Cynthia Chapman Willis' BLOG

Tagline, Anyone?

2012-01-31T17:23:00.000-08:00

Do you read the taglines on the covers of some novels? Taglines are those catchy little phrases that smell of marketing. They often tease or tantalize and give a taste of what the novel promises. Sometimes they announce that the author or the book is a bestseller. Other times taglines distill the novel into a few well-chosen words that enhance a title by adding a bit more information about the story behind the cover. I took a stroll through one of my favorite bookstores the other day and found a few choice taglines.

Consider this one for The Help, which is a quote from NPR.org: “This could be one of the most important pieces of fiction since To Kill a Mockingbird…lf you read only one book…let this be it.”

Then there is this snippet for a book titled X-Isle: “In a drowned world, everybody wants to get to the island.”

And this one for The Nine Lives of Chole King: “Even curiosity can’t kill her.”

Another tagline crafted to work with the title is on the cover of Divergent: “One Choice Can Transform You.”

Did these lines entice you? I ended up buying a copy of The Nine Lives of Chole King. Taglines seem to work best when they are relevant, succinct, with a zippy hint of something. Think elevator pitch on steroids. Such a well-done tagline under a title in a manuscript might even catch the attention of an agent, or editor, or both.

What do you think about taglines? Has a tagline ever snagged your attention? If you are a writer, could you write a tagline for your work in progress?

Too Much Authorial Voice?

2012-01-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

At the Miami SCBWI conference, I heard a lot of first page critiques--where the first pages of manuscripts are read aloud and then reviewed by agents and/or editors. A consistent theme in the comments had to do with too much of the author’s voice distracting from the stories.

An author’s voice is usually the writer’s natural tone, rhythm, and choice of words. To put it more poetically--a reflection of the writer’s soul. An author’s voice is unique to each person, which is why the same story can be told in different ways by different people. In comparison, a character’s voice is crafted by the writer to fit a certain character in a story.

When there is too much authorial voice, the reader can become distracted from the story and the emotional flow of it. This sometimes happens when the writer inserts too much set up or back-story instead of allowing this information to become apparent as the story unfolds. Or, the writer may be sharing information instead of allowing the characters to do this. Or, the author may have injected his or her own judgments or commentary or opinions.

To fix too much authorial voice, a writer can revise it into the voice of a character or characters. So, an author judgment or opinion such as “He looked like a total slob” would transform into a character’s dialogue or thoughts, such as “You look like a total slob,” or “She thought he looked like a total slob.” Apologies for the lame examples, but hopefully they make the point.

What do you think? Have you ever stumbled over too much authorial voice in your writing or something you were reading?

An SCBWI Conference and A Blog Award

2012-01-17T16:11:00.000-08:00

When a good friend suggested that I join her at the Miami SCBWI conference (it had an Alice in Wonderland theme), my first thought was of palm trees and sunshine. I could almost smell coconut oil. However, this fabulous conference turned out to be a lot more than warm temps, oranges, and alligators. Amazing speakers, workshops, critiques, intensives, and people made this conference one of the best I’ve attended. As a bonus, I got to meet a blogging buddy--Medeia Sharif http://www.medeiasharif.com/. It’s always fun to meet blog and Twitter pals in person.

As with most conferences, I left with enough information and inspiration to fill multiple suitcases, but here are a few gems I can share with you:

An amazing book: SECOND SIGHT: An Editor’s Talks on Writing, Revising, and Publishing Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein, Executive Editor at Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic.

I am in the middle of this amazing book, but I also heard Cheryl Klein speak on character and plot this past weekend. She is brilliant. If you ever have the opportunity to hear her speak, go for it. In the meanwhile, I recommend her book.

A book that writers were gushing over: Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction by Jeff Gerke

I have ordered this, so I can’t write much else about it yet.

A series of YouTube videos by Martha Alderson, a.k.a. The Plot Whisperer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESfT2Lh1cWo

These were recommended by the agent and author team who taught a novel intensive. I’ll be logging onto YouTube as soon as possible.

Are you familiar with any of these?

* * *

In other news, I’ve been granted a blog award by Carol at http://carolriggs.blogspot.com/ Thank you, Carol! From what I understand, this is for regular and/or great blog comments, and I am to pass it on to 20 fabulous blog buddies—folks I’ve had the pleasure to “meet” by way of their wonderful comments and blogs. Here are my twenty picks in no particular order:

http://ten-lives-second-chances.blogspot.com/

http://getbusywriting.blogspot.com/

http://weavingataleortwo.blogspot.com/

http://gypsyjulesinmysoul.blogspot.com/

http://janetsumnerjohnson.blogspot.com/

http://www.karen-strong.com/blog/

http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/

http://bish-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/

http://lisalregan.blogspot.com/

http://lydiakang.blogspot.com/

http://marciahoehne.blogspot.com/

http://kpolark.blogspot.com/

http://doubtingwriter.blogspot.com/

http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/

http://nancysthompson.blogspot.com/

http://peggyeddleman.blogspot.com/

http://www.stinalindenblatt.com/

http://susanfieldswriter.blogspot.com/

http://thecharacterdepot.blogspot.com/

http://underthetikihut.blogspot.com/

There are more than twenty wonderful people who generously comment on my blog and have amazing blogs, but the rules said only name twenty. And who needs a bloggy slap on the wrist for not following the rules? Not me.

Happy reading, writing, revising, and blogging to you all!

The To-Be-Read Magazine Pile

2012-01-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

The most recent arrivals of assorted writing and publishing magazines, journals that review books, and newsletters focused on writing and publishing trends are forming a mountain on my desk. This pile is competing with the to-be-read novel pile. All this reading is cutting into my writing time. No lie--I’ve started keeping some book review magazines in my car to read when I show up somewhere a tad early or I have to wait for someone or something.

And there are lots of tempting magazines, journals, and newsletters available: Publisher’s Weekly, The Writer, Writer’s Digest, Poets and Writers, The Writer’s Journal, The SCBWI magazine, Lion and the Unicorn, Horn Book Magazine, School Library Journal, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Children’s Writer newsletter, Children’s Writer Marketplace . . . And I’ve named just a few.

A little voice in my head is nagging that I must trim down on the subscriptions. The only thing I know for sure is that I will not (WILL NOT) give up my subscription to Writer’s Digest. An issue of that magazine will have to be pried from my dead, rigor mortised hands at some point.

Am I alone here? Do you subscribe to magazines, journals, newsletters, and periodicals? If so, do you have a favorite or favorites? If you had to give up one or two, which would you let go?

Bestseller or Award Winner?

2012-01-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

During one of the many holiday get-togethers, someone asked me if I’d rather be a bestselling author or an award-winning author (we had already been talking about how the two don’t always go hand-in-hand). I announced “both,” which didn’t surprise anyone. However, my friend went on to ask which I would choose if I could only have one.

Tough choice.

A writer’s job is to entertain, right? So, imagine the joy that must come to an author when her book lands on the bestseller list. The knowledge that lots and lots of readers are escaping into this novel must be pure satisfaction after the countless hours of love, blood, sweat, and tears that went into writing that story. And what if that novel lingers on the bestseller list? Or people stand in line, waiting for a bookstore to open, just to get their mitts on that book? That’s the kind of crazy that most authors would love to experience.

But just because the buying public has become infatuated with a story doesn’t mean that the reviewers and critics will praise it.

Most writers I know strive for critical approval. They work hard at the tricky and often frustrating balancing act of juggling how a story is structured with developing characters that breathe, settings that exist, and situations that engage, all while creating layers of meaning and painting prose that enraptures. When all of these elements synchronize just right, a book reaches a level of success that often leads to rave reviews and awards. Why wouldn’t an author embrace this sort of acknowledgment?

But just because a story is a literary masterpiece doesn’t mean that the buying public will fall in love with it.

So, which would you choose, if given the choice? Would you prefer to be the author of a best selling book, or to be an author of a book that wins awards for its literary merit?

As a reader, are you more likely to read a best-selling novel or one that has won a fabulous award?

Wishing You a Happy New Year!

2011-12-27T17:46:00.000-08:00

Around here, all is still holiday hustle and bustle. There is still lots of visiting with family and friends going on, not to mention too much eating of too many Christmas cookies. So, this post is going to be short and sweet:

Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2012!!!

I have a bad track record keeping resolutions made on the cusp of a new year, so I make resolutions as I go along. However, I’ll admit that I am looking forward to a 2012 of writing and completing projects. I am also looking forward to reading lots of wonderful books.

How about you? Are you making any resolutions for 2012? Dare I ask if you kept those you made for 2011?

Happy, happy New Year !

Cheers!

