A Review – Story Engineering by Larry Brooks

September 17, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

I can’t tell you how many people have recommended this book to me and for good reason. A panster at heart, I found my story floundering and myself stuck around the 40,000-word mark.

Already an ardent follower of Larry Brooks blog, Storyfix, I downloaded Story Engineering and dug in. This book is by far one of the most comprehensive books on story structure I’ve read to date.

Full of helpful how-to’s and thorough examples, Larry teaches you how to structure and outline a story before you write the first word. From the six core competencies, necessary for every story, a list of detailed questions, and clear examples from popular movies and books, Larry takes you through the process for writing a successful and publishable novel.

This book is one of those every writer needs in their library collection. It is one you will refer to again and again.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom, and Contently.

10 Ways to Improve Your Online Connections

September 16, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 5 Comments

My 100-word story, Connections, posted on the 10th seemed to resonate with many of my readers. I’m glad it did because it got me to thinking.

In this fast-paced world where nearly everyone talks in short bursts via text or Twitter, are we really connecting with each other or just going through the motions?

Connection Defined:

In the online world, these definitions take on a whole new meaning.

A relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else. Think social media or blogging.
The action of linking one thing with another. Hyperlinks and Pingbacks come to mind.
People with whom one has social or professional contact or to whom one is related, especially those with influence and able to offer one help. Perhaps, online writing groups, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Twitter is an excellent example. For a moment, me and the person on the other end, connect via 140 characters or less. Within minutes, it becomes a tidal way of tweets, retweets, mentions, and favors. But, how much do you really know about each individual behind those tweets? Do you take the time to visit each link? Or, do you skim over them, making notes to revisit later?

Blogs are different, at least for me. The pace is slower and more purposeful. Readers who comment provide specific feedback leading to further interaction and, hopefully, a genuine and lasting connection. I love hearing from my readers, venturing over to their blogs, putting a face to the name, and finding our common threads.

No matter how fast-paced our lives get, we all crave person-to-person contact. So, with all the social media how do we improve those connections?

10 Ways to Improve Online Connections

Don’t make the conversation one-sided. See something you like? Interact, even if it’s in 140 characters or less.
Listen to what is shared and respond accordingly.
Explore common interests and topics.
Make sure your content contributes to the conversation.
Search for Twitter chats or blogs relevant to your interest.
Make it personal when you comment or tweet.
Be selective. Don’t follow for the sake of following – look for common interest that brings you together.
Make sure what you’re sharing is relevant and thought provoking.
When content resonates with you, share it.
Don’t turn your online presence into a numbers game. It’s about connecting with people, not the number of followers.

So, what about you? Are you really connected?

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom, and Contently.

Access Denied!

September 14, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 34 Comments

None of us like to talk about the end of life issues, but Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes,” is true and sooner or later, someone will be dealing with things we’ve left behind.

It seems like yesterday, sassy, opinionated and in the prime of my life, I thought the world was my oyster. But, I blinked and time slipped away faster than water through a sieve.

Now, when I open the paper, friends and acquaintances from high school look back at me from the obituary page. It gives you pause, especially when you notice their ages are within striking distance.

I lost my best friend of 37 years, almost six years ago. She died suddenly and too young. Afterwards, I made a point of getting things ready for my family. My last Will & Testament is in place, and arrangements made, right down to the last detail.

However, I wasn’t aware these plans should include digital content, all of it. Photos, stories, blogs, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to name a few.

What’s Included in Digital Content?

Email accounts
Online Searches
Digital Manuscripts
Facebook
Yahoo
Google
Microsoft
Apple
YouTube
Twitter
Blogs
Any other accounts where you have an online presence (too many to mention)
Fiction and non-fiction featured in online magazines and journals.

What Do You Want to Happen in the Event of Your Death?

Information to remain private?
Information and/or accounts deleted?
Surviving family members to have access to data?

Unless I specify who has access to these accounts, no one will.

What Can You Do?

Put your wishes in writing.
Google: Go to your account and create an “Inactive Account Manager. Without this, family members will, typically, need a court order to access.
Facebook: You can choose to set up a temporary or a permanent online memorial or delete all content from the social network after you die. However, a legacy contact most be designated for access. Refer to security/legacy settings.
Yahoo: Based on the privacy terms each user signs, Yahoo will not disclose files and all inactive accounts deleted.
Microsoft: Deletes inactive Outlook/Hotmail accounts; however, data may be released with a request or a court order.
Twitter: Does not provide anyone access. Your account is deleted upon notification of death.

These steps are not difficult to complete. I took care of my Google and Facebook accounts in a couple of minutes. I would recommend if you haven’t completed a Will, consider it. Not ready to make those plans? At least write your wishes in a statement, sign, date it, attach a list of all the sites you want included, and put it in a safe place. And the last thing, talk to your family and make your wishes known.

Talking about these issues are never pleasant, but when the time comes, I want my family to have access and/or a legal right to my words and images. What are your wishes?

What do you think? Have you made arrangements?

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom,and Contently.

Connections

September 10, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 26 Comments

Brandon ran his hand over the notched edges running the length of the canoe. Smooth to the touch; his dad’s words came back to him, “Connection is everything.”

He swallowed the lump in his throat at the memories spent in the old barn. The way his dad’s steady hands labored in love, cutting with precision, and sanding to perfection.

They spent hours dreaming of their maiden voyage. But, God had a different voyage in mind.

He rubbed the years of dust and cobwebs away and moved the canoe to the water’s edge. As his paddle touched the water, a gentle breeze brushed his face, and he’d never felt more connected.

In response to Friday Fictioneers Photo Prompt

I’d love to hear your comments. Let’s have a conversation. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.