Lenora Rogers's Blog, page 200
September 18, 2013
Writing Tips: Creating the Paranormal
Reblogged from Shannon A Thompson:
As many of you know, Minutes Before Sunset is a YA paranormal romance, and my other novel, November Snow, is a YA sci-fi. Although I've written in other genres, I wanted to concentrate on these genres, because I've found a lot of people (especially those who hesitate to try out the genre) think the genre only consists of vampires, werewolves, and ghosts.
Dianne Gardner – Author & llustrator & Fine Artist
253 851-0339
Dianne Gardner, an award winning author, is also an illustrator living in the Pacific Northwest, USA. She’s an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National League of American Pen Women. She is author to The Ian’s Realm Saga, Tales of the Four Wizards and is currently writing a screenplay of her fourth book Cassandra’s Castle all published by PDMI publishing. Dianne has won several awards for her book Dragon Shield. One being the books trailer;
and the other award is;
You can see more of Dianne’s work on her website http://gardnersart.com
Dianne has a book up for re release, Deception Peak.
http://net.ondemandbooks.com/odb/selfespress/9780615887845
I decided to interview her, so you can learn more about this amazingly talented woman.
Dianne Gardner – Author and Fine Artist
1.What inspired your story ?
My story was inspired by years of reading fantasy, and mostly from the fantasy stories I read as a child. Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of OZ, Peter Pan, Narnia…the worlds where there is enough beauty to fall in love and enough danger to make the trip an adventure.
2.What is your writing process like, do you use an outline ?
I pretty much follow John Truby’s guidelines in Anatomy of story. That is to write my premise, which explain the main character’s goal and the obstacles he has to face to achieve it. Then I develop my characters according to their roles, their goals, and how they conflict or support the main character.
3.Where did you your ideas for your characters ?
Each character is different. For instance with Ian, I had to think about the premise of the story and why the goal would be so hard for a particular character. I like to make the obstacles extremely hard so the character’s personality has development in order to achieve their goal. For instance in order for the battle through the Realm to be difficult for my main character, Ian had to start off with certain traits. In this case youth, an introvert personality, a lack of self confidence…those traits ensure extra struggle.
4.How did you go about developing your characters ?
Characters develop or grow when you throw problems at them that they have to solve. Once I know my characters’ traits, his strengths and his flaws, I find situations that make them confront their shortcomings and use the resources they have to overcome them.
5.When you started the book, did you already have an idea for an ending ?
I knew the ending to book III when I started book I yes, It was an exciting journey to get there!
6.Did you already have a title in mind, or did that come as the story developed ?
The title came as I developed the story.
7.Do you find that keeping a journal or notebooks around, helpful with keeping track of your ideas ?
Most definitely. I write on the computer, but I’m a visual person. I have to draw maps, timelines charts, pictures, that explain my characters and worlds. I have notes and notes on who my characters are and why they do what they do. If you saw them you’d think I was a psychiatrist.
8. Do your characters take over your story and sometimes go in a different direction than you originally intended ?
Yes, they do. Sometimes they surprise me. When it happens we take a turn, but like a good moderator, I steer them back on track once they get the ‘twist’ out of their system. I am the author. J
9. What comes first for you when writing a new book, the character or the story ?
The premise. Then I dive into the characters. I am a character freak. I love people. I’m a portrait artist and studying the nuances of individuals has always been a forte of mine.
10. What advice can you give for first time Authors about pacing themselves when writing ?
Stay with your story. If something is not working, go back to your premise, or your character.
11. I would also like to know what you think the benefits are of being in a writers group, especially for first time Authors ?
As a writer, if you want to be published you owe it to your readers to test drive what you put out. Someone is ultimately going to read your work. A critique group will help you prepare for that. Plus you will get the benefit of seeing how other writers attack a problem. You’ll make friends that will get involved with your story. I have a friend who I go for long walks with just to discuss my characters, and hers. We know each others stories inside out. So if something doesn’t work we can say..” Oh, she wouldn’t do that.” And be right! You need people like that when you write. You also need support. Writing can be lonely and it doesn’t always reap rewards when you expect it to. Having a listening ear and words of encouragement are what you need when that happens. We are family!
Official book blog: http://dragontargeseries.blogspot.com/
Dragon Shield Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c2rm6mGBrM
website http://gardnersart.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheIansRealmSaga?ref=ts&fref=ts
Twitter https://twitter.com/DianneGardner
Deception Peak
Rubies and Robbers
ELEMENTS OF A WINNING STORY: Does Someone Always Have to Die?
John Bowen, a professor of 19th-century literature, suggests that readers increasingly prefer “more optimistic and comic novels, with happy endings.”
Laura Miller adds:
These days, it’s the rare filmmaker who chooses to adapt a classic novel in the tragic vein — the current version of “Anna Karenina” is a notable exception. Whether it’s “Pride and Prejudice,” “Bleak House” or Gaskell’s cozy Cranford stories, the source material almost always ends in heartwarming reconciliation and at least one wedding.
WISHFUL THINKING
Reblogged from Barbara Ann Mojica's BLOG:
The Day I Met Dr. Seuss
Written by Anne Emerick
Most readers do not find themselves standing on middle ground when it comes to the work of Dr. Seuss; they either love it or hate it. This work of historical fiction is based on the author's real experience in attempting to visit Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel). In 1989, she wrote him a letter requesting an interview.
September 17, 2013
Writing Reality: Dialogue, and the Subtlety of Subtext
A quote pulled from my friend @drewchial's Twitter feed yesterday, inspired this latest entry:
"It helps to be hyper-aware of what makes each author's voice unique."
This got me thinking about characterization, dialogue and subtext; what tricks an author might use to keep the threads independent of one another, as well as individual to each person being portrayed.
I openly confess, I'm not much of a dialogue writer.
beautifully abandoned
Reblogged from t h i n g s + f l e s h:
I bought myself a new guitar today. Well, not really new: an old Gibson J 45, rich and deep on the low E and A strings, with round shoulders, a wine-red finish and tortoise teardrop pickguard.
He was standing in a city pawn shop, so beautifully abandoned, in reverent silence. I imagine his maker reclaimed the wood from an old church pew to make him.
Cindy Koepp – Author
Writing on The Edge
Myriad Musings; Finding Peace in The Midst of Anxiety and Depression Part 2
Lovebirds
Reblogged from Passion's Pleasure:
I haven't posted in here for a little while, but I decided to break my silence today. I'm in love, and I'm Passion, after all, so I decided to release one of my personal poems to my Beloved on my blog. For all of you reading this, go kiss your significant other... or go find one. ;)
PS - Kudos to my poetic brother Corey Springer on his new book "LIKE A SUNSET OVER DE GULLY" and if you are in Barbados check out his book launch this coming Sunday, September 22nd.
