My Passion's Pen
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Archive for the category “Blog”
Character development is mostly unseen
I spend a lot of my editing energy helping my clients refine their characters. And in my own writing I can never know too much about my characters. But readers don’t need (or want) everything about the inner and outer lives of our characters presented like a stenographer’s notes. It’s my belief that character is revealed through action on the page, but the motivation for that behavior is all off-screen. And motivation is the pulse of a story. That’s what keeps us turning the page.
We’ve all seen the iceberg analogy, and it’s one of the most universally true writing axioms: 80-90% of the story is behind the scenes and, in my opinion mostly embedded in characterization. Characters, though, are their own icebergs.
Image from Seopresspr.com
Screenwriting guru Scott Myers explains here: “Screenwriting Tip: Character Work as Iceberg.” https://link.medium.com/9ufJeoRdRS
Happy writing!
Why writing is EXACTLY like running, except for the part about words
Most of the folks who follow this silly blog are creative types–novelists, editors, journalists, photographers and other brilliant, beautiful people.
So let’s talk about creativity.
Are the arts a habit? Or does the muse randomly descend upon your noggin, so long as you make the right sacrifices and entreaties?
Though my love for the muse is strong, I’m making the case for habit.
All the way.
Because writing–and other creative work–is a hell of a lot like running. Here’s why.
1) The more you do it, the easier it gets
You can take classes about writing (or running), read books, watch videos and listen to experts.
In the end, though, there’s no substitute to getting off your duff and doing it.
And the more you write, or run, the easier it gets.
The first time you run a mile, or write something Serious, it’s painful.
Sometimes so painful that you question…
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One man’s love letter to romance authors and readers
Listen: romance novels don’t get enough respect.
Not for the amazing army of authors. Not for the editors and literary agents.
And not for the millions of loyal readers.
That should change. Here’s why:
1) The world needs books more than ever
If you care about ideas and words, you should care about books.
Newspapers and magazines are below books on the food chain of ideas and insights. I say this as a former journalist who bleeds newsprint if you cut me.
Only books give a writer enough space and time to truly dive deep into a topic.
Every library is an arsenal of liberty and each book is a foot soldier in the war against ignorance, apathy and hate.
We need books more than ever, with propaganda, misinformation and tyrants—or wannabe tyrants—one the rise around the world.
Books matter. When it comes to ideas, they are irreplaceable.
Oh, television and movies…
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6 Tips for Finishing Your First Draft | A Well Told Story
Tackling a first draft can be a serious challenge! Here are six tips to help you power through and finish your draft–and maybe even have some fun too!
Source: 6 Tips for Finishing Your First Draft | A Well Told Story
The First Book: Six Lessons from a Debut Author
Here are my favorite of the 6:
TIP #4: FEELINGS SCHMEELINGS!
Your work ethic should have nothing to do with how you feel, or whatever else is going on in your life. Feelings come and go. Situations change. You work ethic, however, is a constant because it is an attitude. A good work ethic is one that commits you to a realistic routine suited to your goals and situation. …
TIP #5: WAITING TIME IS WASTED TIME
Don’t have time to write? Waiting for inspiration – or an ideal situation? Well, as the saying goes, time is not something that you have – it’s something that you make. Likewise, situations don’t write – people do. …
TIP #6: CONFIDENCE IS A VERB
Like time, confidence is not necessarily something that you have. To avoid crippling self-doubt, pretend confidence is a verb – something that you do. Understand that confidence doesn’t come from self-regard (that’s arrogance). It comes from showing yourself what you’re capable of by trying things. Hence the age-old advice: ‘Fake it till you make it.’ …
Try again. Fail again. Fail better. –Worstward Ho by Samuel Beckett
Read all of the tips here:
https://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2018/06/12/the-first-book-six-lessons-from-a-debut-author/
North Street Book Prize – Winning Writers
CONTEST ALERT!
There are just a couple of weeks left to submit your self-published books to this contest. The details are below.
Good luck!
Source: North Street Book Prize-Winning Writers
North Street Book Prize
4th year. Your self-published book can win up to $3,000 plus expert marketing services.
Please submit during February 15-June 30, 2018. Submit one or more self-published books in these categories:
- Mainstream/Literary Fiction
- Genre Fiction
- Creative Nonfiction & Memoir (definition)
- Poetry (new!)
- Children’s Picture Book (new!)
PRIZES
- One grand prize winner will receive $3,000, a marketing analysis and one-hour phone consultation with Carolyn Howard-Johnson, a $300 credit at BookBaby, and 3 free ads in the Winning Writers newsletter (a $450 value)
- The top winner in each category will receive $1,000, a marketing analysis and one-hour phone consultation with Carolyn Howard-Johnson, a $300 credit at BookBaby, and one free ad in the Winning Writers newsletter (a $150 value)
- One honorable mention in each category will receive $250
- We will publish online excerpts (1,000-6,000 words) from all entries that win a prize, along with critiques from the judges
Length limit: 150,000 words. You may submit a collection of short stories or essays as a single entry. No restrictions on age or country. No restriction on year of publication. All contestants receive a free PDF download of The Frugal Book Promoter by Carolyn Howard-Johnson and free guides from BookBaby. Read about the winners of our third contest. The results of our fourth contest will be announced on February 15, 2019. Entry fee: $60 per book. Click the Submittable button below for full details.
Supplemental contest information (copyright, privacy, special assistance, etc.)
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