12 Days of Pre-Christmas: Gift Ten For Your Writer Friend

Writers get inspiration from everywhere, and everything is research. They also have to keep up with the business side of writing. Consider supporting their efforts and ongoing growth by getting them a magazine subscription to their favorite writing or research publication. Trade or Research Magazine Subscriptions: What they are: Magazines for writers on the craft, the business, and the writing life. Romance Writers Report is part of your annual membership to RWA (Romance Writers of America) Optionally, if they are mystery writers, or have some common theme, you might subscribe them to Forensics Monthly, FBI Weekly, etc. Why they’re great: In addition to the information, they provide an important connection the broader writing community that is imperative for people who…Read More

12 Days of Pre-Christmas: Gift Five For Your Writer Friend

Spell check, grammar check, synonyms, homonyms, rhymes, inspiration for your characters to quote – these are all nice references to have handy when you are sitting at your desk. Which leads us to ideas for the 5th Day of Pre-Christmas! Reference Books for Writers What they are: Books that are tools. Yes, you can get a lot of information online, but online you need to know what you are looking for and type it in. With the book you can browse and discover things you didn’t know you wanted. Why they’re great: “It’s so great out today it makes me feel great, and even greater would be a great cup of coffee.” Hmmm. What’s wrong with this sentence. That’s right, who wants…Read More

Hearing voices

If you talk to an author, they will quite often chatter on about how writing is mostly listening – usually to the voices of characters in their head. It can sound a little on the crazy side, but if you choose to engage in a life of solitude at your desk, it can be really nice company. Don’t judge. Writers who hear voices are truly the lucky ones, because they can always sit down and get to work. The voices don’t really stop. But it does help to direct them in a productive manner via your imagination and say, “this is where we are right now”, then let them at it. Finding your voice Hearing voices, is not necessarily the same as finding your…Read More

The difference between a character's need and a character's goal.

Other writers and teachers may differ, but this how I explain it. A need is an internal, emotional driving force for a character, inherent to who they are. A goal is a short term, outward objective that drives the action, and in best of stories, is linked tightly to the character’s inner need. A character “need” is something that is part of who the character is in life – the thing that defines their purpose. Even when I study my family and friends, I can see how all their decisions are driven by that need, and through that filter. It’s not necessarily the only filter, but as an individual, there is usually a very strong one for each of us. In my last…Read More

5 Tips to Write a More Compelling and Memorable Character Are you wondering why your character is not quite standing on her own or driving the plot forward? Have a look at these quick writing tips to see if you can revitalize a weak character and give him or her something worth fighting for! Give them a human need that they require above all things to be happy in life. This might be something like having a purpose or being completely free to do as they want. Perhaps it’s acceptance, belonging, or knowing they are respected or honored. Sometimes it is to protect, or serve justice, or know the truth. Rarely is someone’s ultimate need to be loved. But it might…Read More