March 16th, 2011
Ever just want to grab your protagonist by the shoulders and scream, “Who are you?”
It happened recently, one of those fabulously brutal critiques in which a friend labeled the darling of my story a cardboard cutout. The advice from my writing group, “Find out who she is before editing further.”
So I asked Hannah. Several times.
She hid in the shadows of my imagination and refused to speak.
I cried out to God, “Help me understand my character.”
In the quiet echo that followed, I knew God intended something deeper. Yeah, that’s what happens when you throw up double-meaning requests.
After several months of writer’s block, a friend suggested a great book « more »
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March 7th, 2011
Invite the characters of your present work into a room and ask them who the most important person in your novel is.
Go ahead, I’ll wait.
If all their hands shot up at once, if some bounced off their seats, if you heard someone shout, “It’s me! It’s me!” You’re on the right track with character development.
I knew I was in trouble the first time I tried this. One viewpoint character tentatively raised her hand. The other two looked around, shrugged, and half-heartedly nodded assent. The rest of the characters grumbled about why I wasted their time calling a meeting. For a moment, my novel teetered on the brink of plot without substance. Then from way in the back « more »
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September 8th, 2010
At Mt. Hermon Christian Writing Conference, I learned that breaking into the writing profession is 60% good writing and 40% knowing the market. Since then I’ve faithfully read The Writer Magazine to understand the craft and market trends. I had to laugh when I read this month’s featured article. DAWN of the UNDEAD: Zombies are the next BIG thing in fiction . . .
Ah-ha! That’s what I need to get my novel noticed. I’ve been pitching it all wrong to agents and editors. How’s this . . .
When Hannah loses her brother in the Battle of Lexington, against a red-coated zombie army, she vows not to let his death be in vain by capturing one of their horde. Can her love restore Drew, one of the hapless walking-dead, and turn the tide of war?
Of course, this might explain how the British army defeated the colonials at Lexington—why the militia panicked and ran from the redcoats. « more »
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July 1st, 2010
Scotts Bluff: day 33 of a 38 day road trip.
It started when Ed and I took our first vacation without the boys. I felt it again when Kevin started screening the movies I watch and Brian got his driver’s license. I’d spent nearly half my life as a stay at home mom. What does a woman do with herself once her children don’t need her constant attention?
Fear of empty nest syndrome drove me to search for a new career. I tried my hand as a seamstress, like my mother and grandmother before me. Mending and alterations robbed the joy I felt creating clothes and costumes for my family. I took on the role of children’s ministry coordinator, then church secretary. Both rewarding— neither fulfilling.
One day Pastor Brant challenged the staff to write a list of all the things we’d do if we knew we couldn’t fail. My imagination ran wild. Everything I ever considered doing made it on the list, even things I was too afraid to try–like hiking Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park.
Against my practical judgment « more »
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