Stephanie here. I'm giving away an ebook of James Scott Bell's Write Your Novel From the Middle.
I read this book over the summer, and I found it to be a really fresh view on creating a story. Bell talks about the importance of having a "midpoint" in your book and gives several great examples of how this is done well in successful stories.
What I really liked about this is that it's a tool that can be used, as the subtitle says, regardless of if you're a plotter, pantser, or hybrid.
This giveaways is for writers in all countries. Please be sure to leave us the correct contact info so that we can reach you should you win. We will also update this post with the winner's name once they've been selected.
Is the beginning, middle, or end of the story your favorite to write?
My favorite part of the story to write is whichever part I have the most ideas for. Simple as that. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
I've written a lot of beginnings, and a few middles, but have never yet made it to the end. The middles are my favorite, though, although I'v only gotten to a few...and then I slow down and stop.
ReplyDeleteI start from beginning to end, then add other scenes in allover.The end is usually the most fulfilling to write for me :D
ReplyDeleteI don't always write scenes in order. Is this weird? Well, it might be, but I do. I normally write down all the scenes before I start writing, and then pick and choose the ones I feel like most. Once, I had written down the end before the first chapter! But more often, it's vaguely in order, starting from the first.
ReplyDeleteAfter I plot, I tend to write certain scenes then fill in the rest as I go. If I am at a writers block time, I search around for my favorite scene to write.
ReplyDeleteIt really depends on the book, but it's usually the end. Indeed, my method for getting through the middle of the book is to have what I call mid-goals, which are frequently climaxes and endings in their own right. They can be quite fun to write, because they feel like I've accomplished something, but I don't have to leave the characters yet.
ReplyDeleteBeginning, because it's kool to see how the characters were at the beginning of the book.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I like writing beginnings...meeting the characters and seeing the storyworld for the first time is so fun. But I'm really looking forward to seeing how my current story ends, too!
ReplyDeleteI have this book! :)
ReplyDeleteI do the best writing out my middle. There are character interactions, events, crises, and more to keep me going! The beginning is the hardest part for me - I can never figure out a way that's just right for the story!
ReplyDeleteI like the beginning and middle. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure... I love to write a satisfying ending when I can draw up threads or leave more hanging... but I also love the middle sometimes...
ReplyDeleteI've never finished a book, but I really like writing the middle so far. At the beginning, I don't know my characters very well and I'm inexplicably nervous about starting. I get really comfortable in the middle.
ReplyDeleteThe end of the book is definitely my favorite part to write. I always have a lot of trouble starting a novel and then I get going, and then the middle strikes and I have trouble again. But at the end I just have so much excitement to finish and the ending has always been my favorite to write because I have so much motivation to finish.
ReplyDeleteI always think of interesting beginnings and then get stuck in the middle. The ends are really fun to write as well. It's so satisfying to write that last word and know that you're finally done!
ReplyDeleteHmm... I'm not quite sure, I always have something big planned for the ending, so I love writing those, but I love writing beginnings. I don't particularly like the middle, unless there is something planned there.
ReplyDeleteI like doing all three. Writing the beginning is exciting, writing in the middle is mind-blowing and writing the end is breath taking!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the giveaway!
My favourite part... Well, the middle is hard, because that's where it's hardest to write well - everything has to come together in a certain way, and achieving that is difficult. But if I actually know what I'm doing, I think I do enjoy writing the middle more. That's the core of the story, where you see characters in their true light, and what makes the story worth reading. So, I would say the middle. :)
ReplyDeleteHm, I'm not sure which is my favourite to write. The beginning is exciting, because you've just started a new idea, and it's fun to get started. The middle is a bit hard sometimes, because it's the longest, and sometimes seems like it's never going to end. :P The end might be my favourite, but also the saddest, because it means your story is almost over... Ha, no it's not, it's time to edit 10 times over! XD
ReplyDeleteI usually like to start at the beginning, but sometimes I'll start at the end to just see where I'm heading. Maybe this book will change that!
ReplyDeleteI write my favorite scenes first and I try to spread them throughout the book so I don't really have one part I like better. Also it depends on the story I'm writing.
