I’m writing my sixteenth novel. During National November Writers Month – NaNoWriMo – I’ve been fast drafting this next work of literary wonder. It’s a story I love. A story I believe in. A story I want to capture the hearts and imagination of readers. But will it? No author starts out to write one book better than another. We give a hundred percent to each book. Even if we’re on a tight or short deadline, we give the story all we have for the time allotted. My goal is to write a better book each time. I study the craft. I work on deepening my characters and adding story layers. I take to heart the advice and input of my editor and agent, and readers. I strive so hard […]
Read the RestTag Archives | Novels
Once is not enough – Character Change day 8
So far, we’ve covered our hero’s goal and desire, he’s calculated cost verses reward and he’s made his attempt to achieve his goal. And… he failed. So, in the example of Dragon Slayer the Third, what makes him go back again to try to win true love? Let’s say he’s realized he needs an heir to the throne or when he dies his evil cousin becomes King. DS the Third has given his life for his kingdom and it’s people. He doesn’t want them subject to evil King cousin. He wants an heir. However, he doesn’t want a marriage of convenience. Ah, now we’ve upped the stakes. If he wanted just an heir, he’d take any of the lovely damsel’s prostrating themselves before him. DS the Third wants real love, […]
Read the RestAn exercise in Cost and Reward – Character Change
Continuing our discussion on Characterization, cost and reward, motivation and desire, let’s do a little exercise with our current WIPs. I’m going to work from a single gender view point, but take the liberty to apply to hero heroine, or any POV character. Remember, all point of view characters must have some kind of journey and story arc. What does your hero want? How is is going to get it? What is it going to cost him? What are the oppositions? What does he want? I see this answer a lot in the manuscripts I read: Love. He wants to find love. Well, that’s noble and very Christ like. But why? Finding true love is a noble journey, but will not make for a very interesting book. How much does […]
Read the RestCaldron of Cost and Reward – Character Change Day 7
What is it worth? How much are you willing to pay for your freedom? To achieve a goal or dream? To save a loved one? To win love? Every story we write had an arch, a journey, driven by the protagonist. But what drives the protagonist? What is he or she after? Why? Is the pay off or reward worth the price he has to pay? In other words, what’s it going to cost? Let’s look at Jesus for a second. What in heaven’s name would motivate Him to leave the splendor of heaven, take on the form of created man FOREVER, died a brutal, cruel death for our offenses, then sit next to the Father praying for us? The cost is extreme. Unfathomable. In light of this, what is […]
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