Beverly Nault's Blog, page 7
May 26, 2013
Backstage chat with some of your favorite authors
Backstage chat with some of your favorite authors
Ever wonder what it’s like backstage in an author’s “workshop?” Inside their brain…and if anything ever went a little off the rails? Me too! So I recently had some fun asking a few of my author friends two questions, and got some really interesting and amusing answers.
(We had such great answers, I hated to cut them down, so we decided to break it into two parts. Part 2 with a new set of authors will be posted on June 2nd)
The authors in today’s post are Sherry Kyle, Sarah Sundin, and Susan Meissner. I’ve linked to their sites so you can add their books to your TBR pile, and find out what they’re talking about here. I personally recommend every one!
Here are the two questions I asked each of them:
1. What’s something funny or ironic that happened to you while writing/researching one of your books?
and
2. What’s one thing you find most helpful when developing a character?
Here is Sherry Kyle to kick off the discussion.
1. While writing THE HEART STONE, my latest contemporary release, I discovered I could write humor, or my version of humor, into a novel. I inserted a name that made me (and others, I’ve been told) chuckle. When you find it, please let me know. If you could give a character a funny name, what would it be?
2. One thing I find helpful while developing a character is to find a photo of my character and keep it handy as I write. I’m such a visual person, and the picture helps me imagine what she’d do, how she’d act, and what she’d say. I also find photos of her home, her wardrobe, and her pet, if she has one. It’s like I’m playing with a paper doll. What can I say? I’m a young girl at heart.
Sherry writes faith-based fiction and nonfiction for women and girls. Her upcoming release, THE HEART STONE challenges us to turn over the hard places in our hearts to the One who can heal and restore.
Next up, welcome Sarah Sundin.
1. While researching my upcoming novel, On Distant Shores (Revell, August 2013) which is set in Italy in World War II, I had the privilege of visiting Italy (suffering for my art). We found a tiny museum in Anzio dedicated to the battle there, which had a delightful docent. Except he spoke Italian with a smattering of English—and I had a few months of “Learn Italian While You Drive!” He showed me every inch of the museum, including some materials he didn’t have on display, and answered my questions (I think). The intersection of my pidgin Italian and his pidgin English was quite funny.
2. I love characters! What helps me most is spending lots of time getting to know my characters before I start writing the book. Being a nerd, I fill out a very long character chart—appearance and health, family and friends, social and economic and religious background, education and job, talents and hobbies, goals, fears, secrets, and more. I give both the hero and heroine a personality test and read up on that personality type, so I know he or she will act. It’s a lot of fun.
A scientist by training, Sarah uses her awesome research skills to write award winning historical romances.
Wrapping up today’s interviews, Susan Meissner.
1. It’s not exactly funny or ironic, but it happened and it was pretty cool! I was researching my Rachael Flynn mystery series and interviewing a Ramsey County prosecutor. When I had finished asking him all my legal procedure questions, he asked me if I an hour or two. I thankfully had made NO other plans. He invited me to sit in on an afternoon in court. I got to sit in front on the prosecutors’ side and I was able to learn things – like what color the file folders are (brown, like old pennies) and what the chairs were like and on which side of the room the defendants entered the courtroom- details that I hadn’t asked and didn’t realize I needed to know. So, word to the wise: When you make an appointment to interview a field expert, don’t make any other plans that day! You never know what opportunities may come your way after you think the interview is over.
2. It’s helpful but it also drives me crazy. I discover my characters as I write. The hard part is I never feel like I’m ready to write until I know the character. I have to start writing in the fog of not knowing, which is NOT enjoyable for me, an avowed outliner. If I waited to start writing until I knew the characters, I would never write anything! In A FALL OF MARIGOLDS, which will release in February, I wrote the beginning chapters (we’re talking 75 pages) over and over until one day, everything clicked. I knew who Clara was. I knew what she loved, what she feared, what could hurt her, what could make her strong, and what could take her to the mat. But I had to write and rewrite and rewrite to get there.
Susan Meissner has so many awards and accolades to her name we don’t have enough room here to list them all. She’s best known for her parallel timelines, a talent only the most crafty writers should attempt! 
