View
223
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 120
the writerrsquos
little
helperveyth ing you nd to know towrit btte and gt publishd
JAMES V SMITH JR
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 220
ContentsINRODUCION GETING SARED 1
Writing MechanicsWRIING O BE UNDERSOOD 4
EFFECIVE SENENCES 7
HE PASSIVE VOICE DEFINED 10
Ceativity WRIING CREAIVELY 15
WRIING UNIQUE SORIES 16
WRIERrsquoS BLOCK 17
Fiction TechniquesIMAGERY VERSUS DESCRIPION 20
FLASHBACKS 23
FORESHADOWING24
EXURIZING YOUR NOVEL 25
HE ALERNAIVE O DESCRIPION 28
ADVANCED IMAGERY ECHNIQUES 32
RANSIIONS 101 35
IRONY 37
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 320
ChactesCHARACERS CHARACERS CHARACERS 41
MINIMUM CHARACER ELEMENS FOR ANY SORY 42
KEEPING RACK OF CHARACERS 45
HOW O PU A FACE ON YOUR CHARACERS 46
WHY DO GOOD CHARACERS DO BAD HINGS 48
HE DARK SIDE OF CHARACER 51
DONrsquo GO INO HE BASEMEN 52
NAMES 53
CHARACER REDEMPION 55
SEREOYPES 58
Dilogu DIALOGUE 62
AVOIDING BAD DIALOGUE 64
DIALOGUE EXERCISE 65
CONFLIC IN DIALOGUE 68
VOICE 71
Point of ViwPOV 74
NARRAION 77
CHARACER POV 80
GETING HE READER INVOLVED 82
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 420
Plot SIMPLICITY 101 85
STORY STRUCTURE 86
FOCUS 88
TRIUMPH VERSUS TRAGEDY 89
SUBPLOTS 92
Writing ScenesORGANIZING TEN EASY SCENES 97
SCENE-ERY 100
NARRATION VERSUS SCENE-ERY 101
THE SCENE CARD 102
EVERY SCENE MUST HAVE A PURPOSE 107
THE ACIIIDS TEST FOR EVALUATING SCENES 108
WRITING SCENES WITH IMPACT 109
Beginnings amp EndingsSTRUCTURING YOUR FIRST WORDS 113
THE WRITING SAMPLE 115
STRUCTURING THE CLIMAX 116
GRABBING THE READER 119
TITLES 121
PROLOGUES AND EPILOGUES 123
LAST WORDS 125
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 520
PacingPACING WITHIN A SCENE 130
THE ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 134
ADJUSTING THE PACE OF YOUR STORY 137
FINAL ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 140
Wod Chice INVENTIVE WORDS 143
ADVANCED WORD INVENTION EXERCISE 146
THE CREATIVE WRITERrsquoS BRACKETING TOOL 149
WHAT STRIKING WORDS CAN DO 151
EditingAVOIDING AMATEUR MISTAKES 154
EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 157
READING EASE 159
USE SHORT WORDS 162
EDITING USING THE READING EASE IDEAL 163
MORE EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 166
PARAGRAPHS THAT SING 168
EDITING SCENES USING THE REI 169
FINAL EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 172
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 620
Getting Published THE 21 KEY TRAITS 176
REJECTION AINrsquoT FATAL 178
A THOUSAND WORDS ARE WORTH 180
HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLER 182
CATEGORY FICTION 183
MARKETING YOUR OWN SERIES 186
PROPOSING THE ldquoBIG BOOKrdquo 189
CONFLICT THE INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT OF FICTION 192
THE END 194
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
INDEX 196
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 720
WRITING MECHANICS 1
Int oducion Geting Sared Tis book hits the technical aspects of writing 1047297ction from the point of
view of giving readers what they want in a bestseller
WHAT WILL THIS LITTLE HELPER DO FOR YOU
INSPIRE YOUOf course Irsquoll try to do that Any book like this 1047297rst
has to give you a feeling of ldquoI can write and sell a novel I want to
do it I will do itmdashoutta my wayrdquo Irsquove tried to inspire you
ANSWER YOUR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS You want to know how
to write characters that compel You have questions about plots set-
ting style story structure and dialogue Good topics all and wersquoll
address them but not as other how-to books do Where this book
differs is in its point of view
GIVE YOU TOOLS Most writing how-tos use checklists shortcuts
exercises and stepsmdashtools you can use to write 1047297ction Tis book
does too But again with that unique twist While other books tell
you what a writer must domdashfrom a writerrsquos point of viewmdashthis one
comes at the writer from the angle of what readers say they want a
writer to do
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 820
2 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
INJECT YOUR FICTION WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC Admit it You
want a book like this to guarantee you a bestseller Tis book will
simply tell you how to analyze the needs of readers and show you
how best-selling writers meet those needs
Whether you write the bestseller depends on the magic in your 1047297ction
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 920
WRITING MECHANICS 7
Popular novelists do write sentences o orty words or more But
rarely back-to-back You most ofen 1047297nd a long sentence bracketed by
short ones
Effective SentencesBESIDES WORD COUNT WHAT OTHER FACTORS AFFECT
COMPREHENSION IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Answer Singularity A sentence works best when it expresses a single ideausing no more words than necessary to express that idea
Sentences come in a variety o shapes and orms In high school you
learned the terms simple complex and compound in de1047297ning sentence
constructions Irsquoll rede1047297ne these terms because yoursquore more interested in
writer unctions than sterile de1047297nitions
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Te effective simple sentence states a act portrays an act or paints an
image Te writer adds only minimal but relevant clari1047297cation As always
the 1047297rst job o such a sentence is to move a story orward i not by action
or con1047298ict then by an image that expands understanding
A sponge carpet of pine needles covered the trail (an image of
nine words)
Bill grasped her arm (an action of only four words)
A new fear chilled her skin (six words of conflict)
Simple sentences send direct messages And directness helps you main-
tain singularity Whatrsquos more the message usually involves only one
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 220
