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Avoiding the Rory Gilmore Syndrome

By on December 22, 2011 in Author Mistakes, Heroine, Heroines, Protagonists: The Basics, Rachel Hauck

I love the TV show Gilmore Girls. The writers created such a fantastic story world with Stars Hollow and powered it all with quirky, fast-talking, beautiful Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. But the writers fell into a characterization hole, IMHO, when Rory became too-perfect-to-live. Too good to be true. Every man and his brother, every girl and her sister loved Rory. All who met her believed she hung the moon, stars and visited the Sombrero galaxy while stirring brownie mix for pale-skinned orphans. She was smart. She was beautiful. She was quick and engaging, a repartee’s repartee. She was kind and giving, her mother’s best friend. The girl next door, the one to take home to mom, and dad. She couldn’t golf or run fast, but who cared? What an endearing […]

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Back Story vs Character History

By on December 1, 2011 in Author Mistakes, Backstory, Editing Basics

Ding, ding!. Referee: “Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the first ever bout between Back Story and Character History.” Wahhaaaaa. Cheeerrrs! Ref: “In this corner, from the New York City, weighing a hefty five hundred and eighty-two pounds, wearing black shorts, is the champion of all novel prose, Baaaaack Storrrryyyyyy!” Waahhhha, crowd cheering. “And in this corner, from Miami Beach, weighing a sleek one hundred and seventy-eight pounds, wearing blue shorts, is the challenger, Chhhaaaarrracter Hhhiiiistorrrryyy.” Wahhhhha, other half of the crowd cheering. Ref: “All right you twos, I want a clean fight. No hitting below the belt, no tripping, spitting, holding or biting. Touch gloves, go to your mutual corners and when the bell rings, come out fighting.” Ding! Character History leaps to the center of the ring as Back […]

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Self Intimidation: Enemy of the Writer

By on November 24, 2011 in Encourage Me!, Writing, Writing Life Coaching

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 […]

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Taking It One Day at a Time

By on November 10, 2011 in Encourage Me!, Writing

Talking to the lovely and gracious Susie May the other day, we hit on the topic of survival. She’d been exhorting her college son on how to manage his time, get through the rigors of college. “Take it one day at a time,” she said. “Don’t get lost by looking too far into the future.” It hit a chord with me. I remembered reading an article about POWs during Viet Nam. The ones who were hopeful, looking forward to getting out, knowing release would come soon ended up being the ones who did NOT survive. The prisoners who lived just for today, whose only goal was to survive the day, were the ones who endured their years in prison. Some were POWs for seven years. Not a pretty or hopeful […]

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