by Jacque | Aug 21, 2019 | Interviews, Self-Editing, Soapbox Talks, Structure, Uncategorized
I got the chance to sit down with local author Leslie Baker and discuss the importance of knowing your genre and how it plays a role in everything from what scenes to include, who your audience will be, and how to market your book. Take a listen! You can find...
by Jacque | May 21, 2019 | five requirements, Self-Editing, Structure, Uncategorized
Every story needs the same Five Requirements, just presented in unique ways, both to the genre and the story itself. That first Requirement is the Inciting Incident of the story. This incident or event must deliver a promise, hook the reader, and propel the story...
by Jacque | Feb 26, 2019 | five requirements, Self-Editing, Structure, Uncategorized
Actually, let’s make that four… Editor’s note: I’ve removed the Predicament from the five requirements of story in my structure model. It’s such an inherent piece that I’ve never seen it missing when the Climax is presented clearly....
by Jacque | Dec 18, 2018 | Essential Scenes, Self-Editing, Structure, Uncategorized
For a piece of fiction to work, several elements must be present. Most commercial and genre fiction, those works of art that general audiences read and buy, follow the three-act structure. Not surprisingly, those acts are the beginning, middle, and end. But to have a...
by Jacque | Oct 22, 2018 | Self-Editing, Uncategorized
Pacing is often an overlooked, sometimes seemingly magic, element to a good book. It can keep readers at the edge of their seat, calm them from high intensity scenes, and drive them to turn the page. Yet, if it’s not done well, it can exhaust your audience, bore them,...
by Jacque | Sep 12, 2018 | Self-Editing, Uncategorized
The dreaded plot hole. Nobody likes to hear that they have holes in their story. It’s a lot of work to fill in those gaps and find every spot in your manuscript that refers to the offending bump in the road. But what are they, really? It’s a bit of a buzz word, yet...
