Ivy Keating's Blog, page 7
April 2, 2019
Trust
The pace of a story is key to creating an exciting ending.
What I mean by pace is not how fast the action takes to get going--even though that's important. I'm thinking about what it takes to let a story unfold. This would include what actions are important and when.
The significance of the actions will dictate the timing. Trite interactions will slow down the story even though they may enrich character development. It's a wonderful balance the author must orchestrate.
Then finally, there's trust. In the final chapters the pace has been established. The author allows the actions to unfold in the rhythm created, but something's different. The story changes from a tale to a revelation. The pace will now create the tension for the anticipated ending.
What I mean by pace is not how fast the action takes to get going--even though that's important. I'm thinking about what it takes to let a story unfold. This would include what actions are important and when.
The significance of the actions will dictate the timing. Trite interactions will slow down the story even though they may enrich character development. It's a wonderful balance the author must orchestrate.
Then finally, there's trust. In the final chapters the pace has been established. The author allows the actions to unfold in the rhythm created, but something's different. The story changes from a tale to a revelation. The pace will now create the tension for the anticipated ending.
March 17, 2019
On the Edge of Obsession
A thought that preoccupies our mind by definition is an "obsession". It's also defined as something that intrudes on our thoughts.
We can all identify examples of obsessive behavior that are not good for us like obsessive worrying or a preoccupation with germs.
But if we could extract the "driving behaviors" from this negative condition-maybe we could learn some things about being productive.
I thought about this and these are the top four behaviors I would pull out of "obsession" to help me accomplish something.
Drive-the energy to keep going
Determination-the commitment to not give up.
Clarity-the ability to identify what I need to reach my goal
Ego-the knowledge my goal is important and I can do it
We can all identify examples of obsessive behavior that are not good for us like obsessive worrying or a preoccupation with germs.
But if we could extract the "driving behaviors" from this negative condition-maybe we could learn some things about being productive.
I thought about this and these are the top four behaviors I would pull out of "obsession" to help me accomplish something.
Drive-the energy to keep going
Determination-the commitment to not give up.
Clarity-the ability to identify what I need to reach my goal
Ego-the knowledge my goal is important and I can do it
March 5, 2019
Too Evil
I was thinking about character development, and I wondered if there was such a thing as, too evil.
The answer for me is, yes.
It's not that evilness, or any other character trait has limits. It's that a character must be developed so that their actions make sense. I do not like when I read a story, (or watch a movie), and I'm taken on a dark ride that I do not feel is justified,
If I get a sense that something was written because the writer thought it sounded good over what the character might actually do-it doesn't work for me.
Dracula, by Bram Stoker, is one of my favorite novels. The author makes me believe in the extent of the depravity.
The answer for me is, yes.
It's not that evilness, or any other character trait has limits. It's that a character must be developed so that their actions make sense. I do not like when I read a story, (or watch a movie), and I'm taken on a dark ride that I do not feel is justified,
If I get a sense that something was written because the writer thought it sounded good over what the character might actually do-it doesn't work for me.
Dracula, by Bram Stoker, is one of my favorite novels. The author makes me believe in the extent of the depravity.
February 4, 2019
The Setting
The setting of a story is both where it takes place and the time. It can add to the mood, foreshadow events, and impact the characters. A stroll through a forest conjures different thoughts, images, and expectations, in comparison to a stroll down a city block.
How important is the setting? For my novels, it was what inspired the stories.
In 'Camouflage', the acres of preserved woodlands in Quarry Head Park, with its ledges offering views of valleys that rolled to the Long Island Sound made me wonder--what's out there that we haven't discovered. In the story I'm working on now, the Great Lakes and how they formed set the stage for the locations of the kingdoms.
Think of your favorite novels. In some the setting is so rich it may feel like another character.
How important is the setting? For my novels, it was what inspired the stories.
In 'Camouflage', the acres of preserved woodlands in Quarry Head Park, with its ledges offering views of valleys that rolled to the Long Island Sound made me wonder--what's out there that we haven't discovered. In the story I'm working on now, the Great Lakes and how they formed set the stage for the locations of the kingdoms.
Think of your favorite novels. In some the setting is so rich it may feel like another character.
January 24, 2019
How to Know What You Don't Know
How can we find out what we need to learn in order to succeed?
The fact is, it's a process. When it comes to writing a book, there are many things to know about creating a novel and getting published. Authors have to become proficient in telling an engaging story, the rules for writing, (show don't tell, don't shift point of view...), contacting agents and publishers, marketing, and more.
Here's what I found helped me learn what I needed to know about writing a book;
-be open to learning and accept criticism
-search and do research online about everything from grammar to marketing
-read about how others achieved this goal
-work with professionals in the industry, (for example editors and other writers)
This information is very general but if you have any questions or would like me to write about something in more depth, please let me know!
The fact is, it's a process. When it comes to writing a book, there are many things to know about creating a novel and getting published. Authors have to become proficient in telling an engaging story, the rules for writing, (show don't tell, don't shift point of view...), contacting agents and publishers, marketing, and more.
Here's what I found helped me learn what I needed to know about writing a book;
-be open to learning and accept criticism
-search and do research online about everything from grammar to marketing
-read about how others achieved this goal
-work with professionals in the industry, (for example editors and other writers)
This information is very general but if you have any questions or would like me to write about something in more depth, please let me know!
