Stumbled upon a wonderfully helpful tidbit of information today. Came across a book by Dwight Swain entitled "Techniques of the Selling Writer" which mentions the notions of what he refers to as MRUs, or Motivation-Response Units. There's also mention of Scenes and Sequels, a technique for writing "scenes" which is good, but the MRUs are literally where it's at for great writing.
If you're interested, I'd suggest finding out a little more about it yourself (I don't have space or time to go into it here), but suffice it to say, it has made the writing process a whole lot easier than previously, and in fact, I was able to get through the entire rape scene today. It's done and dusted, and it reads well, though the content is less than savoury of course; but nonetheless, it is good writing.
Enough for now, I need to get back to work. I'm loving MRUs right now! :D
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Saturday, 29 August 2009
My blurb is written!
Also spent some time today working on the blurb for the back cover:
"In a small town in northern Minnesota, a young girl is brutally raped. Everyone wants the man who attacked her to be held accountable for his actions, and brought to justice. Everyone, that is, except for Mark Burrows.
A young defense lawyer, Burrows is desperate for a case that will further his career, and see him become the most sought-after lawyer in the county.
And this case is just what he needs. Whether he wins or loses the case for his client - a man no other lawyer will protect - his career will take off overnight.
But Burrows has no intention of losing the case. In fact, he will go to any lengths to win...
Any lengths..."
What do you think? Please comment.
Something a little fun...
Just to let you know, this is nowhere near finished yet, but it will give you a bit of an idea.
This is the entire cover (as one piece) for the hardcover edition, so it features not only front cover (and back cover eventually) but also spine (of course) and flaps for both the front and back.
Enjoy!
Today's biggest decision
Decided today to write the novel in longhand, returning to my "roots" of the way I wrote Endings & Beginnings, my last novel. I find a greater connection with the words that way, and also I can literally write anywhere, as long as I have paper and a pen with me, which, as a writer, I always do.
Got a little further in the novel today, and also have decided to write some of the chapters out of order as necessary. I still can't bring myself to write the rest of the rape scene from the beginning, but know I have to keep writing something every day, so writing out of order is really my only option at the moment. That's one reason having a semi-detailed chapter outline comes in so handy; I know exactly what has to happen in each and every chapter, so I can write it in any order I choose.
Enough for today, I need to get back to it. Maybe another game of Minesweeper first ;) and then back to it.
Got a little further in the novel today, and also have decided to write some of the chapters out of order as necessary. I still can't bring myself to write the rest of the rape scene from the beginning, but know I have to keep writing something every day, so writing out of order is really my only option at the moment. That's one reason having a semi-detailed chapter outline comes in so handy; I know exactly what has to happen in each and every chapter, so I can write it in any order I choose.
Enough for today, I need to get back to it. Maybe another game of Minesweeper first ;) and then back to it.
Friday, 28 August 2009
Apologies
Just realised it's been a while since I last posted, so I apologise profusely, and offer this as summation of the last few days.
Wednesday brought a third and final day of study in the State Library, wading through books on American criminal procedures and also the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), trying to find out not only the way the American legal system works and progresses, but also possible insanity defenses for the alleged perpetrator of the crime in my novel.
Pretty heavy going actually, and in one sense, I am glad that part is over.
Yesterday was spent on a basic outline. I like to at least have a basic idea of where the novel is going before I begin. If needed at a later stage, I will flesh this out a little more, but that's really only if I run into problems. As mentioned, if I have a basic idea of where I'm going, the rest of the story sort of falls into place along the way; also, characters may decide to take the story in another direction, and I like to be free to explore that, rather than keeping rigidly to an outline.
Also thought I should mention that the novel is no longer set in Wyoming, for various reasons. I have now "happened" on the fictional town of Leech Lake, Minnesota (The lake does exist and that is its real name, but the town, situated on the shore of the lake, is completely fictional). I also liked the idea of the word "leech", given that I'm writing about lawyers, LOL.
Anyway, today is another day, and with it, another task. I am now beginning in earnest the first draft, and although that means having to get into a more than slightly uncomfortable frame of mind in order to write the rape scene, it will still start me on a course that will hopefully see a first draft completed in just under two months (Yes, this will be a record even for me, but I'm reasonably sure it can be done, provided I also keep on top of my other commitments!)
Enough for now, I need to get to work. :)
Wednesday brought a third and final day of study in the State Library, wading through books on American criminal procedures and also the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), trying to find out not only the way the American legal system works and progresses, but also possible insanity defenses for the alleged perpetrator of the crime in my novel.