Rainy Days, Lost Luggage, and Tangled Lights

2011-12-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

Maya Angelou said this: "I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage,

and tangled Christmas tree lights."

Now that the holidays are upon us, I’ve dealt with two out of these three in the last few weeks. Happily, not the lost luggage. Although, it’s not hard to imagine how I would handle this—with lots of frustration, especially if I had a work in progress or even a good book in the missing bag. However, I’d be reminding myself not to kill the messenger. The person delivering the bad news that my luggage went missing in action probably wouldn’t be the same person who hurled my bags out the back of the plane somewhere over Missouri.

As for a rainy day. . . Well, if I have the luxury of staying inside and I have my good book and my trusty laptop (assuming they didn’t get lost with the luggage), bring on the sloppy weather.

Christmas lights are another story. No matter how hard I try to wrap these little buggers while taking them off the tree, they somehow tangle themselves in the basement from January until the following December. Every year I curse them and call them ugly names. It doesn’t help that while unknotting and detangling, I am thinking about how much writing I could be getting done.

What conclusions might Maya Angelou draw from these scenarios? Probably that I adore writing, revising, and reading enough that I get cranky when life keeps me from indulging in them. Something tells me she’d understand.

How about you? How do you handle rainy days, lost luggage, and tangled lights? What does this say about you?

Wishing all of you a very merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah!

What’s In a Name?

2011-12-13T16:28:00.000-08:00

I have the hardest time naming my characters. The only thing more difficult for me is coming up with a title for a manuscript. Pure torment. I feel clumsy and awkward as I pound my head against my desk in search of the perfect character name. And why not? Names tell us so much about a character that we’re reading about. The greatest of writers have sculpted the greatest of names. Think Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter books. When I read that name, I think Dracula or dragon, and malice or malformed. As another example—Snape. It sounds like snake, don’t you think? Or consider Ebenezer Scrooge. If someone suggested you have dinner with an Ebenezer Scrooge, I bet you’d think twice before accepting. I would. Yet I wouldn’t hesitate if the name happened to be Stuart Little, even before realizing that he’s a mouse.

When I am trying to come up with a character’s name, I try to channel Charles Dickens, but that doesn’t usually work. So, I try a few other techniques beyond the baby name books and the telephone directories.

I brainstorm and scribble down words that come to mind when I think about one of my characters. Then I mix and match parts of these words to see if something interesting pops up.

I search out names on the Internet. For example, I might do a search for names of famous warriors if my character has a strong and aggressive personality, or names of chefs if he or she loves to cook. By the way, did you know that Draco was the name of a 7th-century Athenian statesman and lawmaker responsible for a code of laws that prescribed death for almost every offence? Something tells me J.K. Rowling knew this. Anyway, you get the idea, but I should add that I will often play with the names I find to make them a little different. Draco isn’t obvious, but Zeus and Thor are.

Year books, the Bible, dictionaries, and encyclopedias can also be great resources for names, but again, sometimes a bit of editing and word play may be required to nail that perfect name. And speaking of word play, why not check out the meanings of mundane names in other languages to add a bit of spice? Did you know, for example, that Antonio Banderas translates to Tony Flag?

What are some of the greatest names that you’ve encountered in stories?

If you are a writer, how do you come up with great names?

When to Ask What

2011-12-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

I’ve heard authors say that as they write, they ask themselves what their readers want from the plot and characters at each moment or scene of the story. I find this admirable. I’m not surprised that writers care this much about their audiences and are passionate about giving their best. But. . .

I don’t obsess in this way. I don’t ask myself what potential readers want from plot and characters while I am beating at the keys of my laptop. Maybe I shouldn’t admit this or blog about it. Believe me, I do care a lot about my audience, really I do, but once I’m writing the first draft of my stories, I don’t ponder what the readers want. There is too much else going on in my brain. I am too immersed in my story and my characters while I am scraping out the first draft. I am right there with those characters, getting to know them, going through the motions of the story, tripping over road blocks, living the moments. To consider the audience too much would yank me out of this story world. A sports commentator might say I’m “in the zone.”

I do, however, consider audience during my first step--when I’m outlining and crafting the skeleton of the story. Does that count?

As a reader, can you tell when an author has been keeping you in mind?

If you are a writer: At what point do you ask yourself what your readers want? Or do you ask yourself this at each moment and scene of the story?

Promises, Promises

2011-11-29T18:18:00.000-08:00

In an article titled “6 Secrets to Creating and Sustaining Suspense” by Steven James, in the most recent Writer’s Digest, Mr. James maintains that suspense occurs in the still moments of a story, between the promise of something happening and when it actually happens. He writes:

“If readers complain that ‘nothing’ is happening’ in a story, they don’t typically mean that no action is occurring, but rather that no promises are being made.”

Interesting. Suspense could be born of a promise or promises of a happening or happenings to come, couldn’t it? It makes sense that “nothing” happening in a story could be attributed to a lack of promises. When I think about the novels I’ve most enjoyed reading, they have indeed made pledges. As I read, I anticipated what was coming based on how my expectations had been primed or set up. Make me big promises in a story, and I’ll be flipping pages to find out what happens and if the commitments are fulfilled. Isn’t this page flipping and inability to put a book down what readers crave and what writers strive for?

Which means, promises need to be kept. How frustrating to be expecting resolutions and get squat.

Are you aware of the promises being made to you when you are reading?

If you are a writer, are you aware of the promises you make in your writing? Do you keep your promises?

Gratitude

2011-11-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

It’s blog day, but it’s also the day before Thanksgiving. This explains why I am typing with greasy fingers, sporting a soggy dishtowel that smells vaguely of celery over my shoulder, and brushing baking powder out of my hair. So, forgive me if I keep this short. I’m sure Martha Steward would agree that cranberry sauce on a keyboard would not be a good thing. And besides, I am well on my way to freaking out over a large turkey that

refuses to thaw. This may mean a game of bob the bird in a very large bucket of water. This is never pretty. Believe me, I know.

Anyway, as I thaw, freak out, bake, stir, and chop (trying to keep my fingertips out of the stuffing), many thankful thoughts mingle inside my head. I love Thanksgiving (yes, I know, you probably thought otherwise based on the first paragraph). Not only is the day a great excuse to pig out with friends and family, it is delicious to focus on being grateful. At the risk of becoming more gooey than the pecan pie I just pulled out of the oven, I am thankful for all of you, my blogging buddies. Not only do I appreciate your follows, but I have learned, laughed, and loved your comments as well as your wonderful posts. What a great community.

So, tomorrow (oh heck, who am I kidding—today, too) I will raise my glass in gratitude for my passion for writing, all the amazing and wonderful books out in the world, and all of you amazing readers and writers who generously share your experiences, thoughts, and love of books and writing.

Wishing you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving full of gratitude, even if you have already celebrated it or it is not a traditional holiday where you live.

Cheers!

Movie or Book?

2011-11-15T17:26:00.000-08:00

The release of The Hunger Games movie trailer got me thinking about great novels and their movie counterparts. When you’ve read a great novel and it becomes a movie, which do you end up enjoying more? It seems logical that a writer would answer “book,” right? Well, not always.

I saw the movie The Outsiders long before I read S.E. Hinton’s amazing novel. This is sort of odd since the novel was published in 1967 and Francis Ford Coppola released his movie in 1982. Nonetheless, I loved that movie. I really cared about the characters. When I read the novel, years later, I still had Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez and the rest of the cast in my head. I think this enhanced the reading experience for me. In the end, though, I preferred the movie.

On the other hand, I didn’t love the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird. You might be gasping at this (the way you might have gawked at my liking The Outsiders movie a wee bit more than the book). I know, I know—everyone loves Gregory Peck as Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird. But because I adore the novel, I had Scout, Jem, and Atticus etched in my head before I popped the movie into the DVD player. Even the great Gregory Peck couldn’t mess with my preconceived notions. Sorry, Mr. Peck. *shrugs*

Generally, I am disappointed by the movie version of a novel I love. Not so for the Harry Potter movies. I was mad about Harry and the Potter books, and thrilled with the movies. I do, however, try to put a chunk of time between reading a novel and seeing the movie version. I still haven’t seen The Help, a novel I adored (ADORED).

How about you? Does your love of a novel influence your opinion of the movie version, for better or for worse? Any thoughts on why?

For those of you who have read The Hunger Games: Are you anxious to see the movie or a bit leery? In case you're not sure, here’s the movie trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/thehungergames/

Enjoy!

How Far is Too Far?

2011-11-08T17:33:00.000-08:00

According to Mark Twain: “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because

Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't.”

