What's So Special About a Plot?

I'm reading The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing and wanted to share a few pointers from my favorite chapter, "The Plot Thickens," written by Monica Wood.

A story needs a point of departure, a place from which the character can discover something, transform himself, realize a truth, reject a truth, right a wrong, make a mistake, come to terms. Departure is the story's complication because something has to happen. For example, Grandma Frances gets sick; Buddy the dog gets hit by a car; the boss's 15-year marriage is tested. You see where I'm going.

Don't mistake a "situation" for a "complication." A complication must illuminate, thwart, or alter what the character wants. A good complication puts emotional pressure on a character, prompting that character not only to act, but to act with a purpose.

Good complications are connected to the character, usually conjuring some kind of desire or regret, conscious or unconscious, in the character. A well chosen complication should give you choices. Having multiple choices for your characters makes fiction writing interesting.

If you're struggling more than you feel you should, you may have run out of interesting choices, or had too few to begin with. Go back to the complication, tweak it, and start all over.

It's okay, this is your baby. Take all the time you need to see that it grows into exactly what you want your readers to see.

You can learn more about developing your plot, breaking your writer's block, revising your manuscript, creating suspenseful page turners, marketing your work, and other helpful guidance, but I'll let you go pick up a copy of the book and read for yourself. The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing is now in its 2nd edition; however, I prefer the first (pictured above). So, have I whetted your literary appetite?

Check Out My New Article

I wrote an article titled "The Benefits of a Workplace Mentor" that will appear in Thursday Network's Fall 2010 newsletter, scheduled for publishing later this year. Thursday Network is the Washington DC chapter of the National Urban League Young Professionals. This is my second contribution to the newsletter. I wrote "Maintaining Relationships During Economic Hardships" for their Summer 2010 issue.

You can read them both on the writing and editing page of my website, www.jennifersingleton.net.

Please visit Thursday Network's website to learn about the organization's mission and community service accomplishments in the DC area.

Calling All Fiction Writers!!

A few years ago, I began submitting a couple of my short stories to every decent-sounding writing contest I could find. I wanted to know if I had "it." A writing style and story line so refreshing and intriguing that contest judges would suspend further reviews after reading what I had to say. I am a dreamer what can I say. I suppose I faired better than most, having received an Honorable Mention from the Shrine of the Black Madonna Bookstore for my story Unspoken Duty. Check it out here, under "Fiction Writing Sample." After a while I began to feel discouraged (and those entry fees started to add up). Thus began my hiatus. Today I feel I'm ready to re-enter the writing contest ring. I have some new work that I feel is competition-worthy.

I kept a list of contests I had entered in the past and looked them up so see if they were still around. A few of them were. While searching for others I realized I wanted to share some of them in the hope it would inspire someone else to want unveil a story hidden on a flash drive or on the pages of a forgotten notebook. The deadlines for these contests are coming up, so act now, or pass along to a friend who may need a little encouragement.

John Steinbeck Short Story Award
Prize: One winner will receive $1000 and publication in Reed Magazine.
Entry fee: $15 (entrants receive a copy of the prize issue)
Word count: no more than 6000
Deadline: November 1, 2010
For details visit http://www.reedmag.com/

Roanoke Review
Prize: One winner will receive $1000 and publication in Roanoke Review.
Entry fee: $15
Word count: no more than 5000
Deadline: November 8, 2010
For details visit http://www.roanokereview.wordpress.com/

Tampa Review, Danahy Fiction Prize
Prize: One winner will receive $1000 and publication in Tampa Review.
Entry fee: $15 (entrants receive a subscription to Tampa Review)
Word count: between 500 and 5000
Deadline: November 1, 2010
For details visit www.ut.edu/tampareview

The Writing Site, Arthur Edelstein Prize for Short Fiction
Prize: One winner will receive $1000 and publication on http://www.writingsite.com/.
Entry fee: $10
Word count: no more than 6000
Deadline: October 31, 2010
For details visit http://www.writingsite.com/

Narrative Magazine, 30 Below Contest
Prize: One winner will receive $1500 for a short story, essay, or excerpt from a work of fiction or creative fiction by a writer under 30.
Entry fee: $20
Word count: up to 15,000
Deadline: October 31, 2010
For details visit http://www.narrativemagazine.com/

Inkwell Short Fiction Contest
Prize: One winner will receive $1500 for up to 3 short stories.
Entry fee: $15
Word count: no more than 5000
Deadline: October 30, 2010
For details visit http://www.inkwelljournal.org/

Kore Press Short Fiction Award
Prize: One winner will receive $1000 and publication by Kore Press.
Entry fee: $15
Word count: 4000-12,000
For details visit http://www.korepress.org/


In addition to finding writing contests online, you can visit your local library and bookstore for the latest issues of literary magazines and journals. Poets & Writers magazine is an excellent resource for contests and grants. Also contact college and university English departments to see if any of their publications are sponsoring writing competitions.

