The Top 3 Things I Focus on While Writing May 18, 2010

My Audience: A lot of people remind authors never to forget their audience. They are the people who will, hopefully, help you pay a few bills down the road. This is excellent advice – see #9 in my post, 10 Things…( http://cherylangst.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/10-things/) for a tongue-in-cheek example of why this is key.

When I’m writing I like to take a slightly different tack with this advice. I don’t think about my audience as an abstract, amorphous group of anonymous book buyers; rather, I like to imagine myself in their shoes. Specifically, I ask myself how they would want to feel at each point in my scenes. I ask myself, “Knowing that Toni is angry, how would I want to react to this scene as a reader?” Do I want to feel her anger? Laugh at her situation? Cringe as I anticipate the explosion? Cackle gleefully at her target’s impending doom?

My Five Senses: I have to constantly remind myself I am not limited by what I see in my mind’s eye as I write. This doesn’t mean I have my characters fondling and licking everything they see, but that I make a conscious effort to experience my fictional world with more than my eyes.

Last night I began drafting a beach scene. Most people know what a typical beach looks like, and unless it has some unique features relevant to the story, describing the view would lead me perilously close to boring my readers. Instead of visual descriptors, I started the scene with olfactory ones (because, yes, most people have an idea of how a beach sounds too).

My Goal: I don’t focus on my goal as a writer, but rather my goal for each scene. I may not know what I going to happen 100 pages beyond where I’m writing, but I ALWAYS know what my character’s goal for the scene is, and what his/her decision will be that will lead to his/her goal for the next scene.

For example, Toni’s goal in the first scene of Job Hunted is to catch her target, Miriam, committing a crime. However, being the evil author that I am, I cannot let Toni succeed so easily, so Miriam is murdered. This puts Toni in a bit of a dilemma: follow and identify the killer, or fulfill her contractual obligations and report in to her boss. I force Toni to make a decision before the end of the scene, giving her a new goal (follow and ID the killer) for the next scene.

What things do you focus most on when you write?

C.

Rethinking the First Scene March 6, 2010

I read an article yesterday about why books are successful. One writer calls it the, “Save the cat,” element. This basically refers to the notion that the main character, no matter what, must have some sort of likeable or redeeming quality that makes us want to root for him/her. Characters engaged in unsavoury acts must demonstrate this quality very quickly or readers won’t care about him/her and will leave the book never to return.

I am looking at my first scene and I wonder if my character is missing out on saving the cat. I don’t know how far into the book you can go before offering that moment, but now I’m worried I am delaying it too long. I had planned on such a moment near the end of the first chapter–is that too late? Will people toss my book aside before then?

Fretting beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Editing Update January 24, 2010

I had a very productive evening last night. I was able to not only mess around with the AutoCrit site, but get through another twenty-two pages of my manuscript. It was encouraging to go through them and think, “Hey, this writing is pretty decent,” and then work with the text to make it stronger.

The highlight of my evening was when I stumbled across a group of three inter-related scenes and I felt my pulse race as I read them. I knew these scenes existed, but I guess I never realized how much tension I put into them the first time. Wow. I was shocked. It was awesome.

Another scene from last night also stands out, not for its drama but for its heartwarming, chuckle factor. I love Kree (he’s the alien supporting character). He is so adorable. When I outlined the novel, I never thought he’d play out the way he has. It’s funny where your characters take you when you give them a little freedom. Perhaps I have given Kree a tad too much freedom as he seems to be a bit of a show stealer.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my protagonist and I want him to succeed. I love my strong female co-star and I want her to be successful too, but I ADORE Kree. I want to hug him, and cuddle him, and take him home and make everything alright for him. He’s so endearing, so loveable, so amazing that I get all smiley and fuzzy just thinking about him. How can you not love someone who laments not having his own theme music?

Here’s a tiny excerpt of a scene with Kree: (Grock is a childhood friend who just happens to be obsessed with humans)

Kree sat exhausted in the guest chair in Grock’s tiny nest. Grock was obviously a bachelor; dirty dishes strewn about, clothes tossed haphazardly in corners, and print outs of news articles taped all over every available surface.

“You’re going to meet a human,” Grock said, dreamily.

I’m going to get myself killed, Kree thought miserably. “What is all this?” he asked, gesturing at the walls.

“What?” Grock looked around as though seeing his place for the first time. “Oh, those. Nothing really.” His markings darkened in embarrassment. “I collect things. Copies of news reports. Reports about humans.” He looked back at Kree. “I can’t believe you’re going to get to meet a real, live human!”

The heat must have scrambled his mind.

“I’m so jealous! I’ve always wanted to meet a human. In fact, I moved here to be closer to them.” He grinned sheepishly. “I know it’s still a sunturn away from Earth, but one day, when the peace accord is signed, I’ll be able to travel to Earth and see them.” His eyes shone with excitement. “I can’t believe a human is coming here! And my best hatch-mate is the important agent who gets to meet it!”

Kree shook his head. Grock had completely missed the point. Avians–very rough and uncouth avians–knew about his communications with the humans. They’d hurt and scared him; somehow he doubted they were trying to help him preserve the peace.

“Can I come too?”

“What?!” Kree yelled, then lowered his voice. “Are you shell-cracked? I don’t know who these fellows are, but you can be guaranteed they’re up to no good! I can’t drag you into this!”

