Adding A Character to your story

Sometimes it's necessary to add a character to your ongoing novel. This is especially important if you plan to write a series. I find that minor characters add depth and make an excellent choice for an ongoing series. It's fun to make a previous villain or trouble maker change and take on a different role in your next manuscript. I used that scenario in the second of my trilogy, "The Women of Rexford." Victoria was spoiled, self-centered and determined to cause my heroine trouble in the first book. When I made her the main character in the second book, the reader could watch her life change, develop and overcome her previous problems. Of  course, I gave her a new set of challenges and hopefully the reader will cheer for her to succeed. Keep writing and keep reading. Joyce Brennan

Drama in a Small Town: Tension

Drama in a Small Town: Tension: "I spent the afternoon creating tension in one of my chapters. Writers know that sometimes in the middle of their manuscript, the story tends..."

Drama in a Small Town: Tension

Drama in a Small Town: Tension: "I spent the afternoon creating tension in one of my chapters. Writers know that sometimes in the middle of their manuscript, the story tends..."

Tension

I spent the afternoon creating tension in one of my chapters. Writers know that sometimes in the middle of their manuscript, the story tends to droop. It's commonly called, "The Sagging Middle." Today, I chose a chapter of my Christmas book, "Unexpected Gift," and made sure it contained the tension it needed to keep the reader involved. Sometimes, it takes an entire paragraph, but other times, a simple sentence will add conflict. I hope I achieved my goal.
I dropped off my last manuscript, "Victoria," to an expert who checks for punction and typos. She also tells me quite candidly if the story doesn't track or if I manage to lose her when she reads. I'm so lucky to have critiquers who tell it like it is.
Keep reading. Joyce

Rearranging scenes

If you're a writer, you have an idea how your novel should progress. Sometimes, your time-line is flawed and you find you've put the cart before the horse. That happened to me. I had a scene planned and felt smug when it fell into place. Horrors! I didn't set it up propertly. Then I had to go back and make sure I had the dates written correctly. Mistakes like that are time-comsuming and unneccessary. Now I use a legal pad to time each chapter. Month/date/ and if necessary, the hour. It eliminates a whole lot of stress and makes writing easier. Keep writing and reading. Joyce

Drama in a Small Town: Characters

Drama in a Small Town: Characters: "A former pantser, I plotted this Christmas book in advance and I find that I must keep my characters in line. Today, my heroine ma..."

Characters

A former pantser, I plotted this Christmas book in advance and I find that I must keep my characters in line. Today, my heroine made a comment I didn't expect. How does that happen? Sometimes when I write, I become so involved in the story, my characters take on a life of their own. Sounds silly, but they speak to me and demand that I listen. I believe that makes the story real. When a character speaks out of turn, they're telling me that I'm not paying attention to their personality.
Okay, I corral them and get them back on point, but those flaws make the character come alive.
Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Joyce

Hail in Las Vegas

Yeah, that's right. We had hail today. Imagine, one day last week our temperature soared to 95, and today a sprinkling of rain turned to hail. My yorkies seemed confused when the small pellets hit their backs. Such babies! Okay, so I spoil them, but what are dogs for?

I'm working on my new novel for Snowy Creek Publishing, setting a schedule of writing 1000 words a day, six days a week. It feels odd, writing a Christmas novel in April...but I need time to write and edit. At any rate, it's going along fine. It's the first book I plotted in advance. That's new to me, an old, died in the wood, pantser, but it seems to be working.

Our chapter of the Romance Writers of America, the Las Vegas Romance Writers, have invited a speaker who will give a presentation on editing. It couldn't happen at a better time as I just finished the second book of my series, "The Women of Rexford." I'm looking forward to the meeting.

Keep on reading. Books can take us anywhere we want to go. Joyce

Drama in a Small Town: Continuing Drama

Drama in a Small Town: Continuing Drama: " Today I made a presentation on, 'Overwriting,' and how to bring readers into your novel. New writers tend to w..."

Continuing Drama

     Today I made a presentation on, "Overwriting," and how to bring readers into your novel. New writers tend to want to tell their readers everything all at once. They want readers to view the scenes the way they picture it. That results in telling instead of showing. I gave my class a list of twelve telling statements and asked that they come up with examples of showing. After an animated session, they came up with many variations of my statements. I wish I would have taken notes. Concise writing, choosing every word, moves the story forward. Remember to intersperse you novel with short as well as long sentences.
     On another note, I attended a class on e-readers. I came home more confused that ever. It seems that every e-reader had good and bad features. The one I leaned toward wouldn't allow you to check out books from the library. Another product wasn't as clear to read. Some did everything but prepare your lunch....kidding. I have an e-book coming out by the end of summer and really wanted to purchase the most practical machine for my use. Any suggestions?
     My contract from Snowy Creek Publishing came in the mail today. I'm so excited. I'm writing a trilogy, working title, "The Women of Rexford."