incredible. And that’s not even half of the problems Elisa had to deal with! Imprisonment. A hidden prophecy. Love. Evil enemies.

If you love contemporary stories, I think you’ll really enjoy this high fantasy because it was really just the story of a girl.

The entire list of participants is at Christina Lee’s blog.

And here’s the link to buy THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS.

What’s been your favorite read this year?

Comments { 25 }

This, that, and the other thing.

By on October 7, 2011 in publishing industry, social media

Drink the Kool-Aid.

Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.

Be honest.

Don’t be a jerk.

Blog.

Don’t blog.

Do this.

Do that.

But that thing over there – don’t do that.

Oh and that other thing, yeah, not for you.

Or maybe it is.

But if you want this, here’s a ten-step plan to do it the right way.

And by the way, there’s this new cool thing I heard of, yeah, totally you.

But only do it if…

**ducks head and works on writing**

Comments { 27 }
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