tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67341082329991473382012-02-17T19:27:31.192-08:00From the sometimes delirious perspective of Lisa Gail GreenLisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.comBlogger2181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-72843814309846274792012-02-13T03:30:00.000-08:002012-02-13T03:30:00.117-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8rZj_9Vldw/TzgjIT7oF5I/AAAAAAAAAfk/jE7caIncK40/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8rZj_9Vldw/TzgjIT7oF5I/AAAAAAAAAfk/jE7caIncK40/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/dutch-prosecutors-to-charge-arab-group-with-hate-speech-for-holocaust-cartoon-i-guess-free-speech/question-603619/?page=2&amp;link=ibaf&amp;q=&amp;imgurl=http://s3.amazonaws.com/blixy-graphics/cp-not-distracted.gif">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have a problem. I get easily distracted by shiny objects and ideas. That can make it hard to focus on a project, especially if that project is in the "why am I doing this?" phase. I'm not the only one that gets that, right? Where you've stared at it so long, you're afraid your eye balls might start to bleed? The good news is that this stage does pass and you fall in love again - I've been there. BUT the bad news is that sparkly little idea might try to get your attention.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So what to do?&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I try, in these times to remind myself that if my shiny new friend is as good as it looks, it's worth waiting for. If I do then:</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I can give it the full attention it deserves when I'm ready.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will have the satisfaction of knowing that my other project, which was once the shiny new idea, worked out.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I can't stay focused on the other idea, what makes me think this will go any better?</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If all else fails, I write a little of it to try and get it out of my system. Mostly I know I just have to prioritize though and treat this like a job, because that's what ultimately works.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Any other ideas?</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7284381430984627479?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-54333927675339364762012-02-06T03:30:00.000-08:002012-02-06T03:30:03.349-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TANihaSq5K4/TyrHUi0S_nI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qyg0M4lTxzE/s1600/Beer_Gut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TANihaSq5K4/TyrHUi0S_nI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qyg0M4lTxzE/s320/Beer_Gut.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trialx.com/curetalk/2011/04/beer-gut-be-gone/">Photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My last of the "How" questions comes from the amazing <a href="http://lesliesullirose.blogspot.com/">Leslie Rose</a>. Leslie asks: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How do you avoid a "saggymiddle" in your story?"&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: Saggy middles are one of those hard to avoid things in life. But in our stories? It's the worst! So you might be surprised at my answer. Saggy middles are a symptom of the writer getting off track. To simplify, we have act 1 that sets up the problem, right? We end in Act 3 with the resolution. So we need to get our character from point A to B. Simple? Yeah right. But the point is, you have to keep in mind the whole time whether what you are writing is indeed moving the story forward. Every word on the page should move the story and/or character forward. If it doesn't, as interesting as it may be, it doesn't belong there.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now I'm not saying that if you do it right, the saggy middle doesn't exist. Perish the thought! We all have to fight it. That's what revision is for (I think that's becoming my mantra). Seriously though, as you do a pass, ask yourself the following three questions about each page:</span></span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Does this move the plot forward?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Does this help build my character arc?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Is there tension?</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Because there should be tension on every page. If it isn't there, add it. It doesn't have to be the world at stake. Just make sure there's something in the way. That will help force numbers 1 and 2 into action. Make sense?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">How do you avoid saggy middles?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}</style><![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-5433392767533936476?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-29635458613119001122012-01-30T03:30:00.000-08:002012-01-30T08:51:01.531-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymbchJ7j5xc/TyA79ApcZZI/AAAAAAAAAfM/39YkInHeROc/s1600/one-kitty-coffee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymbchJ7j5xc/TyA79ApcZZI/AAAAAAAAAfM/39YkInHeROc/s320/one-kitty-coffee1.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fitnessgurusam.com/tag/riverside-boot-camp/">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've really enjoyed doing these "How?" posts! I hope you've all gotten something out of it too! Feel free to send me questions anytime and I'll do my best to answer. I &nbsp;have one more next week, but this time I've compiled several of your questions with slightly shorter answers:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/11067098247432800552"><b><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Grechen</span>said...<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My question deals with your genre, howdo you balance adult interaction with teens without having the adults becomeunderdeveloped absentee people?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: Great question, Gretchen! Here’s a<a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-about-mummy-where-are-parents-in.html">blogpost</a> where I talk a bit about that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-decoration: none;">DeanK Miller</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> said...<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How do I get my alien co-author to keepthe story in and earthly time zone, and also quit drooling his snarfly-slimeall over the pages?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: That’s the trouble with aliens,Dean. If you’re going to partner with someone, you should make sure you’recompatible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://jillkemerer.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-decoration: none;">Jill Kemerer</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"> said...</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How do I meet my word goals withoutdrowning in coffee? :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: I can certainly relate to this one!The best thing you can do is bring a floatation device to the computer. Oh andmaybe switch to half caf!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ejmckennablog.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-decoration: none;">Ebony McKenna.</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"> said...</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How do I present myself as normal whenthere are so many voices in my head?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: That’s the great thing about being awriter! We’re all crazy, so we GET it. ;D<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-decoration: none;">Medeia Sharif</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> said...<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How do you prevent yourself from goingback and editing parts of a draft when your still drafting? It's such a timesuck, but I itch to do it. I'm getting better at not doing it, but I can't helpbut go back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: You don’t! It took me a while tofigure that out. But here’s the thing. If there’s a “rule” that you know, butyou function better outside the parameters of that rule, I say break it. I editsometimes as I go. If I don’t fix something it bothers me, so much so thatsometimes I really can’t move forward without fixing it. Sometimes I followthat same rule, but when it gets in the way of my writing? I don’t.&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-2963545861311900112?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-67338546613986414752012-01-23T03:30:00.000-08:002012-01-23T03:30:01.122-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWbj9r64mm4/TxyzKCA9PyI/AAAAAAAAAfE/8Mhq4OgGJN4/s1600/target-hit-mohdarafat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWbj9r64mm4/TxyzKCA9PyI/AAAAAAAAAfE/8Mhq4OgGJN4/s320/target-hit-mohdarafat.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mohdarafat.com/category/nifty-updates-and-levels/page/4/">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before we begin: I'm guest posting on<a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/"> Elizabeth Craig's blog</a> today on making paranormal believable, so please stop by and say hello!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/">Julie Musil </a>asked "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You're a pantser, so how do you know when you'vegot the pacing right, and where you need to insert plot points?

"</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Great question, Julie! First let me qualify that my process, like everyone, is probably slightly unique. When I started I simply started with a file filled with random notes/thoughts/names/etc. and jumped right in. Lately I've been using more of a format like the Beat Sheet from SAVE THE CAT. Either way, the outcome is the same. When I have the idea, I quickly realize that certain big "events" have to take place in order to tell the story. I also typically have a good idea how it's going to turn out. There are still plenty of opportunities for surprises on the way, trust me!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">These major turning points, whether named correctly or not, represent the major turning points in the story. If I have the right characters, and the right inciting incident, it works out.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">It's funny how the subconscious works as well. I recall one time where things seemed to be going too fast. But I couldn't exactly stop everything, or force non-essential material in. What happened? My character did the opposite of what I expected, which delayed the inevitable for just the right amount of time and built far more tension and depth than I'd anticipated. Voila! That's what's so great about really letting the characters fully develop.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Hope that answered the question! I guess the point is that it falls into place one way or another. And when it doesn't? You can make it work.&nbsp;</span><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}</style><![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-6733854661398641475?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-30250686120243396922012-01-16T03:30:00.000-08:002012-01-16T08:33:06.458-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YSkrznqadtc/TxJVJ3_rV0I/AAAAAAAAAe4/1aGTS3E9czc/s1600/119041731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YSkrznqadtc/TxJVJ3_rV0I/AAAAAAAAAe4/1aGTS3E9czc/s320/119041731.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://harrypotterforwriters.blogspot.com/">S.P. Sipal</a> asked: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How do I create a character whose storyarc is to discover and own her inner power without making her come across astoo passive in the beginning?"</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Great question! The moment I read this one my mind went immediately to SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi. In SHATTER ME, Juliette begins in prison, completely broken, having been taught her whole life that she is an abomination. That could break anyone. But we follow Juliette on her journey as she learns to embrace her power and accept herself as a good person.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Never once while reading this did I think to myself what a passive weakling Juliette was. Why? Here are a few things I noticed that Tahereh did to avoid that feeling:</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><b>Make the situation interesting</b>. The circumstances are so unique and intriguing that the reader would want to know more no matter what the character was like.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><b>Make a multi-dimensional character</b>. I know I harp on this a bit, but seriously! Your MC may be passive in some ways - but not in EVERY way. Juliette is broken when we meet her, but not entirely. We can still see glimpses of her core. And even if she doesn't realize it, we see that her concern for another human being trumps her self-pitying circumstances.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><b>Use the voice</b>. Oh oh oh. The voice in this manuscript is so unique and poetic that it's hard not to keep going. It's Juliette's voice and it sings. You may like it, you may not, but you cannot deny the presence of it, nor the impact on the manuscript.&nbsp;</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">These are all tips we can use to enhance our own manuscript. It's the combination that makes the manuscript. The world, the characters, and the plot all weave together in a dance to carry us through. It's a tricky balance, but when we get it right... WOW.&nbsp;</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-3025068612024339692?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-62952435614588516052012-01-09T03:30:00.000-08:002012-01-09T03:30:02.892-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy0DhTz58gQ/TwfewBjfGSI/AAAAAAAAAew/X1-29bv9No4/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy0DhTz58gQ/TwfewBjfGSI/AAAAAAAAAew/X1-29bv9No4/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://emotionsrunthrough.blogspot.com/2011/04/moving-forward.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have a small announcement before we begin. There are so many amazing posts out in the blogosphere that it's tough to get to them all. I know I can't be the only one to feel that way, so I'm going to take a break from my Thursday posts and I ask that the time you would have spent visiting me, you give to a new blog you haven't yet visited. In the meantime I will be posting on Mondays and you can always find me on Twitter!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now...</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://heathermccorkle.blogspot.com/">Heather</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> asked: "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How do you know when a book is 'done' enough tostart sending it out on submission?"</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And <a href="http://writegame.blogspot.com/">C. Lee McKenzie</a> asked: "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How do you know when a story just isn't going towork, give up and move on to a new project?

"</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At first glance these questions seem quite different, but the answers are remarkably similar. The thing is the manuscript is never ready. There is always more you can do, and you can drive yourself nuts doing it! We really need to ask ourselves if we've done our best and then what our time is best spent on. Here's checklist:</span></span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Have you given the manuscript time to rest between revisions? It's essential for fresh perspective.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Have you had critique partners and beta readers go through it? Have you revised sufficiently based on their notes?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Have you done a pass for grammar, word choice, superfluous words (e.g., I could hear the bang), and general polish?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Have you written a solid query letter and researched agents/editors?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Are you at the point where you keep changing the same sentence back and forth? That's a good sign it's time to let go.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">At this point you send it out. Test the waters. I recommend sending around five queries to start. Make sure each is personalized. Why do you want that agent? Hopefully not because you picked her out of a hat! See what your response is. If you don't get anything consider taking another look at your opening pages or query letter and try again. Rinse and repeat. He he. Then comes either the offer you've hoped for, or the realization that you aren't getting anywhere. How do you know it's time for the drawer?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">My honest advice is to work on a new manuscript right away. To start something WHILE you are querying. It keeps your mind off things and helps keep your confidence up. With each thing we write, we get stronger. But if not, here's another checklist:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Have you tried a hundred agents? That's a good number. No really. It's true. I'd say if you haven't hit sixty, you haven't done enough. But that's my opinion mind you.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Have you made your query and manuscript as strong as you can?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Are you going cross-eyed trying to figure out what else you can do?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Have you written only one book?</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Now this last one is very important. I believe it gets easier with each manuscript to distance yourself enough to be objective. Plus it looks good when you have more than one project. Keep writing. Perseverance is the key.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">&nbsp;</span></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}</style><![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}</style><![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-6295243561458851605?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-12541628174763431422012-01-05T03:30:00.000-08:002012-01-05T03:30:02.265-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://muserantrave.blogspot.com/">Melinda </a>asked "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
A character may be likeable to the author - andthat's mostly because they're the one who created them - but how do you knowyou have a character that the reader will like just as much as you, the author?"</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/rkadtxlCRU4/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rkadtxlCRU4&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rkadtxlCRU4&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good question! What immediately comes to mind is the Seinfeld episode with the ugly baby. Remember that? Anyhow, it's perfectly natural to favor your own characters, after all you've spent so much time and energy getting to know everything about them and watching them blossom out of the blank page. But how do you know they're really going to be that awesome to everyone else?&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's a checklist we can use to help judge whether your characters are developed and interesting/likable enough:</span></span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Beta Reader reaction. This comes up again and again for a reason. Test the characters with your betas. If they don't seem swept away, try to figure out why and go from there.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Does your character have both positive and negative qualities? Is your hero that you've fallen head over heels for perfect? Then make him flawed! Real people aren't perfect, and neither should your character be. I'm not just talking character arc here folks - I'm talking other attributes as well.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Can you answer the question, what makes my character different from all the others? Can you answer it with specifics? Quirky habits are great, but they only go so far. It should reflect the distinct personality of your character. What makes Katniss so endearing? She isn't exactly easy to love. Is it her fierce love and determination to protect her sister, even at the cost of living with a mangy cat? Maybe that's part of it.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Has the character surprised you with a reaction/action? I love it when my characters do this. Only writers really get it, but when the character has a life of his own, he will resist doing something if it isn't what he'd choose. Listen to that. If everything he does is predictable to you, it may be predictable to the reader.</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">I'm sure there are a million other tests. What are some ways you use to tell whether the character will appeal to others? Anything surprising up here? Discuss!!</span></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}</style><![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-1254162817476343142?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-6613154665811038732012-01-02T17:27:00.000-08:002012-01-02T17:27:47.551-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv3wOeKU7QU/TvNs_pk-ocI/AAAAAAAAAeo/OlAEkY7KQqY/s1600/khristian_mendoza_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv3wOeKU7QU/TvNs_pk-ocI/AAAAAAAAAeo/OlAEkY7KQqY/s320/khristian_mendoza_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://helenbutterworth.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DO TO TECHNICAL REASONS THIS POST IS GOING UP A BIT LATE. MY APOLOGIES!!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year!!! *Blows horn* It's time for the post you've so patiently waited for. <a href="http://www.stinalindenblatt.com/">Stina</a> asked: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How do you find that balance between...innerthought and action when revealing emotion? So many writers use action andvisceral responses, but agents and editors are saying they want more innerthoughts." and <a href="http://asquirrelamongstlions.blogspot.com/">Dana</a> followed up with: "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How do you slow down an action paced novel withinternal thought and do so seamlessly?"</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Finding the balance between inner thought and action, both in revealing emotion and without hurting the pace, can seem pretty tricky. Some of you may wonder why you have to do it at all. So first let's look at some reasons we NEED that inner voice:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Without the internal dialogue you are not truly in the characters head, and you want your reader as close to them as possible, so that they are connected enough to share their feelings.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">We use internal thought constantly. It's part of life and it's realistic. I know I have a constant monologue going in my head. Maybe not everyone is quite as bad as I am, but everyone thinks unless you're a zombie. And maybe even if you are!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">We can use internal dialogue to control the pacing of the novel and punctuate certain scenes.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">We can use it to impart information, not only about the character but the plot as well.</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Great! Now we know why. So the next step is HOW? I will explain and then give examples.&nbsp;</span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><b>When your character has a (to use Stina's term) visceral response to something, they must have a pretty strong feeling/thought associated with it.</b> Let's say I'm terrified of spiders and there's a big hairy one hanging over my nose when I wake up (it's happened). Visceral response? My blood turns to ice, my muscles clench and all at once I burst from the bed with a scream. Overboard? You have no idea... :D Anyhow, the moment I'm out of bed, I will most likely not only start doing the "get off of me" dance and shuddering, I will be thinking things like, 'Why me?' And 'I hate spiders! Why can't they leave me alone? Why does it have to be like that time in third grade?' Etc. Now if we were writing this, I'd say to pick and choose the most powerful and unique responses both internally and externally, but I wanted to give you the big picture.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><b>If the moment is important to your story/character arc you should slow it down and focus on it. </b>The ten minute car ride to school should not take as many pages as the confrontation with the monster spider. One way to do this (and make it meaningful at the same time) is to highlight it with thoughts. The wonderful thing about thoughts is that they don't take very long in reality, so we can have that moment of internal dialogue as the pincer is about to pierce the flesh of our MC. And doesn't that add to the tension?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Ah here's the biggest one.<b> Physical responses can mean different things to different people. So if you don't make it clear what the character is thinking, the reader may have an entirely different interpretation than intended. </b>We can even turn this around and use it so that our MC misinterprets the response of another character. We do it all the time in real life, don't we? Oh so many delightful misunderstandings...</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">BUT you say. Isn't this telling and not showing?? Isn't that a cardinal rule that we hear over and over again??? Not necessarily. <b>You can show a lot through internal dialogue.</b>&nbsp;What a character thinks at a certain point says a lot about them. Where's the first place your head goes? Maybe we now know how selfish she is or how much a certain person means to her.&nbsp;</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Example time!&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Without internal dialogue:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">The hilt of the broadsword slipped in my palm and I tightened my grip, adding my other hand for support. My eyes darted around the darkened room, searching the dancing shadows for the hint of something more. I edged further into the room. Moments later hot breath bathed my neck and I whipped around to find a hundred eyes centered on me. The sword clattered to the ground.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">A fine paragraph.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">With:&nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">The hilt of the broadsword slipped in my palm and I tightened my grip, adding my other hand for support. I could do this. I had to do this. My eyes darted around the darkened room, searching the dancing shadows for the hint of something more, aware that each moment might be my last. Every fiber in my body begged me to leave. To turn around and run. But I couldn't let Grayson die because of me. I edged further into the room. Hot breath bathed my neck and I whipped around to find a hundred eyes centered on me. The sword clattered to the ground useless.