Writing: Backstory and "Secret" Blogfest

I've posted this on my other site but I think it's important to discuss again and again and again. Today, I want to talk about my biggest peeve as a reader/editor/reviewer...etc. In one word:

Back-story!

I review and edit a lot of unpublished work and one of the common beginner mistakes is what I said above: back-story. 

Here's an example of back-story: A woman is running for her life through the woods, her stalker close behind, she finds a house in the clearing that looks like a cabin where she used to camp as a child. Now, instead of keeping the flow going, the writer decides to stop the action and instead, write about the camp and how her family went to the lake every year.

What!? Why would the reader want to know about that? And then?

Back-story is vital in a novel. We want to know the background of the main character, we want to know why a character drinks a lot or why they chose to be a mortician. But, don't stop action to write paragraphs of unrelated narrative. You WILL lose the reader. 

Here are some things to remember about back-story:

• Don't bring in back-story until the novel's action is underway. I don't like to add more than two sentences of back-story into the first chapter.
• Layer in the back-story as it arises but let what happened in the past effect what happens in the story. For example, in the story above, the woman comes across the house in the clearing and instead of running inside for help, she keeps going. Why? Because - as you write in the back-story - her abusive grandfather lived in a cabin similar to that one and she has bad memories there. You don't need to go into all the memories but knowing a bit about her past will explain her current actions.
• Tell the back-story in a variety of ways.

Picture source: here 

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Tara from Midnight Ink is hosting a Secret Blogfest. Check out the other stories. Now for my "secret" blogfest entry. (This is a scene from a novel I wrote for my son. It's a superhero story - with a twist. I'm sorry, it's only the first draft. It needs editing.)

About two floors down, Xochiel decided it was a mistake. Reality set in. The realization that she was a few moments from death. Conscious or not, instinct kicked in and her arms flew out like a bird. She flapped like mad - trying to fly. Nothing.

Gravity pulled her down and pushed whatever last memories she expected to pass before her eyes - out. She never thought of Roman and how he asked her out for the first time on the same paper as the answers for the chemistry quiz. She never thought of her mother and the time just the two of them drove to Niagara Falls for the weekend - just because. Or her grandmother cheering her on at every Taekwando tournament. Instead she watched in stunned silence the sidewalk below come at her like a literal brick wall. Three floors before the end, she closed her eyes and waited for death.

Death came instantaneously. When she opened her eyes, instead of the ground getting closer, the sky approached instead. So that's it? No pain? Life's over and straight to heaven? No goodbyes, no closure? No.

"No," she screamed towards the stars, "this is not what I want!"

And just like that, she stopped - midair. She moved her arms around, trying to regain balance and realized she couldn't move. Someone held her. She tried to turn her head to see what immobilized her but the grip got tighter. Within seconds, she stood back on the roof. The grip loosened.

Quickly turning, she stood face to face with The Masked Palantino. He saved her? "I didn't ask to be saved," she told him, shaking the imaginary dust off her clothing. Palantino said nothing; he began to pace on the roof, scratching the mask that fit tightly on his head.

Why doesn't he fly away? she thought. Fly, man, fly away. Shoo. Leave me alone! With that, she began to cry, her violent sobs drowning out all other sounds filling her head. It felt wonderful, the release of all the pressure, the sounds of the cries interrupted with intermittent bouts of laughter. Was she going crazy?

The last person on earth she wanted to break down in front of stood there watching her - in horror. He came towards her and she backed away.

"Just leave me alone, go back to wherever you came from," she yelled at him, backing up until she hit the wall at the edge of the building. Peering over the edge, she contemplated going over again to get away. When he realized what she wanted to do, he grabbed her arms and pulled her in.

"Okay, okay, let go of me, I'll be fine. I'm going home now." Taking her arms back, she headed for the roof door.

"I'm sorry I failed you," he said quietly as she shut the door behind her. She froze. Turning around, Xochiel again kicked the door open, the door flew off and landed with a crash on the roof.

"Wait! Dad?" she yelled towards the figure flying off into the sky. "Wait." With a run and a flying leap, she jumped off the roof's edge towards him. She jumped thirty feet in the air, arms and feet grabbing at the air. And again, down she went. "Crap."

Within seconds, she felt herself being lifted up towards the roof. "I wish you wouldn't do that - jump off the building." Palantino gently lowered her again down to the roof. She turned around to face him and with tears in her eyes, began punching him in the chest with her might.

Mystery Writer's Guide to Forensic Science - Adipocere (Grave Wax)

Hopetoun Quarry

Some of what may be discussed on Tuesdays are a bit gruesome. If you have a queasy stomach, you may want to skip some posts... this one included. I will NEVER show pictures of dead bodies on this blog.

Adipocere (also known as corpse, grave or mortuary wax) is a wax-like organic substance formed by the anaerobic bacterial hydrolysis of fat in tissue, such as body fat in corpses. In its formation, putrefaction is replaced by a permanent firm cast of fatty tissues, internal organs and the face.

The transformation of fats into adipocere occurs best in the absence of oxygen in a cold and humid environment, such as in wet ground or mud at the bottom of a lake or a sealed casket, and it can occur with both embalmed and untreated bodies. Adipocere formation begins within a month of death, and in the absence of air it can persist for centuries. An exposed, infested body or a body in a warm environment is unlikely to form deposits of adipocere.

Corpses of women, infants and overweight persons are particularly prone to adipocere transformation because they contain more body fat. In forensic science, the utility of adipocere formation to estimate the postmortem interval is limited because the speed of the process is temperature-dependent. It is accelerated by warmth, but temperature extremes impede it.

When a corpse is exposed to insects, however, adipocere probably will not be formed, as body decomposition will be much faster because of the insects' action. Animal scavenging of a dead body will also prevent adipocere formation.

Case study: Hopetoun Quarry Murders

Sources: Wikipedia and World of Forensic Science

Short Story: The Nine Mile Walk

Before I talk about the short story I have to say that I'm at a cross-road right now in my life. It's almost the end of June and I'm trying to re-assess my writing plan for the rest of the year.

I recently went over my novels and found I out that I have started eight of them. EIGHT! THREE are complete, THREE almost done first draft and TWO project I've started that I want to finish but, well as you can see, got distracted.

Normally I like to finish projects before I start new ones but I know that I like to write what I'm feeling in the mood to write. So, if one of my other projects is yelling at me, I have to what my blog title states: LISTEN TO THE VOICES! My best writing comes when I'm inspired.

So, that's what I'll be doing today, assessing the next step, deciding what to focus the rest of the year on. I would love to finish all eight books this year but I know that's not going to happen unless I was locked away in a prison with nothing else to do but write...hmm. Anyway, enjoy my short story essay/review.

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The Nine Mile Walk by Harry Kemelman


Characters: Two men, Nicholas Welt and the unnamed man who relates the tale.

Setting: Two men have breakfast at a restaurant called The Blue Moon and afterward head to the narrator's office.

Plot: It's just a conversation that starts with a bet and ends up solving a murder.

How it starts: Nicky says: "An inference can be logical and still not be true."

Then he says: "Give me any sentence of ten or twelve words and I'll build you a logical chain of inferences that you never dreamed of when you framed the sentence."

