6
Sep
Inspiration – Assignment #2
I love writing dialogue. In fact, it’s probably one of the things I do best. But there are still days I want to pull my hair out because everything my characters are saying seems trite or stilted. (Helpful hint: When your own characters’ conversations make you yawn, you have a problem.)
So, when I get stuck, how do I get those creative juices flowing again?
I listen.
One of the best ways to figure out how to write dialogue is to pay attention to how people talk–not just what they’re talking about, but also how they’re saying it. When you’re chatting with your co-workers, pay attention to how their style of conversation is a reflection of their various personalities. If you’re sitting in a coffee shop, listen to conversations going on around you–especially if those present represent a segment of the population about which you are writing (spoiled suburban teens, high-powered executives, firefighters on a coffee break, etc.). The more often you do this, the better you’ll get at writing dialogue that reflects your characters’ personalities and circumstances.
If you’re uncomfortable eavesdropping in a coffee shop or dissecting everything your friends say, try watching a few really well-made movies with snappy dialogue and make notes as you’re watching. A few of my favorites for aural voyeurism:
1) Gosford Park
2) Jaws
3) Orange County
4) Serenity
5) Tombstone
6) The Godfather
7) Steel Magnolias
8 ) Henry V (or really any fabulous adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s plays)
9) Fargo
10) Pretty much anything by comedy legends, Monty Python.
I read.
This seems like it should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many writers don’t bother reading much. I don’t know how someone trying to perfect his/her craft can get a feel for dialogue that works (or doesn’t) without reading what other people have written. There are certain writers who are masters at incorporating believable, engaging, and necessary conversations in their works.
Also, keep in mind that not everyone carries on a conversation in the same way. Some people are very direct and stay on topic; others live in Tangent Land. Do you have fave author whose dialogue leaves you in stitches or who seems to be able to show you everything you need to know about a character simply by how he talks to those around him? Next time you read this fave of yours, pay attention to how she pulls it off–you just might learn something!
I write.
Again, this should be a big “Duh,” but you’d be surprised…
When I was in grad school I didn’t have much time to write anything particularly long and involved (such as a novel), so instead I tried writing what I called “snippets.” Essentially, these were just short vignettes that told a story using nothing but dialogue. And I mean nothing–no speech tags, no narration, no description. The point was to use only what the characters were saying to tell the reader absolutely everything s/he needed to know about the characters, the setting, the action taking place–and to do so in a way that seemed naturally-occurring in the course of the conversation.
It’s harder than it seems, but it’s a great way to hone your craft.
So, here’s your assignment:
Write your own snippet of 3-5 pages that tells your readers everything they want to know about characters, setting, and the conflict between them. Then give it to a few beta readers and ask them to describe what’s happening in the snippet. If you’ve done well, they won’t even notice that dialogue is all that’s on the page. And if they aren’t able to sort it all out, get some feedback to figure out why. Revise the snippet incorporating any feedback you find valuable and give it to them again until they “get it.”
Good luck and happy writing!
31
May
Inspiration – Assignment #1
Walk among the dead.
No, I’m not talking about hanging out with your local zombies. I’m talking about taking a stroll through a cemetery–preferably one that’s old and full of history.
As you walk, read the names on the tombstones, the dates that defined their lives, the inscriptions of hope and faith that their loved ones carved in stone. The minute one of them really grabs hold of your imagination, start writing.
Write anything. Jot down your impressions in a 15 minute free writing session, write a poem, start a character sketch for a short story, write a back-story for the person buried at your feet. Just go with whatever form your creativity takes at that very moment. You might be surprised at the result.
Several years ago, I did this exercise in a secluded, nearly forgotten cemetery in rural Southern Indiana. I walked for probably half an hour before one of the tombstones really caught my attention. It was small and simple, a tiny marker for the grave of a six-month-old girl who had lived and died in the late 1800s.
So, what about this particular tombstone inspired me? Two things. The first was that the little girl shared the same unusual first name as my sister. Second was the inscription on the headstone, which I found utterly heartbreaking.
It was such a visceral reaction, I grabbed my notebook and let my thoughts and feelings flow. In the end, I captured my intense emotional response in a poem narrated from the mother’s point of view.
The poem was published a few months later.
So, go ahead and give it a try. Walk among the dead for a little while and see what they have to say. You never know where your stroll through the past could eventually lead.
Happy writing!
