Monday 5 March 2012

Going from Good to Great: An Experiment


I wrote a good story the other day during a weekend challenge. (How very vain of me to say so). But this time I got it critiqued. The feedback was that people liked it, but it left them confused, especially at the beginning.

So, this month, I'm investigating how to take a good story and make it great. I'm not one for reworking stories much, but I do like to experiment.

I'm taking advice from two very good writers: Christine Yant (who drew upon her Lightspeed slushing experience) and a related post from Carrie Vaughn.  

I'm going to take two approaches:

First: Trying to fix the current story as is.
Second: Starting again. I might have chosen the wrong point of view. And although I don't fancy writing the story from scratch, I'll have a stab.

 Christine Yant defined three elements that separated the good story from the great: structure, voice and meaning. I would say that the structure of the story is the weakest:

Quoting Carrie Vaughan:

"Structure:  Can you identify the beats in your story?  The important scenes and pivotal moments?  Are they building toward a climax?  Or do things just happen?  Have you trimmed everything that doesn’t contribute to the story’s meaning?  Can you identify a reason for every single element of the story to be there?"

Well, no.  I'm not entirely sure what a beat is. Oh, the shame. Looks like I've got my work cut out. 


I'll let you know how I get on.

15 comments:

  1. Beginnings are the hardest! I had to look up a definition of "beat". This is from Robert McKee's "Story" (actually on screenwriting). "A beat is an exchange of behavior in action/reaction. Beat by Beat these changing behaviors shape the turning of a scene." Best wishes.

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  2. I think it's hard to make that leap from writing instinctively to then shaping the story with an eye on structure, voice, meaning, etc. I usually have to work iteratively, focusing on one element a pass -- I'm interested to see how this works for you. Good luck!

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    1. Hmmm, it's going to be interesting. I certainly write instinctively. What I'm worried about is spoiling my instincts.

      ... nah, I refuse to worry about that.

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  3. I've fixed and re-fixed one of my novels...but after some great critique I have decided to start from scratch! Of course I'm keeping my old version. I am a hoarder after all. ;)

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    1. *laughs* Now I was moaning about re-writing a 4K story from scratch. I can see I've got to toughen up.

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  4. I've done that experiment on a novel I wrote. My 'start over from scratch' version is much better.

    I don't really understand what a beat is either.

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    1. Re-writing a novel? You too, Rusty? Blimey. I salute you. I can see the benefits, but yikes..

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  5. Beginnings are tricky. Sometimes, I find, you have to write them to get to the story, just to cut them from the completed story.

    I think you do know what she means by the beat - instinctively.

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    1. Thanks Simon. One of the wonderful and surprising thing about writing is that I can do it, without knowing how I do it.

      My experiments are good for me (I think.) They spark me off in different directions and keep me motivated.

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  6. This sounds like a great experiment, and I look forward to reading how it goes. "Trimming" -- ah yes, that's probably where I spend the most time after pounding out a first draft. Gots to kill that wordiness monster.

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    1. I think it's a good one. I keep remembering that Nancy Kress said she started selling when she started writing in scenes. On the plus side my experiment has already encouraged me to pick up my novel again.

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  7. Good luck on the revision or rewrite! I have the toughest time with beginnings. :(

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  8. Beats...uh, yeah, I don't think I could pinpoint mine either.

    My best editor is just letting the story chill, and I do this multiple times on some pieces, until I get it right. Or so I think.

    Good luck on creating more awesomeness.

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  9. Love the Carrie Vaughn quote. I shall pin that to my notice board.

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