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Which one was better? What did the second have that the first didn't?&nbsp;</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-661315466581103873?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-74222721885055471722011-12-29T03:30:00.000-08:002011-12-29T03:30:03.980-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iSf9EXn-pBs/TvK96q-NKGI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/K6_U_m2E0F8/s1600/H2-tie-a-bow-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iSf9EXn-pBs/TvK96q-NKGI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/K6_U_m2E0F8/s1600/H2-tie-a-bow-07.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/2011/12/sunday-best-wrap-it.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is a post from December of last year, but I thought it appropriate to repost:</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week I want to talk about the resolution in our writing. As in, how the heck do I tie everything up with a pretty bow and still leave myself open for the the other five books I hope I get signed for?</span></span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rule number one: Write a book that stands alone</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yep you heard me. I don't care if you've spent years partitioning out a seven book series that's hundreds of thousands of words long. I (and agents and editors) don't want to know about it. Sure you can say there's series potential when querying. You may even have an outline ready. But the single most important thing is to have a solid, well-written manuscript to hand over that stands on its own two legs.</span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rule number two: Dynamic Characters</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now that we've established that your problem must be resolved (at least to some satisfactory level) you have to round off that character arc too. The plot and character arcs don't necessarily have to line up exactly, but the person (or demon, or vampire, or ghost, or whatever) we meet in the beginning of the story should not be the same person we end up with. Whatever you've done, whatever he or she has gone through, we want to see that it's changed him or her. Give your character time to come to grips with whatever earth shattering thing has happened at the end. If I'm invested, I want to see what happens.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rule number three: Don't meander</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just like sometimes we have trouble knowing when the story really starts, so do we have trouble knowing where it ends. I just said above that we need to see the characters come to grips with whatever the big changes were. But we don't need to see them continue on in their day to day lives for another full week just so that we know they can handle it. Let's look at Harry Potter as an example (since I hate ruining endings for you if you haven't read another book I might use). At the end of Sorcerers Stone (and most subsequent books) we see the school year come to an end at Hogwarts. We finish the big fight with Voldemort. But we also decompress by having the big heart to heart with Dumbledore, see that the school remains intact, wrap up subplots like Gryffindor winning the house cup, and resolve ourselves to the idea that Harry must go back to the Dursley's but with the hope that it will work out when he returns next year. Nice and neat. And still room for a sequel. We don't have to see him actually get back to the Dursley's house because it does nothing for the book as a whole.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rule number four: Don't rush it</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sometimes we've gone so far with this thing that's taken on a life of its own that when we finally see the finish line looming ahead, we take off at a run. Slow it down. Keep the pacing right for the moment. I (the reader) have waited the whole darn book for this. I've ridden the roller coaster with the characters, invested my time, and now I want something that satisfies me. Which brings us to-</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rule number five: Don't pull it out of your you-know-what</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm a pantser folks. I hardly ever plan my manuscripts out from the get go. I take notes. But I don't outline. I like to be surprised (yeah go figure that one out). But I know that in order to wrap it up in the hero's favor, I need to give both he and the reader the tools to be able to do that along the way. Clues and information he can use. His friends can help, but he needs to have to make a choice that results in the outcome, whether good or bad. And that's all on him. So if suddenly the magic fairy shows up and sprinkles fairy dust on the villain, the reader's going to be pissed and rightfully so. Just like Harry had to face down Voldemort himself.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What rules do you have to add?</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7422272188505547172?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-77083665698714049502011-12-26T08:23:00.000-08:002011-12-26T08:23:00.048-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVcGdo2aKX4/TvC4GlV7SNI/AAAAAAAAAeE/ahmkert0TCQ/s1600/120506-Bad-Gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVcGdo2aKX4/TvC4GlV7SNI/AAAAAAAAAeE/ahmkert0TCQ/s320/120506-Bad-Gifts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westmichiganmommy.com/2010_12_19_archive.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today is the day after Christmas. The day when hoards of people flock to the mall to return and exchange those fuzzy green sweaters with the giant initial on the front. Or other things they didn't like. But when it comes to writing, no matter how you feel about what spewed out, don't try to take it back!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We can learn from and use whatever we put down, no matter how bad it seems. Here are a few things we can do with those unused pages:</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pluck the golden tidbit and insert it in your current work.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Look back to see how far you've come!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have a laugh.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe just maybe look at it with fresh eyes and see that it isn't so bad after all and that a little revision might work wonders.</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So no returns! Every word written is a step closer to your goal. Now go enjoy those sales!!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7708366569871404950?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-39838641313165033582011-12-22T03:30:00.000-08:002011-12-22T03:30:04.008-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I thought we'd pause in the midst of all these awesome questions you guys had and breathe for a minute. No matter what you celebrate, I hope you take the time to truly enjoy this holiday season. Hug the people you love, eat something yummy, and live for the moment.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'll keep posting until the New Year - I haven't taken a break yet!!! BUT I'll keep it light and hopefully fun. I will return to answering your questions in 2012.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is a video from last year, I believe. But it's a classic (just my style) so ENJOY!!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A Very Zombie Holiday!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/0UqEhUm2B_8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0UqEhUm2B_8&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0UqEhUm2B_8&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-3983864131316503358?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-6538093103384324712011-12-19T03:30:00.000-08:002011-12-19T03:30:02.288-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmYJI5qimTU/TupPyguwE1I/AAAAAAAAAd8/h-huX3DemJM/s1600/Bored-Reader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmYJI5qimTU/TupPyguwE1I/AAAAAAAAAd8/h-huX3DemJM/s320/Bored-Reader.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://uphillwriting.org/2011/08/17/word-need-but/bored-reader/">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://beyeager.blogspot.com/">Bethany</a> asked:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Descriptions, characterization, dialogue... how doyou know when you're boring the reader?</span></span><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}</style><![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">&nbsp;</span><!--EndFragment--></span><div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good question! We certainly don't want to bore our readers. The last thing we want - dare I say our nightmare - is to have the reader put the book down, unread. *shudders*</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are some tips we can use to keep the momentum going, and the reader hooked!</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Change it up! Take a step back and look at your pages. Are they filled with words, with hardly any white space? That's a clue that you might have overdone the description. We want the white space varied on any given page. We want a mixture of dialogue, description, and action. Does every paragraph start with "I"? Vary paragraph length, sentence structure, and content. It's a juggling act, and you have to keep the balls in the air. The good news? That's what revision's for!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Make the reader react as strongly as the MC. If you can make the reader empathize with your character? You've done your job. The reader has to be invested. Give them something to feel connected to. Do they recognize a quality in your character that reminds them of themselves? Do they understand WHY the character acts the way they do? Internal dialogue helps here, and we'll go into that more on another post (we have a question about that!) Then when something stressful happens, and we get that reaction from the character, the reader will feel it too.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Keep up the tension. This does NOT mean dangle the MC by his toes over a vat of piranhas in every scene. It means, present a goal (big or small), put an obstacle in the MC's path or reaching it and or another conflicting goal, and voila! Recipe for tension. Which brings us to my favorite thing: TORTURE YOUR CHARACTERS. I always say if mine came to life I'd be in BIG trouble. But that's what makes for an exciting read!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Avoid the info dump. We hear it all the time. But we sometimes make excuses like, but I have to tell them this or they won't get it! You're a writer. Be creative! If your MC lives in this world, he's used to it. We don't discuss with each other what coffee cups are do we? No. We don't call someone and say: "Hey! I'm five foot four with red hair!" Um, I hope not. You get the idea. Make it natural and don't overwhelm. A little at a time is all the reader can digest. Don't introduce too many things/characters/plot points at once. Take your time, if you keep that tension going, you can drip the rest in.</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Hope that helps! That's my recipe for making sure the reader isn't bored. Can you think of anything I missed? I'm sure I did!! Let's discuss.</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-653809310338432471?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-55371347361469151722011-12-15T03:30:00.000-08:002011-12-15T03:30:00.212-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aV_1rFW1qR8/TuVH2ddwo8I/AAAAAAAAAc4/qmU5hI5J8c4/s1600/ESC+Head+Shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aV_1rFW1qR8/TuVH2ddwo8I/AAAAAAAAAc4/qmU5hI5J8c4/s320/ESC+Head+Shot.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><i>I went to the source for the following questions:&nbsp;</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.susankayequinn.com/">Susan Quinn</a> asked:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How do you reveal a key clue to the mystery in yourstory, without letting the reader know it's a clue until later, when everythingfinally clicks into place?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">AND <a href="http://cynthiawillis.blogspot.com/">Cynthia Chapman Willis</a> asked:&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What is the best way to set up a twist at the end ofa novel that readers do not see coming, yet makes perfect sense once they readit. You know, that slap the forehead "but of course" sense that weget when we've read a really great twist.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPQP7TLf-q4/TuVIERVn6II/AAAAAAAAAdA/kxxrx67-AlE/s1600/Hickory+Smoked+Homicide+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPQP7TLf-q4/TuVIERVn6II/AAAAAAAAAdA/kxxrx67-AlE/s320/Hickory+Smoked+Homicide+2.JPG" width="198" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Both of these questions relate well to mysteries. And there's no better blogging mystery expert than<a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/"> Elizabeth Craig</a>! SO here's her response:</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks so much to Lisa for inviting me here today to talk abouta couple of important mystery elements. Since she’s recently gotten questionsin her comments about laying clues and including twists in our stories, thoseare the two topics that I’ll cover today.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Clues</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the most important rules of mystery writing is thatthe reader must be kept in the loop.&nbsp;We can’t write mysteries where the sleuth is privy to information thatwe don’t provide the readers.&nbsp;Reading a mystery is almost an interactive experience—we’re solving thecrime alongside the sleuth. </div><div class="MsoNormal">So how do we supply enough clues to point to the murdererwithout actually giving away the killer until the end of the book?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The best way I’vefound to lay clues is a technique I think most mystery writers employ:distraction</b>.&nbsp; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here are some ways to do it:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Include the clue in a list of other, less-crucial observations.There’s a smudge of white paint on a suspect who is also unshaven, unkempt,smells like oranges, and has a runny nose. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Lay the clue but immediately introduce a red herring (falseclue) that seems much more important. The suspect mentions going out forbreakfast at a time he previously stated he was sleeping at home.&nbsp; This information is immediatelyfollowed by Penelope’s revelation that Cindy, the victim’s secretary, will unexpectedlyreceive a large sum of money from the victim’s estate. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Drop the clue and immediately distract attention away fromit by an interruption. Carter has just revealed information that seemscontradictory to something the sleuth believes to be true. Suddenly, they hearshouting outside and two suspects are engaged in what looks like a life anddeath struggle after one accuses the other of being the murderer.&nbsp; </div><div class="MsoNormal">Use a minor distraction. The interruption doesn’t have to beviolent—it could be something as quiet as another character arriving at thescene and cutting off the sleuth’s ability to analyze or process importantinformation she’s been given.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plot Twists<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Twists are fun to write for any genre.&nbsp; The trick is to make sure the readersdon’t feel like they’ve been tricked or cheated (the “it was all a dream”scenario where we find out the events in a book, television series, or moviedidn’t actually even occur.)</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’d use some examples here, but we run into the problem ofspoilers. So I’ll keep it vague and if you’ve seen or read this technique inaction, you’ll be able to think of your own examples.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unreliable narrator:</b>This can be tricky, but is really effective if done well.&nbsp; The idea is to make the reader believethat the person telling the story is a reliable and trustworthy observer…thenshow them in the plot twist that the narrator is anything but. I’ve seen thisdone where the narrator is actually the killer in the mystery, where they’rementally unstable or incompetent, or where we learn the first person narrator isa young child or even an animal.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chekov’s gun:</b>This is a technique where you take a common object that seems unimportant andimbue it with some form of usefulness, symbolism, or importance later in thestory. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unlikely perp: </b>Someoneyour protagonist and readers trust and believe in turns out to be theperpetrator or villain.&nbsp; You’ve gotto make sure you’ve laid clues to point to this person…the reader will likelydiscount those clues since they’ve written that person off as a suspect or badguy. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Surprise identity ofa main character: </b>In this twist, we receive a surprising revelation about amain character. We learn the protagonist is a double agent, for example. Or we discover(maybe the protagonist makes a simultaneous discovery) that either theprotagonist or other important character has a shocking relationship or link toanother—he is the child or parent or sibling, etc., of another. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A surprising twist insomething we’d assumed to be true: </b>The story isn’t set in modern times,it’s set 200 years in the future.&nbsp;The story isn’t populated by humans at all but by aliens. Something thatappears to be true is completely false. We think that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> of the characters are reliable and trustworthy and reasonable,then we learn that the story is set in an asylum or prison. I think these typesof twists would likely only be considered fair in short stories or similarforms.</div><div class="MsoNormal">In mysteries, using an <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">unreliable<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">witness</i></b> can also be effective inhelping to provide a twist. You’ve written in a character who is known by allto be highly unreliable—a habitual liar, someone in the early stages ofAlzheimer’s, maybe even a young child—and then this person provides informationthat points to the killer. Real and useful information that shouldn’t bediscounted, but is because of the way the writer has s<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6734108232999147338" name="_GoBack"></a>et-upthe situation for the reader.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Can you think of any other ways to lay clues or provide plottwists?&nbsp; Which are some of yourfavorite techniques?&nbsp; Have you usedthese in your writing?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Caption1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Elizabeth’slatest book </b></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hickory-Smoked-Homicide-Memphis-Mystery/dp/0425244601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1308434354&amp;sr=8-1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">HickorySmoked Homicide</i></b></a><span class="Caption1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> released November 1.&nbsp;Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as </b></span><a href="http://mysteryloverskitchen.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RileyAdams</b></a><span class="Caption1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">), theSouthern Quilting mysteries (2012) for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Cloverseries for Midnight Ink and independently.&nbsp; She blogs daily at </b></span><a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mystery Writing is Murder</b></a><span class="Caption1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, which was named by Writer’s Digest as oneof the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2010 and 2011.<br /></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Writer's KnowledgeBase--the Search Engine for Writers</b></span><span class="Caption1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br />Twitter: @elizabethscraig</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-5537134736146915172?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-46482302078961189902011-12-12T03:30:00.000-08:002011-12-12T03:30:01.235-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've asked my good friend and fabulous writer, <a href="http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/">Julie Musil</a> here today to answer one of your excellent questions! If you haven't visited Julie yet - WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOU???? Um, I mean, you should.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTw5THNs9jQ/Tt-3wYFWIWI/AAAAAAAAAsI/LNaSOSuPw2E/s1600/images-70.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683463296491331938" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTw5THNs9jQ/Tt-3wYFWIWI/AAAAAAAAAsI/LNaSOSuPw2E/s320/images-70.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 194px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 259px;" /></a>In the comments of Lisa's <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/11/how.html">"How?"</a> post, <a href="http://meredithmccardle.com/">Meredith</a> asked, "How do you skate that fine line between having a strong character with many, many flaws and having a character who's unlikeable?"</span><br /><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When Lisa asked me to tackle this subject, I wrote, "LOL! I'm the <i>last</i> person who should write this post, since I've done it all wrong!" But Lisa knew I'd struggled with this, and when we struggle, we're forced to study and learn. So I'll happily share my observations using some of my favorite examples.</span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games"</span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(stubborn, rebellious, manipulative)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Katniss wasn't a whiner, even though her circumstances were dire. Early on we were shown her struggle to survive, and the importance of the people she loved. The scene where she volunteered to take her sister's place in the Games endeared readers to Katniss. We rooted for her as her life became a complicated, dangerous mess. When she used her supposed negative qualities against evil, they became her saving grace.</span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mr. Darcy from "Pride and Prejudice"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(prideful, arrogant, selfish)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In <a href="http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/2011/09/studying-mr-darcy-likable-unlikable.html">this post</a>, I broke down why Mr. Darcy was the ultimate likable unlikable character. He was misunderstood, and Austen did a wonderful job of showing this throughout the story. In the opening, he was horrible to Elizabeth Bennet. As the story unfolded, we witnessed kindness and vulnerability behind the veneer, and we loved him even more. Austen accomplished this through subtle <a href="http://www.blakesnyder.com/tools/">"Save the Cat"</a> moments. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nick Levil from "Hate List"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(lonely, angry, bitter)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In <a href="http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/2011/11/writing-lessons-learned-from-hate-list.html">this post</a> I shared how impressed I was by how the author created a sympathetic villain in Nick. He killed fellow students. He was a monster. He should be hated. But the author dropped in snippets of backstory that allowed us to peek inside Nick's life, and experience how tortured he was. Readers <i>understood </i>Nick, even though he'd done a horrible thing.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's one of the main lessons I learned when studying negative traits and unlikable characters--readers need to know <i style="font-weight: bold;">why</i> the character is the way he is. Bullies don't just become bullies out of thin air. Something in their past took them down that road. Probably something painful, even humiliating. Once the reader understands this, there's a better chance they'll root for our characters, even if they're less than perfect. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We've all learned that protagonists can't be all good, and antagonists can't be all bad. Doing character worksheets, such as <a href="http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/p/character-worksheet.html">this one</a> on Jody Hedlund's blog, can go a long way toward creating real people, warts and all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do you have tips to share about creating a flawed but likable character? Please share! </span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010002; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://allthingsjennifer.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/11266/do-you-like-me-no-or-no/">photo credit</a></span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-4648230207896118990?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-18275118200823573532011-12-08T03:30:00.000-08:002011-12-08T03:30:01.661-08:00<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlB3lQvfvEE/Ttfn35t0GVI/AAAAAAAAAcc/nMPYnUsuEVM/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlB3lQvfvEE/Ttfn35t0GVI/AAAAAAAAAcc/nMPYnUsuEVM/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mamapop.com/2010/08/kristen-stewart-depressed.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://laurapauling.com/">Laura Pauling</a> asked...<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How do you find that balance betweenemotional motivation/inner conflict for your main character and not going tooemo? I know it has to do with story tone and genre too but do you have anytips?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Wow, Laura you did set the bar high on this one. What a great question! Yes, it does have to do with genre. For example, if you write YA, like I do, well, teens tend to get a little emo on occasion. More so than say a fifty-year-old lawyer.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Yes, tone is important too. But that often depends on genre as well.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4HLHab5UUI/TtfoH5-b2NI/AAAAAAAAAck/YN1nKS55k70/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4HLHab5UUI/TtfoH5-b2NI/AAAAAAAAAck/YN1nKS55k70/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weezerpedia.com/foppery/?p=23">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Let's dig a little deeper. You can't argue Twilight's success, but I've heard the complaint that Bella is a whiner, over and over again. When do you cross the line between whining/self-absorption and communicating true inner conflict?&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">I admit that was a major complaint from one of my trusted beta readers on my last manuscript. That my character was in danger of crossing that line the wrong way. SO I had to tone it down. That's tip number one and two.