Category Archives: Writing Tips

Today’s Writing Tip

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Have you ever had a minor character suddenly take over your story? It’s great to have one that’s so strong, but this often presents a challenge. I’ve had this happen to me in my Star Trails Series and find it happening again in my WIP.

In Star Trails, I had to make sure one of those troublesome characters wound up in jail or prison from time to time so the other characters could run the story. In my current WIP, I’m still trying to figure out exactly how to handle it but here are three things I’m considering.

1) Let him or her take over. This is likely to require a major rewrite, but might be worth it.

2) Strengthen intended main character. Make sure there are enough story problems and issues for him or her to deal with to make it interesting. If things are cruising along too easily, throw some stumbling blocks out there.

3) Figure out who’s most important to the story line. Maybe the story is being told through the wrong character’s eyes. Who is most affected by the plot?

Right now I have two characters who score equally in importance. They work together, but their lives are influenced in two different ways by the plot. To be honest, I’m still trying to figure this out. LOL!

Today’s Writing Tip

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Do you back-up your work daily? I learned the hard way about doing that a long time ago. While computers are more reliable than they were years ago, it could still happen and be catastrophic if all your work were lost, especially those very productive days.

I find the easiest way to do this is with a thumb drive. You may even want to keep a few versions, in case you might want to go back and see a previous version you’d since edited out, then change your mind. But the biggest nightmare of all is losing your entire story to a hard drive crash. Computers and word processors have been the author’s best friend, but unless you had a house fire, in the old days with typewriters, you never lost your entire story to hitting the wrong command key.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Another way to maintain continuity for various viewpoints is to cut and paste relevant scenes into a separate document so you can read them in sequence. That way you don’t have to dig through anything in between to make sure there’s a logical flow to what they’re doing.

I don’t always write scenes in sequence, but skip around. Since it’s important to keep the flow of the story going in the proper order, I find this is helpful to maintain character development within the story. Characters should change and evolve, and by having all their action in a single document makes it easier to see the story through their eyes and how their motivation or attitude might change.

Today’s Writing Tips

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I have a difficult time writing from only one point of view. In fact, in my current WIP, I started writing in first person and quickly found myself stuck. When I opened it up to other POVs it started to move. I think knowing characters’ motivation is important and that is harder to cover without getting into their head.

However, multiple viewpoints can be a challenge. I’ve found that when I’m on a roll with one particular character it’s easier to stick to that one until I hit a wall, even if I’m skipping over chapters to do so. That way you at least have continuity for that person.

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.

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.”