Characters in our books begin their lives somewhere in the deep recesses of our brains and in our hearts. At first they are nothing more than an idea - maybe with a name, maybe not. They follow us around as we work through the mundane activities of our lives, taking on personalities with each passing day. They become part of us. They become real.
As writers, our job is to make those characters come alive for our readers as well. So how do we do this?
Every author has a different method for developing character, but I think if we look at characters who stand out as being our favorites, we'll find they have certain qualities that make them memorable. One of my favorite heroes in all the books I've read is Ari Ben Canaan from Leon Uris' EXODUS, and in some ways I think the character that Uris created has found his way into most of my heroes. Ari possessed everything my ideal hero would have: he was courageous, dedicated to his cause, willing to put his life on the line for what he believed, yet with the love of his life, he was gentle and caring.
Now, mind you, I haven't created a character who was part of the Palestine Jewish Underground, but that doesn't matter. We remember characters because we can relate to them. Maybe we see ourselves in them, even including a flaw he or she possesses, or maybe that character has qualities we'd like to have. We don't have to be a great sports star to be able to appreciate a story about a sportsman or be a movie star to appreciate a story about Hollywood. It's not only the physical ability of the athlete or the talent of the actor that we admire, but the gumption, the determination to succeed, and the dedication to what he believes he can do.
If someone asked you to name your favorite character, who would it be? And why? Think about how the author made those characters stand out for you.
As writers we want our characters to be remembered too. Do your characters have what it takes to live on after the reader closes your book?
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Outback Hero--Elisabeth Rose Giveaway Draw
Just ten days left to go into the draw for a copy of my December contemporary romance release, Outback Hero. This one is set in outback Australia and the cover gives an indication of what the weather is like here at the moment. Hot!
Go to my website to find the question and email me the answer.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Book-in-a-Month or BIAM
I'm writing this for all of us who struggle to find time to write. There are many time management books and there are books on how to get your priorities straight. On this Blog, I've shared the suggestion of Baby Steps to squeak out a few pages of writing in between a plethora of other tasks. (I just LOVE that word. "Plethora". Has such a wonderful feel on the tongue. Makes me think of geese winging south in a plethora of sqwaking. Which they are doing right now, by the way, and landing in my backyard...What? Oh, Right. Writing time.) You can see how time slips away when you're having fun or when you haven't made writing a priority or when you're watching geese.
Ta-Da! Enter Book-in-a-Month! Take the plunge. Stop having nervous frets over the fact that you still haven't finished that last scene. Push everything else to the fringe and write the draft of your next novel in 30 days. 30 Days! Wow!
Now, this exercise comes in a couple of forms. First, November is National Novel Writing Month. This comes with a web site, online support groups, a daily list of activities to complete and your own goals--number of pages or words per day, finish the outline, etc. Like Boot Camp. In a Chair. On your favorite search engine, type in "BIAM" or "book in a week" or "BIAW" and you'll find other groups to cheer you on this path.
I'm taking the non-online (is that a word? Not near as nice as "plethora") path. I purchased the book Book in a Month: the fool-proof system for writing a novel in 30 days by Victoria Lynn Schmidt. This is a sturdy book with places to take notes, step-by-step instructions ("Write 10 Scene Cards Today", "Brainstorm Characters") and lots of cheering. She takes you through the whole process methodically and steadily until you've completed a first draft.
She suggests adapting the process if you'd like. With my current life, carving out 30 days is just not going to happen. But four devoted hours every Saturday morning with bits and pieces through the week? That I can do. So I'm using Book in a Month to guide me, to give me a portable place to take notes, to make a commitment to regular writing and to keep my subconscious working on whatever writing activity is on the schedule. So far, I'm loving it.
I may not get the draft done in 30 days, but 30 Saturdays? Sure. It beats not writing at all. And I know once I've gotten deeper into my characters and plot, I'll make more time. I won't be able to help myself. I'll let you know how it's going next month.
Have any of you used a BIAM technique? How'd it go? Any of you ready to take the plunge?
Splash!
Ta-Da! Enter Book-in-a-Month! Take the plunge. Stop having nervous frets over the fact that you still haven't finished that last scene. Push everything else to the fringe and write the draft of your next novel in 30 days. 30 Days! Wow!
Now, this exercise comes in a couple of forms. First, November is National Novel Writing Month. This comes with a web site, online support groups, a daily list of activities to complete and your own goals--number of pages or words per day, finish the outline, etc. Like Boot Camp. In a Chair. On your favorite search engine, type in "BIAM" or "book in a week" or "BIAW" and you'll find other groups to cheer you on this path.
I'm taking the non-online (is that a word? Not near as nice as "plethora") path. I purchased the book Book in a Month: the fool-proof system for writing a novel in 30 days by Victoria Lynn Schmidt. This is a sturdy book with places to take notes, step-by-step instructions ("Write 10 Scene Cards Today", "Brainstorm Characters") and lots of cheering. She takes you through the whole process methodically and steadily until you've completed a first draft.
She suggests adapting the process if you'd like. With my current life, carving out 30 days is just not going to happen. But four devoted hours every Saturday morning with bits and pieces through the week? That I can do. So I'm using Book in a Month to guide me, to give me a portable place to take notes, to make a commitment to regular writing and to keep my subconscious working on whatever writing activity is on the schedule. So far, I'm loving it.
I may not get the draft done in 30 days, but 30 Saturdays? Sure. It beats not writing at all. And I know once I've gotten deeper into my characters and plot, I'll make more time. I won't be able to help myself. I'll let you know how it's going next month.
Have any of you used a BIAM technique? How'd it go? Any of you ready to take the plunge?
Splash!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Pottering in the Garden with Elisabeth Rose
When my grandmother moved into this house in about 1965 it had an absolutely perfect cottage garden. The man who established it was the type who crawled around with nail scissors trimming the grass and glaring at leaves and flowers which dared to dangle out of line.
Grandma couldn’t maintain that standard but I remember as a teenager coming to mow the lawn for her with a hand mower. The emerald green swathe was so smooth and even that pushing the mower over the thick springy surface was easy. Hand mowers give a much smoother, less violent cut in case you didn’t know.
Grandma died in 1970 and I moved into the house in 1971. For the year the house was rented the garden suffered great indignities. The tenants parked their cars on the front lawn which wore it away in no time. After they left I lived there with student friends and we did our best to keep things alive in the garden and re grow the front lawn. Someone had a Belgian boyfriend who threw up his hands in horror when he saw the unpruned roses so took it upon himself to do that for us.
The shrubs and spruce type trees the original owner planted back in the sixties have grown into monsters which continually encroach on the power lines along the back fence. His plan was to plant quick growing trees to create shade and privacy then remove them when other slower growers had gained height. The biggest mistake he made was planting bamboo along one fence. What an absolute nightmare! Bamboo is the most beautiful screen but the most invasive plant known to man. We spent years trying to keep it under control with our back neighbour complaining periodically about bamboo shoots popping up in her back lawn. In the end we hired a man to come and cut it out. It took him and his son a whole day sawing each cane off and pouring poison into the stems. After a few years the rotted roots could be dug out. Another horrible job.
Now my husband and I have fits of gardening activity. Permanent water restrictions mean no-one has a beautiful green lawn anymore unless they use tank or recycled house water. People are turning to hardy native plants like grevillea, kangaroo paw and bottle brush and using tanbark or woodchips to retain moisture and minimise grass cover. We’ve wood-chipped birch trees lost in the drought and spread that over the front half of that long gone perfect lawn of the sixties. We’ve planted native shrubs and grasses as groundcover.
Yesterday I attacked the two ornamental box bushes with hedge clippers so visitors can walk unhindered to our front door. Every time I do that job I have a fleeting urge to take up topiary and sculpt a fancy shape but they’re still square (ish). We’ve planted cucumbers, tomatoes, chilli, garlic, chives, leeks and parsley in a little bit of reclaimed bamboo land in the sunniest back corner and my husband goes out and gives them little pep talks each morning as he waters. We’ve erected a possum proof fence too because the first year we planted out our brave little parsley and herb patch the rotten possums (who live in our unused chimney) ate the lot overnight. Except the basil, they left that. Now the biggest threat is the ball from next door flying over the fence and squashing something.
Our back garden is still reminiscent of that original garden with graceful curving lines, a few surviving roses and most of the shrubs, and of course those whopping great trees on the back fence. The grass there is beautifully green at the moment thanks to recent spring rain but is showing signs of drying out now the weather is warming up. We’re not allowed to do anything other than hand water in the early morning or evening so unless we get more rain soon the green will be short-lived. But because of the extra earlier rain the orchid I inherited from a dear elderly neighbour flowered for the first time in years. The lilac has just finished a wonderful show, the azaleas are out, roses are just starting and my new season petunias look very bright and cheerful.