ContentsINRODUCION GETING SARED 1
Writing MechanicsWRIING O BE UNDERSOOD 4
EFFECIVE SENENCES 7
HE PASSIVE VOICE DEFINED 10
Ceativity WRIING CREAIVELY 15
WRIING UNIQUE SORIES 16
WRIERrsquoS BLOCK 17
Fiction TechniquesIMAGERY VERSUS DESCRIPION 20
FLASHBACKS 23
FORESHADOWING24
EXURIZING YOUR NOVEL 25
HE ALERNAIVE O DESCRIPION 28
ADVANCED IMAGERY ECHNIQUES 32
RANSIIONS 101 35
IRONY 37
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 320
ChactesCHARACERS CHARACERS CHARACERS 41
MINIMUM CHARACER ELEMENS FOR ANY SORY 42
KEEPING RACK OF CHARACERS 45
HOW O PU A FACE ON YOUR CHARACERS 46
WHY DO GOOD CHARACERS DO BAD HINGS 48
HE DARK SIDE OF CHARACER 51
DONrsquo GO INO HE BASEMEN 52
NAMES 53
CHARACER REDEMPION 55
SEREOYPES 58
Dilogu DIALOGUE 62
AVOIDING BAD DIALOGUE 64
DIALOGUE EXERCISE 65
CONFLIC IN DIALOGUE 68
VOICE 71
Point of ViwPOV 74
NARRAION 77
CHARACER POV 80
GETING HE READER INVOLVED 82
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 420
Plot SIMPLICITY 101 85
STORY STRUCTURE 86
FOCUS 88
TRIUMPH VERSUS TRAGEDY 89
SUBPLOTS 92
Writing ScenesORGANIZING TEN EASY SCENES 97
SCENE-ERY 100
NARRATION VERSUS SCENE-ERY 101
THE SCENE CARD 102
EVERY SCENE MUST HAVE A PURPOSE 107
THE ACIIIDS TEST FOR EVALUATING SCENES 108
WRITING SCENES WITH IMPACT 109
Beginnings amp EndingsSTRUCTURING YOUR FIRST WORDS 113
THE WRITING SAMPLE 115
STRUCTURING THE CLIMAX 116
GRABBING THE READER 119
TITLES 121
PROLOGUES AND EPILOGUES 123
LAST WORDS 125
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 520
PacingPACING WITHIN A SCENE 130
THE ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 134
ADJUSTING THE PACE OF YOUR STORY 137
FINAL ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 140
Wod Chice INVENTIVE WORDS 143
ADVANCED WORD INVENTION EXERCISE 146
THE CREATIVE WRITERrsquoS BRACKETING TOOL 149
WHAT STRIKING WORDS CAN DO 151
EditingAVOIDING AMATEUR MISTAKES 154
EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 157
READING EASE 159
USE SHORT WORDS 162
EDITING USING THE READING EASE IDEAL 163
MORE EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 166
PARAGRAPHS THAT SING 168
EDITING SCENES USING THE REI 169
FINAL EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 172
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 620
Getting Published THE 21 KEY TRAITS 176
REJECTION AINrsquoT FATAL 178
A THOUSAND WORDS ARE WORTH 180
HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLER 182
CATEGORY FICTION 183
MARKETING YOUR OWN SERIES 186
PROPOSING THE ldquoBIG BOOKrdquo 189
CONFLICT THE INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT OF FICTION 192
THE END 194
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
INDEX 196
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 720
WRITING MECHANICS 1
Int oducion Geting Sared Tis book hits the technical aspects of writing 1047297ction from the point of
view of giving readers what they want in a bestseller
WHAT WILL THIS LITTLE HELPER DO FOR YOU
INSPIRE YOUOf course Irsquoll try to do that Any book like this 1047297rst
has to give you a feeling of ldquoI can write and sell a novel I want to
do it I will do itmdashoutta my wayrdquo Irsquove tried to inspire you
ANSWER YOUR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS You want to know how
to write characters that compel You have questions about plots set-
ting style story structure and dialogue Good topics all and wersquoll
address them but not as other how-to books do Where this book
differs is in its point of view
GIVE YOU TOOLS Most writing how-tos use checklists shortcuts
exercises and stepsmdashtools you can use to write 1047297ction Tis book
does too But again with that unique twist While other books tell
you what a writer must domdashfrom a writerrsquos point of viewmdashthis one
comes at the writer from the angle of what readers say they want a
writer to do
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 820
2 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
INJECT YOUR FICTION WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC Admit it You
want a book like this to guarantee you a bestseller Tis book will
simply tell you how to analyze the needs of readers and show you
how best-selling writers meet those needs
Whether you write the bestseller depends on the magic in your 1047297ction
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 920
WRITING MECHANICS 7
Popular novelists do write sentences o orty words or more But
rarely back-to-back You most ofen 1047297nd a long sentence bracketed by
short ones
Effective SentencesBESIDES WORD COUNT WHAT OTHER FACTORS AFFECT
COMPREHENSION IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Answer Singularity A sentence works best when it expresses a single ideausing no more words than necessary to express that idea
Sentences come in a variety o shapes and orms In high school you
learned the terms simple complex and compound in de1047297ning sentence
constructions Irsquoll rede1047297ne these terms because yoursquore more interested in
writer unctions than sterile de1047297nitions
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Te effective simple sentence states a act portrays an act or paints an
image Te writer adds only minimal but relevant clari1047297cation As always
the 1047297rst job o such a sentence is to move a story orward i not by action
or con1047298ict then by an image that expands understanding
A sponge carpet of pine needles covered the trail (an image of
nine words)
Bill grasped her arm (an action of only four words)
A new fear chilled her skin (six words of conflict)
Simple sentences send direct messages And directness helps you main-
tain singularity Whatrsquos more the message usually involves only one
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 320
ChactesCHARACERS CHARACERS CHARACERS 41
MINIMUM CHARACER ELEMENS FOR ANY SORY 42
KEEPING RACK OF CHARACERS 45
HOW O PU A FACE ON YOUR CHARACERS 46
WHY DO GOOD CHARACERS DO BAD HINGS 48
