BY DANIEL SWENSEN Every once in a while, the question makes its way around the writing circles: how to write strong female characters? Well, I’m a guy, so I probably shouldn’t be the first person you ask. In fact, definitely not. But, because I’m a guy, here comes my opinion anyway. (Right away with the gender stereotypes — buckle up!) Often, some wiseacre will reference the acidic, sexist crack from Jack Nicholson’s character from the movie As Good As It Gets: “I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.” This is best used ironically, or not at all, as it’s not really constructive. It’s also wildly sexist. So there’s your example of What Not to Do, I … [Read more...]
The Wednesday Writer: Creating Memorable Characters
Before you begin your new story, take a little time to create fresh new characters that are your own. Using someone else's well-established formula will only brand you as a hack with potential editors. Think of yourself as the Master Planner -- this is your story and only your characters are going to fit in it. Custom build them to suit your unique story-world. If you really must use real people you know, then try to disguise that person's identity as much as possible. 1) Begin by giving your main character (protagonist) a name that you are comfortable working with. Remember, you'll be with this character for a while, so you should choose a name you at least like. The name must not only … [Read more...]
The Wednesday Writer: The Snowflake Method For Designing A Novel
by Randy Ingermanson Writing a novel is easy. Writing a good novel is hard. That’s just life. If it were easy, we’d all be writing best-selling, prize-winning fiction. Frankly, there are a thousand different people out there who can tell you how to write a novel. There are a thousand different methods. The best one for you is the one that works for you. In this article, I’d like to share with you what works for me. I’ve published six novels and won about a dozen awards for my writing. I teach the craft of writing fiction at writing conferences all the time. One of my most popular lectures is this one: How to write a novel using what I call the “Snowflake Method.” This page is the … [Read more...]
The Wednesday Writer: Book Writing Tips – How do I write a novel?
How do I write a novel? It's simple. Well, okay, it's not, but if you follow Stephen King's example, it gets a lot easier. http://nathanagoodman.com/about/write-a-novel/ … [Read more...]
The Wednesday Writer: Book Writing Tips – Story Trumps Structure
Yes! Story does trump structure. It's all about the story. Forget three-act structures, formulas for plot, and even beginnings, middles and ends. Write better stories by propelling your protagonist through a transformation your readers will never forget.... http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-5-essential-story-ingredients … [Read more...]
The Wednesday Writer: Book Writing Tips
One of the best articles I've seen on writing your own thriller novel http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-5-cs-of-writing-a-great-thriller-novel The 5 C’s of Writing a Great Thriller Novel | WritersDigest.com www.writersdigest.com BY JAMES SCOTT BELL Boost your story’s immunity to reader scrutiny with these fortifying nutrients. … [Read more...]
Hilarious! A Rejection Letter for Rejecting a Rejection Letter
Are you a writer? Receive many rejection letters? Wouldn't you just love to send this one in return? I have received my fair share of rejection letters from literary agents and publishers in my time as a writer. When I received my first few (back when I was pitching my debut novel, Notes on an Orange Burial) I became very discouraged and dispirited. After a while, however, I grew thicker skin. I also realized it wasn’t the agents’ and publishers’ fault that they were born without the ability to recognize latent literary brilliance. I just chalked it up to bad genetics. (Theirs, not mine.) I even started to feel sorry for some of the agencies and publishing houses for lacking the wisdom … [Read more...]
Women vs. Thrillers
I see action thrillers, be it in novel or movie form, as pure escapism. One of my biggest heroines from the 1980s was Sarah Connor from The Terminator – on the run from cyborgs who want to kill her and stop her producing a son who will go on to save the world. Remember Linda Hamilton’s incredibly strong (and sexy!) biceps in that film? I wanted to be her. One of the writers of that movie, perhaps surprisingly, was a woman: Gale Anne Hurd. Her filmology lists a seemingly never-ending list of action thrillers, from Aliens to Hulk with Armageddon and the rest of The Terminator franchise in between. A quick glance at the Amazon bestsellers’ list for thrillers throws up a list of household … [Read more...]
Thrillers Women Will Like
A nice article recommending thrillers women would (should!) like. http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/blogs-books/books-women-thrillers-aug06 Thrillers Women Will Like www.goodhousekeeping.com Literary thrillers aren't just for men anymore! The Book... … [Read more...]