HEMINGWAY HERE_{GHOST OF A CHANCE interlude}

{“A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”
- Ernest Hemingway.}

Hemingway here. Or to be more precise, the ghost of Hemingway here.

Yes, I’m supposed to be dead. I was poisoned. No, not by myself. Once is enough even for me.

It was by the last person you would suspect. But I survived. Still, all but one believes me dead.

If I’m lucky, that illusion will be the death of Roland. And if it leads to the death of the Valkyrie? It will teach her not to ignore an old flame for a momentary fling.

So in preparation for his imminent death and my usurping the reins of his blog, here is my first post on how to write well.

Unlike Roland’s posts, mine will be short – and its title?

FIND YOUR BACKBONE.

The backbone of your story.

The spine of your novel is what you follow on your character’s evolution from what he was to what he becomes. And the change must be big. Why would we follow a bump on a bumpkin’s life?

All good books have one thing in common. They are truer than real life. Why? In good books, anything that doesn’t contribute to the hero’s transformation is edited away.

So find your backbone. What big picture are you painting? Any brushstroke that doesn’t add to that picture, remove.

Ask 5 questions to find your backbone.

1) Who is your hero?
You’d be surprised how many bad novels wobble about in that department, not giving the reader a sure idea of who to root for.

2) What is the problem?
It has to be clear. It has to be primal. And it has to appear insurmountable.

3) How does the story begin and end?
There has to be a “before” and “after” feel to them. The end must be a ringing bell within the heart of the reader.

4) What is the spiritual problem of the hero?
The physical problem must symbolize the spiritual struggle within your hero.

5) What is your novel about?
What is your story’s theme? A young boy learns that true magic lies within. A man discovers lies only make problems; they do not solve them. You get the picture.

What are you waiting for? You want me to lead you to the computer and type the story for you? Writers write. Dreamers dream and die with their dreams.

As Roland will die. Watch with me. I’ll be the one applauding.

***
De Guello – the tune ordered played by Santa Anna at the Alamo. It was the order for “No Mercy.” It literally means “slit throat.” I can’t wait to see whose hand will slit Roland’s.