Story Bible For Your Novels

 Novel Bible

I never thought I needed one when I first started to write but eventually I realized that since I was writing serials, that it was becoming harder to keep track of bits of information that I'd made up years ago when the ideas were first flowing out of my head. I also realized that it was a much easier way to not only keep track of story information, but of character information as well. After researching how to create one, I made one of my own. However, whereas others have created one for each story they've created, I built my first one solely around one world.

Why did I do this? I did this because a number of my stories interconnect and the characters repeat themselves along the way. I did this for my own sanity. Later, I may break it down further, separating the serials from the stand-alones that happen in the same world. For me, this one bible keeps track of the entire world, which encompasses eleven continents and the information inside is repeatable and truthfully, I don't feel like writing out the same thing for every single novel bible. However, my approach may not work the same way for you. These are some ideas to help get you started, both for stand-alone and serial/sequential novels.

Basic Supply List:

Binder (I think mine is a 2")
Loose Lined Paper (You know the packs I mean that you get for $1.50)
Pencils (I prefer mechanical when it comes to writing things. The reason for the pencil is because you can easily erase and make changes unlike with pens)
Permanent Marker (Preferably Fine Point)
Snacks and Beverages (You may be at this a while)
Patience (It takes some time so take breaks if you start to get frustrated)

Additional Supplies:

For my binder I needed a little something extra than your basic dividers, so, I created my own using Card Stock and Post-It's Hanging File Folder Tabs. This was needed to help me just divide the sections for easy access.

I also use Sticky Index Tabs to label my pages further. I did this first before even doing the dividers, but then again, I've a tendency to do some things out of order, lol. 


Now that you've gathered your supplies, including snacks, it's time to start putting it all together.

I've seventeen different parts to my binder under two different indexes:

Index One

Part One: World Information
Part Two: Trade and Resource Information
Part Three: Magic
Part Four: Divines
Part Five: Kingdom Information
Part Six: Legends and Lore
Part Seven: Creatures
Part Eight: Languages
Part Nine: Settings
Part Ten: Outlines
Part Eleven: Timelines
Part Twelve: Maps

Index Two

Part Thirteen: Character Appearances
Part Fourteen: Main Characters
Part Fifteen: Secondary Characters
Part Sixteen: Tertiary Characters
Part Seventeen: Family Trees

You'll notice that what I have may not necessarily apply to you. For instance, I have a languages section because in my world some of my countries have their own native names for things and thus why I need to keep track of it.

However, the most essential are:

Parts One through Seven, Fourteen and Fifteen. Those are the bare bones to any bible. Some more information as to what's involved:

Part One: World Information

This section contains all your basic information on the world you've created. This includes all the continents and cities involved in your novel. Under each heading you'll have a short blurb about the kingdoms (if it's a fantasy), general location and a very brief statement on its history, allies, rulers and enemies.

Part Two: Trade and Resources

In this section, you'll list the resources available in your country. For help with this, it's recommended that you research countries with similar climates to yours to see what they have in real-life to give you some insight. Next you'll be able to figure out what the countries lack and what trade resources are being imported and exported.

Part Three: Magic

In most fantasy novels, this is a very large section. You've different types of magic systems for different species and classes. Or, you've very simplistic magic that is based on more scientific realism. Either way, it will take a bit to write it out if you have it.

In science fiction, this section can be replaced by Science and Technology, making real your new advances in science and working them out here can make things a lot easier down the road.

Part Four: Divines

This is the home of all your deities and their powers. Write down just enough detail on who they are, where they live and the powers they possess to get by while working in the novel. Sometimes they may end up being more detailed that you'd originally believe, especially if they have such crucial roles in the novel but that's okay; write it down.

Part Five: Kingdoms

This is where the most detailed information on your countries and their kingdoms lies. Everything from it's history, to it's rulers and how they came to rule; the culture and religions. Everything that makes up this place goes here. Depending on how many their are, it can be quite extensive, especially if there's many key players in your novel.

If you're writing serials, it's a good idea to keep track of the events that will happen in this novel as it will come in handy when writing the next one or five that come along. If it helps, you can sub-head the changes that will occur as the story progresses into each different chapter in the kindgom's history.

Part Six: Legends and Lore

This is where you detail out the major events that precursors the start of your novel. Important events that happened in the past, especially those that may elude to events in your novel. Prophecies are included in this section as well should their be any.

For science fiction, this section could contain any Armageddons that have occurred before the start of your story.

Part Seven: Creatures

If you're making up beings of imagination, this is where you list them. Write out the details of the creature, their names, characteristics, powers, traits; just like you would a human only with your made-up beasts and ghouls.

Those writing science fiction can list their alien species here that your travelers may encounter. 

