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    Examples of tropes to show how they can be used to create original stories
    22May, 2024
    This is How to Use Tropes to Create Original Stories

    This is How to Use Tropes to Create Original Stories

    Examples of tropes to show how they can be used to create original stories

    In the world of storytelling, tropes are the building blocks. They can be used to create original stories that resonate with readers and they can help shape narratives across genres. Generally, tropes are familiar themes, plot devices, and/or archetypes that are universal and relatable. They range from the classic “hero’s journey” to the popular “love triangle” to the conundrum of the “locked room mystery”.

    Tropes are a Framework

    It is important to understand that topes are an established and universal idea that helps writers build compelling and original narratives. Basically, they provide a foundation to use in constructing stories. While there are plenty of naysayers out there who think tropes are trite, the truth is that tropes are storytelling frameworks that provide fundamental components in crafting narratives, whatever genre you write in. Certainly, there are even some folks who might worry that relying on tropes will lead to predictability, or that using tropes is lazy, but rest assured that is not the case!

    An Opportunity for Creativity

    In addition, tropes offer authors a unique opportunity for creativity. Indeed, by understanding and manipulating tropes, writers can infuse fresh perspectives, build in twists, or turn a tried-and-true narrative framework on its head. Consequently, their stories are unique and memorable.

    So, keep reading to see a list of common tropes with examples to show you how a single trope can be made original. Lastly, leave a comment sharing your own examples of tropes in action, which will further underscore how diverse tropes can be in the hands of creative writers.

    First, Mysteries

    1. Whodunit:
      • “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie: A classic ensemble cast mystery where consequently everyone is a suspect
      • “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty: A modern take that blends domestic drama with a murder investigation.
      • “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides: A psychological thriller where the reveal is a shock that is tied dark secrets.
    2. Amateur Detective:
      • “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” by Alexander McCall Smith: A gentle, humorous series set in Botswana, leaving the reader enchanted.
      • “Verity” by Colleen Hoover: A writer uncovers dark secrets while investigating a famous author.
      • “Nancy Drew” series by Carolyn Keene: Iconic teenage sleuth solving various mysteries.
    3. Red Herring:
      • “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson: Multiple suspects and misleading clues further the intrigue.
      • “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown: False leads in a fast-paced religious conspiracy thriller creates a compelling story.
      • “Sharp Objects” by Gillian Flynn: When the consequence of psychological misdirection impact a small-town murder case.
    4. Locked Room Mystery:
      • “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie: Guests on an island are murdered one by one.
      • “The Tokyo Zodiac Murders” by Soji Shimada: When an intricate puzzle results in impossible-seeming murders.
      • “The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton: When a time-loop twists the locked room trope.
    5. Femme Fatale:
      • “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett: The classic seductive and dangerous woman.
      • “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn: When a deeply manipulative character messes with her husband.
      • “Basic Instinct” by Richard Osborne: When a psychologist and a detective engage in a deadly game of seduction and manipulation.
    6. Unreliable Narrator:
      • “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn: When dual perspectives create twists and turns.
      • “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins: When a protagonist’s perspective is clouded by alcoholism.
      • “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel: When a narrative blurs the line between reality and fiction.
    7. Cold Case:
      • “In the Woods” by Tana French: When a detective revisits his own past in a chilling murder case.
      • “Case Histories” by Kate Atkinson: When a PI solves old cases that intertwine with his own life.
      • “The Bone Garden” by Tess Gerritsen: When historical and present-day investigations are connected by an old murder.

