Kellyn Roth's Blog: Kellyn Roth, Author, page 64

Something Everyone Needs to Know

Read this article; watch the video. Please, I’m begging you!

“It shouldn’t be hard to tell a 5’9” white guy that he’s not a 6’5” Chinese woman, but clearly, it is. Why? What does that say about our culture? And what does that say about our ability to answer questions that actually are difficult?” ~Joseph Backholm

“Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.” ~Matthew 13:14-16

Also, I suggest you read this article on the Babylon Bee.

Annoyed and worried,

~Kellyn Roth

Plot Construction 101: Inciting Incident

My new and improved graphic! Made it myself! *bows*

 

Hello, all! Well, it’s time for the next episode in Plot Construction 101, which is basically me summarizing all the stuff you knew, and I didn’t until I started researching it recently because I was having trouble with Ivy Introspective.

Today we’ll be talking about the inciting incident.

Rising action usually starts with an inciting incident. The inciting incident is the push that gets the novel started; the event that upsets or changes the main character’s life in some way.

Examples of inciting incidents:

In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen’s beloved sister Prim’s name is drawn; Katniss offers herself in Prim’s place.
In Pride and Prejudice (oh, I love that book), very eligible bachelor Mr. Bingley buys a home in the neighborhood; Mrs. Bennet obviously wants one of her daughters to marry him!
In The Secret Garden, a horrible epidemic sweeps India, causing the death of Mary Lennox’s parents and Ayah. Mistress Mary must go live with her hunchbacked uncle in dreary old England.
In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is meets Gandolf, an old wizard who seems determined to upset his peace and take him on an adventure.

Inciting incidents usually occur in one scene or chapter towards the start of the book. In The Dressmaker’s Secret, it occurs on page nine; it can happen a little later in some novels, though not too much later; you don’t want to drag a reader through pages of endless introduction.

The Inciting Incident in The Dressmaker’s Secret

“Does she have a name?” asked Helena, picking up a large, beautiful doll from where she sat on a little chair in the corner.

“Yes, Melinda.” Alice passed a teacup to her. “We might have a party.”

“But it was teatime hours ago. We’re lucky we’re not in bed like we would’ve been at home,” said Faith, setting a second teacup that Alice had just given her aside.

“Let’s put the dollies to bed then,” Rosalind suggested.

They did and then Helena said, “Now, our papa would come in and kiss us good night.”

“Does your papa come every night after your mama tucks you in and kiss you?” Faith asked Alice.

“‘Papa?’ What’s a ‘papa?’” Alice asked.

The three girls stared at her.

“Why,” Rosalind replied after a long silence. “Papas love your mama and you.”

“They take care of everything,” Faith continued, “And keep bad people away and make sure nothing will ever hurt you.”

“But they are stern when you are naughty,” Helena warned, cradling a hand that she imagined was still sore from her father’s belt.

“Why, Alice Chattoway, don’t you know what a father is?” Rosalind demanded.

“Oh, yes, fathers!” Comprehension swept over Alice’s face. “Some have them, Mummy says. I don’t.”

“Why, you’ve got to have one!” Faith replied incredulously. “Just about everyone does, I think.”

“I don’t,” Alice insisted.

“Yes, you do. You don’t know who he is!” Helena taunted.

“I don’t have one at all. There’s no need to know him since he doesn’t exist,” Alice said, frowning in confusion. “What do you mean ‘everyone has one?’”

“Everyone does have one,” insisted Faith. “I know, because I asked my mama once and she said so. There’s no one who doesn’t have a father!”

“Why, yes there is. I don’t,” Alice persevered, becoming more and more puzzled by the moment. “We’ll go ask my mother and she will tell you for sure that I don’t.”

“Well, I’ll just ask my mama, and she will say the same as I do,” announced Helena. “Everyone’s got one!”

“Not me,” retorted a flustered, unsure Alice.

