Making it Pay Off

The winner of Libba Bray's BEAUTY QUEENS is Vicki!!


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. 


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. 

• Keep an element of surprise. 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. 
• Make it a challenge. 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.
• Give us a moment of doubt. 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.
• Pull in the clues. 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. 

Any other tips to add?

Photo credit: I know, the pic isn't perfect for the subject, but it was too cute not to use. 

Creating Fear in the Minds of Readers

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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. 


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. 


Do:

• Put your MC is danger. Seems obvious, I know. But some of us have a hard time doing that to our beloved characters. Don't protect them.  
• Keep that danger ominous. 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.
• Play with time. 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...
• Make your MC helpless. 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. 
• Make it your MC's fault. If she feels responsibility for the heinous situation, we are doubly invested in her seemingly impossible attempt to right the wrong she created.

Don't:

• Be cliche. Walking down an eerie street in broad daylight can be scarier than a dark and stormy night. 
• Make your antagonist a device. 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. 
• Tell. 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. 
• Pull your punches. 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. 
• Underestimate the reader. 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. 

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. 

The Case For Fantasy

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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? 


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:

1. Escape. 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?
2. Safety of Symbolism. 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. 
3. Playground for the Imagination. 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. 

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!

Beauty Queens Extravaganza and Contest!

Boy do I have a post for you! See, my writing compadres, Julie Musil and Leslie Rose, and I have all finished reading BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray. This book is too amazing to be contained in a single post, so the three of us have come together this week to bring you an uber-awesome BEAUTY QUEENS Blog Extravaganza complete with our own beauty contestant profiles and a contest too fun to believe. So make yourselves comfortable for part one, right here, right now.

And with me to review the book I have none other than a beauty contestant, Miss Writer’s Block!

Me: So what did you think of the book?

MWB: It was pretty. *Smiles*

Me: *Cringes away from blinding reflection off teeth* How did the story make you feel?

MWB: Confused and awed. I mean, I can’t even finish my book, let alone come up with yummy stories that work together so well and actually mean something. That’s why I went for the Title. *fingers ribbon*

Me: Thank you, Miss Writer’s Block.

 

My opinion? Oh come on. You guys know Libba Bray is my favorite author. I may or may not have blackmailed her into taking this picture with me at the SCBWI conference. Either way, this book did NOT disappoint. I’d say lots of good stuff about the genius of it, but let’s leave it at: If you want to be my friend you should read this book.

 

Now to my fun facts page based off the novel:

Miss Teen Dream Fun Facts Page!

Name: Lisa Gail Green

State: Excited!

Age: Emotionally? Fifteen.

Height: Tall enough to reach most of my shelves.

Weight: More than I’d like.

Hair: Fiery red

Eyes: Green/blue

Best Feature: My smile :D <-- see?

Fun Facts About Me

•         I can tickle myself. (I know weird, right?
•     I actually almost entered a beauty contest as a young teen. Thank GOODNESS my parents refused to let me do it. I am aware that the Corporation may frown upon this answer but I thought it was relevant.
•     Libba Bray called me a diva. I’m pretty sure it was meant in a good way. In fact, she signed my copy of the book to “Divalicious”. I want to be just like her when I grow up.

AND the contest!!! 

Do you want to win an autographed copy of BEAUTY QUEENS? It isn’t just any autograph either. It’s in true Libba Bray style, and you’ll just have to take my word for it. 

If you want to win simply leave a comment telling us one fun fact about you as if you were a contestant in the Miss Teen Dream pageant. You can enter up to three times by commenting on Julie’s blog tomorrow, and Leslie’s on Wednesday. You have ‘till next Monday (one week) to enter, and we will each announce the winner on our blogs next week. Nothing complicated. No extra entries for this or that, though we will give virtual chocolate for spreading the word. U.S. only please (we're poor writers).

Making Sure It Doesn't Feel Forced

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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. 


Pay no attention to that author behind the curtain!


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. 


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. 


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. 


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. 


Have you run into this problem? How did you handle it?

Why Steve Jobs Could Have Been a Writer

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:

Others have noted the same. Here's a post from Julie Musil quoting the speech.


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!

Don't Be a Zombie When You Write

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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...


Sound familiar? You're turning into a writing zombie.


We've all been there. It's hard to focus, especially when you feel like you're trudging uphill through sludge. 


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?

• Take a break. Go take a walk or watch your favorite show. Read a good book! Anything to have some you time.
• 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.
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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. 
• Call a friend or critique partner. There's nothing like writer peeps to help you out when you're down. 

What else can you do to prevent turning into a writing zombie?