    Next, Romance Books

    1. Enemies to Lovers:
      • “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: When two people overcome initial misunderstandings.
      • “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne: When office rivals turn into lovers.
      • “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston: When enemies in a political setting encounter a royal twist.
    2. Friends to Lovers:
      • “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell: When ollege friends navigate feelings beyond friendship.
      • “Emma” by Jane Austen: When friendship blossoms into love.
      • “When Harry Met Sally” by Nora Ephron (movie): A decade-spanning friendship turns romantic.
    3. Second Chance Romance:
      • “Persuasion” by Jane Austen: When reunited lovers come back together after years of separation.
      • “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks: When a passionate reunion happens after many years.
      • “Take a Hint, Dani Brown” by Talia Hibbert: When two old lovers reconnect in adulthood.
    4. Billionaire Romance:
      • “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James: When a wealthy businessman and a young woman have a complex relationship.
      • “Bared to You” by Sylvia Day: When wealth and power lead to romance.
      • “The Marriage Bargain” by Jennifer Probst: When a financial arrangement turns romantic.
    5. Forbidden Love:
      • “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare: When two people from rival families have an archetype of forbidden romance.
      • “The Thorn Birds” by Colleen McCullough: When a love affair rages against religious vows.
      • “The Light We Lost” by Jill Santopolo: When love is constrained by life choices and circumstances.
    6. Fake Relationship:
      • “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han: Pretend romance turns real.
      • “The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang: When a practical arrangement with autistic characters becomes heartfelt.
      • “The Wedding Date” by Jasmine Guillory: When a fake date for a wedding leads to real feelings.
    7. Love Triangle:
      • “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins: When Katniss, Peeta, and Gale compete in the Hunger Games, their complex dynamics create a love triangle.
      • “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer: When Bella moves to a small Washington town, she meets Edward and Jacob, leaving to a dramatic love triangle
      • “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon: When Claire travels back in time, her heart is divided between Jamie and Frank.

    Then, Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books

    1. Chosen One:
      • “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling: When a boy learns he is destined to defeat a dark lord, he must learn how to become a hero (and a wizard).
      • “The Matrix” by Lana and Lilly Wachowski (movie): Neo as the prophesied savior.
      • “Eragon” by Christopher Paolini: A young dragon rider chosen to change the world.
    2. Hero’s Journey:
      • “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien: When Frodo’s epic quest to destroy the One Ring almost fails, he becomes a hero.
      • “Star Wars” by George Lucas (movie): Luke Skywalker’s journey from farm boy to Jedi.
      • “The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss: Kvothe’s tale from childhood to legend.
    3. Magic School:
      • “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling: When Harry discovers he’s a wizard, he moves to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
      • “A Wizard of Earthsea” by Ursula K. Le Guin: Ged’s education at the wizard school of Roke.
      • “The Magicians” by Lev Grossman: Brakebills University for magical pedagogy.
    4. Quest:
      • “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien: When Bilbo goes on an adventure to help a group of Dwarves on a harrowing journey to the Lonely Mountain, he becomes a hero’.
      • “Percy Jackson” series by Rick Riordan: Percy grows on his hero’s journey as he engages in quests involving Greek mythology.
      • “The Dark Tower” series by Stephen King: Roland’s epic quest to find the Dark Tower.
    5. Dystopia:
      • “1984” by George Orwell: A totalitarian regime controls every aspect of life, thereby showing a dark view of the future.
      • “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins: When a dystopian future hosts its annual deadly games, danger ensues.
      • “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley: When a society engineered for conformity and stability is challenged, change happens.
    6. Space Opera:
      • “Dune” by Frank Herbert: Epic political and ecological conflicts in space.
      • “Star Wars” by George Lucas (movie): Galactic-scale adventures and battles.
      • “The Expanse” series by James S.A. Corey: Interplanetary politics and conflicts.
    7. Time Travel:
      • “The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells: When an inventor travels to distant future epochs, adventure ensues.
      • “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon: A nurse is transported to 18th-century Scotland, thereby causing great turmoil in her life.
      • “11/22/63” by Stephen King: A man travels back to prevent the JFK assassination, which could, consequently, change history.

