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Okay, here it is, the BIG SECRET. The entire reason why I make you all go through this Noble Cause scrutiny… Ready? It’s to get to your characters DEEPEST VALUES…. See, it’s VALUES that drive our actions, make our choices for us, point us in the right direction. Whether it’s a value we have, or want to have, it’s what we hold in our heart as qualities most dear that compels us to face obstacles and muscle through the darkest night. It’s our values that the stories personal, to our character, but also the reader, because we can how they affect our lives, also. And, the thing is, your characters values are all bound up in his Noble Cause. Quick! Get your hero back on that sofa before he gets […]

I hope you’re all busy thinking up noble causes for your hero! A note aside…if you are ever in need of a noble cause, turn into American Idol (yes, we’re Idol Fans around here! Oh, how we’ve missed Simon. And my kids revived…”It’s just not good, dog,” last night. It’s oh so useful! Think: A mother surveying her child’s room: It’s just not good, dog. Or, a child picking at their oatmeal, “It’s just not good, dog.” See, lots of great uses!) American Idol, aside from its cringing moments, is chock full of people with noble causes. Behind every wannabe performer, there is a great reason why they want to be on stage and the next idol. From broken homes, to ailing children, to mothers they want to impress…you name […]

Every book has to have one, a great hero who leaps off the page and into our hearts! Think of your favorites: Braveheart, or maybe Robin Hood? Maybe it’s simpler: Hugh Grant in Notting Hill. Whoever your favorite heroes are, they all have the same elements that make them heroic. For the next four weeks in Book Therapy, we’ll be talking about our HERO – and the 4 elements that make up a Heart-Throb Hero! So, what are the elements of a winning hero? The first one is…our hero must have a Noble Cause. I know, I know – everyone who attends my writing workshops knows that I’m a big Noble Cause kind of girl, that I sing the same song. But listen, every hero has something to fight for! […]