So the main characters says: "A nine mile walk is no joke, especially in the rain." From that eleven word sentence, Nicky solves a murder. It's one of the most amazing stories I've ever read.

How?

First inference: The speaker is aggrieved about having to walk nine miles in the rain.

Second inference: The rain was unforeseen. Or else he would have said, "A nine mile walk in the rain is no joke" rather than it being an afterthought.

Third inference: The speaker is not an athlete or outdoors man because he says the distance, not the rain, is no joke. Nine miles is less then have an eighteen hole golf course - four hour walk. (He then makes the assumption that the speaker who said it made the walk not in a jungle or odd place but from where they were, in a small town. And that he actually made the walk.)

Fourth inference: The walk was taken at night between midnight and five. Why would anyone have to walk nine miles between towns if it was during the day, they could take a bus or train.

Fifth inference: He was walking towards a town than toward it because if he was walking from a town, he could have arranged transport. Also, nine is an exact number not like ten or a hundred miles. Someone coming from a rural area probably knows the exact mileage to get from their place to the town whereas someone living in a town trying to get out to a rural place somewhere will not usually know the exact distance.

Sixth inference: He was going to an exact destination at a exact time. It wasn't because he was fetching help or anything. Why? Because if his car broke down or something he would have waited with the 'dry' car rather than walk in the rain.

And it goes on like that...

You can not find this story anywhere. It's sad because both my dad and I agree it's one of the best short stories we've ever read. For that reason, I've photographed the old pages and I'm putting the story up to read. It's only eight pages long but well worth the ten minute read.

Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (to enlarge photo click Ctrl-Shift +)
I'm sorry about the quality of the photos.

Blogging Tips: Comment Moderation

Up to a month ago, I never used this feature because I didn't know how versatile it was. I thought you could either have comment moderation or not. I don't really like moderating my comments but I sure hate going through all my old blogs to see if I have any new comments... so what could I do? Have both!

The wonderful thing about comment moderation is the 'older than ___ days' feature. But, I will explain that later.

So, here is how to enable comment moderation. REMEMBER, you can click on the images to enlarge. (1) Go to the 'Settings' tab on your dashboard. (2) Click on 'Comments'. The page will appear.

Scroll down to the 'Comment moderation' section and (1) click the 'Only on posts older than ___ days' and (2) fill in how many days back you want to go. I clicked three so that I only had to check through three days for new comments. And, this still let my new blog commenters see their comments right away.
(3) Now, if you have commenters that are anonymous, you can fill your email address in the 'Email Address' box to received their comment by email. I think that's self-explanatory. DON'T FORGET TO SAVE!

Now, when you receive a comment on an older post, the message below appears on your Blogger dashboard. Click on the link.

It will take you to the 'Comment Moderation' page under your 'Posting' tab.You can read your comment here and decide to publish or reject. The only thing I haven't figured out yet is how to reply. I wish you could do it for this page... if someone knows how to do this, let me know.

Grammar Guide: Problem Pronouns - Who, That, Which

Saturday, the quiet blogging day, I've decide to post a helpful Grammar Guide.  These are usually things I like to remember for myself and what I notice other writers have problems with. Enjoy and feel free to let me know what you want me to discuss in future posts.

Who refers to people. 

That refers to things. 

Which is generally used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses that describe things. 

Look at the following sentences to see how each of these words is used.

• There is the woman who helped me fix my flat tire.
• The man who invented the polio vaccine died in 1995.
• This is the house that Jack built.
• The book that I wanted is no longer in print.
• Abigail, who rescued my cat from the neighbor's tree, lives across the street.
• Yassir Arafat, who heads the PLO, met with Israeli leaders.
• The teacher asked us to read Lord of the Flies, which is my favorite novel.
• Mt. Massive, which is the tallest peak in the Rocky Mountains, looms above Leadville, Colorado.

Source: Writing Skills Success In 20 Minutes a Day by Judith F. Olson

Friday's Writing Journal: An Award

I've received theVersatile Blogger award from Tired But Writing and TK Richardson from My Writing Masquerade.

Thank you! Can I just say, I love the color of the award.

Now, I must share 7 things about myself. These are some things that I love:

1. the smell of a freshly opened can of coffee
2. rhubarb
3. thunderstorms and rain
4. learning new things
5. when you're just about to fall asleep and you feel like your body is falling
6. The Daily Show
7. and blogging.

I've been told I have to pass on the award to 15 other people but because many have already passed on the award to 15 others, it's difficult to find those without this award. Why can't we just pass it on to one person?

I am going to pass it on, but only to some:

1)It's All About Writing (see blog button)
2) Debbie Cowens
3) Writing, Etc.
4) KM Cruz
5) The Plot Point

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Also, my friend Tirz has her new short story collection out and I just LOVE the cover. It's free to read at Smashwords.  And, if I know something about Tirz's stories, it will be crazy and lovable and incredibly honest.

Writer's Guide to Reading People - Character Development

I have a friend named Tirz, she loves animals... yup, that's about it. That's Tirz to a T!

I have a friend named Elizabeth, she writes cozy mysteries. That pretty much sums her up.

I have a friend named Shrek, he's an ogre. That's all you need to know about him.

Shrek just hit me in the head with an onion. "I've got layers, you stupid woman!" he yells.

"I know." I rub my head.

That's my point. No one can be described completely in a sentence unless the sentence says: ________ (fill in name) is, as Churchill once said, "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." Not every "nice girl" is entirely sweet. Not every "bad boy" is entirely a rebel. No one ALWAYS acts the same but often we're filled with conflicting thoughts, values and behavior. Thus the quote from Churchill...

To understand people, and thus our characters, we need to understand how to read and identify patterns of behaviors that emerge from seeming inconsistencies of behavior.

For our readers to understand our characters in order to relate to them, we as writers build the character's true identity in different ways so that the reader can piece together who the characters really are.

Here are some ways to write your character:

1. Start with the character's most striking traits - this is often called first impressions. (I discuss this more below...)
2. Consider each characteristic in light of circumstance. Setting plays an important role here - readers base opinion of a character on how he acts under different circumstances.
3. Look for extreme behavior in our character. The importance of a trait or characteristic may be a matter of degree. What a character feels strongly about, he fights for.
4. Identify deviations to the pattern - if a character acts one way in a scene and then another way in a similar scene... readers notice a difference and their curiosity is peaked. Is the range in behavior a temporary state of mind or permanent quality?
5. Distinguish between elective and non-elective traits. Somethings your character can control, some control them. 

Over the next few weeks, I will examine each of these aspects in greater detail but for now, let's talk about first impressions.

Our characters, like us, try to make a good first impression. That's why when we read a mystery, we can't usually pick out the murderer right away. They never act like killers to people they meet for the first time. Good thing too.

However, naturally as readers, we do take first impressions from age, sex race, physical characteristics, vocal mannerisms and body language.

A person who slouches, dresses in a shaggy suit and stutters leaves a different impression on us than one who walks in with a top hat, twirling his cane and humming the theme to Jesus Christ Superstar.

When we write, we have to be aware of the impression each character makes and to make them more interesting, test the norms. For example, the man with a top hat could enter the room and graffiti a wall. Or the man with the stutter could sit down at a desk and write a check for a million dollars.

Unexpected.

