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Today’s Writing Tip

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Sometimes the hardest part of writing a novel or story is getting it started. If you feel stuck, work on developing your characters individually. This not only can get your creative juices flowing, but inspire new ideas of how they fit into the story and contribute to the plot.

Every story should start with a premise, which can usually be stated as a “What if?” statement. How that is developed will be further explored in a basic outline, which can lead to a chapter outline.

This is not a necessity. All authors develop their own style, not only of how they put words on the page, but how their story gets written. Some maybe start at chapter one, page one, while others may write the epilogue first, or jump all around as their muse dictates.

Don’t force yourself into a modus operandi that doesn’t feel comfortable. Trying them all when you first start out, however, will help you find what fits your style. Once that is identified, you’ll discover your own ways of overcoming writer’s block.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Giving your hero or heroine a fatal flaw is not always easy. However, it makes the person more human, easier to  relate to, and should, of course, contribute to the plot. Everyone makes mistakes, and your characters should, too.

This fatal flaw does not have to be some horribly immoral propensity toward evil. In fact, it probably shouldn’t be, unless you’re writing a horror story. Rather, it should be something that gets him or her into trouble. It will typically be taking some trait, even one that’s usually a virtue, to an extreme. Like being too honest. Or too organized. Or too outspoken. Phobias work well, too: Afraid of snakes. Afraid of commitment. Afraid of heights.

If you need more examples, take a look at some of your favorite characters from other stories, TV shows (especially sit-coms), or movies.  If you know anything about the character traits for the various astrological signs, there are clues there as well. For example, Virgo tends to be a neat-freak, Scorpio can be obsessive, Capricorn can be too ambitious, and Aries can be too aggressive, to name a few.

Such characteristics add depth, credibility, and interest which all contribute to making the people who populate your stories unforgettable.

Today’s Writing Tip

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A large percentage of people own a pet. Including one in your story will not only make it seem more real, but can be a great marketing tool. What dog or cat lover isn’t drawn to a story that includes their favorite animal? Just make sure the critter has a personality and a name so it’s more than just a prop.

Anyone who has had a pet will tell you they have a personality. I even have had a fish that had one. How could I tell? Because it’s behavior was unique. I actually had a cichlid who definitely displayed unusual actions and amazing intelligence! I swear, I’m not making this up. Seriously. I have witnesses.

For those of you unfamiliar with this tropical fish breed, they tend to be quite aggressive and have a distinctive school pecking order. The poor guy or gal at the bottom of the chain is often harassed by the others, sometimes to the point of death. Thus was the case for one of mine, as evidenced by his chewed up tail and other wounds. To help him out, I put an excluder in the tank, which is used when the have babies or you introduce a new one.

This little guy gradually got well and one day I noticed he was no longer in the excluder; he’d learned how to get out. But that’s only part of it. He’d jump out, swim around the tank doing the fishy equivalent of “Betcha can’t catch me!” to his hostile tank mates, who would then chase him. But much to their surprise, this fish, whom I named Homer, would swim back to his excluder and jump inside, then peer out at the others in triumph, no doubt chanting “neener-neerner-neerer!”

I don’t know how I’ll ever fit a Homer equivalent into one of my stories, but you never know. Just make sure if you do include a pet that it has a name and fits into the story in some way, even if it’s only a sounding board for your protagonist.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Keep a character list that includes each person’s description, habits, motivation, and any other details that bring him or her to life. Refer to it as needed for consistency as well as new ideas for involvement in the story.

Especially when you’re starting a new story with characters who are just coming to life, it’s handy to have a reminder what you’ve done with them so far. Every characters should have a distinctive role in the story. If they’re redundant, then you don’t need him or her. Developing them can have other benefits as well, such as introducing new plot twists, or in the case of mysteries, red herrings.

