Megan Morgan's Blog, page 17

Get Motivated!

Last week, I talked about how the characters make a story–how, even if a book doesn’t fall within a genre you normally read, you can find yourself enjoying it anyway if the characters are great. But, if the characters make a story, what makes the characters? Here’s a hint: it’s the same thing that moves the story forward, sets the stakes, and weaves the emotional tone. It’s the thing that leads the characters from point A to point B, and eventually, to a satisfying conclusion.

Motivation.

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What motivates your characters? That is, what pushes them through the events of the story? Do they want to save someone, save themselves, or save the world? Do they seek something to make their lives complete, or are they trying to be a different, better person? Your character’s motivations not only make them who they are, they make the story what it is, too.

There are different layers of motivation, as well:

The story layer. Whatever situation you put your character in, they will be motivated to change or overcome it. This is an integral part of the plot, and it makes up almost the entire reason for your story. Most stories at their heart are about a struggle, whether it’s someone trying to rescue their kidnapped child or someone trying to find a lost puppy. Your characters need a reason, and a kick in the pants, to be propelled through the tale you’re trying to tell.
The person layer. Deep down, who is your character? What sort of emotions rule their life–fear, pride, ambition, anger? How do they react to things, and how will they react to the predicament you’ve plopped them into? Of course, they don’t need to react well–some of the best stories are about people being forced to deal with something they’re not equipped to handle, at least at first. What traits motivate your character to behave the way they do?
The malleable layer. At the end of most stories, the characters have changed somehow. They’ve learned something, gotten stronger, maybe gotten more bitter, or they’ve had a huge shift in their thinking and the way they view the world. If the story didn’t change your character somehow, it’s time to evaluate why and how you can make that happen. Characters aren’t supposed to sit in stasis.

Motivation isn’t just about telling the story–sure, if your character is in a dire, immediate situation, they’re going to be focused on that. First and foremost, their motivation will be tackling difficulties, overcoming obstacles, and trying to reach a goal. But characters shouldn’t be solely comprised of their struggles, just as people in real life aren’t. Think about it–even in times of hardship, you still have a complex, multifaceted personality, don’t you? A good character does too. Even as they’re deeply embroiled in the events of the story, they are their own person, and their inner world, feelings, morals, and ideals will guide how they react to things and how well–or poorly–they take on what you throw at them. You don’t want a flat hero who’s just a hero for hero’s sake–flaws are beautiful and interesting!

What motivates you, and your characters?

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: advice, creativity, inspiration, writing

Monsterland by Michael Okon

Today I’m hosting Michael Okon and his horror novel, Monsterland. Michael is giving away a $50 Amazon/B&N gift card. In addition, five (US only) winners will also get a size large Monsterland t-shirt. So make sure to comment, check out the other stops on the tour, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

Michael is also here for an interview today!

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Enter to win a $50 Amazon/B&N gift card (international), or a size large Monsterland t-shirt (US only)

Leave a comment and check out the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!

Interview with Michael Okon

Do you ever wish you were someone else? Who?

I love everything about my life. I am extremely happy and full of gratitude for everything in my life. But…if I could be anyone on this planet it would probably be Robert Downey Jr. For some reason, I honestly believe he lives the same life as Tony Stark. He is a playboy actor that steals every scene he’s in, and when he wants he straps on a mechanized iron suit to fight bad guys. I’m obviously never going to be Robert Downey Jr., or Iron Man for that matter, but I can at least dream, right?

What did you do on your last birthday?

I believe I have the greatest birthday ever. I was born May 26, and this date always falls on Memorial Day weekend. So…I get a three day weekend, nice weather, and good summer movies out.  This past birthday (my 39th) my kids made me breakfast in bed, I snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, and I skydived out of a plane over the Nevada desert. I’m obviously joking. I woke up and cooked my family breakfast. I went to Adventureland with my wife and kids, plus my brother and his wife and kids. We ate dinner at Cheesecake Factory, didn’t sing happy birthday because the kids were tired from all the rides. So…we went home and I rented a movie on Apple TV. Aliens. But I still had an amazing birthday.

