Ključne točke
1. Pišite s strastjo in vztrajnostjo, premagujte zavrnitve
Zbiral sem zavrnitvena pisma deset let. Dokler ne premagate mojega rekorda, morate vztrajati.
Sprejmite zavrnitev kot priložnost za rast. Zavrnitev je neizogiben del poti pisatelja. Namesto da jo dojemate kot neuspeh, jo uporabite kot motivacijo za izboljšanje svojega ustvarjanja. Veliko uspešnih avtorjev, med njimi John Grisham in Dan Brown, je doseglo uspeh šele po številnih zavrnitvah.
Osredotočite se na nenehno izboljševanje. Ob vsaki zavrnitvi analizirajte povratne informacije in prepoznajte področja, kjer se lahko razvijete. Nadaljujte s pisanjem in začetki novih projektov, tudi če vaše trenutno delo ne pritegne pozornosti. Vsaka napisana knjiga vam pomaga izpopolniti veščine in najti svoj glas.
Ohranite pozitiven odnos. Obkrožite se s podpornimi ljudmi, ki verjamejo v vaš talent. Pridružite se pisateljskim skupinam ali obiščite konference, kjer boste spoznali druge pisce, ki razumejo izzive. Praznujte majhne zmage, kot je dokončanje poglavja ali prejem osebnega zavrnitvenega pisma s koristnimi nasveti.
2. Razvijajte prepričljive like, ki poganjajo zgodbo
Dobro razvit lik je večplasten, z značilnostmi in pomanjkljivostmi, sanjami, motivacijami in vrednotami.
Ustvarite večdimenzionalne like. Razvijajte like z globino tako, da jim podarite:
- Edinstvene osebnostne lastnosti in posebnosti
- Jasne motivacije in cilje
- Pomanjkljivosti in ranljivosti
- Osebne vrednote in prepričanja
- Zgodbe iz preteklosti, ki vplivajo na njihova dejanja
Prikažite razvoj lika. Dovolite, da se vaši liki skozi zgodbo spreminjajo in rastejo. Njihove izkušnje naj oblikujejo njihove odločitve in pogled na svet, kar jih naredi bolj resnične in bralcem bližje.
Učinkovito uporabite stranske like. Manjši liki lahko obogatijo zgodbo in pomagajo razkriti plati glavnih likov. Poskrbite, da ima vsak lik svoj namen pri napredovanju zapleta ali razvoju protagonista.
3. Obvladajte umetnost dialoga in opisa
Dialog opredeljuje lik. Tudi v najpreprostejšem pogovoru med dvema osebama so opazne razlike v načinu govora.
Ustvarjajte pristne dialoge. Bodite pozorni na način, kako ljudje govorijo v resničnem življenju, in te vzorce vključite v svoje pisanje. Vsak lik naj ima svoj edinstven glas, ki odraža njegovo ozadje, izobrazbo in osebnost. Dialog uporabite za razkrivanje značilnosti, napredovanje zgodbe in ustvarjanje napetosti.
Uravnotežite opis in dogajanje. Pri opisovanju okolij ali likov izberite žive, specifične podrobnosti, ki pritegnejo bralčeva čutila. Izogibajte se dolgim opisom, ki upočasnijo tempo. Namesto tega vpletajte opisne elemente v dogajanje in dialog, da ohranite dinamiko.
Pokažite, ne razlagajte. Namesto da neposredno navajate čustva ali lastnosti lika, jih prikažite skozi njegova dejanja, dialog in odnose z drugimi. Ta pristop omogoča bralcem, da sami sklepajo in se bolj povežejo z zgodbo.
4. Strukturirajte svoj roman z močnim zapletom in tempom
Svoj roman vidim kot vlak. Moji liki so kot vagoni, zaplet pa je lokomotiva, ki jih vleče od ene postaje do druge.
Naredite načrt zgodbe. Preden začnete pisati, si pripravite osnovni oris zapleta, vključno z glavnim dogajanjem in prelomnicami. Ta načrt vam bo pomagal ohraniti osredotočenost in pravi tempo skozi celoten proces pisanja.
Gradite napetost in konflikte. Vpeljite ovire in izzive, ki jih morajo vaši liki premagati. Stopnjujte vložke skozi zgodbo, da ohranite bralčevo zanimanje in navezanost na izid.
Raznolik tempo. Menjajte hitre akcijske prizore z bolj umirjenimi, osredotočenimi na like, da ustvarite dinamično bralno izkušnjo. Dolžino poglavij in stavkov prilagajajte ritmu zgodbe.
