The Last Techniques I Learned Before Selling Fiction

By Victoria M. Johnson

Writing Techniques That Work!

When Victoria M. Johnson’s first novel finally sold to a New York publisher, she took some time to evaluate what made that story different than what she had written and submitted before. Were there specific techniques she had used for the first time? Could those techniques be taught to others?

She discovered that yes; she had applied elements that propelled the story to a new level. With The Last Techniques I learned Before Selling Fiction, readers can use these same techniques to enhance their stories and boost their chances of making a sale. Topics include...
Visceral idea
Conflict
Emotion
Voice
Theme
and More!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Victoria M. Johnson
• Release date: Apr 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310954108

Victoria M. Johnson

Whether I'm writing a World War II drama, a romantic comedy, or a thriller, my goal is to entertain, enlighten and surprise my readers. I write non-fiction, too. I write non-fiction to inspire, inform and help others.The Substitute Bride is my debut on Smashwords. I've always loved attending weddings and I know many of you do, too. Don't you love a festive celebration with a romantic ambiance and lots of bling? In addition to that, I was caught up in the excitement of the royal wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton and I decided to write these intertwined wedding stories. I hope you enjoy reading them.

Book preview

The Last Techniques I Learned Before Selling Fiction

by

Victoria M. Johnson

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 by Victoria M. Johnson

Published by Purple Passion Press

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Visceral Idea

Conflict

Emotion

Voice

Theme

Appendix I: Titles and Loglines Novels

Appendix II: Titles and Loglines Movies

Appendix III: Nine Ways To Add Character To Your Characters

Appendix IV: Final Points

Appendix IV: Help From The Experts

About the Author

Introduction

Learning the craft of fiction writing takes years of practice. It’s true that the more you write the better you get. But did you know that the more you write, the more you’ll learn about yourself? That is, the more your voice will emerge. Voice is that elusive thing that many writers chase for years before they find it. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Over time you’ll develop strengths and discover weaknesses. And if you keep writing—and reading—you’ll keep learning.

At first you’ll learn essential skills like characterization, plotting, and dialogue. Then you’ll gain advanced proficiency in these skills and learn more techniques. Then finally one day a piece gets accepted for publication! That happened to me and after celebrating for a bit I sat back to evaluate what was different about this story that set it apart from my previous submissions.

I imagine I’m not the only writer who took years to break in and get published. When my first novel (published in 2011) finally sold to a New York publisher, I examined what may have made this novel different than what I had written and submitted before. Had my writing improved? Were there specific techniques I had used for the first time? Could those techniques be taught to others?

When I compared my sold novel to my unsold manuscripts I discovered it indeed had some elements that propelled the story to a new level. Others can use these same techniques to enhance their stories and boost their chances of making a sale. Here are five of the last techniques of craft I learned before finally breaking in and