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">USE BETA READERS. They can spot this sort of thing when you might be too close.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Weed through the manuscript and see how often you repeat yourself. Sometimes we're so wrapped up, we want to get the point across. But let's not beat the reader over the head. If your character expresses her fear of losing her boyfriend, let's not say it every other paragraph, fifteen different ways. Let's make sure we <b>pick the BEST ways to say it</b> and <b>do so at carefully spaced intervals</b> throughout.</span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Back to tone for a moment. It may very well be that the fate of the entire world hangs in the balance of your MC's choice. Dramatic indeed. But we want the tension to build throughout. If your MC is all "woe is me" from page one, there isn't a lot of room to work with. SO...</span></span><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Make sure the inner reaction is appropriate for the character. And you should know your character well enough to know the answer to this. If not, you have some character building to do!</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Make sure the inner reaction is appropriate for the situation. You may have a Bella for an MC, but if she doesn't eat meat and all they serve for lunch is hamburger it's just not the same as her boyfriend committing suicide.&nbsp;</span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">And remember, sometimes it DOES come down to taste. Hamlet and Bella were full of inner angst, but they sure did make it big! The reader who likes that sort of character may not be drawn to another kind of book. Sometimes if you've done all you can, it comes down to subjectivity. Again, that's a positive aspect of writing because for every type of book, there is a reader. Well, hopefully more than one! But you know what I mean. Hope that helps!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-1827511820082357353?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-70132052242500235792011-12-05T03:30:00.000-08:002011-12-05T09:05:14.373-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tK843ZPa1nw/TtfhQMjC8nI/AAAAAAAAAcU/GwfNpWgc5fY/s1600/iStock_000015122897XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tK843ZPa1nw/TtfhQMjC8nI/AAAAAAAAAcU/GwfNpWgc5fY/s320/iStock_000015122897XSmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.arealchange.com/blog/questions-making-money-online-attracting-clients-aspects-business">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WOW. You guys floored me. I mean the questions EACH one of you came up with are incredible. So incredible that if I knew all the answers I'd be set in this business! LOL. Seriously though, you really gave me some great stuff to chew on. So here's the deal: I (or a guest author) am going to answer all your questions to the best of my ability. I can't, unfortunately both answer these questions and give all of you critiques though. So as I said, I had to pick the top three. It was incredibly hard to do, and I'm still wishing I could award more, so maybe I'll have to do another contest too! We'll see...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The questions themselves? I will either devote an entire post or answer several at a time. But I expect this will take a while to get through. That means you'll just have to keep checking in to find the answers!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oh yes. The winners of a first chapter critique are: <a href="http://laurapauling.com/">Laura Pauling</a> &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="http://beyeager.blogspot.com/">Bethany Yeager </a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://muserantrave.blogspot.com/">Melinda Collins</a>! If you'd prefer to give away the critique on your blog, you may do so.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will post each person's link and question when I answer them. Check in on Thursday to see me tackle Laura's question. Until then I'll leave you with some great writing quotes so you can remember these three important points: 1. Butt in chair. 2. Imagination is key and 3. Challenge yourself.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you haven't got an idea, start a story anyway. You can always throw it away, and maybe by the time you get to the fourth page you&nbsp;<strong>will</strong>&nbsp;have an idea, and you'll only have to throw away the first three pages.<br />William Campbell Gault</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;">When I examine myself and my methods of thought I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing knowledge.</span>&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Albert Einstein</span></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;">An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times;">Oscar Wilde</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7013205224250023579?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-10625365340293029742011-12-01T03:30:00.000-08:002011-12-01T03:30:00.654-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VA7q8cC604/TtLUhckBqvI/AAAAAAAAAcM/70FVUaNrGlk/s1600/two-paths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VA7q8cC604/TtLUhckBqvI/AAAAAAAAAcM/70FVUaNrGlk/s320/two-paths.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blissfullyenamored.blogspot.com/2010/10/two-paths.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes, there are certain rules and widely held beliefs that we try to use as a guide. But each person - each manuscript is different. We already know that both plotters and pantsers are equally successful. We know that the parts that come easy for one are difficult for another and vice versa. I thought about this as I completed Nano, with the messiest rough draft EVER. So I decided to take a look at what are some pretty solid truths (although I bet you anything you all can, will, and should argue this in the comments) and things that vary.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Things we find on all paths to publication:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The one thing I will never waiver on is behavior on the internet. If you want to succeed, you conduct yourself with manners and you don't lose your cool.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You have to keep up on craft. No one knows everything. Everyone can improve. Keep reading posts, books, articles, and attending classes, workshops, and conferences. Whatever works for you.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WRITE. You can't be a writer if you never get around to actually writing.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">READ. You can't really write in the genre you choose if you haven't read widely. Writers are readers.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Time. Each road is different, it's true. Some have to work at it for a decade and beyond before something happens, some are fortunate to have the right timing and all the stars align. Either way, the thing successful writers have in common is perseverance. If you don't keep trying, you can't succeed.</span></li></ul><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Things that vary on our own paths:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Environment. Do you write in the morning? At night? &nbsp;Do you work full time? Do you have twelve kids running around? Do you need music? Absolute quiet? A change in scenery? The same spot every time? You get my point.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">POV and tense. Some people swear by first person. Some people can only write past tense. Some people can't stand alternating points of view. What do I think? I think it depends on the manuscript and what's important for that one. Also, what your strengths are as a writer.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Background. Our own stories are as varied as the ones we put to paper. And that's something to celebrate because there are so many different readers out there waiting for great books.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Social Media. *gasp* it isn't for everyone. Not everyone enjoys it or feels comfortable with it. And which format you use varies also. I have a fondness for blogging and Twitter for example.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Process. I already mentioned plotters and pantsers. But there are also those whose first drafts are more of a skeleton that needs to be filled in, and those that have to cut down their 140,000 word masterpieces. There are those of us that are great with character, but have to work on world, or the other way around. Each person is different and so is each book.</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What are some other variables that change depending on the writer or the book?</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-1062536534029302974?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-337894204939574532011-11-28T03:30:00.000-08:002011-11-28T03:30:00.140-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WGpUt9VNRY/TsvbMbVfp2I/AAAAAAAAAcE/Hz8c1RjB0wk/s1600/how-do-i-watch-a-mkv-file.s600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WGpUt9VNRY/TsvbMbVfp2I/AAAAAAAAAcE/Hz8c1RjB0wk/s320/how-do-i-watch-a-mkv-file.s600x600.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.life123.com/technology/file-formats/mkv-files/how-do-i-watch-a-mkv-file.shtml">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My "Why" posts have been going over pretty well according to the responses. So I have a question for all of you. But since I want ANSWERS, I am tempting you with a prize.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would like to help answer questions that you have on HOW. How do I...? &nbsp;SO, the best (judged by moi) how or why question in the comments section by this time next week will win a first chapter critique by yours truly. Keep in mind my forte is YA, but I will also look at MG. This way the contest is open worldwide. Oh heck, Aliens are invited too, but it has to be in English if you want comments because that's all I speak!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If it's a great question but I don't know the answer? I will FIND SOMEONE WHO DOES and still get the answer. If I get more than one? I'll give away up to three critiques, but potentially use more questions. And don't forget I'll link back to those who asked them.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good luck! Can't wait to see what you come up with. ;D</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-33789420493957453?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-43876505991138457202011-11-24T03:30:00.000-08:002011-11-24T03:30:00.084-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4gfaLglxTU/Tq8w9X0a3OI/AAAAAAAAAbM/cGbNfj16tkE/s1600/funny-turkey-revolt-cartoon3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4gfaLglxTU/Tq8w9X0a3OI/AAAAAAAAAbM/cGbNfj16tkE/s320/funny-turkey-revolt-cartoon3.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mudtrap.com/mudtrap-animations-happy-thanksgiving.htm">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm grateful for many things. But at the top of my list are my writing friends. Maybe I'm a sap, but I REALLY do think of so many of you as friends. And no matter what place you're at in your career, be it beginner or published author from the NYT bestseller list, I love you all. Without the support of each other, I can't imagine doing this. It must have been especially difficult pre-Internet. Of course SCBWI has been around for an amazing 40 years plus. But no matter where you find them, writing peeps are a must.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you all for being part of my life.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you for letting me be a part of yours.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Thanksgiving. And don't tick off the turkey.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-4387650599113845720?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-37934971565957718622011-11-21T03:30:00.000-08:002011-11-21T03:30:00.780-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAm74_EtkQA/TrFgnIsxoWI/AAAAAAAAAbs/FORYSoaFQE0/s1600/platforms-hidden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAm74_EtkQA/TrFgnIsxoWI/AAAAAAAAAbs/FORYSoaFQE0/s320/platforms-hidden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.runningwithheels.com/index.php/tag/platform-heels/">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ah the writer's platform. We've all seen this, right? The need to market ourselves in an appetizing way (without coating anything in chocolate) and build an audience that will eventually buy our book. It feels icky in a way, doesn't it? Like we're snake oil salesmen or something. But it's also understandable, especially in the current atmosphere, where authors are expected to do more and more of their own marketing.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There have been many posts already about HOW to do this. I can boil it down to A. Don't keep shoving your book under everyone's nose and "follow back" on Twitter just to up your follower count. And B. Make genuine connections with others by offering information of value, whether humor, support, or information.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But WHY? Why do this before we even get an agent? Isn't it a bit of a time waste?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Answer: Because by making GENUINE connections, you are gaining invaluable, reciprocal support from others like you. My writer peeps get me, and without them I might have given up at some point. Plus you demonstrate your ability to play well with others. Or not. (In which case, that's not as good for you as the agent or editor who may see that and avoid going down that road to begin with). But I digress and I suspect I'm preaching to the choir.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Caution! Don't get so wrapped up online that you get no writing time. It's easy to do. Set personal limits.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-3793497156595771862?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-38028284948427502392011-11-17T03:30:00.000-08:002011-11-17T03:30:00.098-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXjT1iHC2_s/TrDFFoEBUMI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Jgc8YoH0vRw/s1600/Critique-online_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXjT1iHC2_s/TrDFFoEBUMI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Jgc8YoH0vRw/s320/Critique-online_003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kateevangelistarandr.blogspot.com/2011/01/art-of-critique-partners.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We know critiquing is important. One of the first pieces of advice we get is to find a critique group. But WHY? Why do we need it?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Answer:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because another set of eyes is invaluable. When you write, you know the story and your characters intimately. Your mind fills in the missing pieces without even realizing it. You are too close to things to see them clearly.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We do our best to articulate what's inside our heads, but we don't always see the varied ways it can be perceived.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you have others critique your work, you can see what makes sense to the reader and what doesn't. Patterns might be obvious to someone else. You will learn your weaknesses and by doing the same for others, you learn as well. It's a win win situation.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But there's more! You also learn to take critique. It isn't always easy to hear anything other than, "This is fabulous." But you need to be able to consider the critique objectively if you want to get anywhere as a writer. What do you think your agent and editor will ultimately do? It's good practice.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And by the way, even positive feedback is essential. You need to recognize your weaknesses and work them, but you also need to understand and explore your strengths. Take pride in them too, and don't gloss over the positive comments.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-3802828494842750239?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-77815562135861471762011-11-14T03:30:00.000-08:002011-11-14T03:30:00.295-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMWReNjawP4/TrDCIbTJivI/AAAAAAAAAbc/fxpjnwnnJ5U/s1600/Buffy-with-Stake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMWReNjawP4/TrDCIbTJivI/AAAAAAAAAbc/fxpjnwnnJ5U/s320/Buffy-with-Stake.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theflickcast.com/2010/03/16/buffy-swan-refuses-to-suck/buffy-with-stake/">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You guessed it! Another WHY post. &nbsp;Sure there are some Buffys and Van Helsings out there with uncanny query writing abilities who make it look easy, but for some it's tougher than writing the book. So&nbsp;why is it that writing queries has to be so darn hard?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are good reasons for this, my friends.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Answers:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There has to be a way for agents to sort through the multitude of manuscripts they receive on a daily basis. By doing the hard work, and writing a great query, you can set yourself above the rest and get a request for a full or partial.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you have trouble summarizing your book, it may be a sign that you need to look at the plot again before it's ready to send out.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First impressions mean everything. It's cruel in a way, but true. When you go on a job interview, you strive to make a good impression. Well, your novel is making that impression, and if it wasn't hard to do, everyone would do it. Of course, it seems that everyone <i>does </i>do it, but the truth is that many people never even finish one draft of a book, let alone revise until their eyes bleed and research and agonize over the query letter.</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So there you have it. Anything to add? Pat yourselves on the back if you've struggled with the query letter, and remember it's tough, but tough is good. And now you know why.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7781556213586147176?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-53950258542368714352011-11-10T03:30:00.000-08:002011-11-10T03:30:03.494-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijl2YTNyBSs/Tq8uSRy2LcI/AAAAAAAAAbE/vxTaKVt-olA/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijl2YTNyBSs/Tq8uSRy2LcI/AAAAAAAAAbE/vxTaKVt-olA/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://meganbostic.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Welcome to another installment of BUT WHY CAN'T I DO THAT?? This time we will be discussing adverbs. One of the first rules I heard of when I started seriously writing was the "No adverbs if you can help it, especially in dialogue tags" rule. But WHY?&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Answer: Because many times adverbs signify laziness on the part of the writer. We've all done it. We want to emphasize something, we want to make sure the reader gets what we mean. But we need to find creative and original ways to do that.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Example: Harry looked around lazily. &nbsp;Without Adverb: Harry lifted one eyelid and let his gaze drift around the room.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And why especially dialogue tags?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Answer: Because the reader should know from your writing (other dialogue, body language, internal thoughts, etc.) how the sentence was said. And don't be lazy with your descriptions either. I'm guilty of it too. She rolled her eyes. He grinned. Etc. Push yourself to do better. You won't regret it.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I do want to point out that sometimes adverbs are not evil. But you can do an "ly" search in your document to find out if you've overused. Weigh each one. Take it out and re-read to see if you need it. Chances are it will sound cleaner without.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Any other reasons to avoid adverbs.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-5395025854236871435?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-21202228458753423732011-11-07T03:30:00.000-08:002011-11-07T03:30:02.883-08:00<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-rPNrHTF2c/TrC895m6jbI/AAAAAAAAAbU/h4409iZdXPU/s1600/tootsie-pop-owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-rPNrHTF2c/TrC895m6jbI/AAAAAAAAAbU/h4409iZdXPU/s1600/tootsie-pop-owl.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://108insightsfromanartist.blogspot.com/2011/04/final-project-how-many-licks-does-it.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was asked: How many revisions does a writer go through before she is ready to query? So for the answer I went to some trusted writer friends. Below are answers from those at all stages of the process, from querying to published, in no particular order.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://harrypotterforwriters.blogspot.com/">Susan Sipal</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">1,000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Can you tell I'm in the middle ofrevising something I thought was revised about 50 drafts ago??<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">In my experience, there are two maintypes of writers -- 1) the overly-optimistic, too excited, mustrush-to-get-it-out-there, and 2) the esteem-challenged,what-if-someone-says-something-negative-about-my- baby, I can tweak two morewords at least. &nbsp;Knowing whether your draft is ready involves knowingwhich sick, demented writerly camp you fall into. &nbsp;If you're theoverly-optimistic (read naive), then you probably should hold onto your draftfor several more rounds. &nbsp;However, if even your least favorite critiquepartner is telling you enough is enough, then hold the epidural and shoot thatbaby out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.susankayequinn.com/">Susan Quinn</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Itdepends on the book … and the level of experience of the writer. For my firstbook, which didn’t query agents and went straight to a small publisher, I didfour drafts. For the MG SF story that I queried (and got lots of requests): sixdrafts. For the YA SF story I just self-published (but queried agents beforethat)? Five drafts. I expect to do at least 4 drafts for the sequel.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://lesliesullirose.blogspot.com/">Leslie Rose</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Here aremy drafts:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">1 - vomitdraft - let it fly baby<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">2- Storyarc pass - main story subplots - overall structure<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">3- MC&amp; supporting character arcs - including character development &amp;embellishment<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">4-grammar/punctuation pass &amp; bad habit pass (adverbs/tense/sentencevariety/word choice)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">7 - Hardcopy read - make corrections<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">8 -Kindle read - make corrections<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">OUT TOBETAS<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">9 -Including Beta notes pass<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">10 -Holistic read - wearing my audience hat<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">11 -Corrections from Holistic read<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">QUERYTIME<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">*Throughall the passes I keep and ongoing notebook on the MS for "ah ha"moments. I will insert these in whatever draft I'm currently working on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.stinalindenblatt.com/">Stina Lindenblatt</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Well I'm on my 13th draft right now,but that's because I reworked my story goal and motivation. When I think backto my previous books, they've all been 13 + drafts. My approach to each book isdifferent. I'm hoping one day to streamline the process, once I figure whatworks best for me. :D<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Also, I send my&nbsp;ms out to betareaders in waves, and&nbsp;complete a&nbsp;few of&nbsp;drafts between eachwave.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">And just for additional info, I dooutline first. The outline I wrote for my current WIP was written over a yearago. I've learned tons of things since then, which I wish I had&nbsp;known&nbsp;a year ago. That would have resulted in fewer drafts. ;)&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">I'll probably do at least two moredrafts before I query since&nbsp;I'm still sending my ms out to a few more betareaders. Yes, I'll do anything to delay the joy of rejections.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://heathermccorkle.blogspot.com/">Heather McCorkle</a>:<br />I have a pretty extensive editing process that involves 5-8 revisions dependingon the needs of the manuscript. Due to the increasingly competitive market mymanuscripts have to really shine before I send them out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://sarahskilton.blogspot.com/">Sarah Skilton</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">My gut reaction is that four drafts isabout right. The first draft is for yourself, to get everything down; thesecond draft is a quick-ish revision on your own again to make it ready foryour critique group (ironically, I recommend </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://hollylisle.com/one-pass-manuscript-revision-from-first-draft-to-last-in-one-cycle/"><span style="color: #0d439a;">Holly Lisle's one-pass revision for this</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">); the third is a longer revision after receivingconstructive feedback from your critique group; and the fourth is just a polishto make the prose shine.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And then, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">when you can't stand it any longer and you'reabsolutely <i>certain </i>your novel is ready to go out into the world, wait.Give it another week before you hit "send." Take a break. Go on awalk. Wait just a teensy bit longer, and give it fresh eyes for typos. It'stough to do, but the person reading it will thank you.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/">Julie Musil:</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As many as it takes. I'm no expert on this stuff, but it seems to me that if we say ahead of time 2, 3, 10 drafts, then we're hurting ourselves. I think it's fair to do at least a couple of drafts before your critique partners or beta readers see it. Then revise again, and again, and again, until you read it through with barely any changes. I'd say that's the time to query.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">*****</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Did you find an answer that you like? I think the idea here is that it's different for everyone. But the one thing we all have in common? Multiple drafts. Lots of revision. Because that's what it takes no matter how daunting it seems.