    Other Genres Using Tropes to Create Original Stories:

    1. Coming of Age:
      • “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: When Atticus Finch defends an accused man, Scout Finch’s learns life lessons.
      • “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger: Holden Caulfield’s teenage angst leads to unexpected consequences.
      • “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky: When a high school freshman becomes friends with a group of students his journey ensues.
    2. Bildungsroman:
      • “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë: When Jane becomes a governess for Mr. Rochester, she grows from an orphan to a strong, independent woman.
      • “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens: Pip’s development from a poor boy to a gentleman is another classic.
      • “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith: Francie Nolan’s life in early 20th century Brooklyn.
    3. Fish out of Water:
      • “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett: When a young girl meets a crippled boy, a strong friendship forms.
      • “Legally Blonde” by Amanda Brown: Elle Woods navigating Harvard Law School, which leads to fun antics.
      • “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams: Arthur Dent’s Space Adventures which then take readers on their own adventure.
    4. Rags to Riches:
      • “Cinderella” by Charles Perrault: This tale of transformation and fortune will always be a classic, underscoring this universal theme.
      • “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling: When an underprivileged boy grows to be a powerful wizard, he must defeat a dark lord.
      • “Slumdog Millionaire” by Vikas Swarup: A poor boy’s rise to wealth and fame, which has interesting consequences.
    5. Redemption Arc:
      • “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens: Scrooge’s transformation from miser to benefactor, therefore showing a complete turnaround for the hero.
      • “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo: Jean Valjean’s journey from convict to saintly figure in another complete turnaround.
      • “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini: Amir seeks redemption for past wrongs, which is a heartwrenching story.
    6. Gothic Horror:
      • “Dracula” by Bram Stoker: A vampire terrorizes Victorian England.
      • “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley: When a scientist’s creation turns monstrous, what can he do to stop it?
      • “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson: A chilling ghost story in a mysterious mansion.
    7. Found Family:
      • “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo: A group of misfits forms a tight-knit team, which strengthens them.
      • “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune: An inspector finds a family among magical orphans, leading to a riveting story.
      • “Guardians of the Galaxy” by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (comics/film): When a ragtag team of space adventurers set out to prove themselves, they have fun adventures.

    Leave a comment with more examples!

    Harness the Benefits of Process Writing to Unlock Creativity
    17May, 2024
    Harness the Benefits of Process Writing to Unlock Creativity

    Harness the Benefits of Process Writing to Unlock Creativity

    Story structure is at the heart of storytelling. Many writers use the Hero’s Journey, the Three-Act Structure, the Snowflake Method, or Save the Cat, but there is another way to write a novel; Unlock your creativity with process writing and you’ll harness amazing benefits.

    That’s not to say traditional outlining isn’t an amazing tool. Once you create an outline, you’ll have a clear roadmap for your story, the details of the plot points, robust character arcs, and chapter breakdowns…and all before the actual writing begins.

    An Alternate Approach to Unlock Your Creativity

    There is an alternative approach to writing that emphasizes discovery and organic development. It’s called process writing, and it can be liberating for writers. Why? Because it lets your story evolve organically. There are benefits and strategies to process writing. Read on for WriterSpark’s guide to use process writing in your own work.

    Understanding Process Writing

    In a nutshell, process writing allows the narrative to unfold as you write. This is diametrically different the pre-planned approach. Process writing is about exploration. The story and characters guide you. Your writing, then, becomes a journey of discovery filled with surprises and aha moments.

    4 Key Benefits of Process Writing

    1. Creative Freedom: An outline is a roadmap, but with process writing, you have the freedom to explore different plot points, themes, and character developments. This unlocks your creativity an can lead to totally original and unexpected outcomes, and those moments are divine!
    2. Character-Driven Stories: Process writing is a great way for characters to evolve organically. As you write, their actions and decisions help shape the plot. This means more authentic and engaging character arcs.
    3. Flexibility: Process writing gives you the flexibility to pivot, adapt, and/or change your story as new (and sometimes brilliant!) ideas emerge. Imagine an unplanned plot twist or a new character emerging. You can embrace the new and incorporate it without feeling tied to your outline.
    4. Flow: When you write without a strict outline, the narrative can unfold naturally. This often mirrors real-life experiences and emotions, which can make the story more relatable and fluid.

