Lorijo Metz's Blog: ScifiWritermom
October 13, 2025
Ready to Submit
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June 7, 2018
What’s Your Character’s Story?
We all have a story. It changes year to year, month to month, and many times in moments we least expect. It’s the story that pops into your head when someone asks, “How are you?” Notice I say into your head, not out of your mouth. “I’m fine,” is not your story.
Honestly, for most of us, our story is what’s not fine with our life.
Someone is bullying my child. I can’t sleep. I can’t pay the bills. My boss is a jerk. My relatives are driving me crazy! Why doesn’t she/he love me?
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Green Arrow has absolutely the worst love life!
Our story is that part of our life we long to talk to someone–anyone else about (even if we’re too afraid to). A story we contrast and compare and feel better about after learning someone we know has suffered and survived the same fate. It’s the worry we dwell on when we aren’t keeping our minds busy with something else. It’s the ongoing dialogue that wakes us up in the middle of the night or keeps us from going to sleep in the first place. And so, as a writer, it makes me wonder…
What’s my character’s story?
Yes, I know, your character needs to save the world, solve a murder, whatever… I’m not talking about that story!
Rather, if you were to sit down and have a cup of coffee with one of your characters right now, what would they say to you? What would they complain about? What’s really bugging them?
Speaking as a science fiction and fantasy writer, it’s easy to get caught up in the big picture and neglect the fact that to be real – to be relatable – my characters also need to have smaller, personal lives, with relatable personal worries.
Think about it, Superman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman… sure they’re out their kicking butt saving the world, but their personal lives are in shambles. I just know if Wonder Woman and I were to sit down for coffee, or a drink, we wouldn’t talk about villains, (well, maybe the hot ones) – No, we’d talk about how it sucks because most men are too intimidated to go out with her. Right? Or the fact that she’s bound to outlive anyone she falls in love with. That would suck. Spider-Man would be complaining about his money problems and Superman – well, I bet pretending he’s a clumsy nerd all day gets really old.
So, here’s your writing assignment (take it or leave it): imagine meeting one of your characters at a café or bar. You sit down, you order drinks (what do they drink?) and then you talk. You share your story. Maybe you’re having a little writers’ block or you’re worried about money, etc… and, of course, they share with you. What do they complain about?
What’s Your Character’s Story?
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May 14, 2018
One Question You Must Ask Your Characters: What Would You Never, Ever Do?
“ I would never…!”
I said them a few days ago loudly, emphatically, and then added “EVER!” just in case.
Shortly afterward, two thoughts occurred to me. The first…
How often do we use this sentiment in response to a situation we know absolutely nothing about?
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Don’t we all think that?
In my case, I was responding to a story about a family choosing to sell their beloved pet dog.
Of course, Henry, my dog, knows I would never, EVER sell him—
Or would I?
What if I fell on hard times?
What if I had to choose between selling my dog or feeding my child?
In the case of the aforementioned story—after I boldly exclaimed: “I would never sell my dog!”—I was informed that this was, unfortunately, the case. A young family needed money more than they needed another—no matter how beloved—mouth to feed.
Needless to say, I felt like a complete jerk. I don’t remember what I said next because suddenly the words weren’t spilling out of my mouth quite as fast. Like many, I made an ass of myself by jumping to a conclusion before knowing the whole story. The worst part is that I’ve been on the other end of this sentiment.
I should have known better.
However, the reason I wrote this post isn’t to beat myself up over just another of my many character flaws (There are plenty of future posts for that). Rather, I wanted to talk about your characters.
Yes, you, the writer—Your characters.
For, of course, if your characters only did what they wanted to do, there would be no reason to write their stories. They would never set out on adventures. They would never hurt people they love, nor love people they never dreamed of loving. They would never save the world, for they would never, EVER have the courage.
So don’t be afraid to ask them: What would you never, ever consider doing?
I would never leave home. (Bilbo Baggins)
I would never consider transferring my consciousness into an artificial intelligence. (We Are Legion (We Are Bob) – The Bobiverse)
I would never marry someone like that… (Just about every Jane Austen novel. And, just about every romance novel.)
I would never have the courage to…
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Had he been given the choice, Bilbo Baggins would have stayed home in his cozy little Hobbit house. Unfortunately for him, (but fortunately for us) J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t let him.
And once you know the answer…
I would never leave home, because I don’t like adventures.
Then you need to know what force/reason propels them to do it anyway.
If I don’t leave home, all the people I love will die.
Because that’s your story!
The reason your characters are suddenly propelled to do something they never, ever thought they would do, is what makes your story compelling and, hopefully, relatable. (i.e. haven’t we all done something we never imagined we would do?)
Finally, just as your characters must loudly, emphatically exclaim they would never, ever do something, they must also, in the end, just as strongly proclaim they had to do it.
To fall in love
To save the world
To leave home…
And isn’t it our job, as writers, to make sure our readers believe them?
Writing Exercise: Make a list of all the things you never thought you would do, and then the reasons you did them anyway. Then, if you’re working on a story, fiction or nonfiction, do the same thing for your main character(s). And while you’re at it, leave me a comment!