Beverly Nault writes fiction and nonfiction over at FRESH START STORIES, and mostly tries to stay out of trouble. Check out her award winning SEASONS OF CHERRYVALE series. 
Backstage with some authors you love
Backstage with some authors you love
Ever wonder what it’s like backstage in an author’s “workshop?” Inside their brain…and if anything ever went a little off the rails? Me too! So I recently had some fun asking a few of my author friends two questions, and got some really interesting and amusing answers.
(We had such great answers, I hated to cut them down, so we decided to break it into two parts. Part 2 with a new set of authors will be posted on June 2nd)
The authors in today’s post are Sherry Kyle, Sarah Sundin, and Susan Meissner. I’ve linked to their sites so you can add their books to your TBR pile, and find out what they’re talking about here. I personally recommend every one!
Here are the two questions I asked each of them:
1. What’s something funny or ironic that happened to you while writing/researching one of your books?
and
2. What’s one thing you find most helpful when developing a character?
Here is Sherry Kyle to kick off the discussion.
1. While writing THE HEART STONE, my latest contemporary release, I discovered I could write humor, or my version of humor, into a novel. I inserted a name that made me (and others, I’ve been told) chuckle. When you find it, please let me know. If you could give a character a funny name, what would it be?
2. One thing I find helpful while developing a character is to find a photo of my character and keep it handy as I write. I’m such a visual person, and the picture helps me imagine what she’d do, how she’d act, and what she’d say. I also find photos of her home, her wardrobe, and her pet, if she has one. It’s like I’m playing with a paper doll. What can I say? I’m a young girl at heart.
Sherry writes faith-based fiction and nonfiction for women and girls. Her upcoming release, THE HEART STONE challenges us to turn over the hard places in our hearts to the One who can heal and restore.
Next up, welcome Sarah Sundin.
1. While researching my upcoming novel, On Distant Shores (Revell, August 2013) which is set in Italy in World War II, I had the privilege of visiting Italy (suffering for my art). We found a tiny museum in Anzio dedicated to the battle there, which had a delightful docent. Except he spoke Italian with a smattering of English—and I had a few months of “Learn Italian While You Drive!” He showed me every inch of the museum, including some materials he didn’t have on display, and answered my questions (I think). The intersection of my pidgin Italian and his pidgin English was quite funny.
2. I love characters! What helps me most is spending lots of time getting to know my characters before I start writing the book. Being a nerd, I fill out a very long character chart—appearance and health, family and friends, social and economic and religious background, education and job, talents and hobbies, goals, fears, secrets, and more. I give both the hero and heroine a personality test and read up on that personality type, so I know he or she will act. It’s a lot of fun.
A scientist by training, Sarah uses her awesome research skills to write award winning historical romances.
Wrapping up today’s interviews, Susan Meissner.
1. It’s not exactly funny or ironic, but it happened and it was pretty cool! I was researching my Rachael Flynn mystery series and interviewing a Ramsey County prosecutor. When I had finished asking him all my legal procedure questions, he asked me if I an hour or two. I thankfully had made NO other plans. He invited me to sit in on an afternoon in court. I got to sit in front on the prosecutors’ side and I was able to learn things – like what color the file folders are (brown, like old pennies) and what the chairs were like and on which side of the room the defendants entered the courtroom- details that I hadn’t asked and didn’t realize I needed to know. So, word to the wise: When you make an appointment to interview a field expert, don’t make any other plans that day! You never know what opportunities may come your way after you think the interview is over.
2. It’s helpful but it also drives me crazy. I discover my characters as I write. The hard part is I never feel like I’m ready to write until I know the character. I have to start writing in the fog of not knowing, which is NOT enjoyable for me, an avowed outliner. If I waited to start writing until I knew the characters, I would never write anything! In A FALL OF MARIGOLDS, which will release in February, I wrote the beginning chapters (we’re talking 75 pages) over and over until one day, everything clicked. I knew who Clara was. I knew what she loved, what she feared, what could hurt her, what could make her strong, and what could take her to the mat. But I had to write and rewrite and rewrite to get there.
Susan Meissner has so many awards and accolades to her name we don’t have enough room here to list them all. She’s best known for her parallel timelines, a talent only the most crafty writers should attempt!