This quote starts to make my brain hurt. I understand the satire, but still, it makes me ponder. If a story is obliged to stick to possibilities, how far is too far when it comes to these story possibilities? Part of me believes that a really talented author can make me believe anything. Yet, anyone who reads narrative fiction has probably had the unfortunate experience of having his or her sense of suspended belief sour into disbelief. This is never pretty. Is this because fiction didn’t stick to possibilities, as the great Mark Twain told us?

I think about all the times someone has said to me, usually after some real-life scene when at least one person has behaved really badly or in an absurd or embarrassing way: “Oh, you should write about that.” Almost as often, I reply: “Readers would never buy it. Seeing is believing.” Truth can be stranger than fiction.

What do you think about Mark Twain’s quote? Is anything possible in fiction? If not, how far is too far when dealing with the possibilities? Can you think of an example?

P.S. Does your brain hurt yet?

Advice and Ex-President Zombies

2011-11-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

Doling out advice can be a lot like handing out Halloween candy. I came to this conclusion this past weekend, at a killer Halloween party. There, an ex-president zombie discovered that I was not just a black cat, but also an author of middle-grade novels. He asked me how he could best transform his ideas for children’s stories into best-selling books. Good question, right? Still, that zombie sort of caught me off guard. Maybe

because I was having tail issues (it’s not easy impersonating a cat), or maybe because I didn’t expect the undead to be into kid lit. Foolish.

As I wrestled with my wayward tail, I offered advice the way I hand out Halloween Candy. I suggested that Mr. Zombie President check out The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, I pointed out that going to conferences is an excellent way to break into the business of writing books for children, and I recommended Gail Carson Levine’s Writing Magic as well as Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies, by Deborah Halverson. Since my zombie friend gobbled these suggestions (What else would a zombie do?), I rambled on about novels and picture books he might read. By the time he ambled off, he seemed grateful (as grateful as a zombie and ex-president can be).

The next morning, while downing a couple mini Milky Way bars with candy corn chasers for breakfast (which do not fall under the dairy and veggie sections of the food pyramid... please don't judge), I wondered if I gave out the best advice.

What do you think? What would you have said or suggested to our ex-president zombie friend?

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Do We Wear Masks?

2011-10-25T17:10:00.000-07:00

“People are NOT what they seem to be before we really get to know them,” an acquaintance of mine said with great authority. She went on to say that the true, hidden natures of most people are concealed behind masks of polite behavior and what they think is expected of them. However, once the pressure is on, the masks come off. True natures are revealed.

"The more stress people are under," my friend said, "the less guarded they are. And then their actions reveal them.”

For better or for worse, this conversation brought me back to a certain tragedy I had been a part of, once upon a time. In this incredibly stressful situation, people were under immense pressure. Anxiety times one thousand. Despite all the fear and the horror, people acted with amazing kindness and heroism. However, I've also witnessed some pretty hideous shenanigans from people under crazy amounts of stress. Were all of these folks, in both situations, showing their truest selves? Do we reveal who we really are by the spontaneous choices that we make under duress?

Of course, this applies to the characters in stories, too. After all, they should be having rough times. They should be up to their foreheads in trouble and tension and stress. So, if my friend is right, there should be lots of opportunities for writers to show the truths behind their characters.

What do you think? Do the choices people or characters make under pressure reveal their true natures or simply other facets of their personalities?

Go Team!

2011-10-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

I’ve been thinking a lot about teamwork, especially the camaraderie in the world of writing and publishing. Maybe because a part of my heart is breaking for a talented writer friend who is having a tough time, as another part of me rejoices for a different writer pal who, after a rough go of it, is spinning with exciting publishing news. Where would we be if we couldn’t share our lows and our highs with each other?

I’ve also been feeling the love of teamwork in regard to promotion, which is not my favorite word. When my novels came out, promoting could be lonely and painful. However, I was lucky enough to be adopted into a fabulous group of authors that work together to promote. The KidLit Authors Club (http://kidlitauthorsclub.com/HomePage.html) was started by authors who realized that promoting solo can be miserable, but promoting as a group can be a blast.

A couple weeks ago, for example, I attended an all-day book festival. Had I been alone with my books, I would have felt awkward and uncomfortable. Think stray dog in need of a home. Sitting at tables with other authors, though, chatting and laughing and sharing books (our own and each others) with people made the day fun. I think we actually attracted readers to our tables because we were enjoying ourselves so much. Teamwork and camaraderie in action.

If you’re a blogger, or a fan of Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or other similar sites, you know all about the rewards of connecting with others. Going through trials and triumphs with kindred spirits—people who understand the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly of life—makes such a difference.

How has teamwork and camaraderie made a difference in your life? I’m guessing it has.

Footnote: Speaking of teamwork, I am now overseeing the Twitter account for the KidLit Authors Club. If you follow us ( @kidlitauthors ), I promise to follow you back! : )

Save the What? When?

2011-10-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a book on screenwriting called Save the Cat! I love cats, but I wondered what a book about screenwriting had to do with felines. Blake Snyder, the author of this book with the orange tiger kitty swinging across the front, explains that the “save the cat” scene in a movie is when the audience observes the hero doing something that makes him likable--such as saving a cat. This action defines the character as a good guy. Score.

I got the impression that this saving business should happen sooner rather than later, as in when the audience first meets the main character, at least in a movie. But is this necessary in a novel?

I can’t help thinking about one of my favorite classics—A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In this fabulous tale of redemption, Ebenezer Scrooge is far from saving any cats when the reader meets him. Yet, at least for me, Scrooge is still a compelling character. Yes, he’s cynical (you know: “bah humbug”), but he is also lonely and empty.

It seems to me that Charles Dickens sets Scrooge up to be such a crusty dude that the reader senses that change must come. The story becomes more interesting because the reader wants to understand why Ebenezer has developed into such a callous of a human being.

So, by the time ol’ Ebenezer finally has an epiphany, at the end of the story, and saves a cat, the reader practically cheers (or, at least, this reader did). The reader has been hoping that the wicked can turn kind-hearted, and Scrooge has. By the close of the story, he has saved multiple cats and this works.

What do you think? In a novel, does a character need to save a cat right away? Is Charles Dickens the only guy who can pull of making a main character pretty unlikeable and yet compelling until the very end of a story?

Got Tension?

2011-10-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

Tension. We wade through it every day. It’s in the smallest moment of conflict and (of course) the rip-the-hair-out-the-head melt down. If someone asked me on any given day if I would like another helping of tension, I’d back away screaming “Noooo!” But give me a novel that lacks tension, big or small, and I’ll scream the same.

Without tension, the novel becomes a kind of sleeping pill, right? That’s why these statements from The Fire In Fiction, by the amazing Donald Maass fascinated me:

“What many do not grasp, though, including many published novelists, is that what keeps us turning hundreds of pages is not a central conflict, main problem, or primary goal.”

“Keeping readers constantly in your grip comes from the steady application of something else altogether. Micro-tension.”

“Micro-tension is the moment-by-moment tension that keeps the reader in a constant state of suspense over what will happen, not in the story, but in the next few seconds.”

Wow, these statements resonated with me. When I start reading a book and emotional conflict happens on the first page, I’m in. Maybe there is a rivalry between characters or a misunderstanding that can’t be ignored. Suddenly the dialogue between these characters has snap and crackle and pop. There is friction as a result of animosity, jealousy, passion, or other churning emotions. What is going on inside them is intriguing. This, it seems to me, could be an example of micro-tension--a moment of tension that keeps me reading and anxious for what is going to happen next, as in immediately next. It isn’t necessarily about the overall plot or even the stakes of the scene. It’s more focused on the conflicting emotions of the characters.

Of course a writer needs to pay attention to how to build the loud tension of the main character’s struggle for the ultimate goal, and all the opportunities for big tension in the story’s plot, characters, and setting. In between these building blocks of story, though, it makes sense that there can and should be the smaller conflicts called micro-tension. The mortar between the building blocks that holds them together.

What do you think?

For all your writers out there: Have you considered the concept of micro-tension? Do you incorporate it into your writing?

For you readers: When has micro-tension had you flipping pages while reading?

Last but miles away from least: A huge thank you to Ashley at http://ashley-nixon.blogspot.com/2011/09/blog-award-whoo.html?showComment=1317679295538#c7788470722401726733 and to Nutschell at http://www.thewritingnut.com/ramblings/blog-awards/#comment-4597 for gifting me lovely blog awards (and nice words about this blog). Big smile. : )

Music or Karaoke?

2011-09-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

When I listen to a great song, I am often amazed by the lyrics. Every word counts, works hard, and sometimes does double duty.

Good writing has rhythm, whether the writing is a song or a novel. The reader rides waves of sounds. Achieving this musical quality in writing can be tough, though. If a sentence is not constructed well or is riddled with mistakes, the result could be more clunk than melody. If a sentence is not divided well with commas, dashes, colons, etc., it could hit the ear like bad karaoke.