What part of the writing process do you dread?

None. I love to write. I love research and development. I love beating out my character arcs. I love building a universe that my characters can play in. Once in a while my kids will get out of bed and come to my office (the den) and ask me half-sleeping how the book is going, and I tell them the same thing every time. It’s going great. Then I forget my place and what I was about to write.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

I really don’t suffer from writer’s block. I love being creative and know exactly where my characters are going. I have a roadmap for each character so I’m never stumped as to what is going to happen to their arcs. If I do not lay out the map, I will be lost and never finish my story. I already know what’s going to happen at the end of my 6th book and I’m only on book 3 of the series.

Thanks, Michael! Now let’s learn more about Monsterland!

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Welcome to Monsterland—the scariest place on Earth.

Wyatt Baldwin’s senior year is not going well. His parents divorce, then his dad mysteriously dies. He’s not exactly comfortable with his new stepfather, Carter White, either. An ongoing debate with his best friends Melvin and Howard Drucker over which monster is superior has gotten stale. He’d much rather spend his days with beautiful and popular Jade. However, she’s dating the brash high-school quarterback Nolan, and Wyatt thinks he doesn’t stand a chance.

But everything changes when Wyatt and his friends are invited to attend the grand opening of Monsterland, a groundbreaking theme park where guests can interact with vampires in Vampire Village, be chased by werewolves on the River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.

With real werewolves, vampires and zombies as the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?

EXCERPT:

The sky was a sparkling, powder blue, mosquitoes droned lazily over the tepid water, frogs croaked messages while they sunbathed on waxy lily pads. The fire he created burned bright, rabbit roasting on a spit made from hickory, the juices dripping to hiss in the flames. Seven of them lay in scattered repose, enjoying the late afternoon lull—two napped, the others tossed a stuffed fur in the form of a ball around the clearing, hooting with amusement when it rolled into the brush. They traveled in a pack, his group, his makeshift family, foraging together, hiding in plain sight. It had been that way for generations. But the glades were getting smaller, the humans invasive.

The sun started its slow descent into the horizon, hot pink and lilac clouds rippling against the empty canvas of the sky. Their color deepened as the sky filled, the rosy hue morphing into a burnt orange as the sun hid behind the condensation. The air thickened, moisture causing the leaves to lie heavily against the branches. Here and there, fireflies lit the gloom, doing a placid ballet in the humid air. The men moved closer as the sun sank into the western treetops, the fading sky promising another clear day tomorrow in the Everglades despite the moving ceiling of clouds.

A lone hawk cried out, disturbing the peace of the glade. Huge birds answered, flapping their wings, creating a cacophony of swamp sounds. The area became a concerto of animals responding to the disruption of their home—wild screams, squeaks, and complaints of the invasion of their territory.

The lead male stood, his head tilted. He heard it again. It was music, the strange organization of sounds, predictable as well as dangerous. Where those rhythms originated meant only one thing—they were not alone. They all rose, tense and alert, searching the waterway. Billy pointed, his dirty hands silently parting an outcropping of trees to expose a flat-bottom boat with strangers floating slowly toward them. It was filled with people, excitedly searching the banks of the swamp, their expensive khaki bush clothes ringed with sweat. Many held huge cameras. It was obviously a film crew, invasive, nosy individuals looking for something, anything, to enhance their lives. Men’s voices drifted on the turgid air. Billy stood, sniffing, his mates following suit. He glanced at the sky, gauging the time, his eyes opening wide. It was late. The bald top of the moon peeked over the ridge in the south, the sky graying to twilight with each passing second. Night came fast and furious in the swamp, dropping a curtain of darkness, extinguishing all light except for the beacon of the full moon. That chalk-white orb floated upward, indifferent to the consequences of its innocent victims. A halo of lighter blue surrounded the globe, limning the trees silver, the cobwebs in the trees becoming chains of dripping diamonds in the coming night.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Monsterland-Michael-Okon-ebook/dp/B0751F3B3S/

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/monsterland-michael-okon/1126998959

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/monsterland-1

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

[image error]Michael Okon is the award-winning and best-selling author & screenwriter formerly known as Michael Phillip Cash. His originally self-published book Monsterland was picked up in a two-book publishing deal by WordFire Press. Michael is happily married and writes full-time on the North Shore of Long Island with his two screaming monsters in the background.

For more information, details and updates, visit:

Website: http://www.michaelokon.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iammichaelokon

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAmMichaelOkon

Email Michael at: MichaelOkonBooks@gmail.com

Enter to win a $50 Amazon/B&N gift card (international), or a size large Monsterland t-shirt (US only)

Leave a comment and check out the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!

Filed under: Giveaways, Guest Posts Tagged: books, guests

Bear’s Shadow by Desiree L. Scott

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Bear’s Shadow
Vendetta Series Book 2
by Desiree L. Scott
Genre: Paranormal Romance



Nikki Calhoun is on the run, fueled by terror of the shadowy world she had

married into. Desperate to survive and nowhere to hide, Nikki turns

to the wolf shifter pack of her childhood but it’s hard for her to

trust anyone, even the people closest to her.

Enforcer and bear-shifter Bret Axel receives a call from his cousin who

manages his Portland nightclub about suspicious activity. After

obtaining the approval of his Alpha, he travels to Portland. Two

nights later, screams of a woman shatter the silence of the dock and

with the help of his cousin, they save her from being killed.

A twisted tale of hunter and prey, two worlds collide as Bret falls for

the human and then struggles to convince her that they are meant to

be together. It’s up to him and the Crescent Ice Pack to get to the

bottom of the brutal acts of one man. Will Nikki survive the wrath of

her estranged husband or will the murky world of Edward Calhoun

destroy her and any who try to help?


Goodreads * Amazon
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I have been writing since I was sixteen years old and love to write

both horror and romantic suspense. I think there have been many

influences within my life that has set me on the path that I can not

help but walk. A few of those names consist of Karen Rose, Lisa

Gardener, Nora Roberts, Cynthia Eden, Catherine Anderson, Laura

Griffin, Andrea Kane, and Lisa Jackson, just to name a few. This list

by no means defines by own writing but they have indeed influenced my

desire to live outside of my own world and to create the thrill of my

dreams. I live on 40 + acres in the SHOW ME state with my six year

old daughter, with the wonderful addition of four dogs and a handful

of chickens. The weather is unpredictable, but the surrounding beauty

of the country helps my creativity as I sit on my top deck with my

laptop and coffee close by.


Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads



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a Rafflecopter giveaway






Filed under: Giveaways, Guest Posts Tagged: books, guests, paranormal, romance

The Cognitive Dissonance of the Proto-Writer

If you’ve been writing for any length of time, and especially if you’ve gotten something published, you’ve probably run into the Proto-Writer and their oblivious laments. The person who, upon finding out you’re a real writer, is quick to chime in with some variation of one of these lines:

“Hey, I’m a writer too! I’ve never written anything, but I have all these ideas…”

“I started writing a book once, but it takes too long. I’ll finish it someday.”

“I have all these great ideas for books, I’m going to write them one day. I’ll tell you, but you can’t steal my ideas, okay?”

This is an anecdote from my real life.

Several weeks ago, two men came into my work (my day job!) to service something–they aren’t coworkers, just contractors–and I know one of them fairly well but hadn’t seen him in about six months. As such, he cheerily asked me how my books were doing, how many I have published now, and how things are going in the writing world. I chatted with him about all things writerly in my life, and noted that the other man (who I had never met before) was clearly eavesdropping and boggling at our conversation. When my acquaintance walked off, the other man started asking me about my writing and published works too.

Then came the bombshell. “I’m a writer too! I’ve had all these ideas for kids books, you know? I jotted down some ideas in a notebook, all these stories I’ve made up for my kids over the years, but I’ve never gotten around to writing them.”

[image error]I politely chatted with him about it, told him I really didn’t know much about children’s books but it sounded nice, and answered his questions about publishing. Then, as he was packing up to leave, he said something that still has my head spinning:

“Well, you have to concentrate on the job that pays before you can take time to write, you know? Gotta pay the bills before you can just do stuff like that.”

I looked over my shoulder, thinking I was on Candid Camera.

He said this to me, a published author.

At my day job, where I work to pay the bills.

And he didn’t seem to have any self-awareness about it.

I didn’t call him out, just smiled and nodded. I hope someday he will write those children’s books, against all odds he’s set up for himself. I completely understand the need to work, and how sometimes being busy means you can’t get much writing in day to day, but you don’t have to actually retire first to become a writer.

At the end of this anecdote, I have a message for all you Proto-Writers out there:

Don’t wait for time to write, make it. If you wait, the time will never come.

I’ll also pound my mantra into the sand here: Writers WRITE.

Filed under: About Me Tagged: funny, me, personal life, writing

Revelations by Alesha Escobar/Samantha Lafantasie

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Revelations
The Aria Knight Chronicles Book 2
By Alesha Escobar and Samantha Lafantasie
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Magic is dangerous, but secrets can kill…

Aria Knight sees a light at the end of the tunnel as she sets out to

confront the powerful witch who turned her world upside down…her

mother. She must decide if the witch, Clare, truly wants to help her,

or drag her into a fate worse than death.

Darkness gathers around Aria and her friends as rioting and assassination plots
break out in the streets of Miracle Falls. Her ally, Harry Storm, conceals

the truth about his powers while trying to keep it together long

enough to help, or else fall into an abyss of insanity. And Jacob

Wolfe, the man she yearns for, has little time for romance as he’s

stuck trying to prevent an all-out war on preternaturals.

Aria knows that she must do her part to keep the peace, but it’s difficult

when the conflict within her own family threatens to tear her down.

In liberating her only sibling from a magical prison, she finds that

she may have hastened the destruction of all sin eaters, including

herself.




REVELATIONS is the second book of the Aria Knight

Chronicles by USA Today bestselling author Samantha LaFantasie, and

bestselling author of The Gray Tower Trilogy, Alesha Escobar.


Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo



Sin Eater
The Aria Knight Chronicles Book 1



Aria Knight has an unusual set of skills: she will hold back the hounds of

Hell so you can fly toward the Pearly Gates, and she will wipe your

slate clean so that you don’t become karma’s bitch…for a price.



A Sin Eater has to make a living in today’s world somehow.

But when she’s called in the dead of night to perform her rite for a

recluse billionaire, she stumbles upon a murder scene, and the

evidence points to her.

In an attempt to clear her name and uncover the true culprit, Aria is

forced to team up with a private investigator who’s possessed by

three spirits, and a handsome wizard who would rather see all Sin

Eaters like Aria go extinct.

Aria knows her job is never easy, but now it’s become downright

deadly.

SIN EATER is the first book of the Aria Knight Chronicles by USA Today

bestselling author Samantha LaFantasie and Alesha Escobar, author of

the bestselling Gray Tower Trilogy.

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo



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Aria would die tonight.

If Hessa didn’t unlock her damn door and let her in, that would certainly be the case. Aria’s back stiffened when she heard the faint but distinctive howls from the Hounds of Hell. Their shrieks always struck her as a cross between wolves wailing at the moon and jackals whining into the night.

Hessa finally opened the door and stood at the threshold, sizing her up and taking a long drag from her cigarette. A tear, mingled with ruined mascara, trailed down her cheek. “Thanks for coming, Aria. This was the last thing Mom asked for, so…”

“I understand. May I come in?” Aria nearly knocked her over trying to slip inside. The howling grew louder. They were down the street, and Aria’s time was running out.

“Yeah.” Hessa rolled her eyes at Aria’s terse attitude, but she’d do the same if she could hear what came their way.

“You should place a ward around the house.” Aria speed-walked down the hall.

“Okay…” Hessa’s voice trailed off.

She wished she had been called sooner. If the hellhounds made it to the dead woman before she did, then she’d have to watch them tear the old woman’s soul to shreds before dragging her off to the abyss.

Aria wrinkled her nose at the smell of wet fur and garbage. A small dog somewhere in the house barked a few times. As if drawn like a magnet to metal, she guided herself to the last room, toward the deceased. A short, white-haired woman in a long-sleeved gown lay in repose on a bed. Her arms were crossed just below her chest, with her hands meeting in a clasp.

Aria’s lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t have time for this. She had told Hessa over the phone not to move or position the body. She quickly took the dead woman’s right hand and extended it, placing it to her right side. She did the same for the left hand, so that nothing sat on or near the deceased’s chest. She felt the moment Hessa cast her warding spell around the house. It felt like a stab of tension in her chest, the same type people felt when walking downstairs and missing a step.




I’m a caffeine addict and chocoholic who enjoys reading and writing

engaging stories, loveable (and not-so loveable) characters, and

expressing my creativity daily. I write fantasy with intriguing

characters, action-packed scenes, and always throw in a good dash of

humor and romance.
Science Fiction and Fantasy are

my favorite genres, but I also adore the classics (Shakespeare, Dante

Alighieri, etc.) and I have a soft spot in my heart for Victorian

poetry. You can geek out with me all-day every day over these
Some of my favorite contemporary

fantasy authors are George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan (rest in

peace), J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher (Dresden Files made me

love Urban Fantasy), and Ilona Andrews among others. I enjoy movies

and shows like Sleepy Hollow, Supernatural, Arrow, The Flash, The

Avengers…there are too many to name!
I want to read more comics and

graphic novels, please shoot a recommendation or two my way (I LOVE

the Hellblazer comics, by the way).
Please don’t be a stranger–I

want you to kick up your feet, sip your coffee (or tea) and join in

on my weekly rants, discussions, and updates.
Website * Newsletter * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Pinterest * Google+ * Amazon * Goodreads



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Filed under: Giveaways, Guest Posts Tagged: books, guests, paranormal, urban fantasy

Upcoming Fun and Prizes!

The week of October 23rd, I’ll be participating in some fun promotional stuff through my publisher, Evernight Publishing. Here’s where you can find me and how you can win some prizes!

Starting October 23rd, me and a host of other authors will be taking part in an Instagram Loop Giveaway. Here’s a more detailed explanation of how they work, but basically, you’ll have a chance to win a prize from each author in the loop if you like their picture and follow them, as well as one big prize from the publisher if you find and catch all the authors–and hey, as a bonus, you’ll also get to meet some cool authors, check out their work, and follow them on Instagram!

I’ll make an announcement on the day, if you’d like to participate. And of course, you’re always welcome to follow me @clockworkmusicbox anytime! I mostly post non-authorly pictures, so it’s a hodgepodge of food, my cat, selfies, makeup, coffee, and my friends!

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And then, on October 26th and 27th, a whole bunch of authors will be getting together for a big Facebook party in honor of Evernight’s 7th birthday!  There will be tons of fun, chatting, and prizes to be had. I will be hosting the party from 7:30-8pm EST on Friday, October. 27th, and giving away some gift cards and books, so sign up now so you don’t miss out on the event!

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Hope to see you around!
Filed under: Contests, Giveaways, Promotion Tagged: appearances, evernight publishing, facebook, pictures, publishers

Hide and Seek by Desiree Holt

Today I’m hosting USA Today Bestselling and fellow Lyrical author Desiree Holt and her romantic suspense, Hide and Seek. Desiree is giving away a $25 Amazon/B&N gift card, as well as a chance to win an action-packed prize package when you pre-order. So make sure to comment, check out the other stops on the tour, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

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Enter to win a $25 Amazon/B&N gift card

Leave a comment and check out the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!

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Anything can happen when you let your guard down . . .

After receiving a violent threat on the heels of her father’s disappearance from the town of Arrowhead Bay, Devon Cole fears for her life—until Vigilance, a local private security agency, steps in to shield her from danger. Although she isn’t usually quick to surrender her freedom, she has no problem stripping her defenses for her new sexy bodyguard . . .

Tortured by the painful memory of lost love, Logan Malik is determined not to fall for a client again. So when he’s tasked with watching over Devon day and night, he’s focused on doing his job. Day is no problem, but as tensions rise at night, nothing can protect them from giving in to unbridled passion . . .

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Hide and Seek is on pre-order for only $2.99!

http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/35516

All readers who pre-order will receive exclusive content and will be entered into a drawing for an action-packed prize-package, including:

A copy of HIDE AND SEEK by Desiree Holt

A $5 Amazon gift card

An Alex & Ani nautical charm bracelet in green velvet bag

Kensington “Romance Socks” which feature HIDE AND SEEK

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

[image error]Desiree Holt is the world’s oldest living published author of erotic and spicy romance. A graduate of the University of Michigan with double majors in English and History, her earlier careers include agent and manager in the music industry, public television, associate vice president of university advancement, public relations, and economic development.

She is three times a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award (and a winner in 2014), a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award winner for best BDSM book of the year, a USA Today Bestselling author and winner of the Holt Medallion for Excellence in Romance Literature.

She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The (London) Daily Mail, The New Delhi Times, The Huffington Post and numerous other national and international publications. She is also the Authors After Dark 2014 Author of the Year.

“Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.” – Romance Junkies

www.desireeholt.com

www.desiremeonly.com

www.facebook.com/desireeholtauthor

Twitter: @desireeholt

Pinterest: desiree02holt

Google: https://plus.google.com/113212301982441064210

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desiree-holt-a7272526/

Enter to win a $25 Amazon/B&N gift card

Leave a comment and check out the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!

Filed under: Giveaways, Guest Posts Tagged: books, guests, kensington, lyrical press, romance

5 Cardinal Rules of Writing and How To Break Them

Here on the blog I’m usually giving everyone advice on how to write, and telling you all about the “rules” of writing. I hope my readers have learned a few things, or taken inspiration from me, or at least gotten a few laughs from my awful attempts at humor.

Now today, WE’RE GOING TO BREAK THE RULES! Oooh, you naughty writers, you…

You’ve probably heard some of the “rules of writing” so many times you’re sick of them. They don’t even mean anything to you anymore, but everywhere you go, seasoned writers tell you the same things, dispensing their regurgitated pearls of wisdom like an oyster with the stomach flu. If one more damn person tells you to “write what you know,” you’re going to write a book about brain surgery just to spite them (unless of course, you are a brain surgeon–in that case, write about ballet, or the rise of disco, or something). These rules don’t even seem to make sense when you really analyze them, or they’re contrary and limiting, so let’s figure all that out right now.

5 Cardinal Rules of Writing and How To Break Them

Show, Don’t Tell. Uuuuuuugh you knew this one was coming, didn’t you? This is the first thing any writer will spout when you ask them for advice. Of course, we all know it by now. Don’t say she’s sad, show her crying. Don’t say he’s mad, show him throwing a chair. The advice you ne[image error]ver hear is that you don’t always have to show. You can tell. Showing too much slows things down. For example, if Becky gets fired from her job, but something important to her future and the plot happens the next day, it’s probably not a good idea to clog up the flow with thirty pages describing her going home, crying for an hour, eating all her roommate’s food, drinking two bottles of wine, throwing up, and passing out. It’s okay to just say “Becky had a long night full of bad decisions,” and maybe show her hangover in the morning. Get to the point fast, and stick to it.
Never Use ‘Said.‘  The dialog tag “said” has been demonized by writers and editors alike. Of course, you shouldn’t overuse it. By far, the best dialog tag is an action beat. Instead of, “I used to love wine,” Becky said. “But not anymore.” It’s better to go with, “I used to love wine.” Becky glanced at the two empty bottles in the recycling bin, and her stomach turned. “But not anymore.” However, of course you can freakin’ use “said” here and there. I actually saw an editor one time suggest that you should search and replace all instances of “said” in your manuscript. This is not sound advice to me. Sometimes you HAVE to use said, anything else is awkward and intrusive. Just don’t OVERUSE it. No one is going to chuck your book across the room because Becky “said” something.
Write What You Know. I’ve gone over this before on the blog (and really, all these things). This is terrible advice because it’s not clear. It doesn’t mean if you’re a writer from Maine your characters should only be writers who live in Maine (yes I’m looking at you, Stephen King). It doesn’t mean you can’t write about a place you’ve never been or an experience you’ve never had–that’s what research is for. It means write what you know about people, about the human condition, about the human heart. Write life as you’ve experienced it, and you’ll discover just how many people can relate. It should be changed to “write about the world as you understand it.”
Never Info-Dump. By all means, you shouldn’t tell us everything there is to know about your character and their world all in one go. Don’t write a story like you’d tell a friend about something crazy that happened at the bar last night (“see there were these three guys, one was this huge guy and he had tattoos on his face, and one was this really short guy with a big bushy mustache, and then there was a third guy and I think he only had one eye…) Feed it to us slowly over the course of the story, as it becomes important. But this doesn’t mean you can’t EVER give us a bunch of information all at once. If your space captain suddenly has to use the LazerMatic3000, and we have no idea what the hell that is, it’s okay to insert some details and explanation. This can be done in a number of creative ways, including having it explained to them by another character, or by having the captain recall fond memories of using the LazerMatic3000 during his high school football games.
Write Every Day. Yes, practice makes perfect. Doing something repetitively makes you good at it. Writers also have jobs, bills, kids, lives, and other responsibilities. Of course, to be a writer, write. But also don’t throw yourself off a cliff if you can’t do it every single day at 3 p.m.

There you have it, some of the rules you hear ad nauseum and how to break them–and still be a good writer. Or are you a bad writer? A very, very bad writer?

The Man Maketh the Clothes

I need to confess something: I arrive late to everything that’s popular. All the things everybody gets really into–games, apps, trends, TV shows–I’m usually about six months behind in catching on (if it’s something I’m going to like anyway). Sometimes, longer than that. I’m slow to keep up with the times. When everyone else has been into something for ages, it’s shiny and new to me.

[image error]That being said, I didn’t watch Stranger Things until well after everyone else had already binge watched the first season and fell in love with it. The main reason, apart from my usual being late to the party, is that it just didn’t look like my thing. That’s another quirk of mine–I CONSTANTLY brush things off as not being “my thing” and then when I give it a shot I’m usually really into it. But mostly, yes, I’m not a sci-fi fan, and I’m especially not a fan of the pulpy sci-fi that makes up the plot of Stranger Things, AND I don’t wanna watch a show about kids, yeesh!

Well, you can probably guess what happened when I finally got around to giving it a try. Yep, I found it insanely engrossing.

The thing is, I’m still not a fan of the plot, I think it’s campy and I’ve never liked the evil-for-the-sake-of-evil type villains, but I love the characters, and I find them mesmerizing to watch and to follow their story. And so comes our writing lesson for today.

Have you ever heard someone say “I don’t usually read (genre), but I loved the characters, I couldn’t put it down!” This is indeed a great compliment to hear about your own work, it means you crossed barriers to reach people outside your target audience. Characters are, hands down, what makes a story good. They’re what moves a story. They’re the reason for the story. And no matter if you’re writing about WWII or a grandma who solves murders or a town overrun by interdimensional aliens, it’s your characters who bring readers to the table. It’s your characters who make the story matter.

But what makes a character “good?” Usually three things: they’re interesting, relatable, and sympathetic. That means they’re the type of person you would want to have a conversation with, their struggle or desire is recognizable to you, and you understand why they do the things they do (even when they’re bad things). Of course not EVERY character in your story will appeal widely to everyone, but having at least a few in there pulls in an audience. Having engaging characters who appeal to a large amount of people’s general sensibilities–they want love, protection, fortune, to help their family, to succeed at something important–can make the difference between a flat story and one that really pulls people in, maybe even people who wouldn’t usually read the kind of thing you write. Sometimes, the characters are even more important than the plot.

As another example in TV, Breaking Bad was one of the most-watched and awarded TV shows of all time (and yes, I didn’t watch it until well after it was over and on Netflix). But the concept–a gritty, dramatic crimeworld show about the little man climbing the ladder of success–wasn’t exactly novel. However, the characters were amazing. So much so, even people who don’t watch that sort of thing (me) ended up watching it. It didn’t win a million Emmys because it was particularly unique, but because the characters felt almost too real at times.

So, there you have it. I guess I’ll be watching the second season of Stranger Things when it comes out this month. It was a good reminder for me to try things instead of just brushing them off, and also that it’s the characters, not the background, that makes a story great. Now, let’s see if I can keep up with the times. *waves cane*

Filed under: Monday Blogs Tagged: characters, creativity, me, tv, writing

The Keeper Set by Samantha Jacobey

Today I’m hosting Samantha Jacobey and her paranormal romance/urban fantasy Keeper Set. Check it out and enter to win the giveaway at the bottom!

The Keeper Set
by Samantha Jacobey
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance




No one EVER had a summer romance like this.





When Charlie visited another plane parallel to our own, he discovered that

Summer Angels and Dark Angels battle over the fate of man. Faced with

choices no one should ever have to make, his adventure has been

fraught with twists and turns, with life and death hanging in the

balance. His guardian, Clarisse, is the half that makes him whole,

but sinister forces conspire to do more than simply keep them

apart.

Find out if they can stand up to the powers that be in this THRILLING

MAGICAL ADVENTURE!!! (New adult)

Add the Keeper Set to Goodreads

Keeper of Truth
Summer Spirit Novellas Book 7 – The Keeper Set
Amazon


Keeper of Lies
Summer Spirit Novellas Book 8 – The Keeper Set
Amazon


Keeper of Oblivion
Summer Spirit Novellas Book 9 – The Keeper Set
Amazon




Don’t miss the other books in the series!


The Angel Set
by Samantha Jacobey
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance


No one EVER had a summer romance like this. When Charlie visited another

plane parallel to our own, he discovered that Summer Angels and Dark

Angels battle over the fate of man. Faced with choices no one should

ever have to make, his adventure has been fraught with twists and

turns, with life and death hanging in the balance. His guardian,

Clarisse, is the half that makes him whole, but sinister forces

conspire to do more than simply keep them apart. Find out if they can

stand up to the powers that be in this THRILLING MAGICAL ADVENTURE!!!

(New adult)

Summer Angel
Summer Spirit Novellas- Book 1 – The Angel Set
**FREE ON AMAZON**
Goodreads * Amazon


Dark Angel
Summer Spirit Novellas- Book 2 – The Angel Set
Goodreads * Amazon


Forgotten Angel
Summer Spirit Novellas- Book 3 – The Angel Set
Goodreads * Amazon



The Karma Set
by Samantha Jacobey
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance


The Magical Adventure continues! If you liked the Summer, Dark and

Forgotten Angels in the first segment of the Summer Spirit Novella

Series, you are going LOVE what happens when Karma gets involved. Are

they a race of ancient beings, here for the benefit of mankind? Or is

a group of marauders poised and ready to strike us down when we least

expect it? Charlie must find the truth and his inner strength for any

hope of freeing Clarisse and ending the battle… (New Adult)




Karma’s Minion
Summer Spirit Novellas- Book 4 – The Karma Set
Goodreads * Amazon


Karma’s Revenge
Summer Spirit Novellas- Book 5 – The Karma Set
Goodreads * Amazon


Karma’s Legacy
Summer Spirit Novellas- Book 6- The Karma Set
Goodreads * Amazon






Anyone who knows me could tell you, I am a friendly kind of person, never

met a stranger and take up conversations any where at any time. I

work hard, and my mind never seems to shut down, as I wake up often

in the middle of the night with ideas pouring out and demanding to be

dealt with. Of course that means much of my books were written in the

middle of the night.



I grew up and still live in the great state of Texas where everything

is bigger, where we have warm weather and a central location. I love

my state, my town, and my family, which includes my four sons, my

significant other, and many friends as well.

I have thoroughly enjoyed writing the books that are currently

available and hope you will enjoy reading them just as much. And of

course, there will be many more stories to come.


Website * Facebook * Twitter * Amazon * Goodreads



Follow the tour HERE

for exclusive content and a giveaway!


http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/996a8ed499/

Filed under: Giveaways, Guest Posts Tagged: books, guests, paranormal, romance, urban fantasy