Although we’re spasmodic gardeners we have a great sense of achievement when we spend a few hours tidying and planting, and we’re really looking forward to our first tomatoes. There are four little green blobs there already.
The heroine of my current work in progress is a gardener. Are you a gardener?
Grandma couldn’t maintain that standard but I remember as a teenager coming to mow the lawn for her with a hand mower. The emerald green swathe was so smooth and even that pushing the mower over the thick springy surface was easy. Hand mowers give a much smoother, less violent cut in case you didn’t know.
Grandma died in 1970 and I moved into the house in 1971. For the year the house was rented the garden suffered great indignities. The tenants parked their cars on the front lawn which wore it away in no time. After they left I lived there with student friends and we did our best to keep things alive in the garden and re grow the front lawn. Someone had a Belgian boyfriend who threw up his hands in horror when he saw the unpruned roses so took it upon himself to do that for us.
The shrubs and spruce type trees the original owner planted back in the sixties have grown into monsters which continually encroach on the power lines along the back fence. His plan was to plant quick growing trees to create shade and privacy then remove them when other slower growers had gained height. The biggest mistake he made was planting bamboo along one fence. What an absolute nightmare! Bamboo is the most beautiful screen but the most invasive plant known to man. We spent years trying to keep it under control with our back neighbour complaining periodically about bamboo shoots popping up in her back lawn. In the end we hired a man to come and cut it out. It took him and his son a whole day sawing each cane off and pouring poison into the stems. After a few years the rotted roots could be dug out. Another horrible job.
Now my husband and I have fits of gardening activity. Permanent water restrictions mean no-one has a beautiful green lawn anymore unless they use tank or recycled house water. People are turning to hardy native plants like grevillea, kangaroo paw and bottle brush and using tanbark or woodchips to retain moisture and minimise grass cover. We’ve wood-chipped birch trees lost in the drought and spread that over the front half of that long gone perfect lawn of the sixties. We’ve planted native shrubs and grasses as groundcover.
Yesterday I attacked the two ornamental box bushes with hedge clippers so visitors can walk unhindered to our front door. Every time I do that job I have a fleeting urge to take up topiary and sculpt a fancy shape but they’re still square (ish). We’ve planted cucumbers, tomatoes, chilli, garlic, chives, leeks and parsley in a little bit of reclaimed bamboo land in the sunniest back corner and my husband goes out and gives them little pep talks each morning as he waters. We’ve erected a possum proof fence too because the first year we planted out our brave little parsley and herb patch the rotten possums (who live in our unused chimney) ate the lot overnight. Except the basil, they left that. Now the biggest threat is the ball from next door flying over the fence and squashing something.
Our back garden is still reminiscent of that original garden with graceful curving lines, a few surviving roses and most of the shrubs, and of course those whopping great trees on the back fence. The grass there is beautifully green at the moment thanks to recent spring rain but is showing signs of drying out now the weather is warming up. We’re not allowed to do anything other than hand water in the early morning or evening so unless we get more rain soon the green will be short-lived. But because of the extra earlier rain the orchid I inherited from a dear elderly neighbour flowered for the first time in years. The lilac has just finished a wonderful show, the azaleas are out, roses are just starting and my new season petunias look very bright and cheerful.
Although we’re spasmodic gardeners we have a great sense of achievement when we spend a few hours tidying and planting, and we’re really looking forward to our first tomatoes. There are four little green blobs there already.
The heroine of my current work in progress is a gardener. Are you a gardener?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Out of the mouths of babes....
What makes a good book?
It seems like the more books I write, the more I ponder this. And discuss it. And read books of writing theory, “How To” tomes, and volumes about “voice”. I worry about three act structure, point of view, and scene-sequel placement until it keeps me up at night. I want to get it right.
But the other day, I watched my wonderful seven year old granddaughter uncurl herself from my couch with a giant sigh. She’s an amazing reader.
“Oh,” she sighed with a stretch. She closed her book. “That was a great book. I hate that it’s done. I wish I had another one right here to start right now.”
My writer’s ears perked up. “What are you reading?”
She was reading a mystery from the Boxcar Children series. Remember that one? Not exactly high concept. Not exactly dark and gritty, as so many editors and agents acclaim. Yes, I know she’s only seven, but still…
“So what was so good about it?” I asked. “What makes it a good book?”
She dreamily sighed. “Well, it’s about these kids, and I really like them. I mean, I feel like I know them. It’s like they are really real.”
