How to Write a Novel (or a Screenplay)

Okay, so I was trying to think of what to write and (before I started writing my fiction, which was before I started writing this), I happened to see this article on Medium.

All right, then. In the interests of full disclosure, I tend to be a “plotter” by nature. Probably because of law school. Or maybe I just like to think ahead and try not to waste time on rewriting because I ended up writing myself into a corner or simply not making sense.

Now, given that my brain is, in fact, quite “frazzled” and I’m kinda busy what with reviewing books, hosting a podcast, blogging, writing fiction, screenwriting, and having dystonia, I thought it only right to share that particular link. It could be helpful.

Okay, the article starts off assuming you can’t dredge up a single goddamn idea. You are mortified by your own pathetic existence. You wonder, “What’s the point?”

Right. Tell me something I don’t know.

Anyway, it goes on to talk about “beat sheets”. And it does a damn fine job of describing a beat sheet, which is “a Hollywood tool that allows a screenwriter or outside reader to experience the most important plot points of a film project without reading an entire script.”

That highlight that should be there isn’t because for some reason, I can’t find the highlighter tool. But I can bold it, okay? :)

Let’s go on …

Step 1: Break down each of your paragraphs into “beats”

Then you get to see what is essentially a storyboard. Kinda. Or maybe not.

But know this:

A “beat” advances the plot and/or a character’s development. It’s a summary of what is happening in each paragraph.

Step 2: Why’d you choose that title?

Well, that’s interesting. Sometimes I don’t even know the title until I’m either halfway through (in the case of the novel) or I’ve rewritten it so many times, I may go blind from staring at the screen (in the case of a screenplay).

Step 3: Review your beats

Good idea. Make sure your story makes sense. I have a problem with this sometimes. But not always. And usually I discover problems before I release a book. Really! 🙂

Step 4: Revise

Yes. Over and over. And over.

To quote the article:

The results of the beat sheet can be hard to stomach, but I promise you, there is no better tool to shine light — once and for all — on the problems you have been too close to your manuscript to see.

And so it goes.

[Note to self: Try to remember to highlight the main points in your Medium posts.] [Unless, of course, you can’t.]

BTW, if you’re going to go wide, do it like this!

Although, honestly, if you want to know how to write a copyright page, try picking up a book. Each book has one. You know that, right? 🙂

(Meanwhile, back at the OCLC, the Library of Congress, the Big Five or Six publishers, and the remaining bookstores, people are tearing their hair out …)

And here’s a free course on everything you need to know about Amazon’s algorithms.

See how easy that was! And never once did you mention any dictators … German or otherwise …!

PS: “The story is unbelievable but true.”

Um … oh, my!

Originally published at http://randomandsundrythings.wordpress.com on July 15, 2022.