</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">You can do it!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-2120222845875342373?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-1526004445791572152011-11-03T03:30:00.000-07:002011-11-03T03:30:00.540-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81Z7qQqHipY/Tq7lIOHfa6I/AAAAAAAAAa8/Tneyp62fB9o/s1600/impatient.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81Z7qQqHipY/Tq7lIOHfa6I/AAAAAAAAAa8/Tneyp62fB9o/s320/impatient.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://joanswan.blogspot.com/2010/09/writing-for-impatient-reader.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We know some things are good for us. We eat our veggies, double space our manuscripts and try not to blow up like a crazy person on the Internet. I hope. *Ahem* Anyhow, I recently had a blogger ask me WHY? Why is it good to put a manuscript in a drawer for a month? Good question! I mean we hear advice like that all the time. But WHY? That's kind of the important part, don't you think?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So I am going to do a new series of posts trying to clarify the WHY on some of these common bits of advice, starting today with: <b>Why put it away?</b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Answer: <b>Because you are too close to it.</b> For the last month to year you have lived and breathed this manuscript. You are in love with your characters. You know the plot inside and out. And chances are every time you see the words they start blending together to the point they're doing the hula. So if you put it away you get distance. You gain perspective. You can re-attack it with fresh and rested eyes.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Does it work? Hell yes. I whine and moan and complain as my critique partners tell me EVERY TIME to put it away and don't dare touch it for at least several weeks. But guess what? It's like reading a whole new book when I go back. I see stuff that needs work, but I also see what I did right. Sometimes I even say, "did I write that? Cool!" So don't be afraid of it. It's like seeing a long lost friend.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Any other answers you can add?&nbsp;</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-152600444579157215?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-54179281193969894292011-10-31T03:30:00.000-07:002011-10-31T03:30:03.034-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lU30A5yevEA/TqWzc_Ve2UI/AAAAAAAAAac/o0Q6ZKg15xY/s1600/OpenMinds_cover_200x304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lU30A5yevEA/TqWzc_Ve2UI/AAAAAAAAAac/o0Q6ZKg15xY/s1600/OpenMinds_cover_200x304.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Halloween!!! In honor of one of my favorite days of the year (I'll keep you guessing on the others), I am reviewing <a href="http://www.susankayequinn.com/">Susan Kaye Quinn</a>'s book, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12727768-open-minds">OPEN MINDS</a>, which debuts tomorrow. Why this book on All Hallows Eve? Let me ask you - which is scarier? Someone with the ability to not only read minds, but control them? Or This guy?&nbsp;</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T78dk52U5U4/TqWwirFm69I/AAAAAAAAAaU/FvgJNZ0yqFg/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T78dk52U5U4/TqWwirFm69I/AAAAAAAAAaU/FvgJNZ0yqFg/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thegloss.com/career/how-to-be-a-productivity-zombie/">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yeah, okay he's creepy, but I could take him. Or at least run away.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In fact, he's the one I chose to interview about the book! And believe me he was difficult to get on Halloween. I had to promise lots of brai- uh, never mind, let's just leave it at he was tough to book.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Me: What did you think of the book OPEN MINDS?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Zombie: GWAAAAMAAWEEEEEEEGOOOOO. *thumbs up or at least some appendage pointing skyward*</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Me: Very, um, descriptive. So did you feel it was an authentic teen voice with a good story arc and pacing?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Zombie: *lunges*</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Me: *ducks behind furniture* Sorry! Sorry! I forgot - no big words. Was book good?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Zombie: MWAAAEEEEEEWWWWAAAAAA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;*Another thumbs up*</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Me: Agreed.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I thought Susan did a great job keeping the excitement coming while delivering on an authentic teen voice. This book was unique and that may be the best praise I can give because that is tough to find. She didn't pull any punches as we talked about the other day. Now if you'll excuse me, my guest is looking hungry. *gulp*</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f497d;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f497d;"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}</style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;}</style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1028"/></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><!--StartFragment--></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: #1f497d;">****************************************************************************************</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f497d;"><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="431883365v1_350x350_Back.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0; margin-top:0;width:64.5pt;height:64.5pt;z-index:251657216;visibility:visible; mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/lisa/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image001.jpg" o:title="431883365v1_350x350_Back"/> <v:textbox style='mso-rotate-with-shape:t'/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U08c_bwglD0/Tq4WsM5c_XI/AAAAAAAAAas/fOS8lyytBqY/s1600/image003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U08c_bwglD0/Tq4WsM5c_XI/AAAAAAAAAas/fOS8lyytBqY/s1600/image003.jpg" /></a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 14pt;">PRIZES!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">Susan Kaye Quinn is giving away an&nbsp;<i>Open Books/Open Minds</i>&nbsp;t-shirt, mug, and some fun wristbands to celebrate the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.susankayequinn.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Virtual Launch Party</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<i>Open Minds</i>&nbsp;(Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy)!&nbsp;</span></b><span style="color: #1f497d;">(<a href="http://www.susankayequinn.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Check out the prizes here.</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">Three ways to enter</span></b><span style="color: #1f497d;">&nbsp;(you can have multiple entries):<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span>1)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">Leave a comment here</span></b><span style="color: #1f497d;">&nbsp;or at the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.susankayequinn.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Virtual Launch Party</a>&nbsp;post<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span>2)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><b><span style="color: #1f497d;">Tweet (with tag #keepingOPENMINDS)</span></b><span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example: When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep. #keepingOPENMINDS @susankayequinn #SF #YA avail NOW&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example: Celebrate the launch of OPEN MINDS by @susankayequinn #keepingOPENMINDS #SciFi #paranormal #YA avail NOW&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span>3)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Facebook (tag @AuthorSusanKayeQuinn)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example: Celebrate the launch of paranormal/SF novel OPEN MINDS by @AuthorSusanKayeQuinn for a chance to win Open Books/Open Minds prizes!&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">**********************************************************************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.6pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">When</span></span><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;"> everyone reads minds,&nbsp;a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 13.6pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 13.6pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 13.6pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Open Minds</span></i></b><b><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;(Book One of the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mindjacktrilogy.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Mindjack Trilogy</a>)</span></b><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.susankayequinn.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Susan Kaye Quinn</a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;<b>available in e-book</b>&nbsp;(</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z1RRUU" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Amazon US</a>&nbsp;(also&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Open-Minds-Mindjack-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B005Z1RRUU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1319638582&amp;sr=8-2" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">UK</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Open-Minds-Mindjack-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B005Z1RRUU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1319638623&amp;sr=8-2" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">France</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.de/Open-Minds-Mindjack-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B005Z1RRUU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1319638665&amp;sr=8-2" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Germany</a>)</span><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1106795594?ean=2940013294899&amp;itm=2&amp;usri=susan%2bkaye%2bquinn" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Barnes &amp; Noble</a></span><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/98933" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Smashwords</a></span><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">)&nbsp;<b>and print</b>(</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Open-Minds-Book-Mindjack-Trilogy/dp/1466354267/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Amazon</a></span><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3673557" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Createspace</a>, also&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mindjacktrilogy.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">autographed copies</a>&nbsp;available from the author</span><span style="color: #585858; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">).</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-5417928119396989429?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-1898463109597482892011-10-27T03:30:00.000-07:002011-10-27T03:30:00.346-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E9XDZyUIS2A/TqMa_6OYt1I/AAAAAAAAAaE/N4GVV-nHfJw/s1600/scared-baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E9XDZyUIS2A/TqMa_6OYt1I/AAAAAAAAAaE/N4GVV-nHfJw/s1600/scared-baby.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The winner of Libba Bray's BEAUTY QUEENS is <a href="http://vbtremper.wordpress.com/">Vicki</a>!!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We talked last time about instilling fear in the reader. Now I want to discuss following through with what I like to call the big showdown. It doesn't have to be a literal showdown. It typically IS the climax though. Maybe it's just a climax for your scene, or maybe it's for the entire book. Either way I want to outline some ways to get the biggest bang for your words.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I read a book (I won't say which) where the climax came and was over so fast I almost didn't recognize it. Not cool.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Keep an element of surprise.</b> If we're biting our nails as the MC reaches for the door we're sure the killer is behind... Maybe the killer is actually sneaking up behind her? Or he is behind the door, but it looks like no one is there, and as she turns away -- keep us doubting and hoping.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Make it a challenge. </b>It's true, we want the MC to succeed. We've traveled this far with her. We even want to protect her. BUT ultimately if it's too easy or safe, we are disappointed and rightly so. This is the test you've built up to. Make it HARD. No skating by.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Give us a moment of doubt.</b> If you've done your job the MC has the tools and know how to get through this even by the skin of her teeth. However, that doesn't mean she'll do it, right? Give us that moment of "Oh no she's not gonna make it!" Even if she does.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Pull in the clues. </b>You've laid the groundwork. You've planted threads. Now's the time to bring them together. It's always fun when something you've forgotten about as a reader comes back and fits perfectly in place at the crucial moment.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Any other tips to add?</span></div><div><a href="http://frankmatthewsblog.com/">Photo credit</a>:&nbsp;I know, the pic isn't perfect for the subject, but it was too cute not to use.&nbsp;</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-189846310959748289?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-34989510661933442072011-10-24T03:30:00.000-07:002011-10-24T03:30:02.581-07:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUhfasUbGLE/TqHqDi3KhQI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/HKuD-MAtrds/s1600/HandReachingForDoorKnob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUhfasUbGLE/TqHqDi3KhQI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/HKuD-MAtrds/s320/HandReachingForDoorKnob.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pspc.dibe.unige.it/~drivsco/Docs/Ritter/talkHR.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love Halloween, don't you? And since it's coming up next Monday, I thought I'd do some scary posts in honor of this most creative of occasions. Whether you write horror or contemporary, fantasy or sci-fi, chances are there is a point where you want to frighten your reader. Fear is one way to be emotionally invested in a book, and if the payoff is done well (we'll talk about that next time) you have an excellent combination.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So how do you do it? Do you throw in a scary monster? Not necessary, though I love a good monster. Here are some do's and do not's for setting up the tension. That's right! Tension = Fear, concern, worry, anxiety, nervousness - you get the idea.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Do:</b></span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Put your MC is danger.</b> Seems obvious, I know. But some of us have a hard time doing that to our beloved characters. Don't protect them.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Keep that danger ominous. </b>Yes you have to reveal information to your reader, but don't come out shooting. Think of some of your favorite books. Chances are the villain was built up over time so that his presence was a cloud looming over the MC. Voldemort is a great example. We see from other's reactions (just the fear that using his name instills in all but Dumbledore) that he is someone to avoid. Before he is ever seen, we are frightened of him.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Play with time. </b>Huh? What I mean is, use your pacing to your advantage. Slow it down right as the tension mounts. Make the MC reach slowly toward that creaking door that you just KNOW the killer is hiding behind...</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Make your MC helpless.</b> Whatever he/she is facing should be the worst possible thing you can think of. Find his Kryptonite and use it to the villain's advantage. We should feel just as helpless when reading it as he does.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Make it your MC's fault. </b>If she feels responsibility for the heinous situation, we are doubly invested in her seemingly impossible attempt to right the wrong she created.</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Don't:</b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Be cliche.</b> Walking down an eerie street in broad daylight can be scarier than a dark and stormy night.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Make your antagonist a device.</b> Give the villain some depth. Don't just throw in a mindless monster because it gives you reason to react. Yeah, zombies are scary, but what's scarier is the mad scientist who created them by experimenting on foster kids like your MC.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Tell.</b> Yeah I know, that whole show don't tell thing. But it's really helpful when you're trying to instigate strong feelings in the readers and immerse them in a scene.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Pull your punches. </b>Don't take it easy on us or your characters. This goes with putting your MC in danger. Dish it out fully. Don't be afraid, you can always clean up the carnage if you must during revisions.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Underestimate the reader</b>. Assume we get it. The more details we have to fill in with our imagination, the scarier it actually is. That's not an excuse to fail to describe things or plant the idea in the first place. Just be purposeful in where and how those details come.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Remember it's that moment of suspense before the killer jumps out from behind the door that makes the difference. Also, if you notice, the majority of these tips aren't so much about the bad guy as the MC.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-3498951066193344207?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-75473547367699635372011-10-20T03:30:00.000-07:002011-10-20T03:30:02.928-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsn922uIGhs/TpumdYIz9GI/AAAAAAAAAZw/oJSlS4mfwrM/s1600/girl-fantasy-wallpapers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsn922uIGhs/TpumdYIz9GI/AAAAAAAAAZw/oJSlS4mfwrM/s320/girl-fantasy-wallpapers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.coolest-wallpapers.com/fantasy/">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Obviously I love fantasy. All types really. Do I enjoy a good sci-fi or contemporary on occasion? Sure! But I always gravitate to the fantastic. Why? What is it about fantasy that captures my imagination beyond anything else?&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think it's threefold. I'm sure there are more advantages, perhaps you'll point some out in the comments. But for me, these rise to the top of the list:</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Escape.</b> Let's face it, life can be boring sometimes. I've always preferred to fly around as a superhero, or disappear into an enchanted forest full of unicorns (in my head of course) than do let's say... homework. Not that I didn't do my fair share. But if I had the choice with no consequences? No contest. Who doesn't want to be the hero?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Safety of Symbolism.</b> I don't like preachy books. Sorry. I don't want to be told what to do or think, no matter what the source. I prefer intelligent discussion and thought provoking ideas. So when a book showcases a very real issue or situation and explores some of the finer implications in an honest way, I'm hooked. And fantasy let's us explore these themes in relative safety by changing the setting and characters to something unfamiliar and therefore less threatening or obvious.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Playground for the Imagination.</b> Yes any story builds a new world, but where else can the sky be purple and the butterflies poisonous? Hey that's kind of cool... *runs to write it down* The possibilities are truly endless.&nbsp;</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Everyone's taste is different, which is why it's so wonderful to have choices. Sometimes it's too hard to suspend disbelief. But I believe there is some fantasy out there for almost everyone. Many have read Harry Potter who claim to not like fantasy at all. What do you think? Do you see any additional advantages of fantasy as a medium? What about disadvantages? Share!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7547354736769963537?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-31759044404320027592011-10-17T03:01:00.000-07:002011-10-17T03:01:00.410-07:00<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tY3GdBg4ROA/Tpdfb40UUHI/AAAAAAAAAZU/_Qw7_yrbd3M/s1600/9464733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tY3GdBg4ROA/Tpdfb40UUHI/AAAAAAAAAZU/_Qw7_yrbd3M/s320/9464733.jpg" width="209" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Boy do I have a post foryou! See, my writing compadres, <a href="http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/">Julie Musil </a>and <a href="http://lesliesullirose.blogspot.com/">Leslie Rose</a>, and I have allfinished reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Queens-Libba-Bray/dp/0439895979">BEAUTY QUEENS </a>by Libba Bray. This book is too amazing to becontained in a single post, so the three of us have come together this week tobring you an uber-awesome BEAUTY QUEENS Blog Extravaganza complete with our ownbeauty contestant profiles and a contest too fun to believe. So make yourselvescomfortable for part one, right here, right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">And with me to review thebook I have none other than a beauty contestant, Miss Writer’s Block!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br />Me: So what did you think of the book?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">MWB: It was pretty. *Smiles*<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br />Me: *Cringes away from blinding reflection off teeth* How did the story makeyou feel?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">MWB: Confused and awed. Imean, I can’t even finish my book, let alone come up with yummy stories thatwork together so well and actually mean something. That’s why I went for theTitle. *fingers ribbon* <o:p></o:p></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Me: Thank you, Miss Writer’sBlock. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGOtBfbbfMk/TpdfilvYeHI/AAAAAAAAAZc/UQwHPiaQ9wE/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGOtBfbbfMk/TpdfilvYeHI/AAAAAAAAAZc/UQwHPiaQ9wE/s320/IMG_0340.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">My opinion? Oh come on. Youguys know Libba Bray is my favorite author. I may or may not have blackmailedher into taking this picture with me at the SCBWI conference. Either way, thisbook did NOT disappoint. I’d say lots of good stuff about the genius of it, butlet’s leave it at: If you want to be my friend you should read this book. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Now to my fun facts pagebased off the novel:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Miss Teen Dream Fun Facts Page!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Name: Lisa Gail Green<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">State: Excited!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Age: Emotionally? Fifteen. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Height: Tall enough to reachmost of my shelves. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Weight: More than I’d like.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Hair: Fiery red<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Eyes: Green/blue<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Feature: My smile :D </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">&lt;--</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> see?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Fun Facts About Me<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I can ticklemyself. (I know weird, right?</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">&nbsp; &nbsp; I actuallyalmost entered a beauty contest as a young teen. Thank GOODNESS my parentsrefused to let me do it. I am aware that the Corporation may frown upon thisanswer but I thought it was relevant.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">&nbsp; &nbsp; Libba Braycalled me a diva. I’m pretty sure it was meant in a good way. In fact, shesigned my copy of the book to “Divalicious”. I want to be just like her when I grow up.</span></li></ul></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">AND the contest!!!&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Do youwant to win an autographed copy of BEAUTY QUEENS? It isn’t just any autographeither. It’s in true Libba Bray style, and you’ll just have to take my word forit.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">f you want to win simply leave a comment telling us one fun fact about youas if you were a contestant in the Miss Teen Dream pageant. You can enter up tothree times by commenting on <a href="http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/">Julie’s blog</a> <b>tomorrow</b>, and <a href="http://lesliesullirose.blogspot.com/">Leslie’s</a> on <b>Wednesday</b>.You have ‘till next Monday (one week) to enter, and we will each announce thewinner on our blogs next week. Nothing complicated. No extra entries for thisor that, though we will give virtual chocolate for spreading the word. U.S. only please (we're poor writers).</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-3175904440432002759?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-50027073882110969552011-10-13T03:30:00.000-07:002011-10-13T03:30:02.265-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HBHpZZXWym8/Tn6mGoaCQ8I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/zHyYkACz4sU/s1600/oz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HBHpZZXWym8/Tn6mGoaCQ8I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/zHyYkACz4sU/s320/oz.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.glorious-revolution.com/the-war-room/oxymoron">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had a critique partner tell me a while back that something I'd written felt like a writer's device. Something I'd clearly dropped in to force the story in a certain direction. She was right. I had to change that, because if there's one thing I DON'T want, it's for the reader to feel like there's a puppet master standing behind the scenes manipulating the story.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pay no attention to that author behind the curtain!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I've done a good job I will remain invisible. I'll be a name on the cover page, but the characters will have a life of their own. My favorite critique comments are the ones where the crit partner is speaking directly to my character. I'll paraphrase my favorite: "No! No! No! No! Don't do it!" Then I know I've done my job.