Interested in booking? Head to the Discovery Call page and get in touch!

Book a Discovery Call

Tag: novel writing

Categories
Craft

An Easy Way to Characterise Your Setting

Characterise Your Setting

Writers and readers often discuss setting as a character, which usually means that the setting impacts a story or the character to such an extent that it becomes lifelike.

The setting and environment play an active role in the story, like the marsh in Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens). The marsh, the creatures that live within it, the way it impacts the tension in the novel (doing my best not to give away any spoilers here), how it works with the main character and the plot, turns into more than a setting: it is a living character in the story.

But how do we characterise our setting?

Let’s break it down and make it simple, using Where the Crawdads Sing as inspiration:

Behaviour: How does your world behave? In Where the Crawdads Sing, the marsh is a living thing, providing education, food, a living, creativity, and more, for the main character.

Culture: What do people know and believe about your world? In Where the Crawdads Sing, the marsh is not inhabited by the townsfolk. It is viewed as a nuisance place, disliked by the general population for the very reasons the main character loves it. The fact that the main character is left alone plays a huge role in both her story and the overall plotline.

Secrets: What lies beneath that shiny veneer of your world? In Where the Crawdads Sing, the marsh keeps the deepest secrets that only the main character knows. The other townsfolk try to find out but do not know the space as the main character does. The secrets are even mentioned in the text:

“The marsh did not confine them but defined them and, like any sacred ground, kept their secrets deep. No one cared that they held the land because nobody else wanted it. After all, it was wasteland bog.” (Delia Owens)

So, do you want the easy way to remember these three hints at turning your setting into character? Next time you’re struggling to remember how to do this, remember the following mnemonic device (I’ve come up with this, so I’m sorry if this is a cringer. You become a bit cringe in your middle age and care less and less about it):

  • Become (behaviour)
  • Character (culture)
  • Setting (secrets)

There you go. I hope this was useful, and I can’t wait to see your setting character develop! Or, if I have just encouraged you to read Where the Crawdads Sing, that’s no bad thing.

 

Categories
Craft

Foreboding vs Foreshadowing

foreboding vs foreshadowing

 

Let’s talk about foreboding and foreshadowing. They sound similar, but they do different things in your novel and are both very effective in their own right.

Here’s what each does and how to utilise them effectively:

Foreboding:

You may have heard the phrase, ‘Filled with a sense of foreboding,’ or perhaps you have even said it yourself! It means that you feel impending disaster, a concern for the future. Are we going to talk about The Lord of the Rings now? Yes, of course we are. I can barely get through a blog post without mentioning it. Galadriel has the gift of seeing visions in her ‘mirror’, so she has more than foreboding; she has the skill of predicting an outcome based on a set of circumstances. Frodo looks into the mirror and sees the destruction of the Shire, the arrest of his friends, and more. Now, this is a slightly different way of showing foreboding; it isn’t the witches in Macbeth relaying their sense that ‘something wicked this way comes,’ and therefore indicating a shift to the reader, but it is a hint of what could be, at what Frodo fears might happen, should he fail in his duty to destroy the one ring. Foreboding, therefore, hints at peril on the horizon, making the tension in the story that much stronger. Whether or not that peril comes to pass is up to you as the author.

Foreshadowing:

Foreshadowing is different. Foreshadowing is about dropping breadcrumbs that your reader may not even notice until they have seen the whole loaf of bread at the end of the novel. You might foreshadow by planting an image, a detail, that won’t be significant until a final reveal. Foreshadowing can also be in dialogue, like in Romeo and Juliet, when Juliet declares, “If he be married / My grave is like to be my wedding bed.” When you first hear this, you think that she is talking about the depth of her love, in that way that young lovers do, when it feels like the very emotion is life and death. What is being foreshadowed, however, is that she is exactly right. There’s no exaggeration here, but we won’t know that until the end. So, if foreboding creates tension, what does foreshadowing do? It can create a deeper connection between your reader and the narrative, giving them an ‘Oh!’ moment when they see how an incident has been foreshadowed. It can also keep a reader curious, throw them off the scent (red herrings are a classic foreshadowing tool; only the things you’re foreshadowing are irrelevant), and ultimately, is an enticing tool that makes a novel memorable.