Beverly Nault writes fiction and nonfiction over at FRESH START STORIES, and mostly tries to stay out of trouble. Check out her award winning SEASONS OF CHERRYVALE series.
May 20, 2013
Every Hill and Mountain – fiction
Every Hill and Mountain – fiction
Today I’m pleased to be a part of a CrossReads book blast! Stay tuned, and read to the end a find out how to enter to win a $50 Amazon card.
Every Hill and Mountain (Time and Again) (Volume 3)
By Deborah Heal
Visiting another century…not the summer vacation she had planned.
Those who have read Time and Again and Unclaimed Legacy know that Abby Thomas is a college student on a summer service project with 11-year-old Merri. And they know that the summer is not going the way Abby had expected—but in a good way. For one thing, she meets a very nice guy named John Roberts. And for another, she discovers a strange computer program called Beautiful House that lets her fast-forward and rewind life. Not her own, of course, but those of the people who lived in Merri’s old house. And the Old Dears’ old house, and…well, any old house.
And since the program worked so well for the Old Dears’ family tree project, Abby’s college roommate Kate hopes it will help her find out more about her ancestor Ned Greenfield. And Kate’s fiancé Ryan thinks the program has lucrative commercial potential.
Abby and John reluctantly agree to help Kate, but only on the condition that she and Ryan promise to keep the program a secret, because if it fell into the wrong hands…well, no one wants Big Brother invading their privacy.
The two couples take a trip to the tiny town of Equality, set in the hills of southern Illinois and the breath-taking Shawnee National Forest. According to Kate’s research, Ned Greenfield was born there at a place called Hickory Hill.
The mayor, police chief, and townspeople are hospitable and helpful—until the topic of Hickory Hill comes up. They seem determined to keep them away, telling them, “There’s nothing there for you to see.”
Eventually they find Hickory Hill on their own—both the mansion and the lonely hill it sits upon. Built in 1834, Hickory Hill stands sentinel over Half Moon Salt Mine where the original owner John Granger accumulated his blood-tainted fortune.
Abby and her friends meet Miss Granger, Hickory Hill’s current eccentric owner, and they eventually get the chance to time-surf there. Their shocking discovery on the third floor concerning Kate’s ancestor Ned Greenfield is almost too much to bear. What they learn sends them racing to the opposite end of the state to find the missing link in Kate’s family tree. And there they are reminded that God is in the business of redemption—that one day he’ll make all things new.
Download on Kindle | Purchase Paperback
Deborah Heal
Deborah Heal, the author of the Time and Again time travel mystery series, was born not far from the setting of her book Every Hill and Mountain and grew up “just down the road” from the setting of Time and Again. Today she lives with her husband in Waterloo, Illinois, where she enjoys reading, gardening, and learning about regional history. She has three grown children, three grandchildren, and two canine buddies Digger and Scout (a.k.a. Dr. Bob). She loves to interact with her readers, who may learn more about the history behind the books at her website www.deborahheal.com and her Facebook author page www.facebook.com/DeborahHeal.
Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
Enter below to enter a $50 amazon gift card, sponsored by author Deborah Heal! a Rafflecopter giveawayThis book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!
May 15, 2013
Starting off on the right hook…not in a pirate sort of way.
Starting off on the right hook…not in a pirate sort of way.
This is part of a series I’m posting as I write THE KALEIDOSCOPE A Novel of Unusual Circumstances.
I’ve been reading about making great openings. As soon as I’d arrived at a conclusion (notice I didn’t say The End yet) of most of the story threads, I zoomed back to the beginning.
I don’t know about you, but when I read a novel, I want all the pieces to fit together and the journey to end in a satisfying, even in a clever way, that the author had my satisfaction in mind both from the first to the last.
I picked up a copy of Jeff Gerke’s First Fifty Pages and devoured it/lost sleep/highlightedtheheckoutof. Trained as a screenwriter (and having worked as an editor and successful author), he zooms right to several points I could understand how to implement, and WHY.
Last night, I had critique group to attend, so I printed out my first three pages. After some a lot of tweaking. I even moved an entire scene to the beginning based on Jeff’s advice. My opening had bogged because it was a lot of blah-blah narrative. But I need the reader to know my guy, I whined.
