Note: Regularly, I get this great E-zine in my e-mail inbox by Randy Ingermanson. The newsletter is always chock-full of great advice for authors. This article I found to be  particularly helpful and informative for organizing the scenes in a novel and decided to pass it on. I already use Randy’s approach, though I do so in the context of a free computer program called yWriter5. Check this out if you’ve ever wondered how suspense novelists like me can keep all those pesky scenes organized.

by Randy Ingermanson

One of the hardest parts of organizing a novel is keeping all the scenes straight. Novels typically have 50 to 100 scenes or more. That’s a lot to keep track of! Here are some typical problems you’ll face in managing all those scenes:

* Deciding what happens in each scene
* Deciding what order to present your scenes
* Deciding how long each scene should be
* Deciding on the point-of-view (POV) character
* Deciding whether to cut a scene
* Deciding how to edit a scene

It’s hard to keep all the scenes in your head at one time. In fact, it’s probably impossible, since humans are made to keep only a few things in the mind at the same time.

I solve this problem by creating a “scene list” — a list of all my scenes with key information about each one. You can do this however you like.

The low-tech easy way to do it is by using 3×5 cards. Just write the important information about each scene on one card and then spread them out on the kitchen table or the living room floor.

I prefer to throw more technology at the problem by using spreadsheet software. For our purposes, a simple way to think of a spreadsheet is a list of items, where each item can have several parts.

When I make a scene list, each line in my spreadsheet keeps track of the important information about one scene. Here are some typical things I track: more…

Okay, this is simply too funny. If you can watch this without laughing, you must be not of this world.

Today, Sept. 7, through Friday, Sept. 11, several members of the Facebook Fiction Bloggers group are posting reviews about Fatal Illusions. If you’re in Facebook, be sure to check it out! Thanks, everybody, for your support.

Here’s the first review: http://faithfictionfriends.blogspot.com/

Michigan author, Adam Blumer, publishes first suspense novel.

The following folks participated in the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance tour of Fatal Illusions. Thank you for helping to get the word out.

Check out the interview: http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-with-adam-blumler.html

Check out the fun and win a copy of Fatal Illusions.

http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/07/fun-writing-contest.html

June 29, 2009

Dear Reader,

Things have settled down quite a bit as far as the busyness of my novel release. Though I’ve done most of my online interviews and other Internet events, I’m not finished yet. Fatal Illusions will be featured in a blog tour via the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance (CFBA) on July 6-8. During that time frame up to fifty or so CFBA members will be blogging about my novel; some will also be posting reviews. I’ll also be guest judging at Pix-N-Pens the same week. We’ll see what the Lord wants to do through these opportunities. On June 1, my publisher told me that my novel “is off to a good start,” so I’m encouraged. More good news is that the VCY America bookstore recently agreed to stock my book.

More Reviews Needed

If you read Fatal Illusions and feel you can recommend it, please consider writing a review for Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, or Barnesandnoble.com. Positive reviews are a great help in promoting the novel. Another place to submit a review is the USA TODAY Faith & Reason Book Club. Guidelines are at the bottom of this page. If enough of you submit reviews, the blog might actually highlight my novel.

Write-to-Publish Conference Recap

I can only describe my experience at the Write-to-Publish Conference at Wheaton College on June 3-6 as amazing and groundbreaking. I met with three literary agents, two editors, and several novelists—not to mention all the new writing friends I hobnobbed with while I was there. The experience was truly refreshing and educational—everything I hoped it would be. I even began a new writing schedule. Because of connections I made, God has already been opening doors. Praise Him! You can read the full story here: http://www.adamblumerbooks.com/2009/06/09/what-god-did-at-wtp/

Book Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Addy Forrest for winning my June book drawing for a free copy of Fatal Illusions!

Want a Sneak Peek?

I’m looking for a few good men and women to participate in a group of “first readers” who will get a sneak peek at my next novel as it evolves. The purpose of the group is to read chapters or scenes and provide constructive feedback. If you’re interested, please reply to this e-mail and let me know. Obviously, I can’t open up this opportunity to everyone, so I will have a screening process for those who apply. If you consider yourself to be a savvy fiction reader who has a detailed eye for plotting, story details, and characterization, I’d love to hear from you. Tell me why you’d make a good candidate and list the last three novels you’ve read.

Update on My Dad

As always, you can read reports about my Dad’s cancer journey at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larryblumer. Dad’s recent scan showed no cancer growth since his surgery in February. Hallelujah! He is still undergoing chemo, however. Thank you for keeping my parents before the Lord in prayer.

If you haven’t yet obtained a copy of Fatal Illusions, you can always request one at your local bookstore, or you can find a copy online at Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, or other online bookstores. Recommend that your church library or local library purchase a copy. Be sure to check my Web site and my Events page for the latest on what’s been happening. Thanks again for your support and encouragement. May the Lord receive all the glory!

My Author’s Web Site: www.adamblumerbooks.com
My Writing News and Book Reviews: www.northwoodsblumer.blogspot.com
My Freelance Editing Services: www.blumer.org/adam