story

Writer’s Wisdom 29

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Character Strength

The story line is important, but characters have to drive it; they have to make it alive, real – the pages have to keep turning.  If you have watched the popular TV series 24, you understand what I mean.  In the series, the basic premise is pretty much the same – Jack Bauer has to prevent a terrorist attack, which is usually a nuke or bio threat; and a big part of the government is corrupted, making the task almost impossible.  This is basically it, but how is it that we  want to keep watching, over and over, can’t get enough of 24 and Jack Bauer, or can’t wait for the next season to come?  Why is it that this simple story that repeats itself in every season, manages to capture us with such force? 

It is because of the characters.  The characters in these series are strong, unpredictable, forceful, and full of mystery and deceit.  The characters drive the series, and keep us in our seat – watching and wanting more.  If you notice, every season new characters appear, old ones die or disappear for a while; sometimes they are brought back.  This is how the series is kept fresh, no matter if the story line is almost the same – the terrorist attack and the corrupted government.

No better example than this one to show you how important character strength is in any story.  Weak characters make for a boring read.

Email Scams Keep Getting Ridiculous

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I have gotten many email scams in my inbox.  Some very creative, some pitiful, but this one caught my attention, and I had to share its ridiculous appeal with all of you.  Here’s what I got in my inbox:

Hello,

My name is Mrs. Elena Tan. I am a dying woman who has decided to
donate what I have to you. for charitable goals.

I am 59 years old and was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago,
kindly Contact my lawyer through this email address or you can call
his private Lin 😦 +855976826769) (barr_richardlee9@sify.com) if you
are interested in carrying out this task, so that he can arrange the
release of the funds ($10,500,000.00)to you.

My lawyer’s name is Barrister Richard Lee. I know I have never met you
but instincts tells me to do this, and i hope you act sincerely. Thank
you and God bless you.

Mrs. Elena Tan.

As you can see the grammatical and spelling errors are abundant, which is always a tell sign; but the sad story details, and the names, is what I got a kick out of.  So, I decided to google some of the details.  I discovered that I had gotten a short version of the scam, a shortened letter.  In the longest version, her husband had died 2 years ago, leaving her everything he worked hard for.  It also added that she was touched by God to donate the money …. Immediately, I felt offended.  How could they send me the short version?  Does that mean I am gullible, naive, stupid, or an easy prey?  Was there no need for an explanation, more detail to reel me in?  Plus, I know the meaning of the word barrister. 

I kept googling and came across the website of a lawyer in England (a barrister) with the name of Richard Lee.  His firm, called BLS for British Expatriate Services, offices in Malta.  Their clientele is the expatriate.  The services range from legal to banking, and other.  I found this very curious.

Then, I decided to google Mrs. Elena Tan.  Of course, many Elena Tan came up, but I also found more versions of the scam, every time more detailed and …. long – unlike my short version.

All this left me with one thought, that inspiration for writing comes from everywhere.  I can certainly think of a story, utilizing the above letter as writing material.  So next time you receive an email scam, view it in a different light – as writing material.  *But don’t forget to mark it as a scam, and delete it from your box.

Writer’s Wisdom 28

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Being True to Your Writing Style

Your writing style reflects who you are.  It is a picture of _____ (your name here), the writer.  When you write with heart, with passion, your true style resurfaces.  You can try to force someone else’s style in your writing, but ultimately, you will end up writing without heart.

A good example of an author who writes with passion is Kate DiCamillo.  Although her books are for children (I happen to love some), the way she writes, appeals to adults too.  Her books are magical.  In an interview with Borders, she said that her book just shows up, and she knows she has to write it.  If you read one of Kate DiCamillo’s stories, you will soon capture her style in the book.  It is like she is there, with you, but she really isn’t.

Even that the story is told through the characters, an author’s style permeates the book, maybe because it is the deepest truth that lies within the pages.  So, when you write with heart and passion, inevitably, your truth saturates the essence of the story, you become true to your style.