Part Eight: Languages

If you've a culture that's using a different language, this would be the place to work it out. For me, I've Amazonian and Cyanese languages. I may have an additional language in one of my other continents but it's not yet known.

This section is especially useful for science fiction writers with varying species that have their own languages. Some may have complete syntax whereas some of us may just have a few native words or phrases we use in place of English.

Part Nine: Settings

Here you can write down the descriptions for the major and minor settings. This comes in handy when your characters start off in one place and don't return for a time. You can easily reference what the places looked like when your characters return or if you've a random thought about it before you're characters are ready to get there.

Part Ten: Outlines

A place to reference story outlines. They're easy to locate and don't get lost.

Part Eleven: Timelines

Keep track of the time your characters spend away or in any given place. Timelines are easier to do as you write the story rather than after you've written them. Add to them every time a major length of time passes.

Part Twelve: Maps

If you've drawn maps of your worlds, put them here to reference at a moments notice.

Part Thirteen: Character Appearances

I find this part useful when writing serials and sequential novels because its a quick reference guide as to who is appearing in which book. Using the novel heading at the top, I list the Major, Secondary, Minor and Tertiary characters in the novel. If more come along, then I list them as well.

Part Fourteen: Major Characters

This is where I list and complete all the biographical information on my major characters. Their ages, genders, eye and hair colour, personalities and birthdays. Fill out all the relevant information, including if they have pets or horses.

You can also list any familial relations, professional groupings and religious affiliations the character may have or belong to.

Major Secondary Characters also belong in this section as well. Even though they aren't the main protagonists, they are important to the story. You may also list your antagonist here as well depending on how relevant they are at the time.

Part Fifteen and Sixteen: Secondary and Tertiary Characters

Same information as with the major characters but you don't need as much information as they lessen in importance the further away from the major characters they are.

Part Seventeen: Family Trees

Family Trees help you to see the familial connections between characters. If they've an ancestor who is an important historical figure or did something that effected the present which your character lives in now, then it's fun and nice to see where they are connected and how.

Now, using my sticky index tabs, I group together my information within the major index dividers. Using permanent marker, I would write on one colour the names of the continents involved in the World Information. With other groupings I would write: Magic - Fae, Magic - Quandhai, Magic - Shamaness; all of these are connected under the Magic heading but they are different categories within it. It makes for much quicker and easier referencing when writing.

Next I created my divider headings to group the smaller indexed groups together into their collections. Once I know what headings are within my two main indexes, my world separated from my characters, I list what's under each index and what's within each category. It gives me a quick glance view as to what's inside my bible in case I'm unsure if I have all the parts that I need.

The Parting Glass Released

New Book From Indie Author Katherine Lampe

Katherine Lampe's new book, "The Parting Glass," is a must read as the latest addition to her Caitlin Ross series. 

Transpiring before the events of Katherine's previous works, it tells the tale of how Caitlin and Timber first came together and how the supernatural crime-fighting duo solved their first case together. It was an awesome read I couldn't put down...as Katherine can attest to, lol. 

   

The Parting Glass 

"Caitlin Ross is content with her life as the owner of a metaphysical shop in Boulder, Colorado. And although she doesn’t advertise her arcane abilities as a witch, she isn’t averse to applying them in good cause. When a Lakota medicine man with a drinking problem begs for Caitlin’s help, she has reason enough to get involved. But before she can do anything, he vanishes, leaving Caitlin with nothing but questions.

Soon after, a stranger from Scotland appears on Caitlin’s doorstep, seeking news of the missing shaman. His insistence and his refusal to share any information about his purpose rouse Caitlin’s suspicions: is this Timber MacDuff what he seems? Or does he represent the very dark power the absent shaman was trying to avoid?

For anyone who has wanted to hear the story of Caitlin and Timber’s first encounter, this is the book you’ve been waiting for. "

Go now and read it! 

Awesome Book Cover! ^.^

This super fabulous awesome cover was created for me by Thai Braddick. Thai is a 15 year old (man they teach them younger than even I was to use photoshop nowadays) free-lancer who has been creating covers for NaNo participants for their NaNo novels. The kid's a genius, that's all I've really got. Hopefully, I'll be able to have the other two Realm novels covered by him as well as then they'd match and not look all o.O 

Check out Thai's website and portfolio here: http://funkelnpartei.tumblr.com/

Spotlight Author: Katherine Lampe

Katherine Lampe's 'Caitlin Ross' Series

Katherine is an author who's work I've admired for a long time. 

And now all of you are looking at me like 'Huh? The woman just published, what are you smoking.....and where can I get some?'

I betaed Katherine's works, starting with 'The Unquiet Grave' all the way through to her current masterpiece 'The Parting Glass.'