    Getting Started with Process Writing

    1. Start with the Seed of an Idea: All you need is a core concept or a rough idea. It could be a character, a setting, a conflict, or even a scene you’ve imagined. As you write, that seed will grow and branch out, growing into a leafy tree.
    2. The Discovery Draft: Your first draft is called a ‘discovery draft’. Don’t even think about perfection; focus on discovering your story. Write freely, knowing you can refine and structure later.
    3. Listen to Your Characters: This is your chance to really pay attention to your characters’ voices and motivations. Let them take the lead and guide the plot. You might be surprised at where they lead you.
    4. Be Open to Change: Pivoting is part of process writing. you have to be willing to abandon or alter ideas that don’t work as the story progresses or to go in a direction you hadn’t planned.

    Strategies for Effective Process Writing

    1. Freewrite: Set aside time for freewriting. This is a chance to write without stopping to censor or edit. This process can help unlock new ideas and directions for your story.
    2. Writing Routine: Establish a writing habit. This could be daily, on the weekends, or odd days of the week. Whatever works! The key is consistency. It can help maintain momentum and keep you immersed in the world of your story.
    3. Reflective Journals: Keep a journal to reflect on your writing sessions. This gives you a chance to note new ideas, character insights, plot directions, or anything else that comes to mind.
    4. Set Goals: Set small, achievable writing goals (think SMART goals). Instead of aiming to complete a chapter, focus on writing a scene or developing a character’s backstory. Small bits are more manageable and add up to something bigger.

    Overcoming Challenges

    1. Embrace Uncertainty: Not having a clear roadmap can be daunting, it’s true. Don’t let this stop you. Embrace the uncertainty as part of the creative process. Trust that clarity will emerge as you write. It’s part of the process.
    2. Stay on Course: It’s easy to veer too far off course, so rein yourself in when you see that happening. Review your progress now and then, and refocus when needed. Keep your writing focused on the central themes and characters.
    3. Balance Spontaneity with Structure: Process writing emphasizes spontaneity, but some structure is necessary. After your discovery drafts, start to apply a critical eye to shape and refine the narrative.

    Wrapping up How Harnessing Process Writing Can Unlock Creativity

    Process writing is a great alternative to traditional outlining. It emphasizes discovery and the organic growth of a story. It also encourages creative freedom which can (and probably will) lead to truly authentic character development. You need to be flexible, and willing to embrace uncertainty, but the rewards can be magical, helping your story come alive.

    If you’re an aspiring writer, process writing can be a transformative experience. There is nothing like the magical aha moments you’re sure to experience. Start with a seed idea, keep a routine, and be flexible. Embrace the process, and let your story unfold!

    Listen to the WriterSpark Podcast Episode on Process Writing featuring Boo Trundle!

    Check out more WriterSpark articles HERE.

    3Jan, 2023
    10 Reasons Writers Need To Be Readers

    There are 10 very good reasons why it is vital for writers to also be readers.

     

    Let’s start with this:

    Successful people read. 

    They read to gain knowledge, to learn about the world, its people, different cultures, and they read, as Oprah Winfrey says, because it is a “path to freedom”.

    For many people, reading is a hobby. Maybe that hobby is what influenced your decision to write. For writers, however, reading is far more than a hobby.  It should be something you do…and do a lot. It should be a priority in your daily life.

    So, writers, read…and reap the benefits.

    10 Reasons Writers Need to be Readers

    1. Practice What You Preach. A writer who doesn’t read is like a musician who doesn’t listen to music, or an artist who doesn’t look appreciate art, or teacher who isn’t a learner. You write so others can read your work. Can you expect others to read what you write if you, yourself, aren’t a reader? If you don’t enjoy the very thing you create?

    2. Grow your Language and Vocabulary. Letters from words. Words have meaning and create sentences. Sentences convey greater meaning. The more you read, the more language you are exposed to, the number of words you understand increases, and your use of language and vocabulary becomes more sophisticated. This knowledge transfers to your own writing. Your word choice options increase. Your use of linguistics (syntax, dialect, phonetics, semantics) becomes more developed. It all grows exponentially through reading.

    3. When you read quality writing, you become a better writer. It’s true. Some of this happens with intention. You start to recognize beautiful language, an artful turn of phrase, or description that transports you in space or time. When you read bad writing, you learn from that, as well. You learn what doesn’t work, what not to do, and what you need to do instead.

