The Christmas story - Luke Chapter 2 - in the Bible
The Birth of John the Baptist in Luke Chapter 1
King David's Victories - READING THE BIBLE
PROPHESY OF JESUS BIRTH - 2nd Samuel
The Ark of the Covenant - Reading the Bible This Year
READING 2nd Samuel Chapter 5-King David
Join us as we learn what God says in the Bible
Reading the Bible this Year: 2nd Samuel Cptr. 3
The Houses of King David & King Saul are at War
The Resurrection of Jesus is the Good News of the Bible
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ - Mark Chapter 15
What the Bible Teaches about The Last Supper - Mark 14
Jesus teaches us using many stories and parables
What does God Say about righteous Anger? Read Mark 11
Divorce - What Does God Say About it? Mark 10
Saul's Death - 2nd Samuel Chapter 1 - Reading the Bible
The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ - Mark 9
Reading the Bible - Mark Chapter 8 - Jesus Feeds 4 thousand
Demons, Dogs & Deafness - Bible Discussion Today
Jesus Walks on Water - READING THE BIBLE - Mark 6
Demon-Possessed Man Gets Healed - Mark 5 - READING THE BIBLE
Join us as we READ the Bible Today
READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR - 1st Samuel Chapters 30 & 31
The Witch of Endor - READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR
Spend 5-Minutes in the Bible Today - Reading the Bible
5-Minutes in the Bible - READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR
KING DAVID escapes Saul
5-Minutes in the Bible
Jonathan Saves David - 1st Samuel Chapter 20
SAUL TRIES TO KILL DAVID (AGAIN) - READING THE BIBLE
READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR: 1st Samuel 18
A Story About a Giant Battling a Boy - David & Goliath
Spend 5 minutes in the Bible today
TO OBEY...Reading the Bible this Year
Jonathan Attacks the Philistines-1st Samuel-READING THE BIBLE
Jesus and Beelzebub - READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR
Mark Chapter 2 - Jesus Heals
John the Baptist Prepares the Way for Jesus
Christ's Resurrection - READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR
The Death of Jesus and Judas Hangs Himself
THE LAST SUPPER - Matthew 26 - Reading the Bible
READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR-1st Samuel Chptr. 13
READING THE BIBLE - 1st Samuel Chapter 12
5-Minute Bible Study
Reading the Bible this Year: Samuel Anoints Saul as King
The 7 Woes - Parable with Warnings from Jesus
The Wedding Parable-READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR
Jesus Enters the City on a Donkey - READING THE BIBLE
DIVORCE-What does the Bible Say
The Supernatural Ark of the Covenant-READING THE BIBLE
The Ark of the Covenant-READING THE BIBLE
READING THE BIBLE-1st Samuel 3-The Lord Calls Samuel
Hannah's Prayer-READING THE BIBLE-1st Sam. Ch. 2
Reading the Bible This Year: 1st Samuel Chapter 1
READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR-Matthew 15-Jesus Heals
Jesus Walks on Water-Matthew 14
READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR: Matthew 13
READING RUTH CHAPTER 4
Reading the Bible this Year: Ruth Chapter 3
5-Minutes in the Bible-Ruth Chapter 1
Curious about Demons? Join us as we Read the Bible
READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR: Judges 20
READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR: Judges 19
Reading the Bible in 1 Year: Judges Chapter 18
READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR: Matthew 10 - Jesus Sends Out the 12
What does the Bible Say About Judging Others?
READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR: Micah's Idols
READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR: Samson & Delilah
Read the Bible with Us-Matthew 5-The Beatitudes
READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR-John the Baptist Prepares the Way
READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR-The 3 Kings
Reading the Bible this Year: Judges 14-Samson's Marriage
READING THE BIBLE THIS YEAR: Judges 8
READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR: Revelation Chapter 22
Forgiveness in the Bible
READING THE BIBLE - REV. 20 - SATAN'S DOOM
Hallelujah! - READING REVELATION 19
Curious What the Bible Says about Prophesy?
Reading the Bible - Revelation 17 - The Woman on the Beast
7 Angels & 7 Plagues - The Tribulation in the Bible
The Angel of the Lord at Bokim - Reading the Bible
666 - The Number of the Beast - READING THE BIBLE
Joshua's Farewell-Reading the Bible this Year
The Woman and The Dragon - READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR
The Two Witnesses for God - Revelation 11
The Angel & The Little Scroll - Revelation 10
Misunderstandings Can Start Wars - Joshua Chapter 22
Cities of Refuge: Joshua Chapter 20
END of DAYS: DEMONS & DESTRUCTION
The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation 5
READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR: Joshua Chapter 21
Revelation Chapter 2 - Angels, Stars, & the Future
HAVE A PEACEFUL WEEKEND - Read the Bible With Us
Reading the Bible in 1 Year: Joshua 18
Revelations Chapter 1 - Hope in Crisis
Reading the Bible-The Division of land of the Children of Israel
Our Daily Reading of the Bible
CHAOTIC TIMES - READ the Bible with Us for Peace
Join Us As We Read Through the Bible This Year
READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR: Lies, Trickery & Deception
Reading the Bible in 1 Year: Ai Destroyed
READING THE BIBLE IN 1 YEAR: Joshua 7 - Greed, Theft & Punishment
Reading the Bible- Talking about Atlantis, Math & More
Angels...? We're Reading the Bible Today: Joshua 5
Reading the Bible in 1 Year: The Death of Moses
Generosity and Divorce are themes as we Read the Bible this year
Reading the Bible in 1 Year: History of the Children of Israel
The Nation of Israel - Reading the Bible in 1 Year
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Thicken the P(l)ot
Soup, like a story, is always better when you give it time to develop. You need to let it sit and simmer for a while to get all the full-bodied flavor out of the characters...or vegetables. So remember to take a little time with your p(l)ot--let it stew inside your head. This added time will help thicken the story...or broth.
So you see, a good pot of soup is just like a good story.
After you have your idea, think about your characters. Make sure you make them multi-dimensional, complex, and--mostly--imperfect. Otherwise they will be predictable and bland. No one wants a boring soup or a one-dimensional story. Everyone has flaws so remember to throw in a few quirks and complications, it will spice up your characters.
After you finish your story, let it sit for a few days then go back and get another little taste from the p(l)ot. You might discover some things you'd forgotten, or see mistakes you never noticed. You might even realize a few ways you can fit some of those pieces together better than before with only a small sprinkling of salt...or a bit of new information.
So I hope I've helped you see that "The Joy Of Writing" can be comfort food for the writer's soul and add spice to your story for the benefit of your reader.
So, the next time you're cooking up a pot of soup, think of character, and when you're sitting down to a savory cup of alphabet soup, think about those words. How can we use them to make our stories richer, tastier and more ful...filling?
People say "time heals". I don't know if that's true, but it sure "helps" when it comes to thickening the broth of your soup and it will do even more to make your story rich and tasty.
Thank you for this great advice! I love the video too - that will help to remember your advice. I love writing, but I'm afraid my method is always just to get it on paper (or on computer) and don't go back and re-read it, or you'll be changing everything a million times! You're right - it needs to simmer, AND I need to add a lot more ingredients. I'm so glad I came over and read this post. laurie
3 comments:
Thank you for this great advice! I love the video too - that will help to remember your advice. I love writing, but I'm afraid my method is always just to get it on paper (or on computer) and don't go back and re-read it, or you'll be changing everything a million times! You're right - it needs to simmer, AND I need to add a lot more ingredients. I'm so glad I came over and read this post. laurie
Thanks Laurie. I appreciate the comment.
Hey Kim,
Thanks for the creative and informative video.
Estela
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