Just a Musing...

Taking things for granted...Or do we remember to experience gratitude?

       During childhood most of us are taught to say 'thank you.' And typically we meant it, even if we had to work on getting the words right. To remember our manners. I certainty loved receiving a cookie or a special toy. At Christmas my siblings and I were taught to pay attention to the person giving us the gift so that we may show our gratitude and respect towards the giver. Perhaps it made for a more orderly 'opening of the presents' but we learned to appreciate what we were given. And in turn when a gift we gave was appreciated, we felt warm and fuzzy inside because we knew they enjoyed it and were full of gratitude.

      Now, gifts given by a 'giver' who wants our gratitude in such a way as to be controlling is an entirety different manner, left for another article. Because those are gifts we open with a hesitant heart and a wary soul. 

      Gratitude is important, otherwise we fall into the trap of taking things for granted. And unfortunately we don't even realize we take things for granted until suddenly something terrible happens. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all. But shouldn't we take a bit of time, before we leave the bed in the morning, or before we shut our eyes at night, to take a deep breath and remember what is important? To say 'thank you'. To remember our manners? 

       And not only for things such as clothes, food and toys but for the soil that our food is grown in? The rain that falls on our Earth and supplies us with life? For the sun that warms our planet? Should we remember to be grateful for the cycles of life and the joyful times of development our children grow through? Perhaps we could take a moment to be grateful for dogs because they are loyal and treat us like royalty when we do nothing more than give them pats on the head and puppy treats when they wag their tails?

        It's like writing. I grow frustrated because I haven't achieved my goals, I haven't found an agent or signed with a publisher even though I finished my book and edited until I could edit no more. But perhaps I should feel a bit of gratitude. Why? Because I could write. My brain could form words and sentences and ideas. Because I could embrace my creativity. Because my fingers obey the commands of my brain and type the keys on the computer that I want them to. Journeys of any sort can be difficult, taking our manners with us can help. A bit Pollyanna, I know, (the people that dwell in the world of negative are cringing) but gratitude is a spark of light which is always important otherwise we grow soul weary. And that just sounds like a tired state of being to me.

Weekly Writing Tip

Characters. 

Do you have one? Or the faint shadow of one?

      Why do we love stories? Obviously, the plot plays an important part. If you don't have at least a decent plot with all loose ends tied and knotted than you're going to have trouble building a readership. Readers are easily disappointed and will remember if you finished your story by making up something crazy at the end or forgetting to address one of your subplots. Also, you can't rearrange the basics of science or life, unless it's your own world and you have built it up that way. But we'll talk about plot at a later entry. 

      Today we're going to talk about characters and their development. Think about why you love some stories. Yes, the plot was probably good and the writing was more than likely interesting but it's the characters that live in our minds way after the story is finished. If we care about the characters, if what happens to them in the story affects our emotions than we'll remember the story far after the words, 'the end.' 

       So how to make characters that come alive off the page and stay with your readers? You have to know them first. They're your characters, develop them. Think about their name. Most characters carry names that show a bit of their personalities or quirks. Pick a strong name for your alpha males. Choose a elegant name for your lady, unless she's wild and unconventional and than perhaps go by a nickname that reflects her playful attitude. 

       If they carry an unusual or an old fashioned name, explain it. Put a bit of the story around it, make it important. Do a bit of research, what does the name mean? Sometimes you can choose a name for it's meaning rather than just the sound of the name. A great source for names is the Internet, check out any baby naming website. Or the phone book can be an informative location. Parents spend a lot of time stringing names together that sound pleasing to the ear and it can make finding a name easy. (It's also a great way to unblock a muse that doesn't want to give up any names.)

      Don't forget the culture of your character. If it's important to the parents of your character, then a cultural significant name may be valuable to your story. If you're writing historical fiction, names need to be given a bit of thought. The popularity of names go through cycles, so perhaps Doris isn't one of the most popular names of today but in other time periods it would have been. Search the web for the most popular names of today or during certain years.

       Religion can also be a factor in choosing the 'right' name for your character. Especially if you're writing a historical piece. Or if you're writing about characters from other cultures. 

       Memorable names are vital. Think of some of the great classics, Little Women, Tom Sawyer, Anne of Green Gables. Even comic book heroes have awesome names that can be unforgettable. Superman, Spiderman, Wolverine. The characters are with us long after we finish the book. So name your characters with thought, care, and with fun. :)
      

Monday Musings...

Do you remember the little paragraph in the front of the book stating that this is a work of fiction and all characters are totally made up and in no way, shape or form relate to anyone real? It's a pretty sweeping disclaimer to protect the author and the publisher from people, typically that know you but not always that think you're picking on them. It's an important paragraph to have on you, that way at those family thingys where people wear their quirks on their shirt sleeves, you can whip it out like a three hundred pound shield and read it to them. Trust me, I know I will have to at some point. 

     One year, I wore a t-shirt from Signals. It says, 'Careful, or you'll end up in my novel.' I think it's a fair warning. Because, let the truth be known, but I'm a writer and if I get mad at you, my revenge will be with words. Wahahaha!!!     

