Guest Blogger Jamie Lee Scott

Please welcome my guest blogger Jamie Lee Scot!

Outline x X

No the title doesn't mean this post is X rated. I'm here to discuss outlining. Before you cover your eyes and run screaming because of the "outline" word, let me assure you, IT'S WORSE THAN YOU THINK!

That being said, here is why:

First, we've all heard of the Save the Cat beat sheet, and there are many others out there. Not a screenwriter? This doesn't excuse you. The beat sheets are for all writers of fiction, and they do help save valuable rewriting time. Fleshing out the outline does NOT kill your creativity! It gives you a roadmap and helps you find huge holes in your plot so you don't have to go back and rewrite innumerable pages. I'll just include what I feel are the 7 absolute must haves, and you can take or leave what you want from them.

1. Ordinary, everyday life - the story starts with your main char (MC) doing normal everyday stuff.

2. Inciting Incident - what rocks the MC out of said ordinary life.

3. End of Act 1 - MC decides on course of action for incident in #2

4. Midpoint - Action takes a sudden & unexpected direction

5. Lowest of low points or End of Act 2 - No way in hell the MC is going to get out of this one.

6. Act 3 or the Ultimate Challenge - Something, anything that will reanimate the MC to continue.

7. Return to "ordinary" life - Only now the MC has changed forever.

Sounds easy, right? So here's the rub, ready?

If you want a really compelling story, you have to remember you don't just have one MC, there are many characters in your story. AND YOU SHOULD OUTLINE FOR EACH MC (secondary characters, not so much, or at all). You may not use all of the information, but you should have a progression for each of the main characters in your story. So the above outline isn't just a onetime deal for each story, it can actually be 3 or more. Yikes. Hate me now? Or were you already doing this?

Here is a little something for you to enjoy from

 Let Us Prey 

by Jamie Lee Scott

Mimi Capurro has been hired to protect New York Times bestselling author, Lauren Silke, who was recently assaulted in the bathroom at a paranormal conference. Though Mimi is hired to act as bodyguard for Lauren’s upcoming book tour, plans change when Lauren's assistant is murdered and the slaying is a replica of a scene from Lauren’s newest novel. A novel that hit bookstores the same day as the killing.

Now instead of playing bodyguard, Mimi is cracking computer code, and chasing down vampires. These vampires come alive on the streets of Santa Cruz, as part of a live-role-playing game. Mimi must find the connection between the vampires and the author to track down the killer. This would be much easier if Detective Nick Christianson wanted her investigating the case.

Nick, Mimi’s old college fling, is the lead homicide investigator. 
Though he wants her off the case, he also wants to pump her for information. Nick may have used her in the past, but this time she’ll use him to try to catch the murderer first.

Interview with Jamie Lee Scott

Today I have the honor of having Jamie Lee Scott as my guest.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

Making up new worlds where I have all of the control. Probably because I feel I have so little in my own life.

What genre(s) do you write?

Mostly mystery, but I’ve been known to dabble in drama, romantic comedy, and some fantasy with my screenwriting.

 

What genres and authors would we find you?

Fiction: Mystery, Private Eye  Jamie Lee Scott

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Coming up with character names. That and I’m way too nice to my characters. I have to go back and be mean to them in the rewrite. Conflict = story after all.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I used to be a pantser. No longer. I plot like a crazy woman now, before I put a single word on paper. Outlining makes the writing so much easier, and I don’t have to reread constantly to see where I’ve been.

Why do you think people should choose your books over another author?

Because I’m witty, intelligent and sexy. Just kidding, though I have been told I can be quite witty. I would hope they’d choose me because I can tell a good story.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading one of your stories?

I hope they can’t get my characters out of their head. Other than that, I’m not trying to send any messages, especially since I kill people in my novels.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Maybe Mimi, my main character in my Gotcha series, would have a message. That would be: Don’t live in the past, keep moving forward.

How long have you been a writer? 

I wrote my first novel when I was 9. But I had my first magazine article published when I was a junior in college, so 10 years (I’m kidding, I don’t really remember how long ago that was, or I’m just not telling).

How much time did it take from writing your first book to having it published?

My first book was a non-fiction book called Hiking Iowa. It was a one year process. My novel took closer to 5 years, only because I kept putting off the rewrite after it was written.

What other careers have you had?

Not sure we have room for this. Let me think, waitress, banquet server, medical assistant, bookkeeper, restaurant owner (still at it), athletic trainer (the reason I went to college), horse trainer (still at it), journalist, produce broker, produce sales assistant, loading dock dispatcher, citrus sales, jewelry designer (still at it). I’ll just leave it at that.

Do you write under more than one name? Why?

I write fiction under the name Jamie Lee Scott, business articles and business books as Jamie Dierks, and YA as Allie Hollister. I write under the different names to keep the identities separate, as each one is so different from the others.

Are any of your characters based on real people or events?

Absolutely! I mean absolutely not! Best way to put it!

How would you describe yourself if you were “speed dating” your readers?

Manic. If you can handle a wild ride, jump on board.

What’s something fans would find fascinating about you?

I make glass beads.

What else would you like readers to know about you or your work?

Writing is my escape from reality.

And Lola, the Doberman in the Gotcha novels, is my real dog, and she’s completely neurotic. (what does that say about me?)

What books or authors have most influenced your life?

Stephen King’s On Writing is the most influential book on writing that I’ve ever read. As for authors, I look to Harlan Coben and see where he started and where he is today, and I’m in awe. The other author would be Pulitzer Prize winning Jane Smiley. She has characters that stay with me long after I’ve finished reading her books.

How do your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?

My entire family is supportive. Some think there is some celebrity to it. I let them think that. My husband, who has to put up me all the time, is beyond supportive. He says he can’t wait until the day he can retire on my income. Haha  Jamie, mine says that to me daily!

Where are you from?

I’m from Salinas, CA, the setting for the Gotcha novels.  Can't wait to read them!  Especially since I've been there!

How do you come up with the titles?

The titles for the Gotcha series are a play on words/titles Let Us Prey/ let us pray, book 2 Death of a Sales Rep/Death of a Salesman, book 3 is yet untitled.

Has your life changed significantly since becoming a published writer?

Yes! I’m a crazed marketing guru. Writing a novel is so much more work than writing for magazines or screenwriting. With those, you write and get paid, someone else promotes. Now I have to divide my time with writing and promotion. But I love the social aspect of promoting.  Nobody told us this part of the job did they?  It's rewarding though.

Do you work on one project at a time? Or do you multi-task?

Multi-task, in more ways than one.  Me too!

When not writing, how do you relax?

Riding or caring for my horses. Nothing is more relaxing to me than watching them eat, or grooming them. Riding is relaxing in that I forget about everything else, because 100% of my concentration is in the training.

Please tell us 5 miscellaneous facts about yourself.

1. I’m a hermit.
2. I’m allergic to housework.
3. I eat a garlic stuffed green olive every morning.
4. My favorite artist is Daniel Merriam (awesome fantasy painter)
5. I sometimes dictate my novels with a voice recorder.

To find out more about Jamie and her books please visit her:

www.jamieleescott.com

Twitter: @jamie_ld

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jamielee.scott2

Also watch for Death of a Sales Rep (book 2 Gotcha Detective Agency mysteries) coming in December.  Jamie is also writing a TV sitcom pilot called Deep Fried – about a yuppie couple who lose their jobs and buy a fast food restaurant.

Thank you Jamie for joining me!  Please stop by again on Thursday when Jamie Lee Scott is my guest blogger!