Resources
Books I have found helpful:
Screenplay by Syd Field
– This book will explain how to construct your plot (yes, just like a screenplay). You will learn what it takes to keep a plot moving throughout the entire story.
Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Debra Dixon
– This book explains how to make a plot believable with characters who make sense. Excellent for learning more about both characterization and plot development.
Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham
– In this book, Bickham describes how “scenes” and “sequels” follow each other and what is required to create a scene that belongs in your book.
Getting the Words Right (second edition) by Theodore A. Rees Cheney
– An excellent book about reducing, rearranging, and rewording in order to polish your work
Where to go from here:
You have completed the last edit of your manuscript and you are interested in publishing it independently. You only need two more things:
1. Cover art – few, if any, retailers will accept a book without a book cover
1. Formatting – you will need your manuscript converted into a file type readable by your retailer, or formatted into a specific Word format
My recommendation for both these services is Covers by Karen