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Today’s Writing Tip

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Yesterday I mentioned using character interviews to get to know him or her better as well as a good promotional vehicle. Another way to get to know your characters is by meditating on him or her. If they seem lost or you don’t know what they need to do next, it’s time to evaluate why they’re there. A few things to consider are:

What is their place in the story?

How do they fit into the plot?

What motivates them?

What do they want?

Answering these questions will help you in one of two ways. You’ll either figure out what they need to do or you’ll discover that they’re extraneous and don’t belong in your story. If you really like him or her, file them away for a future story but don’t bog your story down with anyone who doesn’t contribute to the story line and plot.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Have you ever written a character interview? They’re great for introducing the people in your story to potential readers and fans. Who doesn’t want to get to know someone who’s interesting? Someone who has already read your story will enjoy getting to know your characters better as well, especially if they have a favorite.

But did you know they’re also an excellent way to get to know your own characters better? Try it next time you’re stumped about how someone in your story would behave. If you don’t know what he or she will do, ask them! If you’re having to push a character to do something and they’re resisting, find out why as well as what they’d rather do. Sometimes this will result in a plot twist, but it will be more authentic that forcing a character to do something contrary to their nature.

Today’s Writing Tip

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I have found that some days I can write up a storm while others finding the words is a challenge. This made sense to me when I looked at the two with respect to left and right brain activity. Your left brain relates to language and your right brain to creativity. Thus, when actually writing, it’s the left and when you’re creating or imagining, it’s the right.

When you’re in the left and words flow, then sit at the computer and crank it out. When you’re stuck with the words, step away from the computer, do something mindless like taking a walk, going for a leisurely drive, or doing house or yardwork to let the story flow in your mind. Once you have a clear picture in your imagination where things are going, it’s a lot easier to get them written. However, creating and writing at the same time is often difficult. Recognize from which hemisphere you’re operating and yield to it accordingly.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Happy New Year, everyone! I hope your holidays were as good as mine. So we’re back on the Writing Tip train today.

Chapter outlines are not one of my favorites, yet they’re essential. If you have a strong grip on your story from the start, that’s great. They serve as an excellent guide to writing, maintain continuity, and keep things moving. However, I’ve found that sometimes I simply don’t know what is going to happen until I get there, based on what goes on in the previous chapter.

I tend to develop strong characters who take over and virtually tell ME what will happen next. Thus, I often write the outline in parallel to the book, or modify it along the way if things take a different turn. They’re always a handy way to keep track of story action when you don’t write the story chronologically.

I write in layers. I’m always thinking of other details to add, a better way to say something, or a new plot twist which means I have to go back and add it. Knowing where to find it is much easier with a chapter outline that tells me where that particular scene lies.

Writer’s Tips will resume after the New

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Writer’s Tips will resume after the New Year. Enjoy your holidays and collect lots of great memories! Huge thanks to all my loyal followers and fans. Have a great Christmas and Joyful and Prosperous New Year! http://ow.ly/i/Kagak

Today’s Writing Tip

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Trust in serendipity to bring you the information you’re looking for while doing research. Once you start looking, you’ll be surprised how often it will fall right into your lap. Sources include TV documentaries, newspaper articles, blogs, a random conversation, or whatever.

Keep your eyes open! No matter how weird the subject, the information is out there somewhere. Somehow the Universe does a great job of delivering it in the strangest ways. Keep your eyes and ears open. The other day I found an old program I’d recorded months ago on my DVR that fit in perfectly with something I was researching for my current WIP. Once you make up your mind to find it, you will.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Once I start writing a story, it’s all I want to do. It becomes my obsession. However, life must go on. Errands need to be run, house and yard work needs to be done, exercise should still be a priority. Much to my surprise, I’ve found that some of my best ideas and solutions to “plot holes” come when I’m doing some mindless chore like washing dishes or driving a familiar road, not when I’m laboring away on the computer. This has made those times much easier to tolerate. I’ve even looked forward to trips into town, knowing that I’ll undoubtedly get some good ideas and insights along the way.

If you live in a city where you have to pay extremely close attention while driving, this may not work for you. I’m fortunate enough to live in the boonies with ten miles of country road before I even get to the highway, then another five before I get into my little town. If you’re not so fortunate, mowing the grass, vacuuming, and exercising are also excellent for getting into the “zone.”

Today’s Writing Tip

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When writing a story from multiple viewpoints, I find it helpful to concentrate on one character at a time. That way I can really get into his or her head and trace the story line as it plays out for them. Maintaining the proper chronology seems easier as well. This is most common for secondary/supporting characters as opposed to your protagonist, who is driving the story.

I tend to get ideas for scenes that don’t necessarily fit where I am writing, especially a first draft.  In other words, I don’t start with Chapter One and proceed in order. When an idea comes, I need to get it written right away, or it will evaporate. This works for me, but does require paying attention to the story’s timeline and keeping everything in the proper sequence. My main point is not to ignore an idea when it comes your way. They can be fragile and disappear if you don’t capture them when they’re fresh in your mind.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Beta readers are worth their weight in gold. Make sure your story is as good as you can possibly make it yourself before sending it out to them. You waste their time as well as your own when they pick up issues you could have fixed yourself with one more edit.

Definitely spellcheck! There’s no excuse for spelling errors! Proper usage of homonyms (e.g. their, there, and they’re) is one thing spellcheckers will miss as well as simply typing the wrong word. We all tend to read right over them in our own work, but there’s no excuse for blatant garden-variety typos that a spellchecker should catch.

I have made this mistake before and had things pointed out that I planned to fix. My first draft tends  primarily to be action and dialog, any imagery and emotion sometimes missing entirely, or more of the “tell” mode instead of the preferred “show.”  I have learned to wait until I’ve really polished the story to my own satisfaction before handing it over to a critique group or beta reader. Bear in mind it is probably the only version of your story that they’ll ever read. Don’t you want it to be your best work?

 

Today’s Writing Tip

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Including a character from another country, ethnicity, or culture in your story adds texture and interest. Unless it’s already one with which you’re familiar, however, be sure to research it so your details are accurate. Otherwise, those who know better will either think you’re clueless or even be offended.

One of my favorite movies is “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” It demonstrates the concept of culture shock beautifully. Stories always need conflict, so this is another way you can create some between your characters. It’s also fun and interesting to learn about other places. If you’ve always lived in the same place your entire life, you may not realize how different even the state or country next door is from what’s familiar to you.

When I worked for NASA they had us take Cultural Awareness training since we were working with people from all over the world. They pointed out that cultural norms are not right or wrong, they just are. It’s unfair to judge another culture based on your own because you simply don’t know how they evolved.  Learning about the history of an area is another way to understand the underlying programming for individuals who either lived through it or its aftermath.