I've got three things to say about this: excellent! excellent! excellent! Thanks for writing about this issue. And here again, the importance of beta-readers is reinforced. Getting feedback about the structure, the pacing, the characters is so important. Content creators (whether written or visual) are often just too close to the work to be objective. This post, like so many others that you have shared with us, will be added to my "Renee Guide to Better Writing" file folder.
Thanks, Marc. Agreed. I always hesitate about writing these articles because I worry how they'll sound. I'm not trying to be the voice of writing. I definitely have my struggles with it too. My intent is to just raise awareness of issues I see in submissions, in the hopes it helps writers catch it in their own writing so it can be improved before querying.
Hi Renee, I think I speak for all of us, your subscribers and readers, when I say what you put down here is important, useful and needed. Writing is primarily a solitary endeavor and better writing (and thereby better reading) is the ultimate goal and your words help. Keep it coming!
Love this and all so true. I read a book recently where a woman got a letter and just dropped everything to uplift her life . . . the problem? I wasn't even fully vested in the character yet and didn't understand the emotion behind why it was so important. It just felt like a crafted inciting incident to jumpstart the story, but I wasn't vested yet. I'm all about structure but emotion and heart needs to be there, woven into smarter stories. It's all hard and as writers we are only where we are at any given time in terms of skill, but that's why we need to keep pushing to be better. As always, I'm saving this Substack post for future reference! Your tips are always outstanding. Thank you for sharing them!
Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate that. I used TV shows because they're always doing stuff like this -- I couldn't remember any books I'd read as examples -- probably because the moment it happened I stopped reading.
I'm sure there were a handful of times the catalyst for setting it all off was eye-rolling -- but then the rest made up for it... not an excuse to do it, but it happens.
I agree about pushing to be better. I'm attempting a novel through a different writing method (Snowflake) just to see how it works. I know Mr. Truby would probably shudder at those words :)
As a developmental editor for nonfiction books, I, too, appreciate this insight. It applies across the board to telling a good story. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge!
I’m happy to say that after reading this my plot twists check out logically, emotionally, and thematically. I’m definitely going back to reinforce each with your tips.
Also, side note: I just got to the part of Vampire Diaries where the evil twin has arrived!
You mention Sixth Sense. I feel like you could do a comparison M. Night Shyamalan's entire library to prove this point 😀. It's interesting to me how some of his work delivers substantial plot twists and others are totally hollow. I think we have this assumption that if a writer knows how to do a good plot twist, they'll consistently deliver. But that's clearly not the case.
Interesting you say this, Annie. M. Night is def a hit and miss with his movies. I remember seeing The Village in the movies when it first came out and leaving the theater angry. I felt tricked -- but I didn't know if it was that, or if I was just mad I didn't figure it out.
Thank you Renee. As usual filled with insight and helpful tips. I have a question. Since plot cannot be copyrighted, should the querying writer be worried about revealing their story?
Yes. Assuming the writer is sending unsolicited queries (something I advise against, you and I differ here) they are giving out valuable info to virtual strangers.
While nobody is stealing submissions that I'm aware of -- though there are plenty of plagiarism cases from published book -- You can copyright your story.
I'm not sure how you'd even consider copyrighting plot -- there are tons of books and movies based on similar plot premise -- it's the execution that differs.
I remember feeling let down watching Lost for this reason. And I’m feeling this way about Yellowjackets. Poorly explained or contrived supernatural elements drive me nuts.
Joy - I hear you. I'm one of the few who didn't watch Lost (or Yellow Jackets)
There's a few shows I found myself yelling at the TV "It's magic!" Throwing in supernatural elements may be the new trap door. It is the "unexplained" after all...
I've got three things to say about this: excellent! excellent! excellent! Thanks for writing about this issue. And here again, the importance of beta-readers is reinforced. Getting feedback about the structure, the pacing, the characters is so important. Content creators (whether written or visual) are often just too close to the work to be objective. This post, like so many others that you have shared with us, will be added to my "Renee Guide to Better Writing" file folder.
Thanks, Marc. Agreed. I always hesitate about writing these articles because I worry how they'll sound. I'm not trying to be the voice of writing. I definitely have my struggles with it too. My intent is to just raise awareness of issues I see in submissions, in the hopes it helps writers catch it in their own writing so it can be improved before querying.
Hi Renee, I think I speak for all of us, your subscribers and readers, when I say what you put down here is important, useful and needed. Writing is primarily a solitary endeavor and better writing (and thereby better reading) is the ultimate goal and your words help. Keep it coming!
Glad to hear it Marc. I will do that.
