How I do it

How I do it.

One of the things I did this week is write a synopsis of the vignette, before trying to actually write it.  This allowed me to dip into the back-story and pull out the thread of a story line that represented a Life Changing Event(LCE) in Volusia’s life.  Yes I know it is not a Lesson requirement to do this for a supporting character but there is nothing to say you shouldn’t.  As a matter of fact there is nothing like an LCE to give the reader and writer a good look into who a character is.  I mean insight gushes out like a fire hose.  For example the assault scene in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo launched her character into orbit.

Anyway I started with back-story.  Where does this come from?.  In response I can only say that some days I‘m inclined to write back story knowing it will never see the light of day or only receive formal expression in bits and pieces.  Sometimes however, I open a chapter with a chunk if I really think it adds something and strikes me as effective.

Keeping the back story on the right side of my brain and the tactical requirement on the other (I.e. essay, short story, vignette or chapter)  I hope you are getting the picture of what tactical writing means in the Percy Goodfellow sense of the term… I write an outline of the story action.

Having done this I clear the right side of my brain of any vestige of the story line to make room for some thoughts on two things.  Operational and Strategic writing components.  I want to think about the dramatic premise, dramatic ingredients, rising action WNDs LCE and all that other strategic stuff that I want integrated into the Story Line, outline….Then I think about transitions and foreshadowing and repetition and mannerisms and how I will paint some parts with a heavy and other with a light brush….The imagery of the details and how less is often better especially when it comes to modifiers…. Words and phrases.  So when I finish I have an outline of the vignette.

Then I write the synopsis, a piece at a time,  as shown here and finally the vignette which I have already posted.  Sounds like a lot of work….Perhaps, but it goes fast if you have a clear picture in mind of what you are about and what you intend to do.  Finally I read the vignette at least once a day for grammer, spelling and all that but mostly for resonance….I read with my ears and that is a whole different dimension of writing I won’t go into now.

Synopsis"Writing a Synopsis"  [13+]
Vignette"Lsn 3 Vignette: Powerful Enemies"  [13+]