The ‘Reality’ of Writing: How Reality TV Can Improve Your Books – For Real!

15 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools

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editing, kidlit, plot, reality TV, SCBWI members, structure, writing tips

by Toni Gallagher

Reality TV might be a guilty pleasure for many, but believe it or not, there are storytelling secrets in those wild, dramatic, and silly shows that can truly improve your writing. How do I know?

Well, I had two middle grade novels published by Random House while I worked as an Executive Producer on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! And after working for almost 30 (gulp) years in the business, I have seen how the rules of reality TV can punch up a story in need. Hopefully, the things I’ve learned can help you too.

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Ask an Editor: The Difference Between Story Arc and Structure

18 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor

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arc, narrative arc, story arc, story structure, structure

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Hello Christine – I hear the words “story arc” and “story structure” but am not sure I know the difference. Can you explain? Thanks.

—J.R., Los Angeles

Hello J.R. – Arc and structure (hopefully) work seamlessly together. Let me try to explain.

Story arc (also known as narrative arc) is the trajectory that your story takes over its full progression. The arc provides structure—which makes these terms a bit confusing. Some story arcs and structures can be shown on a graph.

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