As a side note, too much of anything is never good (unless it is cheese, perhaps). Too much foreboding will do the opposite of your intention, desensitising the reader to the tension in the story. Too much foreshadowing will make the story predictable and will signpost what’s to come.

Found this blog post helpful? Check out the following:

What Is ‘The Sacred Flaw’ In Writing?

What Does It Mean to Edit for Genre?

What Does It Mean to Write What You Know?

Categories
Craft

Six Books on Writing I Recommend

recommended books

Let’s chat about my favourite, and by that I mean my most recommended, books on writing. Why? Because if reading is how you become a better writer (spoiler alert, it is), imagine how great you’ll be if you’re reading about writing.

The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.

There are several books in this incredible series, from the Emotion Thesaurus’ to the Urban Setting Thesaurus, but this is my favourite. It is an unflinching examination of everything that could happen to a person, with triggers that might come from that, aftershocks, character traits, behaviours, and more. When it comes to creating a character and developing a plot around them (writing a character-driven novel), this book is so helpful that it ought to sit pride of place on your bookshelf. In fact, mine sits right beside me on my study desk, as I dip into it so often.

Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life – Dani Shapiro.

I have probably spoken about this before on the blog or in newsletters somewhere because this book is a firm fave and has been for years. If I were ever to gift a fellow writer a book, it would be this one. Why? Because it will give you insight into the life of a writer and, in doing so, make you feel seen. It’s a mixture of craft, memoir, and what it means to write. In short, it’s pretty wonderful.

Writing from the Senses: 59 Exercises to Ignite Creativity and Revitalize Your Writing – Laura Deutsch.

I found this book at a campsite book swap in the South Island, New Zealand. And it’s stunning. It focuses on that thing that really grabs your readers and pulls them into a story: the five senses. It is full of exercises and clever ideas to help you create.

How to Write Like Tolstoy – Richard Cohen

My inlaws gifted me this book when I graduated from my PhD. Then, it had just come out, and the title amused me. But, this isn’t really a book on how to write like Tolstoy, but it is an investigation into many storytellers’ processes, and it’s fascinating for it. It’s a very readable book, and I honestly think that even if you weren’t a writer, you would probably enjoy it!

Wonderbook – The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction – Jeff Vandermeer.

In terms of books on writing, this has got to be the most visually beautiful one ever written. This is for all you fantasy writers, and it is full of information focusing on craft and motivation. It has essays from some of the greats in it, too. I find myself dipping into this often, and its illustrations make it so enjoyable to read.

Taking Reality by Surprise – Susan Sellers.

I purchased this book in 2006 when I went to university for my undergraduate degree in Creative Writing. It still sits on my bookshelf today and is a great resource I use often. It has craft guidance with exercises and very practical advice, and I find the level of detail in what you need to undertake the tasks and exercises so valuable.

I would love to hear about the books you recommend. What is your favourite book on writing? Let me know!

Categories
Coaching

How to Work with Me When I’m Fully Booked

Fully booked

If you’ve come here looking for editing and coaching help and can see that the banner above says I’m fully booked, don’t panic! I book up very quickly, between 10 months to a year in advance, but 1:1 is not the only way to work with me. Check out the following:

The Novel Writing Masterclass

This course includes 40 bite-size classes that fit into your busy life, designed to take you from idea to publication.

It’s been created with you in mind:

  • The person who wants to write but can’t find the time.
  • The person who wants to create a novel but doesn’t know where to start.
  • The person who isn’t sure what comes next when writing their novel.

Imagine:

  • Finding the time in your week to write.
  • Sitting down and knowing what you should be doing.
  • Having a programme that keeps you accountable to the written word.

No more writing woes because you know when to write, what to write, and where to go next.

