Exciting Day – New Web Site Coming!
I’m just getting ready to update and refresh my website – www.FictionSecrets.com. And in fact, I may end up creating a whole new web site dedicated to providing writing tips to those weary of the same old – same 0ld.
Check back later . . . I’ll post the results here first!
Categories: News and Updates Tags:
New Article Available
Yes, I know. Sometimes I post the whole article here, and sometimes I just give you a link. Don’t try and figure it out – I’m not really sure myself – but today is a day when you have to click on a link. It’s worth it, though . . . some great information on continuing education. It’s called:
The Cost of Learning – Making a Case For High End Information
and you can find it here:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Cost-of-Learning—Making-a-Case-For-High-End-Information&id=3237425
Categories: Articles and Instruction Tags:
Why the Packer's coach is wrong (and the life lesson it teaches)
On Sunday the Green Bay Packers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was Tampa’s first win of the season, and it only came to be because of an absolutely horrible performance by Green Bay. Poor offense. Poor defense. and even worse special teams.
After a game like that, you’d expect the coach to come out blazing. Instead, Packer fans were treated to a lukewarm post game speech, filled with meaningless promises to “correct the problems,” while admitting that he will change NOTHING in the coming weeks.
What?!?!?
How can he expect to correct the problems without taking action?
The answer: He can’t. And that is exactly why I am predicting here that Green Bay will not make the playoffs this year. By continuing to do the very things that have not worked, they are doomed to repeat these failures.
Is there a lesson in there for anyone?
Categories: Opinions Tags:
5 Steps to a Story – Step 5
In this article we come to the end of our series on 5 Steps to a Story. Previous articles covered the first four steps –
- Get a picture in your mind
- Give the picture a twist
- Ask questions until the story comes out
- Create a roadmap for your story
And in this article we will cover the fifth and final step:
- Write the story
It may seem strange that the actual writing of the story is listed as just another step in the sequence. After all, writing a story is hard work that only a gifted few can do, right?
Wrong.
In fact, once you complete the first four steps, the actual writing the story is . . .
Categories: Articles and Instruction Tags:
5 Steps to a Story – Step 5
In this article we come to the end of our series on 5 Steps to a Story. Previous articles covered the first four steps –
Get a picture in your mind
- Give the picture a twist
- Ask questions until the story comes out
- Create a roadmap for your story
And in this article we will cover the fifth and final step:
- Write the story
It may seem strange that the actual writing of the story is listed as just another step in the sequence. After all, writing a story is hard work that only a gifted few can do, right?
Wrong.
In fact, once you complete the first four steps, the actual writing the story is a relatively simple process. Here’s how to do it:
- Sit down at your computer and open a new file.
- Have the roadmap you created in Step 4 next to you (refer to the article titled “Sales and Marketing: 5 Steps to a Story, Step 4 – Create a Roadmap to your Story” for details).
- Read the first sentence of the roadmap. This is what will become your story’s opening scene.
- Close your eyes for a moment and get a clear picture of your opening scene.
- Start typing, as fast as you possibly can, and write down what you see. Pay little or no attention to grammar and spelling at this point. The key is to get your thoughts down.
- Move on through the bullet list of your roadmap, repeating #4 and #5 until your story reaches its logical conclusion.
When you have completed this process you will have a complete story. Congratulations! That is a wonderful achievement. But there is still a little work to do, because now we have to edit the work.
The transition from first draft to final story can be extensive, and it is outside the scope of this article series to detail everything you may have to do. However, here are a few bullet points that will help you get started on the draft and editing process.
- On you second draft identify two key areas:
- Places where you said too little – no one knows what’s going on.
- Places where you said too much – you may be boring the reader.
- Delete mercilessly. Nine times out of 10, your story will be better after deleting extra text that does not move the story forward.
- Fill in the blanks in areas that you did not describe as well as you should have.
Then finally, after the second draft is complete, go back to the beginning one more time. This time you are looking for spelling errors, grammar errors, incomplete or run on sentences, or phraseology that is difficult to read.
TIP: One of the best ways to check readability is to read the work out loud. Or better yet, have a teenager read it. If they can read the story smoothly, you have a winner. If they stumble over the words, chances are your readers will stumble over the words also.
That’s it! You’re story should now be in great shape, ready to share with the world. It’s time to let a few people read it, and get their reaction. But that is an article for another time.
Categories: Articles and Instruction Tags:
5 Steps to a Story – Step 4
One often ignored secret to massive success for your sales letters and marketing materials is to add a compelling, emotional story. Whether the story tells of a true customer experience, or simply illustrates a possible use for your product, a well written story draws readers in, and leads them through your letter almost without even being aware that they are reading a sales page.
But how do you create a story like this? What steps should you follow? In this series we’ve been using a 5 step process that looks like this:
- Start with a picture in your mind
- Give the picture a “twist”
- Ask questions until the story comes out
- Create a roadmap of the story
- Write the story
In the previous articles we covered steps 1, 2, and 3. In this article we will cover the fourth step – create a roadmap of the story.
When I first started speaking professionally about creating stories, I had an entire module on outlining. I taught a formal process for writing detailed outlines for each story. The module proved wildly . . .
Categories: Articles and Instruction Tags:
5 Steps to a Story – Step 3
One key to increasing readership and response with your sales letters and marketing materials is to add a compelling, emotional story. In this article we continue the series detailing the Five Steps to writing a story, and how to use these steps to create powerful sales stories that will bring extra cash to your business.
One often ignored secret to massive success for your sales letters and marketing materials is to add a compelling, emotional story. Whether the story tells of a true customer experience, or simply illustrates a possible use for your product, a well written story draws readers in, and leads them through your letter almost without even being aware that they are reading a sales page.
In the two previous articles of this series we covered how to create an opening picture in your mind, and how to give that picture a twist. In this article we will cover the third step – ask questions until the story comes out.
Asking questions is probably the . . .
Categories: Articles and Instruction Tags:
Web Site Overhaul
If you haven’t been to www.FictionSecrets.com lately, then you haven’t been at all! It’s completely redone, with a great new offer. If you would like to receive 5 amazing writing techniques absolutely free, then you have to check this site out.
Categories: News and Updates Tags:
5 Steps to a Story – Step 2
Last article we covered step 1, and described techniques for creating a starting picture. In this article we will cover the second step – give the picture a “twist.”
Let me tell you an exciting story. Once, a man woke up early and went to the office. He worked hard all day, then came home to a nice dinner. He watched some television, and then went to bed.
Great story, right?
No.
You see, for a story to really move people, it must have . . .
Categories: Articles and Instruction Tags:
5 Steps to a Story – Step 1
One often ignored secret to massive success for your sales letters and marketing materials is to add a compelling, emotional story. Whether the story tells of a true customer experience, or simply illustrates a possible use for your product, a well written story draws readers in, and leads them through your letter almost without even being aware that they are reading a sales page.
But how do you create a story like this? What steps should you follow? Last article I suggested a five step process I call “Five Steps to a Story.” Just as a reminder, the five steps are:
- Start with a picture in your mind
- Give the pictures a “twist”
- Ask questions until the story comes out
- Create a roadmap of the story
- Write the story
In this article we will cover the first step – start with a picture in your mind.
In my experience, all great stories start with . . .
Categories: Articles and Instruction Tags:
