Margo Kelly's Blog, page 37
February 6, 2015
5 Tips for #Writing Action Scenes
Often times as writers, we rush through an action scene. It happens so quickly in our mind’s eye that our fingers can’t write it out fast enough. However, these five tips will help improve the action scenes in your manuscript:
1. Develop the Protagonist Beforehand: When readers are invested in the well-being of a character, they’re more likely to hold their breath as that character fights (literally or figuratively) through an action scene.
2. Develop the Antagonist: Likewise, when a reader believes in the evil capacity of the antagonist, then the reader will fear the villain who is committing the action more than the action itself.
3. Convince the Characters: If an action scene is a bit hard to believe, don’t try to convince the reader; instead, convince the characters of the reality of the situation.
4. Break the Scene into Four Still-Shots: Imagine a photographer at the scene of the action. Which of his photographs (still-shots) would be the four most important ones?
5. Improve Those Four Still-Shots: Really explore those images. What are the small sensory details that are only noticed upon closer examination? What is your protagonist feeling in each of those still-shots? Don’t go easy on yourself as a writer. Push past the surface details and shallow emotions. Describe the moment as richly as possible to allow the reader to fully experience the scene.Take your time with this process. In order to give the reader the fullest experience possible, we need to go back and revise not only that one action scene, but also the details of the manuscript leading up to that scene. The result will be worth the effort.
February 4, 2015
#IWSG = An Awesome #Writing Support Group!
Are you a #writer looking for encouragement? Or friends? Or advice? Or a kick-in-the-pants? LOOK NO FURTHER! The Insecure Writer's Support Group has it all ... and more!
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. CLICK HERE to view the entire list of participants, and then go visit their blogs today!
If you haven't already joined the group ... STOP what you're doing right now ... AND JOIN! I've lost track of how long I've been a part of this great group, but I'm so thankful that I am! The monthly posts give me a boost whenever I need it, and the advice shared is wonderful. I know this reads like an advertisement, but as I was pondering what to share this month and how I could offer encouragement to other writers, I realized, I simply need to promote this group more. That alone is the best advice, encouragement, and a kick-in-the-pants I can offer you this month! ;) So click on the link above and join! Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Oh, and by the way, our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG.
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. CLICK HERE to view the entire list of participants, and then go visit their blogs today!
If you haven't already joined the group ... STOP what you're doing right now ... AND JOIN! I've lost track of how long I've been a part of this great group, but I'm so thankful that I am! The monthly posts give me a boost whenever I need it, and the advice shared is wonderful. I know this reads like an advertisement, but as I was pondering what to share this month and how I could offer encouragement to other writers, I realized, I simply need to promote this group more. That alone is the best advice, encouragement, and a kick-in-the-pants I can offer you this month! ;) So click on the link above and join! Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Oh, and by the way, our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG.
January 29, 2015
Get Ready for the #AtoZChallenge 2015
That's right! Sign-ups have begun for the annual A to Z Challenge!
The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on. You can use a theme for the month or go random – just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day.
The A to Z Challenge is a great way to get into the blogging habit and make new friends. For more details and its history, go HERE
We recommend short posts, turn off Word Verification, and visit five blogs (or more) a day beginning with the one after yours on the list.
Blogs must be on an open platform – no Tumblr, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. – and comments enabled. I've participated for the last several years in a row. It's a great challenge! So head on over and join the fun at: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/a-to-z-challenge-sign-uplist-2015.html And tell me in the comments below if you're planning to participate, because I'd love to visit your blog during the challenge! :)
The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on. You can use a theme for the month or go random – just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day. The A to Z Challenge is a great way to get into the blogging habit and make new friends. For more details and its history, go HERE
We recommend short posts, turn off Word Verification, and visit five blogs (or more) a day beginning with the one after yours on the list.
Blogs must be on an open platform – no Tumblr, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. – and comments enabled. I've participated for the last several years in a row. It's a great challenge! So head on over and join the fun at: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/a-to-z-challenge-sign-uplist-2015.html And tell me in the comments below if you're planning to participate, because I'd love to visit your blog during the challenge! :)
January 22, 2015
Sneak Peek: A #Valentine's Giveaway for #Book Lovers!