     Just be glad I'm not a singer/songwriter then you would find yourself in a song. How horrible would that be, to break up with someone and then a year down the line know that their number one hit song is about how much they hate you? I'm glad hero hottie gave up his band aspirations before we met. Whew. 

      But anyway, back on track. I wore this shirt to his side of the family and someone, they will remain unnamed in case they ever read this, read it and their face dropped, they grew pale, eyes wide with panic and they asked in a horrified voice, "Are you going to write me as the evil witch?"

     "No, of course not." I replied, that would make that little disclaimer at the front of my book a lie. A farce. A planted piece of evidence to protect my guilt. 

     Except, as a writer, we use things that happen to us as ideas, character flaws, plot grippers, tidbits to add depth to the story. We use everything. And even though I wouldn't write a character solely based on one person, they would be an imaginary character to begin with, and then I might take things from the people around me to round them out, I can't say that something that has happened to me isn't ever going to be a story. You may not recognize it by the time I mold it, squeeze it, and shape it to fit my story but writers write about what they know, but especially what they feel. 

       So I guess the moral of this tale is if you wouldn't want it in a song or in a book, then should you be doing it? And I suppose the other moral is don't make a writer mad, they just might slip you into their book and you might just end up locked in a tower or melting from a bucket of water. Wahahaha!!!

    (To clarify, I would never actually write anything revealing or mean about the people around me, I write fiction. It isn't my autobiography. :) 

Writing Tip Wednesday

Since it's Thanksgiving tomorrow, I will be busy spending time with family, eating plenty of pumpkin pie and taking a nap from eating too much food. So writing is usually not on the day's agenda. But here's a writing tip that isn't so much about improving your writing as it is about spending time with family. 

  

     From the craft or scrapbook store purchase an artist sketch book or otherwise bound book with heavy paper. Attach a piece of scrapbook paper to the front and decorate it as you wish but something related to family. Then every holiday bring it out with some colored pencils and thin tip markers. Pass the book around and let every family member write about the day, funny memories, recipes, or other little tidbits of information. Or they can draw a picture. After the holiday attach some photos from the get together in the book. Which each holiday bring it out and pass it around. Soon it will become a treasured book and a great way to remember loved ones, far and near. 

Happy Thanksgiving and remember we make it a point to be grateful on this holiday but as someone important said to me, 'Why do we need a special day to be thankful? Shouldn't we be thankful everyday?' 

Monday Musings...

Hearts are fragile. They are easily bruised, battered, broken, shattered and crushed when stepped upon by big heavy boots of hate and betrayal. And no, I'm not talking about anything hero hottie has done. I'm just speaking of hearts in general. 

 It starts in childhood too. The first time we're teased or bullied, we shut away from the world, cocooning ourselves with shyness, attitude, or fists. I hid my too easily bruised heart behind perfect report cards. So many of our stories start with a heart that has been damaged. Parents that fight, grandparents that die, pets that are hit by cars, first crushes that ignore everything we do to get their attention. (That is a story for another time but lets just say I paid for the lunch he offered to buy me.) 

     If we had great parents (I did) then we usually have enough self confidence to risk failure to go after our goals. If we didn't, then we find other ways to hide our vulnerable hearts, afraid to take too deep a breath in case our spirit should completely shatter. And heaven help the extremely broken, they usually attack others just to survive their own pain. 

     As human beings we are given the extremely important task of watching out for the heart (or spirit) of our fellow people. It doesn't mean we can save everyone's heart. But we can nurture our loved ones, especially our children. Encouraging, loving, being there when we can't protect them from the hurt of the outside world. 

    

     The characters in stories usually suffered from a heart that's been kicked around. And usually the opening scenes show how this pain has effected the character. If it's a happy ending story then the character will meet someone else or a group of people that provide just enough of a safety net for that character to risk failure to obtain something important. If the story is pensive then either the character never finds the courage to take their battered heart out one more time or they do, just to have it totally destroyed. 

     I prefer happy ending stories because life is so difficult anyway and so full of torn and tattered hearts wearing brave faces. So this Thanksgiving remember the pumpkin pie and the kind words. You never know how they might heal a broken heart.

Writing Tip Wednesday

      How long do I work on a story? Well, it depends on the story. Some stories come together like a snowball rolling down a hill. Fast and furious. And other stories take years, slowly being built.

     My stories start with a little, tiny idea. My Keraynn story started a long time ago as a one page scene that caught in my imagination. I liked the scene and the two characters I formed in it so much that I wrote a 65,000 word manuscript around that one idea. I was thrilled until I read it. And then I realized that except for the very basic concept of the story, my characters and Keraynn's abilities, the rest of the book was not so great. I still have that manuscript and it stays in the drawer. I should throw it out, because I shudder to think of anyone reading it. But it was my first attempt of crafting a novel, it has too much sentimental value. 

      And that brings me to my writing tip for this autumn Wednesday. The first time you pen your story, unless you're incredibly lucky, you will be rewriting it. It can be painful if you get too attached to a scene but it can be wonderful too. It's liberating. Because if you know that it doesn't have to be perfect the first time you write your story then you can focus on what is important...The creative process. 

