Martha Alderson aka Plot Whisperer: Santa Cruz Traveling Mystery Tour

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02 January 2011

Happy 2011

Thanks to each of you who followed along on the 3rd Annual International Plot Writing Month also known as PostNaNoPlotPerfection aka PlotWriMo for writers intent on crafting a story that is pleasing to the reader and perhaps on finding a bit of enlightenment along the way.

My hope is from following along all last month, you now have a new sense of your story and are energized to undertake a major rewrite, starting... today!

Good luck to you.

I continue into the New Year with the YouTube Plot Series: How Do I Plot A Novel, Memoir, Screenplay series, adding a new video with yet another element of creating a story every week. I address plot issues I see crop up in plot consultations I do with writers around the world. Hope to see you there.

We're running a contest, in conjunction with the plot series. For information on how to win a free overnight at an amazing bed and breakfast in Santa Cruz or a free plot consultation, go to Santa Cruz Traveling Mystery Tour.

Here's to success with all the writing goals you've set for yourself this year.

27 October 2010

Marathon Plot Training for NaNoWriMo

In less than 2 hours, pre-plot the characters and events and ideas you're imagining for your NaNoWriMo writing project.

The more organized your vision, the more productive your daily writing practice is for NaNoWriMo and otherwise.

The following steps take no longer than 5 - 9 minutes each. As simple as clicking the step you want and watching a video:

STEP ONE: Character and Goal (Part 1) -- Dramatic Action Plot

STEP TWO: Character Flaw -- Character Emotional Development Plot

STEP THREE: Setting -- Part 1: (Beginning 1/4) -- Ordinary World

STEP FOUR: Setting -- Part 2: (Middle 1/2) -- Extraordinary, Exotic, Unusual World

STEP FIVE: Three Major Plot Threads -- Character Emotional Development Plot, Dramatic Action Plot, Thematic Significance Plot + Romance Plot

STEP SIX: Secondary and Sub-plots

STEP SEVEN: Climax (Part 1) -- The End

STEP EIGHT: Climax (Part 2) -- The End

STEP NINE: Energy Anatomy of Stories -- Plot at the Overall Story Level

STEP TEN: Plot the Beginning

STEP ELEVEN: Turning Points

STEP TWELVE: Goal (Part 2) The Middle -- Dramatic Action Plot

STEP THIRTEEN: Antagonists for Protagonist and for the Writer

MORE TO COME...

Give yourself the gift of writing next month and show up everyday.

05 October 2010

Santa Cruz Traveling Mystery Tour

Win a free one-hour plot consultation!

Correctly identify all 32 Santa Cruz iconic landmarks used as the backdrop in the filming of the Santa Cruz Traveling Mystery Tour

PRIZES

· Locals win an overnight stay at the Darling House in Santa Cruz on Valentine’s Day

· Out-of-towners win a 1-hour phone consultation with family expert Cathy Jo Cresss on sibling reconciliation and forgiveness and a 1-hour writer's plot phone consultation with plot expert to the stars Martha Alderson, aka the Plot Whisperer

More than 144 billion videos were viewed on YouTube last year. The number is expected to more than double this year.

My cohort on the Santa Cruz Traveling Mystery Tour is Cathy Jo Cress, author of the just released Mom Loves You Best; Forgiving and Forging Sibling Relationships. She and I recently harnessed the power of YouTube, by launching our own individual channels that highlight local attractions on the Santa Cruz Traveling Mystery Tour.

In the Plot Series, How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?, I take writers through the process of plotting out a story. Cathy's videos show how sibling relationships affect our lives and how to fix them in her Mom Loves You Best series.

Together we have planned a 32-step series to be filmed at famed Santa Cruz landmarks.

We began our YouTube series by filming near the renowned surfing spot the HOOK in Pleasure Point. We moved to the Yacht Harbor where we filmed each other sharing tips in our individual areas of expertise.

32 unique, beautiful, literary and historic locations in Santa Cruz County, such as the Surfer Statue, Mystery Spot, Natural Bridges, in front of Town Clock, Tom Scribner statue on the mall in front of Bookshop SC, the whale Marine Lab and the one by SC Museum, UCSC viewpoint with the whole bay on view, Cement Boat view, SC Library with Alfred Hitchcock birds statue/sculpture to name a few, serve as backdrops for our productions from now until January 31, 2011.