But I think the key is, start with STRIKING traits. A 42 year old man with dark hair, dark suit and blue eyes tells us nothing. Unless, you want the character NOT to leave a lasting impression. Besides, that's TELLING. SHOW the traits if possible. Once the initial traits are established and our reader is intrigued, then we can build on those traits by adding setting and circumstance. That's what I'll talk about next week.

What sort of character first-impressions do you like to write? Do you think it matters? What are some first-impressions of characters in the novels you've read that stuck with you?

Source: Reading People

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On a side note: Justine Dell had taken a book by Sarah and done a critique. It's extremely in depth! I've been too distracted with personal issues to really have a careful read of her blog but I intend to. If you haven't seen this critique, you should have a look.

Also, I've received an award, I will post that tomorrow along with something my friend, the-animal-lover-Tirz, wrote.

Getting Into the Mood ... for writing. And coffee!

So, I've come to the sad realization that I'm NOT going to finish BuNoWriMO. I just have too much going on in my real life and can't get into the book. But, I will eventually finish the book, I just don't want to rush it and write gobbledygook. *sniff* I will take July too and work on it.

I hate not completing a challenge.

I've been defeated by a syllabic abbreviation!

Over the years, I come to realize the times I write best are when I'm in the mood. THE RIGHT MOOD! And you can get your head out of the gutter. I don't write THEN.

What does it mean to write in the mood? Well, for many writers, they have to write to a strict schedule - a certain amount of words or chapters a day or week. Having to do anything on a strict schedule is sure to ruin the mood. So, how can writers find their drive or... mojo?

There are a number of things that work for me:

1) Music - this one seems fairly obvious, but for me, it works the best. For example, if I'm writing a happy scene, I like to listen to Mika's Rain, Shakira, Black Eyed Peas or Barenaked Ladies - something with a beat. Or if I have a serious scene to write, I like to listen to Coldplay, Keane, Mozart or Enya. I will use whatever songs I can to get me in the mood.

2) Movies & TV - I don't suggest watching a movie or show while you write but if you want to get into the mood, watching specific show can help. When I'm writing my mysteries, I like to watch a Wire in the Blood, Blue Murder, or an Agatha Christie mystery. When I'm writing historical, I want to watch Pride & Prejudice or Emma. Before writing a romantic scene: North & South, Persuasion, Chuck or Castle will do. If I'm stuck for writing ideas I like to watch writing movies such as Finding Forrester or Miss Austen Regrets.

3) Exercise - this is a great way to get the mental juices flowing. But, I have to be doing a solitary exercise like walking or climbing stairs. 

4) Driving - I can often get in the mood while driving alone. With the music on in the background, I'm in my bubble. I have to warn you though, I've often had great ideas come to me while driving but I couldn't remember how I got from A to B.

5) Desktop wallpaper - What!? No, I'm serious. I go to Google images and search for a picture that fits my scene best. When I want to get in the mood, I look at it.

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I saw this on dictionary.com today (I know many of us are coffee addicts):

Just how caffeinated do you like to be? A medical study has found that the more coffee subjects guzzled during the day, the lower their risk of contracting a rare form of head and neck cancer. People who drank at least 4 cups a day seemed to cut their risk by one-third.

Who doesn’t love to have a vice transformed into a virtue? A classic part of coffee’s mystique is the name “coffee” itself. The uncertainty around its etymology spans continents.

Leave it to the Italians to introduce coffee to the rest of Europe, as caffe. This word derives from the Turkish kahveh, which in turn stems from Arabic qahwah, short for qahhwat al-bun, meaning “wine of the bean.” This poetic phrase led to the misunderstanding that qahwah also meant “wine.”

Take another sip before you read on. Some researchers suggest that the story of coffee’s name goes further, originating from the Ethiopian region of Kaffa which is one of the historic homes of the bean. In Kaffa, coffee is called buno, and in Arabic the raw bean can be known as bunn. Returning to the lovely “wine of the bean,” qahhwat al-bun, both Ethiopian words are present.

Source: Dictionary.com

Mystery Writer's Guide to Forensic Science - Air Embolism

Oh, this is one of my favorite subject. The debated air embolism. We've all seen it; I've probably seen it in 3-4 books myself.

A man hold a syringe up to a man's neck and whispers into his ear, "One move and I'll empty this syringe of air into you." The man moves, the syringe full of air goes in and he falls down dead.

Oh, scary. The problem is, is it factual? Can a syringe of air kill of person.

The answer: Maybe but unlikely.

Here's the facts:

1) Bubbles of air in the circulating blood CAN cause death or brain damage, if the air bubble cuts off the blood supply to your brain.

2) Small amounts of air often get into the blood circulation accidentally during surgery and other medical procedures (for example a bubble entering an intravenous fluid line), but most of these air emboli enter the veins and are stopped at the lungs, and thus a venous air embolism that shows any symptoms is very rare.

However, according to Dr. Barry Wolcott MD, FACP, senior vice president of clinical affairs for WebMD Health, "In general, the small amount of air that can be introduced by a typical syringe is not large enough to cause a fatal air embolism (an air embolism is similar to a blood clot)." 

According to many of the sources I  found, a human would need around 150-200cc of air (like a bycicle pump) to cause any damage. The average syringe is only about 20cc of air. (The syringe in the photo above is only 12cc) Also, you would need to get it in to a vein or artery. If it hits a muscle, it does nothing. So, the murderer would have to be skilled at finding veins and injecting enough air to do damage. Not easy to do.

On a side note: (Please, don't try this at home. I don't want to be held responsible.) One way I found of causing death by air embolism is by blowing into the vagina of a pregnant woman during oral sex. Did you know that? That could, however, be used in one of your murder mysteries. 

Sources:
1) The Straight Dope
2) Fortune City
3) Wikipedia
4) NHS Wales
5) Medical News Today

Book Review and Interview: Sleeping With Skeletons by Doralynn Kennedy

Genre: Thriller Romance
How I read it: Kindle for PC and on The Next Big Writer

What attracted me to the book: This type of novel is right up my alley, but, I picked it because I know the author, and she's a great writer. Oh, and have you seen the cover!?

Summary (from amazon): Former CIA operative Margaret Garrison is not the woman she appears to be when she arrives in rural Ireland, hoping to find a quiet respite from running for her life. The last thing she needs is to catch the eye of Aidan Grimes, the wildly popular Irish actor filming the movie Jane Eyre in Ballyrick.

Rumored to have broken a thousand hearts, Aidan is also a man of many surprises. The very secrecy that shrouds Margaret compels him to want to know more about her, which inadvertently alerts her enemies to her location and threatens not only Margaret’s life, but those of the people around her.

Between Aidan, his father, and a little girl desperately in need of a mother, Margaret discovers a life she has always dreamed of but never dared hoped for. But with the skeletons from her past drawing nearer each day, can love triumph over evil, or is it all just a myth?

My thoughts: The thrill ride is amazing. Even if I didn't know the writer, I would have loved the book. I think what's so fascinating is that it's clear the writer knows her stuff. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

I loved the main character, I related to her and rooted for her and her male counterparts through the whole novel. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down - especially as you get to the last action scene in the book.

Interview With The Author: This is my first author interview and I'm so excited I'm talking with Doralynn. Earlier I asked her some question and this is what she had to say... *squeal*

(1) Welcome, Doralynn, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule. Here's my first question: What made you decide to write this story? Or write in general?

