novel writing techniques, Juliet Kincaid

Novel Basics Card # 20

Apr 19, 2020

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in fiction writing techniques, writing fiction

Novel Basics Card # 20 The Cover Card The Cover Card asks the question, “What’s my novel’s name?” The wise organizers of NaNoWriMo say that those who have covers for their projects before they start drafting them are 60% more likely to write it that those who don’t. I think possibly that simply giving your…

Novel Basics Card # 17

Apr 16, 2020

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julietkc

in fiction writing techniques, writing fiction

Novel Basics Card # 17 The Genre Card The Genre Card asks the question, “What kind of a novel will I write?” Ordinarily, I don’t ascribe to the saying, “Write what you know” because when writers don’t know something they need to put in their books, they do research. But in this case, I advise…

Novel Basics: Cards # 10 and # 11

Apr 9, 2020

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julietkc

in fiction writing techniques, the writing process, Uncategorized, writing fiction

Novel Basics: Card # 10 The First Scene Card (aka the Hook) The First Scene Card asks the question, “How will my novel start?” Entire books have been written on the importance of the start of your novel. I won’t list any of these books here. But I will say that, above all else, the…

Novel Basics: A Brief History of Plot

Apr 8, 2020

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julietkc

in fiction writing techniques, the writing process, writing fiction

Novel Basics: A Brief History of Plot Way back in 4th Century BCE, the Greek philosopher Aristotle gave the first guidelines to plot structure when he said that a tragedy needs three parts: beginning, middle, and end, later called Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. He also stated that the beginning isn’t necessarily…

Novel Basics Card # 9

Apr 6, 2020

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julietkc

in fiction writing techniques, the writing process, writing fiction

Novel Basics Card # 9 The Wall Card The Wall Card asks the question, “What could possibly go wrong?” In truth, Card # 9 is a placeholder because you will need lots more than just one wall or obstacle that keeps your protagonist from achieving her goal right away. This card is one of my…

Novel Basics: Card # 8

Apr 3, 2020

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julietkc

in fiction writing techniques, writing fiction

Card # 8 The Place Card (aka Setting) The Place Card asks the questions, “Where and when does the novel take place?” One of the elements I’ve always loved about reading novels is their ability to transport me to faraway places and long ago times like the Ancient World of the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries…

Novel Basics: Getting to Know Your Characters

Apr 2, 2020

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julietkc

in fiction writing techniques, writing fiction

If you have the time and inclination, you might want to get acquainted with your major characters at least a little bit before you move on to the next card because characters are quite possibly the single most important element of your novel. Now, I know from my experiences in my book club that most…

Novel Basics Cards 6 & 7

Mar 30, 2020

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julietkc

in fiction writing techniques, the writing process, writing fiction

Today we have cards for other important two characters in your novel . . . Card # 6 The Match The Match Card asks the question, “Who fires up the plot car?” I know. I know. This is a bit of a mixed metaphor because you wouldn’t really want to burn up a car. Still,…

Novel Basics: Cards 4 & 5

Mar 29, 2020

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julietkc

in fiction writing techniques, the writing process, writing fiction

The cards for today are two important characters in your future novel, one opposed to the protagonist and the other allied, more or less . . . Card # 4 The Boxing Glove The Boxing Glove Card asks the question, “Who will oppose the star of the story?” Card # 4, the boxing glove, asks…

Novel Basics: Cards 2 & 3

Mar 28, 2020

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julietkc

in fiction writing techniques, the writing process, writing fiction

Card # 2: the Outcome Card The Outcome Card asks the question, “Does (s)he succeed?” In answering the question on the second card, “Does she or he succeed?” you will figure out if the who gets what she wants or needs. Or more formally, does the protagonist accomplish his goal by the end of the…

Tag: novel writing techniques