Correctly identify all 32 locations and be eligible for a drawing for a free night at the Darling House on February 14, 2011

Visit either or both YouTube channels to spot the Santa Cruz landmark that serves as the backdrop for each video. A new video (or 2) comes out every week.

Plot Series, How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?

Mom Loves You Best.

I deeply appreciate any help you can offer in getting the word out about the Plot Series. Please feel free to pass along the link to your writing buddies interested in pre-plotting for NaNoWriMo or simply eager to start a new story. I'm out to impress a national publishing house interested in picking up my best-selling self-published Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple. Cathy is promoting the launch of her new book.

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RAVE REVIEWS

For more testimonials from clients who have landed deals with major publishing houses, please visit my Testimonials board on Pinterest.

"The book you helped me work on is now out. Thanks again, dear teacher." Jana McBurney-Lin author of Blossoms and Bayonets and My Half of the Sky

"To Martha Alderson, whom I've never met, but whose books and DVDs about plot were invaluable. Thank you for all you taught me!"" Nancy Cavanaugh author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet

"Thanks Martha! You made Nardi Point possible." Nancy LaPonzina author of Nardi Point

"I got some stimulating new ideas from you as well as much needed validation. Thank you. Thank you." Nnegest Likke writer/director of Phat Girlz

"Martha is a plot genius. She takes on my work as if it were hers, but with the perspective of an outsider, allowing me to pin-point problems I might never notice. She is fabulous to work with!" Kathleen Shoop, author of After the Fog and The Last Letter

"The project you helped me with, Talhotblond, aired on MSNBC and was purchased by a major studio for distribution. I walked away from your seminar not only more confident, and with a great roadmap, but with a burst of creativity that I haven't felt in a long time. Martha Alderson's advice really is like a secret weapon." Barbara Schroeder, writer/director of Talhotblond

"Thanks Martha! It all began with the whispering..." Shana Mahaffey author of Sounds Like Crazy

"I just wanted to let you know that my first novel, The Crows of Bedu, was just published by Pine Hill Press. I KNOW your class helped tweak it into a selling project." Nye Joell Hardy author of The Crows of Bedu

"I followed your plot planner advice for all three books and I can't even tell you how much it helped me. Before I found your method I was lost but once I started following it -- everything fell in place. Anyway -- I just wanted to touch base with you and say thanks." J. Anne Huss, author of Clutch, Fledge, Flight

"I am so happy to tell you that I have sold my first screenplay to a producer wanting to make the movie and keep me on as a writer/producer for the script SCUBA. Your instruction on structure and plot really made the difference. Thanks for giving me the tools I needed to succeed in this industry." Shawn, screenwriter

"I wish I could wrap you in the galaxy of gratitude and whirl you into the pure joy of nature! You are so generous with your time, insight, expertise, wisdom, and kindness. I am a bit overwhelmed but truly excited to get to work. Thank you." Luisa Adams, author of Woven of Water.

"Martha's gentle questions about motivations and theme led me deeper into my story. Looking for clues in the characters led to intersections with other characters, plot complications and best of all, conflict. Martha's keen insights about the structure of plot helped me better understand the story I was telling and gave the tools I needed to write it, in a new and exciting way." Terri Thayer, author of Wild Goose Chase and Stamped Out

"Lasting gratitude to Blockbuster Plots, invaluable in getting my thoughts into book form." Shreve Stockton, author of Daily Coyote

"I learned so much it is like someone opened my brain and poured in a whole new way to write. My consultation with you was invaluable. It was not only what you taught me about plot: your encouragement and enthusiasm gave me confidence. You are a genuine and generous human being, and that is the real gift." Mary Cronk Farrel, author of Fire in the Hole and Daughters of the Dust

"Thank you thank you thank you! Honestly, what a gift you're offering us." Holly Payne, author of The Virgin's Knot and The Sound of Blue

Martha is as knowledgeable and passionate about storytelling and "plotting" plot as anyone I have ever met. Her books, templates and workshops break it down and get the light bulbs going! A writer at any level will learn something." Jennifer Solow, author of The Booster

"Taking your class several years ago was integral in improving my craft as a writer and I want to make sure you know that this has been an important part of the success I've finally attained. My agent got me a two-book deal with St. Martin's Press! It's so exciting as it's hard to believe this is finally happening." Wendy Tokunaga, author of Midori by Moonlight & Love in Translation

"Martha Alderson, the 'Plotting Queen' introduced me to the front story/back story concept while I was weaving LOVE MADE OF HEART. This extraordinary teacher came through again, with her book! Just in time for me to finish weaving another novel!" Teresa LeYung Ryan , author and community member who encourages everyone to step into their dreams.

