3. Write entry scene. Slip into lead character’s point of view and follow the event and their immediate resulting decisions. By now you should have some faint idea of what the lead character wants for the course of the book. If not, ask them.

4. Write the middle scene; the pivot moment where they nearly have it but don’t quite get the goal and resulting consequences. This should be the time when they are the closest to their goal and get it. Edit: Some put this near the end, but I find that leaves the fallout too brief and unsatisfying.

5.Write the end scene. This should be the character’s final action, thought word deed and should carry weight. I find it best to make it a symbolic thought to the future in the present. Some desire for what’s next but this must not be too fleshed out at all. Otherwise, it goes into an irritating cliff hanger. No I don’t think it is pleasant to end even a first book in a series on a cliff hanger.

6. Write the rest of the scenes in any order you want; according to character inspiration and writer’s block. What ever order. Your first, middle, and last scenes should be a check on how far you can really wander before it gets too sprawled. ideally first half should be build up in knowledge and experience of how to obtain or actually refute the goal in some cases. The second half should be about grappling with consequences of achieving or refuting your goal. You should also answer any secondary character qualms and sub-plot goals in this bit as well. That is why it can’t be too soon before the last scene.

7.Write the segues, also called sequels, between the scenes for proper transitions and keeping the book creatively logical.

8. Re- shuffle and re- order scenes and segues as necessary. It is fine to rewrite the beginning, middle and end scenes if you find the book going in a vastly different direction. keep at it until the end though so you don’t get bored of the book being mulled through as you write for too long.

9. To choose appropriate goal that motivates you through everything pick a character you really want to know and explore. For building a good plausible world check out Holly Lisle building a language and culture books, really detailed helpful stuff. It is easier to know a very few rough facts and build as necessary so you don’t info dump. Just keep it consistent.

10. Use graphs, charts and tables as much aas you can to quickly reference structure. If it helps, after writing a scene mark it with either 1/2 or 2/2 or b,m, and e. Write the scene in 3- 4 word phrase so you can quickly reshuffle based on those if necessary. helps for synopsis one sentence.

This checklist and eveything I’ve learned in the last two months have accelarated my learning and feeds my analytical mind that impowers my imagination.

Thanks Larry!

V.