Inspire Your Novel Writing: 3 Questions to Ponder

Writers, what are you reading that inspires you? What are you reading that inspires your writing?

I’m still reading The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass. And today is Excerpt Thursday, so here goes.

“To re-envision a scene, look away from the page and look toward what is really happening. What change takes place? When does that change occur (at what precise second in the scene)? In that moment, how is the point-of-view character changed? The point of those questions is to find the scenes’ turning points (note the plural).”
— from “Chapter Three: Scenes That Can’t Be Cut”, The Fire in Fiction: Passion, Purpose, and techniques to make your novel great

As you dive into your writing this week, look at one scene that can’t be cut and ask Maass’ questions. I know I will.

And write a comment telling us the book you’re reading that inspires you and your writing.

Happy Writing!

© 2009 Beth Barany

Who Beth Barany helps are aspiring authors. Find out more about her work in her latest book, The Writer’s Adventure Guide: 12 Stages to Writing Your Book, or at her site: http://www.bethbarany.com.

Excerpt used based on Fair Use laws.