So Jeff, when is it OKAY to give information? Here’s what he says:
A) when the reader must want to know it
B) when the story cannot go on without the information (Kindle loc 683)
As you know, I wanted to raise the bar on myself, so instead of beginning in dialogue or action, I had started out in my MC’s head, and that was borrinng, but he’s a complicated guy.
Aannnddd then I read Jeff’s advice and now I have my MC DOING something, the thoughts in his head are now generic to what he’s doing, even though he’s just on his way to work (I’m also establishing his normal, another necessity of an opening), we see a lot by how he thinks about what’s around him. Notice I said SEE?
So did my tweaking work for my critique buddies Veola, Ron, Ralph and Kelly?
You decide.
Here’s one of the opening paragraph for which I got several positive comments:
“He double-timed the staircase and sailed inside the office building. His steps clapped against tile, echoing around the bank’s tiled lobby. ID card drawn for the guard and swiftly replaced, he tapped a loafered toe to send a subliminal message to the couple selfishly absorbed in a personal discussion, and by 8:58, pushed the elevator button. Despite the challenges of the morning, it was going to be a good day.”
What’s interesting about this one is, I had it buried about five pages later, and when I read Jeff’s logic, I brought it forward to the opening. (BTW, he’s just bypassed a homeless encampment, and that’s why he’s in such a hurry…nice guy, right?)
Something else Jeff said resonated as I realized my “cuts” file is getting longer than my MS. “What you lose in detail, you more than make up for in reader engagement.”
To write complicated characters, which makes them more compelling and makes the reader want to know what happens next, you need to know a LOT of details and background yourself. In first drafts a lot of inner thoughts may find the page, but to follow Jeff’s most compelling nugget now burned into my writerly brain: “Can the camera see it?”
Here’s my BIL Sean, an uber talented cameraman. (He’s smiling because he knows how the camera adds ten pounds. LOL. Or maybe just because he knows how all those gizmos work.)
Like I said, he was a filmmaker by education, but that explanation makes it so much easier to remember than the tired old, “show don’t tell” which doesn’t really say anything to the 21st century brain. But I get camera angles and the importance of “the visual.”
Also this week, I hit a low when I realized how long this was all taking, and I want the book done NOW.
But I read the terrific writer, Jess Walter’s BEAUTIFUL RUINS, a complex, character driven, yet plot complex story about an American actress, and the Italian hotel owner she meets when she’s looking for privacy…a great read y’all.
Anywhoo…Jess admits it took him fifteen years to get the story ready. FIFTEEN YEARS. But it’s a great read, recommended!
A big shout-out of thanks to both Jeff and Jess this week. (And Rebecca’s critique group)
Writers, what’s helped you with your opening?
Readers, What keeps you interested past page one…or worse, what makes you toss the book aside and reach for the remote?
I’m having fun writing The Kaleidoscope, A Novel of Unusual Circumstances, where the main character, Harold, finds himself the custodian of a magical scope that reveals much more than just colorful shapes! Here’s a Pinterest board where I’m gathering images of the characters and setting for Kaleidoscope.
May 14, 2013
Free Kindle Romantic Suspense
Free Tuesday May 14th and Wednesday May 15th
Today I’m hosting my friend, Laura Marshall, helping spread the word about her book, Persistent Love:
A Christian Romantic Suspense Novella set in 1685, England.
Fear has been Tara’s constant companion since age nine when she witnessed her mother’s murder. Tara’s father moves his family to the ancient castle of Raven’s Cliff, far from the ships that could carry her back to India and the answers she believes lie there. Andrew offers her friendship and guides her gently to the One who will give her peace. Will she find hope for something other than revenge?
Here’s a brief Q&A with the Author, Laura J. Marshall.
Q: What do you think makes a good story?
A: To make a good story, I believe characters that you can relate to are important, as well as being able to place yourself in the scene as you read. I love a “cozy” feel to a book as I read it. I don’t know what the secret is to writing a story with this element, but I hope I achieved it in Persistent Love.
Laura J. Marshall is the full-time mother of five sons and part-time writer and blogger. She operates a popular blog called The Old Stone Wall. Laura is the best-selling author of the Battle Cry Devotional Series. Visit www.LauraJMarshall.com to find out more about Laura’s books.