This story was actually inspired by A&E's Jane Eyre with Ciarán Hinds. He's one of my favorite actors, and he started acting while he was still in school. His first role was the south end of a horse - well the south end of a horse costume. When I found that out, the scene in the pub where Margaret meets Aidan popped into my head. And the story took off from there.

As for what inspired me to write in the first place, that was my 8th and 9th grade English teacher. He gave me a love for writing that has lasted my whole life.

I love Ciarán Hinds too! I loved him in Jane Eyre and Persuasion.
(2) Now, I love the characters in this book. The woman is strong and smart. Where did the inspiration come for this character and the two leading men in the book?

Margaret is my doppelgänger, or maybe I'm her doppelgänger. The men are based on two men from my past. Even though the book was inspired by Ciarán Hinds, Aidan is based on a man I used to date in London. He was from the Scottish Highlands. I couldn't understand a thing he said half the time. He was an athlete and rode in the Tour de France every year, but I made him an actor for several different reasons. For one thing, I wanted Jane Eyre to be an important part of the story. I also wanted to include the scene in the library where Rochester presents himself as a gypsy to try to draw Jane out. It's one of my favorite scenes in the book, but it is difficult to do in film - so it's rarely done in film versions of the novel. Also, I wanted Aidan to be an actor to bring attention to the many roles that Margaret plays. She is an actor as well. Just not on a stage or on screen.

As for Danny, he was the love of my life. I just didn't know it at the time. He was one of my partners when I was in the Military Police. I always have Danny in my books... in one way or another.

Wow, I didn't know that, that's so romantic... it makes me love the book more now and understand some things.

(3) You have a background in law enforcement, you're adept and knowledgeable with various weapons, you've even had experience in undercover work. So my question is: Does it bother you when you read thriller stories and the writer doesn't do their research properly? Has it made you email or write them?

It does bother me, but I can't ever remember e-mailing anyone about it. There's a lot of leeway when you're writing a work of fiction. However, bad police work in stories does bother me. It's easy to tell who has actual experience, who is writing from solid research, and who is just making it all up as they go along. The last one is the one that ruins the story for me.

(4) What words of advice or suggestions do you have for new writers?

Keep writing. The more you write, the better you'll get. Also, study the craft - just as you'd study any profession you're interested in. I think it's good to join groups, take classes, and interact with other writers. But most of all, it's important to keep writing. "Keep everlastingly at it," as my Grandma Garrison would have said.

Thank you so much, Doralynn, for your wonderful responses and I have to agree with Grandma Garrison.

Bottom Line on this Book: If you enjoy an exciting thriller with a bit of oh, sexy! this is for you.

You can buy the book on Kindle and in Paperback.
Visit the author's blog and website.

Blogging Tips: How to Open Multiple Links at Once in Firefox

Now, first off, I'm only going to give the advice to Firefox users because it's the browser I use and I prefer it to all others. (Sorry, chrome or IE users...)

Why is this a useful thing to have?

I love Elizabeth's from Mystery Writing is Murder's Twitterific. Where else can you find so many wonderful articles on one page? Well, I hate having to right-click (and if you don't know what right-click means, you might want to just walk away now...) and to open the links on another tab (again, if you think 'tab' is only a key on your keyboard or guitar sheet music, walk away). My fingers hurt! What can I do?

Here's what: (This is only one way...there are many others. Keep in mind, I'm going to explain this like you guys are in preschool. I'm sorry. No insult intended.)

1) At the top of your Firefox browser, go and click on the 'Tools' button. (picture below - click to enlarge)

2) A pop-up window will open and when it does, click 'Browse All Add-ons'.

3) A new tab will appear. First (1), in the search box, type 'Multi Links' and then (2) click the green arrow. The results will appear and most likely the first result will be the correct link (see picture to make sure). Then (4) click the '+ to Firefox' green box.

4) Another pop-up box will appear. (1) Make sure your anti-virus is up-to-date. I don't believe what you're about to download is malicious but you should always be careful. (3) You should see the install button countdown and turn dark. When it does, press it and it will install.

5) When installed, another tab will open like the picture below. It says Thank You! You can press the instructions button where I marked (2)... or you can listen to my brief instructions below. (I'd probably read the instructions.)

6) To open multiple links at once, you need to be a bit of an finger acrobat. I'm serious. You may on occasion use the right-mouse button for clicking but now you're going to use the RIGHT-DRAG finger acrobat move - HOLD-DOWN the right mouse button and DRAG until you cover the links you want to open. Note: don't open too many links at one time or you will really slow down Firefox or your computer... try ten at most. The links will open in new tabs as soon as you let off the right-mouse button.

7) You can also download the links, open the links in a new window, or copy the links to a clipboard. How? a) HOLD-DOWN the right-mouse button and DRAG until you cover the links but DO NOT LET GO OF THE RIGHT-MOUSE BUTTON. b) Instead, while holding down the right-mouse button, click the left-mouse button. You will see options pop up. (click picture to enlarge)

8)
To cancel, change options, or uninstall- click here for instructions

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On a side note, I've decided to make some changes to my blogging schedule. Here's what my weekly blogs will be like.
Mondays: "Book Review" or "Author Interview" day. This will be my book review or author interview day - isn't that fairly obvious? If I don't have a review or interview...it will be a writing blog.
Tuesday: "Mystery Writer's Guide to Forensic Science" - Oh, this one will be fun. I have loads of book on forensic science. I'm one of those people the FBI, when they storm my house, will assume I'm a psychopath or a serial killer because of all my odd books on how to kill people.
Wednesday: "Writing How-To" - This will be a day when I write tips that have helped me along my journey.
Thursday: "Writer's Guide to Reading People" - This is the day I discuss character traits and psychology to help make us better writers. I love the art of knowing what people are thinking.
Friday: "Writing Journal" - my writing week and/or rant... we'll see.
Saturday: "Grammar Guide" - because this is the slowest blogging day, I'll discuss boring grammar.
Sunday: "Blogging Tips" - this is where I will post tips and tricks that I have found helpful in my blogging journey.

Bring it on, World! Help Me Write.

This morning I went over to Elizabeth's blog, Mystery Writing is Muder, she had as a guest blogger Angela Neal. While I read the blog, I felt myself getting really angry. Who is this woman to tell me that a person is only considered to be a writer if they have made money or have plans to make money at their writing! I wanted to scream nasty words:

• What about Jane Austen?
• What about the Brontes?
• They didn't make money with their books but I would consider them writers!

They it hit me like a brick - I'm an idiot. Just plain WRONG!

That's not what she was trying to say at all. In fact, her second line was "Anyone who loves to write and does so recreationally is indeed a writer." You see, that's what you get for reading a blog before your first cup of coffee. However, I must admit, it felt really good to get angry about something. I find many things infuriating but, being a quiet person, I often hold it in. *ah, deep breath.*

Although, I didn't act on my anger in this situation either (ie. by leaving a nasty comment) so I guess I'm still holding back a little. There's a little part of me that wants to write controversial blogs just to provoke a response... it really is a jolt to the system. I'm awake now! I can write now! Bring it on, World! I dare you...