HE DARK SIDE OF CHARACER 51
DONrsquo GO INO HE BASEMEN 52
NAMES 53
CHARACER REDEMPION 55
SEREOYPES 58
Dilogu DIALOGUE 62
AVOIDING BAD DIALOGUE 64
DIALOGUE EXERCISE 65
CONFLIC IN DIALOGUE 68
VOICE 71
Point of ViwPOV 74
NARRAION 77
CHARACER POV 80
GETING HE READER INVOLVED 82
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 420
Plot SIMPLICITY 101 85
STORY STRUCTURE 86
FOCUS 88
TRIUMPH VERSUS TRAGEDY 89
SUBPLOTS 92
Writing ScenesORGANIZING TEN EASY SCENES 97
SCENE-ERY 100
NARRATION VERSUS SCENE-ERY 101
THE SCENE CARD 102
EVERY SCENE MUST HAVE A PURPOSE 107
THE ACIIIDS TEST FOR EVALUATING SCENES 108
WRITING SCENES WITH IMPACT 109
Beginnings amp EndingsSTRUCTURING YOUR FIRST WORDS 113
THE WRITING SAMPLE 115
STRUCTURING THE CLIMAX 116
GRABBING THE READER 119
TITLES 121
PROLOGUES AND EPILOGUES 123
LAST WORDS 125
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 520
PacingPACING WITHIN A SCENE 130
THE ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 134
ADJUSTING THE PACE OF YOUR STORY 137
FINAL ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 140
Wod Chice INVENTIVE WORDS 143
ADVANCED WORD INVENTION EXERCISE 146
THE CREATIVE WRITERrsquoS BRACKETING TOOL 149
WHAT STRIKING WORDS CAN DO 151
EditingAVOIDING AMATEUR MISTAKES 154
EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 157
READING EASE 159
USE SHORT WORDS 162
EDITING USING THE READING EASE IDEAL 163
MORE EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 166
PARAGRAPHS THAT SING 168
EDITING SCENES USING THE REI 169
FINAL EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 172
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 620
Getting Published THE 21 KEY TRAITS 176
REJECTION AINrsquoT FATAL 178
A THOUSAND WORDS ARE WORTH 180
HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLER 182
CATEGORY FICTION 183
MARKETING YOUR OWN SERIES 186
PROPOSING THE ldquoBIG BOOKrdquo 189
CONFLICT THE INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT OF FICTION 192
THE END 194
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
INDEX 196
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 720
WRITING MECHANICS 1
Int oducion Geting Sared Tis book hits the technical aspects of writing 1047297ction from the point of
view of giving readers what they want in a bestseller
WHAT WILL THIS LITTLE HELPER DO FOR YOU
INSPIRE YOUOf course Irsquoll try to do that Any book like this 1047297rst
has to give you a feeling of ldquoI can write and sell a novel I want to
do it I will do itmdashoutta my wayrdquo Irsquove tried to inspire you
ANSWER YOUR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS You want to know how
to write characters that compel You have questions about plots set-
ting style story structure and dialogue Good topics all and wersquoll
address them but not as other how-to books do Where this book
differs is in its point of view
GIVE YOU TOOLS Most writing how-tos use checklists shortcuts
exercises and stepsmdashtools you can use to write 1047297ction Tis book
does too But again with that unique twist While other books tell
you what a writer must domdashfrom a writerrsquos point of viewmdashthis one
comes at the writer from the angle of what readers say they want a
writer to do
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 820
2 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
INJECT YOUR FICTION WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC Admit it You
want a book like this to guarantee you a bestseller Tis book will
simply tell you how to analyze the needs of readers and show you
how best-selling writers meet those needs
Whether you write the bestseller depends on the magic in your 1047297ction
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 920
WRITING MECHANICS 7
Popular novelists do write sentences o orty words or more But
rarely back-to-back You most ofen 1047297nd a long sentence bracketed by
short ones
Effective SentencesBESIDES WORD COUNT WHAT OTHER FACTORS AFFECT
COMPREHENSION IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Answer Singularity A sentence works best when it expresses a single ideausing no more words than necessary to express that idea
Sentences come in a variety o shapes and orms In high school you
learned the terms simple complex and compound in de1047297ning sentence
constructions Irsquoll rede1047297ne these terms because yoursquore more interested in
writer unctions than sterile de1047297nitions
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Te effective simple sentence states a act portrays an act or paints an
image Te writer adds only minimal but relevant clari1047297cation As always
the 1047297rst job o such a sentence is to move a story orward i not by action
or con1047298ict then by an image that expands understanding
A sponge carpet of pine needles covered the trail (an image of
nine words)
Bill grasped her arm (an action of only four words)
A new fear chilled her skin (six words of conflict)
Simple sentences send direct messages And directness helps you main-
tain singularity Whatrsquos more the message usually involves only one
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 420
Plot SIMPLICITY 101 85
STORY STRUCTURE 86
FOCUS 88
TRIUMPH VERSUS TRAGEDY 89
SUBPLOTS 92
Writing ScenesORGANIZING TEN EASY SCENES 97
SCENE-ERY 100
NARRATION VERSUS SCENE-ERY 101
THE SCENE CARD 102
EVERY SCENE MUST HAVE A PURPOSE 107
THE ACIIIDS TEST FOR EVALUATING SCENES 108
WRITING SCENES WITH IMPACT 109
Beginnings amp EndingsSTRUCTURING YOUR FIRST WORDS 113
THE WRITING SAMPLE 115
STRUCTURING THE CLIMAX 116
GRABBING THE READER 119
TITLES 121
PROLOGUES AND EPILOGUES 123
LAST WORDS 125
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 520
PacingPACING WITHIN A SCENE 130
THE ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 134
ADJUSTING THE PACE OF YOUR STORY 137
FINAL ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 140
Wod Chice INVENTIVE WORDS 143
ADVANCED WORD INVENTION EXERCISE 146
THE CREATIVE WRITERrsquoS BRACKETING TOOL 149
