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Conversations: How to make your dialogue pop!

By on July 16, 2012 in b. Building a Scene, How do I write Dialogue, Susan May Warren, Truth or Dare: Conversations with an aspiring novelist

“It’s so hot, I think I’m melting. I haven’t been able to write for three days.”  Sally held a blended mocha, sweat glistening on her forehead as she plunked down on the Adirondack chair next to me. “Really?  What, has your brain turned to mush?  Are you fingers slipping off the keyboard?” She stared at me, frowning.  “Ouch.” “If you want to be a writer, Sally, you have to press on.  Do you want to be a writer?  Or just a wannabe?” “I think I’m going to take my mocha elsewhere.” “There’s no crying in writing, bay-bee.  I once wrote a book while living in a garage without plumbing, heat or electricity.  Believe me, I had reasons not to write.  You have to press on, like a mailman, through sleet […]

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Declaration of Independence Part 2: Leave Off the Shackles

By on July 14, 2012 in Reba Hoffman, Writing Life, Writing Life Coaching

When President Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, all slaves in America were given their freedom. They could go anywhere and do anything. Interestingly, not many left the plantations where they had been enslaved. Why? They didn’t know how to be free. These free black Americans had become so accustomed to living in literal or virtual shackles, when they were removed, they didn’t have a clue about what to do. They opted to place themselves back into the shackles they’d been set free from. Last week, we learned about our freedom as writers American writers. Hopefully that was an eye opener for you. But now what do you do with that newly discovered freedom?  Here are a few facts about being free. It’s not always comfortable.  Before you were liberated, […]

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The Power of the Physical and Psychological Journey

By on July 12, 2012 in How do I create the Inner Journey?, Rachel Hauck

One of the ways you an improve the appeal and power of your characters for the reader is to create a realistic psychological journey that is mirrored some how in the physical journey of the protagonist. Is your heroine learning to trust? Then show how her external world challenges her trust issues. Maybe she has a job where her colleagues constantly let her down. Perhaps her family says one thing but does another. Every reader will be able to identify with not being able to trust someone. What if your hero is dealing with identity issues. He’s a failure. He believes he can’t succeed at anything. Develop a world around him that proves, at least for a little while, what he believes is right. In the movie Die Hard, John […]

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TEE’s What and Why: Boy Scout Moment

By on July 11, 2012 in b. Building a Scene, Beth Vogt, Brainstorming Strategies and Tips, Editing Basics

Say the words “Boy Scout” and most people will think “Be prepared.” (That’s the Boy Scout Motto.) Or they might think of words like trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous … (These are parts of the 12 Points of the Scout Law. I know this because my husband, who is an Eagle Scout, recited all 12 Points to me in rapid-fire succession. Once a Scout, always a Scout.) And yes, this Scout trivia is applicable to writing a novel. What: Boy Scout Moment This is a sweet moment in the beginning of the book where we glimpse the hero or heroine doing something kind – petting a dog, saving a cat, helping an old woman across the street (Boy Scout, remember?) –that functions to create likeability of your character. Why: I […]

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