Mark your calendars for a wonderful book giveaway in February!
More details will come later! Stay tuned. :)
More details will come later! Stay tuned. :)
January 19, 2015
A Bit of #Research Behind the #Book: WHO R U REALLY?
Sometimes research is necessary to develop a plot or flesh out a character. I found this to be true when I was building the characters for my novel, WHO R U REALLY?.
To better understand why the main character would fall for the wrong guy, I examined the psychology behind the “bad boy” syndrome. Often times, girls ignore warning signs and take unnecessary risks to feel loved by someone who is no good for them. I researched a lot of Psychology Today articles along with various professional studies, and the bottom line was: FEAR IS AN APHRODISIAC.
Yes. It. Is.
Some girls (and grown women) date men—love men—because they are dangerous.
Is it the thrill factor? Is it a self-esteem issue?
Many teenage girls lack self-esteem. It isn’t something you can GIVE to a person. Sure, it can be nurtured, but ultimately, self-esteem is something we must discover for ourselves. Most of us go through that learning phase as young women, but I know plenty of older women (including myself to a certain extent) who continue to struggle with self-esteem issues.
So if there’s an element of danger to the man who seems totally devoted to your every desire … does that boost your self-esteem? Does your ability to handle that danger further boost your self-esteem?
Or does self-esteem have nothing to do with it? Maybe it is simply the thrill factor alone.
Fear is an aphrodisiac.
Think about it. Some women have:
1. One night stands
2. Affairs
3. Fantasies of being with the bad boy
4. Flirt fests with the bouncer / linebacker / drug dealer / teacher / best friend's boyfriend / boss / etc.
These items involve an element of fear. Fear of your lover and the potential harm he could cause to you and/or your family.
But … let’s take it a step furtherand consider: Fear is also an aphrodisiac with a SAFE guy.
Seriously. Unless you're a rock, you have feelings. Feelings that could be dangerous if you trust the wrong person … or even the right person at the wrong time … or in the wrong place. Otherwise, why would people have sex in elevators, on airplanes, in libraries, in movie theaters? They do these things because they have become safe in their relationship, and they want to bring back some of the fear-aphrodisiac.
Even if you and your safe partner only have safe sex in a safe place, there can still be an element of fear. During sex you are exposing yourself more than at any other moment. If something, anything, goes wrong, your inner most core could be damaged. What could go wrong with a safe partner in a safe place? A lot of things. Use your imagination.
But … let’s take it even a step furtherand consider: Maybe it's not FEAR at all that is the actual aphrodisiac.
Maybe, in fact, it is TRUST.
Trust … that even though your boyfriend wants to drink your blood (if your name is Bella), you have faith that he loves you more than that blood-drinking-desire.
Or in the case of WHO R U REALLY? … trust that the guy on the other side of the Internet has been telling you the truth all along.
Or at your high school, when you trust that your football-playing-linebacker will leave his aggression on the field and never hit you.
Or growing old, when you trust that your safe-devoted-husband will never make fun of your ever-growing-love-handles.
Trust trumps fear.
That is the climactic aphrodisiac.
And that my dear sweet friends, is the simple research I did to help develop my characters.
Research isdefinitely a distraction ESSENTIAL when writing a manuscript.
What do you think … is fear an aphrodisiac? [This is a simultaneous post with Uncommon YA. If you've not yet visited that awesome site - go check it out now!]
To better understand why the main character would fall for the wrong guy, I examined the psychology behind the “bad boy” syndrome. Often times, girls ignore warning signs and take unnecessary risks to feel loved by someone who is no good for them. I researched a lot of Psychology Today articles along with various professional studies, and the bottom line was: FEAR IS AN APHRODISIAC.
Yes. It. Is.
Some girls (and grown women) date men—love men—because they are dangerous.
Is it the thrill factor? Is it a self-esteem issue?
Many teenage girls lack self-esteem. It isn’t something you can GIVE to a person. Sure, it can be nurtured, but ultimately, self-esteem is something we must discover for ourselves. Most of us go through that learning phase as young women, but I know plenty of older women (including myself to a certain extent) who continue to struggle with self-esteem issues.
