The Sense-ible Writer
Nadene R. Carter
Published by NorLightsPress at Smashwords
Copyright (C) 2007 by Nadene R. Carter
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Acknowledgement
First, a big thank you to my editor, Sammie Justesen.
Another thank you goes to Suzette Haden Elgin, PhD for her research and study into the various learning styles and sensory modes. I've made a special effort to incorporate the visual, tactile, and auditory modes into this workbook to make this material useful to all writers.
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Chapter 1 - Learning Styles, Sensory Modes
Chapter 2 - You as Writer-Author
Chapter 3 - Prepare for Your Writing Journey
Chapter 4 - Find A Marketable Idea
Chapter 5 - Structure Your Novel
Chapter 6 - Build Believable Characters
Chapter 7 - Plot Your Course
Chapter 8 - Expand Your Plot 6
Chapter 9 - Control Point of View
Chapter 10 - Explore Show Versus Tell
Chapter 11 - Create Believable Dialogue
Chapter 12 - Control Internal Monologue
Chapter 13 - Use Narration Wisely
Chapter 14 - Build Conflict
Chapter 15 - Create Suspense
Chapter 16 - Identify Pacing Problems
Chapter 17 - Discover Your Theme
Chapter 18 - Develop Your Voice and Tone
Chapter 19 - Map Your Scenes
Chapter 20 - Write Your Scenes
Chapter 21 - Format Your Manuscript
Chapter 22 - Revise Your Manuscript
Appendix A - Character Development Form
Appendix B - Scene Development Form
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Chapter 1 - Learning Styles, Sensory Modes
My purpose in creating this workbook is to provide a roadmap for those who hunger to write fiction. Rather than following the so-called rules of writing, I present principles of writing based on concepts rather than rules.
To make this an effective learning experience for a broad range of individuals, I've created material specifically for the various learning styles and sensory modes. By applying these concepts to the teaching/ learning process, I hope to make the elements of fiction writing more understandable. The three modes by which humans perceive their world are through the visual, the auditory, and the tactile.
The Visual Learner
The person whose major mode is visual learns through his eyes: reading from the printed page, studying charts and graphs, looking at pictures, or watching a video.
The Auditory Learner
This person learns primarily through hearing. He focuses his greatest attention on the spoken word, he hears and pays attention to the sounds around him. Some may want music playing in the background. A person who best acquires knowledge through listening may find it helpful to read the material from each of these lessons into a recording device, and then play it back as many times as necessary to learn the concepts taught in each lesson.
The Tactile Learner
This person perceives his world through the sense of touch. He runs a hand across a surface to experience the roughness or smoothness, explores an object by holding it in his hand, reads by following a line of text or the path of a graph or a chart with his finger.
Clues to a Person's Preferred Sensory Mode
Once you become aware of the various sensory modes, it becomes easy to pick up clues as to an individual's preferred mode by the words he chooses to say. Let's set up a hypothetical situation where someone has committed a social blunder--unintentional, of course--but he is concerned about how he might be perceived by others in the group.
A person who experiences his world visually may say, "Did that make me look bad?"
The person who experiences the world through his sense of touch will likely say, "I don't feel good about what I said?"
The auditory person might say, "Did that sound as bad as I think it did?"
I present this information here to get you thinking about how you might use the various modes in creating your characters. On the one hand, if you create characters with differing sensory modes, you also create opportunities for misunderstandings and conflict. Conversely, you may need two characters who are in tune and complementary in personality. In that case, they will need similar sensory modes.
Your quest to become a fiction writer should begin by listening carefully to the words people use and the way in which they say them. If you can identify which mode a person uses, the easier you can communicate with him. Additionally, if you find it difficult to communicate with someone, pay special attention to the words he uses. Likely, each of you is operating from a different sensory mode and probably talking right past each other.
Mixed Learning Styles
Some people lean heavily toward one learning style, while others employ a mixture of two. One mode is usually dominant, with others in secondary or helping positions.
For example, the visual learner may also use the tactile as a helper. It could manifest itself like this: A person is reading material that he needs to remember (use of the visual mode). He might take notes, or maybe underline or highlight important information in the text (use of the tactile mode as backup) to reinforce his learning.
