Sitting Down With Your Characters - Guest Post by Leah Meahl

We all know how it goes. Boy. Girl. Best Friend. Villian. Hero. Sidekick. 

One of the best things about writing stories is that we have the luxury of building a person from scratch. But once you’ve chosen the names, the hair and eye color, now it’s time to focus on their inner being. 

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Your characters psyche maybe easy to pinpoint at first, but when you start writing, you’ll realize that some initial ideas lack depth. Here are some ways to sit down with your character and get to know them. 

1 - Do your research 

As with all solid writing, research can go a long way. If your character has a medical condition, physical or mental disability, phobia, etc, you should have a good understanding of what those details involve. How will a mental disability affect one’s thoughts? How would a phobia affect a lifestyle? When you find the nuances of traits you want your characters to have, you may see or understand them better. 

2 - Solidify your image 

You may have a fuzzy idea of what your character looks like, but sometimes it’s better to look them in the eyes. One way to do that is to look up pictures that closely identify your character’s features. Pictures may help you establish vividness and consistency in your descriptions. 

3 - Ask them questions 

Interviewing your characters can be the most fun. After taking a playwriting workshop, I learned that even the most random questions can help you feel out your character. An example of some inquiries are: what genre of books would they read, what alcoholic beverage would they choose to drink, what is their go-to music? Even if these answers aren’t featured in the story, each fact helps mold who they are as a whole. 

4 - Find a real life example 

Some of the best models for characters come from the people around us. When you see the dark spots on a man’s knuckles or the bounce in a child’s step, your descriptions become accurate and relatable. When you have conversations with others, you can write natural dialogue. If someone reminds you of your character, a personality manifests before you. Your job is simply to observe and write down. 

5 - Practice hearing them 

Call me crazy, but we’re writers. Practicing your character’s dialogue out loud can be helpful. Not only does it open up ways for natural speech and choice of words, but also it supports the direction of the scene in your mind. From an editing point of view, reading aloud will confirm the fluidity of your words. So, get in touch with your inner actor and have fun with it! 

We writers have been given the gift of creating by the one and only Creator. He has woven so many beautiful and unique characteristics into His children and now we have the privilege in using His models to help with our own designs. 

If you have a project and a direction in mind, grab a cup of coffee, sit down one of your “friends” and start getting to know them. 

About the Author:

Leah Jordan Meahl is an aspiring author having graduated from North Greenville University concentrating in creative writing. She loves to share her experiences with Jesus in hopes that people will find hope, inspiration, and blessings while growing in a deeper relationship with Him. She helps people see God at work through her blog at www.meahltime.com. On the side, she also has a love for the theater as an actor and singer. In her spare time, she likes to drink coffee while diving into a captivating story. 

~ ~ ~ 

Thanks for stopping by, Leah!

Readers: What's your favorite way to create characters? Do you have any tips to share with us?

Tweetable:

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Sitting Down With Your Characters - Guest Post by Leah Meahl #writingcraft #amwriting @leahjordanmeahl @tessaemilyhall http://bit.ly/2G9D23S

Capture a Vision, Create a Plan, & Pursue Your Dreams Today! {Free Download}

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I have always been an ambitious person. When people asked me as a teenager what I wanted to do after college, I could list about five different things, possibly more. (Of course, being an author was always at the top of my list!)


Maybe that's why I felt such a drive to pursue writing as a teenager. Since there are so many things I want to achieve in my life, why wouldn't I have wanted to get a head-start?


I don't think enough teenagers realize just how much potential they have. In high school, you have four years to discover your passions, four years to grow in your craft and to pursue your dreams. And yet so many teens don't take this time to their advantage. They assume that they can live on a day-by-day basis, waiting until they are an adult before taking life seriously. 


If you are a teenager, you can be wiser than that. You can tap into your potential. You can jumpstart your career and begin to pursue your dreams today. 

Do you know how much pressure would be taken off of you in the future if you did start today? You wouldn't have to worry so much about career options once you're in college. You would already have a pretty clear idea of what you want to do.


But the only way you can begin is by first capturing a vision, then creating a plan that will help you reach your goals.

The possibilities of what you could achieve in your lifetime--starting today--are endless.  However, pursuing your dreams can be a bit overwhelming ... especially if you don't even know what you want to pursue. That is why I am offering this free download. 

