During my last writing retreat, I had a discussion with a few writers about how to nail the emotional thoughts, and inner struggles of a character on the page. How do you make the reader fall in love with your character just by writing dialogue or action? How do you fit in the things only the character knows. How do you decide how many inner thoughts to include? What is too much? Or is not enough? All great questions. The answer is simple: Find the sweet balance between the characters’ interiority and exteriority within the story you are trying to tell. What is Interiority? |
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Yesterday, on Sunday, March 17th, many people celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by wearing clothing in the symbolic colour green, chugging green beer, and telling dirty Irish limerick jokes around the supper table. I’m lucky to have some Irish blood running through me on my mother’s and father’s sides of the family, so I have a few sweary tales that would make you laugh. However, I want to share three facts that might blow your mind about St. Patrick’s Day:
What we don’t hear much about is how to end the book. How do you deliver a satisfying ending that makes the reader walk away with a smile? How do you nail the ending and create a stir so magnificent that they are banging on your door for the next book?
To make the new goal list, it is always fun to use the week off from work—between Christmas and New Year’s Eve—to realize just how much you have accomplished over the last twelve months. Sometimes, reflecting on our experiences, whether they were fabulous success stories, terrible embarrassing moments, or memorable explosive train wrecks you never want to mention again… they all led to baby steps in your progress to conquer the “big thing” you have been daydreaming about for years. What is that “big thing” I’m talking about?
So, yes... I am patting myself on the back for being brave and submitting this story, considering I didn't have any wifi or cell signal on the island, unless I held my breath, turned counter-clockwise three times, and begged the sunshine to find me, as I whispered, "PLEASE. PRETTY PLEASE." Which means, I was able to use my cell phone briefly as a hot spot, just before the brilliant sun set behind the tall pines, and the short story deadline closed. Whew! The beautiful Sunset Goddess granted my wish. Now, I will owe her until the end of time. Good luck to all the Longlist authors, and stay tuned for an announcement of rejection or celebration for me. |
Lori TwiningI love reading everything... books, magazines, blog posts and even manuals. I believe if you want to improve your writing skills, you MUST be a voracious reader. Archives
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