The auditory learner might also use the tactile in the same way as the visual learner. During a lecture (use of auditory mode), instead of relying completely on learning the information through his ears, he may take notes (use of tactile mode) to reinforce what he has heard.
The tactile learner will need his hands to be doing something during a lecture. To reinforce the information, he may take notes or outline the information, but he may never need to look at his notes again, because the very act of doing something with his hands during the learning process makes it easier for this person to assimilate the information. The tactile learner will also likely find it helpful to have something in his hands while reading from the printed page--something as simple as a holding a pencil or playing with a paperclip can help.
Once aware of the various learning styles and sensory modes, you will notice the different ways people use the various combinations.
Identify Your Learning Style Questionnaire
Immediately following this Chapter 1 introductory material, I have included a questionnaire to help you identify your learning style(s). This will help you identify how you learn, so you can employ those methods best suited to the way you learn.
A Note to the Student
As you progress through this workbook, you will learn the basics of fiction writing by studying the concepts presented in each chapter. If you go a step further and do the assigned work, you may come away with a first draft of a novel. To succeed in a long-term project such as this, you'll need single-mindedness and dedication. Immerse yourself in learning. Work on your writing every day. Train your subconscious to take over when the conscious mind becomes tired, and think about your story before you go to sleep at night. Amazing things can happen while you sleep.
NOTE: If you ignore your novel for even a week, you may need several days to immerse yourself in the story before you can again move forward with the project. Creativity is like a muscle. If you don't use it, your writing skills will atrophy and eventually become useless. Don't let that happen to you.
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Learning Style Questionnaire for Writers
Through the senses of sight, taste, sound, touch, and smell, humans learn about their environment. As young children, we rely on these senses to get to know our world, and each of us establish a learning pattern unique to our own needs.
Below, I present the Barsch Learning Style Inventory, created by Jeffrey Barsch, Ed. D. It provides a tool for writers to not only understand their own learning styles and sensory modes, but also as a tool writers can use to develop characters with more realistic interaction patterns.
Instructions
Read each numbered question carefully and place a checkmark in only one of the blanks labeled Often, Sometimes, Seldom. There are no right or wrong answers. This questionnaire is for your own benefit to understand your preferred learning style/sensory mode.
1. I can remember more about a subject through listening than reading.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
2. I follow written directions better than oral directions.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
3. I like to write things down or take notes for later review.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
4. I bear down extremely hard with pen or pencil when writing.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
5. I need oral explanations of charts, diagrams, graphs, or other visual materials.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
6. I enjoy working with tools.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
7. I am skillful with, and enjoy developing or making, charts, graphs, and diagrams.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
8. I can tell if sounds match when presented with a pair of sounds.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
9. I remember best by writing things down several times.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
10. I can easily understand and follow directions on maps.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
11. I do better at academic subjects by listening to lectures and tapes.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
12. I play with coins or keys in my pockets or fidget with objects in my hands.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
13. I learn to spell better by repeating the letters out loud than by writing the word on paper.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
14. I can better understand a news article by reading it in the paper than by listening to the radio.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
15. I like to chew gum, smoke, or snack while studying.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
16. I remember best by picturing it in my head.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
17. I learn spelling by tracing or "finger spelling" the words.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
18. I would rather listen to a good lecture or speech than read about the same material in a textbook.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
19. I am good at working and solving jigsaw puzzles, mazes, etc.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
20. I like to grip objects in my hands during study periods.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
21. I prefer to listen to the news on the radio rather than reading about it in the newspaper.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
22. I obtain information on an interesting subject by reading relevant materials.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
23. I feel comfortable touching others, hugging, handshaking, etc.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
24. I can follow spoken directions better than written ones.
Often______ Sometimes______ Seldom______
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How To Enter Your Scores
Often = 5 points
Sometimes = 3 points
Seldom = 1 point
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Transfer the point value from each numbered question on the previous pages to the corresponding item number below. For example, if you responded to question number one with a "Sometimes," then place a three (3) beside the No. 1 in the middle column below. After you have completed this task, total the scores under each heading.