This 7-page download will help you: 

• Discover your passions and talents
• Choose a career that is suitable for you
• Capture a vision
• Create a plan
• Set goals
• Break down the process so your dream is achievable
• Stay motivated, inspired, and focused

You don't have to be the same as others your age. You don't have to wait until you are in college before you wonder what you want to do for the rest of your life.

If you begin to plant your dreams during your teen years, you will notice a harvest much sooner in life than most people. 

However, you can't just give up if you don't see immediate results. You need to continue watering those seeds day-by-day, allowing them to grow, and having faith that one day you will reap the benefits. There is nothing wrong with dreaming, especially if you're a young person.  But there will come a time when you need to wake up long enough to pursue those dreams.  If you are interested in beginning today, print out these pages. I recommend that you keep them in a binder and refer to them any time you may feel tempted to give up, any time you are not inspired, or any time you just need a fresh reminder of your vision. Ready to get started? Click here to download the pages!  Feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I will be happy to assist you in any way that I can! =) 
♡ ♡ ♡
What is the one dream that has always been on your heart? Do you have one dream you would like to pursue or multiple dreams?

Preparing to Write Part 2: How to Plan Your Story

Although it is possible to write a novel by the seat of your pants, I think it saves a lot of trouble--and stress--to prepare your novel beforehand. This includes  brainstorming--as mentioned in last week's post--as well as planning your book's details.

I didn't start planning my book's details until recently, but I have found that doing this has saved a lot of time for when I do begin to write my book. Once you plan the details, writing will then come naturally, because you will have a general idea of what your book is about.

→ Genre

It is important that you know what genre your book will fall under before you begin to write. If you aren’t sure which genre it belongs to, do your research. Here is a list of several varieties of fiction genres you can choose from. You should also read several books in the genre that you want to write in and be aware of what publishers are currently looking for. Also, be careful to only write within the word count of your genre. Here is a very helpful list of how long a book should be in certain genres.

→ Theme

Write down the answers to these questions:

• How do you want your readers to feel when they close your book?
• Is there a message you want your readers to take away from the story?
• Is there a strong symbolism you could incorporate to enhance this theme?

→ Audience

Be specific about the audience of your book. Even if you are writing for the YA market, your audience should be more specific than just “teens”. Your audience will consist of the majority of readers who will enjoy your book—their age, as well as their hobbies.

 For example: If you are writing a YA contemporary romance novel, then it will probably appeal mostly to girls who are between 16 – 18 years old who are interested in relationships and dating. Not only will establishing your audience help as you begin to write, but you will also be prepared to pitch to agents, and even promote your book when the time comes.

→ Title

I always have to have a title in mind before I begin writing a first draft. It’s easy to lose your way when you start to write. If you have a title in mind, then you have a general guideline to follow--an idea of what the story should consist of. You could even envision the cover of your book, which always makes it easier to visualize your book.

No, the title you have in mind may not be the one that will be on the printed book. Publishers can always change it, or you may even end up changing your mind once you begin writing. However, I still recommend that you come up with a title while brainstorming the story.

→ Tagline

This one is a little more difficult to establish. Okay, it’s actually very difficult to write, most of the time. However, it’s always going to be easier to come up with a tagline before the first draft has been written rather than afterwards.

What is a tagline, you ask? A tagline is usually 1 – 2 sentences that captures the essence of a story. It’s the sentence you will use when you pitch to agents and editors. If you fail to come up with an intriguing tagline, it is not likely that an agent will be interested in hearing about your story. The tagline is your book’s first impression. And just like the title, it can serve as a guideline when you begin to write your book. It should not exceed about 15 words.

→ Premise

The premise is longer than a tagline, but shorter than the back cover copy. In a proposal, the premise usually goes directly underneath the book’s tagline. This will include the conflict of your story, as well as introduce the protagonist. The premise should not exceed about 70 words.

→ Comparable Books

This is also a section that is included in proposals to agents and editors. Listing books that are comparable to yours (similar setting, characters, plot elements, etc.) helps agents/editors have an idea of where your book will fall in the market. If you have 3 books in mind that you could put in this category before you start writing, then you can be confident that your book will appeal to a certain audience.

