Randall Ingermanson

One of many writing books I read over three months. It's kind of outline-light, a compromise between the houses of Plotting vs. Pantsing. Basically, you start from a single sentence of what your book is about, then expand it to a paragraph, then start adding your characters, write a one page synopsis, expand the characters, etc. etc. Start small, give yourself chances to course correct and go back and revise before you're several chapters in deep and hit a dead end. The way he teaches it is fairly entertaining, but it may not be for everyone. YMMV.

This one is an approach I'm trying on my current work. My previous books were made up as I went, so now I'm trying a bit of structure. So far, it seems to be working.… (altro)

I am generally a fan of dummies books (while not the best style, they are consistent and only presents information that is well-accepted by professionals in the industry). While I have studied writing at the post-secondary level, a traumatic event became associated with writing for me and I hadn’t written a word for well over a decade. Spontaneously, I began writing again, but I could tell immediately that I am not at my former level.

While this book did not help remind me of everything I once knew, it had great coverage of the basics including structure and housekeeping (also referred to as paperwork). I appreciate that they emphasized that planner writers and improvisational writers are equivalent and equally talented; approach is individual, and gets you to the same place. It is going to help me get my novel to the next level, even if I see how many more levels I have to go.

The publishing information is quite dated, though I am reading a 2010 edition. Not only did it gloss over some important aspects to publishing that I learned in school, it does not represent the current industry. Now, I still read it over to (a) remind me of what I learned then and since; and (b) can be easier to update yourself than learn new, especially since now you have an idea of what questions to ask (not all, but a place to start).… (altro)