I nod.
“And then, instead of having a regular day, they get stuck in some kind of problem, and they have to solve it, and they have to be brave and do things they might be scared of doing. And I feel like I am there with them. It’s exciting.”
I nod again.
“And then, just when you think they will never fix things, something happens, and all of a sudden it all makes sense, and then everybody gets really happy. You know, happily ever after. I like that.”
I nodded once more. I get it. I put down the latest “miracle” book that I wanted to use to tell me what makes a good book. I know what makes a good book. And so does my granddaughter.
I decide to write instead. But first, I take my granddaughter to the library for her next Boxcar Children book.
Kids say the darnedest things!
It seems like the more books I write, the more I ponder this. And discuss it. And read books of writing theory, “How To” tomes, and volumes about “voice”. I worry about three act structure, point of view, and scene-sequel placement until it keeps me up at night. I want to get it right.
But the other day, I watched my wonderful seven year old granddaughter uncurl herself from my couch with a giant sigh. She’s an amazing reader.
“Oh,” she sighed with a stretch. She closed her book. “That was a great book. I hate that it’s done. I wish I had another one right here to start right now.”
My writer’s ears perked up. “What are you reading?”
She was reading a mystery from the Boxcar Children series. Remember that one? Not exactly high concept. Not exactly dark and gritty, as so many editors and agents acclaim. Yes, I know she’s only seven, but still…
“So what was so good about it?” I asked. “What makes it a good book?”
She dreamily sighed. “Well, it’s about these kids, and I really like them. I mean, I feel like I know them. It’s like they are really real.”
I nod.
“And then, instead of having a regular day, they get stuck in some kind of problem, and they have to solve it, and they have to be brave and do things they might be scared of doing. And I feel like I am there with them. It’s exciting.”
I nod again.
“And then, just when you think they will never fix things, something happens, and all of a sudden it all makes sense, and then everybody gets really happy. You know, happily ever after. I like that.”
I nodded once more. I get it. I put down the latest “miracle” book that I wanted to use to tell me what makes a good book. I know what makes a good book. And so does my granddaughter.
I decide to write instead. But first, I take my granddaughter to the library for her next Boxcar Children book.
Kids say the darnedest things!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Finding Our Speaking Voices
We’ve all found our writing voice, but what about the voice that shouts to the world – “I want to tell you about my book.” Recently I received an email from the director of a local adult education program inviting me to speak at one of their Meet the Authors sessions.
I always have to stop and remind myself - I am an author and qualified to speak on a range of topics related to writing.
Last year I was part of a panel at a local community college. I spoke about my personal writing experience. The director of that program suggested me to the director of the adult education program. I read the email and had to stop and think ... who me?
So, I’ll pack up my confidence, my books, and an outline (which I’ll try to stick to). I will offer my insight on the struggles of moving from rejected to published. I assume most of the audience will be aspiring authors. They may find it impressive that my third book, Chocolate Magic is scheduled for April 2010. I’m personally still in shock.
I’ll put on my best professional face and use the stages from The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogel to show the progression of my writing career. Like our heroes we take that first step out of our ordinary world in order to pass into the world of a writer. Don’t we all stop occasionally to question the journey? We meet mentors and villains and have a few black moments before we get the letter that makes the journey worth the effort.
I find that I have a lot to say, once I start speaking. Don’t we all. We have struggled and succeeded. Sharing our experiences with others who aspire to do what we have done isn’t so bad.
Do you accept speaking requests? What do you speak about?
visit my website www.zeldabenjamin.com I'm also on facebook
Sunday, November 1, 2009
An Interview with Deborah Shelley
Q: Tell us the first thing that pops into your head when I say: Tell us about yourself.
I am a wife, mother, writer, and librarian who's fortunate to have a wonderful family, great friends, and the opportunity to do what she loves.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? What was the biggest influence on this decision?
I can't remember not writing. This might sound weird, but I need to write. I'm driven.
Q: Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote.
The first thing I remember writing was when I was six and I wrote a story for my cousin. The first time I was published was when I was seven in the Boys and Girls Republic.
Q: Tell us about the genre in which you write and why?
I write romantic comedies (Talk about Love; It's in His Kiss; My Favorite Flavor; One Starry Night; Marriage 101) for the sheer joy of it. I write non-fiction books (Romance Today: An A-Z Guide to Contemporary American Romance Writers; The Suffragists in Literature for Youth: The Fight for the Vote: Crash Course in Library Supervision; The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List) to exercise my mind and share information. I write for What Do I Read Next? and Novelist and review for Booklist and Library Journal to help get the word out about great books. I write articles when I have time. And I write limericks (more than 600 so far) just because it's fun.
