Nabokov Defeats the Quiet, And Graves Conquers the Brits

Using Nabokov (Lolita) and Graves (Claudius The God) we examine a quiet setting and circumstance made lively, and a lively circumstance and setting made cinematic and engaging, respectively.

First, the quiet made lively. Nabokov's narrative pushes forward due to his gift for discerning meaning and detail in everyday ... Read all

Author Salon has developed the Six Act Two-Goal novel structure for writers of book-length fiction and nonfiction. We expect further refinements to the outline, but the point here is to understand and utilize a tightly plotted act structure, similar to that used by screenplay writers, to effectively brainstorm and outline a very competitive and suspenseful plot for the genre novel ... Read all

THE FORCES NECESSARY TO PRODUCE EFFECTIVE SCENES

by Barbara Kyle

Electricity. Magnetism. Every writer has a visceral understanding of those words applied to drama. We call a dynamic scene "electric"; a compelling character "magnetic." But that's the response of a consumer of art. As writers we need to be producers of artistic effects. We do it by bringing human relationships ... Read all

THE ROLE OF ENERGETIC AND UNIQUE SETTINGS IN THE STORY

by Michael Neff

When considering your novel, whether taking place in a contemporary urban world or on a distant magical planet in Andromeda, you must first sketch the best overall setting and sub-settings for your story. Consider: the more unique and intriguing (or quirky) your setting, the more easily you're able to create ... Read all