The Fiction Fellowship

Are you a writer looking for your community?

The Fiction Fellowship focuses on fiction writers who are looking to connect with other creatives and hone their storytelling skills. Learning with others and having writing friends can make such a difference to your productivity and motivation, so we aim to provide an environment where you can make those connections and feel inspired to write.

With twice-weekly writing sprints, monthly community calls, and more, we’ll be with you every step of the way to help you develop your writing skills, expand your craft knowledge, and make progress in your writing.

What’s included:

  • Community Sessions
  • Writing Workbooks
  • Q&As
  • Complete post archive
  • Video Lessons
  • Private Community
  • Twice Weekly Live Writing Sprints
  • Accountability and Goal Setting
  • General Support

Run by myself and Isobelle of Inspired Creative Co, and we know that finding your writing community can lead to great things. So far, our writers have written over a million words!

If that’s what you’re looking for, then this is your space!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@rachelgrosvenorauthor

@inspiredcreativeco_

Writing Workbooks

Are you feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of writing? Are you struggling to find the time to write, unsure about creating a writing routine, and undecided about your writing goals?

If this sounds like you, it’s time to invest in yourself.

I have workbooks available if you are ready to:
  • Find time to write
  • Create a writing routine that fits with YOUR schedule
  • Identify writing areas you would like more information on
  • Set and achieve writing goals
  • Reach your targets and see a way forward
  • Take action and plan your writing year in full

Otherwise, make sure you’re on my email list here, and when I have space again, you’ll be among the first to know.

 

Categories
Coaching

Five Things I Won’t Do as Your Editor and Coach

5 Things I Won’t Do as Your Editor and Coach

As an editor and writing coach, I’ve spoken at length about how I can help you. But there are things I won’t do, too. Let’s dig into them:

1: Force you to follow ‘the rules’ of writing a novel. I know the rules (after all, I studied them for eight years in higher education) and know that great things can happen when you break them. I will tell you the rule, give you the reasoning behind it, and let you know what I think is the right way forward, but ultimately, I will support whatever decision you make from there on out. The Promise, by Damon Galgut, breaks a heck of a lot of rules. It went on to win the Booker Prize in 2021. Writing is art, and sometimes art breaks the rules.

2: Use my experience to guide your journey. A coach is trained to facilitate growth in a niche area, and in my case, this is writing. Coaching is 80% client and 20% coach, meaning that a trained coach will pull a solution to a problem from your mind instead of their own. Why does this matter? Everyone has different backgrounds, levels of responsibility and pressure, working hours, etc. My writing journey has nothing to do with yours, and while I will share my experience if you ask, I will never expect you to do as I have done. There is a difference between a coach and a mentor. A mentor is someone who will share a personal experience and journey to help guide you in a similar one. A coach is someone who is trained to facilitate your own journey, using their knowledge to assist but not drive. A mentor does not need a qualification, but a coach does. Coaching is often believed to be an unregulated field. However, this is not the case. Coaching is regulated worldwide by the International Coaching Federation, so when looking for a coach, ensure the ICF accredits their course to confirm they know how to work in their field. I have trained as a coach in an ICF-accredited role and by doing an ILM Level 2 (equivalent to a GCSE, although now I’m showing my age!).

3: Put pressure on you to finish your work within a specific timeframe. Ask any of my clients, and you’ll find I am flexible when working together. There’s a reason for that. Writing, art, creation, and growth are not linear. We cannot expect someone to write a novel within twelve weeks just because that’s a package that has been purchased. If that’s what you want to do, I will work hard alongside you to help you achieve your goal, but if you decide that you need support over an extended period of time, that you need a break, that you would rather meet monthly than weekly, that’s what we will do. Magic happens when people are given space to discover their journey.

4: Change your unique writing voice and style. I edit while ensuring that your voice remains your own, and while I offer constructive feedback on clarity, how to create the best flow, and areas where a rewrite would strengthen the story, your voice is yours, and that’s something no one can copy or change. That means that I’ll also tell you when you’re writing something that doesn’t quite match your usual tone, too, so that we can provide a consistent reading experience across novels.

