Brief writer's tips

Here's a couple of outstanding reminders as you are writing from session to session.
"One technique I've found really useful is to try and connect with my characters every day as often as I can. Some days I just don't get to the computer, but I still try to find at least 5 minutes to close my eyes and try to hear my characters speaking... This helps a lot. If I manage to connect a bit with it each day, it's much easier to start writing when I finally find a moment, even if it's only once a week."
Padma Venkatraman
The inciting incident in the plot of your story is the moment when the desire and need of the protagonist move into the world of action. Something happens—perhaps even some small thing—that propels a character into the events of the narrative. In his book The Anatomy of Story, John Truby says this is the moment the protagonist is "out of the frying pan and into the fire." Take a moment to read the first few chapters of your manuscript to see if you have a specific inciting incident that propels your novel forward. Truby says the best inciting incident is one that allows the character to think his or her problems are solved, but actually provides the most difficulty. If your inciting incident is missing or is a little too subtle, crank it up! Make your readers worry about your characters from the moment the action begins, and you're on your way to a better story. Helen Hemphill

Write on! Sharon K.