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Author Archives: Lorena Goldsmith
Plot vs. Story
Confusing plot and story is surprisingly common, so I think a very brief mention of the difference could be useful. Contrary to common belief, plot is not what happens in the story. That is the story. Plot is the structure … Continue reading
‘Being ignored is something you get used to,’ says new writer signed up by United Agents
Lorena Goldsmith: Rowena, first of all, congratulations on being signed up by United Agents! Let’s start at the beginning. What made you think you could write a book and why did you give it a go? Rowena Kitchen: I woke … Continue reading
Posted in Getting Published
Tagged Lynette Yencho, new writer, Rowena Kitchen, United Agents
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How to Strengthen a weak Story
Weak stories are a common encounter in beginning fiction, even when the quest is strong and the stakes are high. Example of weak story: The protagonist endangers his life to save his best friend’s life, who’s been kidnapped by a … Continue reading
Posted in Plot, Self-editing Fiction that Sells
Tagged plot, protagonist, quest, story, villain
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“And Then” vs. “But”
Here’ a piece of brilliant advice on how to build your plot, from Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park and The Book of Mormon. Don’t plan out your action linearly: she did this, and then she … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Is Structuring your Novel a good Idea?
Structure is a good idea when it enriches the meaning of your story, but it comes with its own risks. Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries won the 2013 Man Booker Prize. Everybody is in awe with the structure of this huge … Continue reading
Posted in Structure
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Plot and Story
After a few months off the blog, during which I wrote a two-page monthly column on self-editing fiction in Writing Magazine, I am now ready to resume the instalments with new content on how to edit your own fiction manuscript. This … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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How to Handle Criticism on your Fiction Writing
As a writer and especially as a writer of fiction, you’re likely to crave feedback. It’s only natural. Exciting stories and plots take place in your world, complicated and impossible quests are resolved by amazing characters. It’s nothing if not … Continue reading
Posted in Self-publishing
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Here’s a piece of brilliant advice on how to build your plot, from Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park and The Book of Mormon. Don’t plan out your action linearly: she did this and then she … Continue reading
Self-editing videos
We now have a YouTube channel and our first self-editing video is up and running. Quite apart from the fact that I chose the wrong microphone, everything else about it seems acceptable. Please visit our new Videos page (see left … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Stephen King’s On Writing
I’m finally finishing Stephen King’s On Writing, my permanent, it seems, holiday read. One thing struck me as true. When he was about 13 and he started to write horror and sci-fi fiction, Stephen King didn’t just leave it in … Continue reading
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Self-editing Fiction that Sells 