Terry Odell's Blog, page 83
May 21, 2019
Plot Threads – Taming the Kraken
As I’ve mentioned many times here, I’m neither a plotter nor an outliner. My first draft serves both functions. I’ve called myself a “planster” because there’s always some kind of a plan for the book, even if at the outset it’s as simple as “Police Chief Gordon Hepler has to solve another crime,” or “Two characters are faced with issues that interrupt their lives, but eventually they solve the problem and in doing so, fall in love.”
My writing process tends to...
May 19, 2019
The Mapleton Mystery Novellas In Audio
Audiobook release of The Mapleton Mystery Novellas
Delays are inevitable, but at long last, The Mapleton Mystery Novellas are available as a single audiobook. Narrator Steve “Captain” Marvel is back giving life to these three stories.
Deadly Places
Life is a balancing act. When you’re a cop, the choices can be deadly.
Ed loves being a cop, but the Chief Stuff is getting him down. He’s juggling his own police duties, mounds of paperwork, and keeping the mayor happy. Family tensions are on the...
May 16, 2019
Pikes Peak Writers Conference Recaps
Today, I’m hitting a potpourri of recaps from the Pikes Peak Writers Conference.
First, on editing, from a workshop given by Tiffany Yates Martin
You need objectivity. Step back if possible. Wear your reader hat. Make only brief notes. Look at the big issues – Macroediting. Maintain your objectivity. Look at smaller issues – Microediting Do line editing.She also spoke of watching out for underdeveloped plot, or plot, but no story.
Plot, she said, is the events in the story and how your cha...
May 14, 2019
Adrenaline Rush – Writing Suspense 3
Adrenaline Rush – Writing Suspense 3
I’ll conclude my recaps of John Gilstrap’s workshop on writing suspense from the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. If you missed the first two parts, you can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
As the workshop time grew closer to the end, Gilstrap moved more quickly, touching on a variety of topics.
Character
Without compelling characters, you don’t have a story.
Characters are more than pawns to advance the plot.
Even if they’re not human, they need to exude h...
May 12, 2019
Adrenaline Rush – Writing Suspense 2
Adrenaline Rush – Writing Suspense 2
Continuing with John Gilstrap’s workshop on writing suspense, given at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. If you missed Part 1, it’s here.
My usual disclaimer applies. This was a fast-paced workshop, and any errors are mine, either through misinterpretation of Gilstrap’s words, or by misinterpreting my hastily written notes.
Story components Plot, Character, and Setting cannot be separated. A good book has interesting people doing interesting things in int...
May 11, 2019
R. U. E. – Resist the Urge to Explain
Today’s my turn at the Pro Writers Writing blog. I’m talking about R. U. E., a lesson I learned early on–or at least tried to learn. Something my critique partners kept pointing out. Nothing ever happens that easily. And reminders are always helpful. We’re told that Show is better than Tell. Telling can be useful and efficient. But you never want to Show AND Tell.
Please stop by. Comments are always appreciated.
And a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, especial...
May 9, 2019
Adrenaline Rush – Writing Suspense 1
Adrenaline Rush: Writing Suspense
The second 3-hour workshop I attended at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference was “Adrenaline Rush: Writing Suspense” presented by best-selling thriller author John Gilstrap.
My usual disclaimer applies. This was a fast-paced workshop, and any errors are mine, either through misinterpretation of Gilstrap’s words, or by misinterpreting my hastily written notes.
Gilstrap began by stating his personal views:
You can’t teach anyone to write anything.
You learn struc...
May 7, 2019
Character ARCs – Creating Characters Your Readers Won’t Forget 2
Dialogue and Character ARCs – Characters Your Readers Won’t Forget – 2
I’m continuing my recap of Stant Litore’s 3-hour workshop on characters at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. If you missed Part 1, it’s here it’s here.
Dialogue provides some of the best opportunities to reveal characters. He listed three things dialogue provides:
What Dialogue IS:
1. It’s all about tension, what’s at stake
Use dialogue to conceal and reveal what’s at stake for each characte...
May 5, 2019
Creating Characters Your Readers Won’t Forget 1
Pikes Peak Writers Conference
Creating Characters Your Readers Won’t Forget
I’m back on my mountain after four days at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. I attended their pre-conference sessions, two three-hour in-depth workshops. The first session was presented by Sci-fi fantasy author Stant Litore, but his class focused on characters, and they’re the backbone of any genre.
Any errors are mine, either because of misreading my notes or misinterpreting what the speaker said.
His first point wa...
April 30, 2019
Conferences – Recharging the Batteries and Getting Inspired
I’m heading down the mountain for the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. Admittedly, I like my office space and spending the day with my characters, but every now and then, it’s important to get out and talk to real, live people. Conferences are a great way to mingle with people who understand the writer’s life. And, at the same time, it’s a great way to share information and pick up new tips. Despite the brain overload and long hours, conferences have a way of recharging batteries. I’ve always r...