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Rhobin has come up with another thought-provoking topic. In your writing how do you recognize and overcome plot problems or failures?Recognizing plot problems is usually fairly easy. You write yourself into a corner, or you hit writer’s block.You sit and stare at the screen and try to force one, or more, of your characters to do something that goes against their philosophy or goal, and they refuse. The story doesn’t move forward. You decide you shouldn’t be a writer. Overcoming plot problems can be a challenge. One of the first things I do when I realize I’ve hit a wall and don’t know how to get over it, is take a break. Going for a walk sometimes works. It clears the mind. Listening to music. Brainstorm with a writing friend. One thing that often works for me is before I go to sleep, I think about my problem. What’s wrong with the plot? What can I do about it? Sometime before I wake up in the morning my mind will often solve the problem and when I wake up I have at least one idea on how to solve the problem. I may even have more than one possibility.Worst case scenario is the plot isn’t working, because that’s not the way the story is meant to go. It’s not the story the characters want to tell. So, you delete, and cut, and go back to the beginning and start over.I’m looking forward to reading how other authors handle their plot challenges.Marci...
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Shiela Stewart is a paranormal suspense author with a writing history that stems back to her youth. Always a dreamer, wondering if her stories would ever reach an audience, she was finally published in 2006 and hasn’t stopped since. It is rare to find a stand-alone book as she prefers series stories. Her longest running series to date is her Darkness series, which is a vampire romance. Her joy for scary suspense is evident in each of her books. She has had several accomplishments, including fighting for the top spot in the rankings with author Stephanie Myers, receiving glowing reviews as well as interviews on local television and reviews and interviews in The Romantic Times Magazine. When not writing, Shiela spends her time with the love of her life, William, and their children and grandchildren. Her strong affection for animals is evident in the many cats she cares for. Her favorite time of the day is at sunset. 2020 Character Interview Beverley: What’s your name? C.J.: Hi, my name is C.J. Dowling and I’m a medium. For those that don’t know what a medium is, I can communicate with the dead. Beverley: Where did you grow up? C.J.: I was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. Beverley: During what time period does your story take place? C.J.: It mostly takes place in modern time, with glimpses into the early 1900’s. Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with...
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I was researching for some background information, and I remembered a conversation I had with a friend. She wrote historical romance. I said I couldn’t write historical because it took too much research. She laughed and said she didn’t write contemporary romantic suspense because she thought it took too much research. My conclusion is that all writers do research, for all genres. You do it for your books. Sci-fi and futuristic novels take a different type of research, building a new world. Fantasy is another genre which still needs research. Before Wi-Fi and the internet research was a lot more difficult. You spent hours at the library, taking notes and photocopying and checking out library books. You bought books on synopses, scene and structure, and character building. You read and made notes. It took a lot of time and a lot more effort. It also costs money. If you’re reading this blog, you have access to the internet. You might also attend a workshop if your writing chapter offered one or if it was within travel distance. It cost money to pay the fee and maybe the travel. Nowadays rich or poor you can do your research and adjust it to your lifestyle. Now you probably spend a lot of time on your laptop, tablet or phone on everything, your life, your health, your family, your pet, anything. You can get reliable, trusted information from medical institutions, well known foundations (Cancer Institute) Heart foundation, arthritis, qualified individuals. You can also...
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I think marketing is probably the hardest part of writing. If you’re starting on your marketing journey, I have a few tips for you. When you’re preparing, work within your comfort zones, If you hate Facebook, you don’t have to use it. Also, set a time limit for the amount of time per day or week that you want to spend on marketing. The first thing people recommend is to have your own website, even if your book isn’t published yet. You can hire someone to do this for you or you can do your own. If you’re not up for a website, then have a blog site. You can set this up yourself on Blogger or WordPress. There are also lots of information on how to set it up and classes on WordPress. These will help build your mailing list. A mailing list is another marketing tool. You can use your website, newsletters, and giveaways to develop your mailing list. In your byline or logline, always include your website or blog and your latest book. Next, have your book cover professionally designed. An eye-catching cover is a great marketing tool and you can have it displayed on your website or blog. Write a great book blurb. It will be on your book cover, but you can also use it on your website or blog and in social media posts. Which brings us to the next marketing tip, use social media. Set up an author page on Facebook and an...
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An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie Blackbird resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most. Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why? Maggie: I write a contemporary and historical romance about Canada’s Indigenous People. I write contemporary and historical because those are the stories I’m most drawn to write. Much can be done in contemporary and historical romances. Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer? Maggie: My two favourite authors: Johanna Lindsey and Rosanne Bittner. I love reading their books, so I wanted to be able to write stories just like they do. Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing? Maggie: Music. Music is my biggest inspiration. I can easily dream up stories and ideas just by listening to a song. Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why? Maggie: I can’t say I have one in particular, but I do love the Muppets, especially the Electric Mayhem Band. Why? They rock. What’s not to love about puppets playing in a rock band. Beverley: Who would you love most to meet 'in person' and why?...
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Lyndi Alexander always dreamed of faraway worlds and interesting alien contacts. She lives as a post-modern hippie in Asheville, North Carolina, a single mother of her last child of seven, a daughter on the autism spectrum, finding that every day feels a lot like first contact with a new species. Character Interview Beverley: What’s your name? Valeni: Valeni Pascual Beverley: Where did you grow up? Valeni: In an affluent neighborhood on the planet Terza, with my parents who doted on my little brother Luca. My father taught at the University, and had tenure, so we grew up with servants and all the extras. Makes it hard sometimes to be on my own, since we don’t speak any more and I will never take a coin from them again. Beverley: During what time period does your story take place? Valeni: Compared to your Terran calendar? About eighty years in your future. Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you? Valeni: Why? Who knows? *laughs* That woman probably needs better hobbies. It is interesting, though, living with a genderfluid alien. Nicholas is my lover and Nikki is like the sister I never had, so maybe that’s what people will find intriguing. Beverley: What’s your goal in this story? Valeni: Me? I’m just trying to survive. Being a captain of a small ship, I’m just trying to find enough jobs to keep flying. I never intended to fall in love, but… I guess...
