Maureen Ulrich's Blog, page 2

On Point of View

I have decided to start offering some writing tips in my blog. I'll try to do this on a weekly basis and will post this on my website as well. Also, if you have read any of the Jessie Mac books and would like to send me a picture of you (or maybe just your hockey equipment!) with one of the books, I will use these to promote the series on FB, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Sound like fun?

Okay, back to point of view. For the Jessie Mac series, I used one point of view exclusively - Jessie's. First person. This allowed me the freedom to explore Jessie's thoughts and really get "inside her head."

In the novel I am currently working on, I use a number of different viewpoints: Gabrielle, Damon, other important secondary characters, and occasionally a minor character. From feedback I have gotten from my writing groups, I know I tread on dangerous territory in doing this. It isn't easy to get to know my main characters if I stay "out of their heads" for too long. It also is more difficulty for readers to stay connected and care about my major players if I don't keep them front and centre. Consequently, I have gone back and inserted additional chapters from Gabrielle's and Damon's viewpoints.

I believe -- and you can disagree with me if you like -- a chapter or chapter section (set off by * * * or quadruple spacing or whatever) should be devoted entirely to one character's viewpoint. I have seen other more skilled writers (like Sharon Butala)incorporate several viewpoints in a single chapter, but I have not reached that point of proficiency in my own writing.

That's it for this week. Next week I will address physical description. See you then!

On the Usefulness of Husbands

Randy and I were on a long road trip last week. Once we had exhausted our typical list of conversation topics, I took a risk and asked him if he would like to hear a little of Stranger. He agreed, so I read him the first fifteen chapters. It was a worthwhile exercise on many levels. It gave me a chance to see some of the inconsistencies (er - herm, lies) I had previously missed. Secondly he gave me some really good feedback and helped me rework a scene or two. Finally, it was a great confidence booster in this problematic manuscript. I'm still hovering at 62 000 words and realizing once again that there are many chapters which need to be inserted to flesh this out. Back to the drawing board . . .

Research

Did some research today on the "Secret Project." Answers to questions always lead to more questions and more . . . research.

Revisions

It always feels great to go back to a piece you've written, certain that it's all crap, and realize, just by eliminating a few sentences, it's not that bad at all!

A New Project

Starting down the road of writing my first nonfiction publication. Exciting and scary at the same time!

Up the Beanstalk

I haven't written a children's play, until now. I based the script on my memories of Story Theatre, one of my favourite television shows when I was growing up (in the last century). Writing Up the Beanstalk was great fun, and I hope to see it produced this summer. If not, the experience has inspired me to further explore this genre.

On The Voice

It waits until I am done a thousand words before whispering, "You know this is all crap, don't you?"

On An Arrow to the Heart

Didn't know Gabrielle had it in her.

On Paradise

So here I am in Maui, enjoying the sun and the surf, as and Gabrielle and Damon are about to embark on a five month sojourn in the redwoods and possibly-- if they are really lucky--a cave. Nuts for them!

Apologies

Somehow I ended up with two Goodreads accounts. I have deleted the more recent one. If you are feeling slighted, I will be happy to add you as a friend on this account.