Monday, July 27, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
12 Questions to Ask Your Main Character When She Is Being Elusive
I recently came through a spell where one of my characters
didn’t want to budge. I knew something was up with her and instead of jamming
any issue in her backstory, I waited her out. I asked some hard questions, and
eventually, in time, I got to the juicy heart of who she is.
Here are twelve questions you can ask of your main character
that have the power to open her up again…
What’s your problem?
Why do you look so
tired? (Women, outside of fiction-land, I’d advise you never ask this question
of another woman. We are tired. That’s why we look it.)
What are you running
from?
What’s the worst thing
anyone has ever said to you? (Bonus: do you believe it?)
If you could have a do-over
for anything you’ve done in your life when would you choose?
If your friend asks
your advice on an outfit that is undeniably weird, saying, “I don’t think this
looks weird, what do you think?” how would you respond?
What are you most
ashamed of?
What are you proudest
of?
Who knows you best?
Does your answer surprise you?
Who are you most
protective of? Are they as protective of you?
What pisses you off?
What would embarrass you
if everyone found out about it, though you secretly suspect you’re not the only
one with this secret?
There you have it. Twelve hard questions that are sure to
get your main character squirming, stirred up, or spilling the beans. Hoping
for the latter.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Get It Down
One of the best pieces of writing advice I received in
college was from a published author who visited, imparting us with great
tidbits of wisdom. I specifically remember this author telling me and my fellow
writing majors that you’re only a serious author if you make a commitment to
write down your thoughts.
Message received. Take notes.
Over the years I’ve done just that. I haven’t let my
thoughts fade into the dying world of ideas. Or at least I’ve tried hard to
keep that from happening. I get my thoughts down.
Thought it would be fun to list all of the unconventional and
creative places I’ve jotted down notes throughout the years.
Receipts
Kid’s
projects
Inside books
Inside planners
Sticky notes
On my hand
Church bulletins
Journals (of
course)
Homework
Newspaper
Christmas
cards
Phone book
Concert
bulletins
Bookmarks
Flyers
Playing
cards
Bills
On magazine
articles
On the back
of photographs
Children’s
book
Inside
greeting cards
On my
business cards
On a paper
bag
And the latest place I’ve been taking notes over the past
few weeks (and one of my favorites)…
Paint swatches
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Five Signs You Are Overwriting + Solutions
As writers we can all slip into overwriting if we’re not
careful. We might not even recognize when we throw down fancy words or shove
superfluous descriptions into our prose. It sneaks up on us. Most likely, we
overwrite when we exit the zone. We’re most vulnerable to overwriting when we
have a word count in our heads that we must meet. It’s okay to have goals. It’s
good actually and we all are guilty of overwriting at some point or another.
But here are some key identifiers to help you know when
you’re beginning to let the quicksand of overwriting pull you and your novel
under. I’ve also included some ways out—ropes to bring you back to solid
ground.
The Thesaurus is Your
New Best Friend
Don’t get me wrong, I love the thesaurus. I’ve even been
known to read it on slow days or when I simply want to get my brain cogs
turning again. However, if you are flipping the pages or clicking on Thesaurus
sites every five minutes, I’m willing to bet you will discover overwriting when
it’s time to edit. I’m all about finding the strongest word to exude a point,
but I’m also a fan of getting the scene down with as few interruptions as
possible during the first draft. Save the thesaurus for edit days.
Solution: Put any
word down. The first one that comes to mind. Allow for weakness. Tell yourself
it can be changed later. And don’t let the thesaurus tempt you to interrupt the
flow.
Taking the Jaws of
Life to a Scene
You haven’t quite figured out what should happen with a
particular character or plot point, but you force it anyway. This isn’t just
about throwing a word on the page, it’s about prying out something that’s a
bloody mess and calling it a scene.
Solution: Take the
necessary time to allow a scene to organically unravel in your mind. Take notes
during the writing process. Be mindful when something feels forced and make a
note on your manuscript so that you’ll be sure to change it later.
Turning into a
Chameleon
You overwrite when you turn into an author chameleon. When
you begin adopting the language of the book you’re currently reading you are
inadvertently changing your author colors—and in turn changing the voice of the
book. You are essentially losing your voice.
Solution: Glean
from excellent writing. Appreciate it. Notice what is done well. But then imbue
those lessons into your own rhythm. Keep your color by gaining confidence in
your own voice.
Alice in Wonderland
Mentality
You become Alice when you lose your focus and dull down your
main character. Your MC gets watered down and is ultimately at risk of having
her head chopped off all together (losing face).