So if there’s an element of danger to the man who seems totally devoted to your every desire … does that boost your self-esteem? Does your ability to handle that danger further boost your self-esteem?
Or does self-esteem have nothing to do with it? Maybe it is simply the thrill factor alone.
Fear is an aphrodisiac.
Think about it. Some women have:
1. One night stands
2. Affairs
3. Fantasies of being with the bad boy
4. Flirt fests with the bouncer / linebacker / drug dealer / teacher / best friend's boyfriend / boss / etc.
These items involve an element of fear. Fear of your lover and the potential harm he could cause to you and/or your family.
But … let’s take it a step furtherand consider: Fear is also an aphrodisiac with a SAFE guy.
Seriously. Unless you're a rock, you have feelings. Feelings that could be dangerous if you trust the wrong person … or even the right person at the wrong time … or in the wrong place. Otherwise, why would people have sex in elevators, on airplanes, in libraries, in movie theaters? They do these things because they have become safe in their relationship, and they want to bring back some of the fear-aphrodisiac.
Even if you and your safe partner only have safe sex in a safe place, there can still be an element of fear. During sex you are exposing yourself more than at any other moment. If something, anything, goes wrong, your inner most core could be damaged. What could go wrong with a safe partner in a safe place? A lot of things. Use your imagination.
But … let’s take it even a step furtherand consider: Maybe it's not FEAR at all that is the actual aphrodisiac.
Maybe, in fact, it is TRUST.
Trust … that even though your boyfriend wants to drink your blood (if your name is Bella), you have faith that he loves you more than that blood-drinking-desire.
Or in the case of WHO R U REALLY? … trust that the guy on the other side of the Internet has been telling you the truth all along.
Or at your high school, when you trust that your football-playing-linebacker will leave his aggression on the field and never hit you.
Or growing old, when you trust that your safe-devoted-husband will never make fun of your ever-growing-love-handles.
Trust trumps fear.
That is the climactic aphrodisiac.
And that my dear sweet friends, is the simple research I did to help develop my characters.
Research is
What do you think … is fear an aphrodisiac? [This is a simultaneous post with Uncommon YA. If you've not yet visited that awesome site - go check it out now!]
January 14, 2015
A #Book Discussion with Awesome Ladies!
This wonderful group of young women invited me to come and discuss WHO R U REALLY? with them tonight, and we had a great time!
We talked about which scenes in the story actually happened in real life, and this reader explained why it's a bad idea to spoil the plot for people who've not yet read the book. Part of the thrill of reading it is trying to figure out who the predator is in the story!
We talked about online safety and how to pay attention to your instincts. Whether online or in person, if your gut twists and you feel uncomfortable, get out of that situation!
We talked about becoming a writer, the process of getting an agent, and how many times to revise a manuscript. Here are some of the books I recommend to anyone interested in becoming a better writer: THE FIRE IN FICTION by Donald MaassSAVE THE CAT by Blake SnyderSELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS by Browne & KingWRITING YA FOR DUMMIES by Deborah HalversonTHE ELEMENTS OF STYLE by Strunk & WhiteTHE STORY BOOK by David Baboulene
And we even talked about the baseball bat that boys had to sign before they could take my daughter out on a date. :)
Thank you so much for inviting me! I'm happy to come and discuss any of these topics with groups of any size:WHO R U REALLY? - Behind the ScenesMaking Safer Connections OnlineThe Basics of Building a Story Simply click on the "Appearances" tab at the top of this page for more information, and then contact me to schedule a date for me to come and speak with your group.
We talked about which scenes in the story actually happened in real life, and this reader explained why it's a bad idea to spoil the plot for people who've not yet read the book. Part of the thrill of reading it is trying to figure out who the predator is in the story!
We talked about online safety and how to pay attention to your instincts. Whether online or in person, if your gut twists and you feel uncomfortable, get out of that situation!
