by Terry Ambrose, @suspense_writer
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| Purchase here |
The
epiphany, the “aha” moment, the smack on the side of the head. No matter what
we call it, that moment when the last piece of the puzzle snaps into place is
an amazing moment. In this case, that moment had to do with writing a
compelling story.
epiphany, the “aha” moment, the smack on the side of the head. No matter what
we call it, that moment when the last piece of the puzzle snaps into place is
an amazing moment. In this case, that moment had to do with writing a
compelling story.
Let’s face it, some writers are just masters at
creating a story that readers can’t put down. For me, that’s the ultimate
compliment and the holy grail of writing mysteries and suspense. I’ve studied
and practiced the craft of writing for many years and became a fan of Jack M.
Bickham’s scene and sequel writing theory for some time back. In my opinion,
most fiction writers would benefit just by learning Bickham’s theories about
how to structure a novel.
creating a story that readers can’t put down. For me, that’s the ultimate
compliment and the holy grail of writing mysteries and suspense. I’ve studied
and practiced the craft of writing for many years and became a fan of Jack M.
Bickham’s scene and sequel writing theory for some time back. In my opinion,
most fiction writers would benefit just by learning Bickham’s theories about
how to structure a novel.
Scenes and
sequels
sequels
When I read Bickham’s “Elements of Fiction
Writing: Scene and Structure,” I realized that my writing had subconsciously
been moving in that direction for years. Bickham’s guidance was what I needed
at precisely the right moment. It gave me questions to ask before I started
laboring over any new scene. In short, it gave my writing structure.
Writing: Scene and Structure,” I realized that my writing had subconsciously
been moving in that direction for years. Bickham’s guidance was what I needed
at precisely the right moment. It gave me questions to ask before I started
laboring over any new scene. In short, it gave my writing structure.
•
Everything
that happens in a story is based on a stimulus and for every stimulus, there
will be a character response.
Everything
that happens in a story is based on a stimulus and for every stimulus, there
will be a character response.
•
Scenes
advance the story through establishing character goals, generating conflict,
and taking characters one step forward, two steps back with major and minor
disasters.
Scenes
advance the story through establishing character goals, generating conflict,
and taking characters one step forward, two steps back with major and minor
disasters.
•
Sequels
provide the reader an opportunity to get closer to the characters by showing
why they took an action and what emotions they felt. The sequel also sets up
the next action in the story.
Sequels
provide the reader an opportunity to get closer to the characters by showing
why they took an action and what emotions they felt. The sequel also sets up
the next action in the story.
The “next”
paragraph, from structure to compelling
paragraph, from structure to compelling
My second “aha” moment was pure serendipity. I’d
just attended a meeting where bestselling author Kelley Armstrong talked about
plotting. She gave a number of tips to help writers move their plots forward
more quickly. That, as the saying goes, “primed the pump.” The real smack on
the side of the head came when my wife brought home an old Greg Isles book that
she came across while working at the Friends of the Library bookstore.
just attended a meeting where bestselling author Kelley Armstrong talked about
plotting. She gave a number of tips to help writers move their plots forward
more quickly. That, as the saying goes, “primed the pump.” The real smack on
the side of the head came when my wife brought home an old Greg Isles book that
she came across while working at the Friends of the Library bookstore.
“Black Cross” hooked me with the first sentence.
So far, good job Mr. Isles, you made me want to finish the paragraph. At the
end of the first paragraph, I had to read the second. Then the third. By the
end of the second page, there was no question that this was what a compelling
read was all about—the next paragraph. The epiphany—it’s all about playing
dirty.
So far, good job Mr. Isles, you made me want to finish the paragraph. At the
end of the first paragraph, I had to read the second. Then the third. By the
end of the second page, there was no question that this was what a compelling
read was all about—the next paragraph. The epiphany—it’s all about playing
dirty.
Playing
dirty
dirty
Whether I’m writing a funny Hawaiian mystery
like PHOTO FINISH or a suspense novel like my upcoming release, my goal is to
get the reader to the next paragraph. If I write each paragraph with a
mini-hook at the end, I’ll have done my part. Perhaps someday I’ll have another
moment like “the next paragraph” moment. Will it be days? Months? Years? I have
no idea. What I do know is that instead of using a hook at the end of each
chapter, as I did before, I’m now taking that concept to the paragraph level
and treating each paragraph as though it might be a chance for the reader to
put down the book. Sorry, readers, but I’m determined to play dirty and not give
you that chance.
like PHOTO FINISH or a suspense novel like my upcoming release, my goal is to
get the reader to the next paragraph. If I write each paragraph with a
mini-hook at the end, I’ll have done my part. Perhaps someday I’ll have another
moment like “the next paragraph” moment. Will it be days? Months? Years? I have
no idea. What I do know is that instead of using a hook at the end of each
chapter, as I did before, I’m now taking that concept to the paragraph level
and treating each paragraph as though it might be a chance for the reader to
put down the book. Sorry, readers, but I’m determined to play dirty and not give
you that chance.