→ Staying Organized

When brainstorming a new story idea, I often become a little to carried away. This results in a document (or notebook pages) full of random ideas for the story. And often, it can get a little stressful when I look back at my brainstorming pages. I sometimes have no idea where to begin.

This is why I suggest to stay organized as you brainstorm. Yes, it’s okay to make a mess at first, when the ideas are flowing and you don’t have time to “clean as you go”. But once you have chosen your idea and planned the story, it is time to start cleaning the mess.

At this point, I create a new folder on my laptop and new files to go in that folder. The files are titled: Characters, Scene Pieces, Book Details, Setting & Research, Deleted Scenes, Timeline, Playlist, and Plot Threads. Then, I go through my “mess” and begin to copy and paste phrases under the file of which they belong. If I wrote a few scenes or lines of dialogue as they came to me while I was brainstorming, it will go under “Scene Pieces”; if I wrote down a few songs, it will go under “Playlist”, and so on. The “Book Details” file will contain the premise, tagline, genre, etc.


♡ ♡ ♡

Yes, it might take a while to brainstorm and plan your book's details. However, I have found that doing this has caused me to have less writer's block compared to when I write by the seat of my pants. Plus, planning you story still leaves much freedom for you to work with the plot even when you're writing your story. =)

Be sure to come back next week for Preparing to Write Part 3: How to Outline Your Story!

✎ Are you a planner or a panster? Do you write your book's details before or after your book is complete?

Tweetables:

• "Planning your book's details beforehand will help steer you in the right direction when you write. " via @tessaemilyhall http://bit.ly/1ixg08H Click to Tweet!
• Preparing to Write Part 2: How to Plan Your Story by @tessaemilyhall http://bit.ly/1ixg08H Click to Tweet!
• How do you plan your novel? YA Author @tessaemilyhall shares her tips at http://bit.ly/1ixg08H #yalitchat Click to Tweet!

PS: 

Are you hoping to become an author one day, but have no idea where to begin? If so, check out my new Writing Mentoring Program for Beginners! In this program, you will:

• Receive critiques on your writing
• Receive lessons especially designed to fit your writing needs
• Have the opportunity to receive feedback on your current novel
• Set reasonable goals for your writing
• Be personally mentored step-by-step through your writing journey, for however long you wish! 
• And more!

Beginning your writing journey can become a bit overwhelming and confusing. By enrolling in this Writing Mentoring Program for Beginners, I will break down the process for you and mentor you throughout the process.

And for a limited time only, a one-month subscription is only $15! Click here for details. =)

photo credit: Dvortygirl via photopin cc

Preparing to Write Part 1: How to Brainstorm Your Novel

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A story idea may spark in many number of ways: through a photograph, song, news story, etc. As a writer, it is crucial that we keep our eyes open to the endless possibilities around us. Train your mind to always be on the lookout for a new story (or character) idea, and keep a notebook handy so you can jot down these ideas as they come.

However, just because you may have an idea for a story doesn't necessarily mean it is okay to go ahead and begin writing it. Even if you are a seat-of-a-pantser (meaning your story unfolds as you write), you must not skip this step. Brainstorming turns an okay idea into a genius one.

It may take weeks—or even months—to develop an idea. The good news is: You don’t have to wait until you’re at your computer (or notebook) to brainstorm. When I have a story idea, I am constantly trying to think of ways in which to flesh the idea out even further. Ideas may come while I am cleaning, taking my dog on a walk, or even watching TV.

➙ Beginning to Brainstorm

Every idea begins with one story-starter. This usually comes in the form of 1 – 2 sentences, such as: “A husband and wife are planning on getting a divorce when the wife finds out she has cancer.”

Once you have your story-starter, it is time to begin asking the “What if” questions:

What if . . .

• the cancer prolongs the divorce?
• the husband begins sympathizing with his wife?
• they reminisce old memories when the wife is in the hospital?
• the wife’s cancer continues to progress?
• the wife is miraculously healed?
• or she ends up passing away?

When you ask “What if” questions, you will soon have a developed story idea rather than just a story-starter.

Keep in mind that the possibilities are endless. When your “what if” list is complete, you can then branch our even further and write new “what if” questions for the original ones. That way, you can begin to decide which direction you should take your story.

