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My Eureka Moment
Mastering Your Scenes: Your Blueprint for Success is a book that assists writers in overcoming writer’s block and enhancing their creative skills, presented in a workbook style, encouraging readers to actively engage with its content. Can you tell me more about the inspiration behind this book?
In truth, the inspiration for this book came from the need to make headway in my sci-fi work in progress Fulfilling a Vow: Searching for Answers. After I had succumbed to the idea of learning about outlining and making some progress, things came to a screeching halt once more. It was at that point that I began to question where the real disconnect was. My eureka moment was, “the scene.” I pondered what it really took to create a scene. I started delving into the works of great teachers such as Rayne Hall and reading her various input on different types of scenes. While he doesn’t know I considered R.A. Salvatore my unrequited mentor for writing good fight scenes.
When it all came down to it, I felt that there was still something missing from all the information I was taking in. My conclusion was that the fundamentals of what a scene really was and what it took to create it were not much of a focus. As I explored this through recalling movies, personal experiences, and other writings it gave me the breakthrough that I needed. It also provided me with a rinse-and-repeat process that could be applied to every scene from romantic, to thriller, horror, and such. The basic elements do not really change much.
The funny thing is that I got so excited about how much progress Mastering Your Scenes allowed me to make that I was eager to get it out there before I completed Fulfilling A Vow. It was meant to go out along with it. Then you add some life circumstances to the mix, and I am still working on my work in progress but nearly finished.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I suppose the greatest idea was that I wanted to help other writers understand what goes into a scene and how to create a masterpiece every time.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
In a word the experience that has had the greatest impact would be “hardship.” The struggles, painful moments, and failures have been the whetstone to sharpen my literary blade. At the heart of all of that is my faith in God, who has never thrown me away or forsaken me no matter how many times I have fallen. It has yielded a burning desire to help others succeed and avoid some hardship along the way, should they be willing to receive it.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Mastering Your Scenes?
The one thing that I hope readers take away is the confidence to deliver to their readers an unforgettable page-turning experience that will be recalled for years to come.
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This book was written with one main purpose: to help give authors a creative boost in their scene writing and toss writers’ block into the oblivion of the abyss. In order to accomplish this, each chapter is written in a workbook-like format so that the steps provided can easily be implemented after they are explained. For each element of scene writing that is presented, J.A. Cox explains the How, Why, and When of its use along with his own description so that the information is easy to assimilate. He provides copious examples from his own writing of these elements in action as well as from shows and movies.
Here are the elements that you will be learning about:Sketching
Location
Time
Characters
Perspective
Resistance
Objective
No new-fangled way of writing is about to be forced on you, but advice offered to help you realize things you are likely not seeing as you struggle to come up with ideas. As you make your way through these pages and consider these elements, you will end up in a state where it is difficult to shut down the tsunami of ideas that will come your way.
Finally, there is a completed outline format that can be used over and over for every scene you write to keep that creative pump primed. Therefore, you will no longer have to fuss over figuring out what prompts or hooks to use to start a chapter as your answer will come to you as you outline your scenes from the various questions provided for you to ask with each element.
This book will revolutionize the way you look at your scenes in the future…
Mastering Your Scenes
In Mastering Your Scenes, J.A. Cox delves into the nuanced world of scene-building, offering a valuable resource for writers of various styles. Cox commences by delineating different archetypes of writers, providing context for his exploration of scene construction. He methodically deconstructs the elements of a scene, clarifying their purpose and contribution to the larger narrative. His focus on sketching as a technique is particularly enlightening; he posits that it enables writers to immerse themselves in a fully realized world, facilitating diverse perspectives and deeper connections with the audience. Cox’s approach to scene crafting integrates a thoughtful blend of tone and literary devices, encouraging experimentation and creativity.
Cox’s booklet stands out for its depth and sincerity. Eschewing sensationalism, he offers a compendium of ‘prodigy information,’ rich in practical applications and real-world examples. These insights benefit both emerging and experienced writers, presenting comprehensive tools for creating engaging scenes. The book’s structure is well-organized and easy to navigate, which is crucial for instructional material. Cox’s writing style itself is engaging and instructive. He actively invites readers into a discourse rather than having them remain passive observers. His use of metaphor in describing writer types and practical examples in explaining concepts underscores his skillful and descriptive narrative approach. He maintains a relaxed yet authoritative tone, positioning himself as a trusted mentor.
For aspiring writers looking to refine their craft, Mastering Your Scenes is a must-have. It assists in identifying one’s unique voice and serves as a tool for overcoming creative blocks. The book’s real-world applicability extends beyond writing, enhancing storytelling skills in everyday situations.
Pages: 78 | ASIN : B08GY843L4
LITERARY TITAN 