In honor of my new book, available next week. Here's a trailer I put together for the fourth book in my Ali Caldwell series: Always Ali! Enjoy.
Showing posts with label Christine Marciniak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christine Marciniak. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Plot or Character - which comes first?
It's like the age old question. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Or, as I said to my kids the other day, "Which came first, the chicken or the horse?" (Yeah, I don't know where that came from either, it was just one of those days). Anyway, when you are starting a story do you start with the plot or the characters?
It almost doesn't matter. In the end you need both.
A great plot without characters to carry it will go nowhere.
Great characters without a plot to propel them forward will not make an interesting story.
I've started stories both ways.
In one work in progress of mine the plot completely came first. I knew I wanted a story about a person who could see evil, as in evil actually manifests itself as something she could see. (And frankly, that's a premise, not a plot). But I didn't know who that character would be. Eventually she became clear in my mind and I was able to write the story.
In another story of mine the character came first. I knew I wanted to write a story about a Princess named Fritzi whose days as a princess might be numbered. I knew she was red headed and feisty and then I had to develop the story to go along with her.
In ALWAYS ALI, which will be coming out this summer,since it is the fourth in the Ali series, I knew who the character was, but I had to find a story to go with her for this book. In this case it has to do with a new girl in school who claims to be her sister.
Whether the plot or the character come first, the two elements need to work together to make a compelling story.
What about you? When you write a story which do you find you come up with first, the character or the plot?
It almost doesn't matter. In the end you need both.
A great plot without characters to carry it will go nowhere.
Great characters without a plot to propel them forward will not make an interesting story.
I've started stories both ways.
In one work in progress of mine the plot completely came first. I knew I wanted a story about a person who could see evil, as in evil actually manifests itself as something she could see. (And frankly, that's a premise, not a plot). But I didn't know who that character would be. Eventually she became clear in my mind and I was able to write the story.
In another story of mine the character came first. I knew I wanted to write a story about a Princess named Fritzi whose days as a princess might be numbered. I knew she was red headed and feisty and then I had to develop the story to go along with her.
In ALWAYS ALI, which will be coming out this summer,since it is the fourth in the Ali series, I knew who the character was, but I had to find a story to go with her for this book. In this case it has to do with a new girl in school who claims to be her sister.
Whether the plot or the character come first, the two elements need to work together to make a compelling story.
What about you? When you write a story which do you find you come up with first, the character or the plot?
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Exciting Days in my Corner of the World
Last month I hinted at some big writing news, but I couldn't quite share it yet. Now I can share that I am now being represented by Steven Chudney of the Chudney Agency, for a MG trilogy about a feisty princess named Fritzi. Hopefully there will be more good news for that series soon!
In the meantime the fourth book of my Ali series will be coming out this Spring. ALWAYS ALI will have Ali questioning herself and what it means to be who she is. I'm excited to share this book with the world, though it's a little sad to be wrapping up the series, Ali and her stories have been a part of my life for a long time.
And finally, in one other bit of news, my daughter has chosen a college for next year. She's going to major in Marketing with a Creative Writing minor and wants to go into some aspect of the publishing business, so I'm guessing that good publishing news will continue to happen in this family.
What good news to you have on this Tax Day?
In the meantime the fourth book of my Ali series will be coming out this Spring. ALWAYS ALI will have Ali questioning herself and what it means to be who she is. I'm excited to share this book with the world, though it's a little sad to be wrapping up the series, Ali and her stories have been a part of my life for a long time.
And finally, in one other bit of news, my daughter has chosen a college for next year. She's going to major in Marketing with a Creative Writing minor and wants to go into some aspect of the publishing business, so I'm guessing that good publishing news will continue to happen in this family.
What good news to you have on this Tax Day?
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Having Fun With Research
I've been rewriting a story that is primarily set in 1861. This requires a bit of research to get details correct, after all, I don't have any first hand knowledge of what life was like at that time.
I was trying to find out what it might be like to be at a ball in 1861, since most of my knowledge of that coming from Gone With The Wind, and I figured I should dig a little deeper.
I found this:
A COMPLETE HAND BOOK FOR THE USE OF THE LADY IN POLITE SOCIETY.