    By reading great writing, you can learn how a great writer develops character, makes a setting come alive, and how dialogue can flow with deep authenticity. Likewise, you can learn from a subpar writers what poor character development looks like, how a setting can fall flat, and how dialogue can ring false.

    No matter what you read, you will learn.

    Read within the genre you write. Don’t be afraid of being influenced by other authors. You want to learn from them, not copy them. Internalize that they do well, what you can emulate to strengthen your skills, and what you do differently. Read outside your genre for the same reasons.

    Just read.

    4. Relieve Stress. Life is stressful—for writers just as much as for everyone else. Reading has been proven to relieve stress. Take a walk, do yoga, engage in a hobby…all of those are wonderful ways to fill your creative well and relieve stress. But also read, because it can be more effective at whisking away that stress than anything else.

    In fact, the University of Sussex found that “reading a newspaper or book works better and faster than listening to music, going for a walk or sitting down with a cup of tea to calm frazzled nerves.”

    Reading, then, allows you to take a break from your own writing, relieves stress, and can help fill that creative well.

    5. Broaden Your World. As a writer, you need to learn about people and places. You need to be able to imagine characters who are different from yourself, who lead lives different from yours, who have jobs and relationships and exist in worlds unlike your own.

    Reading a variety of novels (and nonfiction) about a variety of people, in a variety of places, doing any number of interesting things allows your base of knowledge to grow, and it allows your imagination to blossom.

    As a writer, it’s your job to explore the world around you to gain insights you then embed into your writing. One way to do this is by reading what others write, by understanding different points of views, different philosophies, motivations, the conflicts that others face. The depths you can plumb through reading are endless.

    6. Increase Knowledge. Whether you read fiction or nonfiction, you are learning. It may be factual, like history from an historical fiction novel, or a nonfiction book about plants, or it could be increasing emotional intelligence through empathy gained from understanding characters and their conflicts. More knowledge in your brain gives you more to work with in your own writing.

    7. Heathy Brain and Increased Attention Span. We live in a fast-paced, social media driven world. Did you know that reading actually helps counteract the negative effects of our diminishing attention span? It’s true.

    Look at this tidbit from Rainer and Co.: “Studies have shown that bingeing content is a welcome refuge from our busy lives. Instead of dealing with the day’s stresses by zoning out, we’d rather become engrossed in an entirely different world. In a world of text messages, tweets and app notifications, immersive content can feel like a welcome break, especially when it is screenless like a podcast.”

    Or like a book. Our brains need to ingest long form content.

    8. Feeds your Imagination. Have you ever read something only to think, but wait, what if X, Y, or Z happened instead? Or what if that character had done A instead of B? This is your imagination at work. Reading is a fantastic way to spark that imagination, and writers need active imaginations. 

    Good writing sparks creativity. It sparks curiosity. It’s what you get from reading, and it’s what you give as a writer.

    9. Market Research. As a writer, you never want to write to the market. On the other hand, it’s important to understand what readers are consuming. What sells? What resonates with readers? And how can you take that knowledge and apply it to your writing to make it marketable? Because, after all, we write so that others will read our work.

    10. Feed the Machine. That is, the book publishing machine. It’s a sad fact that fewer and fewer people read. Fewer and fewer books are purchased each year. As a writer, that is the exact opposite of what we want to happen. So be a reader. Read other writers. Share about books. Visit your library. Help support the industry of which you are a part.

    Do you have other reasons writers should also be readers?

     

    Are you ready for the next step in your writing process? Hire me as your developmental editor and partner. Together, we will take your writing to the next level!

     
     
     
     

    Follow the WriterSpark page on Facebook.

    And I’m on TikTok with Lessons in Writing!

    Join the WriterSpark Academy newsletter! And share with your writing besties.

    Know a writer, aspiring or other, who might like this content? Share this site with them!

    Site: https://writersparkacademy.com

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    9Dec, 2022
    How Can Turning Points in a Story Make it Riveting?

    Please tell me, What are Turning Points in a Story? Are they necessary? What do they do? Let’s talk about it!

    Read along while you listen to the podcast, and while you’re at it, LIKE and FOLLOW!