May 13, 2013
Grace and pride can go together…I’ll prove it!
Grace and pride can go together…I’ll prove it!
We interrupt our regularly scheduled post today to do a little bragging.
A few years ago one of my critique partners, Joanne Bischof, wrote a book that was so different from anything that had ever been written, the plot so out of the ordinary, her characters so messed up compared to books already on the shelves, she wondered if her storyline and bad-boy main character would ever be accepted.
But she persisted, tweaked, edited and poured out her soul into this book (this is supposed to be encouragement to other writers!) and found a very insightful and inspired agent who found the first book in the Cadence of Grace series a home at the very smart publishing house, Waterbrook.
IT WASN’T EASY, BUT IT WAS WORTH IT
I feel like a proud auntie clapping in the seats at the spelling bee as Be Still My Soul begins to progress through the ranks of reviewers, bestseller sales, and attracts attention from judges in award competitions. Already a Christy nominee, today it was announced that Be Still My Soul is a 2012 Grace Award WINNER.
If you haven’t read it yet, run and get a copy. Now. And while you’re at it, get the sequel, Though My Heart is Torn so you’ll be ready for the series finale, My Hope is Found, due out in October.
Here’s a fun interview I did recently with Joanne to give you a glimpse into how real and transparent, smart and funny she is. And hardworking.
Joanne Bischof
Big fat {{hugs}} of congratulations, Joanne, you so deserve this!
Also a shout out to my Christian Writer’s Guild mentor, Kathy Tyers, for her Grace award for DAYSTAR.
May 7, 2013
Body Image Lies Women Believe: Free Kindle eBook & $100 Giveaway
Body Image Lies Women Believe: Free Kindle eBook & $100 Giveaway
By Shelley Hitz and contributing authors
FREE three days only: 5/8/13, 5/9/13 and 5/10/13
PLUS enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
About the Book, Body Image Lies Women Believe:
Are you insecure about your looks?
Have you ever compared yourself to someone else and found yourself wanting?
Do complements or put downs determine the image you have of your beauty?
Real Stories of Overcoming Body Image Lies Women Believe with God’s Truth
Throughout this book, Christian women share their stories of how they have struggled with body image lies and a distorted view of themselves. However, each of their stories also contains hope – the hope of replacing these lies with God’s truth. Our prayer for you is that you find encouragement within these pages and allow Christ to transform you with His truth.
We Are Each Created Unique
God has created each one of us with unique abilities, unique talents and a unique personality. As women we are influencers and God has given us that role and our beauty to share with others. Yet so often we settle for a counterfeit. The enemy has counterfeited our idea of beauty, convincing us to share our beauty with the world in a distorted way. Today that often means that we see our beauty as what we look like on the outside.
What Lies Have You Been Believing?
Join us for the journey of replacing body image lies with truth from God’s Word.
FREE on 5/8/13, 5/9/13 and 5/10/13
Paperback | Large Print | Audiobook
Shelley Hitz
Shelley Hitz is an award-winning and international best-selling author. Her openness and vulnerability as she shares her own story of hope and healing through her books will inspire and encourage you.
Shelley has been ministering alongside her husband, CJ, since 1998. They currently travel and speak to teens and adults around the country. Shelley’s main passion is to share God’s truth and the freedom in Christ she has found with others. She does this through her books, websites and speaking engagements.
Follow Shelley Hitz
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Enter Below to Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
Thank you to our sponsors! The giveaway is sponsored by Staci Stallings, Spirit Filled Kindle, Grace & Faith 4 U and Body and Soul Publishing.
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April 22, 2013
Why writing can be therapeutic..building up characters so I can take them down!
Why writing can be therapeutic..building up characters so I can take them down!
Blogging about the process…while I write The Kaleidoscope, a Novel of Unusual Circumstances - Entry 2
My main character, Harold, is the most complicated character, and he should be, because most of the book will be from his point of view- POV. And because of that, he’s the one whom I should pay the most attention to in preparing to write. Because I challenged myself to really get into his head, I have been studying how other authors do it.
