Elizabeth Spann Craig's Blog, page 254

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 ...

Into the Woods

I'd promised my daughter I'd take her to the mall, one of her favorite places. I wonder sometimes if the stork brought me the wrong baby; she and I are so different.

I only intended to buy one or two things for the couple of people I had left on my Christmas list. But then…

It was all so…pretty… in the mall. The lights sparkled, it was cheerful and happy. Everyone was loaded down with bags. The mall played determinedly cheerful Christmas music. My bags multiplied. My daughter...

Judging a Book by its Cover

I'm always looking for something for my 7th grade son to read. He gobbles books up instead of savoring them. And—he's a picky reader. He'll read 30 pages and, if he isn't grabbed, he'll look for something else to read.

I was relieved to discover there was a popular fantasy series, Discworld. And that there were 37 of these books (which are extremely popular in the UK.)

I decided to pick up the first title at the library to make sure my son liked it before investing a lot of money in the ...

Worse Before It's Better

Wednesday afternoon, my daughter finished her math homework, started her spelling, then completely lost her focus. I decided she could take a one hour play break (she's only eight) before picking it back up again.

Halfway through her allotted hour of play, she came downstairs. "I decided to reorganize my bookcase, instead." I'm thinking that she must be Type A like me.

Since I'd just that afternoon done housework for an hour to clear my head, I totally understood. When her hour was...