Solution: Frequently
review your main character’s internal and external goals. Reflect upon who your
characters are, what they’ve been through, who they want to become, and what
the story you’re writing about them would mean if they were to read it.
Skipping Down Rabbit
Trails
Distracted by the beautiful rainbow. No, the waterfall. No,
the scattering herd of deer…you completely lose sight of where you were headed
with your novel. And you end up throwing down a bunch of needless bread crumbs
in hopes to find your way back. You’ve entered the land of Plot Confusion and
stop short at the sign that reads: Beware of Overwriting.
Solution: One of
the best pieces of advice I read that helps keeps my plots in check is to
create a back cover brief synopsis before you even begin to write a single
word. It’s a structured way to maintain focus and to ensure your plot is moving
in a sensible direction. It provides wonderful accountability. That way you can
leave the breadcrumbs at home. There are signposts on the trees. You’re golden.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Pass It On
The motto for Wittenberg University, my alma mater, is “Having
Light We Pass It On To Others.” I’ve been thinking a lot about that call to
action. I especially thought of it a few days ago when I was notified that one
of the students in my first writing workshop won a young author award for the story she wrote in my class.
I’ve learned a tremendous amount, culminating from my years
as a creative writing undergrad and the past eight years I’ve spent immersed in
the publication industry. I have so much to share—to pass on.
I’ve decided it’s a shame to hoard knowledge. In appropriate
measure, in ways I hope will be received, I desire to impart the things that
have shaped me as a writer. Those insights that have grown me.
With that, I can’t
stress enough how more than anything else it is imperative that you, as a
writer, search relentlessly for your own voice. Take your own road. Bushwhack
if you have to. But carve out a path that makes sense for you and your journey.
And then one last thing, don’t stuff all the light down deep
inside you. Pass it on.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Write What You No
If you’re a writer you’ve heard the expression write
what you know. Actually, it’s probably been drummed into your head so much you
might feel hammered down inside a box, inhibited by what you might dare tackle
in your work. But I’m going to alter that advice today.
I’m going to suggest you write what you no.
There is an untapped power waiting in the areas you
keep saying no to. What am I referring to?
Three areas in particular:
What
you fear
What
you believe you’re inadequate to write
What’s
too painful
And when you get brave enough to finally put it on the
page, you might be amazed to find the thing isn’t so scary after all. Painful,
perhaps. Powerful, likely. Worth it…absolutely.
Write
what you feel inadequate to write
If you don’t feel inadequate before beginning a
project then you’re probably overconfident.
Every writer doubts their talent and ability to
create. Anne Lamott says, “But it is fantasy to
think that successful writers do not have these bored, defeated hours, these
hours of deep insecurity when one feels as small and jumpy as a water bug. They
do.”
Consider it a strong nudge whenever you
feel this way. Pay attention to what’s playing in your mind. Maybe it’s that
very slide show you’re supposed to explore in your story. Because insecurity or
not, the show must go on and you are
the ultimate director.
Allow your insecurities to point you
toward the work you’ve been avoiding.
Write
into the pain
No, it’s too painful. I don’t want to go there. I’ve
already healed from that. What’s the point of diving back in? What good would
it do?
Some of my favorite books depict characters enduring
great tragedy. The Art of Racing in the
Rain. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. The Book Thief. I’m reading Between Shades of Gray right now. It’s a
poignant story about a fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl named Lina taken from
her home and thrown into a cattle car by the Soviet secret police. This book is
quickly becoming one of my favorites because of the beautiful risks the author
takes, how she delves into an unimaginable hardship. Ruta Sepetys evokes a rich
sense of empathy for the characters and invites readers into Lina’s harsh
reality.
After I read Ruta’s bio I understood she had to write
into the pain. Her own father was a Lithuanian refugee. Her bio goes on to
state, “Ruta wanted to give voice to the hundreds of thousands of people who
lost their lives during Stalin’s cleansing of the Baltic region.”
Write into the pain to give voice.
Paint your unique brushstroke on the canvas of human
experience.
We come together in this. We grow. We change the
world.
Next time someone tells you to write what you know,
think about writing what you no instead.
I double dog dare you!
Monday, July 6, 2015
Where My Imagination Takes Me
Whenever I’m in a pensive mood or in the midst of a creative
spell I often fantasize about traveling somewhere.
Where you say.
Right here.
My mind does its trusty thing and I end up swimming in the
rich aroma of these fragrant flowers. Or I rest my head against the fine silk
petals and drift off to sleep.
I love how my imagination takes me places. It’s been doing
that since I was little.
Do you ever mentally transport to somewhere else when your
mind needs a mini-vacation? Where do you go?
*Congratulations to the US women’s soccer team on the World
Cup win! We are so proud of you.
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