Related Posts
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April 10, 2016
The Misadventures of Martin Hathaway, by Kathryn Clare Glen
Not only is Glen’s writing clever and fast-paced, her characters are unique and loveable. While Martin Hathaway is an endearingly brave but bumbling hero, Captain Daisy Fitzgerald McNamara is probably the most self-assured female protagonist I’ve ever encountered. And though it’s no surprise they end up together, their romance is anything but ordinary. My favorite character, however, is Basil, Daisy’s pompous, bitingly sarcastic assistant.
Classic fantasy lovers will appreciate Glen’s nod to JRR Tolkien and Frank Baum, but her writing style and sense of humor remind me of one of my more recent favorites, Scott Meyer, the best-selling author of Off to Be the Wizard. Which means I now have another favorite author, Kathryn Clare Glen – and I can’t wait to read the second installment in her Misadventures Trilogy!
Amazon Description
In the first installment of the Misadventures Trilogy, hapless history teacher Martin Hathaway falls through Space and Time to land upon Airship Captain Daisy Fitzgerald McNamara’s coffee table and into the middle of an adventure larger than he could ever dream.
Martin Hathaway awakens to discover that he is the center of a battle between the Free People of the Lost Valley and the Clockwork Men of Anatamenwar. Together with the eccentric crew of the A.S. Nephthys, Martin must explore the world of Arnica to discover his origins and ultimate destiny, all while reminding himself not to fall in love with the beautiful but deadly Captain McNamara. His journey is a lighthearted, humorous romp through time-honored fantasy conventions, proving that nothing, drama included, should be taken too seriously.
The post The Misadventures of Martin Hathaway, by Kathryn Clare Glen appeared first on LJ Metz.
The Misadventures of Martin Hathaway
The Misadventures of Martin Hathaway is a steampunk fantasy with wit to spare. Not only is Glen’s writing clever and fast-paced, her characters are unique and loveable. While Martin Hathaway is an endearingly brave but bumbling hero, Captain Daisy Fitzgerald McNamara is probably the most self-assured female protagonist I’ve ever encountered. And though it’s no surprise they end up together, their romance is anything but ordinary. My favorite character, however, is Basil, Daisy’s pompous, bitingly sarcastic assistant.
Classic fantasy lovers will appreciate Glen’s nod to JRR Tolkien and Frank Baum, but her writing style and sense of humor remind me of one of my more recent favorites, Scott Meyer, the best-selling author of Off to Be the Wizard. Which means I now have another favorite author, Kathryn Clare Glen – and I can’t wait to read the second installment in her Misadventures Trilogy!
Filed under: Book Discussions Tagged: Adventure, Book reviews, Fantasy, steampunk, YA
May 7, 2015
Inspiring Spaces
Despite lofty–well intentioned–aspirations made back in February, I’ve been more remiss about posting this year than ever. I do have an excuse, however. I few, rather large, life-changing projects fell into my lap recently, so what time I have to devote to writing has been spent working on my novel.
But today, inspired by something I saw on Pinterest, I’m taking time out to create a quickie post. Below is picture of my office… my sanctuary… my cave. The place where inspiration lives and strikes and finds it’s way, finally, onto paper.
Click here to see the Pinterest post which inspired me. Now tell me, where do you go for inspiration?
Filed under: Musings Tagged: Art, Faerie, Ganesha, inspiration, muse, office space, Printer's Row, Writing, Yoga
February 2, 2015
REMEMBER ME
The Quotable Writer, a book filled with
“Witty and wise…words from writers and others on
the craft, practice and business of writing…”
was a gift to me from my daughter.
“What a wee part of a person’s life are his acts and his words! His real life is led in his head, and it is known to none but himself.” –Mark Twain
I turn to it from time to time for inspiration and recently decided to use it as a jumping off point for future posts.
As a Book Muse…of sorts. I would begin with the first topic, and explore a new one each month. It seemed like a marvelous idea, until I actually opened the book and saw the first topic: Biography.
Ugh! This isn’t going to work. What inspiration can I possibly gleam from quotes about writing biographies? I’m a sci-fi/fantasy writer. I don’t even pretend to tell the truth. So, I closed the book and set it aside. Yet, my book muse had already taken flight, her winged thoughts fluttering around my head whispering, “biography, biography…that’s the topic!” And wouldn’t you know…it is. It really is.
REMEMBER ME…
Be warned, people say, on your death-bed it’s not the hours you missed working you’ll regret, but the hours you missed spending time with your loved ones.
True…I guess.
Yet, have you ever read a biography about somebody whose greatest achievement in life was hanging out with his or her family? Biographies are not obituaries. Obituaries are filled with families. Of so and sos left behind to grieve. Everyone gets an obituary. Only people that live interesting, *significant lives have biographies written about them. Which makes me wonder… am I living my life in a way I would find significant and interesting?
Would my life inspire me?
I don’t care what anyone else thinks, but I’d like to think that if I ever had the chance to read my own biography, I’d be pleased with how I’d spent each day. That I’d accomplished certain goals. Not Einsteinian sized goals—just MY goals.
