Writing Roots

You’ve probably heard about the trope of Chekov’s Gun. We’ve talked about it here multiple times. The idea behind it is that if there’s something, such as a gun, described in the story then it needs to come into play somehow. It’s the idea of setup and payoff. This can be fairly easy for plotters.

Leigh, however, is adamantly not a plotter. This leads to the opposite problem. Each piece of the story that contributes directly to the plot should have been presented by act one. This can be objects, fighting techniques, or even just character interactions.

During the edits, Ley noticed several scenes that could be improved by using it to prepare for a future scene. Throughout this episode, Leigh and Ley discuss how to make sure the entire story connects within itself, that there is setup and payoff.

These episodes still contain major spoilers for K/D Ratio and Toxic. You can find both on Amazon here. It’s recommended to read before listening to the episodes. Don’t forget to check out Ley’s Modakku Anthologies as well.

First aired July 12, 2021.

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The narrative in a story has so much influence on how the story will progress. Most authors are familiar with the broad categories of first person and third person, but there are subtle differences within those broader categories. One of the less-used POVs is first-person omniscient, which comes with its own difficulties.

When you choose a narrative POV, you’ll want to make sure it stays consistent. With third-person close, you want to make sure you’re not “head-hopping.” In third-person omniscient, you’ll need to make sure the characters don’t know everything the narrator knows. In first-person omniscient, tenses cause the most trouble.

Ley Esses decided to use first-person omniscient to write her most recent series, the Modakku Anthologies. This narrative is tricky, though, because it can contain several different timelines. The narrator is writing the story of how a young woman fulfills a prophecy from his own perspective. That’s two timelines: the current writer and the past teacher who experienced the events. On top of that, the narrator also reminisces on prior experiences. This makes tenses within the story incredibly difficult. It’s vital to keep them straight so the story is cohesive for even the casual reader.

Despite the trouble the tenses can be, first-person omniscient is well worth the effort. It gives the reader a sense of hope and further connection with the main character.

This continues our series on demonstrating the editing process and help other writers understand how to use POV to their advantage. Leigh and Ley discuss the use of the first-person omniscient point-of-view and the changes that were needed to maintain a cohesive story line.

As a reminder, these episodes contain major spoilers for the Modakku Anthologies. Pick up Fog and Flame, Snow and Ash, and Water and Bone today at this link. You’ll also want to get K/D Ratio as well as Toxic for future episodes. You can find both on Amazon here.

First aired July 8, 2021.

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One major part of the editing process is doing what’s known as developmental edits. These are structural changes to a story. That can be removing scenes or making sure the stage is properly set for the end. As the author, these needed changes can be difficult to see. We get attached to scenes or characters that may have no purpose overall. If you’re a pantser, setting up for the end can’t always happen because you don’t know exactly how the end will go.

Leigh knew K/D Ratio needed major structural changes, but couldn’t identify what changes would be best. She asked her editor, Ley, to keep an eye on what could be changed to reduce the word count and make sure only the relevant information was included. Some of the things they discuss in this episode include combining up to three scenes into one, focusing on tension and release, and setting up to make the final fight move faster.

As a reminder, these episodes contain major spoilers for K/D Ratio as well as Toxic. You can find both on Amazon here. It’s recommended to read before listening to the episodes. Don’t forget to check out Ley’s Modakku Anthologies as well before her episodes begin.

First aired July 5, 2021.

The post S22E2 – K/D Ratio: Structural Changes appeared first on Writing Roots.

Editors are an invaluable piece of the publishing process. No one should publish without having someone with editing knowledge look at the manuscript. If you think about all of the books with a New York Times Bestselling label, they’ve all been pushed through a meticulous editing process. For new authors – especially self-published authors – that process can be unfamiliar and frightening. It’s difficult to give a piece of yourself – since that’s what our stories are – to someone to be essentially torn apart. That’s good, though. Trust us.

Writing Roots is back! The hosts have published their books and we’ve successfully moved into our new studio. This episode was recorded as we were still getting set up because we were still in the editing process and wanted the recordings to be genuine reviews. This means the sound may be a little rough since we’re still exploring settings, but we’ve done what we can to smooth it out.

In this first episode of our editing demonstration series, Leigh and Ley work explain the process of working with an editor and share key points that needed work from their most recent novels. They explain the process, how each episode will work, and share with each other an overview of what they wanted their editor to focus on through the story. Leigh needed the most help with cutting back on the word count, while Ley wanted advice on the magic system and worldbuilding.

SPOILER ALERT: This whole series contains major spoilers for K/D Ratio by Leigh Hull (along with spoilers for Toxic), and for The Modakku Anthologies by Ley Esses. If you don’t want to have spoilers, click the links to get their books today. If you’re not worried aobut spoilers or have already read the books, enjoy the episode!

First aired July 1, 2021.

The post S22E1 – Editing Demonstration: Overview appeared first on Writing Roots.

There are so many subgenres listed in KDP and other self-publishing sites that it can be more than overwhelming to figure out the right ones. Experienced authors and publishers know the importance of picking the right one, which just increases that pressure.

In this extended episode from our archives, we take a closer look at how to figure out your genre so the right target audience can find your book.

Original episode first aired December 14, 2020.

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No matter where you are in your writing journey or what kind of writer you are, there are some things you need to know before you ever put that pen to paper (or fingers to a keyboard). It doesn’t always have to be the plot of the story or a detailed history of the characters. It can simply be the spark of an idea.

In this extended episode, we take a look at what any author needs to know before they start writing, whether this is their first venture into writing novels or their fifteenth.

Original episode aired December 28, 2020.

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Reviews can mean everything for book sales. Good ones can help a book thrive, while bad ones can drive away potential readers. In this episode, Leigh and Ley discuss ways to get the most effective reviews.

Original episode aired July 23, 2020.

The post Extended Archives – Getting Effective Reviews appeared first on Writing Roots.

No book can become a bestseller without outstanding marketing, and one of the best platforms for marketing in this age is social media. Whether it’s Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or even TikTok, social media is an essential tool for getting the word out about your books.

This extended episode takes a closer look at the use of social media and some of the best practices for marketing on those platforms.

Original version first aired July 13, 2020.

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One of the most difficult things about working on a first draft is accepting it for what it is: a first draft. Some authors feel a compulsion to edit it constantly before the draft is even completed. Others get discouraged if it’s not shaping up to be exactly like a bestseller right away. As all authors experience, writing takes time.

In this extended archive episode, Leigh and Ley discuss their own troubles with discouragement in a first draft, and talk about ways you can write right starting right now.

Original version first aired November 2, 2020.

The post Extended Archives – Writing Right Right Now appeared first on Writing Roots.

You will encounter rules about writing everywhere you turn. We’re taught grammar and structure in school. Teachers demand specific formats, like APA or Chicago. What about fiction writing? Is it necessary to stick rigidly to all of the rules, or do you even have to follow them at all?

The real answer for fiction is in balance. Like Captain Barbosa said, they’re more guidelines than actual rules. However, it is essential to at least know the rules before you break them. This makes all the difference between intentionally breaking the rules and accidents that look like mistakes.

Original version first aired April 27, 2020.

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