WHAT STRIKING WORDS CAN DO 151
EditingAVOIDING AMATEUR MISTAKES 154
EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 157
READING EASE 159
USE SHORT WORDS 162
EDITING USING THE READING EASE IDEAL 163
MORE EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 166
PARAGRAPHS THAT SING 168
EDITING SCENES USING THE REI 169
FINAL EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 172
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 620
Getting Published THE 21 KEY TRAITS 176
REJECTION AINrsquoT FATAL 178
A THOUSAND WORDS ARE WORTH 180
HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLER 182
CATEGORY FICTION 183
MARKETING YOUR OWN SERIES 186
PROPOSING THE ldquoBIG BOOKrdquo 189
CONFLICT THE INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT OF FICTION 192
THE END 194
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
INDEX 196
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 720
WRITING MECHANICS 1
Int oducion Geting Sared Tis book hits the technical aspects of writing 1047297ction from the point of
view of giving readers what they want in a bestseller
WHAT WILL THIS LITTLE HELPER DO FOR YOU
INSPIRE YOUOf course Irsquoll try to do that Any book like this 1047297rst
has to give you a feeling of ldquoI can write and sell a novel I want to
do it I will do itmdashoutta my wayrdquo Irsquove tried to inspire you
ANSWER YOUR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS You want to know how
to write characters that compel You have questions about plots set-
ting style story structure and dialogue Good topics all and wersquoll
address them but not as other how-to books do Where this book
differs is in its point of view
GIVE YOU TOOLS Most writing how-tos use checklists shortcuts
exercises and stepsmdashtools you can use to write 1047297ction Tis book
does too But again with that unique twist While other books tell
you what a writer must domdashfrom a writerrsquos point of viewmdashthis one
comes at the writer from the angle of what readers say they want a
writer to do
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 820
2 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
INJECT YOUR FICTION WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC Admit it You
want a book like this to guarantee you a bestseller Tis book will
simply tell you how to analyze the needs of readers and show you
how best-selling writers meet those needs
Whether you write the bestseller depends on the magic in your 1047297ction
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 920
WRITING MECHANICS 7
Popular novelists do write sentences o orty words or more But
rarely back-to-back You most ofen 1047297nd a long sentence bracketed by
short ones
Effective SentencesBESIDES WORD COUNT WHAT OTHER FACTORS AFFECT
COMPREHENSION IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Answer Singularity A sentence works best when it expresses a single ideausing no more words than necessary to express that idea
Sentences come in a variety o shapes and orms In high school you
learned the terms simple complex and compound in de1047297ning sentence
constructions Irsquoll rede1047297ne these terms because yoursquore more interested in
writer unctions than sterile de1047297nitions
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Te effective simple sentence states a act portrays an act or paints an
image Te writer adds only minimal but relevant clari1047297cation As always
the 1047297rst job o such a sentence is to move a story orward i not by action
or con1047298ict then by an image that expands understanding
A sponge carpet of pine needles covered the trail (an image of
nine words)
Bill grasped her arm (an action of only four words)
A new fear chilled her skin (six words of conflict)
Simple sentences send direct messages And directness helps you main-
tain singularity Whatrsquos more the message usually involves only one
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 520
PacingPACING WITHIN A SCENE 130
THE ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 134
ADJUSTING THE PACE OF YOUR STORY 137
FINAL ULTIMATE PACING TOOL 140
Wod Chice INVENTIVE WORDS 143
ADVANCED WORD INVENTION EXERCISE 146
THE CREATIVE WRITERrsquoS BRACKETING TOOL 149
WHAT STRIKING WORDS CAN DO 151
EditingAVOIDING AMATEUR MISTAKES 154
EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 157
READING EASE 159
USE SHORT WORDS 162
EDITING USING THE READING EASE IDEAL 163
MORE EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 166
PARAGRAPHS THAT SING 168
EDITING SCENES USING THE REI 169
FINAL EDITING HIP SHOTS AND QUICK TIPS 172
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 620
Getting Published THE 21 KEY TRAITS 176
REJECTION AINrsquoT FATAL 178
A THOUSAND WORDS ARE WORTH 180
HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLER 182
CATEGORY FICTION 183
MARKETING YOUR OWN SERIES 186
PROPOSING THE ldquoBIG BOOKrdquo 189
CONFLICT THE INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT OF FICTION 192
THE END 194
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
INDEX 196
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 720
WRITING MECHANICS 1
Int oducion Geting Sared Tis book hits the technical aspects of writing 1047297ction from the point of
view of giving readers what they want in a bestseller
WHAT WILL THIS LITTLE HELPER DO FOR YOU
INSPIRE YOUOf course Irsquoll try to do that Any book like this 1047297rst
has to give you a feeling of ldquoI can write and sell a novel I want to
do it I will do itmdashoutta my wayrdquo Irsquove tried to inspire you
ANSWER YOUR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS You want to know how
to write characters that compel You have questions about plots set-
ting style story structure and dialogue Good topics all and wersquoll
address them but not as other how-to books do Where this book
differs is in its point of view
GIVE YOU TOOLS Most writing how-tos use checklists shortcuts