For instance:

If the wife ends up dying, what if . . .

• The husband reads her diary?
• He decides to never get married again?
• He regrets his behavior towards her for the past five years or so?
• He tells his friend, who is also considering divorce, not to go through with it?

If the wife is miraculously healed, what if . . .

• They start having problems again because of financial stress due to the hospital bills?
• They burn their divorce papers?
• They decide to take action to save their marriage?

There are also several brainstorming apps that can help develop and organize your ideas:

• Freemind – This one is especially useful for the above brainstorming technique.
• iBrainstorm – This app allows you to jot down notes and ideas.
• Writer’s App – This app allows you to organize your plotting ideas and is specifically made for writers.
• XMind – This allows you to manage your information and organize brainstorming ideas in a web-format.
• Popplet – Another app that uses a web to store your ideas, except this one allows you to insert photographs as well. Perfect for those who are visual thinkers, like myself.

Also, as you brainstorm, ask yourself:

• What kind of stories do I love?
• Is there a book that I would love to read, however it doesn't even exist (yet)?
• What are my favorite elements in a story? (It could be a setting, plot thread, character, genre, etc.)

I recommend keeping a journal or a binder for your book as you begin. It always helps to have a tangible object that contains your story ideas. You can also create a private board on Pinterest and pin quotes, song lyrics, and photos that relate to your book. I also recommend creating a playlist, which you can do by downloading Spotify. It is always nice to have a soundtrack for your story, even if you don’t necessarily listen to music as you write.

Be sure to check back next week for Preparing to Write Part 2: How to Plan Your Story!

    ✎ How do you usually brainstorm? Are there any apps you use that I did not mention? 

photo credit: @boetter via photopin cc

Tweetables:

• Brainstorming turns an okay idea into a genius one. @tessaemilyhall on how to brainstorm http://bit.ly/1nd5dPJ Click to Tweet!
• "As a writer, it is crucial that we keep our eyes open to the endless possibilities around us." http://bit.ly/1nd5dPJ Click to Tweet!
• How do you brainstorm a novel? YA Author @tessaemilyhall shares her tips at http://bit.ly/1nd5dPJ #yalitchat Click to Tweet!

PS: 

Are you hoping to become an author one day, but have no idea where to begin? If so, check out my new Writing Mentoring Program for Beginners! In this program, you will:

• Receive critiques on your writing
• Receive lessons especially designed to fit your writing needs
• Have the opportunity to receive feedback on your current novel
• Set reasonable goals for your writing
• Be personally mentored step-by-step through your writing journey, for however long you wish! 
• And more!

Beginning your writing journey can become a bit overwhelming and confusing. By enrolling in this Writing Mentoring Program for Beginners, I will break down the process for you and mentor you throughout the process.

And for a limited time only, a one-month subscription is only $15! Click here for details. =)

All story ideas expressed in this post are completely my own and are copyrighted.

Leaving The Pen In God's Hands

Many authors like to outline before they write a story. Chapter by chapter, scene by scene, detail by detail. I'm not that writer. Yes, I do like to have at least a general idea of where my story is going. I brainstorm a lot before writing the book, but I don't outline as much as some authors do. Because I like the journey of writing, the thrill I get of seeing how the details of the story will unfold.

I'm the same way in "real life". I can't start from page one and write an entire book without brainstorming or planning the least bit, nor can I not have at least an idea of what my life will be like six months down the road. I do like to plan. To dream about my future every now and then, which could be compared with brainstorming a brand new book.

But I've realized that the pen of my life is in God's hands, not mine. So when there's a twist in my story that I wasn't at all expecting, I have to trust him. I have to remind myself that God is the author of my life, that he knows where I'm going and how I'm going to get there. He knows the ending. And even though I can set the course of my life to an extent, it's ultimately the Lord who will direct my steps (Proverbs 16:9).

God doesn't want the ending to be spoiled for us. He also doesn't want us to know how we're going to get to where we dream of being. He just needs us to trust him. To know that he's still in control even when things happen that we weren't expecting.

We tend to wish life was always easy, always happy. Everything the same. No need for changes or for growth. But how boring would that be? In a book, the main character doesn't grow unless the author throws in a few challenges for him/her to deal with. A conflict that the protagonist was not planning on happening to them eventually happens. But they learn. Every author includes conflicts in their story because they know it'll bring about a better ending. Same with God.