Echoes in a story can also ruin the music of it. Maybe a character’s name or pronouns such as he and she are repeated too often. Maybe the writer has a tendency to use the some words too much. *Raises her hand sheepishly.*

Too much alliteration can also snuff the rhythm and good writing.

I find that reading my stories out loud is the best way to find those places where the writing loses its rhythm and song. The rough patches hit my ears like gravel poured out of a metal can. Cutting often helps to fix these sound and rhythm issues. If I simplify (the writing not the thought or content behind it), the music sometimes comes back into the sentences.

William Stunk and E.B. White wrote in The Elements of Style: “A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.”

What do you think? Does music come from making every word count? As in

poetry? As in lyrics? When you are reading a novel, how much does the music of the writing affect your reading experience? If you write, how do you infuse music into your work?

Left? Right? Or Straight Ahead?

2011-09-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

In really great stories, we read about select moments, but end up feeling like we’ve been on a journey that includes part of a life or lives. We know characters inside and out, right? Authors take us on these rides. To do this, they make choices, hopefully selecting the best route to the moments and events that illuminate the characters’ personalities, backgrounds, and predicaments. Given the same characters, situations, and general background information, different writers would probably write different stories. I think this is fascinating. Whether a writer turns left at an intersection, swerves right, or goes straight ahead is influenced by that writer’s values, beliefs, and view of the world. The writer is the reader’s driver.

If you are a writer, how much thought do you give to the choices that pop up during the journey of your story? At least during the first draft, I don’t ponder endlessly about my options. I have an idea where I am going, using my outline as a road map. I consider how each turn will change my protagonist’s situation, how it will generate conflict and move the plot forward. Beyond that, I sort of go with my gut, which leads to plenty of dead ends (too many, really). By the end of my stories, though, I know they reflect my passions, views, and values, whether I like this or not.

When reading, do you ever wish an author had turned left instead of right? I will admit that I have, on occasion, wished an author had jigged instead of jagged. Or, I have prepped myself for a hard left turn, only to be swung right. That can be fun, actually.

**************************

* Shameless Self-Promotion Alert: I just had to share this wonderful review of Buck Fever by author Kenneth G. Bennett: http://kennethgbennett.com/

(I just love a nice review.) : )

Stick a Fork in It?

2011-09-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

In a back and forth email discussion about our works in progress, a writer

friend wrote this about her novel: “I'm sure there are at least fifty more things I could change, but at some point you just have to stick a fork in it.” I love this line because I get her point. And I relate to it. Plus it made me laugh. When it comes to the little fixes in a manuscript, revising could be a lifelong process.

In Writing Magic, Gayle Carson Levine writes: “There is no such thing as a perfect book or a perfect story. Every book in every library on this planet has something wrong with it.” Her point is that perfection is unattainable. And it doesn’t matter. Readers want a story that they can be involved with. Most people probably care less about a description that goes on a bit too long than they do about the characters and the plot. What do you think?

I never feel like my work is perfect. Never. But, as my friend wrote, I know that there comes a time to “stick a fork in it.” For me, this is usually when I can’t stand to read the story any more. I feel like someone has stuck a fork in me.

Do you feel you’ve reached perfection when you have finished revising a manuscript? If not, do you itch to keep fixing or do you let it go?

And when you are reading, do you notice minor issues that need fixing? Or do you tune out the imperfections and swim in the world of the story with the characters?

P.S.: A big THANK YOU to Maeve at http://lollipopscottage.blogspot.com/ for the Versatile Blogger Award! : )

What Grabs You?

2011-09-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

By that, I mean what hooks your attention when you start reading a book? What compels you to turn pages and read on, dive head first into a story? Action on page one? A teaser of some tension or incident to come? A compelling character? Something that is happening or about to happen? Or, maybe an opening line snags your interest. What pulls you into the story, whether you are reading it or writing it?

In my opinion, a good hook often plunges a protagonists into trouble and changes his world—right out of the starting gate. I love novels that give me a sense of something that is happening or about to happen. If this is ominous, the hook is around my neck and tugging. Also, if a character is in a disturbing situation and is about to take action, I am interested. This doesn’t have to be a tornado blowing through the protagonist’s life on page one. A small event such as a telephone call can grab me, depending on the call and the character’s reaction to it.

I recently finished Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. It begins with a plane crash where teen beauty queen contestants are the only survivors. I was hooked.

The opening line of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman immediately snagged me: “There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.” And then the next paragraph: “The knife had done almost everything it was brought to that house to do, and both the blade and the handle were wet.” Gasp! Cancel all appointments—I must read on.

Here is the beginning of a more quiet novel, The Underneath by Kathi Appelt: “There is nothing lonelier than a cat who has been loved, at least for a while, and then abandoned on the side of the road.” Not long after this, the reader learns that this kitty is expecting kittens. Where are the tissues? I’m in. *Sniffs*

As writers and readers, we know that the hook at the beginning of a story is very important. So, what grabs you? Has an especially sharp hook snagged you recently?

* Also, a HUGE thank you to MG Higgins at http://mghiggins.blogspot.com for the “Appreciated Follower Award.” I am most grateful both for the award and her fabulous blog.

When Do You Consider Audience?

2011-08-31T07:39:00.000-07:00

During her surprise presentation at the SCBWI conference in L.A., Judy Blume shared this bit of advice, which I think is wonderful: When an idea hits you, write it. Do not worry about the audience. Do it your way and the story will find its way and its audience.

This inspired great conversations among my friends. Most of us agreed that we do consider the audience before we write. Thinking about audience may even influence our writing more than we’d like. Some (and I’m not dropping names) admitted that considering the audience too much or too soon has been a major distraction from the story at hand.

How liberating to not worry about the audience, at least during the first draft. Frankly, I have enough to fuss with while I’m trying to get a story idea pinned down to a beginning, a middle, and an end.

And each story does seem to find its own way. By the time I’ve etched out a first draft, for example, my protagonist is naturally of a certain age and a he or a she. The problems and situations are clear enough to determine the audience.

What do you think? When you are writing, or even reading, do you consider the intended audience before the story? Or do you consider the story before the audience?

What’s In Your Survival Kit?

2011-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Survival kits are not just for outdoor enthusiasts. Life can be tough. We all need things to get us through the rough spots, whether these be first drafts (pause to shudder), the marshy middles of our writing projects, unexpected bad news, or those days when everything goes wrong.

Here are some of the items in my survival kit:

Sustenance. Sure, protein bars are great when hiking, but when I'm at my desk and thrashing through a first draft (which I’ve been doing this summer), I go for jellybeans. Jelly Belly jellybeans, to be specific. I find they are great sustenance during tough writing times. They heal. I’m pretty sure this a scientific fact. When the times get tough, the tough pop jellybeans.

First Aid Supplies. I don’t know about you, but I can be my own worst enemy. When I am writing, I can wallow like a water buffalo in pools of self-doubt. That’s when I apply a hearty dose of reality as if it were antibiotic cream. I remind myself that what I am working on does not need to be perfect. I can always revise. Revisions are first aid for broken and bruised, scratched and messy writing.

Water. It soothes. It hydrates. It is a necessity for survival. So is music. Unlike water, it inspires. When I am writing, it can help me get through the toughest parts of the process (another shudder as I consider the first draft). When I am having a bad, bad day, music is therapeutic.

Flashlight . . . or a Good Book. When out in the wilderness at night, a flashlight could be really helpful to a lost hiker. Anyone who reads knows that a great book is also helpful for finding a way out of a rotten day or rough period. Call it escapism. Reading is fabulous, too, I think, for writers needing some breathing space away from an ornery manuscript. Reading feeds writing. Not only does a writer get a break, but she (or he) refuels and recharges.

What’s in your survival kit? I bet it’s interesting!

The Butterfy Effect

2011-08-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

You probably know that the butterfly effect is, very simply, a small happening or alteration that can result in larger changes. For example, a butterfly flaps its wings which leads to the creation or absence of a hurricane. Bruce Coville opened the SCBWI conference in L.A. with an inspiring keynote address in which he talked about how what writers and illustrators do often ripples out and affects others. I love this idea, especially since it’s not exclusive to being published.

What we do, whether it be writing, illustrating, bagging groceries, or even driving down a road, can make a difference when there is an opportunity to offer support, kindness, or some form of grace. I know someone who stops his car when he sees a turtle inching across a road. He gives the critter a lift (literally) to the side. I love this. Simple acts of kindness can be respites of relief in a world that is often too harsh. Sometimes just a smile can make a difference, even between strangers.

