The Writer's Compass » Archive
The Bus Boy
If you were an aging alcoholic who spent most of the last years of your life homeless…and finally landed a job as a bus boy…what would your last dream be? “The Bus Boy” by Nancy Ellen Dodd is a short story used as an example in The Writer’s Compass: From Story Map to Finished Draft in 7 Stages. For free access to read “The Bus Boy” go to http://issuu.com/smudgedinkpress/docs/thebusboy. The story is in text and illustrated formats. I especially want to thank all of … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Bus Boy, Featured
Writer’s Digest Interview
To read more of the following excerpt go to: http://writersdigest.com/article/writers-compass-interview/ Continued at http://writersdigest.com/article/writers-compass-interview/ … Read entire article »
Filed under: Writer's Digest
The Picture Map
Writing Exercise: Turning the Story Map Into a Picture Map Because of my concern that the structure chart and story map would be misinterpreted as a linear development process, I used my artistic skills (not) to create a picture map. The picture map overlays the structure chart and uses the ideas from the story map to create images. The picture map can be created to look like a scene or it can be a conglomeration of pictures … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Picture Map, Writing Exercises
Living a Writer’s Life
Mapping Your Life as a Writer What does it mean to you to become a writer? At what point will you feel like a writer? What will being a writer look like in your everyday world? Chapter 11 discusses what living as a writer means including: 9 Qualities of Successful Writers Do you need talent or luck? Effective Networking Do you need a writer’s group? Entering Writing Competitions Setting Goals that Make Sense Combining Writing with Another Career Quality Writing Can I Make … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Writer's Life, Featured
The 7 Stage Process
Developing the 7 Stages The 7-Stage process systematically develops a story one level at a time, every stage building on the last. Each stage focuses on an area of development that works through key obstacles to create a strong story. Charting the essential elements of storytelling with your ideas across a story map lays the foundation for your story. Progressing systematically through each stage helps you develop your story with the least number of revisions. The 7 … Read entire article »
Filed under: The 7 Stage Process, Featured
Mapping the Elements of Good Storytelling
If you have read books on writing or attended very many lectures, you have probably learned a few writing rules, along with several different terms for describing the elements of good storytelling. As I note on page 12 in the book, I have only two rules for writing: 1) Never allow anyone to convince you to cut something from your story that your gut tells you belongs—at least until you know why you wrote it … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Story Map, Featured
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