GUTGAA—Meet and Greet

I’m so excited for the start of this bloghop! So off we go.

-Where do you write? In my living room. I HAVE to be comfortable. I love to sink down into my cushy couch with my laptop.

-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see? I can see outside, to the lake behind my house. Yep. I love it. I wish there were alligators in it, but I don't think there are :( 

-Favorite time to write? When it’s quiet. For me that can be after I get the kids to school or late at night. I’m not picky.

-Drink of choice while writing? Ice water. I know it’s boring, but I try and make up for it by writing exciting books :)

-When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence? Silence, but sometimes I will have the TV on low in the background.

-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it? Ooo…good question. I’m currently working on a sequel to my first MS, so I already have fleshed out characters and a detailed world. But my inspiration is to take these characters who have already been through so much and push them as much as I can. What is their worst fear? Make them confront it. The story practically writes its self.

-What's your most valuable writing tip? I have so many :) Here is one that has helped me lately. Find great critique partners! Other writers who are willing to tell you the truth about your writing are crucial. I LOVE mine! They deserve more than a simple thanks.

Awesome start to GUTGAA, Deana! Love you girl :) Can’t wait to see everyone’s answers.

-Angie

Crafting Corner—POV

Do you have a favorite Point of View? Do you find yourself writing better in one or another? Or are you like lots of writers and you aren’t sure which one to pick. Here are a few thoughts.

Third Person Omniscient: The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters, and usually jumps from character to character to tell the story. I like to think of this kind of like God’s POV—I hope that didn’t sound blasphemous.

Pro: Because you are not limited to one character this POV works well for epic stories or stories that need to be told from multiple POV’s. It is also the only POV where you can foreshadow with phrases like, “Little did they know what grave events were about to transpire.”

Cons: With so many characters in the mix sometimes it is hard to pin point the Protagonist, and your story can feel unfocused. Because you aren’t tightly into one characters head this POV will often feel more “told” than the others. And if the narrative is too distant it can make readers feel disconnected—telling of feelings instead to making readers live them.

Something to think about:  Remember that every character you use to tell the POV needs to have a character arch. That gets tricky. I’ve heard NEVER to use more than four.

Examples: Lord of the Rings, Anna Karenina, The Westing Game

Third Person Limited: The story is told from one—maybe two—characters POV. Usually you are in one character’s head and only see the other characters externally.

Pros: With third person limited you have more freedom that first person. You can write scenes that the protagonist isn’t in. It can give you a more complete story view.

Cons: It is easy to POV shift in this POV. You have to remember that you can’t know any feelings or information that the current POV doesn’t know.

Something to think about: You CANNOT head jump in this POV. You can only switch POV at a scene break or chapter break.

Examples: Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, For Whom the Bell Tolls

First Person: The protagonist is the narrator. The story is told as “I”.

Pros: This POV has a very immediate feel. The reader is right in the action, and. you actually “live” the story.

Cons: Sometimes it can be hard to remember that you can’t “tell” how a character feels in this POV. For example a character would never think, “I feel sad” they would just cry. You MUST show thoughts through actions.

Something to think about: Your story is limited you what the main character knows and that is all! You can’t let them have more knowledge than they would naturally have.

Examples: Twilight, The Hunger Games, Matched

What is your WIP and why did you choose it?

-Angie 

I’m Back

Wow, that was a long sabbatical. I know for sure that I would rather be blogging than packing and unpacking boxes. Seriously! I thought I might drown in all the boxes.

But I’m back and super excited to be in a state where I can blog. I may miss a day here or there while I try and finish up my new house, but not months.

I REALLY missed you all. I feel so out of touch. I have no idea what’s been going on. I hope you all landed agents and lucrative book deals! If not I hope you have all at least been writing :)

Tell me how you are and any fun news (I mean “fun” and “news” very loosely).

-Angie

All You Need Is Love

One of my favorite classes at the LDStorymakers conference was a the class Sara Eden taught on writing romance. Here are my notes:

Romance is the MOST read genre. Taking up more than 40% of the market all on it's own. Romance is tricky to write because the story question and the answer are already determined for you.

Story question: Will they get together?

Answer: YES!

If your story question and answer are different, you are probably not writing romance, but maybe a romantic plot line.

But whether writing a romance novel or a romantic plot line the principles are the same.

1. Strong emotional connection between characters
2. Need fulfillment
3. The couple is something to each other that no one else is

Emotional connection: "Hot" is not an emotion (love that). Characters need interaction and time together for us to believe in their romance. They shouldn't be perfect but have strengths and weaknesses we can relate to. No one can relate to perfect. We need a reason to cheer for them independently and as a couple.

Need fulfillment: Your hero/heroine should fulfill a need in each other. Needs can range from shallow (I'm hot--you're hot--let's make out) to deep (someone to see through our mask, protect us, be our equal, etc.) The deeper the need the deeper the connection.

To add tension add competing needs. Example- Katniss in THE HUNGER GAMES is stuck between the two competing needs - Save Prim and Save Peeta.

Use your knowledge of human nature to figure out what your characters need in a significant other.

Couple is something to each other that no one else is: If their connection is not unique it will lack impact and not be satisfying to the reader (step in need fulfillment). This is why their connection MUST go beyond love at first sight or just the physical (because not to sound crude, but you can get that anywhere:)

A great way to prove this to your readers is to show them with other people. Example: Elizabeth Bennett with Mr. Collins vs. Elizabeth and Wickham vs. Elizabeth and Darcy. We are clearly shown who is best for her.

Last of all here are the romantic pitfalls that these three principles will help with:

1. Love in a vacuum (people have to eat you know)
2. Romantic tension that relies too much on the physical (it could be anyone)
3. Little or no romantic tension (jump into it too fast)
4. Weak sources of conflict (example: a misunderstanding that could be cleared up easily)
5. Love has no foundation

I LOVED this class. I learned so much. I knew I liked specific stories, but it is fun to see just why they work so well.