“But you’re going to see a human. A real live human. With soft, mushy skin.” Grock rose and began to scan his news clippings. “I suppose the human will be clothed. I wonder, how will you tell its gender? Is it possible to tell humans apart without examining their genitals?”

Kree lowered his head into his palms and let out an exasperated peep. He almost wished he were back in the alley with the ruffian. Almost.

I love Kree. John may be the protagonist hero, but Kree is the one everybody adores. If anyone is getting a fanclub due to their actions in the novel it will be Kree. I can see it now; buttons, bumper-stickers, mugs, T-shirts, sushi… *grin*

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Serendipitous Emotions December 2, 2009

I received an email yesterday informing me that the deadline for a Writer’s Digest competition has been extended until December 10th. I originally contemplated entering this competition before I decided to go crazy with NaNoWriMo; but decided against it, figuring it would be too much on top of work and family responsibilities.

Well, wouldn’t you know, a fabulous idea for a story came to me out of the blue last night and the story has all but written itself. However, things in my life have been going swimmingly well and I found myself stretching to get into a character whose life was heart breakingly sad. I remember sad, but the words just weren’t coming out on the page in a way that felt genuine, so I was beginning to worry that the story would feel forced or artificial.

Here’s where serendipity comes in: I received an email today that contained some personally depressing news. While I will get over it, and life will go on, I’m still feeling pretty down about it. It’s nowhere on par with what my character is going through, but it’s enough of a shift in my personal mindset that I’m finding I can easily slip into the mind of a young lady suffering in a world that chooses to ignore her pain.

Writing can be theraputic. Whether that proves to be the case for me this evening will remain to be seen. What this does show me is that writers need to be a part of the world, experiencing their own ups and downs in order to better draw forth those same emotions in their characters and readers.

From beyond the box of tissues,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Character Death November 21, 2009

I just told my staunchest cheerleader that I wouldn’t talk about this on my blog, but I’m still laughing so I have to get it out of my system. I have managed to create a rather loveable and endearing character in my book, and in chapter 26 he apparently gets shot from behind and dies. At this point things go from bad to worse for the other characters as well, but let’s focus on this moment.

I love my cheerleader dearly, I am thrilled to have written something that has her hooked, and I have to admit to being awfully proud to have sent her into a tizzy. I feel a little guilty, really I do, but mostly proud. I have obviously written the character and the chapter in such a way that it reached out and grabbed her. This is something every author strives to do, and while I should feel bad for causing my friend to suffer, I can’t contain the feeling of glee and pride in knowing I was able to craft words in such a strong manner.

I would post more, but the same cheerleader has warned me that she is not a patient woman. I must get back to the story – I’m only on chapter 27 and the information she’s waiting for isn’t going to appear before chapter 31…

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Premise and Summary October 30, 2009

With a little over one day left to go before NaNoWriMo begins, I thought I would share some of the writing I have done to prepare for it. While participants are not supposed to start writing their 50,000 words before November 1st, they are permitted to organize their plot, sketch out their characters, and basically plan ahead. With that in mind, I have spent some time developing my premise and a brief plot summary. I hope to use these to keep me focused on the story so I don’t wander around aimlessly in my writing.

PREMISE: 

A retired military commander is sent to investigate rumours of an alien threat against humanity.

PLOT SUMMARY: 

Twenty years after the near annihilation of the humans and avians, the uneasy truce has blossomed into hope for a lasting peace; until rumours of an impending attack reach Earth. Tasked with determining their veracity, retired Fleet Captain John Thompson is sent to investigate. Dreading being in space again, let alone on a warship, Captain Thompson insists on travelling as a civilian until an accident forces him to take command. Working with a young and inexperienced crew, John Thompson and the Firestorm are lured into a trap. In the chaos and confusion of the battle, John is captured and presumed dead. During his captivity, John uncovers a conspiracy that extends far beyond the rumours he was sent to investigate. Determined to prevent the loss of billions of lives, John escapes and begins a race against time to stop an intergalactic war.

My goal with the summary was to ‘push the buttons’ that would get people interested in the story I plan to tell. Please tell me what you think!

I am off to work on fleshing out my characters. I hope to have a page or so on each major character before the challenge begin. Wish me luck!

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Making Connections October 29, 2009

Today I heard author Sigmund Brouwer speak to a group of 200 middle school students. Talk about passion and lighting the fire within! Sigmund is a highly engaging speaker who hooked the students the moment he began his presentation. I watched, enthralled as he not only entertained the group, but instilled a passion for the craft of writing in a generation known more for movies, music videos, and Youtube than for the printed word.

He shared snippets from some of his novels, but the cornerstone of his presentation revolved around emotion. Sigmund emphasized the need for an emotional connection between people, and he argued that good writers seek to make their readers feel something – to make that connection. He made the students laugh, and illustrated how that was a connection. He made them groan, shudder, melt, and almost cry. He awoke their natural curiosity and left them begging for more. Sigmund connected with the students and showed them how to craft a story that would connect with their readers.

I enjoyed myself immensely and am very grateful I was able to attend such a fabulous presentation. Should Sigmund Brouwer ever be presenting in your area, I strongly encourage you to attend.

As I gear up for NaNoWriMo, I am thankful I heard Sigmund today. His words have helped to solidify my plan for my novel. I know which buttons I am going to push, and I know I’m going to push them often. Storytelling, and writing, is about making an emotional connection. I think I’m going to type that up and tape it to the top of my screen.

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com