writing

Joe the Planner (I thought it was plumber…)

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I’ve been wasting loads of time trying the write “organically” and not planning my story. I finally sat down and started mapping each character’s arc and underlined where their parts were the most interesting. Now I’ve got several scenes to add and lots of junk to cut, junk that was sending me down the wrong path and has been frustrating me for the last few months. And just in time for summer! This book will be done by August, when I will start a fresh project to complete during the school year.

Planning equals productivity.

Character Intimacy

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Creating characters and listening to them as I write their stories is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. But not every character feels as intimate as the next, which begs the question–why? Quite simply, underdeveloped backstory has not allowed me to discover what really ticks off my failing character. I have not figured out what or who they resent and why.

According to dictionary.com, resentment is the feeling of displeasure or indignation at some act, remark, person, etc., regarded as causing injury or insult. To feel resentment is to be human. How we react physically and emotionally when faced with the person who has injured us in some way ultimately reveals character. We can bottle our emotion and fight the battle internally, lash out at the person violently, or act anywhere in between. Resentment can eventually lead to forgiveness and healing, remain the same throughout life, or lead to acts of revenge.

Regardless of how you create characters for your stories, do not forget to consider who or what induces a negative reaction and how that will play a role in your story. It’s an easy topic to research. Just pay attention to your own feelings for a day.

Waiting and Writing

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This leaving the house and writing somewhere else is a great change of pace and might help me meet my goal of a finished book 2 by June.

What I’m working on:
Rewriting book 2, The Steel Spirit.

What I’m listening to:
A guy next to me talk in an Australian accent. I could listen all day.

Why I’m happy:
My house is full of fumes and I had to go to the coffee shop and write.

The devil on my shoulder says:
Git-r-done motivated writer.

Happy Bear

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I’ve finally crawled out of the cave and awoke from a deep writing hibernation. Now let’s hope that creativity springs forth like fresh flowers and not cottonwood pollen (my eyes are itchy just thinking about it). I raise my cup of coffee and begin.

I’m working on: Editing book 2.

I’m listening to: Adele: Someone like you

I’m happy because: I just am!

The devil on my shoulder says: Welcome back to thy keyboard. Here is a girl scout cookie as your reward.

Writing Journal

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I’m working on: Finally rewrote the first chapter of the second book in the trilogy. It was necessary before I could mark up the pages with line edits and note places to delete/insert scenes. That’s right, I said delete! Dear writers we must delete what isn’t working regardless of how many hours we spent on it (but save a cut file of course).

I’m listening to: Never Say Never by The Fray

I’m happy because: I’m finding time to write despite my crazy schedule.

The devil on my shoulder says: Finish off the chocolate bar…you deserve it.

Writing Journal

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I’m working on: A full read through of book 2 The Spirit of Steel. Doing a plot analysis of the book and finding places to spice up.

I’m listening to: Loreena McKennit: The Mystic’s Dream.

I’m happy because: I will begin the school year with a revision plan for book 2.

The devil on my shoulder says: Chocolate and coffee enhance writing!

You Did What? For the Kids

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So, once in a while I have to come out with an f-bomb, albeit a quiet one. This one was for the good of all children within shouting distance. Confused?

Every year my wife and I sell apparel at a local festival. We deal with the occasional customer who complains about prices or doesn’t like our selection (thirty different prints for an annual festival is pretty freakin good). But never before have we experienced an unhappy couple playing the who-is-the-biggest-villain game right next to our booth. FOR THIRTY MINUTES!

And she was loud. Loud enough for anyone passing by to hear her occasional f-bomb or a-hole comment. I kept expecting them to grow brains, to get the hint that this was a family festival with thousands of kids walking around. The dirty looks from myself and the customers weren’t working, so finally I boiled over.

Deep breath, shoulders back, here I go.

“I realize you’re having an important conversation here.”

Girl rolls eyes.

“No, not at all,” Guy responds.

Knockout shot…no, the kids don’t need to see that.

“Well, we’re running a business here and—”

“—We’re not hurting business.” Girl rolls eyes again.

Stale alcohol breathe engulfs me. Hmm. “There are lots of kids around…”

Guy nods, not the complete a-hole she’s made him out to be.

“…and your fu*#ing is getting kind of loud.”

I walk away. Couple leaves quietly.

Now, make your own scene.

Writing Journal

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I’m working on: Editing Treasure Hunter Tales: Dark Matter, book 2 in trilogy. It is quite refreshing to work on a new story (spent lots of time on book 1).

I’m listening to: Hans Zimmer-Road to Ruin from the King Arthur Soundtrack.

I’m happy because: July looks like a good writing month. Lofty goals.

The devil on my shoulder says: Just eat the Cheetos. They are crunchy and delicious.

Feed Your Writing Soul

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Today was supposed to be the last workshop for my group of middle school writers, but they insisted on a final meeting next week during the last week of school. Of course I said YES! They are doing a phenomenal job of writing and roundtable critiquing. Not that I expected anything less from them, but they are simply awesome.

This winter I taught them six workshops on the craft of fiction. Now we are sharing pages, reading them aloud, and providing constructive feedback. And the amazing part is the honesty and care they have been critiquing with. At ages 12-14 they are now speaking and writing with the vocabulary and insight few high school students possess. I used the acronym POV when critiquing a student’s work and by the next meeting many of them got the concept!

Why am I sharing this?

Treating people kindly (especially young people) and helping them with skills they want to improve upon will bring one more joy than one can hope to provide for others. Do something kind for someone else, it doesn’t matter whether it was planned or random. It will come back to you.

And writers, use the experience as food for your writing soul. You can bet that I’m building relationships with these young people and that the interaction will strengthen the characters in my middle grade and YA novels.

How have you combined acts of kindness with your stories? Try it! The experience will revive or maybe reawaken the sluggish muse on your shoulder.