CONTAINING
FULL DIRECTIONS FOR CORRECT MANNERS, DRESS, DEPORTMENT, AND CONVERSATION;
RULES FOR THE DUTIES OF BOTH HOSTESS AND GUEST
IN MORNING RECEPTIONS, DINNER COMPANIES, VISITING, EVENING
PARTIES AND BALLS; A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR LETTER
WRITING AND CARDS OF COMPLIMENT; HINTS
ON MANAGING SERVANTS, ON THE PRESERVATION
OF HEALTH, AND ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
RULES FOR THE DUTIES OF BOTH HOSTESS AND GUEST
IN MORNING RECEPTIONS, DINNER COMPANIES, VISITING, EVENING
PARTIES AND BALLS; A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR LETTER
WRITING AND CARDS OF COMPLIMENT; HINTS
ON MANAGING SERVANTS, ON THE PRESERVATION
OF HEALTH, AND ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
AND ALSO
USEFUL RECEIPTS FOR THE COMPLEXION, HAIR, AND WITH HINTS
AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE CARE OF THE WARDROBE.
AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE CARE OF THE WARDROBE.
And it was published in 1860.
Perfect.
And now for your edification I will share several etiquette tips from 1860.
Under the topic of Conversation:
Never use the phrases, "What-d-ye call it," "Thingummy," "What's his name," or any such substitutes for a proper name or place. If you cannot recall the names you wish to use, it is better not to tell the story or incident connected with them. No lady of high breeding will ever use these substitutes in conversation.
Under the topic of Dress:
Shopping Dresses—Should be of such material as will bear the crush of a crowded store without injury, and neither lace or delicate fabrics should ever be worn. A dress of merino in winter, with a cloth cloak and[30] plain velvet or silk bonnet is the most suitable. In summer, a dress and cloak of plain mode-colored Lavella cloth, or any other cool but strong fabric, with a simply trimmed straw bonnet, is the best dress for a shopping excursion.
Under Conduct on the Street:
What are you doing? Sucking the head of your parasol! Have you not breakfasted? Take that piece of ivory from your mouth! To suck it is unlady-like, and let me tell you, excessively unbecoming. Rosy lips and pearly teeth can be put to a better use.
Under Miscellaneous:
Never affect a foolish reserve in a mixed company, keeping aloof from others as if in a state of mental abstraction. If your brain is so full and so busy that you cannot attend to the little civilities, cheerful chit-chat, and light amusements of society, keep out of it.Under Hints on Health:
With many young ladies, it appears to be a maxim to[267] do everything in their power to destroy the health which is so much wanted in the real business of life, and which forms so important a requisite to happiness. In the first place, as to hours—they never leave the ball-room until utterly exhausted, and scarcely fit to crawl to bed. The noon-day sleep, the scarcely touched breakfast, that most important meal, are followed by preparations for the succeeding night's pleasures, or in head-aching morning calls, driving about in a close carriage, or lounging on a sofa, in an over-heated room, reading novels.And finally
Dressing follows; the warm wrapper or dress is thrown aside; over the tightly drawn corsets is fastened a flimsy dress, with an inch of sleeve; the neck laid bare; thin stockings drawn on, in place of thick ones, and the consumption-seeker goes forth to the ball-room again.
Under Receipts:
Simple means of removing Tartar from the Teeth.—In these summer months, tartar may be effectually removed from the teeth, by partaking daily of strawberries.
And I bet you thought research couldn't be fun!
Now, I'm off to read this book more closely!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
How (Not) To Write a Novel
Here are five steps on a sure way on how not to get a novel written. (Heck most advice is on how To do it, why not shake it up a bit).
1) Tell everyone you are going to write a novel as soon as you figure out what it's going to be about. Don't spend any time trying to figure out the plot or characters or settings. You know they'll come to you eventually.
2) Buy computer software designed to make writing a novel easier. Install it on the computer and don't use it. As a corollary to this step you can also buy fancy notebooks and pens. They will look very impressive when you take them out at the coffee shop to write your novel...as soon as you figure out what it is going to be about.
3) Put aside time to write and sit down at your computer and play Candy Crush instead. You know if you just get past that next level you'll be able to think clearly about what your novel should be about.
4) Don't read any books in the genre you are thinking about writing, you wouldn't want to accidentally steal anyone's ideas.
5) Redecorate office area. Once your writing setting is perfect you know you'll have the next best seller.
Or, you know, if you actually want to write a book, pretty much don't follow the advice above, but sit down and write. Write for five minutes a day. Ten minutes. Write when you are stuck, even if it seems clunky and silly, it can always be taken out later when you revise. Write until you find the ending of your story. And then revise. And revise again. Good luck.
2) Buy computer software designed to make writing a novel easier. Install it on the computer and don't use it. As a corollary to this step you can also buy fancy notebooks and pens. They will look very impressive when you take them out at the coffee shop to write your novel...as soon as you figure out what it is going to be about.
3) Put aside time to write and sit down at your computer and play Candy Crush instead. You know if you just get past that next level you'll be able to think clearly about what your novel should be about.
4) Don't read any books in the genre you are thinking about writing, you wouldn't want to accidentally steal anyone's ideas.