Writer’s Wisdom 26

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Scheduling Your Writing Time

Scheduling your time to write is as important as going to work everyday, that is, if you are a serious writer.  If this is how you earn your money, then with more reason.  If you wait for inspiration, your Muse may keep you waiting for an entire day (or days), and you’ll be left without a single written word.

When you set aside a block of time for writing, your brain will start recognizing that period for what it is – writing time.  There are times when inspiration will visit you outside the scheduled time, and by all means, answer your Muse’s call.  But we are not talking here about those instances, we are talking about being disciplined with your writing.  Whatever length of time you have available, will depend on your daily schedule.  Even when you have a hectic pace of life and crazy working hours, if you manage to block even 10 minutes of writing everyday, it will help you hone your writing skills.

 But what if you can’t think of something to write about?  Sit down to write anyway, and start writing anything that comes to mind.  One word will follow the next one, and before you realize it, you will have a paragraph, a page or a couple of sentences on something.  This could become material for future writings, ideas on a theme, or a story might develop from it.

On writing, you don’t know when your next story is going to come from.  Sometimes, it is from a dream; other times, an article you read or a painting you saw. Or maybe, from the chicken scratches left at your scheduled writing time.

Happy writing!

Writer’s Wisdom 25

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James Patterson

Today’s spot is dedicated to James Patterson– a genius writer.  With 47 New York Times best selling titles, and more than 170 million books sold worldwide, he seems to be unstoppable and would hold the title of Muse’s King, if there was such.  Is #1 on the New York Times adult fiction and children’s chapter books best seller lists. 

His method is something out of this world.  He is known to have over 15 books going on at the same time, while working on them simultaneously.  Sometimes, doing up to 10 drafts.  He co-authors, and has mention in some interviews that he keeps a file with over three thousand ideas for books.   His outlines are 30-40 pages long; according to him, to keep him organized.  He is a writing machine! 

But not only, is he a writing machine, he is a reading machine too.  He reads 150 books a year.  James Patterson can be called the Madonna of writing; he keeps reinventing himself – and because of that, he is a target for much criticism. 

Despite his huge success as a writer, he keeps a down to earth approach, and  does not take himself to seriously; seems lay back.  He is a family man first, a writer second – although, he is well known as a prolific author. 

He is called America’s #1 Storyteller, and I happen to agree. 

 

Writer’s Wisdom 24

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How do you write?

Best selling author Nora Roberts shared her method to writing in an interview with Borders.

Quote:  “Well, first: There ain’t no muse. If you sit around and wait to channel the muse, you can sit around and wait a long time.” 

She believes that writing is hard work; she works really hard to make her writing “as fluid as possible, as readable and entertaining as possible.”  She writes the first draft, without editing, because according to her, she doesn’t know yet what will happen next.  Once she has down her story, she starts editing, page by page, chapter by chapter.  She pays attention to how it sounds, mistakes, emotion, and adds anything that she needs to.  Once she’s done, she goes back one more time and pays attention to language, rhythm, and that all loose ends are tied.  She makes sure that she has “been true to the story.” 

This is how magic happens to best selling author Nora Roberts.  But there is a method to her magic.  

Today my question to you is:  Are you following your own magic?   

Writer’s Wisdom 23

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Writing, Just Do It!

Best selling authors agree on this.  You can take as many creative writing classes and seminars, read books on writing, but if you don’t do it, your knowledge is just that – knowledge.

There is no minimum or maximum amount of pages to write a day.  It is different for everyone, and you should find what works for you.  Best selling author Eloisa James, writes 20 pages a day.  She says that, “writing is hard work; it is tough.” (interview with Borders).  John Grisham from 5-8 + pages a day.  I recommend Janet Evanovich’s book:  How I Write, Secrets of a Best Selling Author.  It is full of information, and real life advice on writing – excellent book for aspiring authors.

