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Are you stuck in your fiction?

Do you often stop in the middle of a short story or novel and say, “Now what?”   It might be because you don’t know your character well enough.

Put away your story and just wonder about your character.  Daydream about her/him.

What is her biggest desire?  Her magnificent obsession?  What is a secret she carries inside that she doesn’t want anyone to find out?  What is stashed away in the depths of her closet?  What does her bedroom look like?  What is hanging on her walls?  What does she eat?  How does she eat?  Pick at her food?  Wolf it down?  What is her earliest memory?  The funniest thing that has ever happened to her?  The scariest?  Something that will happen to her in the future?  How does she react if she witnesses a theft?  How is she different from you?  How is she similar?  How is she quirky?

Write scenes about these questions.  They may never appear in your story, but you must know your character backwards and forwards so that you’ll know how she’ll react to situations within your plot. 

Next, play the what if game.   What if your character . . . gets in a car accident.  What if she sees an animal hurt by the side of the road . . . what if . . .

You get the idea.  And place her next to your other minor characters.  Ask the above questions about these guys too.  Know them all so well they seem like your friends that you carry around with you in your head. 

When you think of your main character more than you think of your regular daily life, then you may be ready to get back to throwing her inside your story.  And away you go . . .

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Writing Advice from the Best: Authors and Editors

I attended the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Gate Conference at Pacific Grove’s Asilomar this past weekend where I soaked up the sun, strolled on the beach, and became infused with creativity when speakers and attendees focused on their inner genius, the theme of the weekend. 

Although I can’t possibly portray the inspiration I acquired, I can share a few tips of some of the fabulous faculty. 

Young adult author Charlie Price (Desert Angel, Dead Connection) didn’t start writing seriously until he was 58.  He says, “Relax.  Release.  Let go.” 

The creativity panel told us to watch the movies of the genre we’re researching and writing to help vitalize our visual senses.

Author illustrator Dan Yaccarino (Go, Go, America, Lawn to Lawn) advises us to do what he did:  say yes, ask a lot of questions, and listen. 

Editor/author Arthur Levine, (Monday is One Day, All the Lights in the Night) most recognized for co-editing the Harry Potter series, reassured us that children’s books do not have a bleak future and this period is merely a transitional phase. 

He also asks the question, “Really?”  “Did that character really look like that?  She really say that?  Really feel that way?”   Don’t stop questioning yourself if it feels automatic.

What type of book is he looking for?  Visit his website and discover what is on his bookshelf already.  That’s how you buy a gift for someone, by checking out their bookshelves, isn’t it?  This is a very valuable suggestion as to what any editor desires.  

Philomel editor Tamara Tuller, who is most interested in modern, literary middle grade and young adult fiction and story-based picture books, recommends “Write like you’re drunk and edit like you’re sober.” 

Write with abandon!  Get to it!

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Writing About Your Life . . . Will it Harm Others?

Are you interested in writing episodes of your life?  Working on a memoir?  Personal narratives? 

You must be willing to be honest.  What do you owe the other people in your life who will make appearances in your scenes? 

At the moment, I’m writing about how my life intersects with others.  As I read my aunt’s diary for research, one line changes everything. 

Do I include this in my story?  If I do, it alters perceptions. 

I pause.  It is true the people in my narrative have passed on.  But I do not want to cause hurt to anyone on this side or the other.

Yes, it is important to the storyline. 

But. 

We must choose our words carefully in our daily life and in our writing. 

Crash!  A dove has just flown into my office window.   The universe has sent me a message. 

Writing prompt:

Choose a moment from your life that has emotional meaning for you.  It can be funny or sad, small or large.  Write the scene using sensory description, dialogue, setting and your feelings.  Set it aside for a few days and then come back to it.  Can you recall any other details you may have left out that are important to the story?  Do you have a journal  you can check which may refresh your memory?  Anyone that was there who might provide insights to the moment in time?

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Find the Comic In YOU!

We laughed our way through a terrific comedy workshop this past Saturday at the Walnut Creek Library with nearly sixty middle school students improvising, writing, and critiquing their way through humor.   There was enough talent in that room to produce several books, a magazine and a sitcom script or two. 

When I asked students to introduce themselves and share a moment of humor, one boy said, “My name is __________ (name protected so he won’t sue me) and I blew up my mother’s laundry room when I was four.”   Turns out the scientific genius was experimenting in his basement, so he wasn’t hurt in the procedure. 

The young man next to him stated, “My name is ___________ and I helped my brother blow up our mother’s laundry room.” 

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to meet the mother.  I wanted to find out what medication she was taking.  Did I mention these boys are available for stand-up?

After this group entertained me and Susie (Sarah Wilson www.sarahwilsonbooks.com ) as they performed a comedic drama improv with such advanced skills I wanted to call Hollywood, we left feeling elated and knew this group would go on to write and tell some very funny stories with the humor techniques we discussed and demonstrated. 