5) Redecorate office area. Once your writing setting is perfect you know you'll have the next best seller.
Or, you know, if you actually want to write a book, pretty much don't follow the advice above, but sit down and write. Write for five minutes a day. Ten minutes. Write when you are stuck, even if it seems clunky and silly, it can always be taken out later when you revise. Write until you find the ending of your story. And then revise. And revise again. Good luck.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving
It's that time of year again. When we eat lots of food, gather with family, and contemplate what we are thankful for.
So, here are some things I'm thankful for.
1) My family. This is tops on the list for all sorts of reasons. Tomorrow I'll get to see some of my extended family and since they are all amazing people, I know a good time will be had by all.
2) My writing partners. Writing can be solitary - it is just you and your keyboard (or pen and paper if you are old school) but having people to bounce ideas off of, to share ups and downs, to read rough drafts and generally cheer you on - that is vital.
3) The Internet. Okay, I'll admit, it's shiny and can be a huge time suck. But without it I wouldn't have found my writing partners - or for that matter my publishers
4) My publishers - because they allowed me to get my stories out there where people can read them.
5) Good books. Because everything is better with a good story.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
So, here are some things I'm thankful for.
1) My family. This is tops on the list for all sorts of reasons. Tomorrow I'll get to see some of my extended family and since they are all amazing people, I know a good time will be had by all.
2) My writing partners. Writing can be solitary - it is just you and your keyboard (or pen and paper if you are old school) but having people to bounce ideas off of, to share ups and downs, to read rough drafts and generally cheer you on - that is vital.
3) The Internet. Okay, I'll admit, it's shiny and can be a huge time suck. But without it I wouldn't have found my writing partners - or for that matter my publishers
4) My publishers - because they allowed me to get my stories out there where people can read them.
5) Good books. Because everything is better with a good story.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
NaNoWriMo Time Again
It's that time of year again - when the world is suddenly full of novelists trying to get in fifty thousand words before the end of November.
I've participated in NaNoWriMo several times, and all but one made the goal (the year I didn't, I got the flu and lost my momentum). This year I won't be participating because I'm in the middle of too many other projects to have it make any sense for me, but here are a few tips for those of you who are giving it a go.
1) Have a plan. You don't necessarily have to have your entire story plotted out and outlined, but you should know where you want to end up. Much easier to get someplace if you know where that place is.
2) Don't worry about editing - that's one of the major rules of NaNoWriMo - no editing - just write forward. Keep going. Don't worry about what you've already written, you can fix that later. Keep the story moving forward.
3) Connect with other writers - whether you attend a local write-in - or just cheer on your buddies when they post their daily word counts. The added incentive of other people doing the same thing, and being able to see how you are progressing are great ways to keep you motivated
4) Don't fear writer's block. When you get stuck, just write through it. You don't know what to write? Describe what the characters are having for breakfast or the room they are sitting in. Don't worry if it is nonsense, it can come out later when you edit, but if you keep writing you'll find the story again. It's there, waiting for you.
5) Have fun with it!
Happy Writing!
I've participated in NaNoWriMo several times, and all but one made the goal (the year I didn't, I got the flu and lost my momentum). This year I won't be participating because I'm in the middle of too many other projects to have it make any sense for me, but here are a few tips for those of you who are giving it a go.
1) Have a plan. You don't necessarily have to have your entire story plotted out and outlined, but you should know where you want to end up. Much easier to get someplace if you know where that place is.
2) Don't worry about editing - that's one of the major rules of NaNoWriMo - no editing - just write forward. Keep going. Don't worry about what you've already written, you can fix that later. Keep the story moving forward.
3) Connect with other writers - whether you attend a local write-in - or just cheer on your buddies when they post their daily word counts. The added incentive of other people doing the same thing, and being able to see how you are progressing are great ways to keep you motivated
4) Don't fear writer's block. When you get stuck, just write through it. You don't know what to write? Describe what the characters are having for breakfast or the room they are sitting in. Don't worry if it is nonsense, it can come out later when you edit, but if you keep writing you'll find the story again. It's there, waiting for you.
5) Have fun with it!
Happy Writing!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Release Week!
So, the third book in my series is now available in ebook, and the print versions should be available any day now. This is pretty exciting stuff.
In the first book, Ali wants to be famous, like her mother, and with the help of a video blog and a viral video she gets what she wants. Only it turns out to not be quite what she thought it would be... isn't that always the case.
In the first book, Ali wants to be famous, like her mother, and with the help of a video blog and a viral video she gets what she wants. Only it turns out to not be quite what she thought it would be... isn't that always the case.