To make it workable, I will concentrate on three major areas:
Use details that resonate – sprinkling in small moments from Harold’s memories will make him seem more real, less cardboard
Demonstrate motivation with feelings– people are emotional beings, and before we form words, we feel our hurts and hates.*
Know a character’s backstory, shames, accomplishments, and what he WANTS, even if every detail doesn’t seem important at first.
I read a couple of novels recently that demonstrated these points really well. Tammy Greenwood’s “Two Rivers,” is a first person POV of a widower with a young daughter who becomes involved with a girl stranded after a train wreck. Greenwood’s depiction of Harper meets all the rules for writing a dimensional character. From the beginning, we’re drawn into Harper’s world:
Photo courtesy of Wanacommons – Kass Lamb
“Once, a long time ago, I made a split-second decision that has made me question who I am, what I am capable of, every day since. And this instant, this horrible moment, has haunted every other moment of my life. I don’t think I am a bad man, but sometimes I just don’t know.” (Kindle loc 222)
Immediately, we’re into Harper’s head, feeling his angst and also, cleverly enticed by Greenwood to keep turning the pages to find out what happened so long ago. Conflict and mystery!
Some complain that deeply written character-based stories have little plot, but Greenwood’s able to handle both because her character’s thoughts and memories help to move the plot forward, adding dimension:
“On Christmas Eve we always stayed up until midnight. And just as my mother’s Windsor chimes rang out, my father would make a big show of going to get the Yule log (which was actually nothing special, just the biggest piece of wood on the wood pile), and my mother would ceremonially disappear into their bedroom. A few minutes later, she would come out 
with a handful of splinters from the previous year’s log, which she kept in a shoebox under her bed. This tradition, pilfered from her distant European ancestors, was meant to keep the house safe from fire and other demons. I hadn’t thought about the irony of this, one of my mother’s few but beloved customs, until this moment. I felt suddenly wrecked with nostalgia.” (Kindle loc 3771)
Harper recalls this childhood memory with such detail we feel as if we’re there with him…no! We feel as if it’s OUR memory. It would take me two more pages to list all the details Greenwood packed in here about her MC. You’ll have to read for yourself why this memory is another important tactic. By the way kids, did you spot the RESONANCE? Another important tool.
Another master at character development is author Joanne Bischof. In “Be Still My Soul,” bad boy Gideon finds himself in a shotgun wedding. (Bad boys are particularly tough to cast as main characters, but Bischof’s a genius at making us love and hate him at the same time. In this scene, Gid regards his life situation so we know how he feels about his dilemma:
“Whether he wanted to or not, he’d have to take responsibility for his family…The thought sobered Gideon, fueling the fire under his feet. He would have to find work soon. And a house. He could not offer his family much, not in eight months, but there would be a roof over their heads…Through his own blood and sweat, he would spend the rest of his days repaying an unseen debt. Apparently God hadn’t been satisfied with his sacrifices already. With his fingertips, Gideon turned his glass in a slow circle on the table.
Figures.” (paperback, p 135.)
*Each author paints an internal picture, never using the words “feel” or “thought” but actually walking the reader through the thought process.
To do that, an author skillfully shows, not tells using natural beats, action and emotion. “To convey feelings well, a writer must also utilize nonverbal communication, which can be broken down into three elements: physical signals, (body language and actions), internal sensations (visceral reactions) and mental responses (thoughts).” “The Emotion Thesaurus” (Kindle loc 93)
That’s talent.
Why does this work so well? There’s actually psychology involved!
In “Million Dollar Outlines,” David Farland explains that when reading fiction, our minds don’t separate what’s going on with a character and reality. It’s like we really get in there and feel the experiences. A surface treatment of “he anguished” or “worried about” wouldn’t provide the same response in us, the reader, as the two examples.
Another ingredient that’s important is conflict. Notice in both samples, each of the guys struggles against something. They’re not cardboard guys wearing the latest jeans and cologne, they have spiritual selves, railing against God in Gid’s case, or being chased by guilt in Harper’s.