A word of caution: Sadly not all writing contests are created equal. Research, researh, research, especially the reviews of previous contest entrants, before entering a particular competition; and read the contest guidelines very carefully. Be sure to ask for clarification on terminology you do not understand, particularly the term "right of first publication."

And lastly, if you enter one of the above contests and win, place, or receive an honorable mention, please come back and let me know. I'd be happy to share your news.


Happy writing,

Jennifer Singleton

Introducing "A Book a Month"

Here's how this is going to work. Each month, starting September 2010, for as long as I can muster the motivation, I will select a book that intrigues me and read it. Ordinarily this isn't a big deal, as I've been known to tackle several good reads in a month's span. What's different is that I'll publish a review of this book on my website www.jennifersingleton.net
on the first (or second) of the following month. I'll let you know when it's ready.

Why am I doing this?

For two reasons: 1) to ensure that my site contains current and diverse writing samples, and 2) to discipline myself by serving as my own editor. I've set deadlines for myself with the understanding that if I can't do right by myself, then I can't do right by anyone else. I've never challenged myself like this before, and the decision to do it has come after a long period of feeling sorry for myself and neglecting to channel the creative energy that inhabits my soul.

September's selection if you haven't guessed by the book jacket is Richard Wright's The Outsider. Two of Wright's titles, Native Son and Black Boy, were required readings in my 10th grade English class. I was so intrigued by Wright's writing style and the adversity his characters faced that when I saw The Outsider in Barnes & Noble, I knew I couldn't leave the store without it. I only hope that I can give the story's protagonist, Cross Damon, justice. Based on what I've read so far, I'm completely mesmerized. Wright hooked me from the first page and he refuses to let me go. When a writer can make a reader experience the emotions I'm experiencing, he or she deserves a standing ovation. Though in reply to this compliment, I can imagine that most of them would say, "I'm just reporting the story as my spirit instructed me to."

Wish me luck. I hope to create something you find interesting. Just knowing someone out there will anticipate it and will check back encourages me more than you know.

My Blog's Purpose: I Lost Sight of It. Now I Can See.

Hello out there,

You may have noticed my revised blog title and description. I made this change just a few minutes ago after my mind and body finally came to an agreement (finally, right?):
My blog has become far too personal and random to accurately reflect my abilities to offer readers a wide variety of relevant and interesting content geared towards writers in the creative and technical genres, editors who feel as though they are the only ones having trouble with "who" and "whom," and lovers of the written word who look to me to provide amusing commentary of my efforts to cope with a demanding and overactive imagination.

I truly enjoyed writing and sharing the story of Sweety, but as an unpublished author (in the traditional sense) I must keep myself aware that not everyone respects intellectual property rights. My fiction efforts at this time, I feel, should be best spent in my private lab. Not to say that I won't "literary freestyle" occasionally; heavens no, I love it too much. But I now want to broaden my focus, and hopefully, my readership with content that has to do with all stakeholders in this struggle to capture and perfect the written word (i.e., enough about me).

Assignment for now or later: Ever heard of the word "behest"? I hadn't...until today. For giggles, look it up in the dictionary and try to come up with one good reason why someone would purposely choose to write this; when doing so means to consciously ignore the plain and modern English choices that first come to one's mind.

Yep, it's time I start to let my editor show.

My 3 R's: "R"ejoicing in the "R"write "R"hythm

This Sunday evening I'm rejoicing the rwrite rhythm. What does this mean? That my ears are rejoicing (i.e., eargasming) to the rhythms that are evoking my desire to write. I thank the universe for melodic sounds and for voices that carry notes with such passion that the listener feels a sincere feeling of oneness. Interestingly, this ability was supposedly something I was born with. I'm a Cancer, member of a special group of people categorized as "often emotionally intelligent and sensitive to the feelings and moods of others."