Sometimes my favorite character in a story, either my own or someone else’s, isn’t the protagonist, but one of their supporting characters. Set yours up so they’d qualify for a virtual Academy Award for their performance in your novel.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Straight-line plots work well for short stories, but novels can use several subplots to maintain interest and build suspense. The more developed your characters are, the easier it is to find them. Once your characters come to life, they have a mind of their own and can say and do things that surprise even you. Don’t limit your muse’s ability to inspire you by insisting that your characters behave in a certain way or never do something unexpected. Just think: If it surprises you, won’t it also be interesting to your readers?

As an author, I love it when one of my characters essentially gets out of control. If I don’t know what will happen next, sure that suspense will translate to my readers. It add to the fun of being an author when you don’t know what will happen next, either. There have been times when my characters got themselves into such a mess I had no idea how they’d ever get out. So what did I do? I let them figure it out, and they always did.

 

Today’s Writing Tip

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Make your characters as different as possible, so they stand out as individuals. This includes their appearance, speech patterns, and personalities. For example, give each one their own pet phrases or expressions. If they all say the same one, even if it’s an expletive, it doesn’t distinguish him or her as an individual. Of course there are some expletives that are more popular than others, and thus pervasive, but if you’re original in some way, it adds a touch of creativity which most readers will appreciate.

Unique appearance that is distinctive and reinforces the character’s personality is helpful to the reader in keeping them sorted out as well. Gestures are another way, whether it’s rolling their eyes or dismissing a statement with a wave of their hand. A unique perfume or aftershave fragrance is another way to bring another sensory detail into the story. Pay attention to the people you know the best and what their individual habits are for ideas.

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Some genres require more research than others. For example, writing an historical novel requires a lot to be accurate, unless you’re already an expert on that era. Of course, in that case, you already did your research. Other genres may not require quite as much, such as a basic romance. However, romances should be loaded with sensory details for all the senses. If your setting is in an imaginary town, choosing and researching a specific state or country can make it come alive. Who doesn’t love a book that makes you feel as if you’re there, especially some exotic place you’ll never visit in person?

I’ve said it numerous time before, the devil’s in the details. Being precise is what makes fiction convincing. When you specify street names, the colors of a spectacular sunset, or the make of the gun your hero uses to defend the world, it’s easier for the reader to visualize. Vague writing is weak writing. However, the caveat is to use the right details at the proper level so as not to bog down the story and cause your reader’s eyes to glaze over. That is what will separate a good author from a great one.

Today’s Writing Tip

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If you ever feel stuck in your progress as an author, go back and read some of your earlier work and see for yourself how far you’ve come. There’s always something you can learn and improve, attaining perfection illusive, but give yourself credit for what you’ve accomplished.

Writing is a skill which, like all skills, whether it pertains to physical prowess in sports or the mental gymnastics of mathematics, improves with practice. Your ability to express yourself and wield the words you need in way that makes you a powerful wordsmith lies in using the tools of your trade as much as possible. Practice may never make perfect in a subjective art such as writing, but it will help you develop your own style and ability to say exactly what you want with far less effort than it does as a novice.

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Keep a dictionary within easy reach of where you do your writing. It’s important to use words correctly and as accurately as possible to maximize their impact. Electronic equivalents are great, too.

If you’re a true Anglophile of the language kind, treat yourself from time to time by reading the dictionary. You’ll be surprised what you might discover! There are also various “Word of the Day” apps or services you can subscribe to for free, such as Merriam-Webster’s on Instagram.

As an author, words are the tools of your trade. Embrace and celebrate them as the treasures they are. Using exactly the right word adds considerable impact and meaning, so the more expansive your vocabulary, the stronger your writing.

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Keep a writer’s journal, perhaps more than one so it’s always handy to record ideas. This can come from people watching, random story ideas, new words, or clever descriptions. You never know when or where inspiration will strike, so be ready when it does.

If you come across a phrase that stands out as excellent writing, write it down. You may not want to use it word for word, but study why it works. Does it inspire strong imagery? Trigger an emotion? Being an author involves continually improving your craft.

Occasionally, you’ll come up with a great phrase or description yourself, but it may not pertain to anything you’re currently writing. Don’t expect to remember it, because you probably won’t! However, if you write it down, it will be there when you need it.

An awareness of words and their power to convey an image or feeling is part of writing powerful stories.