Maybe I’m biased, but I do believe that writing and illustrating gives those of us who indulge in one or the other or both a special opportunity to send out ripples. Consider the people who share their time and creativity for the benefit of others. Maybe by blogging, tweeting, or posting on Facebook; maybe by supporting the blogs of others; maybe by sharing guidance and wisdom in critique groups; maybe by sharing knowledge with a new writer. We creative sorts tend to be sensitive by nature. Having the support of kindred souls makes a huge difference, I think.

So, cheers to those who act with a good heart and a desire to make a difference in a positive way. Great things can and do result. As Bruce Coville said, we can start a ripple with even the smallest gesture.

What do you think? Have you seen the butterfly effect in action? Do tell! : )

Interior Monologue

2011-08-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

I’m still spinning from the 40^th anniversary SCBWI conference in L.A. I had a blast. I caught up with lots of writer and illustrator pals, was dazzled by speakers such as Richard Peck, Judy Blume, David Small, Gary Paulsen (WOW, was his life story ever amazing), Laurie Halse Anderson, Libba Bray, and Norton Juster [who I chatted with during an elevator ride while fawning shamelessly over his The Phantom Tollbooth]. These people are not only amazing writers (some illustrators, as well), but also incredible speakers. How is it possible that some people are graced with so many talents? They enlightened, entertained (not kidding when I say I laughed, I cried….), and mesmerized 1,342 attendees. Seriously amazing.

I’ll be sharing lots of information once my brain solidifies again (it’s pretty much pudding at this point). Today, though, I thought I’d post about interior monologues since coincidently my head is still buzzing with conference chat.

In a great workshop on voice, editor Krista Marino discussed interior monologue—the often unspoken thinking of a character. Inner thoughts can reveal what a character is considering, feeling, processing, and valuing. Because it can show back-story, attitude, and information about the character, interior monologue opens the door to reader empathy by allowing the reader to get to know a character’s true heart. The novel Speak, Krista reminded us, is a great example of interior monologue.

But how much interior monologue is overkill? Too much can lead to excess telling (and, of course, too much telling rather than showing can ruin a good story). Sometimes interior monologue can not or should not be revealed (the reader may not need to know everything). Sometimes too much interior monologue can get confusing or boring or weigh a story down. Interior monologue is sort of like seasoning—a heavy handed application can ruin the deliciousness.

When you’re writing or reading, what is your take on interior monologue? How much is too much?

I’ll leave you with that question as I go to refill my mug with something caffeinated (I’m still on California time).

Recharging the Batteries

2011-08-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a great conference to recharge the batteries that power creativity.

Do you have a favorite conference or retreat that you find inspiring and energizing? I love the annual SCBWI conference in LA. This year is the 40^th Anniversary Conference, which means an extra sprinkling of celebration and excitement. I’ll be flying out to LA tomorrow. I am buzzing about this event for a bunch of reasons.

To begin with, this conference is promising keynotes and workshops by best-selling authors such as Laurie Halse Anderson, Libba Bray, John Green, and Norton Juster, just to name a few of the talented people that will be sharing their wisdom and insights. And, of course, there is the poolside party on Saturday night and the Golden Kite Awards Luncheon on Sunday. Fun!

Want to be part of the excitement even if you can’t make it to the conference? Here are a few ways you can join in:

You can follow the conference on Twitter by using the hash tag #LA11SCBWI .

You can also read the conference blog. SCBWI’S TEAM BLOG will be blogging live from the conference. Here’s the link: http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/

If you happen to be at the conference and spot me (don't be surprised if it's in line at the hotel lobby Starbucks), please elbow me and say “hi”! It would be great to meet face to face (not that there’s anything wrong with blog to blog).

That's a bit about my most delicious get-away. I’d love to hear about your favorite conferences or retreats or ways that you recharge your creative batteries. Do tell!

Manuscript Vacations

2011-07-27T05:41:00.000-07:00

I would love to know why taking a break from writing and revising a manuscript gives fresh perspective of that work. It is one of those miracles of writing. A writer sends a manuscript away to a cozy drawer or corner hide-away on the computer for a bit and somehow the brain breathes and revives (or something) so that when it’s time to reunite with the manuscript, there is often magic. There is a fresh perspective that smells a lot like clarity. For me, it’s kind of like putting in fresh contacts. This works especially well when I’m not happy with something I’ve written—when things are not working and I’m ripping out way too much hair.

How long a break? I’ve read that a healthy break for a book-length manuscript is a month, which is about right for me. Here’s the rub, though: I am really impatient. I mean, REALLY impatient. A month might as well be a year. With that in mind, here are some things that I do to distract myself while my manuscript vacations:

Go on my own vacation. I wish. Unfortunately, escaping to some tropical paradise for a month break doesn’t usually work out for me, but it’s a nice fantasy.

Get organized. While I’m finishing a novel, I put off tons of life stuff. A manuscript vacation is the perfect time to catch up on everything. This includes cleaning my office, which usually has dropped books and magazines, too many pages, pens, notes, and all kinds of scary miscellaneous stuff in a bizarre semi-circle around my desk by the time I type “The End.” Finding the floor and getting back to some level of organization is therapeutic.

Start a new novel. This is my agent’s favorite way for his clients to take their minds off of finished projects. I agree. Immersing in a new project is very distracting. The only catch is the necessity of taking a break from the new project when it’s time to revisit the one that’s been on vacation.

Revisit life. This includes retail therapy (a.k.a. shopping), meeting pals for lunch (and probably picking up the bill since I’ve been ignoring them), exercising, and generally indulging in treats that I put off for the sake of the work in progress.

Do you put your manuscripts away for a while after you’ve finished them? If so, how do you distract yourself during manuscript vacations?

Never?

2011-07-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

“Your protagonist must never act in a way that lowers her status below that of the antagonist.”

I read this line in the July/August Writer’s Digest, in an article titled “Raise Your

Characters Above the Status Quo” by Steven James. A great article, by the way, but what do you think about that statement?

Status, as described in this article, is a character’s need or attempt at having a dominant role in social interactions. Body language, dialogue, and, of course, behavior illustrate status. Interesting characters undergo shifts in status and a protagonist must have areas of weakness or low status to be multi-faceted. That makes sense, right?

However, as the quote seems to be saying, a protagonist shouldn’t be submissive to an antagonist. Hmmm . . . interesting. Because readers would have more respect and affection for characters that show strength and courage and confidence? Okay. But must a protagonist always be heroic when confronted with the antagonist? I mean, Harry Potter got his butt kicked more than once by Lord Voldemort and his minions. Just sayin’. However, Harry did maintain his strength and dignity and confidence through the worst of circumstances, didn’t he? I never considered him wimpy when up against Voldemort. Did you?

Do you agree that a protagonist must never act in a way that lowers her status below that of the antagonist? I'd love to hear your thoughts as I think about this.

Twist-er

2011-07-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

What is almost as much fun as Twister (the game, that is)? How about a good plot twist? Okay, maybe two good plot twists? (Insert ba-da-dum drum beats here.) I’ve got plot twists on my mind because I’ve recently finished reading Popular by Alissa Grosso, which has a stunning (that’s STUNNING, people) plot twist. And that’s all I am going to say about Alissa’s novel as I do not want to give away anything about her plot and that surprise twist.

Do you enjoy a change in the expected outcome or direction of a story? It can be startling and thought provoking and fun (at least I think so). Tell me you didn’t gasp when Darth Vader announced that he was Luke’s father. Seriously. Personally, my favorite plot twists happen when I am sure that I know what’s going on. Yeah, sure I know. That’s the fun of a good twist, right?

Writing twists, though, can be tricky. Timing and the proper placement of clues really matter. Too much information and a reader could see the twist coming and be unimpressed with the big reveal. Not good. Yet, if the twist isn’t properly set up, the reader could become confused. Twists, like many writing techniques, require balance and patience. Writing them, it seems to me, becomes a lot like walking a tight rope.

So, what are some of your favorite plot twists? Or, are you unimpressed with plot twists? Do tell!

Deadlines

2011-07-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

Deadline: The final time or moment when something MUST be finished.

There are lots of deadlines in our lives, right? And, if you’re like me, you might even give yourself deadlines. These can be useful, but also stressful. Ugh.

When I was a textbook editor, our fearless leader drilled into our heads that editors and writers must always “meet or beat” deadlines. In other words, there’s a reason the word dead appears before line, as in cross that line and you’re dead, sister.

Now, whenever a deadline is hovering, this mentor’s voice rings in my ears. I picture a deadline as a concrete barrier laced with barbed wire. This explains why, when I was working feverishly on revisions for Buck Fever and a family emergency blew in, requiring a long road trip, I revised in the backseat, which I’d tricked out with lighting and a makeshift desk. No exaggeration. Sure, revising for twenty-four hours in a cramped space while cruising an interstate highway wasn’t much fun, but I met my deadline. And that was rewarding.

