Bob Mayer at SiWC

Bob Mayer aka Robert Doherty is someone I would define as a writing machine. He has written over 40 bestsellers. He has written both fiction and nonfiction, including the Black Ops series and the Area 51 series. He has also written 2 books with coauthor Jennifer Cruise. His most recent book is Who Dares Wins: the Green Beret Way to Conquer Fear and Succeed.

Workshop Description:

Original Idea and Conflict - The Heart of Your Story and The Key to Selling Your Book: Can you say what your book is about in 25 words or less? This is essential to both writing and selling a tight book. Join bestselling author Bob Mayer to discuss ways to find and state your original idea so that you stay on course while writing the book and with which you can excite those you tell it to when trying to sell it.

Again, there was a handout provided and I am going to go by the Pirate's Code of Honor and only provide my own personal notes.

On social media, such as facebook, twitter, blogging, etc: Social media can be a time suck.

Content is critical.

Title must invite the reader into the book.

Put yourself out there. You are never going to see anyone reading your book.

At the beginning of the book, if the protagonist were to go through the climax, they would fail.

Keeping secrets from the reader does not create suspense.

Conflict should occur at two levels in each scene. Ex. Being chased and arguing with each other.

Tip: Put every scene up on a white board. Mark every one that has struggle between two characters. Every scene should have some character vs character.

The main character must have some sort of flaw to make them seem real. Something in the nature of the character must cause a problem.

Negative protagonists need a redeeming quality. Ex. Grumpy, but will go out in snow to save senile old lady.

No one thinks they are a sidekick or a minion. Remember this when writing your story.

Flamingoes can't be left alone. They will go crazy. (This isn't some trick to make sure you are paying attention. I actually wrote this down. I also felt I would understand this in the future, as there is no other explanation.)

If a thing is an antagonist, put in a person who represents the antagonist.

Reading a finished draft of a book

Time 1 - What happens.

Time 2 - Watch the characters. Watch the secondary characters. Ex. In Deadwood (season 2)- the antagonist becomes the protagonist. Have to spark a redemption here and there.

A 1 page synopsis should contain 3 names - the protagonist, the antagonist, the supporting character and a bit of story.

You may learn more about Bob Mayer on his website and his blog or about Bob Meyer and Jennifer Cruise at their website.

Bob's book The Novel Writer's Toolkit: A Guide to Writing Great Fiction and Getting it Published contains in greater detail the information presented in this blog post and much more.