Writers, specifically those specializing in fiction, receive inspiration from just about any source you can imagine. Aside from the people that I've encountered or the people I've fantasized about encountering, music is my major energy source for writing endeavors. Which brings me to where I am right now. Right now, I'm being held captive by a cover of the Beatles' song "Yesterday," performed by someone whose name is no stranger to this blog. My lyrical soulmate Donny Hathaway. His voice has complete access to all of me. It takes over and makes me feel what he's saying. He was a gift to this earth. I was six months old when he passed away. We never crossed paths, not in this life anyway. Our lives haven't mirrored. But 30 years later, I can sit here and listen to his words and relate to their sense of urgency; longing; unrequited desire.

How is that possible? For the human condition to be so timeless. That no matter the technological advances or societal changes, emotions remain the same. And much like the scent signal that bees leave to direct those coming behind them, Donny's left music I can listen to and nearly get teary eyed to because >>we are here<<. I feel what's he's saying. Magic I suppose.

I'm feeling this, can't you tell? You should see me, sitting here swaying from side to side like I'm receiving the spirit, and all I want to do is write. After my post yesterday, I hadn't planned on posting for a minute, but I messed around and started playing Mr. Hathaway. Then started rejoicing in my rwrite rhythm. Then I got that itch that only creating words could relieve. This is what he does to me and I'm so very thankful for it. Donny's songs, not all, but the ones I particulary love, provide the water I need for the seeds of my sensual and dramatic scenes to grow. Take these two sentences:

Chris walked up to her and kissed her hand. She looked at him with love in her eyes and led him upstairs.

This isn't bad for a rough draft. Not bad at all.

But, check out how I can work this with a little help from my rwrite rhythm:

She was beautiful, everything about her. Even when she wasn't trying to be. Like now, just standing there at the kitchen sink peeling sweet potatoes. Chris rose from the couch, heart starting to race in anticipation of what he was about to do. He turned off the tv, loosened his tie, and slowly made his way into the kitchen. His wife had only a moment's warning before she was spun around and her moist hand brought to the eager lips of her insatiable husband. Her eyes beckoned him with filthy taunts as she snatched off her apron and led this incredible man upstairs.

*fanning self* Whew chile, see what I mean. Let me stop before I write something I'll regret later.

Think about what or who provides the nourishment for your characters and scenes to flourish. Give thanks that they exist. Now get to work.

Note: You know I wouldn't publish this without leaving the link to hear Donny's version of "Yesterday" for yourself.
Listen here for my private little rwrite rhythm.

Confession: Sometimes I wish my characters were real

Tell me, what are your thoughts of my character Sweety? Papi and his interesting services? I want to apologize for the long break between Pt. 3 and Pt. 4. I took a few days off to visit my mommy and realized with much regret that I'm only human. But fear not, Pt. 5 is coming soon. This is the first time I've done a series like this, and while I'd like to think that people are visiting my blog everyday, this is mostly for me. I love writing. When you love something, truly love doing something, you would do it for free, you would do it the absence of accolades, you would do it even if no one else knew. That's how I feel about my stories. Yeh I want to walk into Borders one night and see my one of my "babies" on display; or to go to Amazon.com to read a comment like this one: "Jennifer Singleton is one of the best writers I've seen in a long time. And that's saying a lot because I'm 62."
But if it turns out that my eyes are the only ones that will ever read my creations, I won't leave this earth regretting one second of the energy I expended to write or type any of the words. That would be like regretting all the hugs and kisses you gave someone you loved. (Yes, it's that serious.)

Wow, there I go again starting out left then a making a sharp turn right; but that's how things happen I guess. Let my friends tell it and I'm always straying off topic. Sue me. Anyway, back to my darling wonderful little Sweety. I'm not sure how many parts there will be, but I know that the end is near. I also know that it's going to be good. Why? Because I love Sweety. Truth be told, I want to know her. In a way I guess I do, but I want to know her for real. Sometimes I wish my characters were real. My characters are the people I wish I knew. Because I've had 31 years with myself, I'm more than comfortable with who I am and how I think. I'm different. It always helps to know that I'm not alone, there are other weirdos out there like me. Writers who create people who they wish were real-life friends, family, lovers, neighbors, coworkers, handsome strangers, mysterious acquaintances. They write about places they'll never visit; personalities they know only through the stories of others; joy that only lucky people get to experience; pain that will never attack their heart; beauty that their mirror doesn't reflect; an abundance of money that they can only spend in their dreams; and love and passion that the universe has not allowed to come into their life.

