I've decided I like revising more than writing the first draft. Now the fun stuff begins ... or was I supposed to figure this all out before writing the first draft? Hmm. Oh well.
While revising, I came across a great list of questions to ask your main character. From page 87 in Deborah Halverson's WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES (btw: I still hate the title, but love the book):
1. What is her stance in the world?
2. Is she acquiescent? Challenging? Compromising?
3. Is she quick to anger or does she long for peace?
4. How does she act when confronted with a difficult decision or person?
5. How does she react to someone else's difficulty?
6. What does she think is important? True? Impossible?
7. What brings her joy? Gives her pain?
8.What does she really, really, want?
9. Are her desires and reactions consistent? If not--real people are not always consistent--what is the reason?
What do you think? Great list? Will you use the questions for your characters?
Friday, August 24, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The Finale
From Blake Snyder's book, SAVE THE CAT, here's what he advises for the finale:
"This is where we wrap it up. It's where the lessons learned are applied. It's where the character tics are mastered. It's where A story and B story end in triumph for our hero. It's the turning over of the old world and a creation of a new world order -- all thanks to the hero, who leads the way based on what he experienced in the upside-down, antithetical world of Act Two."
"The finale entails the dispatching of all the bad guys, in ascending order. Lieutenants and henchman die first, then the boss. The chief source of the "the problem" -- a person or thing -- must be dispatched completely for the new world order to exist. ... the finale is where a new society is born. It's not enough for the hero to triumph, he must change the world. The finale is where it happens. and it must be done in an emotionally satisfying way" (page 90).
For more information about Blake Snyder's method:
http://www.blakesnyder.com/
"This is where we wrap it up. It's where the lessons learned are applied. It's where the character tics are mastered. It's where A story and B story end in triumph for our hero. It's the turning over of the old world and a creation of a new world order -- all thanks to the hero, who leads the way based on what he experienced in the upside-down, antithetical world of Act Two."
"The finale entails the dispatching of all the bad guys, in ascending order. Lieutenants and henchman die first, then the boss. The chief source of the "the problem" -- a person or thing -- must be dispatched completely for the new world order to exist. ... the finale is where a new society is born. It's not enough for the hero to triumph, he must change the world. The finale is where it happens. and it must be done in an emotionally satisfying way" (page 90).
For more information about Blake Snyder's method:
http://www.blakesnyder.com/
Monday, August 20, 2012
Back to the Beginning
Well ... I've nearly reached the end of my WIP first draft ... but I'm struggling with how to end it. So, I think I'm going back to the beginning to do a revision round. Maybe then, I will figure out the specifics for ending the story.
What do you think?
Do you have tips and tricks for wrapping up a story?
Check back on Wednesday and I'll share Blake Snyder's tips (from SAVE THE CAT) for wrapping up the story.
What do you think?
Do you have tips and tricks for wrapping up a story?
Check back on Wednesday and I'll share Blake Snyder's tips (from SAVE THE CAT) for wrapping up the story.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Even the "Successful" Writers Struggle Sometimes!
Want to feel reassured? Or maybe even encouraged? Check out these two GREAT links:
"... A book is whittled down from hope ..." (An article written by Keith Ridgway for THE NEW YORKER)
"... I’d venture to say that most, if not nearly all, of the time you are writing a novel, you’re going to feel like crap. You have to find a way to simultaneously a) feel like a stupid, arrogant idiot who can’t write anything that is good enough to put on the bottom of a bird cage and b) believe in your dream and your talent and your vision of the story. ..." (A blog post by Laurie Halse Anderson)
Thank you.
I feel so much better about my own writing abilities now.
:)
"... A book is whittled down from hope ..." (An article written by Keith Ridgway for THE NEW YORKER)
"... I’d venture to say that most, if not nearly all, of the time you are writing a novel, you’re going to feel like crap. You have to find a way to simultaneously a) feel like a stupid, arrogant idiot who can’t write anything that is good enough to put on the bottom of a bird cage and b) believe in your dream and your talent and your vision of the story. ..." (A blog post by Laurie Halse Anderson)
Thank you.
I feel so much better about my own writing abilities now.
:)
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Get Back to Writing!
Excellent tips for writers:
http://writeoncon.com/
Go now. :)
...