I didn't know what I was in for when I started reading 'The Unquiet Grave,' but the more I read the more I got sucked into this amazing urban paranormal that didn't require vampires, werewolves or whatever the current trend of teenage paranormal fan-crazed, phenomena piggy-back ridding was.   

It was new, it was fresh and it was freaking awesome! I've a total, undeniable addiction to Katherine Lampe's works like I do for some of my 'Big 6' published authors with one slight difference between her and them...

I GET TO FREAKING HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH HER!!!

You see, unlike with the authors we adore in physical copies, I can actually talk with an author I like and not have twelve burly men in suits with glasses wall me if I even attempt to get within six feet of their pinky for fear I may damage their income....you don't need a pinky to type, by the way. 

Okay, off the tangent and back on track now. I can honestly say I've waited for the day to see Katherine's works out there in the world to be shared with other people. She has a talent for writing that I admire and a very cool back story to how she knows what she knows in order to write her 'Caitlin Ross' series. The paranormal elements draw on how life used to be using magick's and religions that once were revered by people and not considered to be myths. I implore each and every one of you to purchase a copy of 'The Unquiet Grave,' - and the rest of the series - and see for yourself how exciting and thrilling her novels are.

The Unquiet Grave

 

She Moved Through The Fair

A Maiden In Bedlam

 

 

Importance of Beta Readers

I spoke last time about how Indie Authors cannot afford their own editors mainly because the logistics are not the same. The writers who chose self-publishing have no lesser merit just because they do not choose the traditional route however it is agreed that editing plays an important role in both sides of the issue.

Thus bringing me to the role of a Beta Reader. A Beta is similar to an editor, however, there is a key difference: Editors often have degrees and demand payment while Betas may or may not have degrees and do not demand payment (they may ask for a novel swap in which you review their work in return but they do not ask for money). 

A Beta can be of great importance to your writing process, especially if you can find the right Beta that fits you and your work. Some writers have more than one Beta depending on their genres of writing and also depending upon how much of a kick in the pants the writer feels their work needs. Some Beta's will only provide certain services and most will not be able to help you if your work hasn't even been edited by you, the writer. 

It's very, very important to remember to review your own writing first before pawning it off on other people to help you. There are people who don't mind putting in the effort but if you, the writer, aren't going to help yourself, then these people aren't going to bother helping you either because they will see it as you having a lack of pride.

There's a few websites that can help you connect with Betas so that your work can be at a similar if not parallel quality of a traditionally published author.

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/
http://www.perfectimagination.co.uk/   
http://querytracker.net/forum/

A Question of Writing?

I'm a writer. 

That's what I am not who I am mind you. The question is not who I am but rather of writing in and of itself. I often wonder about the people who judge us based on our literary merits and by us I mean those of us who are writers yet will likely go unnoticed by the 'masters' of storytelling and those who promote them.

There's no denying that the people who are published nowadays through conventional methods have their own merits yet there is a convoluted debate on who IS or is NOT considered to be a writer these days. Just because some people who publish through what is deemed by the seasoned author as 'unconventional' and 'the easy route' publish books that are raw and unrefined does not make them any less a writer than the 'masters.'

People write for their own reasons - whatever they may be - and while the 'masters' believe us to be trashy, uneducated, and uncaring to put in the effort, I say to them:

Who are you to judge those who's pens you do not write with an who's minds you cannot enter?

There are many published works I've never been able to understand how they are considered works of literary finesse. I speak of course of the 'Classics.' Those books most of us consider dull, stuffy and full of errors as I doubt many of them ever had editors or agents. 

Think also on the issue that some of these people who are self-publishing are young teenagers just wanting to get their works out to the masses for people to enjoy rather than thinking of the bottom-line you accuse most of us of. And while yes, some writers out there are, most of us write because it means something to us. We do put time and effort into what we create and while maybe, yes, we do need a rating system, maybe it's time to consider that not all of us can turn to professionals for no other reason than economics. 

I doubt Independent Films and Music was brought in with a smooth transition; that they're weren't movies and bands that were raw and rough but the people didn't care because all most of them wanted was to get their artistic craft out there. Once out, then the people could comment and suggest. 

What's most important to writers are their readers; an editor or a publisher does not care about the people; only about profits. If that weren't true, then they'd actually put in the effort into helping the writers like they used to. If we're stuck doing everything ourselves, then we may as well publish by ourselves and get guidance from out peers instead of someone who is only there 5% of the time through the entire process and keeps most of the profits. 

It shouldn't matter how we publish our works; what should matter is that the people who do are writers and they deserve the respect as such - published on a bestseller list or riddled with errors, or not.