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So how? How do I take it from forced to engrossed? The first step is identifying the "device". One way is to have critique partners look at it. I wouldn't have seen it on my own. Another is to put the book away for a while so you can see it with fresh eyes. You hear these things over and over because they are so important. And they work.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next step is to ask yourself what would make that action feel natural. Remember it's key to understand that your character is used to her life. That she knows the contents of her room for example, or that her brother is going to be annoying. It may be a surprise to the reader, but it isn't necessarily to your character.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Also, remember there's no such thing as coincidence. If you're writing a mystery, the killer should be someone we know, but that doesn't mean the MC should realize that. It's too convenient. There has to be a reasonable explanation.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have you run into this problem? How did you handle it?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-5002707388211096955?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-17152894537239356002011-10-10T03:54:00.000-07:002011-10-10T03:54:00.291-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have you heard the commencement address Steve Jobs gave to Stanford? If not you should take the time to watch it. I felt through much of it that he was talking to me. To writers really. Here it is:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/D1R-jKKp3NA/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D1R-jKKp3NA&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D1R-jKKp3NA&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Others have noted the same. Here's<a href="http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/2011/10/writers-what-will-be-your-legacy.html"> a post</a> from Julie Musil quoting the speech.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He put so eloquently the heart of what matters. That we shouldn't let worry or pressure from others dictate what we choose to do with our lives. That at the end of the day, we have to follow our heart. Bravo, Steve. We will miss you!</span><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-1715289453723935600?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-29771689160116857112011-10-06T03:30:00.000-07:002011-10-06T03:30:02.968-07:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS_d3NRMZyg/Tn6al9MDsVI/AAAAAAAAAZM/-VX5EJkZjbo/s1600/images-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS_d3NRMZyg/Tn6al9MDsVI/AAAAAAAAAZM/-VX5EJkZjbo/s320/images-5.jpeg" width="292" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.123rf.com/photo_6940218_a-cartoon-zombie-in-front-of-a-computer-screen.html">photo credit</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You're in the mushy middle, trudging along, plugging away at the keyboard. Maybe you have an outline you're following, maybe you're just pantsing your way through. But your brain feels as mushy as the second act, and you keep losing focus and checking your Twitter feed. You forgot about a blogpost you meant to check earlier, your kids need craft supplies for their school projects, your car needs an oil change...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sound familiar?&nbsp;You're turning into a writing zombie.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We've all been there. It's hard to focus, especially when you feel like you're trudging uphill through sludge.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What can you do to prevent staggering around your neighbors lawn searching for flesh? Or at least becoming lost in your manuscript and never making it out?</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Take a break. Go take a walk or watch your favorite show. Read a good book! Anything to have some <i>you</i> time.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Throw something bad at your MC. What can you toss in there that will make her life that much harder? Go for it! See what happens.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Be a method actor. Try doing something your character enjoys that you don't. Singing? Running? Cooking? Try bonding with them. Maybe you'll figure something new out about them based on your experience.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Take a detour. Do you outline? Do you have an idea where you're going? Change course. Ask your character to do something unexpected and see what happens. Don't think he would? Give the choice to another character and see what happens. You can always take it out, but it might get you thinking along a brand new line.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Change your routine. Do you normally write at night? Wake up early and write for an extra half hour. Take your laptop or a notebook to the park or a coffee shop. Switch your chair.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Call a friend or critique partner. There's nothing like writer peeps to help you out when you're down.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What else can you do to prevent turning into a writing zombie?</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-2977168916011685711?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-21698918610985348322011-10-03T03:30:00.000-07:002011-10-03T03:30:00.905-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VlaVEqpQ8sE/Tn6NaA4QEZI/AAAAAAAAAZI/f7fF1epO610/s1600/musicwriting-e1298260958248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VlaVEqpQ8sE/Tn6NaA4QEZI/AAAAAAAAAZI/f7fF1epO610/s320/musicwriting-e1298260958248.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bestdamncreativewritingblog.com/2011/02/23/music-and-writing-do-or-dont/">photo credit</a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We've been told to use all our senses in our writing, but what about <i>while</i> we're writing? Many writers use tools for inspiration. Take a look at the five senses below and see what you already use, and what you might consider trying in the future.</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Sight</b>. I do searches for just the right face for each of my major characters and make a power point presentation for the manuscript. It can make them feel more real. The same can be done for settings, either with pictures or maps.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Sound</b>. I have playlists for each manuscript I write. Songs that either make me think of the story or a particular character. Some of my playlists are long, and some have only a couple of songs. See the photo credit above for another great blog on this.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Touch</b>. We write for long periods of time (when we have our way), so it's important to be comfortable. Make sure you have a good area to work in with a comfortable and supportive seat, the keyboard at the right height and the room at the right temperature. Sometimes the tactile change of switching to longhand in a notebook or going outside to sit in the breeze can make the difference when you're stuck in a rut.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Taste</b>. When I settle in to write in the morning, I have to have a nice cup of coffee with me. Sometimes I get so pulled into the manuscript that I forget I have it next to me and have to reheat it. But that's okay because there's something about having it there to sip on. If I'm having rough times, I go to my good friend chocolate for help. :D And in the evening on occasion I love to sit with a nice glass of red wine.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Smell</b>. My blogging buddy Meredith did <a href="http://meredithmccardle.com/blog/497">a great post</a> the other day on this. Check it out! She points out that certain scents inspire memories and feelings.&nbsp;</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What do you think? Which ones do you use and which would you or wouldn't you try?</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-2169891861098534832?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-37643757343658736942011-09-29T03:19:00.000-07:002011-09-29T03:19:00.663-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcNI-y0Dr2U/Tnd5fbtx--I/AAAAAAAAAZE/e3WYoYrDHks/s1600/square_peg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcNI-y0Dr2U/Tnd5fbtx--I/AAAAAAAAAZE/e3WYoYrDHks/s320/square_peg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have a problem. Well a hypothetical one anyway. I get to know my characters. I get inside their heads. I can answer pretty much any question as that character. This is supposed to be good, right? *nods* BUT what if there's a problem with the character or the way his or her actions play out in the book? What if your critiquers say "No! I don't like her enough. She can't do that." or something of the like?&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And suppose I know her so well that I'm convinced it wouldn't be true to her character to do what's necessary to make her likable or do what should be done plot wise.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What happens then? Do we squeeze a square peg in a round hole?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's the answer that seems obvious to me though I know it's hard to swallow:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CHANGE THE CHARACTER. Is it a fundamental change? Sounds like it. But you know what? Maybe they weren't the right character for the situation. Maybe you need someone else.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've said before that you need the absolute wrong character for the situation. The one who will have the most difficulty therefore creating the most tension and conflict. It sounds like in the above situation I haven't found that perfectly wrong person yet.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And it may hurt. It's worse than killing your darling words. It's a person you've gotten to know. If it helps, &nbsp;rename the character. Change the physical description. Anything to differentiate between the two. BUT do what's right for the book.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The character has to be true to herself, but if that truth doesn't work, change the truth.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just a note - because of the holiday I will probably be late visiting you guys, but know that I WILL catch up and read every single one carefully.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.spaceacts.com/Apollo_13_CO2_filter.htm">photo credit</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-3764375734365873694?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-62646688885949469752011-09-26T03:45:00.000-07:002011-09-26T03:45:00.242-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsQZYpN55ic/TmQchZFj6mI/AAAAAAAAAYw/bSIozRFt1gc/s1600/51U-6Nr0CnL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsQZYpN55ic/TmQchZFj6mI/AAAAAAAAAYw/bSIozRFt1gc/s320/51U-6Nr0CnL.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm super-excited to be able to tell you all about a very special book. I'm part of the unofficial blog tour for <a href="http://www.annastan.com/blog/">Anna Staniszewski</a>'s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Very-UnFairy-Tale-Life/dp/1402259468">MY VERY UNFAIRY TALE LIFE</a>! I don't read as many MG books as YA, so before I give you my own opinion, I have a couple of guests here who happen to be experts. Well, not so much experts on MG as much as experts on Fairy Tales and such. Please welcome my friends, Gary the Gnome and Sparkles the Unicorn!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GARY: Hey everybody! I have to tell you all that I loved reading a book about gnomes for a change-</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ME: Wait a second. Did you actually READ the book, Gary? Because it really isn't about gnomes.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GARY: Typical human. You see what you want to see. The hero was clearly the gnome. Right, Sparkles?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SPARKLES: Neeeeeiiiiiggggghhh.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GARY: See?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ME: Um, all he said was neigh.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GARY: *headpalm* Can't you even speak unicorn? Sheesh.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ME: *shifts uncomfortably* Uh... No I guess not.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SPARKLES: Neeeeeeiiiiggggghhhh. *rears*</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ME: Sorry.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GARY: Anyhow, read the book. It's good, even if you're human and can't stand to admit it's really about the heroism of a brave young gnome.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ME: Seriously, Gary, you haven't read it, have you?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wow. Well, next time I promise to make sure my guests have actually read the book....and speak English. But if you're wondering what I thought? I was sold after reading the first paragraph. I plan on buying a copy for my own daughter as well because I have the feeling she's going to LOVE it. The characters are so much fun, and Anna's creativity was a-maz-ing. Warning though - I found the villain seriously creepy (in a good way). *shudders*&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-6264668888594946975?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-22596294100173460582011-09-22T03:39:00.000-07:002011-09-22T03:39:00.041-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HQC0b_dIWs/TnPd5UqU0rI/AAAAAAAAAZA/6GQcS_FXGvw/s1600/01-MMF.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HQC0b_dIWs/TnPd5UqU0rI/AAAAAAAAAZA/6GQcS_FXGvw/s320/01-MMF.png" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Take a look at these 6 similarities between dating a vampire and our relationship with our characters.</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He can do no wrong. You know that he's full of flaws, but you ignore them because you're just so in love. You better not though! Those flaws are what makes him special enough to love in the first place. Dangerous, but far more interesting than Mr. Perfect.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You never know how he's going to react. Sure you think for the most part you have him figured out, but then comes that unexpected moment when he does something you weren't ready for. It's exciting and disconcerting at the same time.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Your relationship is so intense that you can't seem to think about anything else. 'Nough said.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now that you've gotten yourself into this, there's only one way out. To become undead and join him? Or to finish the book?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You're desperate to convince others that there's so much more to him then it seems. It isn't easy to do, but you're determined to succeed.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Being with him is both thrilling and frightening but you're drawn to his side by powers beyond your control.</span></li></ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://arabian.livejournal.com/436178.html?thread=3778258">Photo Credit</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-2259629410017346058?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-79867026390835713352011-09-19T03:19:00.000-07:002011-09-19T03:19:00.168-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sflmlcSSgCE/Tl8LLCvAyOI/AAAAAAAAAYc/-bgjAd-dPW8/s1600/inner-struggle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sflmlcSSgCE/Tl8LLCvAyOI/AAAAAAAAAYc/-bgjAd-dPW8/s1600/inner-struggle.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My favorite kind of monster is a tragic one.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We already know about the villain who doesn't see himself as evil. This character feels justified in his actions, whether from a skewed sense of right and wrong or because he's been wronged by others. There are many wonderful examples, including Valentine, President Snow, and Lord Voldemort.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"There is no good and evil. There is only power and those too weak to seek it." - Voldemort</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But one of my favorite characters is the <i>almost </i>villain. The one who believes he is evil and fights his nature, sometimes successfully and sometimes not. Typically, this is a paranormal being (vampire, werewolf, etc.) Often the character manifests as a "bad boy", but these traits certainly aren't necessary.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But why? Why am I such a sucker for the monster? Because if it's well written, I will root for the underdog. I will see his inner struggle and feel that much more horror when he gives in to it and that much more relief when he doesn't.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So who are some of these characters? Patch from Hush Hush might have been one of the best as I really didn't know until the very end whether he was "good" or "bad". But I can tell you that I was invested and hoping the good would win out. Other good examples? Cole from Linger, Ridley from Beautiful Creatures, and (yeah you knew I'd bring him in here somewhere) <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/05/embracing-dark-side-of-character.html">Damon</a>.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have you ever tried writing one of these sympathetic monsters? Was it difficult or easier than others? Who is your favorite? I'd love to know your thoughts.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://euphonyproductions.com/one-mans-struggle-to-own-his-musical-destiny">photo credit</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7986702639083571335?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-37925119430466485792011-09-15T03:14:00.000-07:002011-09-15T03:14:00.366-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmSPV0hY1U4/Tm7Fbd1_jVI/AAAAAAAAAY8/kQ-ptm7Xza4/s1600/tSoSK+Giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmSPV0hY1U4/Tm7Fbd1_jVI/AAAAAAAAAY8/kQ-ptm7Xza4/s1600/tSoSK+Giveaway.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://heathermccorkle.blogspot.com/">Heather McCorkle</a> was one of the first people I connected with when I started this blog. She's an awesome person, a supportive friend, and a talented writer. Her first book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Spruce-Knoll-Heather-McCorkle/dp/1458200264">The Secret of Spruce Knoll</a> just released and I've already gobbled it up (yum). So today I have a treat for you! Heather has agreed to allow one of her characters, Luke, to come and visit. She's included the pic below, saying this actor would be the perfect Luke. Enjoy!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78C1irNKqew/TmUT1ZYpenI/AAAAAAAAAY4/GJYccfBQsnw/s1600/ben-barnes-Luke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78C1irNKqew/TmUT1ZYpenI/AAAAAAAAAY4/GJYccfBQsnw/s320/ben-barnes-Luke.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. <i>Luke, in your own words can you tell us what the Secret of Spruce Knoll is about?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Me of course, and my attempts to help keep the existence of our kind a secret. Well, that and this completely frustrating mixed blood girl who drops in out of nowhere and turns our world upside down.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If you had to describe yourself for our readers, what three words would you use?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Powerful, charismatic, hot. But really, I don't have to tell you that. Just look at all this...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. I hear you are proud of your lineage. Can you explain a little about that?</i> I'd love to Lisa. Do you mind if I call you Lisa? It's such a pretty name, I like saying it, the way it slides off my tongue. My family are Hunters, people who protect our kind from others and from exposure. We descended from the very line of Hunters who helped Vlad Tepes protect Wallachia from invaders.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Um, let’s stick to Mrs. Green. *clears throat* What's your family like?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My family is unmatched in both political and fighting prowess. We're ruthless when it comes to protecting our kind and aren't afraid to do what it takes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If you could send a message to Heather regarding the sequel, what would it be?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You'd better drop in more chapters about me and less about Aiden in book 2. You know it's all about me anyway. And let's get to the good stuff between Eren and I already, you know it's unavoidable.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Intrigued? Then clicky-clicky on the link above to buy a copy for your very own. I hear Heather's already hard at work on the sequel. And *checks to be sure Luke is gone* Aidan is seriously hot! Also I'm doing a guest post today over at the new blog <a href="http://reelyalit.blogspot.com/">Reel YA</a>, so please stop in and let me know what you think of my wacky vampire idea!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-3792511943046648579?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-63681839026154635092011-09-12T03:51:00.000-07:002011-09-12T03:51:00.481-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6VbSfFsZ-M/TmMMYhS0KbI/AAAAAAAAAYo/8s0-OA3xZ9Y/s1600/Backstory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6VbSfFsZ-M/TmMMYhS0KbI/AAAAAAAAAYo/8s0-OA3xZ9Y/s320/Backstory.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ahh, the elusive backstory. We spend countless hours filling in the holes in our characters lives so that they become multi-dimensional, and then we go to write the book and are told not to put that information in. It's true though - how do you like reading info dumps?&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So how do you know when it's time to put the info in? And how do you know how far to go?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'd say the answer is deceptively simple. Put in only the information necessary in order to fully appreciate the story you are telling. And do it when the information is needed in order to go any further.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you withhold the backstory until the last moment, you are creating tension. But if you withhold it to the point where things are unclear and frustrating for the reader, instead of an intriguing mystery, you've withheld too much for too long.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Example time! We must go with Harry Potter for this one. (I will focus on one part in particular, but t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">he wonderful blogger SP Sipal had a fantastic <a href="http://harrypotterforwriters.blogspot.com/2011/06/mystery-of-backstory.html">post</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> on JKR and how she handled the backstory of this portion of HP if you want to read more on this)&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the beginning of book one we learn that Hagrid has borrowed the flying motorcycle from young Sirius Black. We need this info to understand how it is that Hagrid arrives as he does on Privet Drive with baby Harry. But JKR doesn't fill us in with all the details of who Sirius is, or why he would have been at the crime scene. And in fact, we don't give it a second thought, do we? We are far too concerned with the enchanting trio of Dumbledore, Hagrid, and McGonagall, who Harry Potter is, why he is special, and what on earth it has to do with these horrible Dursleys.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But come the third book we meet Sirius again. And throughout the book, at the right moments, JKR reveals the story to Harry, and vicariously, to us. Throughout the series, we learn enough to be satisfied, and yet, just like Harry, don't have all the important information until the end. In fact, as much as we learn, we never know everything JKR does. And that magical balance is precisely what we have to aim for in our own work.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://looneydm.blogspot.com/2011/06/backstory.html">photo credit</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-6368183902615463509?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-5405098446240259282011-09-08T03:31:00.000-07:002011-09-08T03:31:00.177-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-suema2ST-zg/TmGaJ1J5sdI/AAAAAAAAAYg/JyYWdfpuFGY/s1600/Girl-reading-with-glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-suema2ST-zg/TmGaJ1J5sdI/AAAAAAAAAYg/JyYWdfpuFGY/s320/Girl-reading-with-glasses.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've read many times on the blogosphere about writers who read like they're studying a text book. Interpreting for structure and character - even dissecting it word by word, searching for adverbs and such. There's nothing wrong with doing this. In fact, it's probably the smart thing to do if you want to learn craft by studying those who've made it where you want to be.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yeah, you knew that was coming, right? The big fat but. But that's not the way the books were meant to be read. See the thing is, I'm an avid reader. Always have been. There's little I enjoy more than curling up with a good book and devouring it from cover to cover, often in a day or two. I love that feeling of being so wrapped up in a wonderful story that I only want to see what happens. As a writer, don't you wish for readers that feel like that?&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm stubborn. I just feel like stopping to pick the novel apart would kill the magic. Not that I don't notice certain things while I'm reading. The more I learn, the more I recognize in some part of my brain. But I don't want to lose that guilty pleasure just because I've decided to pursue my writing.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some of you will argue that we can read the book more than once. Sure! I agree. But to be honest there are precious few that I actually do this with. One's that I feel have something REALLY special. Books like The Hunger Games for example. Or Harry Potter (all of them). But that one on my nightstand? The honest truth is as much as I enjoy it, probably not.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What do you think? Are there certain books you study as a writer and others that you just soak up as a reader? Do you read things more than once in different ways? Or do you prefer to study all your books from the moment you open the cover? I'd love to hear your view!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://gettingstronger.org/2010/07/improve-eyesight-and-throw-away-your-glasses/girl-reading-with-glasses/">photo credit</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-540509844624025928?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-54708191047645281532011-09-05T03:23:00.000-07:002011-09-05T03:23:00.102-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztVgdJrhTKE/TmOx6UduG3I/AAAAAAAAAYs/7kWJsMJOwKE/s1600/blogging-done-right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztVgdJrhTKE/TmOx6UduG3I/AAAAAAAAAYs/7kWJsMJOwKE/s1600/blogging-done-right.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I know! Not the clearest title in the world. But here's the deal: I receive many blog awards, and though I appreciate each one (no lie), I don't often participate anymore because it's usually just info about me, which I worry will bore you to death. And I can't have any deaths on my hands unless they are fictional characters. Ahem. But THIS TIME I thought it was a cool subject and might give a little focus to some posts that you may have missed and would be interested in revisiting.