Okay, due to personal circumstances this week is kicking my butt. BUT, all is well or will be soon.
I missed Monday’s post and didn’t have time for an orignial Writing Wednesday post.
However, I can point to an excellent blog post from Rachelle Gardner, 9 Ways To Outwit Writer’s Block. It is a keeper, and I highly recommend it. I’d like to see what my two main characters would do during an alien attack.
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Sometimes you just need to know when to shut up and let others talk.
There was an excellent article today on Novel Rocket about characterization by Cindy Woodsmall. She has four “B”s to use: Before. Behind. Between. Begin.
This is a succinct yet very insightful way to understand your characters. Here is a quote:
Begin your novel armed with the full knowledge of who your characters are – the before, the behind, and the between. Then ask yourself, what would this person do – how would he or she react – when caught in the emotional or physical destruction in which your plotting places them? Once you’ve completed these steps, you won’t have to know the answer to how they would react when placed in different circumstances. The character – who that person is – will dictate what he or she will do in any given situation. Each character will be true to himself or herself, because you know who they are and from where they have come.
I’ve got nothing to add. Just go read the article. If you’re a writer, you’ll be glad you did!
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Sometimes you just need to know when to shut up and let others talk.
There was an excellent article today on Novel Rocket about characterization by Cindy Woodsmall. She has four “B”s to use: Before. Behind. Between. Begin.
This is a succinct yet very insightful way to understand your characters. Here is a quote:
Begin your novel armed with the full knowledge of who your characters are – the before, the behind, and the between. Then ask yourself, what would this person do – how would he or she react – when caught in the emotional or physical destruction in which your plotting places them? Once you’ve completed these steps, you won’t have to know the answer to how they would react when placed in different circumstances. The character – who that person is – will dictate what he or she will do in any given situation. Each character will be true to himself or herself, because you know who they are and from where they have come.
I’ve got nothing to add. Just go read the article. If you’re a writer, you’ll be glad you did!
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Quiet week on the blog front. I’ve been busy the last three weeks with family, vacation, a medical conference (always good fodder for story ideas), and this weekend a family camp for church. To make up for a lack of content, I present the articles I’ve been able to read that have helped me in the last week or two.
Kristen Lamb is a major encourager for writers, and she helps put self-discipline in context.
My friend Nicole helpfully pointed out this post, which gives tips for helping family understand the quirky needs of a writer (and if all else fails, there’s always the flamethrower).
I’ve heard Scrivener talked up as a great writing program, but it has only been available for Mac. Now there is a beta version for Windows us PC users can check out.
Even the seat of the pants writers need structure at some point.
Finally, my friend Athena Grayson has a simple but effective exercise to help us writers “find the time”.
If you find any of these links particularly helpful, please let me know!
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Quiet week on the blog front. I’ve been busy the last three weeks with family, vacation, a medical conference (always good fodder for story ideas), and this weekend a family camp for church. To make up for a lack of content, I present the articles I’ve been able to read that have helped me in the last week or two.
Kristen Lamb is a major encourager for writers, and she helps put self-discipline in context.
My friend Nicole helpfully pointed out this post, which gives tips for helping family understand the quirky needs of a writer (and if all else fails, there’s always the flamethrower).
I’ve heard Scrivener talked up as a great writing program, but it has only been available for Mac. Now there is a beta version for Windows us PC users can check out.
Even the seat of the pants writers need structure at some point.
Finally, my friend Athena Grayson has a simple but effective exercise to help us writers “find the time”.
If you find any of these links particularly helpful, please let me know!
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Amazing how a holiday throws a person out of sync…
Anyhoo.
Finally, I saw that Novel Journey was announcing some major changes. It seems they are rebranding somewhat to be bigger and better, and are now known as Novel Rocket! It seems the journey gets a boost here – so check out the new swag!