Elizabeth Spann Craig's Blog, page 253

Tunnel Vision

I've frequently been guilty of tunnel vision. I'm very Type A, and to me, staying the course sometimes means completing a project or train of thought.

You've sent me a Christmas card? You're on my Christmas card list for life. I will continue sending you a card each year until I have proof of your demise in triplicate.

Change in schedule? I try to continue the original game plan for the day, while incorporating the change. In years past this meant carrying a squalling, unhappy...

The Unexpected

Have you ever watched something unexpected happen?

My daughter was a cute baby. She was roly-poly and liked singing to herself in baby babble. Her hair stuck straight up and her serious eyes stared directly at or through you.

When cooing strangers in the grocery store came up to my baby? She'd fire them an unblinking, belligerent glare that could curdle milk. Then she'd recoil--withdraw her arm, her head, her whole body from the stranger's looming proximity. She looked like an outraged a...

Having a Writer for a Mom

Cool:

Tell your friends your mother writes books. Have them convinced you're a liar. Have Mom verify later she actually does write. Maximum impact! Your name is in actual, printed books (because Mom can't resist putting you in the book somehow.) You meet other writers sometimes.

Not Cool:

The teacher will definitely ask Mom to teach a class on writing at some point during the school year. And your mom can be soooo embarrassing. If your mom is a...

When Characters Behave Out of Character

I think most readers agree that one thing that immediately forces them out of a story is when a character does something out of character. Occasionally authors need a plot device to forward the resolution of the story and some poor character will have to do something totally contrived.

"Why," wonders the reader, "would Kathy go into the clearing alone when she knows there's a ravenous T-Rex there? She's always been perfectly rational before…did she have a small stroke?"

Sometimes I can...

Crafting a Good Protagonist

What makes a good protagonist? This is a pretty subjective question since different readers like different types of heroes and heroines. But I see some common traits among the protagonists I admire:

They're likeable. Now, I've read plenty of books with unlikeable protagonists (Catcher in the Rye, anyone?), but although I sometimes appreciated the talent of the author, I just didn't care what happened to the protagonist. And that's just a major problem. What if you have your whiny...

What to Read When You're Writing

Like many writers, I'm a huge fan of books. If I hear a recommendation, I'm there. The library has made it so easy for me—simply sign in online, request a book, and go check it out. My favorites are purchased at bookstores and recommended to other book-loving friends.

But I seem to come up with roadblocks when I'm writing a book (which is, actually, all the time now.) I'm reluctant to read anything in my genre (cozy mysteries), even though they're my favorite reads for escape. I ...

Musing on Muses: the Fickle Nature of Inspiration

I think back to why I became a writer to begin with. It all started with a germ of an idea…multiplied by a hundred. Two hundred! Notebooks full of ideas: good ideas, rotten ideas. They popped into my head at the most random and inconvenient of times. And I loved every minute of it.

Now I realize we all have ideas. It's the implementing of these ideas that creates the problem. Yes, it's a lovely idea. Can you write about it for 250 pages or more? Will it hold someone's interest for that ...

Comfort Zones

I've gotten a lot more comfortable leaving my comfort zones in the last couple of years (especially concerning public speaking, signings, appearances, etc.) And then I just got satisfied with where I was. No more growth for me!

I've noticed several other bloggers who've been interested in personal growth via shaking up their routines a little.

I always enjoy visiting Karen Walker's Following the Whispers blog. She provides a great oasis of reflection..something I ordinarily don't...

What Does Your Character Want?

Someone wrote a wonderful post on gift wish lists and what our characters might want for Christmas. I hunted through blogs on my Google reader, but couldn't find the link. (Getting even foggier than usual as Christmas approaches and the busy factor goes up!) If it was your post, please leave a link in the comments.

I thought it was an interesting post. We always think about what our characters want in the big picture. What do they want and how can we keep them from it? We're all about ...

Technology and the Writer

Somewhere in the Southeast I am being unusually low tech. And probably feeling a little anxious.

I'm on the Christmas tour—seeing friends and family before heading back home for the big day.

My cell phone? It's broken. Verizon Wireless has ordered a part for it. I won't be able to get this part until Christmas Eve. I have a feeling that the Verizon Wireless store is going to be nuts on Christmas Eve, but I will be there, broken cell phone in hand.

I hate phones. But I love texting. I'm ...