How can you be funny in your own writing? 

Look for humor all around you in your own life. 

Use exaggeration when appropriate.  Timing is important (read all of your work out loud!) and find examples of irony, satire and parody in books and movies so you can incorporate these in your own writing.

Have fun being funny!

1.  Write about a humorous memory from your past.  Read it out loud to make it as funny as it can be.  Remember that short words and short sentences work well in comedy.

2.  Watch http://youtu.be/q1mAGQAw3Oc
and use it to inspire a funny poem or story told in the point of view of a sloth. 

3.  Write a poem or story from the point of view from an object.  Remember to use his or her senses.  What does it really feel like to be this object?  Check to make sure you use action verbs!

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Make ’em Laugh! Free Comedy Writing Workshop!

What: Make ’em Laugh!  Write Funny: Learn comedy techniques from two published authors

Who: Grades 6 – 8                             

When: January 21, 2012  9 a.m. – Noon

Cost: FREE!

Where: Walnut Creek Public Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek, CA  94596 

977-3340

What makes readers laugh?  How can YOU create humor in your writing?  Develop quirky, funny characters through games, writing tips, techniques and exercises so you’ll produce a humorous plot, action and dialogue in a terrific page-turning story.

Two professional children’s authors who love writing share their best secrets on writing! You’ll get a chance to ask questions about the publishing world, write, play some games, meet other writers, and “talk books.”

 Led by children’s authors Sarah Wilson and Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff.  

Visit them at www.sarahwilsonbooks.com  and www.lizbooks.com

 Bring pen and paper and get ready to WRITE!

Register for the Walnut CreekJan. 21 workshop here: http://tinyurl.com/7humdhm

*** Special Note***  Good idea to bring a notebook or clipboard too, as we may only have chairs and not desks in this room.

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How the Movie Descendents Can Make YOU a Better Writer

 I saw the George Clooney movie Descendents over the Thanksgiving weekend.  It left me in awe of the script writers and actors. If you are interested in any type of writing, this is a MUST SEE movie. Many movies dealing with deep emotions often gloss over them, don’t delve deeply enough into real relationships, or they go for the schmaltz – – the melodrama, without taking time to really connect with the audience.

The IMDB site’s summary of Descendents states: “A land baron tries to re-connect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident.”

As for the acting, George Clooney is able to show shock, grief, and horror within moments all within his facial expressions and body movements. His daughters, who show their grief and relationship issues in rebellious ways, are also supreme actresses. Shailene Woodley plays his teenage daughter while Amara Miller is Scottie, the elementary-aged youngster.

As a writer I was impressed with the depths of the relationships. Timing is everything. We learn different elements of the plot and as it develops, and the relationships between each of the characters change. This is shown not only through their dialogue and actions, but through the looks they exchange between each other, their gestures, and their body movements. As the strength of their family deepens, our connection to them as an audience becomes stronger.

How can we as authors connect our characters to our readers? Through showing and not telling:   writing with five senses and not generalities. Instead of writing “They loved each other” show this love through dialogue, a specific action that is unique to the characters and can this can be repeated again later. We need to really know who our characters are. We may have to write more about them than we will ever include in the manuscript for publication.

Writing Prompts:

1. Take a notebook and a pen with you when you watch Descendents. Jot down specific notes on what works with this script. Keep your eyes on the screen so you don’t miss a moment. Write messy! When the movie is over, go home or to a cafe and use one of the characters as a basis of a poem.

2. Write about a character as the basis of a scene in a story. Choose a scene they may have not included in the movie. Don’t use any of their dialogue but create your own.

3. Remember these exercises are not for publication, but for our own writing growth and experience. By using a good role model, we can grow a lot within our own writing.

Discover more about the movie here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1033575/

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Great Writing Advice on Plot, Tone, and How to Begin

Jessica Barksdale Inclan led a fabulous workshop this past Saturday at the Mt. Diablo Branch’s California Writers Club. Here are a few great ideas she shared: 

 If your work is too dark throughout?   Toni Morrison had this problem in her acclaimed novel, Beloved. The author said she “engineered moments of lightness.”

Don’t know where to start?   “Write little pieces and they’ll start talking to each other.”

Why would anyone want to write in second person? It’s good for hiding pain. Read the poem “House of Horrors” by Tom Sayars.

Her best words on plot?  Plot is tension. It’s developed by presenting a promise and then dropping bits and pieces in along the way. Your writing should be like a mystery. Don’t show everything at once.

Current trend: Editors hate prologues.  Call it chapter one!  They hate introductions.  Call it chapter one!

 Writing Prompt:

1.  Read your current project or a piece you have written.  Does the tone provide different feelings/emotions?   There should be a balance of light and dark, highs and lows.  Use Toni Morrison’s advice if there isn’t.

2.  Try writing a poem, essay or short story in second person.  Or take one of the pieces you have written or a character you have developed and try this point of view here.

