Hi ya'll!!!
On July 25, 2015 I was able to attend my very first writing workshop. It was lots of fun and very informative. I really enjoyed being there.
The workshop was Plot, Dialogue, and Point of View, Description, and Believable Characters. It was hosted by Bram Stoker Award Winning horror author Michael Knost. He is the author of "The Return Of The Mothman."
Today I want to share with you some of the things Mr. Knost talked about at the workshop. This will be a four-part blog post to talk about the different points in the workshop. I hope they will be as helpful to you as they have been me.
PLOT:
Plot = Story
Conflict + Action + Resolution = Story
Conflict - the fuel that will run your story
You can reveal who your character is by how they react to conflict.
Want + Obstacle + Action = Conflict
Your main character has to have a want or goal. They have to be determined and driven enough to get what they want.
Obstacle - something that stands between your character and the want. It's usually the villain.
Action - A direct attack or defense against the obstacle.
Story action has to do something to solve the action.
Resolution -
You need your story to resolve the conflict. Do it in a way that will satisfy your readers.
To know how to end a story, you must know how to begin one.
Don't be afraid to kill off characters!
You can make your reader feel and experience the story as your main character is experiencing it.
Your story should be full of little conflicts that are solved by the end, or resolved enough to satisfy the reader.
Here is something to remember (and I just love this!):
LOCK
L -Lead: The main character
O - Objective: A want or goal
C - Conflict
K - Knockout: Somebody gets knocked out. Either the main character or the conflict
That's it for this time around. I hope you'll join us next time for more about the workshop. Enjoy these tips and as always Later Days!!!!!
Sounds like you had a good teacher. It's the applying what you've learned that gets tricky. Good luck, Cassandra!
ReplyDeleteThanks! He was a pretty good teacher!
ReplyDelete