5
Apr
When you mention “organized crime,” most people think of such well-known names as Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, or Lucky Luciano. Or maybe “organized crime” calls to mind such iconic films as The Godfather, Goodfellas, and Casino. But what about pirates? Smuggling rings? Outlaw motorcycle gangs? In his book, Organized Crime: An Inside Guide to the World’s Most Successful Industry, Paul Lunde touches on all of these groups and then some.
If you’re curious at all about the history of organized crime, this is a great overview that hits on crime organizations all over the world, from ancient times to the present. I found it fascinating and something of an eye-opener when it comes to the complicated culture often involved in crime organizations. Whether you’re considering writing about the Triads or La Cosa Nostra, the Yakuza or Tammany Hall, this is a great little book to help you get started.
*Disclaimer: In accordance with FTC Guidelines for reviews and endorsements, you should assume that every book recommended on maurabishop.com was submitted by the author/publisher or purchased via an authorized retailer. We do not accept money or favors in exchange for a good review.
13
Aug
Now that I’m actively shopping Red, I’ve begun developing Book 2 in the series. For me, the first step in beginning any new project is fleshing out my characters. I spend a lot of time mulling over not just each character’s personal appearance (which, honestly, could change anyway) but also his/her personality traits, quirks, nervous habits, taste in clothes and music, favorite movies, and so on–even if none of these things will even come into play in the novel.
Unfortunately, even after all the time I spend developing my characters before I start writing, I sometimes end up in the middle of the manuscript and realize I need to add more depth. In such cases, it’s nice to have a few resources on hand to help generate some ideas.
One book I’ve come across that’s been a great reference for character development is Writer’s Guide to Character Traits, by Linda N. Edelstein, PhD.
Topics covered include personality traits, psychological disorders, criminal types, career traits, and communication styles just to name a few. Need to figure out which character traits correspond to a particular virtue? Covered in Chapter 2. Trying to determine which variety of stalker is preying on your protagonist? Chapter 5.
Bottom line–if you’re trying to come up with believable characters who pop off the page, Writer’s Guide to Character Traits could definitely give you some pointers.
Give it a try!
*Disclaimer: In accordance with FTC Guidelines for reviews and endorsements, you should assume that every book recommended on maurabishop.com was submitted by the author/publisher or purchased via an authorized retailer. We do not accept money or favors in exchange for a good review.
23
May
I just finished reading Dead Beat, a novel from Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series, and I have to say, Butcher’s books just keep getting better and better. I didn’t think he could top Blood Rites (which had been my favorite thus far), but I dare say, he outdid himself again!
I discovered the Dresden Files books after the TV series came and went far too soon. Hoping to stop my bitching over the cancellation of the series, my HH bought the first several books for me the following year for my birthday. He then proceeded to bogart them, so I didn’t get around to reading the novels until around a year or so ago. And I was hooked.
Unfortunately, my reading time is rather limited, so it’s taking me a while to work my way through the series and catch up to the newest release, but it’s definitely time well-spent! If you’re a fan of mysteries, fantasies, paranormals and/or thrillers, you’d probably enjoy Butcher’s novels. At some point, he hits on all of these genres–sometimes all at once!
In addition to proclaiming my admiration as I reader, I also have to offer my thanks as a writer.
When I began writing Red, it was immediately clear to me that the protagonist’s story had to be in her own voice with no filtration from the narrator. This was a huge deviation from my normal writing M.O. and was both liberating and terrifying at the same time.
Fortunately, I started writing Red right around the time I started reading the Dresden Files series, which couldn’t have been more serendipitous. Butcher does such a fabulous job writing in the first-person, I think I would have been a lot more timid while writing had I not been exposed to such a fantastic example of how to carry it off. Butcher’s voice is, quite simply, fearless, and, as such, authentic–which, in turn, makes the stories much more engaging and enjoyable.
Aside from sharing the same genre(s), my manuscript has almost nothing in common with Butcher’s work, but inspiration can come from just about anywhere and in any form. And I was definitely inspired and have learned a lot about the more subtle nuances of telling a story from this point of view. I’m sure I still have a long way to go until I’ve mastered the craft, but that’s all part of the fun!
And so, as I continue to edit and refine Red in hopes of one day bringing the story to print, I offer a grateful nod to Jim Butcher for showing all us hopefuls how it’s done.
*Disclaimer: In accordance with FTC Guidelines for reviews and endorsements, you should assume that every book recommended on maurabishop.com was submitted by the author/publisher or purchased via an authorized retailer. We do not accept money or favors in exchange for a good review.