About the
author
author
Terry Ambrose started out skip tracing and
collecting money from deadbeats and quickly learned that liars come from all
walks of life. He never actually stole a car, but sometimes hired big guys with
tow trucks and a penchant for working in the dark when “negotiations” failed.
collecting money from deadbeats and quickly learned that liars come from all
walks of life. He never actually stole a car, but sometimes hired big guys with
tow trucks and a penchant for working in the dark when “negotiations” failed.
In his debut novel PHOTO FINISH, a former skip
tracer meets a beautiful con artist in Honolulu and finds trouble almost too
hot to handle. Terry’s next novel, LICENSE TO LIE, will be released in mid
December. It’s about a $5 million con gone bad and the harshest lesson of
all—never trust a soul…even your own.
tracer meets a beautiful con artist in Honolulu and finds trouble almost too
hot to handle. Terry’s next novel, LICENSE TO LIE, will be released in mid
December. It’s about a $5 million con gone bad and the harshest lesson of
all—never trust a soul…even your own.
Learn more about Terry on his website at terryambrose.com
or on his Facebook author page at facebook.com/suspense.writer.
or on his Facebook author page at facebook.com/suspense.writer.
Elizabeth – Thanks for hosting Terry.
Terry – Thanks for your insights. They’re a great reminder that everything about a story’s structure should have a purpose. It’s all designed to give the reader a good experience.
And here we thought physics was a waste of time…Newton’s Third Law put to use in writing! I attended a workshop on Scene/Sequel recently, and, along with Donald Maass’s ‘microtension’ you’ve got a great way to keep readers hooked. I’ve got Photo Finish on my Nook, ready to go. My only ‘tip’ for keeping things moving is to keep giving your characters choices–but with consequences. There are only three possible ‘answers’ to a conflict question. “Yes” which ends your story. “No,” which will turn things in another direction. But, the best (and it might have been Bickham who said this), is “Yes, but” where the character gets what he wants, but not the outcome he expects. Or, as Deb Dixon put it … choices have to be between ‘it suckes’ and ‘it’s suckier.’
Another Terry
Terry’s Place
Thanks for posting today, Terry! I like the way you’re thinking of the readers first–how to get them hooked and keep them turning pages. How to entertain them with a story structured for suspense. Great tips.
Thanks Elizabeth and Margot, I’m delighted to be here. I’m also curious about how other writers view structure. If you or anyone else have good tips on how to keep things moving, I’m always interested!
Sometimes we learn that kind of pacing from fumbling about and doing it all wrong!
lol, that’s so true, Diane! When I think about how long it took to figure this out, it’s almost painful! :D
As an aspiring writer who would like to some day be published, these tips were very useful Thank you.
It’s all about that hook–easier said than done! Thanks, Terry–great post!
I guess I need to play dirtier.
Excellent Terry! Keep playing “dirty” for us readers. We love interesting books, not the boring. Continue to take us on an adventure. BTW, loved Photo Finish! It moved nicely and definitely hooked me through out. Can’t wait for more of your books to come out.
Hey Lisa R, I highly recommend Bickham’s book for writers, no matter what stage they’re at and only wish that I’d found the book years before I did!
And Terry O., I think it was Bickham who said that and I love the way Deb Dixon phrased it! Dead on!
Dee and Alex, thanks for stopping by!
Ah shucks, Brae :D Thanks!
I’ve got more dirty tricks up my sleeve for the next book!
So true, Terry. Keep ’em reading. that’s the not-so-secret secret.
Hi Terry. Great post. I keep SCENE & SEQUEL right next to my laptop. My favorite compliment from a new fan was when she posted on FB “it was all my fault she stayed up all night because she couldn’t put my book down.”
I’m going to purchase PHOTO FINISH as soon as this is posted!
Hi Terry!
We know each other from Facebook, although I’m not active there much these days.
I loved your post. Plotting a mystery novel is like writing a screenplay. Each scene needs to be tight and focused and compelling enough that we want to turn the page and keep reading (or watching).
Carla :)
some great tips Terry. Especially drawing the reader to the next paragraph.
Congrats on your release!
Hi Terry, a good explanation of story structure. Forget the characters sitting around a table in long winded philosophical discussions–get me to the meat of the story!
An idea I’d like to add is “the ticking clock.” The hero is under a deadline to solve the crime/achieve his goal. Of course the climax doesn’t come until the last possible second, but the reader is still wondering if the hero will make it. It’s a nice way to generate suspense even in a cozy.
That was like getting an MFA in one quick, that makes so much sense, lesson. I think the best part of all is the way you structure the lesson in manner any of us,no matter where we are in our writing career, can easily make good use of. Looking forward to Photo Finish.
Philip Johnson
Thank you all for the kind comments! Hey Cindy, isn’t that the best compliment you can get? I don’t keep my copy of the book front and center anymore because I’ve got my notes, but I think it’s the best writing resource I’ve ever read.
Carla, I like your comparison to screenplays…just imagine the scene that just ends without some sort of climax! Whoa, talk about a screenwriter getting fired fast!
And the “ticking clock” is, as you pointed out Sally, a great tool to keep the tension high!
Great interview. Obviously your background gives your book validity. And it sounds fascinating. I loved the Scene and Structure book and you really explainthe structure perfectly. I’m a Greg Isles fan too and you’re right about building the compelling read, one sentence at a time.