One of my favorite quotes, is from best selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon, and has become inspiring to me:  “Over, under, around or through, there’s always a way to get where you want to go; you just have to find it.”

We have to find our own way in writing, our own path.  Debbie Macomber is one of the greatest inspirations in writing.  As told in an interview with Borders, she was dyslexic, and learned to read in the 5th grade.  She is a best selling author, and in her own words:  “I Loooooove to write.”

Author Claire Cook is another inspiration.  She knew all she wanted to do was to write, but it took her 25 years because she was afraid of the big step.  Her recommendation to aspiring writers:  “Just try it; small steps every day take you there.” (Borders)

And who can say it better than one of my favorite authors – The Donald.  In an interview with Borders, for his book Think Big and Kick Ass, he said:  “Keep your left up; never ever quit.” – Donald Trump.

So, if you love writing, but are procrastinating, stop now, go pick up your pen, (or mouse), and let it flow; don’t think about it, just do it! 

Writer’s Wisdom 22

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The World(s) in your story

When you are writing a story, immediately, you are confronted with –  where is it taking place?  Time and place are essential to a story, especially in historical novels.  If you are writing about a place in reality, then you have to research its history and what it looks like, and many other details.  When you are writing fantasy or just making up the setting, you are free to give range to your imagination.  The world or worlds that you create are entirely up to you.

Best selling author Gregory Maguire puts it this way: “Your inventive culture/world should be convincing.  Work this world in your mind, even if you do not write all the details in the story.”  (Borders interview)

The important issue here is that you have a clear picture of what your world looks like, feels like, and works like.  When the vision of your world is clear, the characters will move more freely in it, and their interactions will flow easier.  Just because a world is fantasy, it doesn’t mean that it won’t be convincing.  The reader will step inside that world, and navigate around it through its characters.  If you want your reader to keep visiting that world, and exploring it, it is your job as a writer to make it alive for the reader – to make it convincing.  Character creation follow the same rules, your characters should be believable, but where they are interacting should be as well.

Fantasy or reality, the setting of your story will capture the reader or turn him/her away.

Writer’s Wisdom 21

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Writing with Heart

Writing a piece is more than telling a story.  If you are passionate about writing, you write with your heart.  You give something in you, to the story.  Author Harlan Coben expressed in a Borders interview:  “I like to write with heart, otherwise it is not going to work for me.”  I agree with his comment; to make a piece that captures the readers, there has to be passion in it.

Author Wally Lamb expressed:  “Write a book for yourself, and let the readers that have to find it, find it.” 

Another author that follows the same rule is Jamie Lee Curtis.  She told Borders:  “I don’t do it for achievement; it is pure expression for me.”  Another good example of this is best selling author John Grisham.  He writes legal thrillers, mostly, but he says that he writes whatever he wants; he has fun with the genre.  He says he does not know where he is going as far as sticking with a genre.  Some of his books have been made into movies (The Firm, The Appeal).  In his own words to Borders:  “You can’t get too serious, the pages have to turn.”

And perhaps, the best example we have about a best selling author who writes with heart is Stephenie Meyer.  Her first book, Twilight, she wrote for herself – at the kitchen table.  The very successful series followed, and captured the heart of fans all over.

So, next time you pick up your pen (or your mouse), ask yourself this question:  “Am I putting my heart to it?” 

Writer’s Wisdom 20

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Age in writing

Age is an important factor in your character’s development.  As you write, you have to address age appropriate dilemmas for your characters.  If you are writing a series, you are presented with the issue of aging your character or keeping it  the same age throughout the series.  The interactions of your characters should be age appropriate, around issues that affect that particular age group.  Marriage dilemmas, teen issues, younger kid’s points of view, all of that is taken into consideration when writing your characters.  In a historical novel, some of this issues differ with modern times, since women got married much younger (in their teens).  Periods in history affect the age issues in a particular piece of writing, so does cultural backgrounds and regional customs.

Although age is not something that has to be mentioned in the story, behavior and setting of the characters should be congruent with it.