Quotessence
Home / Authors / James Scott Bell
James Scott Bell

James Scott Bell Quotes

Author

Filter quotes by topic

AllWritingCharacterWayPlotStoriesArguingBookFictionFiction WritersFormIfsWorryAbilityAbleAskingBaboonsCan DoChunksComparisonComplaints

Famous James Scott Bell Quotes

“Many writers struggle with exposition in their novels. Often they heap it on in large chunks of straight narrative. Back story – what happens before the novel opens – is especially troublesome. How can we give the essentials and avoid a mere information drop? Use dialogue. First, create a tension-filled scene, usually between two characters. Get them arguing, confronting each other. Then you can have the information appear in the natural course of things.”

GivingWritingFirstsTwoCharacterStoriesUseHappensCoursesNaturalNovelStruggleInformationSceneEssentialsFilledMereArguingDialogueNarrativeTensionTroublesomeConfrontingChunks
Author:James Scott Bell
Create image

“Characters who are absolutely sure about what they do, who plunge ahead without fear, are not that interesting. We don’t go through life that way. In reality, we have doubts just like everyone else. Bringing your Lead’s doubts to the surface in your plot pulls the reader deeper into the story, and this is an excellent way to coax the reader to lose himself in the story world you’re about to create.”

WorldWayWritingCharacterStoriesRealityLosesInterestingDoubtReaderDeeperSurfaceExcellentPlotPlunge
Author:James Scott Bell
Create image