tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post5887557777199668730..comments2024-03-29T10:25:17.813-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: What We're Writing Week: Structure and ScaffoldingJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-14987418842850429762023-05-29T14:57:56.986-04:002023-05-29T14:57:56.986-04:00Only reading this now, Julia, but better late than...Only reading this now, Julia, but better late than never. I not only read your post but all the comments, too. Lots of fun. I'm just starting to think about my next book--I've managed a one-half-page outline so far! But it's a start. At least I know what I want to start researching, and research always provides ideas that add to the outline. I think structure is extremely important and difficult, and I use points of view to help to provide structure since my two detectives' viewpoints tend to alternate between single chapters. Before I started my first Polizei Bern mystery, I discovered a book about screenwriting called "Save the Cat," which I reread every time I start a new book (it's not very long.) It's all about structure, and even though I don't follow all of its instructions, it always gets me thinking about HOW to solve problems in the plot.KimHaysBernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02726133115831908758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82444553310329703542023-05-27T17:51:04.546-04:002023-05-27T17:51:04.546-04:00Thank you, Judy!Thank you, Judy!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3163203781511356172023-05-27T17:50:31.243-04:002023-05-27T17:50:31.243-04:00That's how I experience it as a reader as well...That's how I experience it as a reader as well, JC. Although later, I'm often tempted to reverse-engineer what the author did to learn something new.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10491699611042671692023-05-27T17:49:43.893-04:002023-05-27T17:49:43.893-04:00I feel the same way, Hank, and find it fascinating...I feel the same way, Hank, and find it fascinating that Crusie can find her way into a story and character using that method. I think of myself as a visual writer, but I'm sure as heck not <i>that</i> visual.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41634471642916816822023-05-27T17:48:17.827-04:002023-05-27T17:48:17.827-04:00Thanks, Karen. I could definitely stand to up my s...Thanks, Karen. I could definitely stand to up my speed <i>somewhat</i>... :-)Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51883228339091594322023-05-27T17:46:45.080-04:002023-05-27T17:46:45.080-04:00Pat, I'm streaming a wonderful crime drama/fan...Pat, I'm streaming a wonderful crime drama/fantasy that moves between 1989, 1995, 2000 and 2015: SIGNAL. Two detectives from the earlier and later years find they can communicate somehow on a walkie-talkie. It has an intricate structure, and after I suck the story down, I plan to go back and outline what's happening when.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19904624341153161212023-05-27T17:44:10.528-04:002023-05-27T17:44:10.528-04:00We need analytical readers to keep us honest, Cora...We need analytical readers to keep us honest, Coralee!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-77137762685586447632023-05-27T17:43:33.518-04:002023-05-27T17:43:33.518-04:00I tried Scrivener, and it just didn't work for...I tried Scrivener, and it just didn't work for me, Debs. Which proves true a saying of Jennifer Crusie's: "There are many roads to Oz."Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6257395915398600252023-05-27T17:42:06.733-04:002023-05-27T17:42:06.733-04:00That you, Mary!That you, Mary!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-25002532499406580442023-05-27T17:41:54.523-04:002023-05-27T17:41:54.523-04:00Jenn, I'm listening to an audio book you sugge...Jenn, I'm listening to an audio book you suggested, DEAR WRITER, YOU NEED TO QUIT. I just got to the chapter where the author urged writers to pay attention to how things have worked for us in the past - and not to think we have to poke around with success.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18678570047034940542023-05-27T17:40:15.628-04:002023-05-27T17:40:15.628-04:00Nothing like those old paneled solid wood doors! I...Nothing like those old paneled solid wood doors! It also served to keep the noise from the rest of the house down when the place was still full of kids.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72753110902333645662023-05-27T17:39:16.189-04:002023-05-27T17:39:16.189-04:00I feel the same way as a reader, Ann!I feel the same way as a reader, Ann!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54972277610526383122023-05-27T17:38:43.477-04:002023-05-27T17:38:43.477-04:00Thank you, Judi!Thank you, Judi!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7164311113148012542023-05-27T17:34:18.752-04:002023-05-27T17:34:18.752-04:00Sometimes I do notice story structure, especially ...Sometimes I do notice story structure, especially when the story is told in a straight forward linear. In those cases that does not distract me from the story, but gives me a tiny glimpse behind the curtain. Depending on a lot of other variables that same style might be much closer to boring than fascinating.