But, alas, that's not what this blog is about. And even though I haven't quite figured out what I blog for, I know it's not for that.

I guess what I should do now is get writing, use the adrenaline coursing through my viens to propel me forward. If anyone one of you wants to provoke me in your comments, yes, bring it on, I'll use it. I'll be the adrenaline junkie if only to get me through BuNoWriMo.

Which brings me to another issue.. why do I keep taking on challenges? I tell you, if I think about signing up for another NoWriMo, come over to my house and slap me in the face. I love challenges because they get me going but I'll complete it even if it kills me (and someday it will).

That's all, folks. Now, get back to work!

Writers: Help Others, Help Yourself

I'm a firm believer that writers, especially those who have had success, should give back to the community. I don't mean cash, but that's one way to do it. Now, I'm aware that most writers do not make truckloads of money so giving any of it away may be difficult. However, I've come up with ways writers can do things for the community and yet still help themselves.

Idea #1: Read at Elderly-Care Facilities

Help Others - I've visited these facilities and they love being read to. Not all of them may understand what you're reading to them but it's the interest in them, innit. Make sure you read to them from your own books. Perhaps, instead of doing a reading at a bookstore, read at a nursing home and charge visitors a dollar or two to get in. All donations go to help whatever causes you choose.

Help Yourself - How does this help you? Well, if you advertise before you come, you can do some promoting. Also, it's a good way to test out your manuscript. Does it read well? Who knows... maybe a few copies can be pre-ordered or sold.

Idea #2: Write and Read a Children's Book at Childen's Hospitals.

Help Others - I don't write children's books. But, I might... for a good cause. What better a cause then sick children who are in need of fun distraction. You can design and publish the books on your own or convince a willing publisher to do so. Here too, you can charge for entry and support childhood diseases.

Help Yourself -Not only is it a way to hone your craft by stepping out of your comfort zone but it's good publicity. Not only will you have the opportunity to sell your children's books to the hospitals but the publicity might sell your other books as well.

Idea #3 - Write an e-book and Donate Proceeds to Charity

Help Others - Write a book and put it online for free. Who doesn't like a free book? Who doesn't like to support charity?

Help Yourself - Not only does your name get out there, but you are given the opportunity to support causes you feel strongly for. Make sure you place a charity donate site on your side bar so that people can give a dollar or two instead of buying your book.

Have any ideas yourself?

Problems with Writing in First Person and Some Grammar

I'm forcing my son to learn grammar, partially because I want him to be a writer and partially because he needs to know it.
I'm letting him study a book called Painless Grammar. (A really good book by the way.)
Today, he comes into my office and shows me this.

We laughed so hard and then I got serious because I've made those exact mistakes in my writing.

Now, I've noticed another problem in my writing. I've recently taken up the challenge of writing in first person. One problem I've noticed is the use of the word "I". For example, of the 23560 words I've written so far, 1793 are "I", that is almost eight percent of the total. Way too much.

How can a writer correct this problem?

I went to an article that gives two great points.

1) Cut out the assumed I's - for instance, if you've wrote "I thought" or "I saw", that's assumed. Who else would have thought or saw it unless it's in dialog?

Here's an example:
Take #1: I walked into the boardroom on that first day at BigBucks Company, and right away I could see that every eye was upon me. I was the new kid in town; I knew I had to prove myself. I also knew that Marlene was angry at being passed over. I'll have to win her over quickly, I thought, or she'll be trying to undermine me... I had heard about her reputation.

Take #2: On my first day at BigBucks company, I was aware that every eye was upon me the moment I walked into the boardroom – not surprising: as the new kid in town, I had to prove myself. Marlene was there, too, and the grapevine reported that she was angry at being passed over. Her reputation had preceded her: it was important to win her over quickly or she'd be trying to undermine me.

 What a difference!

2) Cut the I's when refering to setting.

Here's an example:
Take #1: I slogged up the hill to the lookout, feeling happy that I was back in the country. It was clear that I was out of condition: I started puffing well before the top. Leaning against the railing at the top of the hill, I could see for miles. The town was spread out below me, and just past the row of oak trees at the far end of the main street, I could see the football field where I'd played as a teenager. I noticed that the high school had doubled the number of buildings: the town had grown in the twenty years I'd been away.


Take #2: The road that wound up the hill to the lookout seemed steeper and rougher than it had twenty years before, but it was good to be back in the country. At the top, I leaned on the railing of the observation platform to catch my breath; talk about out of condition! The town was spread out below me: there was the football field where I'd played as a teenager, just past the row of oak trees at the far end of the main street. The number of buildings on the high school grounds had doubled, a sign of the town's growth.

Another great example. So, with a bit of creativity, it can be done.

 

Read more at Suite101: Tips on Using First Person Tense: Writing Smoother Narrative in Memoirs, Autobiographies and Fiction http://writingmemoirs.suite101.com/article.cfm/tips_on_using_first_person_tense#ixzz0r94x0i5I

Great online resources for writers

Foxton's Photo

I thought I would compile a list of some of the great websites I use when writing my novels:

1) maps.google.com - I use this a lot. Why? Because of a new thing called 'street view' I can walk the streets of various cities. I can look around, look at the buildings, the trees, the architecture. It's a wonderful way to know what your characters are seeing. I choose a street and zoom down and describe it. I don't have to put on my jacket and actually go there anymore. I can finally be the recluse I've always wanted to be. (You can visit my London blog to see examples of streetview photos. They're amazing!)

2) Google - This is, of course, an obvious one. But I also do a lot of picture searching. For instance, sometimes I have a minor character come up and I want to give him/her a face. So I will type something like 'Carl' or 'Carol' into the search bar and search the picture results for someone I can use as a character. That way, when I describe a character, I have something concrete in my mind.

Foxton's Floorplan

3) Foxtons - This site is a real estate site. They sell, let, and buy properties and you can see pictures and 360 degree views of various properties. Why do I go here? I find houses or flats that my characters live and and use it for description. Do you see a theme here? I have issues with description and like to see what I need describe.

4) dictionary.com or thesaurus.com - If you don't know what these are or don't use them, you should.

5) The Next Big Writer - a writing community is very important. You should get feedback on your chapters or stories. Sometimes writers get in the habit of loving their work too much, we all need to be brought down to earth on occasion. This site is great. I have been with them for over two years and my writing has improved ten fold. The key is reviewing... NOT GETTING REVIEWED. I mean it. Reviewing others work is so important. No better way to see what is wrong with your work than noticing what is wrong in what you read of others. Plus, the more you review, the more reviews you receive.

6) Amazon - READ, READ, READ!

7) Wikipedia - If you can't find it here, it probably doesn't exist.

8) The Quote Garden - Some people like quotes. Some people put them above every chapter.

How not to start your novel...

This is a really funny post I had on my last blog. I was going through as when I saw it, I thought I would share it with you... again.

Because I review chapters from new writers everyday, I come across some really bad writing. What I find difficult is when the new book I'm reading has a really terrible opening paragraph or line. I thought I would look for some advice on what makes a good opening paragraph. However, I found this article online. It's from a 2006 writing contest. These paragraphs are some of the opening paragraphs from the entries.


