Three Simple Questions

As you know, I've been expanding my view of character development these last few weeks. I've gone from the mindset of 'how hard can it be?' to 'this is impossible' and finally resting on 'I can do this'. Although, to be perfectly honest, there were a lot more variations of 'this is impossible' before I landed on the decision that I could do it.

I was going to list the methods that I tried and failed at, but I decided that even though they didn't work for me, they may still work for others. In fact, they probably will work for others -I'm just weird is all.

I guess you could say I felt tossed by the waves of character understanding in all the finding-out-what-makes-my-character-tick-stuff.

Then, like a ship caught out at sea, I saw something illuminate the dark waters and land became visible.

I was poking around www.mybooktherapy.com where low and behold, like a beacon of much needed light to a weary sailor in need of a lighthouse, I saw an article on 'The Easy Way To Create Characters'. At first I assumed it was like all the others -difficult to do, without the positive results. But boy was I wrong!

In the beginning of the article she states that this method is painless, and is more like drinking coffee while chatting with friends than actual work. So true.

She asks three questions of your character and voila, you're done. No, really. Remember, I'm the one who has a tough time getting what I know about my characters onto paper in the form of personality sheets? But, I just sat and answered the three easy questions, and in the process, I truly met my three main characters. I asked them what their greatest fear was. What their greatest dream was. And what they valued most. Yeah, that simple.

Of-course if you're going to try this method you should head over to the web-page where she explains how to use this information. And if you do read her instructions and give it a shot, let me know how it worked for you. I'm excited to hear if it helped anyone else the way it's helped me.

I'd better go though, Eva, Harry and Ester are still here and they aren't done chatting. Now, where did I put my coffee?

Oh, here's the web-page:

http://www.mybooktherapy.com/index2.php/articles/listen-to-me-the-easy-way-to-create-characters/

What's Your Favorite?

I've heard enough debate on the subject of mythological creatures to last me a lifetime -which ones are considered acceptable and which aren't.

Regardless of the sometimes passionate arguments, I happen to love stories about them and in fact have a favorite creature of my own.

What is your favorite mythological creature and why? Was it your favorite since hearing childhood stories about it or has it become a more recent fascination? Do you wish there were more fictional books about your favorite creature?

I'm really interested in your answers! I'll share my favorite and why in the comments with the other answers. :)

Moving On...

Okay, I've thought about the rejection letter and I am going to update my blog. Should I quote a piece of what Ms. Agent wrote me? Yeah, I should.

"Thanks so much for sending me NEW HOPE. I really enjoyed the story; it's well-plotted and entertaining. Unfortunately, I don't think the book grabs the emotions as much as it should. The characters feel emotionally distant. This is a common flaw with early manuscripts and I'm sure with continued work you'll master the technique. I'd be happy to take another look at your work at some point. I wish you the best as you continue down the road to publication!"

This is an amazing rejection letter. Now I really want this agent. Her sweet respect and encouragement make me just want her to sign me! I've listened to other author's opinions about what she meant, and I think I have an understanding. And guess what? She's SO right. I went back and read my first chapter. It's gripping and pulls you in, but you don't know what Eva is feeling. I show the story and in some ways I explain who she is as a result of her circumstances (being Jewish in Nazi occupied Germany), but I don't explain who SHE is as a person -outside of her circumstances and current life situation. What is her favorite color? Her favorite food? What does she do for fun? To relax? To vent?

As a doula, when I would interview a pregnant mommy so that I could know how to best help her during labor, I asked her pages and pages of personal questions. Where do you hold tension? What do you do to release the tension? Do you have areas on your body that you can't stand being touched? Do you like your head, feet, back rubbed? Which one would you prefer? And on and on. Does it matter that the mom may watch TV when she wants to relax? Not really. Not while she's in labor it doesn't because she wont be watching TV, but it tells me a little about her and how she unwinds so that I know that she prefers to work through her discomfort by being distracted rather than focusing on it. The answers the mommy gives me sheds light onto other areas of her life because as humans, our likes and dislikes are connected to how we perceive things and in turn to our reactions.

Yet, I didn't ask Eva (my main character) what her favorite color was!

Here's what I did to rectify my mistake. I joined A.C.F.W. and found a few character sheets with tons of questions to ask of my character. Right now, I'm working on filling them out and already I am seeing more layers to Eva, which is exciting. I added bits and pieces of her to the first chapter, but I'm sure I'll add more. I can't wait to really make her a person in my story. I had a friend read my manuscript a while ago and she said she loved it because she really felt like she was watching Eva's life unfold through a window. At the time I thought that was huge, but now I see I don't want my readers to watch it through a window. I want them to watch it through HER eyes. Through a deep connection with Eva. I hope I am able to make that happen.