Back to Kaleidoscope. Here is Harold’s character description, so far:
Harold XXX (no last name, yet) a 39 year-old divorcee, works in a bank processing commercial loan paperwork. His ex-wife, Georgia, left him for the Sparklett’s delivery guy, telling Harold he was boring and dull, and would never make anything of his life. Ruddy complected, he pays great attention to his appearance, pressed slacks and white button down shirts, laundered weekly. He also keeps his cubicle at work immaculate, and expects everyone else to do the same. He lives in an apartment complex within walking distance, across a city park from his work, making it convenient since he doesn’t drive (having failed every driving test he’s ever taken). Harold has a plan to win Georgia back; he’s convinced that if he gets a promotion he will once again earn her respect, but first he must correct all his officemate’s errors, which will prove his worthiness for the job visiting commercial properties to evaluate them for their loan status. But since he doesn’t drive…
Here are the books I’ve referenced in this post:
“Be Still My Soul,” by Joanne Bischof
“Million Dollar Outlines,” and “Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing,” by David Farland
“Building Believable Characters” by Mark McCutcheon
“Rivet your Readers with Deep Point of View,” by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
“The Emotion Thesaurus, A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression,” Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglish
What books would you recommend that drew you into the character? Books on craft?
What do you think of Harold so far?
April 20, 2013
The Kaleidoscope – a novel from Inception to Conception
The Kaleidoscope – a novel from Inception to Conception
I’m asked two questions most often about my writing. One is, “how do you come up with story ideas?” and the other usually centers on the actual methods…translate: how many hours are spent planning, plotting and preparing before actually setting pen to paper?
Since I’m all about FRESH STARTS here, and I am beginning a new stand-alone novel, The Kaleidoscope, a Novel of Unusual Circumstances, (This is my working title, and as with everything else here, open for discussion.) I thought it would be terrifying fun to post along the process as the story takes shape.
THE CHALLENGE
I’ve added some personal challenges (besides blogging the journey) to up the ante. I want to grow as a writer, and as I study from some terrific teachers, I will post what I’m reading and studying.
So please, join me as I take you backstage so to speak, as my idea becomes a finished book.
Practice, practice, practice.
If you’ve written before, or heck, learned or practiced anything while others watched, maybe a new sport, talent or craft, you know how it feels to bare all. I applaud you for that. The accountability can be scary, right? But we’re all friends here. Can I get an amen?
Most writers are advised to do several things: take classes, go to conferences and join a critique group (and/or find a critique partner who isn’t related to you…or in your employ, LOL.) Check, check, and check.
I’m proud to say I have had some of the most awesome critique partners who speak truth in kindness. (Shout out to Rebecca Farnbach and her group; and Ashley Ludwig, Dona Watson, and Joanne Bischof!)
L-R, Ashley, Joanne, me, Dona
I’m eager to get your input, so if you have a question, have read a great book or site that adds to the conversation, or even if you sense a wrong turn, see a misstep or catch me in a foul-up, please weigh in. I welcome your input and always covet your prayers.
And if you’re writing, I’d love to hear from you!
I used to show hunter-jumpers, and when my green horse got comfortable taking small hurdles, my coach would remove the pegs, and raise the top rail for a higher challenge. Literally, I am raising the bar on myself, and hopefully this preparation will bring me a clean round when it’s showtime.
Let’s Roll!
Here’s how I conceived of “The Kaleidoscope.”
One of the techniques I wanted to improve upon was to “deepen my POV,” to build believable characters who are dimensional and complicated. To write a book where the people begin to seem so real, you know their thoughts, childhoods, secrets and shames.
That’s good casting, folks.
You have to test a character’s chops to discover motivation, and one way is to offer them a challenge. So I searched for a method or idea to really scare the daylights out of my main character (MC).
I used to work in the properties department of live theatre, providing handheld items for actors to carry, so props are special to me, close to my heart. I searched for something that would be used throughout the book to further the trouble my MC would face, something he would learn to love and hate. (Every story needs trouble in River City!) Beware, I will use a mash up of theater and horse riding metaphors, LOL. #selfediting!
I considered using a snow globe for my prop. Somehow the MC finds or becomes its guardian. But that bothered me for two reasons: a) it’s kind of cliché, overdone, and b) I also wanted the image revealed to be a secret, visible only to the viewer… so my MC would have to get to know the person better after they looked.
Snowglobes evoke winter, another reason I passed on using one.
Voila, I decided a magical kaleidoscope would work! (I’ll discuss exactly how the MC is terrified by it in a future post, but don’t worry, we’re not writing horror…um…I don’t think.)