3.  Read a work you have written and check to see you haven’t told too much too soon.  Is there enough suspense and tension in your writing?  You may have to take away or drop in more hints of mystery to create a better plot.

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Peace inside Chaos: Writing throughout Noise

My husband painted a labyrinth on our deck.  Ah.  Now I can wander and gaze into the open space behind us where tall oaks spread their branches, squirrels scamper and birds sing to the deer. 

Just before Halloween, I took my first meditative stroll.  The sun glinted through the colored leaves, its warmth welcomed me along with the fresh scents of fall; I took a deep breath and began.  

Peace.  One with nature. 

Then a mechanical voice screeched, “A HA HA HA HA!  Happy Halloweeeen!”

I’m jolted out of my calm; my pulse races, and heart beats.  I took a deep breath and tried to refocus.  One more step and . . . .

“A HA HA HA HA!  Happy Halloweeeen!”  it shrieked.

I gritted my teeth.  No matter what I WILL obtain peace.   Another step forward and . . .

“A HA HA HA HA!  Happy Halloweeeen!”

Now my head began to pound. 

Okay.  Let’s get this blasted circular obstacle course over with.  I sped up, and got dizzy.  I noticed each time I stepped toward the right half of the deck, the monster repeated its screeching mantra to me. 

The neighbor’s holiday decoration is motion sensitive. 

At the end, my head twirled from my too-fast circular run/walk and my eardrums pounded as the monster next door continued its rant. 

I guess we have to get along with people who are very different from ourselves, learn to live with interruptions, and write in spite of lifelong distractions. 

In the midst of the chaos of your life, may you carve out moments of peace.  Go inward, no matter what is exploding around you and find that inner core. 

And write. 

Writing Prompts: 

1.  Go to a very busy place such as an airport, a popular hang-out or cafe.  Sit with a notebook or laptop and write no matter what.  Get in a routine of writing throughout noise around you. 

2.  Write about a chaotic time in your life.  How did you grow or change from this experience?

3.  Choose a character who is living through action and chaos but discovers inner peace.

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Finding the “Thread” in your Book Project

I’ve been working on the latest book of mine , researching and writing as I go along and I am very near the depth, the tie that binds all those loose threads together, and I know I’m close but I feel like I’m blindfolded; I’m waving my arms around, grasping wildly in the air for that thread.

My writing partner and I meet over breakfast to read and talk about our work, and I tell her I know I’m getting close, but it’s so frustrating not to find the words I need.  Once I get those words in a sentence I know the other clues will fall into place.   I feel like a detective trying to solve a mystery.  What am I missing? 

She tells me what she likes about the book.  Then it hits me.  The words come out in the sentence I need. 

“That’s it!” she says.  

“Thank you,” I say. 

Without our conversation, I wouldn’t have found it until much, much later . . . if at all. 

It reminds me when I was compiling The ABCs of Writing for Children, Thacher Hurd said that when an author writes a book, it’s really a community effort.  Sometimes the author has a writing group, a writing partner, an agent, one or more editors . . . so that by the time the book is finished, the community has created the art. 

I also recall other authors telling me it took years to discover their themes, or plots, or characters.  Time is your friend.  So don’t despair if it doesn’t all fall into place right away.  You may need to bounce ideas off of people.  And then you need it to simmer in your thought process for a while. 

The next day, when I awake, I get the next layer of depth.  It falls right into place with the words I had found yesterday.  Now I feel shock that it took so long for me to discover what was with me all along.  A past which was buried so deeply it didn’t occur me to even consider it.

And now, I forget who said it originally, I shall open a vein.

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High Concept Books with Veronica Rossi

On Saturday at the California Writers Club, Mt. Diablo Branch, we were treated to a highly entertaining talk by young adult novelist Veronica Rossi, whose book, Under the Never Sky, will be released in January by HarperCollins. Her three-book-deal, which has also been optioned for a movie, is a can’t-wait-for-event!

Veronica filled us in on high concept:  it’s actually a Hollywood term which is an idea that sells itself.    As quoted from James Bonnet: ” . . . it is an intriguing idea that can be stated in a few words and is easily understood by all.” 

Basically, Veronica says, it’s a promise.  As you watch movies, can you state it in a few words?

“Date Night”    What happens when a bored married couple’s date goes very, very wrong?

“Snakes on a Plane”     The title is enough to describe it.

(Disclaimer:  Just because a movie or book is high concept, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s high quality.)

Writing Prompt: 

Describe your project within 25 words or less.  If your pitch can be short and succinct, you will have a better chance at focusing your writing, whether or not you’ve got a high concept writing idea or not. 

Next, go through your manuscript and make sure you’ve adhered to your pitch. 

How do you write a good pitch?  Veronica says, “Tell us who your hero is, what she is up against, and what is at stake.” 

Remember to add character development, suspense and a terrific voice so that your novel will be a great high concept read.

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