Listener questions on developing plots for coming of age genre, gaining confidence in writing, blending thriller and horror conventions, roughness of first draft, and key scenes in fairy tale genre.
12:35
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Quick takeaways
Select primary and external genres for coming of age stories to drive character development.
View the first draft as an exploratory process to alleviate perfectionism and build confidence in writing abilities.
Deep dives
Choosing Primary Content and External Genre for a Coming of Age Story
When writing a coming of age story, it is essential to choose a primary content genre and an external genre. The primary content genre focuses on the internal changes of the characters, often related to their worldview. In contrast, the external genre determines the events and conflicts in the story, such as romance, action, or performance genres. Selecting these genres helps map out the plot and create the necessary conflicts that drive character development.
Approaching the First Draft as an Exploratory Journey
For writers feeling uncertain about their abilities to bring their story to life, viewing the first draft as an exploratory or discovery draft can be beneficial. By considering the initial draft as a process of unearthing the story within and shaping it later, writers can alleviate the pressure of perfectionism. Starting with small writing exercises, like focusing on one scene, can help build confidence and provide material to work with. Emphasizing the construction of the story over perfecting prose is key during the initial drafting phase.
Choosing Between Thriller and Horror Conventions for a Story
When faced with a story that fits both thriller and horror conventions, it is recommended to choose one genre based on the nature of the antagonist and the protagonist's journey. Thrillers often involve protagonists who can be reasoned with, while horror stories feature protagonists facing insurmountable terrors. Considering whether the focus is on survival or bringing justice can further guide the genre selection. By aligning the story with a single genre, writers can maintain coherence and leverage genre-specific conventions for impactful storytelling.
In today's extra special bonus episode, I'm going to answer some questions from my listeners! Here's a quick overview of what we talk about in this episode:
[01:15] Ame says, “Would you be able to talk more about the coming of age genre, specifically how to develop a good plot and the aim of the book?” [02:50] Emme says, “I have a really compelling story idea, characters, and full outline that I'm really excited about, but I'm not confident in my writing and abilities to bring it to life. What should I do?” [05:25] Ben says, “I have a story that fits both the thriller and the horror conventions. Is that possible or would I need to include the conventions for both or just try to pick the one that best fits?” [06:30] Chris says, “I am completely new to writing fiction. How "rough" can I make my first draft? The sage advice seems to be that the first draft should trump all story construction and prose activities, but I am wondering how "good" does it need to be?" [09:05] Shamsee says, “Do you have any information (like the key scenes and conventions) on the fairy tale genre?”
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