Now you can know what NOT to do... (Source here)

The McCain boys strode off proudly to fight in the Civil War, one for the Union and one for the Confederacy, neither of them giving a single thought to who would play them in the television movie of their story, which would be decided more than a hundred years later by 20-something casting agents who kept gettingthe Civil War and World War II mixed up.
Carmen Fought
Diamond Bar, CA


When Debbie decided that Salt ‘n’ Pepper Beard was the most attractive pirate on the ship, she realized that choosing him was due to the advice of Sylvia, her new Life Coach, to be realistic about her own age and to open herself up to romance where it lay, unlike the troublesome past where she would have wished that only the younger pirates take advantage of her.
Jim Guigli
Carmichael, CA


If Gilbert had known then what he knew now, he would have seen that the dilemma facing him–to do a good deed for the wrong reason or to do a bad deed for the right reason–had long ago been shown to be two sides of the same coin by the philosopher known as Theragora of Crete even though he was not from Crete at all, but from Malta, which of course was not called Malta when Theragora was there.
Hubert Kennedy
Concord, CA


The king’s men breathed heavily under their thick black hoods as they secured the wrists and ankles of prisoner William Tumey of Kent and as the rack’s handle began to turn the ropes tightened and William’s limbs were slowly stretched in opposite directions until his spine began to pop much like a bag of Redenbachers in a microwave and for something like the time it takes a hummingbird’s wings to complete one cycle William smiled and euphorically languished in perfect lumbar alignment.
Daniel Kern
Boise, ID


A single sparkling tear fell from Little Mary’s cheek onto the sidewalk, then slid into the storm drain, there to join in its course the mighty waters of the Los Angeles River and, eventually, Long Beach Harbor, with its state-of-the-art container-freight processing facilities.
Bill Mac Iver
Berkeley, CA


Her angry accusations burned Clyde like that first bite of a double cheese pizza, when the toppings slide off and sear that small elevation of the oral mucosa, just behind the front teeth, known as the incisive papilla, which is linked to the discriminatory function of the taste buds except, where Clyde was concerned, when it came to women.
Pamela Patchet Hamilton
Beaconsfield, Quebec


It had been a dark and stormy night, but as dawn began to light up the eastern sky, to the west the heavens suddenly cleared, unveiling a pale harvest moon that reposed gently atop the distant mesa like a pumpkin on a toilet with the lid down.
Gerald R. Johnson
Vancouver, WA


Lisa moved like a cat, not the kind of cat that moves with a slinky grace but more like the kind that always falls off the book shelf when he’s washing himself and then gets all mad at you like it’s your fault (which it wasn’t although it probably was kind of mean to laugh at him like that), although on the bright side, she hardly ever attacked Ricky’s toes in his sleep.
Debra Allen
Wichita Falls, TX


He rose quickly when she entered, not like the flag being raised at the American Legion in a jerky fashion, but more like the light red Creme Soda in the straw of a teenage girl or boy on the back porch of his mobile home late in the evening.
Ron Bird
Lakehills, TX


The nervous and untried exotic dancer seemed to cling protectively to her brass pole like the edge of a roll of plastic wrap when you are looking for the beginning of the roll and it seems like it’s healed up or melted into the rest of the wrap until finally you just give up and use foil or wax paper instead.
Dwight Jenkins
Sun City, CA

The steam rose off his sweaty red flannel shirt like cotton candy on a cardboard cone, if cotton candy were transparent in a misty sort of way and didn’t actually stick to its cone, but instead rose upwards something like steam rising off a sweatyflannel shirt in the twilight of an early winter Vermont afternoon.
T. Edward Lavoie
Essex Junction VT

The Writer's Bubble

The last few days, I've been surrounded by people, which for me is difficult torture because I'm not really a people person. Don't get me wrong, if you ever meet me, you'll probably come away saying, "she's one of the nicest people I've ever met." And I am really - I try really hard to be nice to everyone. But because I'm an introvert, being around people (especially extroverted people) is taxing on my energy.

So, when this happens, I find myself wanting to enter my writer's bubble. It's a writer's escape, somewhat like the reader's escape in the form of a book but in my case, I'm writing it.

I can't speak for all writers but I know many who feel writing is all consuming. For example, if you're writing and your son or daughter comes in the room and you stare at them for a minute wondering which character they are and why they're appearing in the this chapter... you're in your bubble. If however, after a half hour, you still don't recognize your kin, seek psychiatric help. I have to admit, sometimes I scare myself.

I do take consolation in the fact that if ever I am locked in some sort of prison (not that I'm planning it) I think my mind would take over and the bubble would come to my rescue. I would eventually be officially nuts. But, I think my characters would keep me company.

Now I know many of you reading this will be wondering what the hell I'm on about. And, honestly, I think it's difficult to explain if you have never lived it. How the story you're writing is so exciting, the characters so real, the dialog more interesting than any you could possibly have in real life, you start living it... if only in your mind.

The writer's bubble. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.... please don't pop mine.

Your plot may be dependant on your reader...

I was thinking about the post I wrote the other day about the 36 plot lines. I received some really interesting comments.

For instance:

From Margot Kinberg
Clarissa - When you come down to it, it's really the way the plots are handled that make a book a well-written one (or not). Your post reminds me of the English alphabet. There are only 26 letters. Yet combined, they form so many words, and each word is unique. Some alphabets have even fewer letters. It's the unique twists that the author gives the story that make it the author's own.

From Devon Ellington
One of the things I love to do when I teach is throw out a prompt and EVERY student has a different take on it. The premise doesn't have to be original -- just the way it's told. And that's unique to most writers -- the good ones, anyway.

Devon got me thinking. Is it possible that plot can be dependent on the reader? For example, take Romeo and Juliet. It's a tragedy written by William Shakespeare about two young "star-cross'd lovers" whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families.

Now, Shakespeare isn't around to ask about his book and answer my blog interview questions so what he meant his book to be on the plot list is really up to the reader to determine.

For example, when I think of Romeo and Juliet, I think of it as a romance. (Maybe it's the sap in me.)

When I asked my husband, he went with number four on the plot list. (4. Vengeance by Family upon Family - Avenging Kinsman, Guilty Kinsman, Relative).

Perhaps if we relate to a certain character in a certain book, we take that plot or subplot to be the main message because it speaks to us. I don't know... in my current book, I have a few different sub-plots going on and some of them are subtle. If a reader is going through a similar situation, he or she might conclude that is my point or plot. Whereas another reader might pick out another plot line.

Or maybe, I over think things... maybe I should get some sleep now.

36 Different Plot lines

I've recently read blogs where some are worried their stories have been told. I hate to break it to you, it's true. Probably someone, somewhere has had the same story idea... at least once.

Does that mean you should never write a book? No. I could read a hundred "Obstacles to Love" plot and still find it interesting. It's not what you write, it's how you write it.

Which are your favorite to write?