Before I was settled on a ‘scope, though I also searched Amazon to see if there were many books using Kaleidoscopes as a motif, and found a few, but none using the plot device I plan. Perfect.
As you’ll notice, I haven’t identified what genre I am going for. Yet. But I’m beginning to see lines forming. Because I will attempt to write deep POV, I’m dabbling in literary fiction (with my little pinky), and a magical ‘scope, so the fantasy element is now there. (NEVER thought I’d write fantasy.)
I’ve been writing for mainly a female audience until now (THE SEASONS OF CHERRYVALE), and I wanted to really stretch myself, so I decided my MC should be a man.
I’ve been reading “Million Dollar Outlines” by David Farland, and he reminded me that by casting the MC as a man, I might attract more male readers. (More on this EXCELLENT book in a later post.)
Aaannd…not only will I no longer be able to fall back on “how would a woman think/react,” I will have to do my homework and pay attention when I write how a guy thinks.
Which is a perfect setup for the next post, which will cover some terrific books I read to prepare myself for laying down the groundwork for the plot, setting, characters and other tools.
To see the pictures I’m gathering around the casting and setting for Kaleidoscope, check out my Pinterest board.
I’d love to hear your stories of making fresh starts, thoughts about writing, or what new talent, hobby or endeavor you’re challenging yourself with. If I’m really inspired, I might enter you to win random giveaways from my overstuffed shelves.
Bev out!
Be sure to check out Christina Katz’ list of terrific freelance writing books!
April 9, 2013
Authors in Bloom
Hello hopper!
Welcome to my corner of the world where I celebrate FRESH STARTS, new beginnings, and explore nature’s beauty in THE SEASONS OF CHERRYVALE series.
FRESH START STORIES, because everyone needs one from time to time.
What better way to start your own fresh start than by sprucing up your garden? Here’s my tip to boost your flowers, vegetables, succulents, or even houseplants, to their lushest growing season ever.
Besides water, the correct amount of sunlight is crucial to nurturing growing things, so I am giving away a SUNCALC probe that will take the guesswork out of what you can plant, and where.
With the high cost of groceries, like me you might be inspired to begin a vegetable garden. In FRESH START SUMMER, the main character, Grace, enjoys gardening, and then bikes around the CherryPath to see what’s growing in Cherryvale, where neighbors care, gardeners share, and God allows do-overs.
Winner of the 2011 San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild “Nancy Bayless Excellence in Writing” Award
Named one of Real Simple.com’s Top 21 Great Summer Books, and a finalist in the 2011 Grace Awards.
Praise for FRESH START SUMMER - “Lovable–and some not-so-lovable–characters, a delightful setting, and a humorous voice all worked together to captivate in Beverly Nault’s Fresh Start Summer… Indulge yourself in a little hometown nostalgia, where friends close ranks to help and protect their neighbors. Novel Rocket and I recommend it as athoroughly good read.” Ane Mulligan, Novel Rocket (from Amazon review)
So, if you have a pesky spot where the petunias pout or the wisterias whine, you can know if the problem stems from too much or not enough sun.
To enter to win the SUNCALC:
Like me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter (leave a comment here letting me know!) or
Sign up to receive my newsletter (2-3 times a year or when news breaks) or
Buy one (or more!) of my books (come back here and leave a comment so I’ll know to enter your name), or
BONUS: If you do one of the above, plus share your own experience with making a fresh start in the comments section, I’ll enter your name twice!
SUNCAL takes the guesswork out of where to put plants based on”FULL SUN,” “PARTIAL SUN, and SHADE.
From Amazon’s description – It accurately measures the amount of accumulated light that falls on a gard ener’s specific location of their property, providing you with the ability to match a plant’s light requirements (full sun, partial sun,etc.) with the actual light conditions as measured by SunCalc. All gardeners need to do is place SunCalc at the desired location, turn it on and 12 hours later return to read the results. Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade or Full Shade. A $24.00 value!
Here’s the link you’ll need to continue on the hop:
Thanks for stopping by, and please check back often for new titles.
Other books in the series: Autumn Changes, Hearts Unlocked, and Christmas Bells
