The best storytellers move their readers, whether to laughter, tears, or some other point on the spectrum of human emotion. In order to write emotionally evocative, sensory rich, compelling narratives, we must mine our wellspring of personal experiences using the storyteller’s first set of tools: our memory, emotion, and body.
Memory Emotion Body
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This week, Alida and Robert welcome author and writing coach Beth Barany to the Round Table to talk about her method of drafting a series, revising multiple books, using loyal readers while she’s still drafting, and more. This is one of those episodes where we set out to talk about one thing and talked about a dozen. I think you’ll find we go in surprising directions with loads of takeaways!
VIDEO
AUDIO
SHOW NOTES
What is the distinction between revision and revising for a reader? Beth dives deep into her own process of drafting and revision to help us understand what to look for at each stage of the process.
You can connect with Beth on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/BethBarany.
School: https://school.bethbarany.com/p/home
Blog: http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/
Fiction: http://author.bethbarany.com/
Main site: http://bethbarany.com/
What we talked about:
What is the distinction between revising, and revising for publication? (1:55)
How do you gain distance from the book? (5:35)
How much external feedback does Beth get? (8:40)
How does Beth know it’s done? (10:42)
Are there specific kinesthetic things Beth uses to check in with herself? (14:45)
What do the first couple of drafts look like? (17:15)
LINKS
Things we mentioned:
2,000 to 10,000 by Rachel Aaron
Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.
Do you enjoy the show?
Do you learn something every week?
Do you feel like you have company on your writing journey?
About Your Hosts
Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Two of her short stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She is the author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series. Alida lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her Golden Retriever, Seva the Wonder Dog. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.
Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.
Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com