There are only thirty-six different novel plot patterns:

1. Supplication - Persecutor, Suppliant, a Power in Authority
2. Deliverance - Unfortunates, Threatener, Rescuer
3. Revenge - Avenger, Criminal
4. Vengeance by Family upon Family - Avenging Kinsman, Guilty Kinsman, Relative
5. Pursuit - Fugitive from Punishment, Pursuer
6. Victim of Cruelty or Misfortune - Unfortunates, Master or Unlucky Person
7. Disaster - Vanquished Power, Victorious Power or Messenger
8. Revolt - Tyrant, Conspirator(s)
9. Daring Enterprise - Bold Leader, Goal, Adversary
10. Abduction - Abductor, Abducted, Guardian
11. Enigma - Interrogator, Seeker, Problem
12. Obtaining - Two or more Opposing Parties, Object, maybe an Arbitrator
13. Familial Hatred - Two Family Members who hate each other
14. Familial Rivalry - Preferred Kinsman, Rejected Kinsman, Object
15. Murderous Adultery - Two Adulterers, the Betrayed
16. Madness - Madman, Victim
17. Fatal Imprudence - Imprudent person, Victim or lost object
18. Involuntary Crimes of Love - Lover, Beloved, Revealer
19. Kinsman Kills Unrecognised Kinsman - Killer, Unrecognised Victim, Revealer
20. Self Sacrifice for an Ideal - Hero, Ideal, Person or Thing Sacrificed
21. Self Sacrifice for Kindred - Hero, Kinsman, Person or Thing Sacrificed
22. All Sacrificed for Passion - Lover, Object of Passion, Person or Thing Sacrificed
23. Sacrifice of Loved Ones - Hero, Beloved Victim, Need for Sacrifice
24. Rivalry Between Superior and Inferior - Superior, Inferior, Object
25. Adultery - Deceived Spouse, Two Adulterers
26. Crimes of Love - Lover, Beloved, theme of Dissolution
27. Discovery of Dishonor of a Loved One - Discoverer, Guilty One
28. Obstacles to Love - Two Lovers, Obstacle
29. An Enemy Loved - Beloved Enemy, Lover, Hater
30. Ambition - An Ambitious Person, Coveted Thing, Adversary
31. Conflict with a God - Mortal, Immortal
32. Mistaken Jealousy - Jealous One, Object of Jealousy, Supposed Accomplice, Author of Mistake
33. Faulty Judgment - Mistaken One, Victim of Mistake, Author of Mistake, Guilty Person
34. Remorse - Culprit, Victim, Interrogator
35. Recovery of a Lost One - Seeker, One Found
36. Loss of Loved Ones - Kinsman Slain, Kinsman Witness, Executioner

And in the world, there are about... oh, a billion different books. So? So, that means that all the books out there had one of these plot lines.

With all the lack of plot lines, it's important that to make it less about what you write about and more about how you write it. And that means studying the art of writing.

Write fast or write well?

It's almost the To Be or Not To Be question but completely different.

So, I ask you: Which do you prefer? To write fast or write well?

You're asking yourself: Why not do both at once? Well, in one word: I'm not superwoman... nor am I good at math. Normally, I write my 90,000 word novels in three months. That's an average of 1000 words a day. I like that pace. I can do research and plan and write notes.

However, this month I'm writing at double my rate. I don't have time to research or write down or note-take. I only have time to get words written. So, I can already see multiple places where I know I have to go back and do research into certain situations and events. And because I'm not taking notes, I know I'll have to do that also in the second draft.

Although I have the satisfaction of knowing I'm completing an novel in record time, I have reservations about the incompleteness of it. It's like trying to write when your desk is a mess. Unless you're one of the writers that work better in a mess... like my husband.

Perhaps there's a better solution. Perhaps you know it. Please share.

It's difficult to dumb down

Poutine

For my BuNoWriMo novel, I've created a few challenges for myself. I've done three things differently in this novel than in any other.

1) I'm writing in first person.
2) I'm writing from the POV of a Canadian.
3) I've taken on a new main character - someone less educated and naive.

Now, I would say I've got a handle on the first challenge, though I have caught myself wanting to go back to third person. I'm even liking the inner workings of the first person novel.

Why do I find the second one hard? Those who know me, know I'm Canadian. So why is writing from that POV a challenge? Well, first of all, I normally write British mysteries. I mainly read British novels and literature, watch British films and TV shows, and listen to mainly British bands. Second, I haven't lived in Canada for a few years. My mom's not Canadian, so Canadian speak isn't really natural for me in the first place. Sadly, I'm out of practice being a Canadian. I think I will have to go on an IV of Tim Horton's coffee, eat only poutine for a week, and watch the Calgary Flames play hockey on TV, eh?  (What do you mean hockey season is over?)

So, that leaves number three. I'm finding it the hardest. All the other characters I've written were... how can I say this? Educated. Learned. Not that my current character isn't educated but she's in a word... naive. Her only job at sixteen was working at a Co-op gas bar. Her last movie was Fargo(1995). I'm not sure she's even heard of Celine Dion or Shania Twain or hell, The Barenaked Ladies! This isolated woman (both physically and emotionally) is difficult to write and the last few days, I've had to really discover her voice.

Even though she's begun to open up to me, I still find her voice difficult. Hopefully by the end of the novel, I will have the dialect down and I can go back to the beginning and make sure it's the same voice throughout.

Has anyone else created similar challenges for themselves?

Recipe for Poutine

Don't force your dialog to be anything but natural...

Okay, first, I've taken the plunge... again. I've joined Twitter and GoodReads. You can follow me by clicking the link or with the link on the right. ---->

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Okay, next I want to discuss dialog. I'm sure I'll post many blogs on dialog over the course of the years. It's a problem for many writers, including me.

I hate dialog where the characters speak to me rather than the other characters. Dialog is not the place to convey backstory and information the characters already know.

For example:

"Hi, Jane Murphy, what are you carrying?"

"Hello, Martha Graham, I went to Johnson's grocery story on Fourth Street, near your house, and bought groceries. You know the place... your brother got shot in that store with a revolver five years ago, during a robbery. Remember?"

"Oh yes I remember, I went into a deep depression and had to be hospitalized for three years. They performed shock therapy, did you know? I never thought I would make it out alive. I petitioned to the government to stop such treatment for a year and had no response."

"I helped you with that. We worked long hours, late at night to prepare signs and petitions. I hate the Republicans, they are a bunch of crooks. In 1964, they started a war that I felt never needed to be fought."

This is all made-up dialog. Nothing happened in 1964, to my knowledge. I just wanted to make a point. DON'T tell the reader information that the characters already know. It doesn't sound natural.What beginner traits in dialog do you find annoying?

Picture Source: here 

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Also, the winner today of the  is author karen walker please see this post for more instructions

How to write a book:

Here it is... ready?

WRITE THE DAMN BOOK!

That's it. Plain and simple.
Many complain that they can't get the first chapter perfect. Then, they finally get to chapter two and can't get it perfect either. So, instead of going on to chapter three, they decide to re-edit chapter one and wonder why they can't get it right.

WHY?

Because you're not writing. You only get good at writing by... that's right, writing!

David Edding said: A writer's apprenticeship usually involves writing a million words (which are then discarded) before he's almost ready to begin.

Not by editing. After I finish writing my first draft, I usually end up changing my first few chapters anyways because as the story progresses, I find a stronger opening. Don't be so caught up with the first chapter because you may scrap it in the end.

So...

Finish the first draft already.

That's my two cents...take it or leave it.

It's personal.

Wanna know what is my number one reason for writer's block?

Stress.

Today I learned my niece is in the hospital. She's three. And she's got osteoporosis. Maybe. They're not sure really why she's got repeated fractures in her spine. She can't even walk now. I'm really stressed about it. All the doctors know is that her bones can't absorb the minerals it needs to stay strong. I'm trying to stay mentally strong. I'm trying to distract myself with my writing.