Love this and all so true. I read a book recently where a woman got a letter and just dropped everything to uplift her life . . . the problem? I wasn't even fully vested in the character yet and didn't understand the emotion behind why it was so important. It just felt like a crafted inciting incident to jumpstart the story, but I wasn't vested yet. I'm all about structure but emotion and heart needs to be there, woven into smarter stories. It's all hard and as writers we are only where we are at any given time in terms of skill, but that's why we need to keep pushing to be better. As always, I'm saving this Substack post for future reference! Your tips are always outstanding. Thank you for sharing them!
Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate that. I used TV shows because they're always doing stuff like this -- I couldn't remember any books I'd read as examples -- probably because the moment it happened I stopped reading.
I'm sure there were a handful of times the catalyst for setting it all off was eye-rolling -- but then the rest made up for it... not an excuse to do it, but it happens.
I agree about pushing to be better. I'm attempting a novel through a different writing method (Snowflake) just to see how it works. I know Mr. Truby would probably shudder at those words :)
Cool! I’m always up for learning new stuff. I have never heard of the snowflake method?
Yes lol... I'd not heard of it and then someone kept referring to it in their videos, so I looked it up: https://www.amazon.com/Snowflake-Method-Advanced-Fiction-Writing-ebook/dp/B00LWBZ696/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OSEMC0RIS73Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UQMiA3B3g_UjRgqArrvM7m287kHEuummcre5EFfl2-htJEsFhEHmBTGH-XNaVvhGVh5FkFKJOqTYLhu0x5DwdBFdts8kF6cz4vsALPOm1uV42DCokJMopf7jS9YPHMlP7qGmzS8AWZ0iLmM46nu0OBNfQcgOoh4af7dsc3WS1sUN9xAFrU9Bab5AfxCpcgMS0SXvJo0iwejdkOieaH7mgUzlpAveaX7Ega4Ycrnx3mQ.fTTUWJfSimVuBnNjfArkeinI8y3kb4mPyjyOyREk7TU&dib_tag=se&keywords=snowflake+method&qid=1748878721&s=books&sprefix=snowflake+method%2Cstripbooks%2C95&sr=1-1
cool, I'll check it out!
👌👌👌
🙏 Thank you. For sharing 😊
This is so clearly articulated, Renee. Thank you! Bookmarking to share with my novel writing class this fall!
Wow, Kelcey, that’s so nice. I’m honored. 😊
As a developmental editor for nonfiction books, I, too, appreciate this insight. It applies across the board to telling a good story. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Thanks, Tracy. Glad you liked it.
Rock solid advice here. The feels above all else.
Thanks, Norman
This is brilliant!! And one reason why the last season of White Lotus didn’t work.
Thank you, Jennifer 🙂 Interesting observation on White Lotus. I had some issues with it. Is there a way to expound on what you mean without spoilers?
I’m happy to say that after reading this my plot twists check out logically, emotionally, and thematically. I’m definitely going back to reinforce each with your tips.
Also, side note: I just got to the part of Vampire Diaries where the evil twin has arrived!
Sound good, Liz -- I am sorry about the spoiler for Vampire Diaries. I think it was at that point in the show, that I reached my limit with Elena.
You mention Sixth Sense. I feel like you could do a comparison M. Night Shyamalan's entire library to prove this point 😀. It's interesting to me how some of his work delivers substantial plot twists and others are totally hollow. I think we have this assumption that if a writer knows how to do a good plot twist, they'll consistently deliver. But that's clearly not the case.
Interesting you say this, Annie. M. Night is def a hit and miss with his movies. I remember seeing The Village in the movies when it first came out and leaving the theater angry. I felt tricked -- but I didn't know if it was that, or if I was just mad I didn't figure it out.
Now this is good writing! A lot to think about here, Renee, thank you.
Glad it got you thinking, Andrew.
Thank you Renee. As usual filled with insight and helpful tips. I have a question. Since plot cannot be copyrighted, should the querying writer be worried about revealing their story?
Richard, not sure I follow-- you mean reveal their plot, like in a query letter?
Yes. Assuming the writer is sending unsolicited queries (something I advise against, you and I differ here) they are giving out valuable info to virtual strangers.
While nobody is stealing submissions that I'm aware of -- though there are plenty of plagiarism cases from published book -- You can copyright your story.
I'm not sure how you'd even consider copyrighting plot -- there are tons of books and movies based on similar plot premise -- it's the execution that differs.
Thanks Rene. Especially in the era of AI, writers should study the issue carefully.
I remember feeling let down watching Lost for this reason. And I’m feeling this way about Yellowjackets. Poorly explained or contrived supernatural elements drive me nuts.
Joy - I hear you. I'm one of the few who didn't watch Lost (or Yellow Jackets)
There's a few shows I found myself yelling at the TV "It's magic!" Throwing in supernatural elements may be the new trap door. It is the "unexplained" after all...