5. Brezkompromisno revidirajte in urejajte svoje delo
Stephen King uporablja to formulo: dober drugi osnutek = prvi osnutek minus deset odstotkov.
Oddaljite se od besedila pred urejanjem. Ko dokončate prvi osnutek, ga za nekaj tednov odložite. Ta premor vam bo omogočil, da se k delu vrnete z novimi očmi in bolj objektivno.
Najprej se osredotočite na velike težave. Pri prvi reviziji odpravite glavne strukturne pomanjkljivosti, luknje v zapletu in neskladnosti v likih. Ko so ti temelji urejeni, se lotite podrobnega urejanja za slovnico, slog in izbiro besed.
Poiščite povratne informacije. Delo delite z zaupanja vrednimi bralci, pisateljskimi skupinami ali profesionalnimi uredniki. Njihovi vpogledi vam lahko pomagajo odkriti slepe pege in področja za izboljšave, ki jih sami morda ne opazite.
6. Premikajte se po založniškem procesu s potrpežljivostjo in profesionalnostjo
Če vam je pisateljstvo pomembno, vztrajajte, se izboljšujte in ne obupajte.
Spoznajte založniško industrijo. Seznanite se z založniškim postopkom, vključno z:
- Iskanjem in kontaktiranjem literarnih agentov
- Pripravo gradiv za oddajo (povpraševanja, sinopsisi)
- Razumevanjem založniških pogodb in pravic
Bodite profesionalni v vseh stikih. Pisanje obravnavajte kot posel in ohranite vljuden ter profesionalen odnos v komunikaciji z agenti, uredniki in založniki. Natančno upoštevajte navodila za oddajo in bodite potrpežljivi v pogosto dolgem postopku.
Razmislite o več možnostih za objavo. Raziščite tradicionalno založništvo, manjše založbe in samozaložništvo, da najdete najboljšo pot za svoje delo in karierne cilje. Vsaka možnost ima svoje prednosti in izzive, zato jih skrbno pretehtajte.
7. Negujte disciplino in rutino v svojem pisateljskem življenju
Biti profesionalec pomeni biti za mizo tudi takrat, ko se vam ne da. Soočenje z belo stranjo in prisiliti se, da vanjo vpišete besede, kjer jih ni.
Vzpostavite dosleden urnik pisanja. Vsak dan si namenite določen čas za pisanje in ga obravnavajte kot neodložljiv sestanek. Ne glede na to, ali je to zgodaj zjutraj, pozno zvečer ali med odmorom za kosilo, najdite čas, ki vam ustreza, in ga spoštujte.
Ustvarite produktivno okolje za pisanje. Določite poseben prostor, kjer vas ne bodo motili. To je lahko domača pisarna, miren kotiček ali lokalna kavarna. Pomembno je, da imate prostor, ki vašemu umu sporoča, da je čas za pisanje.
Postavite dosegljive cilje. Razdelite pisateljske projekte na obvladljive naloge in si zastavite realne dnevne ali tedenske cilje. Ta pristop ohranja zagon in prinaša občutek dosežka, ki vas spodbuja k nadaljevanju pisanja.
Zadnja posodobitev:
FAQ
What's "How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author" about?
- Author's Insights: The book offers a detailed look into Janet Evanovich's writing process, sharing her personal experiences and methods.
- Writing Techniques: It covers various aspects of writing, from character creation to structuring a novel, and provides practical advice for aspiring writers.
- Publishing Guidance: Evanovich also discusses the publishing process, including finding an agent and getting published.
- Personal Stories: The book includes anecdotes from Evanovich's life and career, making it both informative and entertaining.
Why should I read "How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author"?
- Learn from a Bestseller: Gain insights from Janet Evanovich, a successful author known for her Stephanie Plum series.
- Practical Advice: The book is filled with actionable tips and strategies for writing and publishing.
- Inspiration and Motivation: Evanovich shares her journey, including challenges and triumphs, to inspire other writers.
- Comprehensive Guide: It covers a wide range of topics, making it a valuable resource for both new and experienced writers.
What are the key takeaways of "How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author"?
- Character Development: Creating memorable and believable characters is crucial for engaging storytelling.
- Writing Discipline: Consistency and treating writing like a job are essential for success.
- Publishing Process: Understanding the roles of agents, editors, and publishers can help navigate the publishing world.
- Persistence Pays Off: Evanovich emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of rejection and challenges.
