Gail Anderson-Dargatz
Author. Mentor. Editor.

Gail Anderson-Dargatz

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Gail Anderson-Dargatz

Resources for writers

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Building Blocks

Big Idea

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Gail on the building blocks of fiction - continued

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TRANSITIONS are used whenever there is a change in the story, say at the beginning of a chapter, when we move from one place and time to the next, or from one point of view to another. We use transitions to orient the reader as to where, and when, they are now, and who they are with. Example:

     The stalker phoned me for the first time early on a Saturday morning. The ringing of my cell phone woke me.

INTERIOR MONOLOGUE is the character’s thoughts. When we read interior monologue, we’re inside the character's head, mind-reading. Example:

     I felt sorry as soon as the words came out of my mouth.

Again, all these modes of storytelling, or building blocks of fiction, combine to form scenes. SCENES move the story along and hold the readers interest. Things happen in front of the reader, in real time (the "now" of the story). When handled well, the reader feels they are right there with the protagonist.

FLASHBACKS are special kinds of scenes that take the reader back in time in relation to the “now” of the narrative. They are the character’s memories.

In the past, I've brought my son's building blocks into my classes to demonstrate these elements in fiction. Think of a scene (action, dialogue) as a block on wheels: it moves the story forward. Narrative summary or transition is a bridge that connects two blocks of scenes (it moves from one place and time to the next). Description is a block that builds up from the scene: it builds the picture of landscape or character in the reader's mind. Lastly there are the little blocks of exposition, or explanation. They are useful and necessary, but should be used sparingly, as that particular block has no wheels. Narrative drive comes to a stop when the author or a character starts explaining (or preaching, lecturing or teaching).

One way to really get a handle on these building blocks is to check out how they work within novels you admire (or how they don’t work in poorly written novels). Pay special attention to exposition. Generally apprentice writers overuse exposition. I'll often highlight exposition in yellow within a student manuscript, to illustrate just how much exposition is in use. Do it for your own writing and you may be surprised.

Testimonials

Christine Fischer Guy

"Gail’s model suited me right down to the ground, exactly the right combination of close reading, thoughtful feedback, and enough space to work these questions through in my own time. She’s an intelligent and experienced manuscript midwife with an uncanny ability to see to the heart of what I was trying to do. I appreciate her guidance immensely!"

-- Christine Fischer Guy author of The Umbrella Mender (2014) and The Instrument Must Not Matter (2026).

Christine Fischer Guy

Tara Gereaux

"Gail is an incredible editor. She has an innate ability to understand what I’m trying to do with my writing and to help me see what I need to do to get where I want. The best part about working with her is her supportive, encouraging approach. She’s a writer, she gets it – she knows how hard writing can be – but when I’m working with Gail, it always feels a little bit easier and a little more fun. Can’t recommend her highly enough."

-- Tara Gereaux has published two books of fiction and was the recipient of the Colleen Bailey Memorial Award from the Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts, and a REVEAL Indigenous Art Award from the Hnatyshyn Foundation.

Tara Gereaux

Matthew Hooton

"Gail's developmental edits were superb. Her attention to the manuscript's structure, to themes and emotional resonances, and to the character creation were at once challenging, sophisticated and encouraging. And she draws on a range of excellent resources. I've not seen anything quite like it in twenty-five years in the industry."

-- Dr. Matthew Hooton, author of Deloume Road, Typhoon Kingdom, and Everything Lost, Everything Found, longlisted for the ARA Historical Novel Prize 2025. Dr. Hooton is a lecturer at the University of Adelaide.

Matthew Hooton

Jessica Waite

"Gail is the total package: brilliant writer, keen-eyed editor, ace story architect, and warm genuine human. The structural foundation she taught saved me years of floundering in the dark. Thank you Gail!"

-- Jessica Waite, author of the Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards,  one of The Globe and Mail's best 100 books of 2024.

Jessica Waite

Darcy Friesen Hossack

"By the end of the first draft, I'd rediscovered colour in a world that had faded to black and white. I can not thank Gail enough."

-- Darcy Friesen Hossack, Danuta Gleed runner-up and Commonwealth Prize-shortlisted author of Mennonites Don't Dance  and Stillwater.