In the second book, Ali is ready to leave fame behind her, but notoriety follows her when her young half-brother disappears while she is watching him. Ali has to find her brother while dealing with constant media attention.
So, that's the recap of the first two and, as a special treat, they are both on sale at most e-book outlets for this week, in order to celebrate the arrival of book three.
And now we come to the third (but not yet final) book in the series. This time Ali has to prove her innocence when accused of being part of a cheating ring at school. You just know after the first two books, that things couldn't possibly go without a hitch for her, right?
So, I'm going to hope that this has convinced you to read a bit about Ali, if you haven't already. In the meantime, I'm going to sit back and enjoy my release week!
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Back To School - Back To Routine
It's back to school day in our house today. Can't say anyone is too happy about it. It's also a little bittersweet. This is my daughter's Senior year of high school. This is the last public school first day she's going to have.
And as much as I've enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere of the summer (by which I mean specifically not having to make sure my 14-year-old is up at a specific time) I am looking forward to getting back to a writing routine.
August was particularly unproductive, largely because I spent a lot of time not home, between vacation and college visits. But now things will revert to routine and I can get productive again. I've got several projects to work on. My fourth Ali book is waiting a final read-through and edit before handing it in to my publisher. I have another book that needs to move beyond the first draft state and get gussied up in revisions, and right now I'm working on a first draft of another book. Routine will do me good.
In other news, and another reason to be happy about September, my third Ali book, HONESTLY, ALI will be available very soon. Saw a concept cover today and can't wait to share the final product. In HONESTLY, ALI, Ali finds herself dealing with a lot of academic and friend issues it's a perfect back to school read.
Hope you all have a productive September!
And as much as I've enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere of the summer (by which I mean specifically not having to make sure my 14-year-old is up at a specific time) I am looking forward to getting back to a writing routine.
August was particularly unproductive, largely because I spent a lot of time not home, between vacation and college visits. But now things will revert to routine and I can get productive again. I've got several projects to work on. My fourth Ali book is waiting a final read-through and edit before handing it in to my publisher. I have another book that needs to move beyond the first draft state and get gussied up in revisions, and right now I'm working on a first draft of another book. Routine will do me good.
In other news, and another reason to be happy about September, my third Ali book, HONESTLY, ALI will be available very soon. Saw a concept cover today and can't wait to share the final product. In HONESTLY, ALI, Ali finds herself dealing with a lot of academic and friend issues it's a perfect back to school read.
Hope you all have a productive September!
And as a bonus back-to-school picture from when the kids were still in elementary school.
How time flies! (My son is now a head taller than his sister)Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Forcing the Classics
It's happened to everyone. At least I feel fairly safe in assuming that. A book is assigned in school - or perhaps for summer reading, and you have to force your way through it. Maybe you skim it. Maybe you don't read it at all. You decide that it is the most horrid thing ever written and can't figure out why anyone would want to read this book, or anything by this author ever.
Chances are the book in question was a classic.
Classic starts to equate in your mind to "boring."
You see other books labeled "classic" and you ignore them, because you have learned that classic equals boring.
But what if the book in question wasn't really boring? What if it wasn't poorly written? What if you, as student, were just not ready for the insights the book revealed about human nature.
What if.
What if you read the book years later as an adult and are amazed at the power of the language, at the imagery at the depths of the insight?
What if you get it when you are an adult?
But what if you never pick the book back up, because you've already read (or skimmed) it and already know it's boring. Why then, you'll be missing out on something big, and you'll never know it.
My daughter had to read All Quiet on the Western Front in 7th grade. She hated it. I'm pretty sure I read it in high school and thought it was boring. I just re-read it last week and loved it.
I understand the desire of teachers to want to introduce their students to a variety of literature. I get that. But sometimes I think we do students a disservice by forcing them to read books they are not ready for.
Is there an easy answer to this? Probably not. But I do think we have to stop making reading novels feel so much like work, and let it be fun. This is one of the reasons why YA literature is so important for kids. It's something that they're much more apt to get. It's something that can be fun. And when something is fun you want to do more of it.
And reading should be fun.
And classics are fun too - but not when read at the wrong time.
So, what is your take on this - are we ruining classics for students by forcing them to read them when they don't really understand them, or are we making sure they leave school with a well-rounded introduction to literature. And does it have to be one or the other?
Chances are the book in question was a classic.
Classic starts to equate in your mind to "boring."
You see other books labeled "classic" and you ignore them, because you have learned that classic equals boring.
But what if the book in question wasn't really boring? What if it wasn't poorly written? What if you, as student, were just not ready for the insights the book revealed about human nature.
What if.
What if you read the book years later as an adult and are amazed at the power of the language, at the imagery at the depths of the insight?
