Category Archives: Writing

June 27, 2012 · 6:00 am

Aw, Man! Can’t I Just Call It “Work In Progress” Forever?

Titles.

Sometimes they are tricky and you’re still hashing it out long after you’ve written The End.

Other times they come to you before you’ve even constructed a single line of prose.

Don’t you always want yours to be brilliant, catchy, and meaningful?

Maybe you’re a long title person. (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day)

Maybe you’re a one-worder. (Twilight)

I’m currently reading Crafting Novels & Short Stories: Everything You Need to Know to Write Great Fiction.

One of the first things suggested by the authors (a collection of Writer’s Digest authors), even before you’ve written anything, is that you give your WIP a title.

A working title. A title that distinguishes your work from everything else saved on your computer and, at best, gives you some idea of what you’re writing about.

Check. I do that. I think most probably do.

But it’s kind of like naming a kid. Once I’ve called it something, it’s really difficult for me to change it. At least in my mind.

I’m sure some of you out there are more relaxed. One day you’re calling your story “The Zombie Apocalypse” and they next day it’s re-titled “Everything’s Coming Up Worms.”

I know authors who’ve had their titles changed at the prompting of their editors. I think that’s probably a weird feeling– wanting to do what’s best for the story and letting go of the name you gave it.

I wish we could do this for humans–suggest they change the names of their children. After all, it’s in the best interest and for the future success of the child. (No child should ever be called Earl. Or Floyd. Or Lurlene. Just sayin’.)

Nine times out of ten, during the writing stage, my title is just that–working. It changes several times before I finally pin down the perfect one.

Most of the time the title comes to me during the writing process, most likely when I’m at least 1/2 through my manuscript.

Once–just once–the title came to me first.

Share with me: How do titles work for you? Do they come to you before, during, or after your story? Are they tricky, or does the perfect title arrive wrapped in a shiny bow?

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Tagged as title, WIP, writing

June 20, 2012 · 6:00 am

What Your Character’s Wheels Say About How He Rolls

I read an article the other day that stated that you can tell a lot about a woman’s personality based on her shoes.

I think that’s probably true. But I believe the same is true about a vehicle.

I drive a car similar to this one.

Toyota Highlander

I love my small SUV. I’ve got kids, so it’s big enough to hold us and all our stuff. And I will not drive a mini-van. I will not.

You can tell a lot about a character in a book based on what kind of vehicle they drive.

When I write, I take a little bit of time to consider my character’s method of transportation, because it needs to fit with his or her personality.

It’s an important part of character development. If you write your character with well defined traits, you can throw off your reader if you don’t have those traits match the physical things in your character’s world.

For example, my highfaluting snob of a business exec isn’t going to drive a 4-wheel drive pick-up with mud flaps.

Here are some vehicles with personalities to match for your consideration.

The Audi TT Coupe. For the spy in your life. He’s mysterious with a need for speed.

The Ford F-150. For the rugged outdoorsman. Cowboy-esque.

The Subaru Outback. For the granola-loving hiker who tends to see overabundance everywhere.

The Toyota Prius. For the up-and-coming businessman who’s also an environmentalist.

The Jaguar XJ. For the CEO, lawyer, or wanna be.

What about the ladies?

The Chrysler Town and Country. It screams Soccer Mom.

The Honda Accord. For the practical young woman who still wants to remain stylish.

The Honda CRV. A small SUV that says “I don’t need a man, but if I find one, there’s room for kids.”

Share with me: Two questions for you today. 1. Pick a recent manuscript. What do your hero and heroine drive, and what do the vehicles you’ve chosen for them say about their personalities? 2. What do YOU drive and what does it say about you?

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Filed under Writing

Tagged as cars, character traits, characters, chracter development

June 6, 2012 · 6:00 am

What Makes A Lady?

I love this photo.

I think it’s true.

Although, I don’t think guys are off the hook from being a gentleman just because a girl isn’t acting like a lady.

But that’s not where I want to go with this.

Instead, I pose the following question: What makes a lady?

When creating a heroine, one has to consider a lot of different characteristics and traits. Let’s face it–not all of them are ladylike.

Other things we consider: We want our heroines to be strong. We want them to have the ability to overcome any obstacle.

At the same time, we want them to be vulnerable enough to be loved.

And I don’t think the “lady” is just for historical novels. No, no. I think creating a woman who is also a lady is very do-able in contemporary fiction.

But in our society, we tend to think “lady-likeness” is reserved for years gone by.

How can we do it better in contemporary novels?

Share with me: What does it mean to be a lady? Give an example of a fictional character OR someone in your life who was a great example of what it means to be a lady and why you think so.