Monday 30 April 2012

Sevens and Plot Structure

Once again, I'm delighted to be mentioned in the Lucky 7 challenge - this time by lovely writer and blogging friend, Angela Barton. One of the nice things about this challenge is finding out what other writers are currently working on, or have just completed.

The rules again are that we go to page 77 of our WIP, count 7 lines down, and copy down the next 7 sentences into our blog post. Then we should pass the challenge on to 7 others! So here goes with a little passage from the current novel I'm trying to finish, Midwinter Masquerade:

He regarded her in mock surprise. “Why Miss Montgomery, you do me a great injustice. I merely happened upon you at the most opportune moment. But I can certainly try to ensure I stay well away from you in future, lest you should actually injure me in your escapades.”

Annabelle was uncomfortably aware she still stood far too close to her rescuer and could actually see the light change in his eyes. Suitably chastened for her rudeness, she stood back a little, unable to hide her embarrassment at being caught in such difficulty again. And this time with a torn dress!

Rather than pass this on to specific people again, please feel free to take this challenge on your own blogs and let me know so I can read what you're writing!

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In case anyone has never come across Michael Hauge's Story Mastery website, here's a link to his excellent article Ten Simple Keys to Plot Structure. Just need to take time to study it now!

Rosemary

14 comments:

Joanna said...

I love the sound of Midwinter Masquerade. I want to know about her previous difficulties and why her dress is torn. Beautiful writing, Rosemary. I love the elegance and style.

And thank you for the keys to plot structure, which I have just printed out to read. I like his idea that whatever's happening now in the plot should be more interesting that what has just happened. I'll try to apply that to the short story I'm writing this morning and the tricky next part of my novel that I'm going to work on this afternoon.

Teresa Ashby said...

Ooh Rosemary - I loved that and want to read more!

Thank you for the link. Plot is my biggest weakness so I think this will be useful x

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks, Joanna - what a lovely comment! This is the next historical and I really want to get it finished now.

Thanks so much, Teresa - that's the best incentive to get it finished!

Jude Johnson said...

Lovely, Romy. And thanks for that link. I don't have 77 pages done on my WIPs yet, but yours certainly reads well!
I'm itching to get back to work on mine...

~Jude

Anita Chapman said...

Hi Rosemary, I think that this is a great challenge and I enjoyed your excerpt. Thanks for the link to Michael Hauge's website-really useful stuff-have made a note to read properly later.

Diane Fordham said...

Thumbs up Rosemary! Thanks for the link too.. will check it out x

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Hi Jude - thanks for coming over!

Hi Anita - thanks. I've bookmarked his site too!

Hi Diane - you're welcome!

Carolb said...

Very useful link, Rosemary, thank you. I'll also pass it onto a few friends who will find it useful.

I'm intrigued by your excerpt. I too wonder how her dress got torn.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Hi Carol - thanks. And it's quite an innocent scene!

Talli Roland said...

That's a lovely excerpt, Rosemary. More please!

myraduffy said...

Keep writing,Rosemary!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks, Talli!

I'm trying, Myra - but keep getting diverted!!

Patsy said...

I love that extract. If I'd picked up a book and read those few lines I'd definitely have continued reading.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

That's so kind - thank you, Patsy! Must get on and finish it.