More thoughts on writing fiction...
WM35 You Create When You Start Writing
More thoughts on writing fiction...
WM34 Making a Character Active
More thoughts on writing fiction...
WM33 Writing Fiction vs Writing Non-Fiction?
In this episode, PIlar shares the key difference in writing a non-fiction book vs writing a nove.
WM32 Why do We Write Fiction?
Why do we write? I struggled so much during the re-write that I almost threw it all away and gave up this "I want to write fiction" thing. Why I didn't: I hate dropping stuff before giving it a proper go - that's why I went to drama school I'm learning a lot I know…
WM31 Don’t Wait for Inspiration, Bad Habits and Dialogue
Pilar updates listeners on her writing retreat and how it's difficult to explain to people who don't write that writing is not driven by inspiration. She shares her struggle with technique and the bad writing habits she's discovered. This episode's wisdom is on using dialogue as exposition, borrowed from Into the Woods by…
WM30 Working through Feedback
I've finally received some feedback from my writing coach, at a micro and macro level, and I talk about it in this episode. Lots to think about regarding character, supporting characters and the level of trauma the character is carrying with her at the beginning of the story, and what's triggered by the inciting incident.…
WM29 Not Writer’s Block, but Writer’s Discomfort
I've discovered my subplot through "story journaling"! Believe me, this is exciting!
WM28 Discovering a story through journaling
I've discovered my subplot through "story journaling"! Believe me, this is exciting!
WM27 Editing for point of view
Pilar has started working with a coach, and so now the hard work begins!She talks about how she's made some changes after considering the character's point of view. Recommended book: On Editing. How to edit your novel the professional way by Helen Corner-Bryant and Kathryn Price (again!) For more book recommendations, check out https://trello.com/b/3LUWiqsc/pilars-board-on-writing-for-word-maze-podcast And…
WM26 Finding the holes in the story
The edit has started! Structuring the novel.
WM25 One Piece at a Time
I'm back with Season 3 - after a month of struggling to build the story for the current novel, I've dug out a piece from a year ago and decided to work on that instead, hopefully with an editor… In this episode, Pilar talks about her fiction plans, recommends Being a Writer by Dorothea Brande…
WM24 How do you like to write?
In this episode, Pilar reflects on something she read in Becoming a Writer about paying attention to the kind of style you like writing in. She comes back to the lack of need of describing a character's physical appearance, after listening to episode 154 of the Bestselling Experiment podcast, with guest Mark Billingham. Finally, she…
WM23 Picking Up Writing Mid Novel
In today's episode: Pilar shares how to get into the habit of writing, and how to be aware of the context that helps you to do your best writing. Advice from Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brand She's heard some wonderful advice over at the Story Grid podcast on how to pick up a book…
WM22 Borrowing from a TV series and working with a copy editor
Another short episode: Pilar mentions a device she quite liked from Duel en Ville How she's started working with an editor through reedsy.com She recommends Nick Hornby's novel 'Juliet Naked'. Link to books on writing:https://trello.com/b/3LUWiqsc/pilars-nanowrimo2018-learning-and-podcasting-board
WM21 My character was too passive and why do we need to create art?
When writer's block comes from not wanting to dive into the emotional world I'm trying to create... There is of course the voice that whispers, will they believe the superhero story you're trying to create? Actually, it doesn't matter that much, as I've seen watching Contact, a French TV series. I've changed the plot because…
WM20 I Wish My Characters Would Drive me Mad
Well, I really wish my characters had a life of their own and were destroying my plot, but, it's not really happening - though, as I was recording for this episode, I realised that yes, one of them has thrown in something unexpected. Today's quoted books: Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith Fiction…
WM19 Dialogue is not just People Talking
I've discovered some of the reasons why it's been so hard to get writing today - I hope it's of some use to you too! But it's not all about how difficult I'm finding it, I also have some advice about when to use dialogue - or what to look out for when you're editing. I…
WM18 Why I’m abandoning NaNoWriMo but not my story
I've decided to abandon NaNoWriMo and I briefly explain why. However, I'm not abandoning my story, or this podcast, as it's all great fun. I also explain why. If you want to have a look at what I'm learning, check out my Trello board https://trello.com/b/3LUWiqsc/pilars-nanowrimo2018-learning-and-podcasting-board In this episode I refer to Lisa Jewell's The House…
WM17 How dark will you go?
I've discovered a new feature in the Remarkable tablet, thanks to the NaNoWriMo forum! I talk about that and also about finding the truth in your story, your characters and painfully, in your villain. How much are you willing to go through for your story?
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