"Outlining" the details of our lives will only bring about dissapointment. Because sooner or later, we realize that our life has not at all been going the way we originally thought it would. Then God ends up getting blamed for it. Although he does want us to at least have a general idea of where we'll be headed in the future, we shouldn't know right away the steps we take to get there. We don't need to. Because life is much more exciting when we read the story page after page. When we follow God and watch where he leads us - step by step - as we walk in faith with our hand in his.

To become the person that he wants us to be - to get to the point you need to be in order for him to use you - we have to be stretched at times. Go through trials when we have absolutely no idea what God's doing, or wonder at times if he still even knows that we exist. But in the midst of it all, we grow. We learn to rely on him rather than ourselves. And when the storms blow over, we can look back and see how God held our hand through it all and see how nothing that happened was a surprise to him. In fact, it was all written for a purpose.

So when rain comes, don't let go of his hand. Actually, hold on even tighter, trusting that the storm will turn into a rainbow. And when you get to those times when you aren't pleased with how things are turning out and are determined that you can write your story better, leave the pen in God's hands. Watch and see what he does.

Because no one has the ability to write a story better than the Author of Life himself.

ALREADY THERE
Casting Crowns

From where I’m standing
Lord it’s so hard for me to see
Where this is going
And where You’re leading me

I wish I knew how
All my fears and all my questions
Are gonna play out
In a world I can’t control

When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side

From where You’re standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed me into life

And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture perfect plan

When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You’re already there
You’re already there

One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived
I can’t wait to enjoy the view
And see how all the pieces fit

~~~

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD,

'plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.'"

~Jeremiah 29:11

Thursday's Thought: Should We Prepare Before Writing?

Many writers have to take about an half hour of "preparation" before actually putting ink on paper (or fingers on keys). This may involve reading a book, listening to inspirational music, or writing prompts.

For me, I love "getting into the zone" before beginning my writing for the day - but I also tend to get a little distracted during this time. However, reading a book (or even a writing self-help book) does help clear my mind when it's time to write, and the words seem to flow more naturally.

~~~
What do you think? Is "preparing" before writing necessary? Or do you think we sometimes use it as procrastination before getting to the real thing?

Book Dissection

I've never liked dissection. What's the point of it, anyway? Can't you just find pictures on the internet of an animal's insides without having to smell the horrifying scent, get your hands dirty, and hear your classmate throw up? However, my science teachers have always loved dissection. They find cutting into frogs, crayfish, and worms interesting because it allows you to observe first-hand the structure and anatomy of the specimen.

Book dissection is the same way, except it doesn't involve gagging. Dissecting a book can help to uncover a story's original elements.By taking it apart piece by piece you will expose how the plot structure was formed and how the author composed the story. Although I've never heard anyone call this process "dissecting a book", it fits well. Besides, you don't have to wear gloves for this one.

As I was reading "Novel Idea", I came across a section written by Linda Hall. She explained some great tips on "dissecting a book", except she referred to it as treating the novels you read as "textbooks".

"When you come across words that describe how something looks, sounds, smells, feels, or tastes, highlight them in blue. Use pink for interesting analogies... Use a green pen for examples of showing and not telling... Use a yellow highlighter for ways the writer moves characters from scene to scene... When you get to the end of a chapter and simply must move on to the next one, ask yourself why... A purple highlighter can be used for dialogue that sounds natural and drives plot along... Look at the whole novel. What made you want to keep reading it? Write that down on the front flap of the book. Then keep these "textbook" novels close to your writing desk and refer to them."
~Linda Hall

Her ideas can make book dissection really simple. In fact, I tried it out today. Even though it did take a while, it really is beneficial and now I have "textbook" novels to refer to if I ever get stuck when writing.

Here are some other ways you could "dissect" a novel:

• Write an outline of the plot. Get out a notebook and create an Act 1, Act 2, Act 3, and Act 4 structure of the plot using whatever method you normally use to outline your stories.
• Study the character development. Which characters do you like the most? Why or why not? Write down how the author introduced the character, your first impression, his/her personality, etc. How did each of them contribute to the story's plot?
• Create the novel's time line. Maybe it doesn't have to be quite as detailed as you would write if this were your own novel, but it may help give you a better understanding of how your story's time line should flow.