And my daughter made the JV Volleyball team. *sigh* Her time goal for running the mile was 7 minutes and 45 seconds. She needed 8 minutes and 15 seconds to make the junior varsity team. Her time? 8:13. PHEW! That was close! Her best time prior to the test was 8:40. So, she did awesome. YAY!
So now maybe I can stop worrying about volleyball and start refocusing on writing! :) haha
I hope you are all having great summers. Here in southern Idaho, there are so many fires, I can hardly breathe when I walk outside.
http://writeoncon.com/
Go now. :)
...
And my daughter made the JV Volleyball team. *sigh* Her time goal for running the mile was 7 minutes and 45 seconds. She needed 8 minutes and 15 seconds to make the junior varsity team. Her time? 8:13. PHEW! That was close! Her best time prior to the test was 8:40. So, she did awesome. YAY!
So now maybe I can stop worrying about volleyball and start refocusing on writing! :) haha
I hope you are all having great summers. Here in southern Idaho, there are so many fires, I can hardly breathe when I walk outside.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Bring You to Your Knees!
Well, to say I've been distracted by my daughter prepping for volleyball tryouts would be a ridiculous understatement. So many other responsibilities have slid, simply because I'm too emotionally invested in her success - uh, happines - uh, well being - uh, future - uh, everything!
Sheesh.
For those of you who've been keeping up, you already know that she needs to run a mile in 7minutes 45seconds (the coach added 15 seconds) to be considered for the varsity team. She's very physically fit, but she's not a runner. So while training to meet this goal, we've run (haha pun intended) into some issues. Namely: her knees.
We've tried:
And we've tried:
And we've tried:
Interestingly enough, the band (the last two pictures) which apply pressure to the tendon have helped the most. Plus, she is alternating ice and heat at home, and she's been working on strengthening her thighs and butt muscles.
Tomorrow is the time trial for the mile with a full day of volleyball drills afterwards. Saturday is the second day of volleyball drills and then teams will be listed.
She'd be fine on the junior varsity team, but she wants to make the mile time for varsity.
So - please - think positive thoughts for her and excuse my blog neglection. Next time you hear from me ... we'll be done with tryouts. *sigh*
How about you? Are you emotionally invested in your children? What defines: TOO invested?
Sheesh.
For those of you who've been keeping up, you already know that she needs to run a mile in 7minutes 45seconds (the coach added 15 seconds) to be considered for the varsity team. She's very physically fit, but she's not a runner. So while training to meet this goal, we've run (haha pun intended) into some issues. Namely: her knees.
We've tried:
And we've tried:
And we've tried:
Interestingly enough, the band (the last two pictures) which apply pressure to the tendon have helped the most. Plus, she is alternating ice and heat at home, and she's been working on strengthening her thighs and butt muscles.
Tomorrow is the time trial for the mile with a full day of volleyball drills afterwards. Saturday is the second day of volleyball drills and then teams will be listed.
She'd be fine on the junior varsity team, but she wants to make the mile time for varsity.
So - please - think positive thoughts for her and excuse my blog neglection. Next time you hear from me ... we'll be done with tryouts. *sigh*
How about you? Are you emotionally invested in your children? What defines: TOO invested?
Monday, August 6, 2012
Book Review: SHOWING UP
A quick and easy read. I found it interesting to read about Bill Gates Senior's perspective of his very famous and rich son. I didn't necessarily agree with all of his political philosophies, but I certainly admired his attitude toward life and family.
This is a great book to give as a gift or to stick in your purse to read while you're waiting (anywhere).
What are you reading?
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Focus on the Next Point
My daughter and I were watching the Olympics -- men's volleyball, to be specific -- and one of the commentators (I don't know who it was) said something interesting when one of the teams argued a point lost.
He said something like: "Well, if they don't let that point go, they'll lose the next one also."
I paused, because this is SO TRUE to life. If we are focused on the point we just lost, or the rejection letter we just received, or the bad review of something we've written ... we will lose the next point and/or pitch, too.
Let's let go of the past and focus on the next victory.
 |
| photo source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1261643-olympic-volleyball-2012-team-usa-will-shine-in-unfamiliar-underdog-role |
He said something like: "Well, if they don't let that point go, they'll lose the next one also."
I paused, because this is SO TRUE to life. If we are focused on the point we just lost, or the rejection letter we just received, or the bad review of something we've written ... we will lose the next point and/or pitch, too.
Let's let go of the past and focus on the next victory.
 |
| photo source: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120731/sports/707319805/photos/AR/ |
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