I have all the scenes mapped out for Five Rings. But before I do the same for Web of Hearts, I think I’ll try writing from the ‘beginning of the book’ to the ‘beginning of the middle’. So basically, from the prologue to…

<recap>
BEGINNING OF THE MIDDLE
~~~This is the point of the story where it stops being introduction and the MC is out in the world.~~~
</recap>

Now I’ve got a bunch of text files that look like this->

Read the rest of this entry »

Pull up a chair. Have I got a grotesquely long-winded story for you….

Once upon a time, before this blog came into existence, I was experimenting with software that magically ‘helps’ you write your book.

When I first installed Dramatica Pro v4.0 on my computer, I was shocked to see “What is the title of your story?” as the very first question in the ‘linear StoryGuide’: “The step-by-step process to conceptualizing your story”.

There were no tools to help me brainstorm a possible title, no hints to help, and no tips to figuring it out. Just an old-fashioned blank line with a flashing cursor, awaiting me to enter something to proceed to step two.

After racking my brains for a good hour or two while rolling back and forth on my bed like a human steam-roller, I entered ‘Untitled’ and proceeded.

Step two left me confronted with another dastardly question: “Briefly describe what happens in “Untitled”, including the Beginning, Middle, and End.”.

Another flashing cursor. This time in a great big empty page-sized box. I think my brain was also blank with nothing but a flashing cursor at that point. Although maybe the word ‘error’ made an appearance or two.

One thing’s for sure: Dramatica Pro doesn’t pull its punches. I ran away with my tail between my legs that day. I simply wasn’t ready for it.

But let’s try it again:
“What’s the title of your story?” Read the rest of this entry »

Pull up a chair. Have I got a grotesquely long-winded story for you….

Once upon a time, before this blog came into existence, I was experimenting with software that magically ‘helps’ you write your book.

When I first installed Dramatica Pro v4.0 on my computer, I was shocked to see “What is the title of your story?” as the very first question in the ‘linear StoryGuide’: “The step-by-step process to conceptualizing your story”.

There were no tools to help me brainstorm a possible title, no hints to help, and no tips to figuring it out. Just an old-fashioned blank line with a flashing cursor, awaiting me to enter something to proceed to step two.

After racking my brains for a good hour or two while rolling back and forth on my bed like a human steam-roller, I entered ‘Untitled’ and proceeded.

Step two left me confronted with another dastardly question: “Briefly describe what happens in “Untitled”, including the Beginning, Middle, and End.”.

Another flashing cursor. This time in a great big empty page-sized box. I think my brain was also blank with nothing but a flashing cursor at that point. Although maybe the word ‘error’ made an appearance or two.

One thing’s for sure: Dramatica Pro doesn’t pull its punches. I ran away with my tail between my legs that day. I simply wasn’t ready for it.

But let’s try it again:
“What’s the title of your story?” Read the rest of this entry »

Pull up a chair. Have I got a grotesquely long-winded story for you….

Once upon a time, before this blog came into existence, I was experimenting with software that magically ‘helps’ you write your book.

When I first installed Dramatica Pro v4.0 on my computer, I was shocked to see “What is the title of your story?” as the very first question in the ‘linear StoryGuide’: “The step-by-step process to conceptualizing your story”.

There were no tools to help me brainstorm a possible title, no hints to help, and no tips to figuring it out. Just an old-fashioned blank line with a flashing cursor, awaiting me to enter something to proceed to step two.

After racking my brains for a good hour or two while rolling back and forth on my bed like a human steam-roller, I entered ‘Untitled’ and proceeded.

Step two left me confronted with another dastardly question: “Briefly describe what happens in “Untitled”, including the Beginning, Middle, and End.”.

Another flashing cursor. This time in a great big empty page-sized box. I think my brain was also blank with nothing but a flashing cursor at that point. Although maybe the word ‘error’ made an appearance or two.

One thing’s for sure: Dramatica Pro doesn’t pull its punches. I ran away with my tail between my legs that day. I simply wasn’t ready for it.

But let’s try it again:
“What’s the title of your story?” Read the rest of this entry »

Pull up a chair. Have I got a grotesquely long-winded story for you….

Once upon a time, before this blog came into existence, I was experimenting with software that magically ‘helps’ you write your book.

When I first installed Dramatica Pro v4.0 on my computer, I was shocked to see “What is the title of your story?” as the very first question in the ‘linear StoryGuide’: “The step-by-step process to conceptualizing your story”.

There were no tools to help me brainstorm a possible title, no hints to help, and no tips to figuring it out. Just an old-fashioned blank line with a flashing cursor, awaiting me to enter something to proceed to step two.

After racking my brains for a good hour or two while rolling back and forth on my bed like a human steam-roller, I entered ‘Untitled’ and proceeded.

Step two left me confronted with another dastardly question: “Briefly describe what happens in “Untitled”, including the Beginning, Middle, and End.”.

Another flashing cursor. This time in a great big empty page-sized box. I think my brain was also blank with nothing but a flashing cursor at that point. Although maybe the word ‘error’ made an appearance or two.

One thing’s for sure: Dramatica Pro doesn’t pull its punches. I ran away with my tail between my legs that day. I simply wasn’t ready for it.

But let’s try it again:
“What’s the title of your story?” Read the rest of this entry »

Pull up a chair. Have I got a grotesquely long-winded story for you….

Once upon a time, before this blog came into existence, I was experimenting with software that magically ‘helps’ you write your book.

When I first installed Dramatica Pro v4.0 on my computer, I was shocked to see “What is the title of your story?” as the very first question in the ‘linear StoryGuide’: “The step-by-step process to conceptualizing your story”.

There were no tools to help me brainstorm a possible title, no hints to help, and no tips to figuring it out. Just an old-fashioned blank line with a flashing cursor, awaiting me to enter something to proceed to step two.

After racking my brains for a good hour or two while rolling back and forth on my bed like a human steam-roller, I entered ‘Untitled’ and proceeded.

Step two left me confronted with another dastardly question: “Briefly describe what happens in “Untitled”, including the Beginning, Middle, and End.”.

Another flashing cursor. This time in a great big empty page-sized box. I think my brain was also blank with nothing but a flashing cursor at that point. Although maybe the word ‘error’ made an appearance or two.

One thing’s for sure: Dramatica Pro doesn’t pull its punches. I ran away with my tail between my legs that day. I simply wasn’t ready for it.

But let’s try it again:
“What’s the title of your story?” Read the rest of this entry »