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thewomancondition.blogspot.com/">K.C. Wolf</a>&nbsp;graciously passed me the 7X7 link award. Here's how it works:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Hightlight my older posts in the following categories:</span><br /><br /><ul><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZafUnKJf2Ug/TmOAbNOKf-I/AAAAAAAAAlA/bkv4hksZqew/s1600/7x7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZafUnKJf2Ug/TmOAbNOKf-I/AAAAAAAAAlA/bkv4hksZqew/s1600/7x7.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" /></a> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Beautiful</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Helpful</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Popular</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Controversial</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Surprisingly Successful</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Underrated</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Prideworthy</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So here goes:</span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Beautiful: That's tough. But I'll go with <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/07/dont-lose-magic.html">DON'T LOSE THE MAGIC</a>. I love the pic and the message.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Helpful: Oooh boy. Based on feedback and visits, I'd have to say <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/04/filtering-through-character.html">FILTERING THROUGH CHARACTER</a> was the most unique craft post I've ever done.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Popular: My most popular post of all time was my first <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2010/08/lisa-desrochers-is-my-guest.html">guest post</a> from Lisa Desrochers! My post on <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/05/blogging-etiquette.html">BLOGGING ETIQUETTE</a> comes in at a close second.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Controversial: It's funny. When I think posts will be controversial, they end up NOT. Probably because we all think so much alike. But if I had to guess, I suppose it would be <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/06/ya-saves.html">YA SAVES!</a></span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Surprisingly Successful: I guess it's not THAT surprising that craft posts tend to do well. But I'd still say <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/07/when-your-character-doesnt-act-like.html">WHEN YOUR CHARACTER DOESN'T ACT LIKE HERSELF.</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Underrated: <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/02/elusive-voice.html">THE ELUSIVE VOICE</a> but probably because I've had quite a few followers since then...</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Most Prideworthy: This one is actually easy. <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/03/avoid-poison-apple.html">AVOID THE POISON APPLE</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">. Why? Because I firmly believe in encouragement and the power of words.</span></li> </ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Okay - now to pass this on to 7 other bloggers? That's ALWAYS hard to do because I love you all! So why don't I just cheat (he he he) and say, if you want to do this on your own blog - GO FOR IT!! I'm passing the award to YOU.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://bloghackz.com/">photo credit</a></span></div></div><br /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-5470819104764528153?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-85647549406475630022011-09-01T03:50:00.000-07:002011-09-01T03:50:00.280-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJVD7T0sTIk/TlrQ63QWI0I/AAAAAAAAAYY/WOqrcoG39Ss/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJVD7T0sTIk/TlrQ63QWI0I/AAAAAAAAAYY/WOqrcoG39Ss/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Are you ever overwhelmed at the start of a revision? When you look at the mountain of notes/critiques/edits piled to your side and wonder how you'll ever manage it? I've mentioned before that it often feels like I have my MS on the operating table, parts spread all over the place while I'm doing a revision.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Obviously it's important to be methodical here and organize yourself in whatever way works best for you. In my case it's usually doing a single pass for each major component, e.g., character, pacing, world, etc. But sometimes even within those categories, it can feel intimidating.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The thing I want to point out here is that it doesn't always take a major rewrite to do the trick. Of course, if it's what's called for that's fine. But sometimes just reworking one sentence - even a single word - can do wonders. I'm reminded of Mark Twain's quote: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">The difference between the almost right word &amp; the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Words are our medium as artists. The order, the punctuation and the choice of the word itself can have an enormous impact on what we actually convey to the reader. Now I'm not suggesting you drive yourself insane over every word, but I AM suggesting that you look at what you want and need to say and see if you can identify any spot(s) in your MS that you are unclear and try to rework that part.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Confused? Let's try an example. We haven't used a vampire in a while, so...</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Mary sat up in bed and looked around the room. She'd sensed movement. Moonlight spilled across the floor, revealing a branch that scraped against the open window while the curtains billowed in the summer breeze like restless ghosts. Satisfied that it had only been a dream, she settled back to find herself in the cold, hard arms of the monster.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">But what if I wanted to make Mary's panic more evident. Do I have to rewrite the scene? I don't think so. I think the problem is the lack of urgency in the first sentence. So let's try this...</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: large;"><i>Mary sprung upright, wrestling the covers away from her sweat soaked skin. Her eyes darted left then right, searching for the source of the disturbance. </i>She'd sensed movement. Moonlight spilled across the floor, revealing a branch that scraped against the open window while the curtains billowed in the summer breeze like restless ghosts. Satisfied that it had only been a dream, she settled back to find herself in the cold, hard arms of the monster.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Are there other problems? Yeah, probably. I did just make it up! But, I think I solved the problem I'd intended in this pass. What do you think?</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it's less about rewriting and more about identifying the part/sentence/line that doesn't work and understanding why.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ourlovelybungalow.com/2011_03_01_archive.html">photo credit</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-8564754940647563002?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-47707742923987142752011-08-29T03:21:00.000-07:002011-08-29T03:21:00.080-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lga25JTbVaY/TlCZuSJ27oI/AAAAAAAAAYU/yM0zpPTYyjA/s1600/glass-half-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lga25JTbVaY/TlCZuSJ27oI/AAAAAAAAAYU/yM0zpPTYyjA/s1600/glass-half-full.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We writers all have ups and downs. Heck the whole roller coaster ride metaphor has been used so much (by myself included) that it's become cliche! But is it really all in how you look at it? Or is that a myth? I say it is how you look at it! And to prove my point, I am listing both the negative way to look at common events in a writer's life, and the same thing with a positive spin.</span><br /><br /><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Negative</span></li> <ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I just got another rejection</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I can't put a decent word on this page</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No one will care if I give up</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No one wants my dystopian vampire novel&nbsp;</span></li> </ul></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Boy I'm depressed just making those up! So let's look at</span></div></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Positive</span></li> <ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This one was personal and had some really good tips OR I'm ready to send out the next batch of queries OR Every writer gets rejected, but maybe there's something I can do to improve this query/manuscript OR This means I get chocolate!</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've put words on the page! OR I can always revise later, no one's ever gotten it right on the first try.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have a whole community of helpful and supportive friends who are going through the same things I am OR I can't ever succeed if I don't try OR I won't be happy unless I write, so I'm going to go write something!</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm going to put a new spin on an old concept/genre OR This was a great try, I'm going to start work on a new novel and put this one away for a while OR Before I write the next book, I'm going to do some research to verify it's a marketable concept.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I guess what I'm trying to say here is that there are a million ways to look at any one thing, and it's up to YOU to decide whether to take it as defeat, or to embrace it as a helpful step of learning on the way to success.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://michellechant.com/an-attitude-of-gratitude/">photo credit</a></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-4770774292398714275?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-44497711117739231292011-08-25T03:51:00.001-07:002011-08-25T03:51:00.040-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHwduzLpwDY/TlAyxGzn8kI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/_DtoDA-CRg8/s1600/bloggin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHwduzLpwDY/TlAyxGzn8kI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/_DtoDA-CRg8/s320/bloggin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today I have a guest post at the fabulous <a href="http://muserantrave.blogspot.com/">Muse, Rant, Rave blog </a>of Melinda S. Collins. So if you want to see what I have to say about why we write - go take a look!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There's been a lot of debate lately on whether to blog, and if you do blog, whether to have a writing blog. So I thought I'd weigh in. I say do it if you enjoy it. If you feel like it's a huge chore, or if it keeps you up at night because you're scared you won't know what to say, then don't do it! Spend your time on craft and the things you do like. You can still put up a webpage and use FB or Twitter if you like those formats. Personally I like Twitter and blogging.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And writing? Are there too many writing blogs? I think as long as you have something unique to say, or at least a unique way to say it, you are fine. I blog about writing, because it's what I love. It's what I'm passionate about, and I like to try and put my own spin on certain things. Will that resonate with everyone all the time? No way! But that's okay. As long as I am providing something of value, whether that be a smile or a new way at looking at something, I'm happy - and hopefully you are too!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.livingaloud.com/how-to-blog-tutorial/">photo credit</a></span><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-4449771111773923129?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-77708332471168308952011-08-22T03:47:00.000-07:002011-08-22T03:47:00.987-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MOJQqjA5tsE/TkbpFVPH-tI/AAAAAAAAAYI/pkKOKqUzUQ0/s1600/reaching-for-the-stars_12x1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MOJQqjA5tsE/TkbpFVPH-tI/AAAAAAAAAYI/pkKOKqUzUQ0/s320/reaching-for-the-stars_12x1.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've seen quite a few people talking about setting goals lately. I know that making goals specific and time dependent increases our chances of meeting them, but that isn't always so easy to do. And what if those don't encompass what you really want? I'd like to propose a revised 6 point goal setting model. Indulge me for a moment and then let me know what you think.</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Acknowledge what it is you REALLY want. </b>Sometimes we disguise our loftiest goals from even ourselves. What are you after? Don't worry - no one's going to hear it to judge you. Do you want traditional publication? To hold your book in your hand? What is it that would really make your wildest dreams? Being on the best-seller list? Go ahead and say it. At least to the mirror.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Look yourself in the eye (yeah we're still using the mirror) and tell yourself that you CAN accomplish this.</b> Let yourself know that it's going to take a LOT of hard work and perseverance, but that if you are willing to make sacrifices and keep at it, it IS possible.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Tell yourself there is no time limit on this ultimate goal. </b>That as long as you never give up, it is always possible. Then...</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Prepare yourself to streamline your path to success by making a series of smaller goals that naturally build toward the BIG ONE.</b> E.g., "I'm going to finish a rough draft by November." Or "I'm going to complete my edits by my birthday." Or "I'm going to attend X conference and query 7 agent next month." Things like that. Those are your specific and time oriented goals, but now they mean more because you know where they will lead.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Write down each item as you accomplish it.</b> Because why not take a look at all you've done? Sometimes we see only the failures, so why not take a good honest look at our successes too?</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The higher you aim, the higher you reach.&nbsp;</b>Finally, I've found that if I shoot for the stars, I can reach at least the moon. But if I reach for the moon, I may not make it out of the atmosphere. Get it? This is important, so I'm going to give a personal example: In school I thought 4.0 was impossible, but maybe I could get a 3.5, which I barely reached. Then I transferred to another college where, starting over I decided to try for the 4.0. I graduated with above a 3.9.</span></li> </ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So what do you have to lose? I'll tell you what!<i> Your dreams</i>. If you give up, you've lost. But if you keep reaching for those "crazy" goals, you just might get somewhere.</span></div><div><a href="http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Romance/Flirting_with_Temptation.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo credit</span></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7770833247116830895?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-31126421906116919812011-08-18T03:14:00.000-07:002011-08-18T03:14:00.285-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzlW8NlyeN8/Tkbw3ytsvNI/AAAAAAAAAYM/itEO71Avqz4/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzlW8NlyeN8/Tkbw3ytsvNI/AAAAAAAAAYM/itEO71Avqz4/s320/IMG_0343.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First things first! The winner of the DAMNED ARC is <a href="http://margoberendsen.blogspot.com/">Margo</a>! I'll be emailing you with details...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, I've had several people ask me to give my thoughts about the conference. I know there is already so much out there about the phenomenal speakers and content. 40 years! Just look at that dessert above from the Golden Kite luncheon. It was truly an amazing time. The sheer number of icons had me absolutely dazzled and in awe. So I'm going to share a few of these people with you and what they mean to me.</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Judy Blume</b>. How can I even begin to describe what it was like to be so close to THE Judy Blume? The woman was so gracious, so kind, so intelligent, and so very REAL. The first novel I think I ever read was Are You There God? It's me, Margaret. I remember that special feeling of being entirely wrapped up in Margaret's world. I loved it. I loved it so much that I never stopped reading and seeking new worlds with new characters. Hearing about Judy's process and journey was inspiring beyond belief.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Norton Juster</b>. The first fantasy book I ever read was The Phantom Tollbooth. It was also the first book I ever read more than once. I had the opportunity to tell Norton Juster that, to which he looked me dead in the face and replied, "Fantasy? That's my life." How can I not love him? How can I not love a book that's remained AMAZING after 50 years, and that my own son loves just as much as I did? I think I might have to go read it again...</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Laurie Halse Anderson</b>. Speak. She gave voice to difficult subject matter that may make some uncomfortable, but saves lives on a daily basis. At the conference, she taught me to embrace my creative need for self-expression, and to nurture the "seed" in my soul.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Donna Jo Napoli</b>. Her speech was possibly my favorite. And that's really saying something as I gave more standing ovations than I have in my life. It was titled: How Writing About Terrible Things Makes Your Reader a Better Person. And she spoke to not just those who need to see others who've gone through similar things, but to the sheltered who benefit from exposure to truths beyond their own.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Libba Bray</b>. I saved my favorite for last of course. My hero. Her speech was just as amazing as I hoped and so was she. Funny, intelligent, friendly, and talented. Libba - I would have voted you Prom Queen in high school. I'm just sayin'. She let us know that even the super stars go through rough times, and are plagued by self-doubt.&nbsp;</span></li> </ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, have I gushed enough? You asked and now you have received, my friends. My own personal highlights of the conference this year. I could have kept going too! I mean Richard Peck, Gary Paulsen...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-3112642190611691981?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-45027480339648497312011-08-15T03:31:00.000-07:002011-08-15T03:31:01.801-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaiaroTrx2g/TjXeVlFDIjI/AAAAAAAAAXs/gGCr3Q98KfA/s1600/jennifer-lawrence-katniss-everdeen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaiaroTrx2g/TjXeVlFDIjI/AAAAAAAAAXs/gGCr3Q98KfA/s320/jennifer-lawrence-katniss-everdeen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Remember my <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/08/getting-to-core-of-character.html">post</a> a couple weeks back on <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/08/getting-to-core-of-character.html">finding your character's core</a>? I want to expound on that a bit because one way to ensure a strong character arc is to chip away at that core belief and alter it over time until at the end of your story, it has changed in a fundamental way.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It isn't easy to change someone's core belief, so it's going to take some work on your part. But that's what will make the shift in character so interesting and realistic.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let's use HUNGER GAMES as an example, since most of you have read it. Katniss' core belief at the beginning is something like: <i><b>I'm the only one I can depend on.&nbsp;</b></i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Katniss had only herself to care for her family when her father died. Without her they would have all died. She learned from her mother's desertion (emotional withdrawal) that she couldn't depend on others. As a consequence she didn't let others in easily. In fact until the Hunger Games, she only let in Gale and Prim. Throughout the games she assumes other's actions are the result of ulterior motives. That is until Rue. And eventually Peeta's motivations cannot be explained away.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">By the end of the book I'd say her core belief is more like: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><b>I can protect myself <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">and</span> make a difference for others.&nbsp;</b></i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have you identified your character's core? Do you know how it changes throughout your story?&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/hair/jennifer-lawrence-her-best-hair/">photo credit</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-4502748033964849731?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-21901275078012580552011-08-11T03:20:00.000-07:002011-08-11T03:20:00.532-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fGs3CGiehIs/TjR6FqI4I-I/AAAAAAAAAXk/EadS-WC8ud0/s1600/Damned-Front-Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fGs3CGiehIs/TjR6FqI4I-I/AAAAAAAAAXk/EadS-WC8ud0/s1600/Damned-Front-Small.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am thrilled to present my contribution to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Damned-Crusade-Nancy-Holder/dp/1416998055">DAMNED</a> book tour - the second in the CRUSADE series from New York Times best selling authors Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie. Hang around because at the end of this post are details about how YOU can win an ARC of DAMNED. My own vampire did <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2010/09/crusade-review-and-contest.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">a review of the first book</span></a>, but this time Antonio *coughs&nbsp;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">hot</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">* himself has come to visit. And talk about conflicted, Antonio is a vampire, but he is also studying to be a priest.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Welcome, Antonio. Let's get right to it. Is it difficult being a vampire?</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Si.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> &nbsp;It is the most difficult thing in the world. &nbsp;I have to struggle every moment to not forget myself, to not let the demon out. &nbsp;I have prayed countless times to have this curse lifted from me and one day I believe God will answer and will save me.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Is it really a vampire’s nature to be evil?</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Absolutely evil, </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">por supuesto</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. &nbsp;We are called the Cursed Ones for a reason. &nbsp;Twice I have fallen prey to the darkness of my nature, and when I was in the grip of the bloodlust, there was no impulse inside me to be good. &nbsp;None. &nbsp;I reveled in my inhumanity. &nbsp;I murdered innocent people, and I relished their torment.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. <i>*shifts uneasily* What do you think of the romanticized version of vampires in today’s teen literature?</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think they are dangerous because girls like Jenn believe that they can love a monster like me and it will turn out with a happy ending. &nbsp;At the same time I wish it was like those stories. &nbsp;I’m grateful that God blessed me with the calling to become a priest. &nbsp;My vow of chastity creates a boundary between Jenn and me. &nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>If you had one wish, what would it be?</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To destroy the vampire scurge and free the earth from bondage. &nbsp;If I could have a second wish, it would be to live as a human man again. &nbsp;But first, humanity must be free of this horrible curse. &nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>What do you hope people will get out of reading this blog?</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope that more people will join our cause. &nbsp;The time has come to fight. &nbsp;No matter how afraid you are, how isolated, or how insignificant you feel, nothing could be farther from the truth. &nbsp;It only takes one person to make a stand and change lives forever. &nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Por favor</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, join the Crusade.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>How do you feel about Nancy and Debbie, considering what they are putting you through? Do you have a message for them?</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I wish they would let Jenn be free of her feelings for me and the fear she feels for her family. &nbsp;I would suffer any and all cruelties, humiliations, and punishments at the señoras’ hands if they would only free Jenn to love and fight and be everything Father Juan and I know she can be.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Very selfless of you, Antonio. Thank you for joining us and spreading the word. </i></span></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">And now to the contest! Just leave a comment below in support of Antonio with your email address so I can contact the winner. If you blog or tweet about it leave a link. I'll give you an extra entry for each one up to five! Oh and since the ARC is courtesy of Simon and Schuster, the contest is open internationally! Yay! That's it. Good luck.I'll post the winner next Thursday. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzs9_jxHGxU/TjR40wP0Y4I/AAAAAAAAAXg/Zc00aEDlEns/s1600/DTP-Medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzs9_jxHGxU/TjR40wP0Y4I/AAAAAAAAAXg/Zc00aEDlEns/s320/DTP-Medium.jpg" width="207" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check out the other stops on the DAMNED book tour <a href="http://nancyholder.com/reviews-praise-for-damned/">here</a>.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-2190127507801258055?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-27790032036226557632011-08-08T03:46:00.000-07:002011-08-08T03:46:02.692-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_vDbTDBZbo/TjSBH12au9I/AAAAAAAAAXo/prpXGdvw3XA/s1600/excited-about-scbwi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_vDbTDBZbo/TjSBH12au9I/AAAAAAAAAXo/prpXGdvw3XA/s320/excited-about-scbwi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ahem. I am a bit loopy there's no doubt, but I can't miss a post! So enjoy my crazy attempt at a poem - Ode to SCBWI LA and be sure to come back Thursday for a contest and character interview you won't want to miss!