exercises and stepsmdashtools you can use to write 1047297ction Tis book
does too But again with that unique twist While other books tell
you what a writer must domdashfrom a writerrsquos point of viewmdashthis one
comes at the writer from the angle of what readers say they want a
writer to do
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 820
2 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
INJECT YOUR FICTION WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC Admit it You
want a book like this to guarantee you a bestseller Tis book will
simply tell you how to analyze the needs of readers and show you
how best-selling writers meet those needs
Whether you write the bestseller depends on the magic in your 1047297ction
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 920
WRITING MECHANICS 7
Popular novelists do write sentences o orty words or more But
rarely back-to-back You most ofen 1047297nd a long sentence bracketed by
short ones
Effective SentencesBESIDES WORD COUNT WHAT OTHER FACTORS AFFECT
COMPREHENSION IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Answer Singularity A sentence works best when it expresses a single ideausing no more words than necessary to express that idea
Sentences come in a variety o shapes and orms In high school you
learned the terms simple complex and compound in de1047297ning sentence
constructions Irsquoll rede1047297ne these terms because yoursquore more interested in
writer unctions than sterile de1047297nitions
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Te effective simple sentence states a act portrays an act or paints an
image Te writer adds only minimal but relevant clari1047297cation As always
the 1047297rst job o such a sentence is to move a story orward i not by action
or con1047298ict then by an image that expands understanding
A sponge carpet of pine needles covered the trail (an image of
nine words)
Bill grasped her arm (an action of only four words)
A new fear chilled her skin (six words of conflict)
Simple sentences send direct messages And directness helps you main-
tain singularity Whatrsquos more the message usually involves only one
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 620
Getting Published THE 21 KEY TRAITS 176
REJECTION AINrsquoT FATAL 178
A THOUSAND WORDS ARE WORTH 180
HOW TO WRITE A BESTSELLER 182
CATEGORY FICTION 183
MARKETING YOUR OWN SERIES 186
PROPOSING THE ldquoBIG BOOKrdquo 189
CONFLICT THE INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT OF FICTION 192
THE END 194
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
INDEX 196
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 720
WRITING MECHANICS 1
Int oducion Geting Sared Tis book hits the technical aspects of writing 1047297ction from the point of
view of giving readers what they want in a bestseller
WHAT WILL THIS LITTLE HELPER DO FOR YOU
INSPIRE YOUOf course Irsquoll try to do that Any book like this 1047297rst
has to give you a feeling of ldquoI can write and sell a novel I want to
do it I will do itmdashoutta my wayrdquo Irsquove tried to inspire you
ANSWER YOUR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS You want to know how
to write characters that compel You have questions about plots set-
ting style story structure and dialogue Good topics all and wersquoll
address them but not as other how-to books do Where this book
differs is in its point of view
GIVE YOU TOOLS Most writing how-tos use checklists shortcuts
exercises and stepsmdashtools you can use to write 1047297ction Tis book
does too But again with that unique twist While other books tell
you what a writer must domdashfrom a writerrsquos point of viewmdashthis one
comes at the writer from the angle of what readers say they want a
writer to do
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 820
2 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
INJECT YOUR FICTION WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC Admit it You
want a book like this to guarantee you a bestseller Tis book will
simply tell you how to analyze the needs of readers and show you
how best-selling writers meet those needs
Whether you write the bestseller depends on the magic in your 1047297ction
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 920
WRITING MECHANICS 7
Popular novelists do write sentences o orty words or more But
rarely back-to-back You most ofen 1047297nd a long sentence bracketed by
short ones
Effective SentencesBESIDES WORD COUNT WHAT OTHER FACTORS AFFECT
COMPREHENSION IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Answer Singularity A sentence works best when it expresses a single ideausing no more words than necessary to express that idea
Sentences come in a variety o shapes and orms In high school you
learned the terms simple complex and compound in de1047297ning sentence
constructions Irsquoll rede1047297ne these terms because yoursquore more interested in
writer unctions than sterile de1047297nitions
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Te effective simple sentence states a act portrays an act or paints an
image Te writer adds only minimal but relevant clari1047297cation As always
the 1047297rst job o such a sentence is to move a story orward i not by action
or con1047298ict then by an image that expands understanding
A sponge carpet of pine needles covered the trail (an image of
nine words)
Bill grasped her arm (an action of only four words)
A new fear chilled her skin (six words of conflict)
Simple sentences send direct messages And directness helps you main-
tain singularity Whatrsquos more the message usually involves only one
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 720
WRITING MECHANICS 1
Int oducion Geting Sared Tis book hits the technical aspects of writing 1047297ction from the point of
view of giving readers what they want in a bestseller
WHAT WILL THIS LITTLE HELPER DO FOR YOU
INSPIRE YOUOf course Irsquoll try to do that Any book like this 1047297rst