Tell me: How do you meet or beat deadlines? Or don’t you? *winks*

Shhhh, I’m Reading a Quiet Novel

2011-06-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

How do you define a quiet novel? I’ve always thought of a quiet novel as a story with more emotional conflict than physical confrontation and action. One where the main character strives to solve a problem that is important for that character and his or her immediate family or associations, but may not be world or life threatening. Death probably isn’t a factor. A quiet story is probably a more subtle story. It may be intense but perhaps constrained. I’ve read that a quiet novel is a mellow tale most likely with calm, restrained prose. With a quiet novel, a reader’s heart rate may not race. Blood pressure may not peak. However, the reader might be touched by the beauty, the passion, the intensity, the seriousness of the plot, and the writing of a quiet novel.

What do you think defines a quiet novel?

Writer Shannon Hitchcock blogged about a workshop she attended on the quiet novel (it’s a great post): http://shannonhitchcockwriter.blogspot.com/2011/01/erin-murphy-and-audrey-vernick-talk.html

I’d LOVE to know your thoughts on quiet novels. Care to share?

Bits of Randomness

2011-06-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

With the transition from spring to summer, which includes the end of the school year (of course), I find that I'm tying up loose ends. I’ve just finished up my last week of school visits, Skype visits, and bookstore visits. Happy dancing time. That's not to imply that I didn't enjoy these events. They were all big fun and I met lots of amazing and wonderful people. However, I’m itching to write, revise, crawl into my office and lock the door against any and all distractions. My head tells me I must promote and get out into the world with my novels, but often my heart nags me to write the next novel. It's an ongoing battle. Errr, should I admit that?

Anyway, I have a couple bits of random information to share. For example, I’ve

added a “News” page to my website. It will show updates on events and novels and stuff—whatever "stuff" means. Here’s the link: http://cynthiawillis.com/newsletter.html Of course, my timing on this isn't great given that I've just finished a whirlwind few months of events, but I'm happy to have this bulletin board page.

Next up, I want to offer up a big thank you to Susan Fields http://susanfieldswriter.blogspot.com/ for the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. This requires that I list seven random facts about myself. Here goes: I love socializing, but I really hate rudeness. I love music, but couldn’t hold a note if it had a handle. I love horses and horseback riding, but I haven’t been on a horse in years. And for me, a perfect day always includes some sort of reading and writing.

Finally, and especially for you writers out there, here's a great article about a six-year-old girl pursuing her publishing dreams. Yup, six-years old. Wow: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110618/NJBIZ/306180016/Children-pursue-their-publishing-dreams

Okay, those are my random updates. Do you have any random bits of information and "stuff" to share?

When a Subplot Takes Off with its Writer

2011-06-15T05:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes writing a subplot reminds me of a horse I used to ride. If I didn’t pay attention, that horse would grab the bit between his teeth and take off with me at a flat out gallop. He nearly threw me more than once—which was, of course, what he was going for. For better or for worse, I’ve had more than one subplot take me on a similar ride.

Like a ride on that horse, a subplot can begin calmly--just long enough to throw a rider or writer off guard. For me, though, when the narrative journey experienced by a secondary character or characters becomes complicated, when things get sticky, my subplot can grab the bit and take off. If I let it go, it might become it’s own story and turn into a thrilling ride. Or it might run me into a tree (like that horse tried to do more than once). Either way, this sort of messes with my original work in progress. This is the heart of the problem. Is reigning in the subplot the way to go? Hmmmm.

Writers: Have you ever had a subplot take off with you?

Readers: Have you ever become more interested in the subplot of a story rather than the main story line?

Inspiration

2011-06-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

We all need a little inspiration now and then, right? I’ve been busy with school and library visits for the last few weeks. These are always fun, but every so often a visit becomes more than fun. It becomes inspiring. Here’s an example . . .

A couple weeks ago, while chatting with fourth-graders about their writing and my writing (swapping thoughts and notes and such), I shared how writers sometimes talk about the importance of putting a character up a tree (meaning get that character in some serious trouble). I, of course, added that after a character is in a tree, a writer should throw rocks at that character (meaning hit that character with even more problems). The kids hadn’t heard this before, so we had a good time chatting about this visual in relation to our stories.

About a week later, an email from the librarian from that school pops up in my inbox. Apparently, these amazing young writers had been drawing trees with their story characters in the branches. And then, these clever writers cut out rocks from cardboard and labeled each with additional story-related problems to “throw” at their characters in the trees. Taking this exercise even farther, these crafty writers took turns sharing their stories with each other while displaying their characters in the trees along with the assorted rocks. After listening to each story, the audience suggested even more rocks to throw at each character. How brilliant and fun is this?

The librarian ended her email to me by very sweetly writing “You truly inspired us!” The truth is, they inspired me.

Now, I'd love to hear how you have been inspired lately.

Got Layers?

2011-06-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

Despite the yummy photo, this is not a post about layers of cake. Sorry. Today, I’m talking plot layers--not as many calories. Do you take note of a character’s plot layers when you’re writing or reading? I don’t always consciously take note of these layers as much as I should. So, I revisited some of my favorite writing books (not cookbooks).

A plot layer is a plot line given to a character, usually the protagonist (as compared to a subplot, which is a secondary plot line involving different, usually secondary characters). More than one plot line is necessary to create a character with depth, intensity, and complexity. To me, this translates into a character that comes alive. My favorite kind of character.

For example, imagine a high school freshman a tad on the insecure side. Let’s say he’s on the school track team and struggling to achieve better times in his sprints. He loves running and competing, but most of his friends are not into track. So, our protagonist's love of track is causing conflicts with his friends. Maybe he finds himself often torn between training and hanging out with his buddies. On top of this, let's say that our freshman’s parents don’t like the direction that his friends are going in. The parents suspect the friends will be getting our protagonist into trouble. He can’t afford trouble if he wants to stay on the track team, and keep his parents content, but he’s had these friends forever. In addition, maybe our protagonist is also sporting a major crush on a certain girl. How about if he knows she’d be impressed if he won his races?

Our freshman protagonist is dealing with layers of internal and external conflicts. Isn’t this the way with most of us? There are plenty of plot layers for everyone that I know. To be real is to have layers.

Think about your favorite characters from your reading or writing. Do they have layers?

Okay, NOW it's time for cake. ; )

Summertime

2011-05-25T06:32:00.000-07:00

First of all, a big thank you to Deane at http://www.deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/ for the blog awards!

Now, as I’m sure you all know, Memorial Day is creeping up on us. Never mind that I’m not at all sure where May went to, I love this holiday when we commemorate U.S. soldiers who died while in service to our country. There isn't enough gratitude. Did you know that Memorial Day was first enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers? After World War I, the day expanded to honor all American soldiers who died for this country. That alone makes Memorial Day very special.

However, Memorial Day also unofficially kicks off summer, right? And with summertime comes a change in work habits for many. Schools close their doors and some office hours change (I'm thinking of publishing houses and some agents, in particular). Also, the days are longer. I don’t know about you, but the more sunlight I have, the more I read and write. It’s a beautiful thing. But there are also those summertime distractions. Like opportunities to hit a beach or a pool, to meet friends for outdoor lunches, to garden, and to just be outside. For me, writing outside is never as productive as writing in an office, so spending more time outside isn't quite as productive. Reading outside, though, is one of my favorite things.

How about you? How will your life change during the summer?

Happy Memorial Day to everyone! *toasting you with a lemonade*

The Best Advice Ever?

2011-05-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

At a recent library visit, a young reader asked me the following question:

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?

I love this question, but it’s sort of massive, when I think about it. I mean, the best advice ever? Wow. My first thought was that Don’t run into traffic was pretty decent advice once upon a time, when I was five-ish. Now, though, it sort of seems like pointing out the obvious.

Since my library visit was an author thing, I answered in terms of writing. I said that the best advice anyone ever gave me was to read as much as possible and to write just as much--all while being persistent about going after my dreams of having my writing published.

This is the best piece of writing advice I’ve received. Without a doubt. But on the way home from my library visit, I kept remembering other bits of wisdom thrown my way: My grandmother warning me to NOT get too involved with a certain guy (because, she thought, he had a weak handshake), my mother advising me about the pitfalls of blindly following a crowd, a sales lady pointing out that wearing yellow or orange of any shade would not be a good idea for me, other voices pointing out the benefits of staying away from certain drinks and junk

food. All great pieces of advice that rescued me at one point or another. Still, since writing is my love, I think I'll stick with my original answer as the best piece of advice ever. Being persistent about going after your dreams isn't such a bad idea, is it?

How about you? What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?