What on earth does anyone need a father for? Alice wondered to herself. She had lived eight years quite well without one and was planning to live decades more in the same condition. Faith, Helena, and Rosalind did not – could not! – know what they were talking about!

I might argue that the inciting incident is the most important part of a story. Some inciting incidents are less spectacular than others, but they’re still really important.

I know this wasn’t much of a post, but I’m feeling kind of half-dead today, and so I thought I’d save rising action for a time when I’m not semi-zombified.

Au revoir!

~Kellyn Roth

BIBPC Category #3

Ready for another entry for BIBPC? Well, it doesn’t matter whether you’re ready or not … it’s time!

Just FYI, I’m working on coming up with a better schedule that allows me some wiggle-room. I love wiggle-room … and order … so I’ll need some orderly wiggle-room. I’m sorry; it’s my weird personality.

Category #3: Textures

Water has texture! Isn’t it beautiful? I took it this February when the creek was roaring at its highest, threatening to sweep us away! Nevertheless, my brothers and I waded through it and got soaked and nearly froze! And, since I had my camera, of course I took a thousand pictures … well, 107, but still!

Interview with Kate (the Scatterbrained Seamstress)

Hi, y’all! Did a fun little interview with a friend of mine from the blogging world, Kate (also known as the “Scatterbrained Seamstress.”[image error]

Hello, Kate, glad to have you here today! Are you ready for this?

Ready as I’ll ever be!

Good. Let’s go!

If you met a dragon, what would you do?

First off, I would probably scream because FIRE. Then I would be all excited and take a ton of pictures. And I would end up a burnt crisp in the end for trying to hug the dragon.

What if you woke up in a strange place with your memory erased?

I have no idea. I’d probably be immensely confused and pretty annoyed.

Where would you go if you found a time-traveling machine?

I would go to the past.

What would you do?

I would meet my favorite historical figures from the past.

Who would you meet?

Clementi, J.K. Rowling, Bach, inventor of sewing machine

Do you think you’d get into a lot of trouble there?

I’d probably accidentally become my dad’s love interest (*cough cough* Marty McFly *cough cough*). Not really. I might pull out my phone to take a picture with Bach and mess up the whole time continuum.

Are you writing a book for Camp NaNo this year?

Yes, I’m writing a royalty era/fantasy novel named “Masked Intent.”

What’s it about?

Since I’m really bad at summarising my own novels, here’s the summary:

Melly Aldridge is different. She’s trapped in a life filled with chore upon chore, her only solace the mischievous Samuel who knows Melly better than anyone else. Her parents were hung for treason when she was nine by a King whose son was Melly’s childhood friend. Suddenly, the memories she had buried and tried to forget are upturned, and Melly is forced to return to the palace, the place where her parents were murdered and her heart was broken. But as she learns the secrets of her past and discovers new ones, she must choose between old friendship or new love, adventure or familiarity, and perhaps life or death.

Very vague, I know. You’ll just have to wait until it’s published.

April Character Studies: Faults

Once again, it’s time for Character Studies! As you may know, it’s hosted by Morgan Dusky at Studies in Character. You can find out more about it here.

This month’s theme is Character Faults. I’ll be interviewing George McAllen from The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy. He’ll make an appearance for the first time in the series in Ivy Introspective as Dr. McAllen’s assistant and trainee.

I was going to interview Ivy, but then I realized that I wanted to know more about a different character … and hopefully this will help me.

I’ll be using the questions from both part 1 and part 2.

What are you afraid of?

Saying something at the wrong time. I tend to be way to outspoken. That, and not passing exams. I’m terrified of exams. They’re so … terrifying.

Do you have a temper?

Yes. A pretty bad temper, actually. And I told a grudge afterward. So …

What kind of things would make you lose your temper?

Everything. Seriously, though, I have a ridiculously small amount of patience. And I want to be a doctor. This is going to be a fun life.

If you’re angry, how do you (try to) calm down?

