Head hopping is the act of being in more than one person’s mind at a time. Why does this matter? Several reasons. First, it is confusing to the reader; second, it robs the reader of getting to know a character through his or her thoughts, history, and actions; and third, it interferes with the storytelling. Paragraphing Paragraphs are the writer’s friend. They organize chunks of text so the reader can better digest them. We learned in school that paragraphs start with a topic sentence and every sentence that follows must pertain to that topic sentence. We also learned, when writing dialogue each time the speaker changes, a new paragraph is…
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Charismatic Characters
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about charismatic characters. They can be heroes or villains; sometimes they are both. Love him or hate him, President Trump is a prime example. What makes him irresistible to so many people? Like all charismatics he has an over-size personality, a willing audience, and a message. Oversize Personality Charismatic characters are larger than life with confidence levels off the charts. They model attributes desired by their followers, whether it’s wealth, power, or spirituality. Stung by their peers’ rejection, these individuals channel exuberant confidence to cultivate a space where they are revered. This space is occupied predominantly by politicians, religious and cult leaders. Willing Audience…
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Idioms
What do I’m all ears, step on it, and cool as a cucumber have in common? They are all idioms. What is an Idiom? Idioms are expressions whose meaning comes from a concept, not the actual words. Often, they make no sense at all. For instance, the idiom “I’m all ears” means you have my full attention, not that I have grown extra ears all over my body! An idiom is an expression understood by native speakers that can seem complete nonsense to nonnative speakers. Let me give you an example. If you and I are on our way to the store and I want you to hurry, I may…
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Do As I Say
Flex your writing muscle. This is definitely a case of “do as I say, not as I do.” In February I suffered a personal loss. Writing took a back seat to making final arrangements, commiserating with and comforting family members, and notifying the appropriate people and agencies. In March the Coronavirus turned the world upside down with its shelter in place orders, social distancing, and constant stream of deadly statistics. My writing routine suffered. Atrophy and Entropy My writing muscle is in a state of atrophy. In other words, by not pushing myself to write regularly, the quality of my writing is diminishing, to say nothing of the quantity. So,…
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Symbols and Symbolism
Symbols and symbolism took a leading role this past week with world-wide protests of police brutality against minorities. So, this week I want to address symbols and symbolism in your writing. Symbols are a kind of shorthand to the reader. Without explicitly stating something the author conveys a message or a meaning. Examples of Symbols and Symbolism Let’s look at Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. Membership in Gryffindor symbolizes bravery and courage; Hufflepuffs are loyal; Ravenclaw represents wisdom; and the House of Slytherin symbolizes cunning. Each time J.K. Rowling mentions one of these houses, the reader instantly accepts the defining characteristic for its members. Because Draco is a member of Slytherin, there…
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Memorial Day
This Memorial Day I want to take a moment to reflect on those who served our country and paid the ultimate price. Fathers, brothers, uncles, neighbors, and friends laid down their lives a generation ago in World War II and for generations before them dating back to the American Revolution. Women have joined the ranks of the fallen in the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Syria. We honor all those who served. What prompts a civilian to place themselves in danger, to stand for their country against an armed adversary? As one who has never served in a military context I can only speculate. Democratic Ideals…
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Backstory and Info Dumps
What are backstory and info dumps? Backstory is everything that happens to set your character up to tell their story. Info dumps, on the other hand, are a writer’s attempt to tell the backstory in large chunks of print on the page. Backstory Before you begin to put words on the page, you have a vision of your character and their circumstances. How many brothers and sisters? Do they live in a city or the country? What are their secret desires? Their fears? What is it about their past that drives them toward their future? These are all elements that make up their backstory. As a writer you may want…
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The Power of Story
Stories bind us together. The best stories, whether real or imagined have a vulnerable character exercising extraordinary courage. Here is my friend’s latest: The other day some ants came into the house. But I didn’t mind because they are the only visitors I’ve had in weeks! What makes this story so memorable is the universal connection we feel during this pandemic. From this two-sentence story we learn my friend is a very social person and that the restrictions placed on us during the pandemic have made her lonely. Vulnerability and courage are definitely on display here! You have to know that my friend takes great pride in her house and…
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Celebrate Poetry Month
Writers celebrate poetry month every April. In poetry, ordinary things become extraordinary because the reader feels a connection to the words on the page. We’re all searching for connection amid forced stay at home orders and pandemic quarantines. Thank goodness for FaceTime, Zoom, and all those other platforms that allow us to keep in touch with loved ones and others in our community. Writing Poetry Soothes the Soul Writing poetry gives us time to reflect, to take stock. To examine our emotions. Whether you’re shooting for humor or poignancy, consider free verse, sonnet, and rhyme to get you there. Here is an exercise to close out poetry month. Listen, really…
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Motion, Emotion, Motivation
Motion, emotion, and motivation will keep your story moving. It’s no coincidence these three words share the Latin root for move. Whether you’re writing fiction, biography, or an informational article, be sure to include each of these. Let’s look at how each one enriches your story. Motion Plot is the motion in your story. It moves the story forward and compels your reader to keep turning the pages. What will happen next? Plot is the logical progression of events. It’s a series of cause and effect that leads the reader to an endpoint. The motion must be focused and directed toward the end goal to avoid aimless wandering, and risk…
