I’ve heard it said that the harder a book is to write, the easier it is to read. I’m not sure I agree. Yes, a book should cost the author pieces of their heart, but I’ve found that the more tangled my plot, the more complicated my character, the less popular my stories. As I’ve grown as an author and learned how to create simple yet powerful storylines and characters, the popularity of my books has also grown. As I’ve streamlined the process of plotting and characterization, the writing process has become easier, also. Sure, it’s still hard work, and still costs me pieces of my heart as I write emotion onto the page, but I know where I’m going and the plot is less tangled as I get there. The […]
Read the RestArchive | February, 2012
Conversations: Dark Moment Plotting and how to build a story outline
“My hero lost his best friend in the war, in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He also lost part of his leg.” My aspiring writer, Sally, slapped down the open page of a spiral notebook onto the table at the coffee shop, and slid into her chair, unwinding her scarf. Outside, the sun shone bright in a cloudless sky, adding heat to an otherwise arctic day. I picked up her notebook. “I see you’ve done your homework and discovered a dark moment in your character’s past, and then journalled about it.” “I did that. It was fun – I did the research and saw Pearl Harbor through his eyes. In his own words, he told me everything about the attack, and how his buddy died protecting him, and how he […]
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A Love Affair with Your Writing, Part Two: Dinner and Roses
Remember the first time you gave or received flowers, or the first time you went on a dinner date? Sweaty palms, flushed cheeks, awkward conversation… wishing the night would never end while hoping it will be over quickly so you could stop holding your breath. I bet you wouldn’t trade those moments for anything. And what about today? Perhaps on Valentine’s Day, your lover will give you roses and plan the most romantic dinner. They will sweep you off your feet. . . again. You’ll feel the warmth of the flame of their undying love for you. You’ll feel safe. Secure. Loved. Ahh… life doesn’t get much better than that. So, what if the love of your life put your romantic dinner and flowers or chocolates on their to-do list? […]
Read the RestFrasier Contest Blog Tour
Hello! Usually, yes, we have Fabulous Fiction Friday… but because we have the Frasier Contest going on this month, I wanted to take this day to encourage you to stop by the following blogs this month and check what the Voices had to say about the Frasier Contest! February 6: Melissa Tagg http://www.melissatagg.com/ February 7: Beth Vogt http://bethvogt.com/ February 8: Andrea Nell http://www.andrea-michelle-wood.blogspot.com/ February 10: Michelle Lim http://thoughtsonplot.wordpress.com/ February 16: Edie Melson http://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/ February 23: Lisa Jordan http://www.lisajordanbooks.com/ February 27: Julia Matuska http://painterspen.blogspot.com/ February 29: Tiffany Colter http://writingcareercoach.com/ March 1: Casey Herringshaw http://thewritersalleys.blogspot.com/ March 2: Jennifer Fromke http://jenniferfromke.com/blog/ March 5: Rachel Hauck http://www.rachelhauck.com/ Thank you all for your Blog post – and for more info about the Frasier […]
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