<br /><br />Truly, Julia, I am in awe of your story-telling, as well as that of the other Reds!Judihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06777683026890358953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71210227613032195472023-05-27T17:13:49.493-04:002023-05-27T17:13:49.493-04:00Thank you ElisabethThank you ElisabethAnnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88261759534367379062023-05-27T15:13:09.640-04:002023-05-27T15:13:09.640-04:00Such eloquence, Ann. And the way I feel about read...Such eloquence, Ann. And the way I feel about reading and learning about the writer writes. Marching to your orders, ma’am. 🙃 ElisabethAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-74283351421179709982023-05-27T15:00:50.529-04:002023-05-27T15:00:50.529-04:00When I read, I prefer to be unaware of structure, ...When I read, I prefer to be unaware of structure, character development, any errors in grammar or punctuation or god forbid typos. I don’t want to edit. All I require is a good tale that drags me in and won’t let go and leaves me wanting more. I admire that the writer writes. I presume it is all for me. And I don’t care how you got there!<br /><br />This doesn’t mean I’m not interested in the process. I love knowing how your minds work. But when I’m reading your books, I do not want to be deconstructing. I want to read until I fall asleep and then wake up when my Kindle hits me on the nose!<br /><br />As you were<br />XoAnnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2277340720092885952023-05-27T14:06:10.571-04:002023-05-27T14:06:10.571-04:00Thinking about it now, I do notice structure, but ...Thinking about it now, I do notice structure, but it's not a distraction to my reading. I especially notice it in time travel stories or different time periods. I think when structure is off, it's like putting the cart before the horse effect. Of course, as Debs said, it's best when the experience of the story is seamless, and structure isn't a focus of your reading. I love Jessica Ellicott's post-it notes system. And, your door lends itself nicely to that method, Julia.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60433182264480274312023-05-27T13:59:33.628-04:002023-05-27T13:59:33.628-04:00Oh, these are fascinating. Collages are not for me...Oh, these are fascinating. Collages are not for me, but I do like the flow chart idea. I tend to write ten page outlines and then fill in with Post-Its as new ideas arrive.I haven't deviated from that in many many books other than writing one with no outline recently because I chucked the one I had and it as too late to write another. In two words: Never again.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13589365995413467367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70509016437172239972023-05-27T13:48:16.708-04:002023-05-27T13:48:16.708-04:00Authors in the past, like Dickens, who published t...Authors in the past, like Dickens, who published their works in periodicals, had to have done much the same thing. Lee Child's books are very complicated. I am in awe! Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16128026892155650398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76098636356191008132023-05-27T13:43:31.735-04:002023-05-27T13:43:31.735-04:00I LOVED that book, Julia! I LOVED that book, Julia! Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16128026892155650398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78808415962396402842023-05-27T13:40:33.399-04:002023-05-27T13:40:33.399-04:00I can highly recommend her books, Anon. I suggest ...I can highly recommend her books, Anon. I suggest you read them yourself and see! She also has a lot of craft information in her blog, and talks about her collage process, which is fascinating.Julia Spencer-Fleminghttps://m.facebook.com/juliaspencerflemingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23848083506501032202023-05-27T13:38:49.509-04:002023-05-27T13:38:49.509-04:00DebRo, I remember finding out that Lee Child wrote...DebRo, I remember finding out that Lee Child wrote all of his thrillers from start to finish without an outline or any other guide. I was truly staggered. The clockwork precision with which things come together seemed like he must have had to pre-plan everything, but no!Julia Spencer-Fleminghttps://m.facebook.com/juliaspencerflemingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76606297539682278732023-05-27T13:35:48.848-04:002023-05-27T13:35:48.848-04:00You move so well between characters and times that...You move so well between characters and times that it's easy to follow, a rare and appreciated skill. Thanks for a look at how you do that.<br />Storyteller Maryhttps://storytellermary.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39049527480697163942023-05-27T13:27:59.274-04:002023-05-27T13:27:59.274-04:00We often wonder about the mystery of story creatio...We often wonder about the mystery of story creation as well, Anon.Julia Spencer-Fleminghttps://m.facebook.com/juliaspencerflemingnoreply@blogger.com