Lessons from Alfred Hitchcock

2011-05-11T06:48:00.000-07:00

I’ve learned a lot about writing from reading about screenwriting. So, when someone recently mentioned Alfred Hitchcock as the master of suspense, I couldn’t resist looking into some of his techniques. I thought I’d share some summarized tid-bits of what I found that could apply to novel writing.

Everything should be done for the audience. Each scene should affect them, should engage them, and pull them deeper into the story. The characters should tease and make the audience desperately want more.

This might seem obvious, but I, for one, cannot be reminded of this enough.

Emotion is the goal of each scene. Be aware of the emotions coming from the characters. As an assist, think about what musical score would capture or elicit the emotions for each scene.

I love this idea of considering the music that would accompany each scene.

Help the audience to feel as if they are a part of the story or one of the characters in the story. In a suspense film, the viewer should be considered to be a part of the film. Let the audience make discoveries.

A character should be the exact opposite of what the audience expects him to be. Dumb blondes should be smart and rationale. A cute kitten might be a rabid killer.

Ah, misdirection. . . . intriguing.

Alfred Hitchcock once said: “People don’t always express their inner thoughts to one another… conversation may be quite trivial, but often the eyes will reveal what a person thinks or needs. The focus of the image should never be on what is said, but rather on what the character is doing...”

Wow, is this great advice or what?

What do you think about these snippets of wisdom from the great film-maker?

What Do Librarians Want?

2011-05-04T06:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Children’s Book Week!

In honor of this week, I thought that I'd share what I've learned about what librarians who work with kids and young adults want from authors and publishers. Ready?

Due to limited budgets for bringing authors into libraries and schools, Skype sessions are becoming more popular. These cyber visits are becoming a great way for kids to meet an author (as long as the technology is available and behaves). Of course, not a lot of books get signed. . .

Book trailers seem to be useful. I didn’t have a book trailer for Dog Gone made, but librarians have told me that the trailer for Buck Fever has been a hit with kids and teachers. And, when I'm presenting in a library (or school), I’ve found that showing the book trailer is a good way to begin.

A middle school librarian once mentioned that she’d welcome any information that would let her know if the story content was appropriate for her readers. By appropriate, she meant stories without sex, violence, drugs, etc. But you probably knew that.

Some librarians welcome bookmarks, but not necessarily posters and other give-away stuff. On the other hand, book cover images are great for grabbing attention. Apparently the book cover paired with information about the story can be really helpful.

ARCs (advanced reader copies) are, of course, highly sought after. However, when ARCs are not available, sample chapters of a novel seem to be the next best thing. The idea here is that the text of the story often says more about it than reviews or book summaries.

Thoughts? Anything to add? Any surprises?

For more information about Children’s Book Week, visit: http://www.bookweekonline.com/about

I hope you enjoy it! : )

The Through-line Train

2011-04-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Have you read or heard about the through-line? Dictionary.com defines it as “a theme or idea that runs from the beginning to the end of a book, film, etc.”

Up until recently, I hadn't heard of this through-line, so I did some research. It seems that the through-line is used a lot by those involved with screenwriting and movie making. The through-line of a script is the journey from the beginning of the story to the end. It is the main premise that pulls the story through all of the obstacles that the protagonist faces along the way. The driving force of the plot. Think of a train leaving point A and traveling to point Z. It may stop along the trip, but it doesn’t derail if all goes well. The main character or protagonist on this train journeys through the story. The driving force of the story is always clear. Kind of a cool image, don’t you think? This is helpful for someone like me who has a tendency to get off track and wander (dare I say ramble?) at times when I'm writing.

I’m betting that considering the through-line will keep me more focused as I write and as I read. How about you?

Reading Versus Listening

2011-04-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I was with a three other authors answering questions about books and writing at a local bookstore. Big fun, of course. I love hearing the variety of different answers and opinions. Anyway, a teacher in the audience asked each of us to share what we were reading. Many of the authors admitted to listening to books rather than reading them. Wow, I thought, what am I missing? The truth is, I can’t get into audio books. Believe me, I’ve tried. For me, there is something engaging about holding a book or an e-reader and letting my eyes scan the text. I zone out when listening to a book. I guess I can’t get into a story unless my eyes are playing along with my brain, but it would be great if I could lose myself in a novel while driving or exercising or doing some chore that insists on getting done, or after a long day of staring at a computer screen.

How about you? Do you ever listen to books? What are your thoughts and opinions on audio books. Do you ever prefer listening to a story rather than reading it? Do tell. : )

Snip-Snip Here, Snip-Snip There

2011-04-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

Worn out, but satisfied with the latest manuscript, I sent it to my agent, happily a guy who critiques the work of his clients. As I handed this package to the USPS clerk, I took comfort in the fact that I couldn't think of anything more that I could do with this story. The time had come for Mr Agent’s review.

That day I made an appointment to get my hair trimmed. As with the novel, there was not much else I could do with my mane. In my obsession to get the work in progress done, I’d put off a hair appointment for too long.

Two weeks later, I return home with my hair cut to an email from my agent. Hurray and phew, he gave the novel his seal of approval, but he suggested that I do a bit of trimming.

At first I wondered What to cut? and What if I lobe off too much? Funny, these were the same thoughts I had about my hair. As with my locks, though, I realized that cutting was a necessity, not an option. So, I sharpened my tools and opened up the novel file. I started to read, I started to snip. And snip. A light trim here, surgery there. By the time I finished, my novel had lost weight. It gained flow and body. Sort of like my hair after it had been hacked. That's when I realized that although cutting can sometimes be scary, it is often necessary.

What do you think?

Random Bits of Information

2011-04-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

I have a bunch of random stuff to share with you today.

First of all, a big CONGRATULATIONS to Sabrina! She has won a copy of Moon Over Manifest by commenting on last week’s blog post. Hurray! I love giving away books. Thank you, everyone, for all the great comments, as always.

Next, I want to share a great place to have bookmarks made. I’ve had a horrible time finding a vendor to create and print the kind of bookmarks I envisioned for Dog Gone and Buck Fever. I’ll just say that I kept getting sort of lackluster designs and less than impressive quality for ridiculous amounts of funds. I ran into huge headaches trying to order online, as well. Recently, another author in Kidlit Authors Club recommended Iconix.biz (http://iconix.biz/ ). Kelley at Iconix was amazing, the process was easy, and I have new, beautiful bookmarks on the way for an impressive price. I am beyond thrilled and ever so grateful. If you ever need bookmarks designed and printed, consider contacting Kelley at Iconix.biz.

In other news, if you happen to be in the Philadelphia area this coming weekend (April 9^th and 10^th), some of the authors from the KidLit Authors Club (http://www.kidlitauthorsclub.com/ ) will be at Big Blue Marble Books for the Mt. Airy Kids' Literary Festival. I’ll be there on Saturday

morning (11 A.M.), reading from Buck Fever and signing books.

Next week some of the gang from the KidLit Authors Club (including me) will be at the Springfield, N.J. Barnes and Noble Educator Event on Tuesday afternoon and then at the Paramus, N.J. Barnes and Noble Educator Event on Wednesday afternoon. Lots of fun, I promise.

Last but not least, some of us will be at the Clark Public Library in Clark, N.J. at 2 P.M. on Sunday, April 17^th. Again, if you’re in the area, stop by! We’ll be reading from our books, giving away goodies, and generally sharing the love of reading and writing. It is beyond wonderful to be able to promote with such talented and genuinely nice authors.

Okay, that’s all for now. Tell me, what’s going on with you?

Pay It Forward

2011-03-30T06:21:00.000-07:00

I’m guessing that you’ve heard the expression pay it forward. It’s used to describe a good deed that is repaid by doing a good deed for another or others. I love this warm and fuzzy concept.

Last week a friend passed on his copy of MOON OVER MANIFEST to me. This novel, by Clare Vanderpool, won the Newbery Award Medal this year. Since this surprise gift made my day, I’ve decided to pay it forward. If you leave a comment on my blog in the next week, I’ll put your name into a hat or basket or something. Next Wednesday morning, April 6th, I’ll pull out a name and that lucky winner will receive MOON OVER MANIFEST. Pay it forward, baby.

Also, many thanks to J.L. Campbell (http://thecharacterdepot.blogspot.com/)

for the One Lovely Blog Award. So nice! However, I'm supposed to pass the award to fifteen other bloggers that I've newly discovered. Yikes! I've discovered a few awesome blogs lately, but honestly, it's been hard to find time to newly discover anything, much less fifteen other blogs. The work in progress is almost done, but has been pretty demanding and I've also been working on another novel. Plus promoting Dog Gone and Buck Fever. All good things, but time flies by. So, if you know of a great blog for me to check out, I'd be forever grateful to hear about it. In the meanwhile, check out J.L. Campbell's blog. Paying it forward!

