'How to write a PROLOGUE that readers won't skip?' | #AskAbbie

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Welcome back to #AskAbbie, where I answer YOUR writing questions and help you make your story matter! In this episode I'm answering some really good questions:
- How do I write an interesting preface?
- How to use the 3 act story structure for a memoir?
- Can my MC’s desire stay the same?
- Should all my MC’s need to have character arcs?
- What is a “flat” character arc?

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✨T I M E S T A M P S ✨
0:00 Writing Update
1:56 How AskAbbie Works
2:33 How do I make my preface interesting?
4:43 Using the 3 act story structure for a memoir?
7:03 Can my MC’s desire stay the same?
8:18 Should all my MC’s need to have character arcs?
8:55 What is a “flat” character arc?
10:28 Submit YOUR questions for #AskAbbie!
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✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨

MORE VIDEOS YOU WOULD LIKE:

→ WHY YOUR FIRST CHAPTER SUCKS

→ HOW TO WRITE A GREAT CLIMAX

→ MY SCRIVENER SETUP

→ A COZY AUTUMN WRITING VLOG

✨F O L L O W ✨

✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.

Story isn’t about “what happens” — it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel – and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!

[TheyCallMeVilleVille]

My prologue starts with a family about to tell a story where the kids learn about their parents adventures and what they've been through

[somedeepmystery]

Flat Character arc works best (imho) when the character is just fully themselves, usually not perfect but good with who they are. This character is introduced to a world where who they are is different somehow and it is in continuing to just be exactly who they are that they instigate change in the people around them. It is the secondary characters, who have arcs. (Ex. Pollyanna.)

[iyanna]

My WIP has been my work in progress for two years now and Im finally going through the process of rewriting/editing but I often get stuck in comparing my writing as well and self doubting but then there are positive moments when I think “This book needs to get into people’s hands.” Which motivates me

[wildflower]

Oh wow!! I am early!
Hey Abbie! I was hoping if you could do a video about how to write emotional scenes like a side-character passing away without making it CRINGEY and too DRAMATIC and how to keep it real.

[isabelaalbuquerque]

Could you PLEASE do a video about subtle character arcs?? I really loved how you described it in this video and I would really want to hear more details about it. Love your videos!!

[lmarq]

Wait there are ppl that rly skip prologues?!

[Eluzian]

Flat Character Arcs: When writing a book with a protagonist who doesn't change, there's still character arcs required for the story to work.

It's simply a difference of focus. With a change arc you're focusing on how what happens effects your protagonist and helps them come to the knowledge of the truth relating to the big lie they were telling themselves, with a flat arc the focus is on how your protagonist effects those around them by holding steadfast, in the face of adversity, to a truth they have already learned. In other words, if your protagonist has a change arc, your side characters are ok having flat arcs because you are showing more how they effect change in your main character, but if your main character has a flat arc, then the side characters must have change arcs by their interaction with the main character. You're showing why what they learned is true by focusing on testing it in various ways in a longer form than when they originally learned the truth.

So flat arcs can be quite intriguing if done with that perspective in mind.

[averybecker]

Hi Abbie! I'm a teen writer and I never thought that I could write a whole novel. When I found your channel I realized that was because I was actually a plotter and had only tried to pants a novel previously (I thought that was the only way to write a book haha). I have successfully written a 92k first draft of a novel thanks to your channel and advice! Thank you so much!

P.S. I'm also an enneagram 1 and an INFJ like you which is maybe why your structure works so well for me lol

[afrozaayreen]

Feb 17: I was just reading your book “100 days of sunlight” and I’m already damn hooked! Now I just wanna see how this book really is. I’m in chapter 3 and it’s only been an hour! And one last question, how are you?
(I’m already loving Weston)
Feb 19: I loved it, i loved it so much that I’m left speechless at this beautiful masterpiece. Super underrated and if you haven’t read this book before or planning to read it, this is your sign to start reading. Great work Abbie❤️✨ 100 days of sunlight is now on my favorite list✨

[florenceb]

I hadn't heard of the specific term "subtle character arc". It's something I definitely need to keep in mind when think about how your writing advice applies to both the stories I write and the ones I read.

[kennedypatton]

I’m taking a break from my Sci-fi hybrid fantasy romance duology. Now I’m working on a dystopian novelette.

[ZaxorVonSkyler]

What I came to believe about the flat character arc is totally different. From what I learned the best flat characters are the mentors who had there positive arcs in the past when they were younger and are there to guide the other characters through their own similar positive character arcs with their own past experiences.

[mianguyen]

I just watched a different video and YOUR ADD came up and I cannot tell you how happy I was... I've never been so happy about an add in my life.

[anitatelajala]

Hi Abbie! Love your video they keep me motivated to write. I was hoping if you could do a video on how to write a series based on revenge :)

[nancypat]

I just decided to get back into novel writing a few days ago (I took a 10 year break). I found your YouTube channel and I’m obsessed. You’ve given me structure and for someone that just used to write willy nilly it’s helped a lot. So thank you!!

[m.p.lombardo]

Your videos have been a great resource for me. Especially since May (2020) when I began writing my second novel The Estranged. Your 3-act structure series helped keep me focused, and I’m currently preparing to publish! Thank you!

[thesamuraiman]

My book has 4 main characters. I feel like two of them are more "main" or relevant than the other two. I was worried they'd be seen as too boring, but the subtle-character-arc my actual help with that.
Thanks for all the help. Your videos have been instrumental to making my events into a story.

[stiankallhovd]

I think my current project might be one with a flat character arc *and I just knew* that this question would trigger something in Abbie. *I think her philosophy of character arcs hold true for the most part!* But I personally think a flat character arc could also work, because in my story *the focus is more on society and humanity at large* than about a character struggling with finding purpose for herself. I'm confident this story will still pull some emotional strings, because *it still very much revolves around people's needs and desires.* 😊 ( *BUT:* there is certainly potential for character development when considering the entire movie series I'm planning. So I think the character arc will be more evident in the sequels to the first movie.)

[jamesschrader]

I’m learning more from Abbie than I am from high school English!

[zenebornman]

Thanks Abbie, this video helped me a lot! 😊

Yesterday was the first time I gave my work to my mom to Beta Read and I was SO STRESSED.
She said there was nothing wrong with the story, I just had some very distracting grammar problems that she didn't even pay attention to the story itself.

I'm glad because now I can fix it, but I'm also extra stressed when she reads it again! 😵