I Read 37 Books On Writing To Learn These 3 Lessons.

Summary

In this video, a fantasy author shares the three biggest lessons learned from reading 37 writing advice books. First, outlining and structure are liberating and enhance creativity by providing a clear roadmap. Second, developing compelling characters is crucial, and character arcs are essential for creating engaging stories. Lastly, effective book marketing is integral to a writer's success, emphasizing the importance of genre, title, blurb, and cover. The author also offers insights into their story coaching program and the benefits of structured writing processes.

Takeaways

• 📚 Reading writing advice books can significantly accelerate a writer's development and change their perspective on storytelling.
• 📝 Outlining and structure are liberating for writers, allowing for creativity through planning and preventing wasted time on messy drafts.
• 🎯 A solid outline helps in character development and plot structure, providing a comprehensive view of the story for more efficient writing.
• 🚀 The speaker's personal experience shows that outlining reduced their first draft writing time from 360 to 60 days, enhancing coherence and resonance.
• 🔑 The seven key plot points in an outline include the opening hook, plot turn one, first pinch point, midpoint, second pinch point, plot turn two, and resolution.
• 🧵 Characters are not isolated but are part of a web of story elements that define each other, emphasizing the interconnectedness of plot and character.
• 🌟 Characters should be fluid and evolve over the story, with character arcs being central to creating compelling characters that readers connect with.
• ⚖️ There are three types of character arcs: positive, flat, and negative, each serving different storytelling purposes.
• 🤔 Crafting a character arc involves answering five key questions about a character's want, need, lie, truth, and ghost to drive their development.
• 🎨 Marketing is an essential part of a writer's toolkit, not just an afterthought, and should be considered from the inception of a book.
• 📈 Writing to market involves understanding genre demands and tailoring the book to meet those needs, increasing the potential for reader engagement and sales.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the video script is the author's journey and insights gained from reading 37 writing advice books, focusing on three key lessons: the importance of outlining and structure, character development, and marketing strategies for writers.

Why does the author suggest that outlining is liberating for writers?

The author suggests that outlining is liberating because it allows writers to explore different directions for their novel efficiently, avoid wasting time on a messy first draft, and provides a bird's eye view of the story for better character development and plot structure.

How did outlining impact the author's writing speed and quality?

Outlining significantly reduced the time it took the author to write a first draft, from 360 days for the first book to 60 days for the second book, and improved the story's coherence and resonance.

What are the seven key plot points the author discusses?

The seven key plot points discussed are the opening hook, plot turn one, the first pinch point, the midpoint, the second pinch point, plot turn two, and the resolution.

Can you provide an example of how 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' incorporates these seven key plot points?

In 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone', the opening hook introduces Harry's flaws and desires, plot turn one is Harry entering Hogwarts, the first pinch point is Harry's scar hurting when he senses Voldemort, the midpoint is Harry resolving to stop Voldemort from using the Philosopher's Stone, the second pinch point is the aftermath of the dragon incident, plot turn two is Harry realizing how to access the stone, and the resolution is Harry defeating Voldemort at the mirror.

What is the author's perspective on the relationship between plot and character in a story?

The author believes that plot and character are not isolated elements but are interwoven together, with characters defined through their interactions and the plot progressing through their actions.

What are the three types of character arcs the author mentions?

The three types of character arcs mentioned are the positive character arc, the flat character arc, and the negative character arc.

How does the author define a character's 'want' and 'need' in the context of character development?

A character's 'want' is what they desire in the world, while their 'need' is what they actually require to achieve inner peace and happiness.

What is the author's view on the necessity of marketing for writers?

The author views marketing as essential for a writer's success and longevity, emphasizing that it should be embedded within the product from the beginning, rather than an afterthought.

What is the author's advice on the order of operations when preparing to write a novel?

The author advises starting with defining the genre, followed by creating a marketable title, blurb, and cover design before beginning the actual writing process.

How does the author describe the process of 'writing to market'?

Writing to market is described as choosing an underserved genre with a ravenous appetite and giving that market exactly what it wants, ensuring that there are fans waiting to buy the book before it's even written.