"I've taken your course, of course, and found it enormously helpful. In fact, I take your course at conferences every chance I get. Thanks, Martha! I couldn't do it without your help!" Penny Warner, author of more than 50 books including The Official Nancy Drew Handbook and Dead Man's Hand.

"Hey, regarding your book - someone sent me a copy of Chris Baty's (the creator of NaNoWritMo) book NO PLOT, NO PROBLEM. It's merely musings compared to your Bible. It would be nice, though, since 90,000 people signed up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this year, if your book had a tie-in somehow, like maybe on Amazon's 'If you like this book, then you'll LOVE Blockbuster Plots'. Just a thought, Martha!" Mary Eastham, author of The Shadow of a Dog I Can't Forget

"I cannot stress how Martha's emphasis on the external aspect of plot drove home to me the inherent necessity for a clear plot if the story is not only to hang together and make sense, but have meaning, too." Anjuelle Floyd, author of Keeper of Secrets

"It would save a lot of people a lot of time if they did this from the start. The Plot Planner is a good tool for taking something that is huge and unwieldy (a novel) and making it something that can be understood at a glance." Jim Averbeck, author of In a Blue Room

"I loved Martha's plot planning. It works!" Adrienne Barbeau, author of There are Worse Things I Could Do

"Martha offers writers terrific plot and writing technique workshops. Check her out!" Christopher Gortner, author of The Last Queen

This book will change the way you approach writing! Martha Alderson's Scene Trackerand Plot Planner tools have helped hundreds of workshop and conference attendees hone their skills, and now you can learn how to take the fear out of plotting even if you can't attend one of her workshops. If you only buy one writing book this year, buy Blockbuster Plots! Melanie Rigney, former Writers Digest magazine editor

"How is that fabulous Block Buster Plot program going? If I get the chance to do another book, you will see me at the front of your class. Without your help plotting my book, Taking Aim at the President, I would not be published today." Geri Spieler, author of Taking Aim at the President

Marvelous! Very helpful, practical, insightful, easy to use." James Scott Bell, award winning writer and Writers Digest fiction columnist.

Writing's not easy. One of the hardest things to do well is write great plots. And because reading superbly plotted books isn't always enough to boost one's skills, Los Gatos author Martha Alderson offers a slew of ways to get your plot-lines flowing again. In addition to being the author of "Blockbuster Plots: Pure & Simple" Alderson also offers one-on-one plot consultations. You can contact her -- and keep up on local literary events, meetings, conferences, contests and retreats -- at her Web site. Santa Cruz Sentinel

Don't have problems plotting? Think a book on characterization, theme, editing or synopsis might help your writing more? Do yourself a favor and don't dismiss Blockbuster Plots: Pure & Simple on the merits of title alone.

True--the majority of the book focuses on plot, how to go about discovering the one hiding in your story and strengthening crucial details to help it become, well, the blockbuster plot you envision. But throughout the book, Alderson provides more than plotting activities--she also gives lots of insightful writing advice that help you think of ways to improve your story in different, dynamic ways.

If plots aren't your cup of tea, or maybe if they are but you're willing to look at another interpretation of how to get more mileage from them for your story, Blockbuster Plots is an excellent place to start. BOOK REVIEW by Beth Morrow

Confused about the basics of building a plot in a story? Martha Alderson's focus on how to produce a superior one applies to novels, memoirs and nonfiction alike, using scenes by contemporary writers from Twain to London to show how to create logical and substantial plots. Visual representation of scenes is the focus of a step-by-step workbook packed with tips on everything from character development and depth of story line to action and theme clarification. Any writer seeking to produce not just acceptable but superior works must have this guide. Midwest Book Review

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