A “How To” Guide for the Prospective Writer – Step Six on the Writing Journey
Written by Melissa Velasco, Accomplished Indie Writer
Melissa Velasco is an Indie author with a quick wit, edgy writing style, and bold willingness to take a flying leap into the unknown. She is the author of the Hollywood High Chronicles book series, a metaphysical thriller deep dive into the trials of a pack of metaphysically charged teen misfits growing up in gritty 1990's Hollywood.
Yes! Now we’re cooking with gas! If you’ve been following my “How To” guide for the prospective writer, then you’ve made it through writing ferociously, shadow work, building a cohesive setting, establishing your “writer’s voice,” and narrative story arc. (If you haven’t read those articles, you can find them here!
“We’re not done yet?!” I hear this a lot at this phase of a writer’s journey. I also feel this deeply when I write. No, we’re not done yet. In case you’re wavering, I’m here to tell you that you’re closer to the finish line than you think. “Then what do I do? I’ve done all the things!” The answer…
Story continuity
I call this the “yeah but” phase. This is where you accept, above all, that your story must flow consistently. I approach story continuity the same way that I do recalling a tragic/scary/heart-pounding moment. You don’t focus on the inconsequential random stuff. As the monumental moment unfolded in your life, the laundry that needed to be switched to the dryer does not matter. You could care less about that. The same is true for your story.
Get out your delete button “red pen” and start hacking. A warning though! Make a copy of your book file on your computer. You need a copy in case you cut something you might need later. I’ve written sixteen books in my series, The Hollywood High Chronicles, and there were three chapters that originally were in book nine that landed in book ten. I was relieved that I still had them in that copied file. The chapters were fire, but I hacked them because they weren’t imperative to book nine. Turns out I just needed to play a little game of Tetris. Copy your file and start working with the new document you create.
Now you get brutally honest…
The “side quest search”
It’s time to read your monster document, yet again. Follow the path you set through your story. Does it deviate down a flowery dead end, only to backtrack to the storyline path? Chances are, the flowery side quest path needs to go. “But Melissa! That chapter is brilliant!” I know it is. I’ve cut chapters so hilariously funny that laughter tears streamed down my cheeks when I read it a twenty-third time. I’ve hit the point in my writing career that I can hack a chapter with nothing more than a shrug. It didn’t start out like that, though. In the beginning, I agonized over those cuts. You need to cut it. Readers experience your book from a different perspective than you do. The side quests you love for their humor and antidotes will cause your readers to “take a break.” That’s not the goal.
Create books that readers can’t put down
I thrive in emails and messages from readers. One of my favorite messages was from a reader whom I don’t know personally. She wrote: “Melissa, I’m mad. I had a VERY important appointment. I got so engrossed in Ocean’s Inferno that I missed my appointment. How could I walk away, though? He was in an ambulance!” Yeah, he was! Woo doggies! That was a pinnacle moment. That ambulance was screaming down the street, and hearts were pounding. At least, I hoped they would when I wrote that scene. Her irritation was a huge compliment. While I’m sorry she missed her appointment, I’ve got a smirk my friends know well. Welcome to the dark side, Ma’am. That reader is a Hollywood High Chronicles Misfit, and I love it. That’s your goal as a writer.
Does your story track?
While we covered it in a previous article, this is a question you need to double-check as you work through continuity. Do your locations remain constant? Do your characters work within the confines of your world? Does the vibe maintain throughout? Are you getting from point A to Z in the tale in a way that doesn’t throw your reader off? Now for the big one… Are all the pieces there? My editor and I call this “tying the bows.”
The “shoestring method”
This is a process my editor and I use. Imagine that you’ve got shoestrings lined up on a table. Each shoestring is a bit of information you’ve liberally sprinkled throughout your book. By the end, they all need to be tied. Every conflict, worry, tragedy, happiness, and excitement needs to be concluded. As you read your book, make notes on a pad of paper as each new “shoestring” comes up. Check them off as they’re resolved. When you finish reading, reference your shoestring list. Anything you didn’t check off is a continuity problem.
The “go back”
Go back through your book and figure out where in your story the remaining “bow tying” needs to happen. Insert it. The other option is to cut the shoestring if a resolution isn’t needed, or the moment doesn’t assist the larger storyline. That’ll prep you for the next step of the journey: The Boredom Check and “The Send.” (Yup. I said “the send.” You’re so close. I can see the light at the end of your tunnel. I know you’re worn out. It’s coming!)
Melissa Velasco, Accomplished Indie Writer
With a quick wit, often edgy mouth, and loud laugh, Melissa exuberantly embraces life. Melissa Velasco is a true explorer of the arts. With a well-rounded background as a choreographer, professor, dance teacher, stage manager, and author, she thrives in creation. At her core, she believes that the arts save lives and provide a route for passion and connection. With five books currently published from her Hollywood High Chronicles metaphysical thriller book series, Melissa Velasco is an accomplished Indie writer.