Darcy Friesen Hossack

Kelly S. Thompson

"Not only did Gail help me to polish my prose, but she also showed my how to believe in my own work, how to play, how to explore language with the writer's tools. What a gift, to have someone champion your work in a way that makes you, the writer, feel seen."

-- Kelly S. Thompson, national bestselling author of Girls Need Not Apply: Field Notes from the Forces.

Kelly S. Thompson

Lise Mayne

"Time Enough became the novel I longed to create thanks to Gail’s expert advice and encouragement. Gail helps writers find the heart of their own story, the mark of the very best teachers. I highly recommend her as a professional mentor and a sincere guide."

-- Lise Mayne, author of Time Enough.

Lise Mayne

Elle Wild

"Gails fiction course was the best class I have ever taken. Full stop. Her notes and analysis were invaluable and I still use the creative exercises she shared with us."

-- Elle Wild. #1 bestselling author of Strange Things Done and winner of the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Unpublished First Crime Novel.

Elle Wild

Maia Caron

"Perhaps there's no greater proof of a manuscript editor's work than when the writer they mentor gets a publishing contract, but what I found most valuable was applying Gail's insightful comments when I began to plot a new book."

-- Maia Caron, author of Song of Batoche

Maia Caron

Daniel Griffin

"Gail has been a great help to me for many years, reading my novels and stories and providing practical, clear and meaningful feedback. Her focus on the structure of a story, its arc, the conflict that drives it and the development of characters and their transformation has been invaluable."

-- Daniel Griffin is the author of Stopping for Strangers and Two Roads Home.

Daniel Griffin

Leila Marshy

"I've been writing my whole life, but in the past two years I can say that Gail has pretty much taught me everything I now know. I am convinced that without Gail's ministrations, my novel The Philistine would not be enjoying its current success"

-- Leila Marshy, author of The Philistine.

Leila Marshy

Nerys Parry

"(Gail's) greatest gift is her passion. She truly loves the craft and throws her heart into her work as not only a teacher but also as a coach and inspiration to aspiring writers. She always knows just how far to push you without breaking you, and if you let her, she can help you become a far better writer than you ever imagined..."

-- Nerys Parry, author of Man & Other Natural Disasters, a finalist for the Colophon Prize and tied for seventh in the Giller Prize Reader’s Choice Awards.

Nerys Parry

Jennifer Manuel

"Gail has a firm grasp on what effective mentorship looks like: supportive, challenging, fully engaged. Immediately Gail got to the heart of my novel’s problem and then worked with me to find possible solutions, pushing my craft to a higher level and deepening my understanding of narrative structure. It was nothing short of a shattering breakthrough.”

-- Jennifer Manuel, author of The Heaviness of Things That Float

Jennifer Manuel

Liisa Kovala

"Working with Gail during an early stage of my historical fiction manuscript was like taking a masterclass. Both my novel and my skills as a writer improved through her guidance. Best of all, Gail is not only knowledgeable about everything to do with writing, she is also delightful to work with."

-- Liisa Kovala, author of Surviving Stutthof: My Father's Memories Behind the Death Gate and Sisu's Winter War.

Liisa Kovala

Emily De Angelis

"Gail was knowledgeable, thoughtful, and kind as she coached me through the process. Her feedback validated my journey and help me to move forward with my story in countless meaningful ways..."

-- Emily De Angelis, author of The Stones of Burren Bay.

Emily De Angelis

Maggi Feehan

"Gail is nothing short of an editing genius. She has the rare ability to give feedback laced with compassion, appreciation and respect... that will inspire you to go back to the page and transform your narrative, words and characters in truly remarkable ways."

-- Maggi Feehan, author of The Serpent's Veil

Maggi Feehan

Kimmy Beach

"I'm so happy I chose Gail as my first foray into the world of hiring an outside eye. I've loved her work for ages, and hoped her insight would take my new project where it needed to go. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude (and work!). Thank you, Gail. You 'get' me."

-- Kimmy Beach, author of The Last Temptation of Bond.

Kimmy Beach

Chris Tarry

"Working with Gail has become the measure by which I rate every workshop I've taken, or will ever take. And she has set the bar impossibly high. To study with Gail is to understand the plight of the Apprentice Writer, to take solace in her direction, and to witness one's growth in virtually real time."

-- Chris Tarry, four-time Juno Award winner and author of How to Carry a Bigfoot Home.

Chris Tarry