I'm trying to tell myself I'm distracting myself with my writing.

I'll do a post tomorrow. I want to spend time with my family now.

Blog Award... I really am creative!

Eric at Working My Muse gave me this wonderful award. Thank you, Eric. He writes a wonderful writer's blog so if you haven't been there already, what are you waiting for?

I'm suppose to be creative seven times.

1) My friend decided to go drinking with his friends and they got in a car accident. One of the boys died, another ended up crippled and my friend ended up in prison. Needless to say, I'm really against drinking and driving.

2) My sister quit high school after her best friend was beaten with a hammer repeatedly and stuffed in the dryer.

3) When in the Bronx, my son (4) and I got on the subway to head to the zoo for the day. I was the only white person on the train and everyone must of thought that was unique because I was stared at the whole time. One woman across from me asked me where I was going... scared, I told her. She told me not to get off at my intended stop but one stop before. I didn't know what to do. So, I got off at the stop she recommended. She was dead on, a much closer route to the entrance. See what stereotyping does? I learned my lesson.

4) I ate with Native Americans on the cliffs of the grand canyon. I must say the food was one of the worst that had ever passed my lips but the experience was amazing.

5) I am a real Tim Horton coffee shop fan (those who live in Canada know what that is). Anyway, when I lived in one of the largest cities in Canada, I made it a goal to visit every single one. I did.

6) When I was twelve, I headed up to the Northern part of Canada with my family. We watched the Northern lights and the natives up there taught us how to make an igloo and we stayed in one overnight. It's actually quite warm inside.

7) Once, I was visiting a friend to drop off some papers and noticed police were surrounding a home two houses down. My spidey senses started tingling so I told my son and husband to stay in the car and I went alone. As I was standing at the door, gun fire broke out. I ran back to the car and as my son held the door open and I jumped in the backseat. We booted it out of there.

Most of these are true except one. Which is the false story?
I will link to seven creative writers over the course of the week.

The first recipient is: J.L. Stratton from True Life and Fiction. I wrote a blog a few days back where I listed my blog page peeves. This man actually changed his blog to make it more eye friendly. Doesn't that deserve a visit and a follow? Thank you, JL.

The rules for this award are:

- thank the person who gave you the award
- copy the logo and place it on your blog
- link to the person who nominated you
- tell up to six outrageous lies about yourself and at least one outrageous truth, or vice-versa
- nominate seven "creative" writers
- post links to the blogs you nominate
- leave a comment on each blog letting them know they've won the award

Creative ways to add dialog to one-character scenes

Hello, Wilson, are you having a ball or what!?

Have someone come over.
The end.

Just joking.

Here's my problem: in my current novel, my main character spend a great deal of time alone. It's sad really because I love writing dialog. Although it's nothing like the Tom Hanks film - how can we add our own dialog volleyball?

1) Have the character talk to herself.  You can do this two ways:

• internal dialog
• talking to herself aloud

2) Mini flashbacks - I've been putting little snippets of conversation from the past in the chapter. And people, little snippets, it's not an excuse to add long sections of backstory. Each snippet of conversation should be relevent to what's going on in the chapter... and did I say small?

3) Imaginary friends. I have them, you have them, why can't your character have one? What, you don't have any imaginary friends? How sad for you. My imaginary friend feels sorry for you too.

4) Okay Mr. Wilson, you can join too. If the character has pets or plants or a volleyball with a creepy-looking face (Oh, don't get so offended, Wilson. You know, you're one overly-sensitive volleyball. What is that, red tears? Cry me a river.) they could talk to them. I talk to my dog and my plants. Then again, that could be why my plants are dying...

You guys have any other suggestions? No, not you, imaginary friends, I mean the blog readers.

How much is your moustach costing you? It could apply to your grandmother too.

*sigh*

The voices are talking to me right now and they say I should step away from my blogger dashboard. SO, because I should be writing, I'm going to leave my readers with an except from one of my favorite TV shows: Top Gear. (It's funny)

Jeremy Clarkson: You know in the run up to Euro 2004, a lot of people believed that David Beckham had done some practice and been...you know, training... and they've put flags on their cars to kinda show their support for the team. Cause we were in with a shout, we thought anyway... of winning. While everyone had flags on their cars, somebody has done some research on how much drag that created. I'm not joking...


Richard Hammond: Yes?


Jeremy: Yeah seriously, he said, 'You'll lose with two flags, four break-horsepower... uh, and that means that in the run up to the tournament, 4.5 million gallons of fuel was wasted by people flying flags. I actually know the man who did this survey, okay? I will spare him his blushes and wont say his names but I will tell you he has face hair. Okay? So, I've done a calculation of my own...if a mustache weighs two grams, and we think it does...


Richard: Sounds fair enough.


Jeremy: So, if you can get into a Ford Fiesta, you will increase its weight by 0.0000036 of a percent.


Richard: With you...


Jeremy: Which means you'll increase its fuel consumption by, complicated equation here, by 0.000083 miles to the gallon. So over a year, normal mileage, your mustache is costing you an extra five pounds in fuel...


Richard: Five pounds to run a mustache for a year?


Jeremy: That is the kind of information you simply don't get on any other shows.

From: Top Gear (Series 4, Episode 7)

The Paragraph

Because I'm busy with BuNoWriMo, I'm posting blog from my other blog. I find the material still relevant. Also, I'm putting up another chapter of my book. Read it here.

Nothing to do with the post so stop looking for hidden meanings...

I want to discuss today - the paragraph. I have reviewed many chapters where the paragraph somehow got lost in the Sahara desert and never made it back. Pages upon pages of muck.

Why does it matter how the paragraph looks? Um, because you want the reader to like your book, don't you?

Okay, so what is a good paragraph and how do I write one?

First of all, a paragraph is not just white space between, let's say, every five lines. Do not make all your paragraphs the same lenght...yuck.

Second, paragraphs have a purpose. Well, they should...and if yours don't, rewrite them.

What do you mean I need a topic sentence?

Yup, even if you are writing fiction, you need a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a way to move the story forward.

Here are some examples of topic sentences from best selling novels:

From Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants: "Apparently uncle Al doesn't agree." - Now what's the paragraph going to discuss? Basically, all the ways uncle Al shows he doesn't agree.

From Val McDermid's Beneath the Bleeding: "Carol felt the rip of conflicting emotions." As you can guess, the paragraph then relates what conflicting emotions she felt.

From Joshua Mowll's Operation Red Jericho: "Then they saw her." The paragraph describes what they saw her doing.

How do you know when to switch paragraphs?

1) You are writing about one thing, and then you start writing about another. This is it in a nutshell. But how do you tell whether or not all your sentences are about the same thing, and not about another? Usually it is obvious, but occasionally it is not. This is where your authority as the author comes in; you are responsible for deciding whether the sentences belong together or not. Do you want your readers to associate these ideas together closely or not? Which way makes your meaning clearest?

2) You are writing about the actions of Carol in the one paragraph, and then start writing about Jim. If you are planning to devote several sentences in a row to Jim, you should probably start a new paragraph.

So keep that in mind... What are your rules for paragraphs in fiction?