Writing: The Winning Formula? by Rebecca Seaton

 

 Writing: The Winning Formula? by Rebecca Seaton

 

Published ... but with a formula?

I was at a party recently and a friend was asking about my writing. He said he had a friend who’s written a book, ‘…and he used the formula, because there’s a formula, isn’t there?’

Well, where to begin?

God created us and we are all unique individuals. However, we are created to be part of a body, a community, so there must be some commonality in how we interact. Is there a formula though?

There are some publishers and particular genres which employ the use of a formula. Mills and Boon is well known for its writing templates. This works for them – readers know what they’re going to get and are duly rewarded. The average Mills and Boon reader isn’t looking for a mid-novel plot twist or the death of a main character and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The writer’s journey by Christopher Vogler gives twelve steps to making a story, as well as key characters. I’ve found this useful but more to go back to for inspiration when I get stuck than as a template to follow.

                                                        

                                                        Wishing there was a map through my plot...

In school, we tend to use a ‘mountain’ style template, a simplified ‘rise and fall’ planner. But I found myself challenged when a child wanted to use flashback and tweaked the plan so she could. Maybe the role of the plan or template is to give you a starting point. Once you feel the story you know its main points and can improvise.

Of course the pantsers out there would be horrified at the idea of a formula – some people don’t follow any template at all. For them, the story is easier to shape once it’s on the page.

At the end of the day, what do readers want? There are certain things most people expect and want in a story. As writers, we should pay at least some consideration to that but use our God-given creativity to bring our own flavour to it.

Ultimately, there isn’t a set formula, though there are key elements that make up a good story. As we grow in experience, the quality and uniqueness with which we can play with these will grow. This, for me, is part of the joy of writing.

 

 

Rebecca writes fantasy novels, magazine articles and the occasional play. She had her first novel, A Silent Song, published through Pen to Print’s Book Challenge competition and is currently working on the second book of a new trilogy.