Category Archives: story concept

Birdman: How what you think depends on your outlook

Posted on December 18, 2014 by SharonJoss

No spoilers here. I’m talking about technique here. I’ve been going through some pretty intense personal stuff lately (really good, but distracting), so I decided to go see a movie, to reset my brain. I chose Birdman, in part because … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, movies, Sharon Joss, story concept, technique | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Thrill Ride: Nine Questions for Jump-Starting a Novel

Posted on September 11, 2014 by SharonJoss

Here another useful tool I use when I’m dancing around, trying to find my plot. I find that once I’m able to answer the following 9 questions, the story has pretty well coalesced and I’m ready to start outlining and/or … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, character development, developing plot, extraordinary, Getting Into Character, goals, hook, interesting characters, jump-start, making stuff up, novel, opening scene, Openings, plot threads, Sharon Joss, Starting a novel, story, story concept, structure | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Counting the Days – Writing to a Schedule

Posted on June 25, 2014 by SharonJoss

Hard to believe the year is already half over. At the beginning of 2014, I committed myself to a production schedule for the first time. I made myself a 30-day, 60-day, and 360-day list of GOALS I felt I could … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, AURUM, butt in chair, deadline, editor, editors, feedback, good writing, Legacy Soul, market research, novel, Personal Rejection, rejection, revising, schedule, Sharon Joss, short story, speculative fiction, story concept, Thriller, write every day; writers write, writing business, writing quota | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s Your Concept?

Posted on February 9, 2012 by SharonJoss

In his fabulous book, Story Engineering, Larry Brooks talks about the critical difference between an idea and a concept in a story.  If I may paraphrase, an idea is the spark of inspiration that comes from inside the writer’s head.  For … Continue reading →

Posted in compelling question, concept, idea, Larry Brooks, story concept, Story Engineering | Leave a comment