     The first draft is your chance to develop your characters, figure out your plot and realize where you can fit in subplots and to explore the full depths of your story. Heck, a lot of time I discover 'facts' about my characters as I write my novel, which I know sounds crazy. But sometimes you don't think of something until after you have written it and then you experience an 'ah-ha' moment. I like to plan plot and story before I start writing but some details don't emerge until you're writing. 

      Once you have that completed first draft, then let it rest for two weeks. Don't worry about it, don't look at it, and don't think about it. You're shooting for some emotional distance from your writing. Then pull it out and reread it. 

      Don't panic. Maybe it's not as great as you thought it was but that's alright. Because now you're going to start rewriting it. You're going to find holes in the plot that need filled, you're going to find scenes that need shortened. Reading carefully, you're going to check for roving POVs.

     And you're not going to throw in the towel because it's not great the first time. That was just rehearsal. (With a heavy sigh) Sometimes it takes a few rehearsals but it's worth it. 

      So keep writing and keep rewriting. Because your story can be great, it just needs some polishing.

Monday Musings...

        I have some experience with the publishing world. I was raised around writing and books. It's in my blood. Or at least in the genes. I have worked for a small publisher before, watching them acquire manuscripts, edit, edit, and edit the material some more. Check references and facts. (It was non fiction.) And arrange to have the artist paint the cover. It's a process and the office was always stacked with papers, books, manuscripts, letters, and post it notes. Computers faced the windows and when the editor grew tired of reading, she would look out onto the valley before her.

      I love being there, surrounded by words. 

      Which reminds me of a question that hero hottie asked me the other day. We were driving, just doing mundane stuff, the sort of stuff hero hotties have to do outside the realm of romance novels when he asked me if I liked the way words looked. I was a bit surprised by the question, just because I had never given it a lot of thought and certainty hadn't talked to anyone about it, but yeah, I love the way letters look. I like their shapes and I like how when you put certain letters together you get wonderful patterns of shapes. It's visually pleasing. I love how when I write and read, the words sound in my head, making pictures and stories and feelings. Words are amazing. 

      How awesome is it that we can do a little scribble on the paper (or digital scribble with different fonts) and we create ideas and stories and happiness? What else is so simple yet so intense. Wouldn't our world be boring and monochrome if we didn't have the written word? It would sure make blogging difficult. And how would people text? 

     Once we learn how to read, I think we take it for granted but it is a precious gift. One that everyone should receive. And readers are great for writers. It's a symbolic relationship, you can't have one without the other. 

      And now if I could just achieve my dream of getting published. It would be the coolest. But rejection hits me square in the emotions again and I have to focus on why I like to write. And it's not to please an agent that has vastly different views on life than I do. I write for me. And hopefully to inspire a reader. I just have to find an agent that shares similar views. 

      Keep writing.

Writing Tip Wednesday

Autumn is coming with a strong calling card this week. Brrr...The last of the summer flowers are withering from the frigid chill and the fierce winds blow the vibrantly colored leaves from their branches. 

     Now our thoughts start to turn to warm apple cider, soups and writing. 

     What? Really. 

     Yes. If you're stuck in the house, use the time to write. 

      What better way to spend a long, dark evening then sipping on tea and writing. 

     (Spending time with loved ones is vital too. So don't neglect them. Try some new things, like play chess, read a book aloud, or cook new recipes together.) 

    But back to writing...Remember WATT. Easy to say, much harder to accomplish.

     (Quick recap, WATT stands for Write All The Time). 

     A lovely way to practice your writing without worrying about spelling, grammar or expectations is to write in a diary or journal. 

     But instead of boring and drab entries about your morning oatmeal, unless of course something exciting happened while you were eating it, try a technique I call 'tidbits.' 

     Write small slices of your life as if it's a novel in a book. Describe your feelings, use all of your senses. Don't tell---Show it. 

     Even if it's only two or three lines of something funny or cute your child said. Or simply describing how the autumn walk through crunchy leaves with your own hero hottie was magical. 

     Your tidbit journal is a chance to have fun, strengthen your writing and maybe even record your life. 

     I'll share an example, but remember develop your own style. I usually write in the first person but you don't have to limit yourself to only one POV. Sometimes I'll write it from the person's point of view who was experiencing it. 

    Example: 'It had to be one of those days. You know, long and tiring and destined to be unforgettable, but not in a good way. I had only left the kitchen for a few minutes while I was making dinner when suddenly I smelled the awful odor of something burning. Oh, no, what had my fatigued brain done, I thought as I rushed back into the kitchen. 

       I expected burnt food, but to my horror I realized I had turned on the wrong burner. And instead of food cooking, it was my glass baking dish that was heating up. 

      Just as I moved closer to the stove, I heard the ominous sound of cracking glass. 

     Right before it exploded...'

     I could have wrote, 'I had a bad day. Put the glass baking dish on the burner and caused it to explode. Glass flew everywhere. Luckily, no one was hurt.' But that's not as colorful as the first entry. 

    Just remember, have fun with your tidbits. Happy writing and keep warm.