Take deep breaths. Count to ten. Dive into a loch. Am I being sarcastic? Noooooooooooooo.

You’re in an argument with your best friend/significant other.  What’s it about?

I don’t know … I can’t be expected to keep track of all the reasons I started arguments … it’s hard enough remember how I ended them so I can remember what grudges to hold!

What’s your worst habit?

Defenestration. If only I could shake it! Unfortunately, it’s become an addiction. *deep sigh*

If you could change one thing about your appearance, what would it be and why?

I think I need a cleft in my chin. That would perfect my appearance. I may be joking a wee bit … how did you guess?

What about your personality?

I’m sorry, I’m too wonderful to contemplate changes. Maybe I’d have less of a temper. Definitely more patience!

You’re working with a group of people on some kind of object.  What role do you play? Do you like your role?

I’d be the sarcastic guy who has no real purpose except as a comedy relief.

What’s your favorite kind of animal?

Leeches. We use them to bleed our innocent victims. Slowly. Painfully. Not really.

The world ended (literally or figuratively, your choice).  It was your fault.  If it had been an accident, what happened?  If it had been intentional, what happened and why did you do it?

But … all my best friends live in the world!

What is something that would ruin a friendship for you?  Something completely and utterly inexcusable, even if your closest friend did it.

I hate when people lie to me; I expect honesty from those dear to me.

Somebody wants you to do something you don’t like.  What’s the best way for them to get you to do it?

Offer me pie. I’ll do almost anything for pie. Seriously, though, tell me not to.

Somebody is getting on your nerves and you really want them to go away but they don’t seem to get the hint.  What do you do?

Knock him down, if he is a man. Walk away, if she is a woman.

What is, in your opinion, the worst thing you’ve ever done?  What would you have done differently?

Oh, I can think of half a dozen times I’ve lost my temper and regretted it afterward. Of course, then I never apologize, at least not first. If anything, I’d like to go back and apologize quicker. I always regret not apologizing more than I regret losing my temper.

Somebody you used to trust betrayed you in a big way, and then begs for you to forgive them.  Do you and why or why not?  If not, is there something they could do to get you to change your mind?

I grant them forgiveness … grudgingly on the outside, willingly on the inside.

What’s your opinion on lying?  In what situations would you lie?  When do you feel it’s important to tell the truth, no matter how painful it might be?

Lying is awful. I try never to lie, but I think I have before to get myself out of trouble. There is no situation I can think of in which the truth is not better in the long well.

You’re confident that you can do something great.  What could someone do/say to destroy that confidence?  Would you let them know their comment hurt you?

There’s very little that can destroy my confidence. The best way to make me do something is to tell me I can’t.

What’s your opinion on loyalty?

Extremely important. Blood is stronger than water, be true to your clan, et cetera, et cetera.

Do you like the rain?

We get plenty of it here in Scotland, and I’m used to it. I have no opinion whatsoever. Let it rain; it doesn’t bother me one bit.

Well, what did you think? Is he an interesting character? Do you think you could like him despite his faults? Do you think he and mild little Ivy could end up together without going insane? Do you think you’re going to be reading a book with him in it sometime in 2017? I sure hope so!

Plot Construction 101: Exposition

Last week we talked about the basic construction of a plot, The Great Pyramid. This week we’ll be talking about the exposition.

To summarize, an exposition is the beginning – the introduction – of a novel. Here is where you hook your readers. Another word for it is “chapter one.” ;)

Note: exposition doesn’t always happen in chapter one, as my friend Lana pointed out. However, you should introduce the main plot in the first 10% of the novel.

I wrote a quick example of a first chapter, mostly for fun, and because I like showing off my writing.

My example exposition:

 

(Cover by Casey Isarine)

“Are we there yet?” Jessa whimpered, dragging her feet along the ground. She shoved her dark hair out of her light green eyes with both hands. Her mother had decided to grow out her bangs, and the half-grown locks kept escaping from their clips.