There are many ways that you could dissect a book, just as there are many ways to dissect a pig. If you've ever "dissected" a book before, how did you do it? Did you create an outline of the novel you're studying, or use the tips Linda Hall suggested and highlight certain select sentences?

~~~

"To succeed as a novelist, reading novels must be a priority. Don't be afraid. You won't lose your voice; you will only enhance it. And soon, students will be using your novels as their textbooks."
~Linda Hall

Finding Time, Creating Space

Be honest with yourself: It isn't easy trying to find time to write. Especially in the summer as a teenager when you're out of school and you'd much prefer hanging out with your friends rather than sitting at the computer by yourself for hours. I hate to admit that I haven't squeezed in as much time to write this summer as I had planned. Considering that school is now starting back, I've decided to really focus on writing... so I've created a 'space'. In a small corner of my room a deep pink suede chaise lounge chair is set up with a laptop tray hovering over it. A floor lamp is behind the chair and a small end table for my coffee is next to it. And so far, this "space" has helped. I've always been told that having an area in your house that is away from every one else so you can more easily discipline yourself to write is really helpful. Being in a place that is inspirational and personal is also helpful in allowing your creative juices to flow. Not to mention, it's fun creating a writing area just for you!

So how do you get started in creating this space? What are some ways to make it personal and distraction-free?

Here are a few tips on creating a space:

• Eliminate distractions. Do you often find yourself singing along to the words of a song rather than focusing on the words to your story? Turn off the music. Are you one who tends to people-watch out of your window? Keep the blinds closed. Do you sometimes catch yourself checking your social networks when you get bored with writing? Use a notebook instead of a laptop. Discipline isn't easy to do, but it's simple. And I don't think it's possible to establish your dream publishing career by checking your Facebook every five minutes.
• Add inspiration. If listening to music helps to add a little inspiration to what you're writing, then make sure to have relaxing (inspiring) music near you. If having a window near your "writing space" helps to inspire you, then make sure to set up your "space" near a window. You could also add a few more inspirational "tools", such as: candles, photography, scriptures/quotes, your favorite colors, etc. Adding small touches that relax the senses can also be very inspiring tools. Visual tools such as photography, scriptures/quotes, your favorite colors and even scented candles for atmosphere and an exhilarating scent. A cold drink, steamy coffee or tea, or your favorite gum could also relax you and set the mood for creativity.
• Take away anything that holds you back from writing, and add whatever you need to help the ideas to come to you more freely. Make sure that your writing space is "you" and that it matches your personality. It should be comfortable, cozy, and quiet. :)

Finding time is a little more difficult than creating a space. When you're not in a "writing-mood", there will always be endless excuses explaining why you cannot write at the moment. That's why it may work best to create a schedule, so that way you won't have to make excuses any more.

Here are a few tips on trying to find time to write:

• Make yourself write for a certain amount of time a day, or plan to write a certain amount of words each day. Creating a habit like this will get easier, and pretty soon you will find yourself more easily inspired during your planned writing time. You could also create long-term goals, such as reaching a planned word count by a certain day.
• Reward yourself after you've done your writing for the day, not before. Rewards can be as simple as something chocolate or even a homemade frappucino. But make sure that your breaks aren't dragged out too long.
• Take away anything on your schedule that's pointless, and replace it with writing. Remember, making excuses is easy and finding time to write is hard, but very important if you want to be published some day.

~~~
How do you find time to write? What's your "writing space" like?

Plotting the Write Way: Simple as PB & J

The plot is the journey you create for both your characters and the readers. Although most stories are character-driven, the plot is just as important. It’s like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. They have to work together to get the right taste of the sandwich. Not too much peanut butter, not too much jelly. But how can you do this… especially if you aren’t much of a planner?

Every story has a general structure: the plot mountain. If you’re a seat-of-the-pants writer, you should at least create a simple sketch first. When you write, it should be like hiking up the mountain. You already know the basic direction it’s going, but there are a couple of surprises along the way. It’s all about the journey—for yourself, your characters, and your reader. And what you discover on this journey is what will make your story unique.

