An Interview with Jane Cleland

Tags

Plotting, Writer Courses, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Suspense

 

Jane K. Cleland was born in Boston and reared in Newton, Massachusetts, graduating from Newton High School. She then attended the University of Denver, graduating with a B.A. in English and Theatre. She obtained an M.B.A in Marketing and Management from Babson College and an M.F.A. in Playwriting and Speechwriting from Western Connecticut State University.

Jane is the author of the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series, which includes eleven novels published. The first Josie Prescott book was an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association bestseller and nominated for the Agatha Award, Macavity, and David Awards for Best First Novel.

Her non-fiction publications include “Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot,” which is the winner 2017 Agatha Award: Best Nonfiction.

Bernadette Sukley had an opportunity to speak with Jane about her writing and helpful hints to other authors.

**********

Bernadette:  What prompted you to start writing?  An inciting event? A teacher? Some inner calling?

Jane:        My mother was a writer, so I grew up thinking that’s what women do. And then there was Nancy Drew. The first time I read one, I knew I wanted to write that kind of book.

 Bernadette:  Question: A favorite author(s)? Why?

Jane:        Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe mysteries, Robert B. Parker’s Spenser mysteries, Irwin Shaw’s NIghtwork… I could go on and on.

Rex Stout: He created a world where honor and decency count above all. And the books are funny and charming and a love poem to New York. (Mr. Stout wrote from 1934 to 1975. The stories from the 40s, ‘50s, and 60s are my favorites.) I’m an active member of the Wolfe Pack, the literary society that celebrates all things Nero Wolfe. http://www.nerowolfe.org

Robert B. Parker: He created a world where honor and decency count above all. (Do you notice a theme?) Early Autumn is, in my view, a literary masterpiece.

Irwin Shaw’s Nightwork is also a literary masterpiece. It’s a story of redemption, of the incredible power of second chances.

An Interview with Michael Hauge

Tags

Plotting, Story Mastery, Storytelling, Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Conferences, Writing Fiction

GLVWG’s Geoffrey Mehl, interviewed Michael Hauge, keynote speaker, special seminar and master class instructor for The GLVWG WriteStuff Writer’s Conference™, March 23-25, 2017 .

Michael is a story and script consultant, author, and lecturer who works with writers and filmmakers on screenplays, novels, movies, and television projects. He has coached writers, producers, stars and directors for every major film studio and network. He is also the best-selling author of Writing Screenplays That Sell and Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read. He has presented lectures and workshops to more than 70,000 writers and filmmakers around the world. In the words of Will Smith, “No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.”

Hauge’s Six-Stage approach to story structure divides any successful story into setup, new situation, progress, complications and higher stakes, retreat and final push, and aftermath. These stages are divided by five key turning points: opportunity, change of plans, point of no return, major setback and climax. For a more detailed explanation of his approach, go to this article on his website: STORY STRUCTURE: The 5 Key Turning Points of All Successful Screenplays

In 25 Words …

Tags

Plotting, Query, Synopsis, Three Part Story Structure, Writing Tips

By Geoff Mehl

 

The 25-word thing, is of course only the tip of the iceberg. Geoff Mehl shares what he’s learned about building from a three-act-story process where setup becomes introduction, character empathy building, inciting incident, conflict begins and ends with pinch points, and resolution/climax.  He’s learned from a number of agents that 25 words should be the very first paragraph in a query, and a useful exercise to plot a story.

**********

Remember the old contests when you were invited to extoll a product in “twenty-five words or less” and perhaps win a prize? It was a means for companies to reinforce a brand and consumer loyalty, get a feel for branding possibilities, perhaps have a giant idea bin for some of those classic advertising jingles.

Fast forward to this winter, when we all curl up and enjoy a really good story — ours — because we have this really cool idea for a marvelous tale and a lot of time for the keyboard.

“So you’re actually writing a story?”

“Yes!”

“What’s it about?”

And there we are, oftentimes mumbling our way through an explanation that goes on and on until our listener’s eyes glaze over and their thoughts turn to the pressing need to clean their refrigerator.

But merrily we press on as the darker days of winter close in, the glow begins to wither from the concept, the characters become boring and we run out of synonyms for “said.” Spring offers a reprieve, distraction, escape. Our once-grand idea, now just a sad little puddle of mush, gets put aside “to be fixed later, maybe, when there’s time.”