Going off of Susie’s great post on making a scene pop, let’s talk about setting. Setting is multi-dimensional. Not just a location like a city, home or office, but the actual anchor of a scene. Many times we can’t get into our scenes or draw in readers because we haven’t set the stage. How can setting deepen your characters, a scene, and ultimately the story? While writing Lost In NashVegas, I tried to avoid diving into the personality of the city. I wanted to write about a songwriter without understanding the city in which songwriters are made. How could I have my heroine, Robin, try to make it in Nashville without singing at the Bluebird Cafe, or stopping by the ASCAP offices for a Pro appointment? Not only did I […]
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Self-Therapy: Research Matters!
Yesterday, I talked about research and how it can provide plot ideas. But, even if it doesn’t generate new ideas, getting it right is essential. I recently wrote a book about a bush pilot who crashes a plane in the Alaskan wilderness.(Expect the Sunrise). I wanted one of the survivors to have an injury that would force the group to leave the crash site, and yet not kill her. So it had to be potentially life-threatening. So…I gave her a head injury. Here’s the rough draft: (In Andee’s pov) Being a bush pilot was only half her life. “I went to EMT school and in the summer I live in Iowa and work for a local hospital.” She glanced at Sarah laying in arm’s reach. “She was my college roomie […]
Read the RestSelf-Therapy: Being a storyteller
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about being a storyteller. Think of the books you’ve loved over the years. It’s because you were gripped by the story. Readers forgive and overlook plot inconsistancies, weak dialog or average writing if the author pulls them into a good old fashioned story. So, what does it take to tell a good story? Here are some elements I think we need. Vivid characters. They have personality, spunk, motivation, drive, purpose. Think of the Uncle Remus stories. I haven’t read one in decades, but I can still hear Br’er Rabbit saying, “Don’t throw me in that der briar patch.” Act out your characters if you can’t hear their voice. I am always dialoging with my “people,” acting out different roles and scenes. Create a journey. […]
Read the RestSelf Therapy: Tweaking an idea
Ideas come and go. I’ve learned over the years the initial spark is just that, a spark, not a roaring fire that will burn long enough to write an entire book. Let me give an example. When I started writing what is Lost In NashVegas, I came up with a story of country girl who owned a fishing shack in central Florida. There was something about her wanting to buy or maintain an old house she loved. I can’t remember all of the details, but that should give you a clue. No details. My agent said, “Nope!” After brainstorming with her for a few minutes, we came up with the idea of having the Heroine be a songwriter. Okay, I can do that. I know nothing about it, but I […]
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