ReplyDeleteThat really depends on the story. I love beginnings, because they're a culmination of all that excitement for a new story. Sometimes middles are really fun, because I have a lot of ideas for the character interaction, plot twists, etc. that make up the middle. Other times, they can be difficult. And endings? So bittersweet. It's hard for me to decide exactly how to end a story; and, while I'm excited to be done, it's also hard for me to say the end to a project, even when it's just the first draft. What's your favorite part to write, Stephanie?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what part I like best. I've never really thought about it before!
ReplyDeleteI usually love writing endings the most - tying up all the loose ends and bringing everything to a satisfying conclusion.
ReplyDeleteI like the beginning because I am still full of tones of ideas.... after that It gets harder.
ReplyDeleteThe ending!! There's nothing like writing and reading a good ending.
ReplyDeleteEven though I find ending's to be pretty hard to write, I love seeing everything come together in the conclusion.
ReplyDeleteHmm... That's a really good question, actually. I love starting stories, but I also like the middles as well--that's when the story really starts to take shape. But the endings are great too! I just love writing the whole thing. :D
ReplyDeleteI love the beginnings :) but the ends and middles are pretty good too!
ReplyDeleteI love beginnings and middles, but I'm kinda weak at the end. I hope to fix that.
ReplyDeleteI love the endings!
ReplyDeleteI love writing the beginning the best, because no only is it exciting to write, but I'll have the chance to introduce a whole new fictional piece of work!!!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteI like middles, because I've started to understand the characters and story better than at the beginning, but I haven't yet come to the end where I'm losing my mind over how to try to wrap everything up.
ReplyDeleteI love writing endings. I don't like the beginning or the middle, so I always work backwards from my ending. XD
ReplyDeleteI usually like the middle better, because by then the characters have begun to tell the story themselves, and I'm just along for the ride ;)
ReplyDeleteWell, let's put it this way, whatever is NOT the middle and I have a ton of ideas for is my favorite. Usually I really enjoy beginnings, though, because there's something wonderful about just starting a fresh story with no problems yet! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great idea! It'll sort of FORCE a middle where something actually happens.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for beginning/middle/end being the favorite part to write... I'm a fan of ends and beginnings. In the first draft, my middles are often just me throwing events at characters. ._.
ReplyDeleteI always loved writing in the middle, but I'm trying to start from the beginning this time. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a preference. I like all of it. ^ ^
ReplyDeleteStori Tori's Blog
I like to write the beginning the most. There's something great about the start of a story which hasn't been written out far enough to reach the plot holes and parts which sounded good in my head but didn't quite translate. I always get through the beginning the fastest and with the most excitement. The end isn't too bad to write but the middle is by far the hardest for me.
ReplyDeleteWell, since I've never managed to reach the ending, I'm not sure I can really say. I have enjoyed writing middles quite a bit though. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love writing the beginning of a story. Just getting to know the characters, plot and storyworld is a thrill for me. Then going back into chapter one, and editing as you go...But I think I should like the end too, that is, when I reach it. Someday.
ReplyDeleteI love beginnings best. It's when the story is still fresh and sweet and fun. Middles are good, too--although getting from A to B is sometimes hard. And endings? They're always nice, but by the time I get there I've generally known about them for a long time already so they're a little boring.
ReplyDeleteI'm entering!
ReplyDeleteI love writing the middle. I usually have way more inspiration at that point.
ReplyDeleteI think the middle to end is my favorite part. Just seeing all the character development, and the way everything comes together...I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say the beginning is usually my favorite . . . though it's so good to finish and sometimes in the middle is where I'm most excited, but in the middle is also where I can get the most bored. So though I like it all, the beginning is prob my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI think the end is my favorite, because finishing something gives me a sense of accomplishment, and I can focus on editing the book once I reach the end.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a favorite really. Each part is fun for different reasons. The beginning has that excited, first-date factor. The middle has the comfortable, in-the-zone vibe where everything starts coming together. And then the end is a combination exhaustion, euphoria, and contentment.
ReplyDeletePresident Snow from Hunger Games
ReplyDeleteOoh that's hard question... I'm not sure. I think it depends on the story. I'm a pantser, so sometimes I don't even know what the middle or the end is until I've finished.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I really like beginning because I'm always excited about the project when I start. Also the end. Because I get to type "The End." And by then, I'm really ready to, lol.
Alexa S. Winters
thessalexa.blogspot.com