Let's work a bit on characters and how they feed the plot. Every plot has a problem, right? And every character, if the story is any good, grows through grappling with that problem. So the best problem an author can create is one that is tailor-made for a character. Ok, so right now, think… Continue reading Writer Wednesday: How to give your Character a problem
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Critique Tuesday: Eliora’s betrothal
Here is the opening scene from my first draft of a young adult novel called Slumber. Please pick it apart and let me know what you think. 🙂 It was not at all unusual for a girl to balk at her prospective groom. After all, it was rarely her choice, even if she was not… Continue reading Critique Tuesday: Eliora’s betrothal
Writer Wednesday: How to bring a scene to life in 5 minutes.
Here goes my first writing challenge. Have you got your work in progress ready to go? Pick a scene that feels really flat to you. (Or make one up if you don't have a wip) Now close your eyes. Imagine yourself standing in that room. What do you see? That's easy. It's the first… Continue reading Writer Wednesday: How to bring a scene to life in 5 minutes.
Goal #4 accomplished …
OK, so one of my simplest goals was to set up a blogging schedule. So why did that seem the hardest?? I know me -- if I don't think I can do it perfectly, my natural bent is to put it off for so long the task becomes meaningless. So in the interests of crossing… Continue reading Goal #4 accomplished …
You are cordially invited …
I've heard that guest posting is a great way to cross-pollinate your blog across the internet. I've had one experience guest posting myself, which was largely positive, and I'd like to do it again. I'd also love to have other bloggers guest post on my blog. So, I'm extending the invitation for anyone to send… Continue reading You are cordially invited …
Where have I been? Where am I going?
So in August I made some goals for the new (school) year and I thought it would be interesting to see how I'm doing. It's always useful to take stock of where you are and where you plan to be. 1) Training the puppy. Tink is a pretty awesome doggie, and at 7 months she's… Continue reading Where have I been? Where am I going?
Why does family history matter?
While I've been working onmy wip about my family history, I've been thinking--what does it all matter? Why do we care what dead ordinary people did centuries ago? I guess the answer for me is that in my mind they're not really dead. The stories I have about my ancestors bring them to life in… Continue reading Why does family history matter?
3 Things I Learned from NaNoWriMo
Ok, so now that I've had a month to recuperate, get sick, recuperate again, have Christmas, and recuperate again...now I want to take a look back at what I learned from the whole NaNoWriMo experience #1 I can get blood from a stone! Writer's block? What's that? Despite several moments of fearing I wouldn't finish my NaNo,… Continue reading 3 Things I Learned from NaNoWriMo
Hurdle #1: Right on Schedule
I've been told every writer hits a hurdle around the second week of NaNoWriMo. Today is Day 7, so right on schedule. I spent the better part of the morning trying to figure out where my novel was going next. I get this with every novel, of course, but NaNo has the unique ability… Continue reading Hurdle #1: Right on Schedule
NaNoWriMo Day#1
So day 1 went off without a hitch: 2,014 words despite volunteering in the twins' class all morning and taking my son to the dentist in the afternoon. So I'm thinking I've got this. 🙂 Developed a splitting headache and spent the better part of an hour in the middle of the night taking both… Continue reading NaNoWriMo Day#1
Erin E. M. Hatton 