How does Janet Evanovich create great characters?
- Multidimensional Characters: Characters should have quirks, flaws, dreams, and motivations to make them relatable and memorable.
- Observation and Imagination: Evanovich draws inspiration from real-life people and situations, adding her creative twist.
- Honesty and Vulnerability: Characters should be honest and vulnerable, allowing readers to connect with them emotionally.
- Unique Dialogue and Actions: Each character should have distinct speech patterns and behaviors that set them apart.
What is Janet Evanovich's advice on finding story ideas?
- Everyday Inspiration: Ideas can come from newspapers, magazines, TV shows, and personal experiences.
- Observation Skills: Pay attention to the world around you and listen to people's conversations for potential storylines.
- Write It Down: Always jot down ideas as they come to you, as they can be fleeting.
- Personal Experiences: Use your own life experiences as a source of humor and authenticity in your writing.
How does Janet Evanovich handle the writing process?
- Structured Approach: Evanovich uses a combination of character sketches, location selection, and a time line of action.
- Flexibility: While she has a general outline, she remains open to changes and new ideas during the writing process.
- Daily Writing Routine: She emphasizes the importance of writing every day, even if it's just a few sentences.
- Editing and Revising: Evanovich believes in multiple drafts and revisions to refine the story and characters.
What are Janet Evanovich's rules for successful writing?
- Commitment to Writing: Treat writing as a responsibility and show up on time, just like a job.
- Be Brave: Never hold back ideas for future projects; always give your best effort in the current work.
- Respect the Audience: Write with the reader in mind, ensuring the story is engaging and enjoyable.
- Embrace Imperfection: Accept that writing "stuff that sucks" is part of the learning process.
How does Janet Evanovich suggest handling rejection?
- Persistence is Key: Rejection is a part of every writer's journey, and perseverance is crucial.
- Learn from Feedback: Use constructive criticism to improve your writing and grow as an author.
- Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude and focus on the progress you've made.
- Keep Writing: Start a new project immediately after finishing one, regardless of its reception.
What is Janet Evanovich's approach to humor in writing?
- Think Funny: Humor can come naturally or be crafted by looking at situations from a different perspective.
- Balance Emotions: While humor is important, it's essential to evoke a range of emotions in the reader.
- Physical and Social Comedy: Use both physical humor and social commentary to create engaging scenes.
- Character Insight: Humor can provide deeper insights into characters and their relationships.
How does Janet Evanovich structure her novels?
- Linear Structure: Evanovich prefers a chronological approach, avoiding flashbacks for easier reading.
- Storyboarding: She uses a dry-erase board to map out the plot, character development, and key events.
- Plot and Subplot: Incorporates a main plot and subplots to add depth and maintain reader interest.
- Pacing and Transitions: Focuses on smooth transitions and pacing to keep the story engaging.
What advice does Janet Evanovich give on getting published?
- Complete Manuscript: Ensure your manuscript is polished and complete before seeking representation.
- Query Letters: Write a compelling query letter to capture an agent's or editor's interest.
- Finding an Agent: Research and target agents who represent your genre and have a good track record.
- Be Prepared for Rejection: Understand that rejection is common and part of the process; keep trying.
What are the best quotes from "How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author" and what do they mean?
- "Writing stuff that sucks is part of the learning process!" - Emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfection and learning from mistakes.
- "If Stephanie Plum can make it through the day, so can my reader." - Highlights the relatability and resilience of her characters, offering readers hope and inspiration.
- "Never hold anything back for the next book. Always go for it." - Encourages writers to give their best effort in every project, without saving ideas for the future.
- "Persistence is what separates the men from the boys." - Stresses the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving writing success.
Ocene
Knjiga Kako pišem prejema mešane ocene, povprečno 3,77 od 5. Nekateri bralci jo ocenjujejo kot koristno in zabavno, hvalijo Evanovichin humor ter praktične nasvete za začetnike v pisanju. Drugi pa kritizirajo njeno osnovno vsebino, zastarele informacije in obliko vprašanj in odgovorov. Oboževalci Evanovichine serije o Stephanie Plum cenijo vpoglede v ozadje pisateljevega dela, medtem ko jo bolj izkušeni pisci lahko dojemajo kot preveč poenostavljeno. Med prednostmi knjige so dostopnost, spodbuda in vpogledi v pisateljev proces, med slabostmi pa zastareli nasveti glede založništva ter pomanjkanje poglobljenosti na določenih področjih.