January 17, 2019
The Flawed Protagonist
Writers will often give their protagonist flaws. But why do they do this?
A flawed protagonist is someone we can relate to. We all have something we struggle with. It's interesting to see how a player compensates for their shortcomings.
Characters that have flaws help the author create suspense and drama. The writer will put the protagonist in situations where they have to act despite their weaknesses. Their actions will often be atypical because they have to compensate for their imperfections.
Flawed characters give us encouragement. When we see them triumph, we can be inspired to reach our own goals.
Memorable heroes are well rounded. When we see something in them that we can relate to, it endears us to them. When they succeed despite their flaws, their methods may be more gripping, and the outcome even more rewarding.
A flawed protagonist is someone we can relate to. We all have something we struggle with. It's interesting to see how a player compensates for their shortcomings.
Characters that have flaws help the author create suspense and drama. The writer will put the protagonist in situations where they have to act despite their weaknesses. Their actions will often be atypical because they have to compensate for their imperfections.
Flawed characters give us encouragement. When we see them triumph, we can be inspired to reach our own goals.
Memorable heroes are well rounded. When we see something in them that we can relate to, it endears us to them. When they succeed despite their flaws, their methods may be more gripping, and the outcome even more rewarding.
December 31, 2018
A Better Understanding
An editor I worked with suggested I add words like "remote" and "provincial" to describe the town in 'Camouflage'.
But these words did not reflect the setting I wanted to create for the book. I started to get upset and asked her why she wanted me to change my story.
Her answer surprised me. It wasn't that she wanted me to change anything. Simply her vision of a "New England town" was different from mine.
When we write, just like when we talk to someone, the other person will not know what's on our mind. Details and descriptions are needed.
In 'Camouflage' Wilton is a suburban town. By working into the writing the fact that there are stores, coffee shops, restaurants, parks, schools, and colonial homes with landscaped yards, the reader can begin to picture a more populated area and not a remote one.
But these words did not reflect the setting I wanted to create for the book. I started to get upset and asked her why she wanted me to change my story.
Her answer surprised me. It wasn't that she wanted me to change anything. Simply her vision of a "New England town" was different from mine.
When we write, just like when we talk to someone, the other person will not know what's on our mind. Details and descriptions are needed.
In 'Camouflage' Wilton is a suburban town. By working into the writing the fact that there are stores, coffee shops, restaurants, parks, schools, and colonial homes with landscaped yards, the reader can begin to picture a more populated area and not a remote one.
December 23, 2018
Believe in Yourself
Has anyone ever told you to stop trying to pursue your dream? Maybe you're half way into something and you're not certain if you should continue.
Most goals take time to achieve. The longer it takes, the more opportunity there is to doubt what you're doing.
It's important to listen to yourself first, and everyone else a distant second. It's not that we shouldn't be open to advice, it's just even well meaning people may try to discourage us.
The key is-believe in yourself. Look for encouragement from within. Acknowledge your achievements along the way-even if they're small. Work on building your confidence so if someone tells you-you can't, your response will be-watch me.
Most goals take time to achieve. The longer it takes, the more opportunity there is to doubt what you're doing.
It's important to listen to yourself first, and everyone else a distant second. It's not that we shouldn't be open to advice, it's just even well meaning people may try to discourage us.
The key is-believe in yourself. Look for encouragement from within. Acknowledge your achievements along the way-even if they're small. Work on building your confidence so if someone tells you-you can't, your response will be-watch me.
December 8, 2018
Deadly Creatures
I have a fascination with what creatures are out there that we haven't discovered.
When I was editing 'Camouflage' I came across an article about a shark found off the shore of Portugal that was from a species 80 million years old! Here it is on youtube; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUXsd....
Some people may believe it's unlikely there are large deadly animals that we don't know still exist, but I think any day we could find one. Every year new species are found. And then if we discover something huge and dangerous the question will be--would we have to kill it or is there another way?
When I was editing 'Camouflage' I came across an article about a shark found off the shore of Portugal that was from a species 80 million years old! Here it is on youtube; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUXsd....
Some people may believe it's unlikely there are large deadly animals that we don't know still exist, but I think any day we could find one. Every year new species are found. And then if we discover something huge and dangerous the question will be--would we have to kill it or is there another way?
December 1, 2018
Fun to Imagine
One of my favorite characters in 'Camouflage' is Dr. Irene Stone. She's an Aquatic Ecologist and an expert in her field.
In some ways she acts like a know it all—but she has the information to back up what she says. Her actions are sincere, straightforward, and she is willing to get involved. In a crisis, I would want her on my side.
I loved that she was also a bit of a flirt. Just with one particular officer, but it was enough to show she had a fun side.
I'm usually shy, but when I wrote about Dr. Stone I tossed my anxieties aside.
In some ways she acts like a know it all—but she has the information to back up what she says. Her actions are sincere, straightforward, and she is willing to get involved. In a crisis, I would want her on my side.
I loved that she was also a bit of a flirt. Just with one particular officer, but it was enough to show she had a fun side.
I'm usually shy, but when I wrote about Dr. Stone I tossed my anxieties aside.