5: Force you into a ‘one size fits all’ framework. In editing and coaching, I work to ensure that I’m helping the reader in a way that they understand, can collaborate with, and engage with. There is no ‘one way’ to write a novel, and I don’t subscribe to the idea that all stories must fit within a specific structure (see point one!). Writing is a personal process, so whatever your process is, I will adapt to ensure you’re getting the most out of our time together. If you don’t know your process yet, we can explore that.

So, there are five things I will not do as an editor and coach! I’m almost booked for the entire year but have a few spaces left from June onwards. If you want to learn more, book a Discovery Call with me here.

Categories
Coaching Craft

Writing Coach Vs Editor: What’s the Difference?

Writing coach editor

Should you hire a Writing Coach or a Developmental editor? What is each for, and how do you know how to move forward?

I have noticed that this question is bringing people to my website organically, so I wanted to answer it clearly so that people have that answer.

What is a Writing Coach?

A writing coach, also known as an Author Coach or Book Coach, is a trained coach who helps you through any writing issues. I have helped writers find the time in their busy schedules to write, create a writing routine that works for them, develop their novel ideas, and much more.

What is a Developmental Edit?

A Developmental Edit is an edit that focuses on the story. It is concerned with narrative, consistency, characterisation, dialogue – basically everything but the copy edit! When I provide a Developmental Edit to an author, it consists of my going through the work at least twice, and providing the client with an Editor’s Report and in-text comments and corrections, as well as an hour-long discussion/coaching session afterwards to discuss the work.

What is the difference between a Writing Coach and a Developmental Editor?

The difference is the focus. For example, I am both a Writing Coach and an Editor who offers Developmental Editing. When I am hired to coach, I have a series of sessions with the writer, and we work toward their goals through a series of jointly agreed action points. When I am hired to provide a Developmental Edit, I focus on the draft of a novel and write up an Editor’s Report, instead of live sessions with the author.

What stage should I be in to hire a Writing Coach?

You can be in any stage to hire a Writing Coach, from idea to fifth edit! As a coach, I can focus on whatever you would like to focus on. Sometimes that’s at the very start of a novel and is all about your idea, and how you would like the book to be written. At other times it’s after publication, and you want to work on marketing. As a writing coach, we can work together on any writing goal, however varied.

What stage should I be in to hire a Developmental Editor? 

To hire a Developmental Editor, you need to have a novel pretty much written. It could be that you hire someone to edit at a date a few months into the future, with the understanding that you will have completed the novel by then. However, the most important thing to know is that you will be required to hand over a manuscript to the editor on the agreed-upon date, so get writing!

What are the pros of hiring a Writing Coach?

As a writing coach, I can help you achieve your literary dreams. By holding space for you, identifying action points, and asking the questions that drive you to dig deep, you will leave a session with more clarity and purpose. Ultimately, coaching can help you succeed in your goals.

What are the pros of hiring a Developmental Editor? 

A Developmental Edit can give you expert advice on your novel. It will leave you with a roadmap of how to move forward, what needs improving, and how you can make your story the best it can possibly be.

Can I hire someone to do both?

Yes! In fact, I offer a great deal for someone who is looking for a coach AND an editor. This consists of six months of weekly coaching AND a full Developmental Edit when you are ready. If you want to know more about it, click here to find out – https://rachelgrosvenorauthor.com/coaching/

So, now you know the difference between hiring someone to be a Writing Coach or a Developmental Editor, and what is best for you.

As a Certified Professional Coach, trained by an ICF company and with an ILM Level 2, you can trust that my coaching skills are tried and tested. As a writer with a PhD, MA and BA in Creative Writing, and over six years of lecturing in adult education and at universities, I’m a professional writer specialising in helping others find their way forward. 

Any questions? Feel free to get in touch.

Want to read something similar? Check these out!

What is a Writing Coach?
4 Ways to Edit Your Own Writing