From "Portable MFA in Creative Writing":
"By telling -- that is, by providing a resume or a psychological profile for your character -- you are providing information in a form that glides past the reader like a software terms-of-use agreement. By showing -- that is, by allowing the reader to observe your character in action -- you are dramatizing information, and information through action stays with the reader."
Happy Writing!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Review: "Pride & Popularity" by Jenni James
So as soon as I saw the title "Pride & Popularity" on Jenni's facebook profile, I knew it'd be a book I'd like. Because obviously, I love Jane Austen. And I love YA. Jenni combined my two book loves effortlessly.
This review comes as a two part series! Part 1: The Review, Part 2: The Interview!
The Point of the Plot:
Chloe Hart knew from the moment she set eyes on Taylor Anderson that he was too popular for his own good. And she's right, of course, especially when she discovers how miserable he's trying to maker her senior year. But could Taylor's behavior possibly be because he likes her? Impossible ...
This review comes as a two part series! Part 1: The Review, Part 2: The Interview!
The Point of the Plot:
Chloe Hart knew from the moment she set eyes on Taylor Anderson that he was too popular for his own good. And she's right, of course, especially when she discovers how miserable he's trying to maker her senior year. But could Taylor's behavior possibly be because he likes her? Impossible ...
Sunday, August 28, 2011
This is an Awesome August Blog Hop Stop
Welcome to the Awesome August Blog Hop, where bloggers from all over the Internet have come together to throw a summertime party!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Grammar Tip: Commas between all items in a series to prevent confusion (CiS)
It's not often that I write a Grammar Tip post that lets you make the decision, but this just happens to be one of those comma's that isn't always required.
The Sentence: I went to the store and bought eggs, milk, peanut butter and jelly.
The Sentence: I went to the store and bought eggs, milk, peanut butter and jelly.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
How Do You Outline?
If any of you are friends with me on Facebook, you know that I'm much too excited about Nano Wrimo much too early! But that's beside the point. Since I already have an idea I'm really excited about (you can read about that if you want at my new history blog writeplushistory.blogspot.com) I thought I might as well start my outline.
Well, long story short, I'm actually a "pantser." (by the seat of the pants writer!) My outlines are usually at most 8-10 bulleted points. I find though, that with the pressure of NaNo WriMo, I might appreciate a better thought out outline. So my question is: what outlining methods do you guys use and why do you like them?
Well, long story short, I'm actually a "pantser." (by the seat of the pants writer!) My outlines are usually at most 8-10 bulleted points. I find though, that with the pressure of NaNo WriMo, I might appreciate a better thought out outline. So my question is: what outlining methods do you guys use and why do you like them?
Monday, August 22, 2011
Why is Darth Vader such a great villain?
It's true. Who doesn't know about Darth Vader? Who hasn't--in that raspy, deep voice paired with the hiss of oxygen--uttered the words "Luuuke ... I am your father"?
Agent Kelly Sonnack said that cliche villains are so ... well, cliche. Give your reader a villain who has something to offer the hero, something to tempt him with. Who does that better than Darth? Especially when the movies are paired with the prequel episodes. I kept hoping that somehow Mr. Vader would turn things around.
The best villains are the ones you're secretly feeling sorry for; the ones that make you feel the need to shout at your book, "DON'T LISTEN, HERO!"
How to round out your villain:
1. Treat your villain with the same respect you treat your main character. You put a lot of time into crafting the hero/heroine's backstory. Do the same for the villain. How much do we know about Voldemort's story? Almost as much as we know about Harry's! The more you know about your villain, the more villainously appetizing you can make him.
2. Make sure he/she has something to offer the hero. An amazingly evil laugh just doesn't cut it these days. Take The Sphinx from Brandon Mull's Fablehaven series. He's convinced he's committing also sorts of evil injustices for the greater good of society. He has something to offer Kendra and Seth. Your villain should have something that tantalizes the hero; that makes him/her second guess themselves.
Who's your favorite villain and why? What makes them so good ... or bad ... or whatever ... ?
Agent Kelly Sonnack said that cliche villains are so ... well, cliche. Give your reader a villain who has something to offer the hero, something to tempt him with. Who does that better than Darth? Especially when the movies are paired with the prequel episodes. I kept hoping that somehow Mr. Vader would turn things around.
The best villains are the ones you're secretly feeling sorry for; the ones that make you feel the need to shout at your book, "DON'T LISTEN, HERO!"
How to round out your villain:
1. Treat your villain with the same respect you treat your main character. You put a lot of time into crafting the hero/heroine's backstory. Do the same for the villain. How much do we know about Voldemort's story? Almost as much as we know about Harry's! The more you know about your villain, the more villainously appetizing you can make him.
2. Make sure he/she has something to offer the hero. An amazingly evil laugh just doesn't cut it these days. Take The Sphinx from Brandon Mull's Fablehaven series. He's convinced he's committing also sorts of evil injustices for the greater good of society. He has something to offer Kendra and Seth. Your villain should have something that tantalizes the hero; that makes him/her second guess themselves.
Who's your favorite villain and why? What makes them so good ... or bad ... or whatever ... ?
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Mommy Authors
Hey Everyone! Starting on August 23rd, I will officially be part of the Mommy Author's blog team. (Okay, I'm already officially part of the team, but my first post will go up on that day.) I'm really excited to blog about lots of things Mommy and Writing related. There are three other fun bloggers too, each of us with different perspectives on motherhood, writing, and the two of those combined. I think you should ALL check it out.
http://mommyauthors.blogspot.com/
http://mommyauthors.blogspot.com/
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