19
Apr
My sister is expecting her first child in a few weeks and still hasn’t settled on a middle name. Debate over the perfect middle name has been waging for months between the expectant mama and papa — with those of us on the outside lobbying for our favorites. My sister has her preference, of course, but she has yet to find the name that really clicks for both her and her husband. Luckily, she still has a little time…
Just like with naming a baby, choosing a name for a character can make all the difference in how readers accept her as part of the reality you’ve created. I mean, really — can you imagine Scarlett O’Hara by any other name? Would she have become the iconic Southern belle we all hate to love if she’d been named something less flamboyant and dramatic? Okay, maybe — but she wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun!
Before I even begin to write a story, I spend a considerable amount of time coming up with the names of my characters. Typically, this process involves a lot of research on origins, meanings, pronunciations, and popularity at given points in history. I know, I know. I use the word research and people cringe, but the process of researching names doesn’t have to be onerous or boring — I promise!
Although there are oodles of books and websites that list the standard baby names and their meanings, don’t be afraid to shake things up and try an unusual source. Sometimes a character demands a name that’s a little out of the ordinary. In that spirit, here are just a few of my favorite resources for finding the perfect moniker when Tom and Jane just won’t do:
Irish Names from Ancient to Modern
www.namenerds.com/irish
I’m a total etymology nerd and will happily admit that I own a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary expressly for looking up word origins — for fun! Irish Names from Ancient to Modern is a perfect one for getting my nerd on. Incidentally, Moose’s real name appears on the list of Traditional Irish Names — I’ll let you guess which one it might be.
And the best part? Backtrack to the root website (www.namenerds.com) and you’ll find links to sister sites: Welsh Names from Mythic to Modern, Scottish First Names, and Unusual, Unique & Creative Names.
Name that Goth!
http://home.comcast.net/~jeniphir/babynames.html
If you’re looking for names that deviate from perennial favorites Jacob and Emma, give Name that Goth! a go. I actually stumbled upon this one when I was looking for a suitable name for an angel and immediately fell in love with the various lists grouped together by theme. Sadly, it doesn’t look like Penny Dreadful has updated the site in quite a while. Some of the links are broken, but the remaining categories still offer some fabulous choices.
How do I say…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/livinginwales/sites/howdoisay/names/index.shtml?a
This website is hosted by BBC Wales and is very handy if you have a character whose name should call to mind faeries and elves and dragons and… well, you get the picture. And, true to its title, you can click on the names to hear the actual Welsh pronunciation (trust me, you’ll need it).
These are just a few of my favorites, but I’m always looking for fun sources to try and will post updates as I come across new ones. If you have others you’d like to share, feel free! Who knows — perhaps my niece will benefit from your suggestions. 
9
Dec
I am happy to report that the revision process for my current project is going great! Of course, I have to admit that this time around I had an additional leg up on the editing process — professional feedback.
A few months ago, I took a chance and entered excerpts from my manuscript in two separate contests just to kind of test the waters and get a little constructive criticism. I say this nonchalantly, but make no mistake — writing contests are nerve-wracking, ego-crushing affairs, that are not for the faint of heart. No matter how professional and constructive the criticism (and it was!), having your work torn apart is never easy. So, if humble pie has never really been your favorite dessert, get over your aversion and grab a fork ’cause the humble pie is going to get served up piping hot.
That being said, feedback is essential if you want to make your writing stronger and your story tighter. If you can’t make it to a conference or workshop and haven’t yet joined your local writers group, contests are a great way to get a little honest criticism from professionals. Plus, there’s the added benefit of not having to look the judge in the eye when she tells you that the character you thought leapt off the page is actually one-dimensional and lacking in motivation. (*Sigh*)
Granted, like criticism of any kind, there is some subjectivity involved, so you have to take the comments for what they are — educated and professional opinions. In my case, there were a few comments that made me say, “Wha-huh?” But, for the most part, the judges’ comments confirmed what I thought to be my weaknesses and knew to be my strengths and helped direct my revision process.
And, honestly, it wasn’t all bad! On a bright note, the judges described my excerpts as action-packed, fast-paced, and exciting, and even the judge who gave me the lowest score thought my manuscript showed a lot of promise and would be publishable with another round of editing. Considering the work I submitted was still technically in first draft form, I find this extremely encouraging!
Yay, me!
(Now, let’s just hope an agent or editor feels the same way!)
Moral of the story? As hard as it is to put yourself out there and invite someone to point out your every flaw, get the feedback — it’s invaluable! And you never know, you just might make it to the next round…