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What's incredible, amazing, and cool, even though it's a mouthful to say?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SCBWI's hard enough, then they added the letters LA!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But we will forgive them for making it hard because of all they do,</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I don't want to be dramatic but without them I wouldn't have a clue.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Helpful, supportive, and gracious only begins to describe,</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Between workshops and speeches, and dances that give us the chance to imbibe,</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we build many friendships, we learn about craft, we vent about our journey,</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We pitch, and critique, and grow so nervous you could cart us all off on a gurney!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So many lessons, and formats to learn. So many faux pas and rules,</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank goodness they're there to pick up the pieces and provide us with the tools.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It can be overwhelming and wonderful too, with so much to do and to see,</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But all of those writers make it worthwhile and an awesome place to be!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/crack-for-kids-book-writers/">photo credit</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-2779003203622655763?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-1948694726418153722011-08-04T03:20:00.000-07:002011-08-04T03:20:03.284-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3c7xKLqkrA/TjRCm6XTxGI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/IVHXN2limVU/s1600/mba_unexpected_turns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3c7xKLqkrA/TjRCm6XTxGI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/IVHXN2limVU/s320/mba_unexpected_turns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I decided to do this, I had certain expectations. I expected I would have to take writing seriously, commit to treating this like a "real" job, learn to look at it like a business, actually do the writing, and continue to read.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Those are pretty reasonable expectations. And they all hold true. The things I DIDN'T know could fill a book, however. And you know how I like to keep my posts relatively short, so let me try to summarize:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Interaction. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I never would have dreamed of being able to communicate with others not only in my position, but real authors - ones I enjoyed reading! And then there are the agents and editors that so generously give of their time on Twitter and blogs, even workshops. What other industry has such an open and sharing network of kind and like-minded people at your disposal?&nbsp;</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Reaction of Family and Friends.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I figured my family would be supportive (they better be). But extended family? Friends? I held back on telling people for a long time. Then came my first publication. A short children's poem called "Ode To Mud" in <i>Stories For Children magazine</i>. Suddenly I had enough confidence to whisper to a few people what I was doing... And wow! I'm lucky to have such supportive people in my life. I believe there was only one person who looked at me like, oh no, you think you can write? I still hesitate when others ask what I do, but I've trained myself to say "I'm a writer." Because I am. Of course I now have my fair share of people asking me to proofread their reports and things. But I don't mind.</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Depth of Learning Involved.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I joked with my husband recently that I probably have the equivalent of a self-taught Masters degree. But really, it's probably true. I'm not putting down anyone's graduate program, I'm just saying, I've put so much effort into studying craft over the last few years that I'm amazed at the amount of information swimming in my head. I love that part of it though! And I look forward to continuing my education.</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Emotional Rollercoaster.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I was an actress for a time, so I'm no stranger to the whole expect rejection thing. But this is different. For one thing, it takes more time to get that rejection, which is probably what I personally have had the hardest time with. On an audition, you know pretty quickly whether you made it to callbacks or not. But wow, when you DO get an acceptance? Or a good review? I'll take a smattering of those soaring feelings in exchange for all the waiting any day.</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Friendships</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. I've made some of the best friends of my life doing this. They really "get" me and I get them. I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world. It might sound sappy, but it's true! You know who you are.</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I could go on, but I promised to try and keep it short. What did you never expect when you started writing? Share!</span></div><div><a href="http://mattriggins.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/expect-the-unexpected/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo credit</span></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-194869472641815372?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-11573236040842151752011-08-01T03:48:00.000-07:002011-08-01T03:48:00.770-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4jX1GMtHgk/TjRzQx5PaPI/AAAAAAAAAXU/czUBFy6VQZU/s1600/apple_core.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4jX1GMtHgk/TjRzQx5PaPI/AAAAAAAAAXU/czUBFy6VQZU/s320/apple_core.gif" width="213" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we write, we have to know our characters inside and out. We have to understand what makes them tick. We have to let them make choices based on who they are, and it is our challenge to make those decisions unexpected yet understandable.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Inside every character is a core truth, something that defines their identity. Of course there's more to them than just that - there better be! But understanding that core truth can help guide us to knowing what that character would do in any given situation.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We know we have to come up with loglines for our books, one sentence that encapsulates the entire book. But can you do that for your characters?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let's use an example, shall we? Oh I bet you know exactly where this is going... Damon! My favorite conflicted vampire. Remember the scene I made you watch in <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/05/embracing-dark-side-of-character.html">this post</a>? If not go grab a refresher. The rest of us will wait and enjoy the eye candy.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUJbowjrbNM/TjR1PfId6kI/AAAAAAAAAXc/tRS7bPlYVKo/s1600/vampire-diaries-damon-shirt-off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUJbowjrbNM/TjR1PfId6kI/AAAAAAAAAXc/tRS7bPlYVKo/s320/vampire-diaries-damon-shirt-off.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">If I had to guess Damon's core truth, it would be this: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b><i>I am not human, and no matter how much I want to be, it can never happen.</i></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Everything Damon does stems from this core belief, doesn't it? He embraces his dark side because he believes that's what he is. He acknowledges his human feelings for Elana, but agonizes over never being able to be what she needs. He insists his brother is pretending to be something he's not.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now it's your turn! Try this with some of your characters and see if you can get to the basis of what makes them tick.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.sweettaterblog.com/2009/09/18/core-work/">photo credit</a>&nbsp;pic 1</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://tvrecappersanonymous.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/the-vampire-diaries-season-finale-founders-day-live-blogging-event/">photo credit</a> pic 2</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-1157323604084215175?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-87618516775302893442011-07-28T03:00:00.000-07:002011-07-28T03:00:15.058-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXDpu52Dbno/Tis5iUteBiI/AAAAAAAAAXM/ZZKNWW79cP8/s1600/imagination-gerard-fritz-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXDpu52Dbno/Tis5iUteBiI/AAAAAAAAAXM/ZZKNWW79cP8/s320/imagination-gerard-fritz-1.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I was a little girl there was nothing I loved more than curling up on the couch with a good book. And when I wasn't reading, I'd literally spend hours just daydreaming my own fantastic tales that usually involved a hero suspiciously like me sucked into various fantasy worlds of my own making. I wrote my first short story at the age of seven. It wasn't like I had a horrible childhood I needed to escape from or anything. <b>It just plain made me happy</b>.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So it doesn't seem all that surprising that I ended up coming full circle. I suppose looking at it, becoming a writer was inevitable. Of course now that I have claimed it as a profession I do/have done more than just write. I also blog and tweet (what some call a social media platform), query and submit, critique and accept critique, attend conferences and workshops, and so on.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I don't often talk about the negative sides of writing. I get it though. Sometimes writing gets hard. It's a long, stumbly kind of road sometimes - okay most of the time. There are *gasp* inevitable rejections. And despite the overwhelmingly positive attitude of this community, I know that psychologically those hurtful moments, even few and far between, stick to us in a way a million compliments never could.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The seven year old me wouldn't understand any of that of course. And that's my point. I write because I love that magical feeling. The same one that I had when I used to imagine the day away. I write in the hopes that I will touch someone else's life the way those authors touched mine. And ultimately that's what matters, that's why I do it, and that's why I will continue.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So friends, if you find yourself getting down for one reason or another, remind yourself why you did this to begin with. And then ask yourself if your life would be the same without it. If like me, the answer is a big fat "NO!" then don't quit. Keep doing it. Because the negative will pass. But the magic will always be there waiting.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/imagination-gerard-fritz.html">photo credit</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-8761851677530289344?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-1340409444172472802011-07-25T03:04:00.000-07:002011-07-25T03:04:00.148-07:00<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69euDB1itJs/ThJHmoHLqMI/AAAAAAAAAUI/41AF2GebgEc/s1600/mummy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69euDB1itJs/ThJHmoHLqMI/AAAAAAAAAUI/41AF2GebgEc/s320/mummy.gif" width="205" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We tend to ignore characters if they make things difficult for us. We see so many vampires and werewolves because they're much sexier than mummies. We avoid the parents because we want to put our MC in danger. We're all aware of the trope - the teen MC with dead or otherwise incapacitated parents, or the uninvolved, either selfish or simply ignorant mother/father. I'm talking YA, but the truth is this is even harder to deal with in MG because of the level of independence a 12 year old has when compared to a 16 year old.&nbsp;</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So what do we do? How do we cope? We know we can't rush to the rescue, so we need some way to keep the parents out of the way. Right? Not always. Here are three possibilities that may make the characters more complex:</span><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The parent is part of the story in an integral and positive way.</b> Sometimes they can play the role of guide or support. Yes, the MC needs to solve the problem herself. But we allow her friends and love interests, so why not adult interaction? Don't be afraid to give it a try, you might be surprised with what you find.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The parent has an agenda of his/her own that whether well intentioned or not, is in some way at odds with that of the MC.</b>&nbsp;So they may be around, offer guidance even, but it may not be what the MC really needs.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The missing (whether physically or mentally) parent.</b> I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'m absolutely guilty of ditching the parents in my own work. I admit it. Sometimes it's just plain necessary. But (and here's the key I think) I TRY to make it a genuine part of the story - not just a convenience. It's important to me to make the pieces connect back to the larger puzzle. Sometimes I strike out, and I have to work even harder, but it's a worthy goal so I strive to meet it.</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What other inventive ways can we involve the parents in the story?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://g-o-a-m.blogspot.com/2010/05/bank-holiday-delights.html">photo credit</a></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-134040944417247280?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-26153699196599301912011-07-21T04:00:00.000-07:002011-07-21T04:00:00.138-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rO0OP-SJ4IU/TiOk18etUrI/AAAAAAAAAWM/pYUZjPZQJdk/s1600/526+hp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rO0OP-SJ4IU/TiOk18etUrI/AAAAAAAAAWM/pYUZjPZQJdk/s400/526+hp.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's my turn in the <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/07/something-potter-this-way-comes.html">Harry Potter Blogfest</a>, folks! And I'm excited. I LOVE Harry and the entire world that JKR created. I wish there were more to come. But, like the poster says, the books and movies are ending. There's Pottermore (thank goodness say many people) now, but WOW if JK were to write another novel...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why is that? Why do we yearn for MORE Potter? Why can't we stop talking about it? What's the difference between say, Harry Potter and Twilight? (Yeah I went there) The Twilight phenomenon is waning. I'm sure the last movies will do very well, but if you ask older teens now they will by and large roll their eyes. WHY? I'd sure like the secret to lasting success, wouldn't you? Here are a few observations about what forces may be at work:</span></span><br /><ul><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><li style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The rich worldbuilding</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. If I say "Hogwarts" or "Muggle" do you know what I'm talking about? Most likely YES. Do you know that the "wand chooses the wizard?" and wonder what type of wand would choose you? If you are young enough - did you wait for an owl before your eleventh birthday? Stretching it? I don't think so. We love to pretend. JKR built such an intricate and fantastic world within our own that we can't help but feel it exists. We devour every detail both large and small. We soak up everything from Harry's favorite dessert (Treacle Tart) to the contents of Tom Riddle's trophy box when Dumbledore found him at the orphanage (a silver thimble, a tarnished mouth organ, and a yo-yo).&nbsp;</span></span></li><ul style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"></ul></span></span></b><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The supporting cast.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It isn't JUST Harry that we love, is it? It's Hermione's insufferable intelligence, Ron's desire to be the best at something, Neville's ineptitude, and Doby's loyalty. Even Snape's sneer. Peel back another layer and we have people like Professor Trelawny and her ridiculous portents of death, Victor Krum and his duck-footed walk, and even Crabb and Goyle with their brute strength and utter stupidity. Actors say, the size of the part doesn't matter, it's how well you play it. Even characters barely mentioned are crystal clear in our minds. We GET them. We feel like we know them all.</span></span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A truly great story and hero will live in our hearts forever</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. How do you NOT love Harry? The little orphaned boy who only wanted to live a normal childhood but was thrust into danger at every turn? The boy who lived. The boy who TRIUMPHED over everything despite being a normal kid. (well okay, normal <i>besides</i> the wizard thing) Daniel Radcliffe said at the premiere of the final film:&nbsp;"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't think the end of the story happens tonight because each and every person who will see this film will carry this story with them through the rest of their lives."</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think the key here is that JKR not only succeeded in plot, character, and world building. It's that she EXCEEDED all aspects. She went above and beyond, not just in one area imperative to writing well, but in all the major areas. Adverbial dialogue tags? Pfft. Who cares when we have Harry and Hogwarts, and He Who Must Not Be Named?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-2615369919659930191?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-59441497618595977072011-07-18T03:58:00.000-07:002011-07-18T09:53:53.828-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FMEUomKRis/TiO9lrhbqWI/AAAAAAAAAXE/qYzUZ3N7-as/s1600/images+21-44-53.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FMEUomKRis/TiO9lrhbqWI/AAAAAAAAAXE/qYzUZ3N7-as/s1600/images+21-44-53.jpeg" /></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 33px;">Have I got a surprise for you!! This week I'm joining seven other fabulous bloggers who can't get enough Harry. Figuring that most of you feel the same, we've created #PotterChat, complete with blogfest, scavenger hunt contest with fabulous prizes, AND interactive twitter chats ALL WEEK LONG! Here are the detes:&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; text-align: left; width: 528px;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can't let go of the excitement of seeing&nbsp;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deathly Hallows Part 2</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">? On pins and needles until the opening of Pottermore and hoping you'll be one of the lucky early entries?</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then join our #PotterChat every day this week for fantastic blogging and Tweeting on all things Potter! Each day, some of our lovely and extremely interesting bloggers will bring you a new post on Potter sure to help quench your craving for that golden Harry Polyjuice. Then, at special designated times on Twitter, join us for a #PotterChat, where you can discuss live with the bloggers and other fans all things Potter -- your review of the movie, your expectations for Pottermore, whatever.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But BEST OF ALL -- is the PotterChat Scavenger Hunt.&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; line-height: normal;">Follow the clues from one blog to another and collect the Q&amp;A answers. When all answers have been revealed, e-mail the answers with the name of the blog they were found on to PotterChat8@gmail.com.</span>&nbsp;</span></span>First correct entry gets first choice of prizes, second entry gets second choice, and so on.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are our fabulous Bloggers</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;with links to their blog and Twitter:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Monday</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PotterChat Announcement!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2Yx4okiApg/TiOG-xd-snI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Jodinjcrx1c/s1600/Ava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2Yx4okiApg/TiOG-xd-snI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Jodinjcrx1c/s1600/Ava.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://avajae.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Writability&nbsp;</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/ava_jae"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Avalon Jaedra</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;on&nbsp;</span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Top Five Favorite Harry Potter Moments</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;(9:30 a.m. Eastern)</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tuesday</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQpIl6xKw8g/TiOFGTqqreI/AAAAAAAAARg/r40nFtPDLy4/s1600/Jami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQpIl6xKw8g/TiOFGTqqreI/AAAAAAAAARg/r40nFtPDLy4/s1600/Jami.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://jamigold.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jami Gold, Paranormal Author</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/jamigold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jami Gold</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;on&nbsp;</span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Harry Potter and Beyond: What Inspires You to Write?</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;(8:30 a.m. Eastern)</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQOK-rhKGNc/TiOFQKfjNKI/AAAAAAAAARk/MOPAZuRsNqs/s1600/Bekah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQOK-rhKGNc/TiOFQKfjNKI/AAAAAAAAARk/MOPAZuRsNqs/s1600/Bekah.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://rebekahstories.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bekah Snow's blog</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/bekahsnow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bekah Snow</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;on&nbsp;</span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Heroes Worth the Read: Ways to Make Your Characters Jump into Readers' Hearts</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;(7 a.m. Eastern)</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wednesday</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hfEjS6rGPJk/TiOGWFrq5pI/AAAAAAAAARw/iBGDbGPa1q0/s1600/Alivia.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hfEjS6rGPJk/TiOGWFrq5pI/AAAAAAAAARw/iBGDbGPa1q0/s1600/Alivia.png" style="cursor: move;" /></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://aliviaanders.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alivia Anders; Musings of a Microwaving Burrito Enthusiast</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/AliviaAnders"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alivia Anders</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;on&nbsp;</span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Why We Still Feel Sympathy for the Bad Guys</span></span></b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7TaRISXuz8/TiOgEMD3bfI/AAAAAAAAASI/KmPmf_mUsWg/s1600/Kiki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7TaRISXuz8/TiOgEMD3bfI/AAAAAAAAASI/KmPmf_mUsWg/s1600/Kiki.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.kikihamilton.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kiki Hamilton, Author</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/kikihamilton"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kiki Hamilton</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;on T</span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">he Magic of Harry Potter: People, Places and Things</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;(10 a.m. Eastern)</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thursday</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otG1DD7GxPw/TiOF9XzyNKI/AAAAAAAAARo/rHhxPgBOUbc/s1600/Lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otG1DD7GxPw/TiOF9XzyNKI/AAAAAAAAARo/rHhxPgBOUbc/s1600/Lisa.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Paranormal Point of View</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/lisagailgreen"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lisa Gail Green</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;on&nbsp;</span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How To Leave 'Em Wanting More! The Wonderful World of Potter</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;(7 a.m. Eastern)</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Usx5Gur7zTM/TiOGCoDgL3I/AAAAAAAAARs/XcJ8soFP0I4/s1600/Lyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Usx5Gur7zTM/TiOGCoDgL3I/AAAAAAAAARs/XcJ8soFP0I4/s1600/Lyn.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://lynmidnight.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lyn Midnight: Against the Odds</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/LynMidnight"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lyn Midnight</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;on&nbsp;</span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Boy Who'll Live Forever... in Fan Fiction <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(9 AM Eastern)</span></span></span></span></b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Friday</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpmsKNKgD48/TiOKDTimrsI/AAAAAAAAAR4/FgZ4ps2hS2k/s1600/mine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpmsKNKgD48/TiOKDTimrsI/AAAAAAAAAR4/FgZ4ps2hS2k/s1600/mine.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://harrypotterforwriters.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HarryPotterforWriters</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/HP4Writers"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">S.P. Sipal</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;on&nbsp;</span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Coming Home to Theme</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;(9 a.m. Eastern)</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Final Round-up and Prize Winners</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">#PotterChat</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's the schedule for our one-hour #PotterChats on Twitter each day. We've tried scheduling for various time zones. Simply follow the owl...I mean the hashtag!&nbsp; :-)</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Monday: 9 pm Eastern</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tuesday: 4 pm Eastern</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wednesday: 11 am Eastern</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thursday: 9 pm Eastern</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Friday: 5 pm Eastern (where we'll reveal the prize winners!)