What if you get it when you are an adult?
But what if you never pick the book back up, because you've already read (or skimmed) it and already know it's boring. Why then, you'll be missing out on something big, and you'll never know it.
My daughter had to read All Quiet on the Western Front in 7th grade. She hated it. I'm pretty sure I read it in high school and thought it was boring. I just re-read it last week and loved it.
I understand the desire of teachers to want to introduce their students to a variety of literature. I get that. But sometimes I think we do students a disservice by forcing them to read books they are not ready for.
Is there an easy answer to this? Probably not. But I do think we have to stop making reading novels feel so much like work, and let it be fun. This is one of the reasons why YA literature is so important for kids. It's something that they're much more apt to get. It's something that can be fun. And when something is fun you want to do more of it.
And reading should be fun.
And classics are fun too - but not when read at the wrong time.
So, what is your take on this - are we ruining classics for students by forcing them to read them when they don't really understand them, or are we making sure they leave school with a well-rounded introduction to literature. And does it have to be one or the other?
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Reusing Characters
Have you ever had a character you really like in a story that just didn't seem to go anywhere? Ditch the story. Keep the character.
I had a character like that show up in my Ali story. I'd written another story that I liked, but knew it needed a lot of work, and maybe a plot in order to really be something I could get other people to read. But I really liked my main character, Hannah Franklin. The story was that Hannah had grown up on TV along with her brothers and sisters in a family drama, the Flanagans. Her mother played the mother, her father was their base of reality. The show ended when half of her family was killed in a plane crash, effectively ending the show. The thing is that Hannah so identified with being Hannah Flanagan that sometimes it was hard to simply live her life as Hannah Franklin. That was the backstory. The story itself had her going to college and dealing with these things. Like I said, it needed a plot.
Then I was doing a major re-write of my Ali story, changing some of the characters out and freshening it up and realized that Hannah, minus the dead family, could be one of Ali's dormmates at boarding school. The thing is, that a child starting out on TV playing a very small child on a show is most likely to be played by twins. So, Hannah got split into two people, Heather and Lily. They grew up splitting the role of Hannah Flanagan. Heather still wants to be on TV, Lily is done with it. These two characters have added a great dimension to my Ali stories and I'm so glad they didn't just wither away in an unusable story.
What characters from a story stored in a drawer can you bring new life to?
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Writing a Series
When I was in high school I started writing a story about a girl named Casey. The story didn't have a particular beginning or end, it just sort of meandered from episode to episode through Casey's four years of high school. I still have those notebooks and the comments my friends made in the margins (my first critique group). And while a lot happened and technically I had it broken down into four books, it wasn't really a true series.
Fast forward many years and the story of Casey has morphed into Reality Ali. It's no longer simply a series of events but a story with a plot and a beginning and a middle and an end.
I'm done. I'm happy.
But then I realize that maybe, I can write more stories about Ali - after all, I had all those notebooks of Casey stories, certainly I can write more about Ali. So I present my idea to the publisher and she agrees. Three more books are contracted for.
This is different than simply writing what happens next in Ali's story, like I used to do for Casey. Each book needs a plot. A beginning, a middle and an end (this is more complicated than it might seem at first glance). And the books have to fit into the whole.
Lights, Camera, Ali came out last year and the third book, Honestly, Ali will be out later this year.
So now I'm on the fourth book, tentatively titled Always, Ali.
There are challenges to writing a series that I didn't anticipate when I started. Things that I want to do now, but can't, because they weren't done that way in the first book. Everything has to fit into the world I've already created. It's a fascinating restriction, because I love the world I've created, it's just hard to remember that even though I created it, I can't simply alter the rules, at least without some explanation.
The great part about writing a series, though, is being able to spend more time with characters I love. The characters of Ali and her brother Mark are two of my favorites and it always feels so comfortable and easy to write scenes for them because I know the characters so well.
Working on this as a series, has been a wonderful experience. I learn more with each book. And am so glad I get to spend more time with these characters.
What challenges and adventures have you faced while writing?
Fast forward many years and the story of Casey has morphed into Reality Ali. It's no longer simply a series of events but a story with a plot and a beginning and a middle and an end.
I'm done. I'm happy.
But then I realize that maybe, I can write more stories about Ali - after all, I had all those notebooks of Casey stories, certainly I can write more about Ali. So I present my idea to the publisher and she agrees. Three more books are contracted for.
This is different than simply writing what happens next in Ali's story, like I used to do for Casey. Each book needs a plot. A beginning, a middle and an end (this is more complicated than it might seem at first glance). And the books have to fit into the whole.