Pretty heavy going actually, and in one sense, I am glad that part is over.
Yesterday was spent on a basic outline. I like to at least have a basic idea of where the novel is going before I begin. If needed at a later stage, I will flesh this out a little more, but that's really only if I run into problems. As mentioned, if I have a basic idea of where I'm going, the rest of the story sort of falls into place along the way; also, characters may decide to take the story in another direction, and I like to be free to explore that, rather than keeping rigidly to an outline.
Also thought I should mention that the novel is no longer set in Wyoming, for various reasons. I have now "happened" on the fictional town of Leech Lake, Minnesota (The lake does exist and that is its real name, but the town, situated on the shore of the lake, is completely fictional). I also liked the idea of the word "leech", given that I'm writing about lawyers, LOL.
Anyway, today is another day, and with it, another task. I am now beginning in earnest the first draft, and although that means having to get into a more than slightly uncomfortable frame of mind in order to write the rape scene, it will still start me on a course that will hopefully see a first draft completed in just under two months (Yes, this will be a record even for me, but I'm reasonably sure it can be done, provided I also keep on top of my other commitments!)
Enough for now, I need to get to work. :)
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
A much better day ...
Spent the entire day in the library again, and now know ALL about the intricacies of jury selection. Okay, so the books weren't necessarily riveting page turners as you might have expected, but they certainly provided me with a wealth of knowledge, such that I feel almost ready to start writing this novel.
Still have another day planned for tomorrow, leafing through a book on American criminal procedure, as there are a number of key differences between the American system (where I am setting the novel) and the Australian system (where my research to date has focused on). So, once again, not necessarily a terribly exciting day on one hand, but definitely an important day on the other, and something that will allow me to look as though I know what I'm talking about as I write the novel itself.
Very excited to think that by the end of the week, I should be ready to begin the actual writing. Of course, I will keep you informed as to how that goes, and MAY occasionally post an excerpt here...don't know for sure about that though, I've never really let anyone read a work-in-progress...But there's a first time for everything, I suppose.
And that way, I can get some feedback from readers around the world before the novel is complete, that might be a little exciting. Go ahead and leave a comment, let me know what you think.
That's enough for today. I'm feeling kind of exhausted after a day of reading.
Still have another day planned for tomorrow, leafing through a book on American criminal procedure, as there are a number of key differences between the American system (where I am setting the novel) and the Australian system (where my research to date has focused on). So, once again, not necessarily a terribly exciting day on one hand, but definitely an important day on the other, and something that will allow me to look as though I know what I'm talking about as I write the novel itself.
Very excited to think that by the end of the week, I should be ready to begin the actual writing. Of course, I will keep you informed as to how that goes, and MAY occasionally post an excerpt here...don't know for sure about that though, I've never really let anyone read a work-in-progress...But there's a first time for everything, I suppose.
And that way, I can get some feedback from readers around the world before the novel is complete, that might be a little exciting. Go ahead and leave a comment, let me know what you think.
That's enough for today. I'm feeling kind of exhausted after a day of reading.
Monday, 24 August 2009
My head hurts ...
Just got home from the library, having spent the day doing extensive research into the US legal system, more specifically today looking at material relevant to my novel (ie. child abuse cases, pros and cons of putting a child on the stand, strategies of defense counsel in cross-examination of the state's expert witnesses, etc.)
All in all, a gruelling day. Productive, yes, but gruelling, especially considering the bulk of the subject matter I had to read to get the information I require before I can begin the writing itself.
Have managed to locate also the other books I will be looking at over the next few days, including a really super-duper one on the science of jury selection. Mm-mm, that will be a riveting read, LOL.
Anyway, just thought y'all might want to know where I'm up to with this thing, and hopefully as I have said earlier, by the end of this week, I should have covered all the research points I want/need to, so will be ready to start putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys, whatever...)
All in all, a gruelling day. Productive, yes, but gruelling, especially considering the bulk of the subject matter I had to read to get the information I require before I can begin the writing itself.
Have managed to locate also the other books I will be looking at over the next few days, including a really super-duper one on the science of jury selection. Mm-mm, that will be a riveting read, LOL.
Anyway, just thought y'all might want to know where I'm up to with this thing, and hopefully as I have said earlier, by the end of this week, I should have covered all the research points I want/need to, so will be ready to start putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys, whatever...)
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