has to give you a feeling of ldquoI can write and sell a novel I want to
do it I will do itmdashoutta my wayrdquo Irsquove tried to inspire you
ANSWER YOUR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS You want to know how
to write characters that compel You have questions about plots set-
ting style story structure and dialogue Good topics all and wersquoll
address them but not as other how-to books do Where this book
differs is in its point of view
GIVE YOU TOOLS Most writing how-tos use checklists shortcuts
exercises and stepsmdashtools you can use to write 1047297ction Tis book
does too But again with that unique twist While other books tell
you what a writer must domdashfrom a writerrsquos point of viewmdashthis one
comes at the writer from the angle of what readers say they want a
writer to do
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 820
2 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
INJECT YOUR FICTION WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC Admit it You
want a book like this to guarantee you a bestseller Tis book will
simply tell you how to analyze the needs of readers and show you
how best-selling writers meet those needs
Whether you write the bestseller depends on the magic in your 1047297ction
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 920
WRITING MECHANICS 7
Popular novelists do write sentences o orty words or more But
rarely back-to-back You most ofen 1047297nd a long sentence bracketed by
short ones
Effective SentencesBESIDES WORD COUNT WHAT OTHER FACTORS AFFECT
COMPREHENSION IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Answer Singularity A sentence works best when it expresses a single ideausing no more words than necessary to express that idea
Sentences come in a variety o shapes and orms In high school you
learned the terms simple complex and compound in de1047297ning sentence
constructions Irsquoll rede1047297ne these terms because yoursquore more interested in
writer unctions than sterile de1047297nitions
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Te effective simple sentence states a act portrays an act or paints an
image Te writer adds only minimal but relevant clari1047297cation As always
the 1047297rst job o such a sentence is to move a story orward i not by action
or con1047298ict then by an image that expands understanding
A sponge carpet of pine needles covered the trail (an image of
nine words)
Bill grasped her arm (an action of only four words)
A new fear chilled her skin (six words of conflict)
Simple sentences send direct messages And directness helps you main-
tain singularity Whatrsquos more the message usually involves only one
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 820
2 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
INJECT YOUR FICTION WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC Admit it You
want a book like this to guarantee you a bestseller Tis book will
simply tell you how to analyze the needs of readers and show you
how best-selling writers meet those needs
Whether you write the bestseller depends on the magic in your 1047297ction
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 920
WRITING MECHANICS 7
Popular novelists do write sentences o orty words or more But
rarely back-to-back You most ofen 1047297nd a long sentence bracketed by
short ones
Effective SentencesBESIDES WORD COUNT WHAT OTHER FACTORS AFFECT
COMPREHENSION IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Answer Singularity A sentence works best when it expresses a single ideausing no more words than necessary to express that idea
Sentences come in a variety o shapes and orms In high school you
learned the terms simple complex and compound in de1047297ning sentence
constructions Irsquoll rede1047297ne these terms because yoursquore more interested in
writer unctions than sterile de1047297nitions
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Te effective simple sentence states a act portrays an act or paints an
image Te writer adds only minimal but relevant clari1047297cation As always
the 1047297rst job o such a sentence is to move a story orward i not by action
or con1047298ict then by an image that expands understanding
A sponge carpet of pine needles covered the trail (an image of
nine words)
Bill grasped her arm (an action of only four words)
A new fear chilled her skin (six words of conflict)
Simple sentences send direct messages And directness helps you main-
tain singularity Whatrsquos more the message usually involves only one
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 920
WRITING MECHANICS 7
Popular novelists do write sentences o orty words or more But
rarely back-to-back You most ofen 1047297nd a long sentence bracketed by
short ones
Effective SentencesBESIDES WORD COUNT WHAT OTHER FACTORS AFFECT
COMPREHENSION IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Answer Singularity A sentence works best when it expresses a single ideausing no more words than necessary to express that idea
Sentences come in a variety o shapes and orms In high school you
learned the terms simple complex and compound in de1047297ning sentence
constructions Irsquoll rede1047297ne these terms because yoursquore more interested in
writer unctions than sterile de1047297nitions
SIMPLE SENTENCES
Te effective simple sentence states a act portrays an act or paints an
image Te writer adds only minimal but relevant clari1047297cation As always
the 1047297rst job o such a sentence is to move a story orward i not by action
or con1047298ict then by an image that expands understanding
A sponge carpet of pine needles covered the trail (an image of
nine words)
Bill grasped her arm (an action of only four words)
A new fear chilled her skin (six words of conflict)
Simple sentences send direct messages And directness helps you main-
tain singularity Whatrsquos more the message usually involves only one
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1020
CREATIVITY 15