Lights, Camera, Ali came out last year and the third book, Honestly, Ali will be out later this year.
So now I'm on the fourth book, tentatively titled Always, Ali.
There are challenges to writing a series that I didn't anticipate when I started. Things that I want to do now, but can't, because they weren't done that way in the first book. Everything has to fit into the world I've already created. It's a fascinating restriction, because I love the world I've created, it's just hard to remember that even though I created it, I can't simply alter the rules, at least without some explanation.
The great part about writing a series, though, is being able to spend more time with characters I love. The characters of Ali and her brother Mark are two of my favorites and it always feels so comfortable and easy to write scenes for them because I know the characters so well.
Working on this as a series, has been a wonderful experience. I learn more with each book. And am so glad I get to spend more time with these characters.
What challenges and adventures have you faced while writing?
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Making Characters Come Alive
There is still so much about writing that I'm learning. I'm always learning, everyone is. But one thing I've been working on lately is making my characters, including the minor characters be more than one dimensional cut outs.
How to do this?
There are a couple of ways. One, for characters who play a significant role in my story I go online and find pictures of what I think that person looks like. Now I have a concrete visual that I can use in description.
Another way is to find out things about the character, even if it does not seem relevant to the story line. What job does the person have? What sports do they like? What things do they carry around in their pockets? What music do they listen to? The more I know about my characters the more real they become and the easier it is to make them come alive on page.
As a very minor example. In my newest book, Honestly, Ali, leaves the headmaster's office and runs past the secretary at her desk. I could have just left it at that. It's a minor point, but I describe it this way.
How to do this?
There are a couple of ways. One, for characters who play a significant role in my story I go online and find pictures of what I think that person looks like. Now I have a concrete visual that I can use in description.
Another way is to find out things about the character, even if it does not seem relevant to the story line. What job does the person have? What sports do they like? What things do they carry around in their pockets? What music do they listen to? The more I know about my characters the more real they become and the easier it is to make them come alive on page.
As a very minor example. In my newest book, Honestly, Ali, leaves the headmaster's office and runs past the secretary at her desk. I could have just left it at that. It's a minor point, but I describe it this way.
I hurried out, through the outer office, past Mrs. King who always had a smile for everyone and a big bowl of candy on her desk.
This tells us something, however small about Mrs. King and makes her more real.
A tactic I use with major characters is to have them tell me who they are. I assign them an essay entitled "Who I Am". What the character tells me in that essay doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the story at hand, but it gives me a better feel for who the character is over all.
For example, the fact that although Ali's mother is a movie-star, Ali is fashion-challenged, is a running joke throughout all the Ali books. In fact the first book starts with Ali realizing that her Mickey Mouse t-shirt may not have been the best choice to wear on that particular day. It's a minor point, but it helps to keep Ali real throughout the books.
What tactics do you use to make your characters come alive?
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
The Glory and Agony of First Drafts
I love first drafts.
I hate first drafts.
It's a bit of a complicated relationship.
I love being able to have the freedom to go wherever I want with a new story and a new idea. The characters aren't locked into set patterns yet. Anything is possible.
But when anything is possible sometimes it's hard to figure out which way to go, which direction to take the story.
And then, at least for me, I always get to a part in the story - maybe about a third of the way in, where I'm convinced it's the most horrible thing ever written and there really is no point in going on anymore.
Usually I manage to muddle through that part and get back to the fun of inventing new twists and turns. And it is fun to create like that. It's one of the things I love about writing.
I also love the refining part, where I take the rough first draft and turn it into something that I might actually want someone else to read.
Right now I'm working on one story in first draft and it's just a little past the part where I'm convinced it's the most awful thing ever. I've muddled through the rough patch.
I also will be doing final edits shortly, for the third Ali book - Honestly, Ali! I'm so excited to have another Ali book coming out. The fourth Ali book is still in first draft form, waiting for me to turn it into something fun and glamorous. So I've got stories in all phases. Life is good.
First drafts can be the most fun though.
But, sometimes I really hate them.
What is your favorite or least favorite part of writing? First draft, revision, plotting? And why?
I hate first drafts.
It's a bit of a complicated relationship.
I love being able to have the freedom to go wherever I want with a new story and a new idea. The characters aren't locked into set patterns yet. Anything is possible.
But when anything is possible sometimes it's hard to figure out which way to go, which direction to take the story.
And then, at least for me, I always get to a part in the story - maybe about a third of the way in, where I'm convinced it's the most horrible thing ever written and there really is no point in going on anymore.
Usually I manage to muddle through that part and get back to the fun of inventing new twists and turns. And it is fun to create like that. It's one of the things I love about writing.