It’s definitely not the same as living every day as if it was your last. Heck, if this was my last day on Earth, hanging out with friends and family would be the only thing I’d care about. But it’s not my last day…at least I hope not.
–Excuse me while I call my mom and tell her I love her.
(Okay, I’m back.)
Maybe it’s as simple as asking: Am I living my life the way I want to live it? Or, from my author point of view: Am I writing my own story?
Anyway… it’s something to think about.
*Biographies about celebrities (i.e. people that live interesting, insignificant lives) are purely gossip and simply don’t count.
Filed under: 4 Writers, PENspirational, MUSEtastic, Talks for Writers, Searching4Meaning Tagged: Biography, Death, inspiration, life, Mark Twain, The Quotable Writer, Writing
January 12, 2015
TIME TO REGENERATE
You don’t need to say it. I know—my blog looks different. One day it was all bluish and purpley, lots of stars and planets, and now it’s all pinkish and gray speckles.
Yet the bunnies remain the same. The bunnies will always remain…
So what’s up? Well, as Reed Smoot, a senator from Utah once said:
“I have nothing to say.”
Gotta love that quote! It pretty much sums up my attitude toward blogging for all of 2014. But it’s a new year and a new—okay, not a new me. Which brings me to another quote, from another famous person:
“Don’t reinvent the wheel, just realign it.”
–Anthony J. D’Angelo
Exactly what I intend to do. I still don’t have a lot to say…but I intend to find it. To realign—
“to change one’s position or attitude with regard to…”
—rather than totally reinvent myself. Because I realized that since I began blogging back in 2011 (under the blog name, Searching4Meaning) my goal has remained the same: to post on a regular basis. What’s changed, however, is my motivation.
2011
(Searching4Meaning.com)
Motivation: Explore thoughts, questions and beliefs about the world around me.
Middle to End of 2012
(ScifiWriterMom.com/LorijoMetz.com)
Motivation: Share my writer’s journey. Review YA books
2015
(LjMetz.com)
Motivation: Explore thoughts, questions and beliefs
as they concern me, Lj Metz, the writer.
To put it in Dr. Who terms: Same Blogger (same bunnies) only different.
“Legs! I’ve still got legs! Good. Arms. Hands.
Oo! Fingers. Lots of fingers. Ears. Yes. Eyes two. Nose.
And I’ve had worse. Chin. Blimey. Hair. I’m a girl.
No no. I’m not a girl. And still not ginger. Something important!
I’m- I’m- crashing! Ha ha! Geronimo!”
—Dr. Who, “The End of Time” (Part Two)
Regeneration complete. See you next time.
Filed under: Musings Tagged: Blogging, creativity, Dr. Who, LjMetz, REalign, Regenerate, Writing
September 5, 2014
100 Days, What Will You Do With Them?
We shall see…
I imagined her posting regularly for several days, maybe a week, maybe two, and then reality would set in. This is work. This is boring. I have nothing to say. 100 days in a row, good grief, what was I thinking… and the posts would begin to taper off. A post here, a reposting there, and finally, missing entire months at a time.
I have better things to do! I imagined her thinking.
Honestly, who is so interesting as to have something worthwhile to share on a daily basis?
Not me…
Maxine Attong – You Go Girl!Yet, it is day 45 and this woman is not only going strong, but her posts have gotten better. More interesting. I open my email each morning wondering what new adventure or personal insight Maxine will share with me today.
The truth is—and of course, I should have realized this—Maxine, like any good writer, is simply building her writing muscles. It’s just like any exercise, do it every day and you can’t help but become better.
Now, at Maxine’s muscled fingertips, even a slow day becomes something interesting to write about. A post curious minds, such as mine, want to read.
So, here’s something to think about. What could you accomplish if you held yourself accountable for doing it 100 days in a row. Imagine, you might…
Finish reading that stack of books on your bedside table
Learn a new language
Build a six-pack
Paint your house
Or, who knows, write a novel
What will you do with your next 100 days?
Find out what Maxine’s up to at: https://maxineattong.wordpress.com
Filed under: Musings Tagged: accomplishments, goals, Writing
August 15, 2014
Sign the Charter for Compassion and Consider Becoming a Supporting Member
My husband’s blog today, I thought it was worthy of reposting.
Originally posted on Facilitative Leadership & Facilitator Training:
Charter for CompassionUltimately, consensus-building requires intuition and a higher self to overcome the selfishness of physical and emotional demands. This week we became signatories with over 100,000 other people who have “Liked” the Charter for Compassion. We encourage you to do the same.
We are awaiting instructions to become Charter Members as an organization but meanwhile, for a quick blog and light summer reading, take a look at what they are aspiring towards, and use the hot links imbedded in this post to seek out further support and involvement on your behalf or the behalf of your organization.
The Charter for Compassion is a document that transcends religious, ideological, and national differences. Supported by leading thinkers from many traditions, the Charter calls on people to activate the Golden Rule around the world.
The text of the Charter for Compassion:
The principle of compassion lies at the…
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Filed under: Musings
