randy obrien

 Writing your novel can feel nearly impossible, but many techniques can help keep your readers engaged. One such method is using parallel stories, which writers can use to create tension and suspense. An effective way to do this is to end your scenes so that you cut between them at moments that leave your readers hanging. Writers sometimes call this technique “Meanwhile, back at the ranch.” The nickname dates back to silent movies when title cards between scenes signaled transitions. In the earliest days, studios didn’t make new cards for each movie but used a set of stock cards: “One Year Later,” “Comes the Dawn,” or “Wedding Bells.” “Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch” was the card used most often when the action, for example, cut away from the heroine being tied to a log just as the villain turned on the sawmill. The literary version of this technique dates back to at least Homer. Still, it was probably perfected in the nineteenth century when newly popular magazines serialized nov...

The Harmon Story Circle Have you ever wanted to write an enthralling story that captures the imagination of the audience? Here’s some helpful information about the Harmon Story Circle. Developed by Dan Harmon, the creator of television's Rick and Morty and Community, the Harmon Story Circle is a powerful tool for narrative storytelling. In this blog post, we will discuss how to develop engaging narratives through characters and plot structures and the benefits of using the Harmon Story Circle. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of the Harmon Story Circle and how it can help you create captivating stories. A Guide To Narrative Storytelling Storytelling is one of the essential skills that you can develop as a writer. It's a skill applied in many different contexts, from personal essays to novels to movies. However, storytelling isn't easy – creating genuinely captivating stories takes practice and much finesse. That's where the Harmon Story Circ...

 There are several key differences between writing a novel and writing a screenplay: Format: A novel is a long work of fiction that is typically written in prose and can be any length, whereas a screenplay is a written work that outlines the dialogue, action, and characters of a movie or television show. Scripts have a specific format that includes elements such as scene headings, character names, and dialogue. Narration: A novel allows for a wide range of narrative techniques, such as first-person or third-person point of view, and can include inner thoughts and descriptions of the environment and characters. On the other hand, a screenplay is focused on dialogue and action and does not include inner thoughts or detailed descriptions of the domain. Length: Novels can be any length, but screenplays are typically shorter, with most feature films falling between 90 and 120 pages. Audience: A novel is typically...

Beginning writers may find themselves wondering what their story is about. I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes something bursts from your imagination, and you’re unsure where it came from. That said, when rewriting this first draft, it can be helpful to determine precisely your story’s theme. Literary themes are the central ideas or messages in a work of literature. These themes can be explicit, meaning they are directly stated in the text, or implicit, meaning they are implied or hinted at by the events and characters in the story. Literary themes are often universal, meaning they can be understood and related to by readers from different cultures and backgrounds. Some common literary themes include love, loss, identity, power, conflict, and coming of age. The theme of a work of literature is often closely tied to its characters, plot, and setting. For example, the theme of a love story may be the power of love to overcome obstacles and bring people together, while the theme of ...

Wannabe writers need to know there are recognized plots of famous works that could help them find their way to success. Here are just a few.   Love conquers all: In this plot, two people from different backgrounds or circumstances fall in love and overcome any obstacles that stand in their way. The hero's journey: This plot follows the classic hero's journey, in which a hero embarks on a journey, faces challenges and enemies, and ultimately emerges victorious. Coming of age: This plot follows a young character as they navigate the challenges and changes of growing up and finding their place in the world. Overcoming adversity: This plot follows a character as they struggle to overcome a difficult situation or challenge, such as illness, poverty, or discrimination. The quest: This plot follows a character or group of characters as they embark on a journey to find something or achieve a goal. Rags to...

 I read a quote from Stephen King the other day, and I agree entirely with him. He said that performing his pre-writing ritual, breakfast, and a pot of tea allows him to access his imagination as if he were in a trance. Does it work that way for everyone? I think it does. For myself, there was a time when I had to have loud rock music playing in the room or on headphones to give me a sense of rhythm and energy. Later, I switched to classical music, and now the room is mostly quiet. Does the evolution of my process mean anything? I don’t think so. Artists change over their careers, and their process changes too. We all have our rituals to get us in the mood. While there may be a need to sacrifice some coffee beans or alcohol or drugs, legal or illegal as long as you’re not hurting anyone or anything, do it. 

 You've studied, read, and found authors you like; now, it's time to get busy and start. I've found it helpful to produce a single word or sentence about the theme/question/issue before I get started. Some people decide what the story is about after they finish. It works either way, and the only way to find out what works for you is to try different methods. James Patterson, a very successful and productive best-selling author, claims that making a detailed outline for your novel is the best way to organize your thoughts and story. So do J.K. Rowling, E.L. Stein, and John Grisham. They're Plotters. Best-selling novelists Margaret Atwood, Pierce Brown, and Stephen King are writers who plop down in front of their keyboards and start typing. They're Pantsers, writing by the seat of their pants. Obviously, either method works, but only trial and error will determine what you like best. Also, if you're writing screenplays or television, it's vital that yo...

Once you've decided on the question or issue you want to write about, it's time to construct a series of events that best place your diametrically opposed characters in direct and indirect conflict. The protagonist and antagonist work best when they both explore the same issue but with differing world views. For example, in Star Wars, the question is, "Is good stronger than evil." If you believe that democratic power comes from the wishes of the ordinary people, then Luke Skywalker is the protagonist. On the other hand, Darth Vader's world view is that power comes from a select, small group of people who believe control comes from a religious designation governing the people. How you portray this conflict is best described over two thousand years ago by the Greek philosopher Aristotle in his work Poetics. I highly recommend you read his principles on writing. He advised playwrights of the time that a story should include fear, pity, and eventually, catharsis for a...

 It's been a while since my last post. Working on the final draft of the novel and feel pretty good about the version now in the pipeline. The good news is Addison and Highsmith accepted a second literary-historical with plans for publication in 2023.

How to know when you're done. https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/how-to-know-when-your-manuscript-is-ready