Writing Creatively WHAT DO READERS WANT BY WAY OF CREATIVITY
IN YOUR WRITING
Tey want a fresh experience Tey want you to invent You donrsquot have to
make up a new language as in A Clockwork Orange Terersquos no need to go
experimental either writing in accents or phonetics to the point where
the writing feels alien
Rather readers want to see familiar words used in fresh ways And
they want to read good stories told in creative ways You must entertainprovoke and excite your readers with your creative genius You get to the
top of this writing game when you Wow your readers with words and
stories You just cannot do that without a passion to invent
Not to dwell on the dark side of this point but you must at least avoid
what I call the death knell of creativity automatic writing Irsquom talking
about the stuff you read in most papers the junk you grind out at work
the utter mind-numbing trash that you 1047297nd on 9604683 percent of Websites in America
RULE OF THUMB Avoid automatic writing If itrsquos coming too easily
beware It might not be the muse in you talking but the garbage man
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1120
FICTION TECHNIQUES 35
My agent once made a deep impression on me in a discussion about
The Bonire o the Vanities She said ldquoSometimes I wish om Wole
wouldnrsquot describe so much and in such excruciating detail Sometimes I
wish hersquod just leave a little bit to my own imaginationrdquoBest advice about imagery Irsquove ever gotten
Transitions 101 HOW CAN I MAKE MY NOVEL FLOW SMOOTHLY
ransitions Tese come in two orms large- and small-scale transitions
Small-Scale Transitions
OUTRIGHT PHRASES Later last week next day yesterday then soon
afer Like that
DIRECT REFERENCES Ofen using pronouns like he she and it to reer
to nouns in previous sentences and paragraphs
REFLECTIONS OF IMAGES AND IDEAS From one part o the scene to
the next
REPETITION OF WORDS OR SYNONYMS From one paragraph to an-
other Simple yet effective
CAUSE AND EFFECT Something happens in one paragraph and its re-
sult is seen in the next
CONTRADICTION Something is stated or supposed in one paragraph
but is reversed in the next
AN OVERALL DOMINANT ATMOSPHERE TO WHICH REFERENCES
ARE MADE Tis is tricky to talk about but easy to see Suppose you set a
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1220
44 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
wicked but not entirely demonic
1047298awed or vulnerable either physically mentally or emotionally
capable of humor or irony
powerful enough to crush the heroic character
physically fascinating even if repulsive
defeated at the end of the story
bull Action and con1047298ict involving the heroic characterrsquos quest With hellip
suspense or substantial tension at every turn
all dialogue laced with con1047298ict
a varied pace
action either rising to a confrontation or falling from one
utter absence of boring static scenes
vivid imagery rather than lifeless description
singularity of the central story line
subplots that support the central story line
narration carried by characters and not the author
absence of philosophizing preaching and musing
bull A perceived ending Complete with hellip
a 1047297nal titanic climactic struggle between characters at the
end of the story
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1320
64 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
Avoiding Bad DialogueWHAT DOES BAD DIALOGUE SOUND LIKE
Here are some general rules of thumb to avoiding bad dialogue
Characters shouldnrsquot ldquospeechifyrdquo Be wary when a character talks
past three lines Break up long speeches with action images or con1047298ict-
laden responses from another character
Donrsquot let characters talk as we do in real life Avoid chit-chat such as
ldquoHow are yourdquo
ldquoIrsquom fine how are yourdquo
ldquoFine I guessrdquo
ldquoYou guessrdquo
ldquoYeahrdquo
ldquoYou gonna get to the pointrdquo
Tatrsquos what I want to knowAvoid clutter Let the dialogue 1047298ow Read the following example
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
She seemed unable to make eye contact with him That con-
firmed it for him He thought hersquod be on safe ground telling her why
hersquod been so cool toward her lately
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
He adjusted the knot and made sure the point of the tie touched
the middle of his belt buckle
Now look how well the same material reads when you cut the clutter
ldquoSpit it outrdquo she said fiddling with his necktie
He yanked the tie from her hands ldquoI donrsquot trust yourdquo
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1420
DIALOGUE 71
ldquoIrsquom not kiddingrdquo
Or
ldquoIrsquom seriousrdquo
USING THE IMPERATIVE Tis adds emphasis to the most neutral state-ments as well as increasing the potential for con1047298ict
Notice the difference between
ldquoI donrsquot think you should tell her the truthrdquo
And
ldquoDonrsquot tell her the truth Lie Lie your tail offrdquo
TYPOGRAPHICAL EMPHASIS Do NO rely on this ldquoAMAEURISHrdquo
technique
BODY LANGUAGE Overt actions and passive behaviors indicate con1047298ict
ldquoI donrsquot exactly hate yourdquo she said blinking with only one eye
CHARACTER RECOGNITION Neither the author nor the narrator gives
away the hostility But one character sees con1047298ict in an otherwise innocent
situation By saying so he tips off everybody elseldquoYou say yoursquove forgiven me but I can see the muscle cramps in
your templesrdquo
VoiceAll my characters sound alike How can I make them distinctive
Use this hellip
DISTINCTIVE VOICE TOOL
o help you remember this tool of voice Irsquove identi1047297ed 1047297ve qualities all
beginning with the same letter as voice
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1520
88 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
So thatrsquos the conventional story model I it works or you use it I you
want to lif your vision to a less conventional model visit the riumph vs