    Turning Points

    Whether you are a plotter or a pantser, understanding certain components of storytelling will help you create a more engaging story, which keeps readers turning the pages. Today we’re going to talk about one of these key components: Turning Points. The simplistic explanation of a Turning Point is that something in the story changes. While that is true, Turning Points in great storytelling have layers of insight built into them, with each Turning Point taking the reader on an emotional journey alongside the protagonist. 

    Scene

    To really understand the power of Turning Points, we need to look at scene. Each scene exists both by itself and as part of the greater whole. Generally speaking, a scene is confined to a specific setting (location, duration, period, and character emotion) and contains conflict which propels the plot forward. That conflict represents change for your character. It is about goal, motivation, conflict, and disaster. 

    Within a scene, the POV character has a scene objective (goal) based on a definable reason (motivation). There is some obstacle to the attainment of the goal (conflict). The result is an action and unanticipated reaction that takes the protagonist in a new direction (disaster).

    Goal; Motivation; Conflict; Disaster 

    Goal; Motivation; Conflict; Disaster are the key elements of every scene. The point of each scene is that it causes change. If it does not do that—cause change—then it’s a flat scene that doesn’t belong in your story. The change within a scene can be minor, moderate, or major. These are the Turning Points in your story. They are built into the scenes, each serving a specific purpose, and each building insight for the POV characters, or developing character growth because they are based on the character’s choices. Whatever choice they make when faced with a decision, they must act in a way that is consistent with who they are and with what their goals are. Your protagonist will always act and decide to do what they believe to be right. Likewise, the antagonist will act and make decisions based on what they believe to be right. These opposing goals are direct conflict, which creates a push and pull between the protagonist and the antagonist. 

    The antagonist’s actions in Act II create Pinch Points. These are reminders for the protagonist about the inherent conflict they are facing because of the antagonist. It’s the antagonist reminding the protagonist of his existence. We’ll talk about Pinch Points next week.

    Back to Turning Points

    Back to Turning Points. The major Turning Points in a story are reversals. A reversal is a significant change that takes a character from a positive to a negative place, or from negative to positive place. Or from a negative (bad) to a more negative (very bad!) place. It’s an extreme change that shakes the foundation the protagonist stands on. Everything is good, then suddenly it’s not. It’s bad. Or everything is bad, but the reversal makes things good. At the end of Act II, this is a False Good, also called the Central Ordeal in the Hero’s Journey.  

    Every story needs a minimum of three major Turning Points, two Pinch Points, and several smaller Turning Points. Remember, this is a guideline, not a formula. Once you understand the purpose of Turning Points and the journey your protagonist is on and the growth that will be realized, you can play around with the conflict and Turning Points to fit your story and make Act II robust and compelling 

    Think of your book in four unforgettable scenes: 

    1. The inciting Incident (Call to Adventure)

    2. Act I (Crossing the Threshold)

    3. Act II (Road of Trials)

    4. Act III Climax (Resurrection)

    Each of these key scenes end with a significant Turning Point (Reversal), with smaller Turning Points (and Pinch Points) to keep the action strong and the narrative tight.

    Keep in mind, you can definitely have more than 3 Acts and any number of Turning Points, depending on the type of story, length of story, and how you want to tell it.

    Major and Minor

    When you think about Turning Points, think about them as Minor and Major. A Minor Turning Point leads one scene to the next. The Disaster at the end of Scene A leads to a new Scene Goal for Scene B. The major Turning Points occur at specific places in the story, and they are Reversals. They cause the character to:

    1. Be Surprised or Caught off Guard

    2. Act (Because of Compelling Curiosity or Need)

    3. Be Newly Aware and have Greater Understanding or Insight

    4. Change Direction

    Warner Bros. Announce 3D 'Wizard of Oz' Release for Next Year

     

    Let’s use the universal Wizard of Oz to look at broad examples:

    1. The inciting Incident (Call to Adventure)-Dorothy is swept away by a cyclone. She’s Caught off Guard.

    2. Act I (Crossing the Threshold)-She lands in Munchkinland. She needs to act in order to get back home-Compelling Curiosity/Need.