“Just a bit longer, baby, just a bit longer,” her mother replied. “Come on; keep up!”

Jessa’s annoyance and self-pity deepened. A five-year-old shouldn’t be forced to walk such a long way! Why, they’d left their horse behind nearly – she glanced back – five yards behind them.

“I promise it’ll be worth it,” the Queen Alici assured her. Jessa sighed. Her mother must be wrong about that. Nothing was worth bouncing around for half an hour on the top of that big, frightening horse. Why couldn’t she have taken Havi, Jessa’s big sister, instead? Havi was seven; Havi was the crowned princess; Havi was the pretty one. Besides, seven-year-olds don’t have such short legs as five-year-olds.

The sun filtered through the green leaves above, creating a beautiful pattern on the queen’s golden hair, her white skin. They stepped out into a little clearing with a stream trickling through it. She turned to her daughter.

“Jessa … promise me you won’t tell anyone about what I’m going to show you today.”

She thought about this for a minute before replying. “I won’t. I promise,” she whispered sincerely.

“All right, then. Don’t be frightened.” She raised her right hand to the sky and closed her eyes.

Jessa jumped back with a little screech when her mother’s fingertips began to glow yellow. Butterflies swirled around the queen, resting on her hair, her clothing. A gentle breeze rushed forward and wove around her, bending the grass in her direction, and, with a snap of her fingers, a cloud above her swirled into the shape of a flower.

Realization came over Jessa, and in that moment she knew that her life could never be the same, for not only had the queen discovered something marvelous, but she had chosen to share it with her.

Alici was gifted.

What did I [try to] introduce in this short first chapter?

The main character, Jessa. Granted, she’s a lot younger than she will be in the rest of the novel, but she’s still the main character. Jessa is skeptical and serious. Because she’s not as pretty as her big sister, Havi, she’s already trying to find a place as “the sensible one.”
The setting. A fantasy kingdom called Killeen. It’s a monarchy; it’s heavily forested; it’s sunny and warm there. Ok, maybe you can’t glean that much from that little bit.
Writing style. This isn’t such a big deal, or as easy to see, but all writers have a voice, a style of writing, and
A hook, hopefully. (Why did the queen ask Jessa not to tell anyone? Why did she choose to tell Jessa and not her older daughter, Havi? Why is Jessa special?)

The hook is most important. Though, naturally, you want all of your novel to be great, spend a lot of time on the beginning when editing. That’s what I did (though the first chapter in The Dressmaker’s Secret really has too much description).

Does it draw the reader in from sentence one?
Does it pull the reader into your setting?
Does it introduce the main character in a favorable light?

I would definitely say that those are the most important things when it comes to writing expositions.

Note: David B. Hunter says, One thing I’d add to your list is the need to have an implicit question in that first sentence. Which, in your example could be, “Where is Jessa going?” That’s also important. I’ve got to remember that …

What do you look for in a first chapter? What do you try to do when writing a first chapter? What would cause you to stop reading a book? What did you think of the excerpt I posted? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

~Kellyn Roth

BIBPC, Category #2

As some of you may know, Megan (A Barefoot Gal) is hosting a photography contest, BIBPC (Boring into Beautiful Photography Contest). This is the second contest of this sort that Megan has hosted. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do the first one, but I’m participating in this one. I’m in Team Hummingbird!

Category #2: Critters
My entry:
There’s something in the water … *duh-duh duh-duh duh-duh duh-duh*

 

A bit about how I got the photo:

One sunny day, Kellyn and her two little brothers, her mother, her big sister, and her big sister’s children went down to the creek near their house. The creek looked something like this:

Kellyn was just pealing off her shoes when she heard screams and shouts of excitement! You’ll never guess what her nutty brothers had caught!

That’s right! It’s a snake! So Kellyn ran all the way back to house and grabbed her camera so she could take pictures of the creepy thing this wonderful marvel of nature!