</span></span></li></ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Scavenger Hunt Prizes</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A copy of&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faerie-Ring-Kiki-Hamilton/dp/0765327228/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1310958552&amp;sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Faerie Ring</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;when it releases Sept 27th from&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/kikihamilton"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kiki Hamilton</span></span></a></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A first chapter critique by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/lisagailgreen"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lisa Gail Green</span></span></a></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 chapter Beta read swap from&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/bekahsnow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bekah Snow</span></span></a></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A first chapter (20 pages or less) critique from&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/AliviaAnders"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alivia Anders</span></span></a></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A query letter critique OR critique of your first 5 pages by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/ava_jae"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Avalon Jaedra</span></span></a></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Beta read up to 5K words by&nbsp;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://twitter.com/jamigold">Jami Gold</a></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A critique of your first two chapters OR a guest spot on my blog from&nbsp;</span><a href="http://twitter.com/LynMidnight"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lyn Midnight</span></a></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A first chapter critique (up to 20 pages) by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/HP4Writers"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">S.P. Sipal</span></span></a></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A PDF or Kindle copy of&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Improve-Studying-Bestselling-ebook/dp/B0055AUG8Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1307967774&amp;sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A Writer's Guide to Harry Potter</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;by&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/HP4Writers"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">S.P. Sipal</span></span></a></li></ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Scavenger Hunt List of Clues</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are the clues that you will have to follow and find throughout the week. Once you have visited all 8 blogs and found ALL 8 clues, please e-mail your list of answers and which blog they were found on to Potterchat8@gmail.com</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please note</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">: You cannot submit your entry until 9 a.m. Eastern on Friday, when all 8 answers have been revealed on the blogs!</span></span></div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In&nbsp;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, when Professor McGonagall introduces Harry to Oliver Wood saying that she's found him a Seeker, she also notes that Harry caught the Remembrall in a dive that even who could not have done?</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In&nbsp;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chamber of Secrets</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, who helped get Harry out of trouble in Filch's office by persuading Peeves to crash the vanishing cabinet on the floor above?</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In&nbsp;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Prisoner of Azkaban</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, what shape did Dean's Boggart take?</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In&nbsp;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Goblet of Fire</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, what does Dobby reveal to be his pay per week for working at Hogwarts?</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In&nbsp;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Order of the Phoenix</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, the Weasley twins planted this outside of Umbridge's office before leaving Hogwarts.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In&nbsp;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Half-Blood Prince</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, during Dumbledore's visit to Tom Riddle's orphanage, he instructs Tom to empty items out of his box in his wardrobe.&nbsp; Name one of the three items mentioned.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In&nbsp;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deathly Hallows</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, this gift was the end of Peter Pettigrew.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Deathly Hallows</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, on the radio show Potterwatch!, although he wanted to be called "Rapier," Lee Jordon initially introduced one of the Weasley twins as... (this name).</span></span></li></ol><ul></ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks for visiting and for playing!&nbsp;</span></span></b></i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We look forward to a wonderful week with lots of fun!</span></span></b></i><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.c95.com/blog/rambling-dave/and-you-thought-you-were-harry-potter-fan">photo credit</a>&nbsp;Pretty interesting post for HP fans. Creepy though!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-5944149761859597707?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-74228540011070261392011-07-14T03:32:00.000-07:002011-07-14T03:32:00.835-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdu4oq97S4Y/ThJGMec3HGI/AAAAAAAAAUA/YTIP6gRveaU/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdu4oq97S4Y/ThJGMec3HGI/AAAAAAAAAUA/YTIP6gRveaU/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We know how important it is to make our characters realistic. We spend a lot of time with them, get inside their heads, and well - love them. So it stands to reason we feel a little maternal (or paternal) toward them. Protective. We wouldn't hurt our children, so how can we possibly hurt our characters?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's for their own good. You know it. Putting them through the absolute worst situations you can imagine not only makes for good story telling, it is often the catalyst for the change necessary for them to grow.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, you agree? Good, except that m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">aking mistakes isn't enough. Having bad things happen isn't enough. It's DEALING with it that makes the character and the story rich.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;You might think you've put your MC in danger, tortured her, etc. When in truth you've sent in a "rescuer" to prevent her from actually suffering. Do any of these sound familiar?</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The love interest swoops in and saves the day</b>. Enter Edward Cullen - maybe we should deem this the "Edward Interference"? My but the MC had a fright! It's a good thing our mysterious, brooding hero who may or may not be immortal was around to save the day. No! No! No! None of that please. What kind of character arc does your MC have if Mr. Macho is always preventing things form happening?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>It was all a misunderstanding.</b> *shakes head* Life isn't fair. If the MC gets to let it roll off her back and skip through the sunshine and rose petals it won't make for a very good story. Trust me. No coincidences. No "but it really wasn't what she thought so no harm done" situations please!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Something bad happens, but it's immediately remedied. </b>Okay I hurt her - quick where's the bandage? Tension friends. Let the ramifications sink in. Let 'em wallow in it. Don't stick her in quicksand when there's a strong, handy branch waiting inches away. Where's the character building there? Where's the excitement for the reader? Draw it out.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It all comes down to the same thing. LET THE MC SUFFER.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.tomorrowpictures.tv/2010/01/05/superman-in-the-underground-world-on-the-strip/">photo credit</a></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7422854001107026139?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-25396088943352751782011-07-11T03:23:00.000-07:002011-07-11T03:23:00.133-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aADauyno8sc/ThEySywwU2I/AAAAAAAAAT0/9fcqRIPV0IA/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aADauyno8sc/ThEySywwU2I/AAAAAAAAAT0/9fcqRIPV0IA/s200/Unknown.jpeg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ut1pz32dqXI/ThEyVnrOxzI/AAAAAAAAAT4/nZdg2ULvSE0/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ut1pz32dqXI/ThEyVnrOxzI/AAAAAAAAAT4/nZdg2ULvSE0/s200/images-2.jpeg" width="132" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1657173523"></span><span id="goog_1657173524"></span>Write what you love. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I know! I know! Markets and trends and audience appeal, oh my. Yes, it’s important to know your market. But how do you do that? You read in your genre. Do I read YA? You betcha! Do I read paranormal and fantasy? I eat it for breakfast. Combine the two and you’ve got me hooked. I just got back from vacation. What did I take to read by the poolside? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clarity-Kim-Harrington/dp/0545230500">CLARITY</a> by Kim Harrington. My genre. I LOVED it! And I learned from it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OYo0FslwC9s/ThEyV1dnJLI/AAAAAAAAAT8/X0JBYeo9bOs/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OYo0FslwC9s/ThEyV1dnJLI/AAAAAAAAAT8/X0JBYeo9bOs/s200/images-3.jpeg" width="132" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The point is, I didn’t climb on the dystopian bandwagon just because I loved Hunger Games. I’ve read quite a few, but it isn’t what excites me (writing wise) overall. It isn’t the thing that keeps me up at night with ideas. It isn’t the thing that makes me itch to get home and write when I’m running errands, or even out to dinner. Without that excitement, my work will be missing a spark. And that spark is necessary. It is VITAL. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But paranormal is dying you say? I say, everything has a market. Everything comes back around. What I write today won’t be published for at least two years, so who knows what will be “hot” then? I have to be aware of these things, but honestly <b>as long as I keep it original</b>, I’m not as concerned as you might think. I write what I’d want to read, which I hope is something others will want to read as well.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Would I write something else? Sure! But I guarantee it'll be something that get's me just as excited.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Which brings us back to my point. You have to write what you love. Because in the end, isn’t that why you started doing this in the first place?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Psst! Did you guys see <a href="http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/2011/07/aaaaand-action-how-to-write-it-well.html">my guest post</a> on the amazing Julie Musil's blog? She's running a contest so check it out!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-2539608894335275178?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-75191952000584066152011-07-07T03:27:00.000-07:002011-07-07T03:27:00.665-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1OXs51ep1Q/ThCsGWv3QJI/AAAAAAAAATk/6hq_vMXhHis/s1600/unicorns_can_also_640_57-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1OXs51ep1Q/ThCsGWv3QJI/AAAAAAAAATk/6hq_vMXhHis/s400/unicorns_can_also_640_57-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We go through so many phases when writing a book. I like to think we turn into several different creatures along the way. Let me illustrate...</span><br /><br /><ol><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Superhero</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Yes we start out with soaring aspirations. We're sure this is it! This is the idea that's going to save the world! So many possibilities are laid out in front of us, it's like we can see a million different roads leading out from the core idea that sparked our interest in the first place. In this beginning stage (whether it be planning or just diving in) we feel invincible.&nbsp;</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Willow the Wisp</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. The willow the wisp (for those that don't know) is responsible for leading wary travelers astray, sometimes ending in drowning them. In this case, it means the murky middle. We've gotten into the story, we have an idea of where it should end up, but we feel like we're trudging through the swamp trying to get there. Have we led the story astray? We hope not.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Zombie</b>. We can't see straight. We can't think straight either. We're so engrossed in the book that we put our pants on backwards. Hopefully this is an exaggeration. Maybe not.</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Pixie</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. We've done it! We've made it through the first draft! Now we're full of energy, feeling like celebrating. Do pixie's eat chocolate? If they're writer pixies - you bet they do!</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Werewolf</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Revision. For the most part you are ready. You feel you can handle it. But then you have those moments - perhaps when the moon is full? - where you turn into an irrational beast. You want to tear the manuscript apart (so it's a good thing we mostly use computers now). The best thing to do is understand that you will get through this, and get rid of some of that negative energy in a positive way, like running/exercise. Preferably not by biting anyone.</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Unicorn</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Critiquers and beta readers have their say. We feel like a hunted beast - a dying breed. Well, hopefully not. Hopefully we ignore that sense of vulnerability enough to take the bullet. After all, bullets can't really kill unicorns. In the case of this metaphor they only make them stronger.&nbsp;</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Vampire</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. We've finished! We're ready to query or submit. We are hungry for positive responses, but know we will face much rejection, so we have to be tough. So tough that we keep our eye on the prize, and remain strong, clever, and stealthy. Okay, I just like that word. Stealthy. But you get the idea.</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So how'd I do? Did I miss a monster?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://lostinasupermarket.com/2010/08/is-this-unicorn-being-a-jerk-or-is-he-just-misunderstood/">photo credit</a></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-7519195200058406615?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-43668658775481587292011-07-04T03:21:00.000-07:002011-07-05T09:48:34.952-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86WlihKrejo/TgdjaShjjQI/AAAAAAAAATc/fUyJcIelwiY/s1600/different-faces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86WlihKrejo/TgdjaShjjQI/AAAAAAAAATc/fUyJcIelwiY/s320/different-faces.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First of all - the winner of ORIGINAL SIN is <a href="http://tanyaspencer.wordpress.com/">Tanya Spencer</a>! Congrats.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Check out <a href="http://harrypotterforwriters.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-jk-rowling-unmasking.html">my guest post</a> on Harry Potter for Writers!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, I have a question for you. Do you always behave the same? Are you the same person when you are home lounging around on your own as when you're out on a date or at a company party? Are you the same person around your friends on a Saturday night as with your kids? I doubt it.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Neither is your MC.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Staying true to character is vital to a successful book. Sure your character can surprise you and the reader, but always within the confines of who they are. And they, like us, become different people based on who they are with. Do you have romance in your story? Well if you do, and most of us do to some level, you have to be aware that when your two characters collide they become something new.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The wonderful Sarah Fine had a post on</span><a href="http://thestrangestsituation.blogspot.com/2011/06/personifying-muse-or-how-sisterhood-of.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> the space between characters</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. To me this is what that means. I studied social psych for a bit, and it is fascinating the way people will change depending on who they are with and what they are doing.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So how do we USE this info in our writing?</span><br /><br /><ol><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Compare scenes</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Take a scene where your MC is alone and compare it to one where she is with her love interest. What is her behavior like? Is it different? Have her goals changed at all? Her approach to those goals?&nbsp;</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Relate those differences to the overarching character arc</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. What changes in your MC by the end of the story? Are those qualities effected by her interaction with others? How so? Perhaps they prompt a positive change. OR perhaps they make it that much more difficult for your MC. Remember - you can't protect her, you have to let her suffer.&nbsp;</span></li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's a great way to show depth</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. You want to SHOW (not talk about) different sides to your character. Putting her in varied situations with different people or on her own can accomplish this.</span>&nbsp;</li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What are some other ways this can alter your writing? Good or bad?</span></div><br /><a href="http://www.tuition.com.hk/style-of-management.htm">photo credit</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-4366865877548158729?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-55304747356663454012011-06-30T08:23:00.000-07:002011-06-30T08:23:55.928-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaPFw3NS0MY/TgAP1cbHiCI/AAAAAAAAATY/J0LphwGVHoQ/s1600/shrek-donkey-pick-me_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaPFw3NS0MY/TgAP1cbHiCI/AAAAAAAAATY/J0LphwGVHoQ/s1600/shrek-donkey-pick-me_1.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don't miss your chance to <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/06/lisa-desrochers-is-my-guest-again.html">win a copy</a> of ORIGINAL SIN.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So you have things planned out to the last detail - or if you're a pantser then you have an idea in your brain. It might be a bit fuzzy, but it's there. Either way you now know your MC and you're moving forward when all of a sudden one of your supporting characters decides to steal the show. Chances are this character is lots of fun with a dazzling personality. It's very tempting... but you have a story to tell and it's meant for your MC!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What do you do?&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are a couple of things that might be going on here. The first possibility is that your MC is falling flat and your subconscious is reaching for something easier. AKA the shiny, fun character that feels natural to write. If this is the case (and only you know if it is), you should stop and reassess your character building. Do whatever it is you need to do to get inside your MC's head. Try to find out what's preventing her from coming fully to life.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BUT if the reason is that the supporting character is just one of those show-stealers, I recommend sitting down and having a heart-to-heart with him. What? Is my insanity showing again? Seriously! I've done this. And what I said was, "Listen, this is X's story, not yours, no matter how much I love you. So if you behave and anything ever comes of this, I will make you the star of the next book."&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In other words, give yourself permission to explore this character that's so grabbed you, but in such a way that it doesn't overshadow the wonderful work you're currently pursuing.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good. That sounds far more sane. Um, I mean reasonable.&nbsp;</span><br /><a href="http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com/tallskinnykiwi/2008/12/new-york-times.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo credit</span></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6734108232999147338-5530474735666345401?l=paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisa Gail Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6734108232999147338.post-64275922758361931942011-06-27T03:44:00.000-07:002011-06-27T03:44:00.496-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHm44wdQ2NI/Tf69ZpRXf7I/AAAAAAAAATU/51eqFO_GHWc/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHm44wdQ2NI/Tf69ZpRXf7I/AAAAAAAAATU/51eqFO_GHWc/s320/images.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The winner of <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/67691">GODS OF JUSTICE </a>and a first chapter critique is: <a href="http://davidjace.blogspot.com/">David Jace</a>! Keep reading for ANOTHER chance to win.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope you all remember <a href="http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2010/08/lisa-desrochers-is-my-guest.html">when Luc visited </a>in honor of the release of PERSONAL DEMONS by</span></span><a href="http://lisadesrochers.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Lisa Desrochers</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Well, the second book of the series, </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Original-Sin-Personal-Demons-Novel/dp/0765328097"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">ORIGINAL SIN</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, is set to release on July 5th! And I want to celebrate. *throws confetti* I love Lisa's writing. Especially Luc. *fans self*&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enjoy the following guest post/scene courtesy of Lisa Desrochers, and if you stick around and leave me a comment with your email address I will pick one lucky winner of a pre-ordered copy of the book! U.S. only please. It's that easy.* This book is hot hot hot - I've read it. ;D&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: *walks through wall into Luc’s apartment* It seems my sister is lusting on Lucifer, and a lot of you are rooting for them. I find this more than a little disturbing, and I’m here in his apartment to show you the error of your ways. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First, take a look around. The art alone is enough to make you think twice. He’s got three Doré prints near the kitchen, depicting different stages of Dante’s </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Inferno</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, and a print of William Blake’s </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Temptation of Eve</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, just in case you forgot that no one’s above temptation. On the wall behind the black king-sized bed is a floor to ceiling mural of the Abyss, where he’s sure to be taking you if you spend too much time on the bed. And, speaking of the bed, the fact that it’s the only furniture in here should scare you right off. This is a lair, not an apartment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: *phases into the apartment* *glares when he sees Matt* I knew something stunk. Thought I forgot to take out the trash.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: *eyes slit* Speak of the devil.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: What do you want?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: Nothing much. Peace on Earth…an end to war and famine…you gone. Yeah, that pretty much covers it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: *smirks* Good luck with that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: Ruin any lives today?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: Not yet, but the day is young.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: *glares*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: Are you done? Because Frannie’s on her way over, *plucks Dante off the bookshelves* *lifts eyebrow at Matt* and we were hoping for a little alone time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: *lightning crackles over fist* If you touch her I </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">will</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> kill you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*knock on door*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: *glares back* Make up your mind, cherub. Smite me now or get out of my face.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: *grumbles* *lowers fist*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: *moves to door and opens it*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Frannie: Hey. *curls into Luc’s arms* Did you miss me?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: *glares over top of Frannie’s head at Matt* Always.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Frannie: *stretches up on tiptoes to kiss Luc*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: *clears throat*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Frannie: Oh. Hi Matt. *smiles* Long time no see.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: It’s been, like, three minutes. *scowls* You drive so fast not even the Hounds of Hell could catch you between home and here.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: *holds door open* Catch you later, cherub.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matt: *grits teeth* When </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> decide to leave, I won’t be using the door.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luc: *kisses Frannie again* Suit yourself. *sweeps Frannie up into his arms* *carries her to the bed*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: larg