So when you write—whether an outliner or not—keep this plot mountain in mind:

The exposition is when you introduce the setting and your characters. This is also when you introduce your protagonist's basic need, hidden need, and goal. Near the end of the rising action, include small conflicts which will lead to the huge event at the climax, when the character has to make big decisions. The falling action is when your protagonist should change the most. By the end of the mountain—the resolution—try not to make everything happy, perfect, and as if the protagonist is a totally different person now all because of the climax. That’s not realistic.

Once you reach the climax, remember that this is when you should avoid being nice to your characters. When I came home from the conference last week, I went straight to my manuscript and added more conflict. Don’t be scared of doing that. God allows suffering, so you shouldn’t be too afraid of allowing that to happen to your characters. There should always be a storm before the rainbow appears—and that storm should occur at the peak of the mountain. The “rainbow” should appear near the end of the mountain. Suffering is a time when people learn the most.

Don’t try to cover too much in your plot’s “message”, but don’t let it be too subtle, either. Let something on the outside happen that causes the reader to deal with something on the inside—spiritual, personal questions. Allow the “change” to happen gradually and naturally. Try not to wrap up your plot in a happy ending, where your main character is now perfect and has no more problems to face. Be realistic. Those are the stories that can really relate to readers.

Before you begin to write, ask yourself this question: what’s the purpose of this story? Or, what is it’s theme? Sometimes the answers to these questions will unfold as you hike up the mountain. Also, don’t try to “change” your reader and lead them to Christ immediately. Just write. God will do the rest.

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“You can get the horses ready for battle, but it is the Lord who gives the victory.”
~Proverbs 21:31

Weaving Songs Into Your Scenes

If you ever experience writer's bloc, here's a suggestion: turn on the radio. Story ideas are woven into each song you listen to. Not only should you listen to the song, but read the lyrics as well. Think about why the song was written, what's it about, the message, etc. For example, if you're an aspiring author trying to come up with a few story ideas, listen to Christian music. Each Christian song relays a theme that could go along with the story you are trying to write. If you're writing for the young adult genre, listen to songs written by a teenager. Think about what he/she is struggling with in this song. A breakup? A crush? Songs are much like books. They each have a story and/or message to tell. Songs can be inspired by books, and books can be inspired by songs. That's the cool thing. The stories authors write are the long, more detailed versions of songs. Find your novel's theme song and begin to write!

Music not only is a great tool for writer's bloc, but can also help with setting the tone for each of your scenes. Every movie has a soundtrack, and certain songs are played during certain parts of the story. A sad song wouldn't be played in the background during a fun scene, would it? The reason songs are added into specific scenes is to help set the mood that the writer wants the audience to feel. It's obviously not possible for authors to have songs play during certain parts of their books, so it's a little more difficult for us to set the tone of a scene. We can only use words to help our readers experience certain emotions.

If you plan ahead in your novel, write out each scenes (or the scenes that you have in your head so far) and choose a song that you will listen to while writing these parts in your story. That way the mood of the song can help direct the mood of your writing. Then, after you have finished writing that chapter, turn off the music and read back over the scene. Put yourself in your reader's shoes. Did you relay the emotions through your writing that you want your reader to feel? If not, go back and keep rewriting until your specific tone has been set!

Here are a list of artists and bands I like to listen to while brainstorming and writing certain scenes. If you're still trying to find a novel idea, choose a song. Listen and read the lyrics. Ask questions.

Lifehouse: www.myspace.com/lifehouse
Mat Kearney: www.myspace.com/matkearney
Tenth Avenue North: www.myspace.com/tenthavenuenorth
Jonny Diaz: www.myspace.com/jonnydiaz
Seabird: www.myspace.com/seabird
Taylor Swift: www.myspace.com/taylorswift
Jimmy Needham: www.myspace.com/jimmyneedham
Ruth: www.myspace.com/ruthrock
Switchfoot: www.myspace.com/switchfoot
Bebo Norman: www.myspace.com/bebonorman
Demi Lovato: www.myspace.com/demilovato
Matthew West: www.myspace.com/matthewwest
Matt Nathanson: www.myspace.com/mattnathanson
Edwin McCain: www.myspace.com/edwinmccain
Serving6: www.myspace.com/serving6

Have fun creating your story's soundtrack! :)

(Update -- I was interviewed by Lauren Anne at Beside Quiet Waters.)

