Have you read anything that made you feel differently about fiction?
Has a published book of fiction inspired you to try something different?
Is there a craft book that opened your eyes and gave you the inspiration to try something mind-blowing?
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I read a couple of Lisa See’s novel, definitely not thrillers or mysteries–just the struggle of people trying to survive, sometimes under the pressures of hunger, disease, famine, harsh, local rulers, and staid traditions.
But I began to see how moments and feats of thriller elements could fit into all of that–how a poor girl forced to live in the stables or kitchens of a harsh mistress of the household or even the palace, could be approached to poison someone important, perhaps even the big guy himself. How the poor girl could run, escape because she did not have bound, useless feet.
So I began to read Chinese history. I’m having a difficult time finding a tradition of female Chinese assassins, but it is getting interesting.
So be careful. The Black House is open for business. And they know where you live.
A brilliant idea. Definitely write it, Jim.
I love this questions! It reminded me of a fun challenge idea I came with for myself some time ago.
My addiction to Nora Roberts’ books revealed to me (among other) my current wish to write from several points of view. I started a series from one point of view and initially thought to write all the rest of the books planned in the same way.
But the more I am “stuck” with Nora Roberts books, the more I realize that I love her way of camera shifting from one point of view to another. So, now I have a fun plan to increase the number of points of view of each following book in the series with one. So in the 2nd book, there will be 2 POV, in the third 3, etc. There might be two main in each of the books, but I will introduce more for showing various perspectives.
I am looking forward to this challenge and see myself growing in the process as a writer. I am aware that I will never be Nora Roberts, but I am curious to see how I will do if I try this approach out. So I read and re-read her books. They are both very calming and captivating. And I enjoy both her writing, her mastery, just for enjoyment sake and also because I learn a lot.
Reading is a great resource for inspiration. Once you understand a craft point like POV, writing your next project & pushing your comfort zone is exhilarating & addictive.
Yes, very addictive. 😀
Thank you, Jordan!
I joined a community theater group that will perform Christopher Durang’s brilliant “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” in November. It is a dark comedy inspired by Chekhov. He wrote the play for Sigourney Weaver, who was his good friend at Yale. David Hyde Pearce performed in it with her on Broadway. The writing is so good, and the process of memorizing lines and becoming a character created by someone else is powerful and inspiring in ways too numerous to list. Number one is dialog, dialog, dialog!
That sounds like an amazing experience. Wow.
3 craft books that are at the top of the list. Voice – Super Structure – Pulp Fiction all by the KZ’s James Scott Bell.
Outstanding, Craig. Have a great weekend.
Hi Jordan.
I’ve read a ton of craft books and Larry Brook’s are the best. Story Engineering was the first one I read, then I read the rest.
I have a background in psychology, human behavior, IT, and martial arts. I applied Larry’s methods actively to deconstruct fiction, both written and visual mediums. Finally I could precisely discover why I would become bored, frustrated, and pissed-off while watching a TV series, movie, or book go off the rails as so many do.
I applied the information to my own upcoming novel, and re-designed it from a structural perspective, not to mention upgrading the character arcs, narration, and writing voice. It’s even helped me with editing, that nasty job of cleaning up the mess the cook left in the kitchen.
Psychologically, a story is the mind trying to figure out a situation by dividing the elements into what we call characters. Like the idea or concept of being a victim. The story concept is akin to math, an equation of elements to create a victim, no exceptions. This is not accidental. The victim in hockey is the guy who was skating with his head down, not looking around. Cry me a river after you’re knocked off your skates. Or you got mugged at the parking lot because you didn’t see it coming or know how to defend yourself.
How it happened–is a story. The elements are in the mind, perspectives and contexts.
I can’t recommend Larry’s books enough, not just for writing but it gets you to think about life, including your own.