IWSG: Defining Success

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

The awesome co-hosts for the September 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie!

SEPTEMBER QUESTION - How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?

MY ANSWER - My main goal is to keep learning and trying. To me, that is success. You can't control when, or if, you get published. You can't control the amount of money someone is willing to pay you. However, you can control if you keep pushing yourself. Those other things don't guarantee happiness. Keep finding the joy and passion in the craft - that is success!

5 Step Formula for Plot Structure

New writers are always looking for a formula for success. Experienced writers will tell them there is none. But, don't we all have our own formulas that work for us?

I'm working on some flash fiction again, and I thought I would update my own formula for plotting. I'm a pantser first, but I always go back in revision with a similar plot checklist. Even though I'm working on shorter works now, this formula is the same no matter the length of my manuscript. The movement just occurs much faster in flash fiction.

A-B-C-D-E Plot Structure

Let these occur in chronological order, unless you want things to slow down or become confusing to the reader:

A - is for Action. Open in the middle of it - this is the focus of my first paragraph.

B - is for Backstory. If it's flash fiction, this shouldn't last more than a few sentences or paragraphs. 

C - is for Character. If the reader isn't starting to connect with your hero/heroine by now, you are in serious danger. In flash fiction, I need to relate or empathize with the protagonist right away.

D - is for Development. What are the important details, or descriptions, needed to carry the reader through to the end? How are the five senses being employed here?

E - is for Elixir. Christopher Vogler refers to the ending of the tale as the elixir. In other words, what is the prize, or goal, achieved in the ending? Will your reader be happy they invested in the time with your tale?

So, try it out. Let me know how it works for you.

Do you have a formula or checklist you use when working?