Writing tips

Character Development

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 9 Comments

This past week I lead a discussion on LinkedIn. The topic was characters. “Where do your main characters come from?”

The most often cited method used to create characters included:people watching, a reflection of self, and family and friends. Some characters “just walked in,” and others were researched to the most minute detail. In each case the goal was always to create believable, full characters that leap off the page as story unfolds, whatever the genre.

Lillie Ammann, writer and editor has a done a great job discussing character development in her eight part series, Creating Fictional Characters. It’s worth checking out. Other resources you may find helpful include:
Holly Lisle’s, Character Workshop, and The Writer’s Resource, Motivation for Characters in Fiction.

Since last week I’ve given a second look to my own characters, making a few changes. The changes were improvements I think. However you choose to develop your characters, here’s to good, strong, full and believable characters that tell our story the way it was meant to be told.

Where Do Your Characters Come From?

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 5 Comments

I belong to two different writing groups and each time, I learn something new. The insight I gain isn’t always about writing. For example, when I worked I was respected as an excellent RN and later, an Administrator. I did my job well. The difference between me and most other women had to do with the delivery. The voice, the tone you might say. I was a very organized, focused, direct person, a strong, independent woman.

All of us bring a little something of ourselves and experiences into what we write. Whether it is in tone, voice, words or characters. I’ve discovered I bring that strong personality into my characters. I have other characters. Some with a sarcastic wit about them that bring a mischievous smile to my face. Others can be rather sexy, but by far it is the strong character that wants to take center stage. It is a challenge for me.

How do you tell your story? Is it with humor? Sarcasm? Bitterness?

When you tell a story are your characters funny? Magical? Strong? All powerful? Silly? or Loving?

Where do your characters come from? Do you tame them? Should you?

Tell me. Share. An aspiring writer would like to know.

Screw that Plan

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 1 Comment

To my readers, I apologize for the delay between posts. The truth is, I think there is a conspiracy about. As you know, my grand scheme beginning 2012 included 500 words a day, minimum, short stories bi-weekly, daily writing prompts and a number of pipe dreams.

Well, screw that plan!

For every step forward, I ended up taking three back. I opened my mouth for all the world to read and thought it would help keep me on track. You know, accountability. I’m so naive.  When I stuck a stake in ground,  apparently, I invited the devil himself to challenge me. Every time I sat down to write, something or someone interrupted. Pulling out my computer was like the kiss of death.

Instead of writing this past week, I spent my time entertaining, against my will, a most dreadful guest. Norovirus came to visit, unexpected and unwelcome. So, my husband and I, spent the weekend, twelve plus hours, in the emergency room receiving IV fluids and medication. It has taken us a week to recover, and I can assure you while Norovirus was in town, writing didn’t enter my mind.

So this week, I’m not going to verbalize my plans. Maybe I’ll be able to accomplish something. In the mean time keep in touch, and for the love of God, wash your hands with plenty of soap and water. I hear Norovirus enjoys meeting new people! Norovirus

Screw Political Correctness

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

For me as a new writer, I love seeing my words in print. The endless learning process of how to structure a sentence properly, and tweak the grammar to near perfection, while annoying at times, nevertheless, has proven to be one the of simplest aspects of writing skills I’ve undertaken this past year.

The most difficult thing for me, about what it takes to be a writer, by far, has been and continues to be, silencing the ‘political correctness critic’ sitting on my shoulder, or perhaps, the ones surrounding me in my daily life.

The well-meaning spouse, sibling, friend, co-worker, employer, clergyman, community leader, or any of the sundry others who may read something I’ve written and react with a word of caution, a raised eye-brow, rhetoric, invoke ‘tolerance’, quilt, or sometimes down right tell you “I don’t think you should…” Think how that sounds… What would people think…say, or react?”

I find myself after writing an honest and powerful piece, second guessing myself and going back, tampering with what I’ve written, changing the tone, or the language to be more acceptable. I see their discomfort, a cringe, reaction, an intake of  breath,  or widening of the eyes, and through my inexperience, I let them manipulate me to change my words, to cow-tow to political correctness, to sooth their ruffled feathers.

But, here’s the thing …

I may be new at writing, a neophyte, inexperienced in the craft, but this I know for sure: If I am ever to be successful as a writer, especially in my eyes, my words must be authentic. Writing should evoke emotions. Sometimes the emotions will run the gamut from good, to bad, ecstatic to horror. Real life is much the same way.

There will be times my writing runs the gamut from good to bad to excellent (my prayer), but one thing I promise from this post onward, my words will be authentic, like it or not.

So, screw political correctness.