    3. Act II (Road of Trials)-She makes her way over the Yellow Brick Road, along with her allies, toward the Emerald City. Midpoint/Central Ordeal: Dorothy faces the Wicked Witch of the West and expects the Wizard to fulfill his promise and send her home. This is a False Reversal, though. The Wizard does not have the power to send Dorothy home. Each step of the way, she gains insight, leading to a greater understanding of her own power and inner strength.

    4. Act III Climax (Resurrection)-Dorothy’s quest is complete and she realizes her own power, summons it, and returns home. Reversal from Bad to Good. She Changes Direction—gains maturity and the ability to get herself home.

    Within Act II, there are several Turning Points:

    1. Dorothy must go to the Emerald City to find the Great and Powerful Oz in order to return to Kansas.

    2. She and her allies face obstacles: the tin man’s joints freezing, the flying monkeys, the field of poppies, for example. The Wicked Witch appearing after Dorothy and her friends have made it to the Emerald City and writing Surrender Dorothy in the sky is the first Pinch Point. Even though Dorothy has achieved her goal of reaching Oz, all is not good. She is reminded of the power of the antagonist.

    The flying monkeys leading up to the Central Ordeal or Midpoint is the other Pinch Point. This is the Wicked Witch asserting her power to attack and capture Dorothy. Her power is reaffirmed, the danger to the protagonist reestablished. Each of these are also Minor Reversals: Things are good in Oz, but the witch’s presence makes them potentially bad again. Things are hopeful leading up to confronting the witch until Dorothy and Toto are captured, making things bad again.

    Minor, moderate, and major Turning Points keep Act II robust and compelling. They are the conflicts that cause Reversals, or they are Pinch Points, which are the antagonist making their presence known. As you write, think about the Turning Points, and the Reversals your protagonist will experience. Use the timeline below as a guide. 

    Downloadable ⬇︎

    Combined Structures (The Hero’s Journey & The Three Act Structure) 

     

    Next up, a deeper look at Pinch Points!

     

    Are you ready for the next step in your writing process? Hire me as your developmental editor and partner. Together, we will take your writing to the next level!

     
     
     
     

    Follow the WriterSpark page on Facebook.

    And I’m on TikTok with Lessons in Writing!

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    27Sep, 2022
    Do you Know How to Add Humor to your Writing?

    Do you know how to add humor to your writing?

    You don’t have to be a side-splitting funny person to be able to add humor to your writing. You don’t even need to be funny at all.

    So what do you need?

    You just need to understand the techniques needed to add humor to your writing and you’ll be golden.

    Scott Sedita

    There are a lot of ways you can approach humor. Scott Sedita’s Eight Characters of Comedy is one way to create characters with that sole intention. His Eight Characters of Comedy are the comedic archetypes and are the basis for myriad sitcom characters on TV.

    They translate just as well to fiction writing, which is all about character. Think about your favorite comedies (TV, movies, or in books and comics). Can you identify characters who fit into these roles:

    1. The Logical Smart One
    2. The Lovable Loser
    3. The Neurotic
    4. The Dumb One smart
    5. The Bitch/Bastard
    6. The Materialistic One
    7. The Womanizer/Manizer
    8. The In Their Own Universe?

    Talking with Diane Kelly

    I had the opportunity to talk with bestselling mystery and romance author Diane Kelly. She talks about these eight comedic archetypes, and gives a myriad of other tips for adding comedy to your writing, whether or not you consider yourself funny.

    You Don’t Have to be Funny

    I am NOT a funny person. I’m shy, pretty quiet, and introverted. Humor is rarely my Go To. But the great thing about being a writer is that I have ample time to ponder, which give me the chance to come up with the perfect comedic comeback, the idea one-line zinger, or anything else that will give a scene the levity it needs.

    My chat with Diane reveals how you can be very intentional about adding humor to your writing. It doesn’t have to come spontaneously. It doesn’t have to be ‘you’. Just like everything else, writing humor can be learned.

    Take a look at the YouTube video interview, or listen on the podcast!

     

     

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    Resources

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    Thank you for listening!