We talked about becoming a writer, the process of getting an agent, and how many times to revise a manuscript. Here are some of the books I recommend to anyone interested in becoming a better writer: THE FIRE IN FICTION by Donald MaassSAVE THE CAT by Blake SnyderSELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS by Browne & KingWRITING YA FOR DUMMIES by Deborah HalversonTHE ELEMENTS OF STYLE by Strunk & WhiteTHE STORY BOOK by David Baboulene
And we even talked about the baseball bat that boys had to sign before they could take my daughter out on a date. :)
Thank you so much for inviting me! I'm happy to come and discuss any of these topics with groups of any size:WHO R U REALLY? - Behind the ScenesMaking Safer Connections OnlineThe Basics of Building a Story Simply click on the "Appearances" tab at the top of this page for more information, and then contact me to schedule a date for me to come and speak with your group.
January 7, 2015
#IWSG -- Because Neil Gaiman Said So!
"Let go and enjoy the ride!" @neilhimself
I've quoted Neil Gaiman many times (like HERE and HERE). I love his speech "Make Good Art" so much, I've featured it twice on my blog! Click here to view it (especially if you've never seen it.)!!
In that well-known commencement speech about making good art, he gives the following advice:
"Stephen King said to me, "This is really great. You should enjoy it." And I didn't. Best advice I ever got that I ignored. Instead I worried about it. I worried about the next deadline, the next idea, the next story. There wasn't a moment for the next fourteen or fifteen years that I wasn't writing something in my head or wondering about it. And I didn't stop and look around and go, "This is really fun." I wish I'd enjoyed it more. It's been an amazing ride, and there were parts I missed because I was too worried about things going wrong, about what came next, than enjoying the bit I was in. That was the hardest lesson for me. To let go and enjoy the ride, because the ride takes you to some remarkable and unexpected places."
Since this is the first Wednesday of the month ... time to post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group ... what's a better thought for us than to "Let go and enjoy the ride!"? No matter what stage of the writing and publishing process we're in, let's enjoy it and celebrate it. Because it is remarkable.
Enjoy every bit of 2015!
Join the group! www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
I've quoted Neil Gaiman many times (like HERE and HERE). I love his speech "Make Good Art" so much, I've featured it twice on my blog! Click here to view it (especially if you've never seen it.)!!
In that well-known commencement speech about making good art, he gives the following advice:
"Stephen King said to me, "This is really great. You should enjoy it." And I didn't. Best advice I ever got that I ignored. Instead I worried about it. I worried about the next deadline, the next idea, the next story. There wasn't a moment for the next fourteen or fifteen years that I wasn't writing something in my head or wondering about it. And I didn't stop and look around and go, "This is really fun." I wish I'd enjoyed it more. It's been an amazing ride, and there were parts I missed because I was too worried about things going wrong, about what came next, than enjoying the bit I was in. That was the hardest lesson for me. To let go and enjoy the ride, because the ride takes you to some remarkable and unexpected places."
Since this is the first Wednesday of the month ... time to post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group ... what's a better thought for us than to "Let go and enjoy the ride!"? No matter what stage of the writing and publishing process we're in, let's enjoy it and celebrate it. Because it is remarkable.
Enjoy every bit of 2015!
Join the group! www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com January 5, 2015
Final Days of the #Book Blog Tour - #Reviews & Interviews
Enter to win a copy of
Who R U Really?
and check out the stops listed below loaded with reviews and interviews.