The End *applause, applause*

~Kellyn Roth

To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander

To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander
A Belle Meade Plantation Novel #2

A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who can help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for good.

An Irish-born son far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and start a farm, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an offer he shouldn’t accept yet cannot possibly refuse.

Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the annual Drayton Stakes at Nashville’s racetrack––the richest race run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance, and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder, Maggie’s father––aging, yet wily as ever––makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail––Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.

Cullen and Maggie need each other in order to achieve their dreams. But their stubborn, wounded hearts––and the escalating violence from a “secret society” responsible for lynchings and midnight raids––may prove too much for even two determined souls.

Buy on Amazon // Add on Goodreads

Exciting with never a dull moment, To Win Her Favor is definitely a novel worth reading for upper teens and adults alike! Like To Whisper Her Name, it’s a wonderful, vivid book that brings you back to the Reconstruction era in Nashville, Tennessee with perfect – but never boring – accuracy.

Characters

I really identified with Maggie Linden. I often feel that way about horses; I just have to be around them! She was an admirable character who acted realistically to each situation she was placed in, while saying true to herself (most of the time). I liked her a lot, but not as much as I liked Cullen McGrath.

Ah, Cullen! His background – an Irish immigrant – was enough to make me fall in love … and he had other admirable qualities, too. I especially liked that he kept his end of whatever bargain he entered into. One the other hand, it annoyed me how long it took him to tell Maggie his secret. And even then, a big deal wasn’t made out of it.

Mr. Linden was an amazing character! I really liked him. Such a wise, strong, gentle man.

Kizzy was an angel!

Good to see some of the characters from To Whisper Her Name, such as a much nicer Mary Harding, and General Harding, with his beard still growing. I was disappointed not to hear more about the Coopers, though it was mentioned that they got their ranch in Colorado.

The villains were hateful! Especially Drake! GO DIE IN A HOLE, DRAKE!!!

I can’t wait to read To Mend a Dream, a novella about minor character Savannah Darby.

Plot

The plot was interesting, and the touchy era was tastefully managed. It was well-paced and never dragged.

And it was so nice to have someone finally mention how mistreated Irish immigrants were!

Setting

Can I please have a time machine and a train ticket to Nashville? I WANT TO GO LIVE THERE!!! Even if I risk getting lynched.

Content

Generally I don’t rate books based on content, but I shaved of a star because of the sexual content. It wasn’t anything too bad – they were married, so technically there wasn’t anything wrong, and there wasn’t too much detail. STILL!

Anyway, I skipped/lightly skimmed over several pages when I started hearing violins in my head … you know, just because it felt safer for my innocent little mind.

BIBPC, Category #1

As some of you may know, Megan (A Barefoot Gal) is hosting a photography contest, BIBPC (Boring into Beautiful Photography Contest). This is the second contest of this sort that Megan has hosted. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do the first one, but I’m participating in this one. I’m in Team Hummingbird!

Category #1: Little Things

I had a hard time deciding what to do for BIBPC. But, after wondering around our property with a camera, I finally picked something yesterday (after taking numerous other photos … none of which seemed right …)

The Photoshoot:

(note: I didn’t get to include as many as I wanted to due to technical difficulties)

 And my entry:
Little wishes![image error]

What do you think?

~Kellyn Roth

Boring to Beautiful Photography Contest, Theme One

As some of you may know, Megan (A Barefoot Gal) is hosting a photography contest, BIBPC (Boring into Beautiful Photography Contest). This is the second contest of this sort that Megan has hosted. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do the first one, but I’m participating in this one. I’m in Team Hummingbird!

Category #1: Little Things

I had a hard time deciding what to do for BIBPC. But, after wondering around our property with a camera, I finally picked something yesterday (after taking numerous other photos … none of which seemed right …)

The Photoshoot:

(note: I didn’t get to include as many as I wanted to due to technical difficulties)

 And my entry:
Little wishes![image error]

What do you think?

~Kellyn Roth