Ladies and gentleman, this is what exists on the pages of books that have homes ranging from the book-signing table of a popular author to the "free to good home" box left discarded on a street corner.

The Mystery Man

I was walking past the various vendor booths at this year's Afro-Punk Festival in Brooklyn, eyeing the trinkets, jewelry, clothing, vegetarian food items, and body oils and lotions, when I happened on an initially frightening object.

This man----->

This head is an art piece that appears to be composed of aluminum cans, plastic containers, and other miscellaneous items you would find on any busy city street. This picture does not do the head's size any justice. If you look closely, you can see that the height of the head reaches the hood of the car it's propped up against. I saw a woman who appeared to be tending to it, but I don't know if she was the artist or someone equally as struck by its appearance as I was. There was nothing like it around, it stood alone near a table of trinkets.

I'm writing this blog post on "The Mystery Man" because of his facial expression. In it I see sorrow, pain, deep thought, and, if I may be so morbid, human decomposition. I stood before it a few moments, wanting to touch it, but out of respect for its status as "artwork," and because I was a little unnerved, I didn't. I took a picture and walked away.

But I didn't forget him. On the ride back to DC, I imagined what I would write if I were shown his picture in a creative writing class and instructed to "tell me about him." What would I feel inspired to write? Honestly, I couldn't come up with anything.

But as I'm writing this post, "he" just spoke to me. Wanna know who he is?

His name is Jeremiah. He's what's known as a "gymadan." Gymadans are cursed because of actions in a past life and are born in spirit form only. They have to earn a physical body one part at a time by answering complex riddles posed by The Creator. The Creator poses a riddle only once a year. If a gymadan answers wrong, he or she has to wait two years for a retest. Sadly, Jeremiah has earned only his head in the twenty years of his life--his problem is that he overthinks his responses and can't "see the forest for the trees" for lack of a better analogy. In contrast, a gymadan who answers the riddles correctly typically earns a full body in six years.

Jeremiah's chance is coming up again and he's desperate to earn his neck, and, if The Creator takes pity of his plight, a torso. There is rumor that The Creator will ask Jeremiah a very tough one this time: Why does a caged bird sing?

If so, Jeremiah will answer, "because it can do nothing else, for it is caged."

What is a Story? Art and Craft.

A presenter at the writers conference I attended in June defined a story as "something that happens that results in a change." Merriam-Webster Online defines a story as "a chronological record of significant events, often including an explanation of their causes."

A literal interpretation of the presenter's definition can be: The black cocker spaniel was killed by a car many years ago ("something that happens"). His owner, Sam, then just a boy, never allowed himself to love another animal again ("the resulting change").

Now, if I apply a literal interpetation of MW's definition, I could expand those two sentences into a 300-page novel because I'm told that a story is a series of events and often tells why the events happened. It specifies that I can go on and on if I want.

I gave these two examples to illustrate how complex it is to explain what a story is, and how to tell one. I have numerous "how-to" writing guides and have taken a few fiction writing courses. Although helpful overall, I've received conflicting information on what constitutes the "right way" and when I've finished reading, still felt as though my thirst for practical writing strategies remained unquenched. I always have my eye out for a guide that could show me a new technique. I wandered into a bookstore one day recently and stumbled on The Art and Craft of Storytelling by Nancy Lamb, and I'm glad I did.



I'm halfway through it and I've learned more from this book than I've learned in any of my writing classes.

Lamb instructs readers how to disect their writing--how analyze it for its logic, meaning, character development, and transition. I emphasize transition because this is a problem I encounter in my fiction writing. Where does my chapter end? Will my reader want to continue to the next? Lamb provides checklists of questions to ask yourself about your story and your characters as you go along. I've found that answering them allows me to better acquaint myself with the people I've created: what do they want exactly?
Chapter 4-Structural Design, provides a list of questions for writers to answer at a scene's opening:

1. What is the logical sequel to this scene?
2. Have I planted the hook to pull the reader into the next scene?
3. How does this scene contribute to the large context of the book?
4. What has my hero done to move the story along?

This book is just what I needed, and some "roadblocks" have already been cleared because of it. I learned that I don't need a book to show me how to write, but one that makes me look at my writing through a different lens, a higher resolution. Sometimes that's all one needs--to be shown a better path to the same destination.

And so my journey to novel completion continues. Wish me luck.