I also love the refining part, where I take the rough first draft and turn it into something that I might actually want someone else to read.
Right now I'm working on one story in first draft and it's just a little past the part where I'm convinced it's the most awful thing ever. I've muddled through the rough patch.
I also will be doing final edits shortly, for the third Ali book - Honestly, Ali! I'm so excited to have another Ali book coming out. The fourth Ali book is still in first draft form, waiting for me to turn it into something fun and glamorous. So I've got stories in all phases. Life is good.
First drafts can be the most fun though.
But, sometimes I really hate them.
What is your favorite or least favorite part of writing? First draft, revision, plotting? And why?
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Reaching Those Goals
New Year's resolutions have been made. Maybe they've been kept, maybe not. Perhaps they've become a new habit for the new year, perhaps they've been forgotten.
It's easy to always make resolutions and set goals for ourselves. It's not always easy to stick to it. This is not ground-breaking stuff - most people would agree (I would say everyone would agree, but I'm sure there's someone out there who finds sticking to their resolutions and achieving their goals easy, though I never met the person).
One of the places where I set goals for myself is in my writing. That's one of the reasons why I like NaNoWriMo so much. The website provides a place to publicly track how much I've written. Because I like to feel like an achiever, I find it inspiring to have to keep track like that. Consequently I am able to meet the word count goal for November.
Then December comes with Christmas preparations.
Then January and family birthdays.
And suddenly I'm trying to remember what it was like to stick to a regular writing schedule.
But the other day a friend pointed me toward a new website. MyWriteClub. It has just what I liked best about NaNoWriMo a place to set goals and keep track of them. You can also see your friends' goals and cheer them on with comments.
It's new and still in Beta so I'm sure more features will be coming soon. But for now, I've found a way to help me keep track of my writing goals in the New Year (though snow days this week seem to be messing with me). If you want to join and be my friend I'm Christine_Marciniak.
Happy Writing.
It's easy to always make resolutions and set goals for ourselves. It's not always easy to stick to it. This is not ground-breaking stuff - most people would agree (I would say everyone would agree, but I'm sure there's someone out there who finds sticking to their resolutions and achieving their goals easy, though I never met the person).
One of the places where I set goals for myself is in my writing. That's one of the reasons why I like NaNoWriMo so much. The website provides a place to publicly track how much I've written. Because I like to feel like an achiever, I find it inspiring to have to keep track like that. Consequently I am able to meet the word count goal for November.
Then December comes with Christmas preparations.
Then January and family birthdays.
And suddenly I'm trying to remember what it was like to stick to a regular writing schedule.
But the other day a friend pointed me toward a new website. MyWriteClub. It has just what I liked best about NaNoWriMo a place to set goals and keep track of them. You can also see your friends' goals and cheer them on with comments.
It's new and still in Beta so I'm sure more features will be coming soon. But for now, I've found a way to help me keep track of my writing goals in the New Year (though snow days this week seem to be messing with me). If you want to join and be my friend I'm Christine_Marciniak.
Happy Writing.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Being Thankful
I suppose it's a little bit cliched to write about being thankful the day before Thanksgiving. But, too bad, I'm going to do it anyway.
So, here are a few things I am thankful for (and lets just assume that the top of the list is my family and my friends and my health, etc and go from there, shall we?)
1) Writing buddies. There's nothing like having someone you trust read your work and give feedback. It's a vital part of my writing process.
2) NaNoWriMo. This month long push to write 50,000 words has gotten me through a few first drafts of stories, when I might have stopped part way through, frustrated that the story was not going where I wanted. By forcing myself to push through, I found the story again.
3) Libraries. I could never afford to buy as many books as I would like to read (as much as I'd like to own them all).
4) The Internet and the way it helps me stay connected with far-flung friends and family.
5) Nice travel days (and it looks like we won't have one today as we head off to family in another state) - so I'll be thankful my car is in decent shape - and I'll be really thankful if we arrive there in a timely fashion.
Happy Thanksgiving.
So, here are a few things I am thankful for (and lets just assume that the top of the list is my family and my friends and my health, etc and go from there, shall we?)
1) Writing buddies. There's nothing like having someone you trust read your work and give feedback. It's a vital part of my writing process.
2) NaNoWriMo. This month long push to write 50,000 words has gotten me through a few first drafts of stories, when I might have stopped part way through, frustrated that the story was not going where I wanted. By forcing myself to push through, I found the story again.
3) Libraries. I could never afford to buy as many books as I would like to read (as much as I'd like to own them all).
4) The Internet and the way it helps me stay connected with far-flung friends and family.
