Writing Roots

Venturing into the world of writing can be overwhelming. New authors are accosted with dos and don’ts at every turn. They must have this. Must do that. Can never do whatever that is. It’s daunting when all the writer wants to do is write. While some of the common phrases and beliefs have good roots, they are either flat out wrong or misunderstood and applied in the wrong ways. Throughout March, we will be discussing common myths in the writing world.

It starts with the old adage: don’t judge a book by its cover. While that is wonderful philosophical advice about not judging people, it cannot actually be applied to books. For one, people will always use a cover to determine interest. It’s basic human psychology. For another, it tempts authors into considering their cover less than important to the whole product.

We discuss in this episode why this is only a myth, a nice phrase often taken too literally.

First aired March 1, 2021.

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One of the best ways to keep the pacing up while adding filler to the middle of a book is to add some kind of fight. While it can be an argument, throwing fists can be great to release some of the building tension – or add to it.

We brought in Carla Hoch of Fight Write, a resource for authors to help them write better fight scenes, to discuss how to best add a scene. She talks about how to carry one out accurately and how to balance accuracy with readablility.

First aired February 27, 2021.

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As we reach the end of the second act, it’s time to ramp up the preparations for the final conflict. While this changes vastly depending on the genre, the end of the second act should always result in the main character’s darkest hour. It’s the time where all hope seems extinguished from the world and the villain seems to be assured in their victory.

This episode reviews some of the common ways to reach that darkest hour, along with preparing to give the readers a satisfying ending.

First aired February 25, 2021.

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Conflict can help propel the middle of the book forward while actively setting up for the final confrontation. While sometimes it can be external, you can also use internal conflicts caused by a bad decision. Any time a leader chooses to act too rashly, too soon, or without enough consideration, it can lead to disaster. Other times it can simply be the bureaucracy involved that slows the process of acting soon enough.

Listen to this episode to learn the different kinds of bad decisions and how they can be used to set up for the final act.

First aired February 22, 2021.

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If you find yourself in middle of your manuscript wondering what could possibly happen to get things moving, you might consider an act of god. This doesn’t have to mean a literal god in your story reaching down and changing something, though that is possible. Acts of god, like natural disasters, weather, and other elements outside of the control of mortal beings, can create hurdles and roadblocks in the plans of your characters.

From having a hurricane destroy an essential part of the villain’s plan, to an earthquake forcing the protagonist crew out into the open, acts of god can really help round out act two of a story.

First aired February 18, 2021.

The post S19E6 – Using the Weather and Other Acts of God appeared first on Writing Roots.

No matter the genre, using scenes that focus on character emotions can help drive a plot through the second act. Sometimes this comes with romantic dates that end in mishaps or misery. Sometimes it means a character gets drunk or otherwise inhibited and reveals a secret. Either of these devices can give authors more depth to the story, to the characters, and to the plot.

In this episode, Ley and Leigh discuss why romantic scenes in the middle shouldn’t end well, and how alcohol can play a part in making that happen.

First aired February 15, 2021.

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What can be better for the middle of Act II than a party? Holidays and events are a wonderful way to add some depth to the world while giving the characters something to work towards. Festivities can also give characters a new setting for different kinds interaction.

Leigh and Ley discuss different kinds of holidays, how they usually get started, and how you can use earthly holidays to help create ones in your world.

First aired February 11, 2021.

The post S19E4 – Creating a Holiday for Worldbuilding appeared first on Writing Roots.

One way to help the process of writing the second act is to have a casting change of some kind. This could be bringing back a character introduced early in the book, adding a new character, or even removing one from the story. It’s difficult, though, to make a change in the characters seem natural. In this episode, we discuss ways to shift around the cast in ways that will add to the story rather than overwhelm the reader with name after name.

First aired February 8, 2021.

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Every character has a secret. Sometimes it’s something they know about another, and sometimes it’s about themselves. Using these secrets during the second act can help give the plot direction and conflict to build towards the final confrontation.

Continuing our series on finding prompts for Act Two of a three-act structure, hosts Leigh and Ley discuss the use of secrets, how they can come out, and how they can change relationship dynamics.

First aired February 4, 2021.

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The most challenging part of writing a novel is often the middle. It’s find the pieces to keep the plot moving forward without simply skipping to the end. Throughout February, we will be talking about writing prompts and devices that can be used to spur any writer on, whether or not they keep the scene in the final edit.

Footholds are the first step to any scene that fills the middle of a book. They’re moments where a character mentions something – a person, place, or object – that can be tied into the story later. They’re not necessarily relevant to the plot, but can be used to fill and embellish. To get the characters from where they are to where they need to be. Listen to this episode to learn what kinds of things you can make a foothold for your own writing.

First aired February 1, 2021.

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