An interesting e-book for authors (or screenwriters!)

I was purusing the internet (www.smashwords.com) when I came upon a book that (gasp!) claimed to provide advice for writing!

i immidiately dove into the free section of the book, and from what I'm seeing so far, it's pretty much a smash hit for anyone that's just starting to write (such as myself).

The author Alexandra Sokoloff, provides a clear, concise grouping of activites and guide-steps to provide the writer with a strong foundation, as well as a clear concept of how to plot all the major points in one's book into easy to follow chunks. This makes it A TON easier to write, because you can always have a general idea of where your story is going, and alter it later without completely destorying everything you've already wrote (which happens to me more then not.)


Check it out on Smashwords!

I would highly recommend it, and for less then a tiny cup of starbucks, it's worth it!

Writing Habits

I just wanted to throw out there a short about a dreaded topic for many newbie writers, myself included.

WRITING HABITS

The system of strategy that a writer uses to work towards creating his/her masterpiece.

I've personally found a few types:

1. Free-former: Quite a few fall into this group, including my virtual mentor J.A. Konrath in his early career, as well as probably half my writing group. They just go for it, without much in the way of outline or planning. Probably most novels start off written like this.

2. Planner: Not so many in this group, and they will generally make a sparse outline that covers the main points of the story. Some will stick to this, others will not. I generally prescribe to this style.

3. Obsessional: This type will not type a word until they think of exactly the right word. Often their works are very short, because it takes them quite a bloody long time to get anything down. I think more then a few beginners have this outlook, and it crushes their hopes because they don't want to do anything wrong. (and they never get anything done.)

4. Balanced: This person will make a outline that is detailed, but not a obsessional. It will generally have a paragraph per chapter, and cover the main plot points, as well as any direly important conversations. From what I can gather, J.A. Konrath now uses this format, primarily because he writes so much, he loses track of what plot and what action goes in what novel/story/article.

I think it's pretty obvious that I want to be part of type 4, balanced.
It seems to be the best way to both get a good story down, and get it done on time.

What do you think? What type are you?

Working away I noticed something...

As you know, many writers suffer from writers block. And if you're unfamiliar, it's simply a case where the writer is unable to proceed in their work due to a 'block' in their ability to create.

I do not suffer from this case, but I have found something similar.

Writers Numbness.

This will happen usually after the 2000-2500 word mark, almost every day I write. My eyes will grow lazy, my vision will blur, and I will have the urge to play 'Demise: Ascension'.

I believe it's because my mind has acted like a conduct for too long, much like Joe Konrath describes in his blog: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/.

My fellow writers in my writing group have yet to suffer from this particular type of block, but I think it is all too common when you immerse yourself in a world where you brain has to do all of the heavy lifting. The equivalent of a strenuous workout for your noggin.

I mean, making worlds isn't easy, and when you write with what I call the 'conduct' method, you're essentially letting your imagination run wild, and you cherry-pick the results.

Writing is fun, and if you read Konrath's blog, he will consistently say "WRITE MORE". So that's what I'm trying to do, but man, it's tough to keep 'tuned in' for extended periods...

Comments?