At the December CWC meeting, several of us got to talking about characters. In particular, character voice and how to keep each character separate, different, unique. Several days later as wrapping paper flew; a common theme emerged in my residence. With a baby girl celebrating her first birthday and Christmas, the play area was awash in dolls and teddy bears, even a Raggedy … [Read more...] about 3D Characters by Deborah Bernal
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The Count, the Quakers, the Queen, and me by Lani Longshore
A new year is a good time to give thanks, and I give thanks to literature. After all, I owe my existence to a novel. My mother's people are Russian pacifists. Late in the 19th century their commitment to peace clashed with the Tsar's commitment to a large army, with predictable results. Leo Tolstoy was impressed by the Doukhobor stand, even in the face of imprisonment and … [Read more...] about The Count, the Quakers, the Queen, and me by Lani Longshore
Character development through humiliation by Lani Longshore
I stole someone's grocery cart this week; didn't notice until I got to the checkout line and my reusable grocery bags weren't there. A pleasant and efficient clerk found my bags in an empty, unattended cart. I thanked him, paid for my groceries, and left. Once home, I discovered I had bought someone else's breakfast cereal instead of the eggs and tomatoes I wanted. That … [Read more...] about Character development through humiliation by Lani Longshore
Writing Aloud by Deborah Bernal
Great news, technology is booming. Writers have more options than ever before to get their writing out there. The first step, getting the written words into a format that can be submitted, shouldn't be the hardest step. Voice recognition software is one tool that can increase a writer's productivity. If you are partially fluent in computer usage and have thirty minutes to … [Read more...] about Writing Aloud by Deborah Bernal
Mark Twain mind, Twitter world by Lani Longshore
The publication of Mark Twain's autobiography reminded me of how quickly the world is changing. Twain wanted to write honestly, so willed that this book not be published until 100 years after his death. In a Twitter world, all I could think was, "Filters. What a quaint notion." I blog, and subscribe to a couple of social media outlets. Attracting an agent demands this … [Read more...] about Mark Twain mind, Twitter world by Lani Longshore
Writing in the dark by Lani Longshore
When lighting a candle isn't an option, should we curse the dark or learn to write with the lights off? I'm not the only writer who is struck with wonderful ideas at the most inconvenient times. The more disciplined among us actually stop what they're doing and write notes. I am not so disciplined, especially if it means getting out of bed or leaving my seat in the theater. … [Read more...] about Writing in the dark by Lani Longshore
Becoming the other by Lani Longshore
I am not a tortured artist. My life has been mostly free from drama, and I was raised to keep it that way. But I write science fiction; in my stories, when a stranger comes to town, it's usually a very strange stranger. For me to create characters that are believable outsiders, I have to create situations where I can be the other. One of those opportunities dropped from the … [Read more...] about Becoming the other by Lani Longshore
In praise of critique groups by Elaine Schmitz
I'm declaring this Critique Group Appreciation Week. My gratitude for the six women in my group, who have patiently commented on my novel for over a year, has exceeded the bounds of one or two thank-you emails. Only in the company of other dedicated writers, do I feel comfortable enough to display my "baby." The others may suggest a change of how I clothe it or perhaps a … [Read more...] about In praise of critique groups by Elaine Schmitz
