Yesterday, Sally and I talked about the importance of describing your Storyworld through the Point of View of the character. I used an example from one of my favorite books, Wiser than Serpents. This scene is from the POV of the hero. See if you can pinpoint the way his attitudes are woven through the scene to give it more life. ***** He’d never eaten deep fried frog on a stick, but David Curtiss was a patriot, and he’d do just about anything for his country. “Shei Shei,” he said as he took the delicacy from the vendor, fished out a New Taiwan Dollar and dropped it into the vendor’s hand. He wondered what might leave a worse taste in his mouth, fried frog, or meeting a man who had […]
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Conversations: Putting Point of View into your Storyworld
Sally tossed her notebook on the table. “You’re tan. How fair is that? I’m still pasty white.” I gave her a smile. “I’m still white as a walleye compared to the Hawaiians, not to mention the native Hawaiians.. How is your storyworld writing going?” “It feels like a travel brochure. I don’t know how to make it interesting.” “It’s all about perspective, which is what I wanted to talk to you today. Every book, regardless of what kind – Suspense/Romance, Fantasy, Thriller, Historical romance – every book starts out someplace. In a world. At a moment. And, in today’s literature, with a person. Whether it’s a firecracker start to a book, or something that begins with a wide-angle view, drawing into the scene, it is viewed through the eyes of […]
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When Things Heat Up, Part 3: A Snowball’s Chance in a Really Hot Place!
I know. Sometimes you feel that’s about all the chance you have of living your dream. The cursor on the blank screen haunts you and your Aunt Gertrude tells you to give up those crazy pipe dreams of being an author. After all, working at the Piggly Wiggly’s good ‘nough for her, it should be for you, too. And the momentum you’ve gained from the snowball rolling downhill begins to melt as things heat up. Soon, you’re left in a puddle of disappointment and despair. It’s enough to make never want to climb the cold mountain again. But can I tell you something? The greatest achievements in the world have occurred just beyond where people wanted to give up. It’s true! And, the greatest failures have occurred when people stopped […]
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Conversations: Building Storyworld Basics
Dear Sally, I’m thinking of you sitting in our coffee shop, the hush of the waves of Lake Superior combing the shore, the sky so blue you could dive in, the smell of evergreen fresh in the air from last night’s rain. But I’m writing to you from the beaches of Hawaii, my toes dug into the creamy sand, the salt of the ocean drying into crystals on my skin. As you’re diving into your novel and writing scenes, I thought it might help if we touched upon Storyworld this week. Storyworld is so key, from the first scene to every scene beyond to anchor your character – and especially your reader – into the story. Think of Storyworld as more than just the setting, but as the world you […]
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