13 Ways Writers are Mistaken for Serial Killers

March 30, 2016October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

This post by Kristin Lamb is so, me! Don’t judge; the darkness is in all of us. Some of us writers like exploring that side a bit more than others.

Kristen Lamb's Blog

Screen Shot 2016-03-21 at 6.59.11 AM Image via Creepy Freaky House of Horror (Facebook)

I love being a writer. It’s a world like no other and it’s interesting how non-writers are simultaneously fascinated and terrified of us. While on the surface, people seem to think that what we do is easy, deep down? There is a part that knows they’re wrong. That being a writer, a good writer, is a very dark place most fear to tread.

In fact, I think somewhere at the BAU, there’s a caveat somewhere. If you think you profiled a serial killer, double check to make sure you didn’t just find an author.

Hint: Check for empty Starbuck’s cups.

Writers, if you are NOT on a government watch list? You’re doing it wrong.

Seriously. I took out my knee last week (ergo the sudden dropping off the face of the blogosphere) which just left me a lot of free time to…

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Stories to Share Series

March 28, 2016October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

Photo courtesy of:
theeducatedprocastinator.com

Reading is a favorite pastime of mine. I imagine it is for most writers.

One of the things I like the most about reading is passing on a good story for others to enjoy. Doing so, not only promotes the author’s work but provides you with something new to read.

First up, in no particular order, is Wednesdays, A Story, By Kay Eldredge, Narrative Magazine’s Fall Contest Winner.

Second, from Carve Magazine, Possession, by Adrienne Celt.

Third, Used Books, By Von Rupert.You can find his story at Every Day Fiction.

Last but not least, from Wow’s Summer 2015 Flash Fiction Contest – Runner-up, The Tales We Spin by Courtney Essary Messenbaugh.

I hope you will enjoy these stories as much as I did. Happy reading.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, and Contently.

The Struggle of Backstory

March 14, 2016March 13, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 12 Comments

Many things go into the process of writing a novel. There are innumerable books and websites to help you bring the dream of your novel to fruition.

The dreaded backstory or info dump, is one of the elements that give many authors grief, including me.

As I began my journey, everything I read said to avoid info dumps and backstory. I wondered why. Isn’t the history of what drives your character the foundation of your story? It left me confused and, at times, discouraged.

I wrote and re-wrote chapters trying to make sure I wasn’t introducing too much or too early. Maybe that’s the newbie author in me but thanks to Lisa Cron from Writer Unboxed I finally have a grasp on the concept of when and how to use backstory effectively.

Backstory is important, even in the first chapter. The key is to make it seamless. Lisa gives numerous examples from published novels which clarified this issue for me better than anything I’ve read or studied to date.

So, if you’re struggling with the backstory issue, check out The Shocking Truth About Info Dumps.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.

Stick With Me

March 11, 2016October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 9 Comments

The Daily Prompt: Flow

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“What are you so hyped up about? It’s a vacation for God’s sake.”

“That’s not the point. I prefer we have a plan. You know, like where we’re going.”

He frowned at her and made a right turn onto the interstate. “Relax, it’ll be an adventure.”

“I kinda had visions of relaxing on the beach with a good book.”

“God, don’t be so boring,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“We’ve gone to the beach every year. You used to like it. Now, it’s boring?” Her voice raised an octave. “Am I boring too?”

He reached behind the seat and grabbed the map. “Look, I have it planned, well sort of. We’ll head up the coast and if we see something we like, we’ll stop for the day or two.”

“Day or two? And you’re certain accommodations will be available?”

“If not, we’ll move on.”

She groaned. “Wonderful, a vacation on the road.” She could already feel the twinge of her hips cramping in protest.

He reached for her hand. “Will you relax? I got this. It’s gonna be fun. We needed a break from all the routine. We were in a rut. I thought it was time to shake things up. Can’t you trust me? Just go with the flow?”

She looked at his boyish, smiling face. In all the years together, he’d never taken them down a wrong path. Yes, she trusted him with her life. She squeezed his hand and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

“Go with the flow. I’ve always wondered what that would feel like.”

He grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Just stick with me, babe; stick with me.”

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.