5) Nice travel days (and it looks like we won't have one today as we head off to family in another state) - so I'll be thankful my car is in decent shape - and I'll be really thankful if we arrive there in a timely fashion.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
October and Haunted Houses
And what does this have to do with writing?
The kids team up in groups of about six and have to come up with the "story" for their room in the haunted house. Last year the overall them
e was Circus - so within that they needed to create and decorate and figure out a way to scare the customers.
This year the theme is "expect the unexpected". So each team is going to have to come up with something for their room based on that parameter.
But isn't that simply great story telling. Expect the unexpected.
What is going to happen next? What does the reader expect is going to happen next? Do something different. Keep them guessing, keep them wanting more, don't let the story telling become complacent.
Expect the Unexpected. And maybe throw in some creepy clowns to really get things going.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
First Day of School
Freshly sharpened pencils.
Notebooks that aren't ragged and torn.
The excitement of finding out who your teachers are and who is going to be in your class.
Seeing friends again after a summer apart.
As adults there is a lot of nostalgia associated with the first day of school. As students, the excitement is certainly tempered with a bit more of "here we go again" and "can't vacation last just a little bit longer?"
This year I have two students heading off to high school today. One a Junior and the other a Freshman. They both had multiple summer assignments due the first day of school. The freshman finished his yesterday. This summer wasn't really the nostalgic break from school that I remember.
When I dropped my son off at the school yesterday evening for band practice, the place was hopping. School doesn't start until today, but the cheerleaders were out practicing, as was the football team and the soccer team -- and that's just what I could see.
For a lot of students there isn't a clear line drawn between the school year and summer break. They more or less blend together.
It seems that in books, if it's summer, the students aren't busy with school work. Maybe there's some mention of some required reading being put off until later, but generally speaking summer adventures and romances seem to happen without any interference from the real world of school.
High school is a huge part of a teen's life, even when school is not officially in session. Teens may try to wish it away, and books (when they have the free time to read them) may give them that escape, but they also might find themselves wondering, as my daughter did. "How come no one in books ever spends their summer doing summer assignments?"
Happy Back to School everyone.
Notebooks that aren't ragged and torn.
The excitement of finding out who your teachers are and who is going to be in your class.
Seeing friends again after a summer apart.
As adults there is a lot of nostalgia associated with the first day of school. As students, the excitement is certainly tempered with a bit more of "here we go again" and "can't vacation last just a little bit longer?"
This year I have two students heading off to high school today. One a Junior and the other a Freshman. They both had multiple summer assignments due the first day of school. The freshman finished his yesterday. This summer wasn't really the nostalgic break from school that I remember.
When I dropped my son off at the school yesterday evening for band practice, the place was hopping. School doesn't start until today, but the cheerleaders were out practicing, as was the football team and the soccer team -- and that's just what I could see.
For a lot of students there isn't a clear line drawn between the school year and summer break. They more or less blend together.
It seems that in books, if it's summer, the students aren't busy with school work. Maybe there's some mention of some required reading being put off until later, but generally speaking summer adventures and romances seem to happen without any interference from the real world of school.
High school is a huge part of a teen's life, even when school is not officially in session. Teens may try to wish it away, and books (when they have the free time to read them) may give them that escape, but they also might find themselves wondering, as my daughter did. "How come no one in books ever spends their summer doing summer assignments?"
Happy Back to School everyone.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Lights, Camera, Ali!
Ali Caldwell is the daughter of millionaire Thomas Caldwell, and movie star Margo Schaefer. Her parents divorced when she was small and she lives with her father, who diligently guards the privacy of Ali and her older brother, Mark. He is so careful of their privacy, that no one even knows that Margo Schaefer has children other than the five-year-old triplets that show up everywhere with her and her second husband.
In the first book, REALITY ALI, Ali is starting boarding school, and decides that now is the time to finally try to be famous just like her mother. Without giving too much away, because if you haven't already read it, you're going to want to, and I don't want to spoil the ending for you, let's just say that things don't really go the way she had hoped.
Now we come to book two, LIGHTS, CAMERA, ALI! It's Thanksgiving break and Ali and her brother are heading to their mother's, in California, for the holiday. Ali is not looking forward to it. She has decided that fame is something she wants to stay far away from, and she knows that where her mother is, media attention is never far behind. Determined to make the most of it, however, she and her brother and friends take the triplets on an outing. Things go horribly wrong, when one of the triplets disappears. Ali needs to find her brother, and even eventually learn how to make the media work for her, instead of against her.
I'm currently working on the third book in the series, tentatively titled HONESTLY, ALI. I won't give anything away on that one, because as a work in progress, pretty much everything is subject to change.
So that is my shameless plug for my Ali books. Meet Ali, read her stories, hopefully you'll like her as much as I do.
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