Here's The Question: Have you done a character questionnaire for your main character? How do you add depth to your characters? If you're a reader, what in the story makes you feel connected to the characters?

I Moved!

Before I begin, I must warn you -this post has nothing to do with writing. Alright, you've been warned, we can proceed.

I can now add a new state to the list of places I've lived.
Okay. So, here's the list:

~California
~Oregon
~Washington
~Germany
~Texas

My new home state? New Mexico. I've driven through plenty of times, but this time is different. This time I stayed and I'm glad I did. I love living around types of natural beauty that are unique to a certain area or state and meeting people from backgrounds different from my own. I think it helps a person to write better -to tap into a larger array of characters when they have lived and experienced more than what's in their own comfort zone. Wait, look, this IS about writing! Leave it to me!

Seriously though, I feel like a blessed woman. When I moved to Texas it was a huge culture shock, but the two years I spent there taught me a lot. I saw a culture hinged upon family and values. I also saw more flat land and big skies than I thought existed!

Now that I'm in yet a new state, I can't wait to learn and see what all New Mexico has to offer and I can't help but wonder if I'll use the area, it's history, or it's people into one of my books.

Are you wondering about the pictures up top? I couldn't help myself. Yes, I did an unsafe thing -I took pictures while driving. (Guilty sigh) I thought the comparison was hilarious. Oh, and I should mention that that U-Haul you see in both pictures, yeah that was my view the WHOLE trip. My hubby was pulling it.

Here's the question:
Can you guess what I was comparing? Notice any differences between the two state pictures?

RESTING

I'm waiting. Waiting for 'the call'.

Ms. Agent told me to give her eight weeks to read my manuscript. The last week of July/ first week of August, is the eight week mark.

I've heard of other new authors who wait anxiously for 'the call'. Don't get me wrong, I dream of her telling me she wants to represent me, but anxiety? No. My friend asked me if I constantly check my email for a response from Ms. Agent, and I told her I don't want an email, I want a phone call. An email would be a rejection letter.

Why am I not freaking out, it being only a couple weeks away from the end of July? I've had two kids. Okay, yes, I see how that may need further explanation. See, many say writing a book is like having a baby. It takes time and effort and tons of emotions. You work hard, pushing ideas and words from your very core until one day, sitting in front of you is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind manuscript.

I understand that if finishing the manuscript is like giving birth than my analogy is working backwards, but stick with me. I see waiting for 'the call' as waiting to go into labor. Now, yes I've only actually gone into labor twice (I have two kids) but as a doula, I've seen and counsoled many women going into labor. The one sentence every new soon-to-be mom has said two weeks prior to her due date is, "I just want to meet my baby." They want the baby out.

They want to see the fruition of all the time they put into being pregnant. All those leg cramps at 2am, and unwanted pounds gained. You know what I tell them? "Enjoy the rest while you have it." Which leads to why I am not fretting, and wearing down a circle in the carpet around my phone. I am enjoying the rest. I know (from hearing others) that the big work starts after 'the call'.

Just like after having a newborn, the demands are placed on the author in the way of edits, and deadlines. And just like being a new mother, I'll gladly accept the demands head on. But, for now, I am two weeks away from my due date and I am resting. While I enjoy the freedom of writing foot loose and pressure free!

Here's the Question:
What are you waiting for right now?

Free Flow vs Outline

How do you write? Is the question a bit too general? I agree.

If you are currently writing, or have ever written a book, what does the process look like for you? More specifically, do you just write or do you use an outline?

On my first manuscript I just wrote as the story unfolded in my head. I had a rough, simple outline, but nothing more than a long paragraph written about the plot. While I was finishing that first manuscript, I ran across a well known author's website where she'd said she always used outlines when writing. So, from what I gathered, she'd create a chapter by chapter outline and then write the book. That sounded very intriguing and I decided to try that in a future manuscript.

I started writing my second manuscript without an outline, and about 10,000 words into it, I am beginning to entertain the whole outline idea again.

So Here's the Question:
Do you, or have you used an outline? And if so, what does it look like? How in depth do you go?

Summer Writing Schedule?

Summer brings new schedules. Most include laying by the pool, sleeping in, and vacations. If you write though, summer brings with it the necessity of figuring out a new 'writing schedule'.

During the school year I write while my kids are in school. Now, I am working on a new time to write. And I don't mean writing with interruptions between each sentence from sweet little ones who want food, permission to watch TV, etc.

No, I am looking for some good, condensed, deep story time. I've told myself I'll wake up early to write in a quiet house with coffee cup in hand. However, since making that decision I've had a sinus infection which demands as much sleep as possible. Good times.

These thoughts got me thinking; how are your writing schedules changing over the summer? Or are you taking the summer off? I'm interested in knowing how others do this. Thanks for your input!