Q: Tell us about your latest book. Is it with Avalon or another publisher? What is your most recent or next Avalon Book?
My latest book, Marriage 101, is an Avalon book. I wrote it with my friend, Deborah Mazoyer--we write as Deborah Shelley. Here's a little bit about it:
Danny Riccuci thinks divorce is hereditary. After all, his family could be the poster child for failed marriages. The only exception is his sister, Maria. And she’s married to the church. Danny’s so sure he carries this divorce gene that he’s never bothered to challenge the family curse. Rachel Levin’s a teacher of human relationships. She knows all the scientific reasons for mutual attraction. She knows the basis of the human needs that drive people into relationships. She knows the statistics of almost every aspect of her field. In fact, Rachel knows everything about human relationships—except what it’s actually like to be in one. Together, Danny and Rachel learn there’s a lot more to love than what’s in a textbook, and that sometimes, genetics are highly over-rated.
Q: What do you like to do besides write?
I love to do things with my family--we took a road trip this summer that lasted almost a month and covered 5,000 miles. I enjoy hanging out with my friends. I like to read and go to the movies. Traveling to new places and trying new foods are high on my list of favorites. I like chilling with my cats, Ada and Chewie. I love to listen to music--all kinds--and sing along. What I don't like is doing anything domestic, including cooking and cleaning!
Q: What would you like us to know about you or your writing above anything else?
I worry about the poverty and hunger in America. There are foreclosures all over my neighborhood. I know so many people who have been laid off. We all need to do something to end this!
Q: Where?
www.deborahshelley.com. I'm also on MySpace and Facebook.
I am a wife, mother, writer, and librarian who's fortunate to have a wonderful family, great friends, and the opportunity to do what she loves.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? What was the biggest influence on this decision?
I can't remember not writing. This might sound weird, but I need to write. I'm driven.
Q: Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote.
The first thing I remember writing was when I was six and I wrote a story for my cousin. The first time I was published was when I was seven in the Boys and Girls Republic.
Q: Tell us about the genre in which you write and why?
I write romantic comedies (Talk about Love; It's in His Kiss; My Favorite Flavor; One Starry Night; Marriage 101) for the sheer joy of it. I write non-fiction books (Romance Today: An A-Z Guide to Contemporary American Romance Writers; The Suffragists in Literature for Youth: The Fight for the Vote: Crash Course in Library Supervision; The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List) to exercise my mind and share information. I write for What Do I Read Next? and Novelist and review for Booklist and Library Journal to help get the word out about great books. I write articles when I have time. And I write limericks (more than 600 so far) just because it's fun.
Q: Tell us about your latest book. Is it with Avalon or another publisher? What is your most recent or next Avalon Book?
My latest book, Marriage 101, is an Avalon book. I wrote it with my friend, Deborah Mazoyer--we write as Deborah Shelley. Here's a little bit about it:
Danny Riccuci thinks divorce is hereditary. After all, his family could be the poster child for failed marriages. The only exception is his sister, Maria. And she’s married to the church. Danny’s so sure he carries this divorce gene that he’s never bothered to challenge the family curse. Rachel Levin’s a teacher of human relationships. She knows all the scientific reasons for mutual attraction. She knows the basis of the human needs that drive people into relationships. She knows the statistics of almost every aspect of her field. In fact, Rachel knows everything about human relationships—except what it’s actually like to be in one. Together, Danny and Rachel learn there’s a lot more to love than what’s in a textbook, and that sometimes, genetics are highly over-rated.
Q: What do you like to do besides write?
I love to do things with my family--we took a road trip this summer that lasted almost a month and covered 5,000 miles. I enjoy hanging out with my friends. I like to read and go to the movies. Traveling to new places and trying new foods are high on my list of favorites. I like chilling with my cats, Ada and Chewie. I love to listen to music--all kinds--and sing along. What I don't like is doing anything domestic, including cooking and cleaning!
Q: What would you like us to know about you or your writing above anything else?
I worry about the poverty and hunger in America. There are foreclosures all over my neighborhood. I know so many people who have been laid off. We all need to do something to end this!
Q: Where?
www.deborahshelley.com. I'm also on MySpace and Facebook.
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