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__VISUAL__ - __AUDITORY__ - __TACTILE
Points - Points - Points
2.______1. ______4. ______
3. ______5. ______6. ______
7. ______8. ______9. ______
10. ______11. ______12. ______
14. ______13. ______15. ______
16. ______18. ______17. ______
20. ______21. ______19. ______
22. ______24. ______23. ______
Totals_______ - _______ - _______
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The Visual Learner
General Characteristics
With his highest score under "Visual," this person likes to read things thoroughly, is usually a quiet individual, prefers an organized environment, and organizes projects by visualizing the various components, elements, or necessary steps. He usually notices when something is new or different in his environment. When choosing a book or magazine, the cover image or illustration will have great influence on this individual. During a learning session, he will retain more when visual aids are used in the presentation.
Distinguishing Clues to This Sensory Type
This person often closes his eyes when trying to remember something. This is an attempt to shut out the visual distractions in the environment, so he can try to picture in his mind what he is attempting to remember. When explaining a work project to others, this person will create visual aids, flow charts or diagrams to put his points across to others.
How to Use This Information
The person who scores high for the visual learning style will benefit from reading study material more than one time. Where possible, utilize charts, maps, notes, and flashcards to help retain the studied material. Practice visualizing the material in your head.
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The Auditory Learner
General Characteristics
This person has the highest score under "Auditory." He learns best by listening. When his environment is quiet, the need for sound of some kind may be overwhelming. Those individuals who prefer this learning style might hum or talk to themselves; they like music or rhythm of some kind in the background and study well in this environment. Often, they are good oral readers, but are slow silent readers because they tend to mouth the words. When listening to one thing, this person may easily be distracted by other sounds around him, because he will want to respond to all sounds. He prefers to talk through problems with another person; he often thinks out loud. He may have difficulty understanding and interpreting visual information--maps, flow charts, diagrams--unless clear verbal interpretation is also provided.
Distinguishing Clues to This Sensory Type
When this type of person wants to remember something, you will usually notice him repeating the information either to himself or to someone else. Younger children who are strong auditory learners may often repeat the information loud enough for nearby classmates to hear them. If this sensory type is given directions, he will usually repeat the information back to the person who said it. This is a solid way of learning for this type of learner.
How to Use This Information
The person who scores high for the audio learning style will benefit from listening to recorded material that he can listen to more than once. If you are this type of learner, get in the habit of recording lectures or you could read relevant material into a recording device to play back as many times as necessary to assimilate the information.
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The Tactile Learner
General Characteristics
A person whose preferred mode is through the sense of touch has the highest score under "Tactile." He learns by doing; he must be involved with his hands, examining, holding items, moving things about to do his best learning. He isn't able to sit and watch or just talk about something. In fact he has difficulty sitting still for very long and will find the confinement of a classroom situation an inhibitor to learning.
Distinguishing Clues to This Sensory Type
A person who operates in Tactile mode touches people to get or keep their attention or to make a point. When talking, he will often stand closer to other people than is comfortable for them. He responds to physical rewards like a pat on the back or a squeeze to the hand. Because he is eager to do anything which involves movement, he will grip a pencil hard or push harder to write with it than one ordinarily would need to.
How to Use This Information
A Tactile person will benefit from tracing words against his palm as they are spoken. If he needs to remember new information, he may need to write it in longhand several times. Always, keep a supply of scratch paper close at hand. For this person, taking notes during a lecture will be an important part of his learning process.
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Chapter 2 - You as Writer-Author
If you're reading this book, chances are you've made the decision to begin writing. Or perhaps you've already started writing and would like to increase your knowledge of the craft. For that, I applaud you. It takes courage to put words on paper and share your thoughts and ideas with others.
Seeing the world through your sensibilities can take readers into a different culture, give them a peek into the future, or open a window into the past.
Throughout this text, I refer often to my two published novels and use passages from them to illustrate various points. You may want to have these novels on hand as additional study material. You may purchase A Cobweb on the Soul and Echoes of Silence online at: http:// www.norlightspress.com/. The e-book versions are also available for immediately downloaded to your computer or handheld reading device.