The Final Week of The Blog Tour:
January 5th
Shelf Full of Books – Review
CBY Book Club – Interview
Read more-sleep less – Review
Sarah Aisling – Review
Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review
Books Direct – Review
Mel’s Shelves – Review & Interview
Her Book Thoughts – Review
January 6th
Wall-to-wall books – Review
Romance With A Book – Review
January 7th
StoreyBook Reviews – Review
January 8th
Bunny’s Review – Spotlight
vvb32 reads – Review
January 10th
Bookwyrming Thoughts – Review
ReviewsbyNadine – Review
Confessions of a Book Geek – Review
Previous Stops on The Blog Tour:
December 3rd
BiblioSmiles – Spotlight
Author A.B. Whelan – Interview
Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Tens List
Mythical Books – Spotlight
Becoming Books – Spotlight
Chocolatte Reader – Review
December 4th
Kelly P’s Blog – Spotlight
FLY HIGH! – Guest Post
Shelf of Imagination – Review
December 5th
Auggie-Talk – Spotlight
Spiced Latte Reads – Spotlight
In This World of Books.. – Review
December 6th
Into the Mystic – Review
December 7th
Blue Eye Books – Review
December 8th
Verbosity Book Reviews – Review
Home Is Where the Wine Is Book Blog – Review
deal sharing aunt – Review
December 9th
XoXo Book Blog – Spotlight
Lori’s Reading Corner – Interview
Reviews from a Dreamer – Review
My Creatively Random Life – Review
December 10th
BookHounds YA – Interview
Cover2CoverBlog – Review
A Writer’s Dream – Review
A Writer’s Life – Review
December 15th
Word to Dreams – Review
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Review
Book Babble – Review
Click HERE to enter Rafflecopter
The Final Week of The Blog Tour:
January 5th
Shelf Full of Books – Review
CBY Book Club – Interview
Read more-sleep less – Review
Sarah Aisling – Review
Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review
Books Direct – Review
Mel’s Shelves – Review & Interview
Her Book Thoughts – Review
January 6th
Wall-to-wall books – Review
Romance With A Book – Review
January 7th
StoreyBook Reviews – Review
January 8th
Bunny’s Review – Spotlight
vvb32 reads – Review
January 10th
Bookwyrming Thoughts – Review
ReviewsbyNadine – Review
Confessions of a Book Geek – Review
Previous Stops on The Blog Tour:
December 3rd
BiblioSmiles – Spotlight
Author A.B. Whelan – Interview
Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Tens List
Mythical Books – Spotlight
Becoming Books – Spotlight
Chocolatte Reader – Review
December 4th
Kelly P’s Blog – Spotlight
FLY HIGH! – Guest Post
Shelf of Imagination – Review
December 5th
Auggie-Talk – Spotlight
Spiced Latte Reads – Spotlight
In This World of Books.. – Review
December 6th
Into the Mystic – Review
December 7th
Blue Eye Books – Review
December 8th
Verbosity Book Reviews – Review
Home Is Where the Wine Is Book Blog – Review
deal sharing aunt – Review
December 9th
XoXo Book Blog – Spotlight
Lori’s Reading Corner – Interview
Reviews from a Dreamer – Review
My Creatively Random Life – Review
December 10th
BookHounds YA – Interview
Cover2CoverBlog – Review
A Writer’s Dream – Review
A Writer’s Life – Review
December 15th
Word to Dreams – Review
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Review
Book Babble – Review
Click HERE to enter Rafflecopter
January 2, 2015
#Book Review: MADE FOR YOU
Made For You by Melissa MarrMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
First off, Melissa Marr is an excellent writer.
Second, if you don't like HORROR, don't read this book.
What's the difference between horror, suspense, and mystery? The main difference is that "horror" shows the violent act as it happens, causing a visceral reaction in the reader. For more information on the difference between these types of stories, you can read a post I wrote: http://www.margokelly.net/2012/04/is-...
There used to be an unwritten rule that when an author created a story for the young adult audience, the point of view of the evil villain was not shown in graphic detail. This is changing. MADE FOR YOU is NOT the first YA book I've read that shows the evil antagonist's view point. Personally, I find it a bit disturbing to read the murderous thoughts of a seventeen-year-old boy. But I suppose in today's world, it's more common to have teenagers who commit violent crimes. And that's even more disturbing. I do wonder what the statistics are concerning violent crimes today versus decades ago. It also makes me wonder if reading about it influences the thinking of young adults ... but then that's related to the old argument of whether or not playing violent video games makes boys go out and shoot people.
MADE FOR YOU is a story told from three points of view: 1) the main character, Ava 2) her best friend, Grace and 3) the killer. Since I listened to this as an audio book, I was glad that the producers had three different skilled actors read the different points of view. That helped me keep it straight in my mind who was speaking.
The audio book was well done. And I enjoyed the story when told from Ava's and Grace's points of view. I cringed during the killer's chapters.
This book not only contains graphic violence, but it also contains sex and the f-word, which all together would probably give it an R rating. So keep that in mind before picking it, thinking it's a light-weight YA book ... because it is not. It is however, very well written.
View all my reviews
December 31, 2014
Happy New Year!
"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something. So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work, or family, or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever." - Neil Gaiman