Thanks for stopping by. Happy reading and writing and paying it forward. ; )

Casting Call

2011-03-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

It’s probably not a shocker that the best selling Hunger Games books are going to be made into movies. Last week it was announced that Jennifer Lawrence has been cast to play Katniss. Here’s the link for more scoop on this:

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/jennifer-lawrence-gets-lead-role-hunger-games-25482

Do you ever consider the actor or actress who might play one of the characters in something you have written or are writing? Do you ever think about a favorite character from a book you are reading and wonder who could portray him or her? It’s kind of tricky, isn’t it? Every reader, it seems to me, gets to know a character in his or her own way. No matter how detailed the character description, I picture her in a way that may or may not be exactly the way you picture this character. This applies to appearance as well as personality, I think. So, it’s interesting when Hollywood puts a face to a perception.

I should admit, too, that once I see the movie version of The Hunger Games, the Katniss in my head will probably be trumped by Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal. And Jennifer Lawrence may be Katniss forever more. Sort of like when I see Daniel Radcliffe interviewed and think Wow, Harry Potter is staring in another play on Broadway.

Thoughts?

Sympathetic Characters

2011-03-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

What makes a character sympathetic? This question sometimes stops me, makes me scratch my head and mutter to myself. I understand that an unsympathetic character is one that I, as a reader or a writer, can’t fully relate to. But why? That's the kicker. Is a character less than sympathetic because I don’t have anything in common with him? Or maybe I don't have enough information about him--about his emotional state or his circumstances.

I once wrote about a character that was prone to good deeds. Too many good deeds. Hanging out with him made me feel like I was gagging on a sugar cube. This character didn’t survive the first draft of that particular novel. Sympathetic characters, it seems to me, should be like the rest of us--flawed, plagued by weaknesses, and prone to bone-headed moves. On hindsight, I bet that if I'd developed the reasons why Mr. Good Deeds behaved as he did, I would have liked him better. If he had a few bad habits or quirks, he'd have been more interesting. Understanding how a character is struggling emotionally as well as physically makes me care more about him. I become sympathetic.

What do you think? What makes a character sympathetic?

Laughing Out Loud

2011-03-09T05:51:00.000-08:00

Laughter is good medicine, don’t you think? I love humor in writing and in life. I’m reading my first David Sedaris book. Hilarious! So, what makes good humor? I did a bit of light research to see what I might find. Here are a few interesting and kind of fun tidbits that I stumbled upon.

Apparently words with the k sound are supposed to be especially funny. I’m not sure I get this. Does this make a Cadillac funnier than a Ford? Or, a cat more hilarious than an ostrich? I call the ostrich the winner in that comparison. Also, words with the g sound are said to be giggle worthy. When I think of guacamole and goggles, or eating guacamole while wearing goggles, this sort of works. So, are characters with names that begin with k or g more funny? I’m not convinced.

I also read about a technique for adding humor to metaphors or other comparisons. When crafting a comparison, try to add an outrageous or funny element. So, when writing about a group of little kids, I might write: Trying to get kindergarteners into a classroom is like trying to. . . Here I am supposed to list the most outrageous and funny options that I can think of, such as: herd cats, run a marathon in clogs, organize circus clowns. Did anyone notice I that used the k sound in these examples?

Finally, statistics show that most people laugh at everyday stories more than scripted jokes. Usually because these stories are exaggerated. Ah, exaggeration. This I understand.

Your turn: Any thoughts on what makes great humor? Feel free to exaggerate.

While Driving Along . . .

2011-03-02T05:13:00.000-08:00

First up, some bulletin board news:

This coming Sunday, March 6^th, I will be joining some of the wonderful authors that are a part of the KidLit Authors Club at The Well Read Bookstore in Hawthorne, N.J. Here are a couple links:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Well-Read-New-Used-Books/150332944979004?v=wall&filter=1

and

http://www.thewellreadbookstore.com/?page=shop/index&CLSN_3857=129900935338573e0eebeba9293883a3

We’ll be there from 1 PM until 4 PM reading from our books and giving away goodies. If you happen to be in the area, we’d love to see you!

* * *

I’ve been visiting lots of bookstores since joining the wonderful gang of the Kidlit Authors Club. More visits means more time in the car. This means time listening to great music while mulling over my work. I am convinced that writers never stop writing and working on their stories, even without laptops, pencils, or pens. So, on Sunday, while driving to Well Read Books, I’ll be thinking over my latest novel. An everyday event during my trip might even lead to a novel event. This has happened before.

Not too long ago, while I was driving along, a van pulled out in front of me and cut me off. Okay, fine. This is part of the driving life in New Jersey. A driver cutting off another driver is about as common as peanut butter. It’s also one of those experiences that usually elicits a reaction, if not a variety of reactions. I started asking What if…? What if a driver cut off became so infuriated that he or she chased down the offending car and beat the living snot out of the guy who did the cutting? Or, what if the two cars ended up in a wild chase? What might complicate this chase? How could it become crazy tense? My mind started crafting all sorts of reactions and outcomes to this common (at least in NJ), everyday incident. I kept upping the stakes. Each scenario provided a different menu of character traits with any number of reasons for each character’s reactions. All because I kept asking What if? And here’s the best part: I ended up using one of these scenes in my latest work in progress. I really should thank that guy who cut me off and nearly nailed my beautiful car… And then again, maybe not.

Do you ever ask What if? and let your imagination loose?

For My Eyes Only

2011-02-23T10:03:00.000-08:00

Isn’t it wonderful to snuggle up with a great book? More and more, though, I have been finding that I don’t just read to escape into a story, I read to find out what else I can learn about the craft of writing as well as what makes a book buzz-worthy, award-worthy, best-seller worthy.

Recently, I’ve kicked up my analysis a notch or two by writing reviews for my eyes only about books that I’ve read. At first I did this just to help me sort my thoughts, but I’ve found that in writing these reviews, I end up giving the novels that I’ve read a lot more thought. Kind of cool, right?

I’d love to tell you that I have a format for these reviews, but I don’t. After all, they are for my eyes only. Free writing is allowed and encouraged. However, I usually begin by asking myself what I found intriguing about the premise of a story. What pulled me to the book? The jacket copy? The cover? Reviews? The buzz? A recommendation? And how did the novel reading experience pay off compare to whatever pulled me to read it?

Some times I’ll explore why I couldn’t put a book down. Would I have been able to drop it if the house caught on fire or the sky started falling? If not, this deserves further exploration. What makes a novel this good?

I love cliff-hangers and plot twists, so I’ll often note these and why they work (or don’t) for me. How did the placement of these affect the novel?

What about voice? Give me a great voice and I’ll follow a character anywhere. So, I’ll sometimes explore what I liked or loved about a great voice in a novel.

I also love the way some authors tap into amazing details. It makes sense, then, that I’d write about these and how they affected the plot, characters, and setting.

Also, I’ll often jot down examples of incredible writing that makes me blink and catch my breath. This is sort of like collecting diamonds.

As you can probably imagine, my little reviews often turn into rants that go off in crazy directions, but they always offer insights. And, sort of surprisingly, writing willy-nilly about a novel after reading it, to revisit it and pick it apart, has turned out to be really fun.

Do you ever write about what you've read in a for your eyes only way? I'd love to know. ; )

For the Love of Teachers

2011-02-16T09:42:00.001-08:00

When did you discover that you liked or even loved to write or read? I recall deciding that writing was big fun during the second grade, thanks to a teacher who took writing very seriously. Apparently, my mom took note of my budding interest in writing because she saved one of my stories--“The Sloppy Man.” Or, as I spelled it back then,“The Sloupy Man.” I am happy to report that my spelling has improved a little bit since the second grade, but not my drawing skills. Now you know why I write novels instead of illustrating picture books.

Anyway, my amazing and fabulous second grade teacher encouraged, nurtured and fostered my first leanings toward writing. You probably can't read her note here, but it reads: “I loved reading your sloppy man story. This is a great improvement (note: I’ve always preferred revisions to first drafts). Isn’t writing fun?” I'd like to point out that she wrote this in red. Red! You know that had to have been big. I’m sure I was pretty impressed with myself at the time (shoot, I’m impressed now). Never mind that this story being an improvement over anything is a tad scary. Anyway, I truly believe that thanks to this wonderful teacher at Murray Avenue School, Sloupy Man turned out to be the beginning of my great and mighty love of writing. I am forever grateful to Mrs. Dennison and all the teachers that encouraged this passion. Where would we be without the love and nurturing of our teachers?

How about you? Do you recall when you first felt the spark of passion for writing or reading? Do you have a teacher to thank for this? I bet you do.