Write a Story, Not Words

You're probably wondering what this title means, considering the post I recently wrote about choosing your words carefully. But let me explain.

I'm not an author. But I've read many books and have been able to distinguish the difference between the flat, okay stories from the Nicholas-Sparks-type-novels. As I mentioned, choosing your words with careful consideration is important for an author. The words we write can either destroy or heal. But they can also be the same thing that slows down your novel. Yes, your writing may be perfect, you may even have real, well-rounded characters. But what about your overall story - your plot, the message that you want to send through your writing?

Some people get so focused on perfecting their writing skills. After every chapter they write, they go back over and read what they've written, making sure there are no grammar mistakes and that their words flow to create the next scene. Yes, this is very important for an author. But this shouldn't be your main goal.

Earlier today I was watching a concert that was on my DVR of Taylor Swift singing with Def Leppard. She always has put on a great concert, but while I was watching, I was wondering how she became so popular. Her vocals aren't that perfect. A good range is usually what people say that make a great singer, but honestly, she doesn't have that much of a range. She's so famous, and I always find myself listening to her music. Why? Because she has a major talent in writing lyrics in a way that reaches out to other teenagers. She's a great role-model. She even designs amazing stages for her tours. Adults highly respect her because of her maturity. Fans are drawn to her because of the songs she sings, and for how real and humble she is in the midst of her fame. There's more to singing than amazing vocals and range. There's also more to writing than perfect grammar and sentence-fluency.

While you write or plan your novel, what is your focus? Do you ever wonder why your novel hasn't gotten accepted by a publisher or agent, yet you feel your writing is almost flawless? Although that is obviously a very important part of writing a novel, that shouldn't be our only focus. There have been many authors succeed although their writing could use some improvement. For example, Stephenie Meyer's popularTwilight series. Why are so many teenagers attracted toTwilight? The answer is simple. The storyline she created about a vampire falling in love with an innocent girl is apparently beautiful.

So how can you turn your writing into a treasured story? Here are a few tips I've learned that can transform a dull plot into a Nicholas-Sparks-type-novel that your readers will love:

1) 3-dimensional characters.

Create realistic characters with flaws. Readers are drawn to characters that bring humor, and ones that they can relate to. Not perfect, stick-figure, no personality characters. Fiction is a genre in which the author creates a story that could probably happen, so make characters that probably could exist.

2) An appealing setting.

Choose a setting that will interact with your story and characters. Include imagery and senses so the readers can feel as if they are really there, but don't go on and on about the appearance of snow-covered mountains. Doing this can slow down the pace of your story.

3) Symbolism.

This is one that authors tend to leave out, but I think symbolism is a powerful way to attract readers and help them remember your stories. This can also be a great way to prove a point without having to come out directly and say it.

4) Real problems, real conflict.

Creating situations that people go through can reach a reader in a personal way. Choose carefully when deciding on your character's conflicts.

5) A journey.

Not only should your protagonist take your reader on the many rides he/she goes on throughout the novel, but the character should take him/her on a spiritual journey as well. Your protagonist should be a different person than he/she was at the beginning of the story, so take your reader on that journey also.

6) Positivity.

When creating a novel that deals with real problems, it can be hard to weave in a little positivity. But don't make the focal point your characters' problems. Your goal should be to uplift the reader by helping them through what they're going through, not making them feel more depressed. You can also use this through dialogue.

7) Create a story that is different but the same.

Another thing I've noticed that attracts fans to Taylor Swift is the fact that she's different. She's a teenage country-pop artist and is completely not influenced by Hollywood's glitz and glam. Read well-liked books and think about what attracts the readers to them, but don't completely write a story just like it. Twist your story so that it's different in a way that will draw people to it, but the same kind of novel that readers adore.

~~~

So while planning your novel, consider the type of plot that will attract your audience. Instead of only paying attention to the way that you write, pay attention to the message you want to impact your readers with. Books can heal. Books can bring hope. Books can bring encouragement - but they can also bring boredom if your plot is not appealing enough.

Stop reading your previous chapters to make sure your grammar is perfect. You have a story to tell, not just words. So write it.