We had an ice-storm last night. Living in Minnesota, I’m pretty familiar with ice, even took a dive last week in our school parking lot (yes, right in front of my kids. I’m feeling old!). But last night, the storm, which actually started out as rain and morphed into sleet created a condition called “black ice” – it’s ice built up on pavement that causes cars to fly off the highway into ditches and other cars. It’s one of the most dangerous parts of winter in the northland. The thing is, having lived most of my life in cold (MN and then Siberia), I know how to drive on black ice. My 16 year old, rookie drive son, however, does not. Which is why I stood at the window, staring […]
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About Susan May Warren
Former Russian Missionary Susan May Warren is the best-selling author of more than 40 novels and novellas with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill, and Summerside. A Christy award and RITA winner, and multiple finalist for the RITA, Christy and winner of Inspirational Readers Choice contest, Susan currently has over a million books in print. A seasoned women’s events speaker and writing teacher, she is the founder of http://www.mybooktherapy.com an online community for writers, and runs a fiction editing service teaching writers how to tell a great story. Visit her online at: http://www.susanmaywarren.com.Author Archive | Susan May Warren
What shall I fear?
“Mom, can you read this?” I look up, and there is my 16 year old, holding his newest chapter to the book he’s writing. He gives me a tentative smile, and I know I need to ask the question: “As your mother….or as an editor?” Let’s face it – it’s scary to write a book. Oh, not necessarily to put words on the page (although for some people that is scary!), but to show them to others. Especially a picky book doctor mom. I had to admire his courage when he answered, “As an editor.” O-kay! We spent the next three hours going over his story. And when we finished, he said, “Well, that was painful. But good, even fun.” Facing our fears is so much like that – painful, […]
Read the RestFlaws: Examples and other stuff
Raise your hand if you’ve seen 27 Dresses. Such a cute movie (and in this one we DO fall in love with James Marsden!). Love the premise, and there is so much inner conflict potential! But what does that have to do with flaws? You’ll have to see it to understand, but there is a BINGO moment, where the heroine nails the hero’s backstory, and reveals the why of his flaw, which is cynicism. I’m not going to wreck it for you all, but the thing is, when a woman does that in your story, everything changes for the hero. Suddenly he’s found a woman who can understand him. And that makes all the difference. So, let’s take a look at some of the excellent examples sent in: (As a […]
Read the RestFlawed….but we love them anyway!
I hope you’re having fun finding all the flaws in your hero. C’mon, really, it’s okay. You’re not saying you don’t love him! Just being….realistic! For example: We still love Braveheart, right? And Wesley (from the Princess Bride), and of course, Benjamin Franklin Gates (National Treasure!) And they’re all flawed. Really. Take Braveheart. Having witnessed his family being killed when he was a child, he has a little problem with authority. Of course, this makes him rebellious, and instead of obeying the rules, he pushes against the system, which means he has to hide out as an outlaw. Of course, this also means that he’s not around when his woman is killed. He’s got serious revenge complex, and while yes, that’s what the story is about, it surely doesn’t make […]
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