ragedy model on the next page
FocusHow can I stay ocused on my story
Herersquos a tool to help you rom the very start
THE NUGGET
In orty words or so write down what your story is about Herersquos an example
rom one o my own tales written under the pen name o John Harriman
Delta Force
A Military Thriller
A soldier watches the 911 terrorist strikes on the Twin Towers froman airliner The mission Train a hit squad to exact revenge without
becoming American terrorists in the eyes of the world The risk
Losing his own soul
Tatrsquos thirty-nine words not counting title and category I wrote it at the
very start o writing the novel I shared it with my editor to let him know
my ocus I kept it on hand to remind mysel whenever the story elt as i
it were oundering
HOW TO KEEP FOCUS USING THE NUGGET
ype or hand-print your idea onto three-by-1047297ve cards
Carry one in the pocket o your blouse or shirt
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1620
BEGINNINGS amp ENDINGS 117
cide whether to buy your book Te Opener must impress a reader to give
in to an impulse to take your book home rom the bookstore
But itrsquos the climax that closes the deal or all three partiesmdashthatrsquos
partly why I call it the Closer Te editor who bought my 1047297rst book said
that afer he decided he liked the opening 1047297 fy pages he skipped right
to the ending to see i I could deliver in the climax Only then did he
make an offer on the book
o make your book a bestseller it matters more to readersmdashlots and
lots o readersmdashwhat they say afer they put your book down than when
they pick it up
A CHECKLIST FOR THE CLIMACTIC CLOSER SCENE
Ask yoursel these questions about your Closer
IS THIS SCENE A TITANIC FINAL STRUGGLE Blow away your
readers Simple as that No scene that precedes the climax should
be more exciting Tis is the payoff
DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER CONFRONT THE WORTHY AD-
VERSARY Absolutely mandatory No exceptions
IS THE CONFLICT RESOLVED IN THE HEROIC CHARACTERrsquoS
FAVOR Not mandatory but usually the most popular choice
WHAT DOES THE HEROIC CHARACTER LEARN Te most dra-
matic events o our lives teach our charactersmdashand usmdashsomething
o lasting value Our scars cost us something perhaps innocence or
purity but we also wear them as badges o learning A reader who
walks away rom the novel with a so-what attitude will kill you in
the word-o-mouth department
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1720
Getting Published
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1820
176 THE WRITERrsquoS LITTLE HELPER
The 21 Key TraitsWHAT DO READERS WANT
Readers want to read works that offer utility (writing to the point aboutthings they can use in their lives) Tey seek information substance fo-
cus logic a sense of connection a compelling style a sense of wit sim-
plicity clarity a fast pace imagery creativity excitement comfort hap-
piness and truth (if not truth then fact or at least balance and fairness)
Tey seek writing that provokes them Tey want active memorable writ-
ing Tey want to say ldquoWowrdquo at writing that leaves them with a sense of
wonder Tey honor writing that elevates them with its transcendence(heroism justice beauty honor honesty and the like)
THE 21 KEY TRAITS OF BEST-SELLING FICTION
Utility (writing about things that people will use in their lives)
Information (facts people must have to place your writing in context)
Substance (the relative value or weight in any piece of writing)
Focus (the power to bring an issue into clear view)
Logic (a coherent system for making your points)
A sense of connection (the power of personal involvement)
A compelling style (writing in a way that engages)
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 1920
About the AuthorJames V Smith Jr has published more than a dozen
novels including the six-book series ldquoForce Reconrdquo
His latest novels the ldquoDelta Forcerdquo series appear un-der the pen name John Harriman Smith is a former
combat soldier helicopter pilot newspaper writer and
editor national award-winning columnist and maga-
zine editor He is also the author of You Can Write a
Novel (1047297rst and second editions) published by Writ-
errsquos Digest Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 195
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book
822019 Writers Little Helper Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullwriters-little-helper-everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-better-and-get 2020
Therersquos nothing small about the dynamic fiction-writing advice
inside The Writerrsquos Little Helper Itrsquos packed with big ideas time-
saving tips and revision-made-easy chartsndasheverything you
need to
bull Create great characters
bull Maintain a compelling pace
bull Craft believable dialogue
bull Expand your creativity
bull Revise your work to perfection
bull Attract the attention of agents and editors
bull And much much more
The unique format of the book allows you to read from start tofinish or focus on those areas where your fiction needs work
Author James V Smith Jr offers additional guidance with short
checklists QampAs and other writing tools
With valuable and surprising tips on every page The Writerrsquos
Little Helper is sure to become your biggest fiction-writing aid
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 6 W 6 e Y C M T M D M T A w A T E F V V B D
0 4 L U E M M D M 1 M z E z N j U 0 N D Y 2 H A = =
35313 654460 6 U P C
E A N
W6570
F n L 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
0 1 J U Y r V y B Q d W J s a W N h d G l v b n M s I E l u Y y A o
0 2 S W 9 s Y S B k a X Z p c 2 l v b i k P R 3 J l Z 2 9 y e S B L
0 3 c n V l Z 2 V y A E 8 r v 6 E E M T A u N A I 4 M A E x B k V B
0 4 T i 0 x M w 0 5 N z g x N T k 5 N j M 0 M D k 4 A A = =
781599 6340989
51499
ISBN-10 1-59963-409-0
ISBN-13 978-1-59963-409-8
US $1499(CAN $3350)
WRITING REFERENCE
big fi ction advic fom a lit tl book