Writers tend to slack on writing good bad guys. We do pages and pages of backstory on our main characters but our villains are cookie cutter. That really ought to change. Let’s talk about the characters in a book that give the hero problems. Just like the hero there are also many types of villainsContinueContinue reading “Villains, Antagonists, and Baddies”
Tag Archives: novel
How to Research Agents
You’ve written your book, polished it, and gone through rounds of editing. It’s time to send your story out into the world to see if you can get an agent. But who do you send your story to? How do you choose? Carefully. I’ve talked before about what not to say to an agent. I’veContinueContinue reading “How to Research Agents”
The Humble Filing Cabinet
The papers around, across, and under my desk area have become like snowbanks in summer drifting into other areas of my home. I’m lost in my own space and it’s nearing the point of needing a snow shovel, in July. As I’ve gotten farther into my writing life I’ve realized my organization has not grownContinueContinue reading “The Humble Filing Cabinet”
Sweet Seven: A Picture Book Challenge
I’m fairly competitive and I also like teammates. So how’s about a friendly challenge? For those of us writing picture books we have ideas floating around to infinity is seems, see last weeks post for more on that. So it hit me to put my ideas into a challenge. There are many ways to formatContinueContinue reading “Sweet Seven: A Picture Book Challenge”
A Fish Full of Ideas
Many years ago I bought a metal fish used to hold papers, letters, whatever, at a yard sale. It was so handsome I couldn’t part with him move after move. I found him this week as I looked through boxes sorting trash from treasure. I’ve talked about ideas before and I often liken ideas toContinueContinue reading “A Fish Full of Ideas”
Saving All My Favs
We save our favorite everything lately, photos, trinkets, cards, even emails. But what about your favorite agents? In all my agent watching there are some that stand out and resonate with me. In their behavior, their talk, and their hobbies. These are folks I’d like to be friends with and to do business with. ButContinueContinue reading “Saving All My Favs”
8 Things NOT to Say to an Agent
After my latest writing group I realized how many queries I’ve sent over the years. How much digging I’ve done over and over again. And realized there are some common things that really tick agents off. Let me be really clear, this is not everyone. It’s just what I see commonly on different social sites.ContinueContinue reading “8 Things NOT to Say to an Agent”
Map Progression
A few weeks ago I talked about using maps as a way to figure out plot. As I explore this process I want to go a little deeper with maps. Just like the story itself my maps tend to take a few drafts. My map evolves with my story, plot, and characters. It matters becauseContinueContinue reading “Map Progression”
The Delight is in the Details
When it comes to the details of a story we can tend to sink in the quagmire of description. It can downright Tolkien for some folks. Others of us can see it in our head but it’s missing in action on the page. The rule of THREE for details: Details must be concrete. Be specific.ContinueContinue reading “The Delight is in the Details”
Activating Setting Within Story
Setting can be as shallow as the seasonal stream along the road or as bottomless as an ocean chasm. I’ve talked about setting before in another way and love how it was described at a KDL Conference I attended a year ago. These ideas build upon each other like a blocks. Master each level throughContinueContinue reading “Activating Setting Within Story”
Using Maps for Plotting
I have great writing friend who is brilliant with characters. Whereas my skills lie in the plot. We could learn a lot from one another. We tried the other day and came up with a functional medium, we hope. Here goes, if you start with characters or with plot try this tactic and see ifContinueContinue reading “Using Maps for Plotting”
Letting Go of Perfect
Some days I’m convinced perfectionism is a shape shifter. As I edit my drafts and continue down this writing path I get more and more ‘finished’ projects. At least I think they are finished, till I read them again a week or two later. What happened to my perfect project? Why do I hate theContinueContinue reading “Letting Go of Perfect”
Finding Your Picture Book’s Place
So you a have the most wonderful, adorable, unique idea for a picture book. Great! But what kind of picture book is it? Does it matter? Yes, it really does matter if you are planning on sending those words out into the world. First, you’ll need to decide on the age range of your story.ContinueContinue reading “Finding Your Picture Book’s Place”
Using Arc Beyond Characters
I’ve talked about character before but I’m going deeper this time. Have you ever thought about giving a character like arc to things that technically are not characters? Did I just lose you? What I’m getting at is that characters are not the only ones that change within a story. At least they shouldn’t beContinueContinue reading “Using Arc Beyond Characters”
Dreamy Ideas
There is a sweet spot for creatives while dreaming. It occurs somewhere between just awke and barley asleep. Your dreams are vivid and you have a certain measure of control. This level of awareness in dreams is called lucid dreaming. Often when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what thenContinueContinue reading “Dreamy Ideas”
Rooted in Non-Fiction
If you remember third grade science you know most growing things have roots. When it comes to your blooming creativity it too is rooted in something. That something is your experiences, conversations, and head knowledge. The best place for more head knowledge is the non-fiction section at your bookstore, library, or computer screen. I hearContinueContinue reading “Rooted in Non-Fiction”
Knotted: Plots & Rapunzel’s Hair
I have longer hair and on occasion (more than I’d care to admit) I don’t get a chance to brush it. While this isn’t a great place to be for my hair, it’s excellent for a story plot. No one wants to be board. No one wants to be able to guess the ending. EveryContinueContinue reading “Knotted: Plots & Rapunzel’s Hair”
Be A Time Hoarder
In some ways I compare myself to a dragon. I’m fiercely protective of my own and a bit of a hoarder (you’ve seen my books right?). While most hording tendencies I keep a rein on I’m actually doing the opposite with time. I really like my time. It’s in limited amounts and rare in myContinueContinue reading “Be A Time Hoarder”
Writing Resources for Kid Lit
I’ve been writing kids stories going on four years now and I’ve complied a list of all my favorite resources. Things that go back to over and over again. I hope sharing will help you on your writing journey as well. Inspiration: Anything can inspire you for your next story. Watch around you for thoseContinueContinue reading “Writing Resources for Kid Lit”
Finding Your People
We are all blessed with a few friends in our lives that we cannot do without at some point or another. Friends are necessary. However, writing is by default a lonely endeavor. Lonely out of necessity. You can’t hold a conversation between your own head and a blank page while talking to your cubicle mate.ContinueContinue reading “Finding Your People”
Holy Homesteading 