James Scott Bell

Author

James Scott Bell is a bestselling author and writing instructor known for his practical advice on storytelling and the writing process.

Born
January 1, 1948
Quotes
17
Rank
#5479

About James Scott Bell

James Scott Bell — Life and Legacy

James Scott Bell is a prominent author and writing instructor recognized for his contributions to the craft of storytelling. His notable works, including 'Plot & Structure' and 'Write Your Novel from the Middle,' provide aspiring writers with practical strategies to enhance their skills. Bell's core philosophy revolves around the idea that conflict is the heartbeat of any story. He asserts, 'Conflict is the engine of the story,' emphasizing that without it, narratives lack tension and engagement. This perspective encourages writers to delve deeper into character motivations and the struggles they face, ultimately enriching the reader's experience. Bell also highlights the importance of resilience in the writing journey. He famously states, 'The first draft is just you telling yourself the story,' which underscores the necessity of allowing oneself to write freely before refining the work. This approach not only fosters creativity but also builds confidence in writers as they navigate the complexities of their narratives. By challenging the notion of perfection in early drafts, Bell empowers writers to embrace the iterative process of storytelling. Today, James Scott Bell's insights continue to resonate with writers seeking to hone their craft. His emphasis on conflict and resilience not only shapes how stories are told but also inspires a generation of authors to persevere through the challenges of writing.

Quote collection

James Scott Bell quotes

17 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

James Scott Bell Author
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"In fact, one could argue that the skill of the fiction writer boils down to the ability to exploit intensity."

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"Characters who are absolutely sure about what they do, who plunge ahead without fear, are not that interesting. We don’t go through life that way. In reality, we have doubts just like everyone else. Bringing your Lead’s doubts to the surface in your plot pulls the reader deeper into the story, and this is an excellent way to coax the reader to lose himself in the story world you’re about to create."

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"Status, worry and comparison are ways to madness, not victory."

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"The most important rule: Do not, I repeat, do not censor yourself in any way. Leave your editorial mind out of the loop. Just let the ideas come pouring out in any way, shape, or form they want to. Do not judge anything."

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"Every hour you spend writing is an hour you don't spend worrying about your writing."

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"Think of it as the Doorway of No Return. The feeling must be that your lead character, once she passes through, cannot go home again until the major problem of the plot is solved."

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"Superb historical romance, with a spiritual theme woven seamlessly throughout. I much enjoyed The Covered Deep and look forward to more from its author!"

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James Scott Bell Author
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"The thing I do at the beginning is a "voice journal," a free form doc that is the character speaking to me. I just work on it until I start to hear different from my own, or the other characters."

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"The semi-colon is a burp, a hiccup. It's a drunk staggering out of the saloon at 2 a.m., grabbing your lapels on the way and asking you to listen to one more story."

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"Many writers struggle with exposition in their novels. Often they heap it on in large chunks of straight narrative. Back story – what happens before the novel opens – is especially troublesome. How can we give the essentials and avoid a mere information drop? Use dialogue. First, create a tension-filled scene, usually between two characters. Get them arguing, confronting each other. Then you can have the information appear in the natural course of things."

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"There's a perilous word fiction writers need to watch out for. The word is 'had.'"

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"A writing teacher once told me that the most successful movies and books were simple plots about complex characters. You should be able to articulate your concept in a couple of lines."

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"Anyone living in Los Angeles who has opposable thumbs is required to write a screenplay."

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"If you can write each day, do it, and meet a quota. Minimum 350 words a day. A baboon can do 350 words a day. Don't be shown up by a baboon"

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"My philosophy on writing books is that if you learn only one new thing, or even get a new take on something you already know, it's worth it."

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