Writer Motivation
Let's take a moment to think about why you want to write. Here, you need to be brutally honest with yourself. Sometimes the reasons we voice aloud aren't necessarily the motivations that lie deep in our hearts.
Are you motivated by thoughts of money or fame? If these are your only incentives for writing, you probably won't survive the long, grueling path to publication. Be open to the possibility that you may need to write two or three books before one is accepted for publication. Learning the craft takes time and effort. Then you'll need to gain a reader-following once you become published. Also, accept the fact that the money you earn from your first published book won't be enough for you to quit your day job. I'm being straight with you here. On the other hand, you may be the next Hemingway, John Grisham, or Mary Higgins Clark. If you are, I'll cheer for you as you move into your new career and leave the old one behind.
Do you seek validation through your writing? This is a strong motivator. Maybe you've been a writer at heart for years, but life circumstances prevented you from pursuing your goal. If the time has come to acknowledge your drive and desire to be a writer, then go for it with gusto!
Are you motivated by the simple fact that you must write? For some people this driving force comes before all else. If you simply can't live without writing, this is the best reason of all and will take you far along the road to success as an author.
An author's mindset should not be "publication at all costs." Far better to write the kind of fiction that makes a reader think, ponder, and perhaps go back to reread your book. This kind of fiction rises above the mundane and survives for years to come.
In today's publishing world, it isn't difficult to get published, one way or another. Vanity publishing is a huge temptation for writers who long to get their names out there. However, I advise you not to seek publication until you've written something you can be proud of. It's difficult to live down a poor piece of writing.
What Kind of Writer Are You?
Most authors prefer to write what they enjoy reading. Maybe you already know where your interest lies. If not, consider the following questions.
--Do you enjoy reading newspaper or magazine articles?
--Do you enjoy reading documentaries or other nonfiction books?
--Do you enjoy reading short stories, or would you rather read a novel?
--Do you think in terms of the snippet of the short story, or do you love the complexities and multiple threads of the novel?
--Is your personality more adapted to finishing a project quickly, or can you sustain interest while completing a lengthy project?
Do You Have What it Takes to be a Writer?
--Do you love to read?
--Do words interest you? Do you understand the subtle differences between words that are close in meaning or close in spelling?
--Have you taken the time to copy parts of a book, not to plagiarize the author's work, but to hear how he or she strings words together?
--Do you carry with you a writer's notebook to jot down ideas, bits of conversation, or different ways of speaking that you overhear?
--Do you observe people, to catch mannerisms and behavior patterns you might give to one of your characters?
--Have you learned to read with the eye of a writer? In other words, do you notice the subtle ways an author draws the reader into his story and his ability to "show" the imaginary world he creates?
No need to despair if your answer to some of the above questions is "'No." These skills and habits can be learned. Each person is born with the capacity to understand the many things that make up this world. Each person works out for himself the best way to experience himself.
Years ago, I remember watching with fascination as my ten-year-old nephew, working from memory and including minute detail, sketched an old tractor with iron wheels. I'd seen the tractor, but never noticed the little things that made his drawing so real. The ability to remember detail is the mark of a true artist--whether she works with paint, clay, or words. As we grow and mature, sometimes our ability to see details becomes muted, until we only see the larger landscape. But we can recapture that gift of experiencing the world through the sensibilities of a child.
Let me explain. I learned to visualize from a piano teacher. I had difficulty learning to sightread--which in musician's jargon means the ability to play a piece without having practiced it beforehand. My teacher took a simple piece of music where each hand played only one note at a time. For both the left hand and right hand set of notes, she penciled connecting lines from one note to the next throughout the piece. Then she had me sit on a sofa away from the piano. She played only the two starting notes and instructed me to read the music and mentally hear the notes as they progressed across the page. Then, with me still sitting away from the piano, she asked me to mentally play the piece of music, anticipating which fingers would play each set of notes. The connecting lines forced me to see the connection from one note to the next, to read ahead of where I was playing, and to hear the music in my head.