Laura Writes

Yes, I’ve been speaking a lot lately, and enjoying it more and more.  It helps me with my own writing to organize a workshop around a specific topic, even if the occasional speaking engagement turns extemporaneous.  Most recently, at the Maumelle Writers Conference, November 7,  my One-On-One with writers who had sent in work ahead of time took on a critique group angle when the writers didn’t show!   So we read and discussed their work.  It turned out to be a great session — she said modestly — because several viewpoints were heard from the full compliment of attendees as we talked about how sometimes one simple solution can solve a seeming array of problems.  For instance, Point of View problems can skew a reader’s perception of who is speaking and drain a scene of it’s impact, direction, and even understanding.  Another thought, it’s easier to critique good writing then poor writing.  These were all examples of good writing that needed a bit of tweaking.

My keynote: Postcards from the Trenches was about the Writing Life and the need for writers to have writer friends.

So, I want to share a few pictures of the day and then my handout: CHECKLIST FOR STORY IDEAS.

Now something for writers:  Checklist for Story Ideas by Laura Parker Castoro

CHECK LIST FOR STORY IDEAS*

by

Laura Parker Castoro

THE STORY

1. DO YOU HAVE A PLOT?

A. Is your main character faced with a problem that it is very important for her/him to solve?

B. Is the problem suitable for the story you are writing? For example: romances are based on complications within the relationship. Mysteries must be puzzling.

C. Is it a problem that will interest your readers?

D. Are there real obstacles in the path of the main character which prevent her/him for easily achieving that purpose or goal?

E. Does your main character solve the problem satisfactorily by the end of the story?

2. IS YOUR CHARACTERIZATION SOUND?

A. Are your characters real people with whom the reader can identify? Are they composed of good and bad qualities?

B. Have you given them the abilities and emotional capacities that will allow them to achieve the goal you’ve set out for them?

C. Are you characters consistent? People may grow but they don’t change overnight. Nor do they change completely.

3. IS YOUR STORY UNIQUE or CONTAIN UNIQUE ELEMENTS?

A. How is your idea NEW or DIFFERENT?

B. Is it entertaining?

4. IS YOUR LOGIC SOUND FROM BEGINNING TO END?

A. Does one event naturally follow the next in ways your reader can easily understand?

B. Are any surprises believably explained by the end?

CHAPTER BY CHAPTER

5. DOES THE OPENING GRIP THE READER?

6. DOES THE BODY OF THE STORY CONTINUE TO BE OF ABSORBING INTEREST TO READER?

7. IS EVERY SCENE RELEVENT TO PLOT DEVELOPMENT?

8. IS YOUR SETTING BELIEVABLE?

9. IS YOUR DIALOGUE NATURAL AND APPROPRIATE?

10. ARE THE VARIOUS STORY ELELMENTS BROUGHT TOGETHER AT THE END IN A SATISFACTORY WAY?

EDITING STORY

11. DO ALL ACTIONS, DIALOGUE, AND DESCRIPTION MOVE THE STORY ALONG?

12. HAVE YOU AVOIDED CLICHED PHRASES AND SITUATIONS?

13. ARE YOUR TRANSITIONS QUICK AND SMOOTH?

14. IS THE FLASHBACK, IF USED, ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY?

15. DOES THE CLIMAX FULFILL EXPECTATIONS OF THE STORYLINE?

16. DOES THE CONCLUSION SATISFY? IS IT BRIEF?

Copyright*

November 10th, 2009 | Tags: Appearances, Checklist for Story Ideas, Laura Castoro, Laura Parker, lauracastoro.com, rewriting, The Writing Life, workshop, writer friends, writing fiction, Writing Tips | Category: Speaking Engagement, The Writing Life, Writing Tips | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL