... For Dummies

My husband has a copy of "Writing Fiction for Dummies"

I've been reading through the book and highlighting some helpful information. I liked that the book talked about setting measurable goals for my writing. This reinforces what I teach to my high school students, but it was a nice reminder that I needed to do the same thing.

My measurable goal is to write three pages of fiction each week. I'm not sure how long this will take, but I think it will be better than a time goal- I feel like I would count the time I spend researching and writing about writing- rather than the actual writing.

I came across their three act structure and I've been trying to add that to the current formula I'm using. I've added the notes in italics.

P.1—opener

Introduce Characters

P.40—catalyst

P.100—Turning Point #1/End Act 1

Solidify character goals- things that they have slowing been working toward, but now want to achieve with resolve

P.150 Pinch Point

P.200—Midpoint

The worst thing that’s happened in the story so far

P.250—Pinch Point #2

P.300—TP#2/End Act 2

A decision is looming

P.360—Black Moment/Climax

Happily Ever After Begins

p.390–Resolution

  Wrap up the story

This large plot structure is almost mimicked in every scene. Writing Fiction for Dummies says that each scene should begin with a goal for a character, have them encounter a conflict, and then a setback so the story continues.

So, what's my next goal? To figure out all the tiny goals my characters will attempt.