tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35795052807446442012024-03-15T00:15:26.589-04:00Story Building Blocks: Game On!The Story Building Blocks series helps writers develop their #plot, design #characters using temperament types, build 3D story worlds, write a bare bones #firstdraft, and polish it with #revision. This companion blog provides more tips and resources for crafting a bestseller. Free storybuilding forms are available on www.dianahurwitz.com.Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comBlogger428125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-5430618149398800782024-03-15T00:14:00.005-04:002024-03-15T00:14:36.179-04:00Weaving Separate Plot Threads<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbidY0smzfSrsT8zGoTWLavGkwcWpwvl5FDOkCJjGd8wgfQFQlD_tUshPCtE0mqStMk0-h76uUAPIw7TeJnsCda1fK8nXMOfuGNrfarjagyf_nFZYufKoc8enCyTxYXiJCCE92JMhxljL90f9VAX3AX4Rw0wspyj1D7qTiGGir1b0ZW2fSN94i9_8IYtw/s1153/2024%2003%2007%20Weaving%20Separate%20Plot%20Threads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1046" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbidY0smzfSrsT8zGoTWLavGkwcWpwvl5FDOkCJjGd8wgfQFQlD_tUshPCtE0mqStMk0-h76uUAPIw7TeJnsCda1fK8nXMOfuGNrfarjagyf_nFZYufKoc8enCyTxYXiJCCE92JMhxljL90f9VAX3AX4Rw0wspyj1D7qTiGGir1b0ZW2fSN94i9_8IYtw/w181-h200/2024%2003%2007%20Weaving%20Separate%20Plot%20Threads.jpg" width="181" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">A parallel plot tells two stories of equal importance, moving from one to the other and back again as opposed to a subplot. It can be a past versus present story. It can be one or more characters whose plots intersect. The more threads, the weaker the connection to the story. It can be done but requires advanced craft to do it well enough that you keep the reader entranced.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It can be hard to get caught up in one plot when the writer shifts the verbal camera between separate story lines, especially if they don’t connect. The potential for plot holes is enormous.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you choose a parallel plot or plots, ask yourself these questions:</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;">1. Who do you want the reader to care about?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Splitting the focus between two (or more) protagonists weakens the reader’s attachment to them. Every time you move the verbal camera between them is a point where they can put the book down. If you fail to make them care about either of them, they may skim past those scenes or simply quit reading. Every single thread needs to have its own impact and tension. Too many point of view characters can stretch the reader’s connection to the story. Do you truly have two protagonists or does a secondary character just play a main part? The love interest really isn't a protagonist. There is (almost) always a person's whose POV starts the ball rolling and has the decision to make, action to take, and stakes for not doing it. Just because a character's POV is followed does not make them a protagonist in terms of story cast. You can have five a-list stars in a movie. They aren't all protagonists.</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;">2. What do the threads have to do with one another?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you use this technique, it is critical that the plots intertwine, not run along aside each other, meeting only at the end. When the reader doesn’t understand the point of the split, they are likely to put the book down. I am not saying it hasn't been done, but it is a choice that can have negative consequences. I once skipped half a book because one thread simply didn't matter and held no tension. That is not the kind of page turning to aim for.</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;">3. Are the threads equally intriguing?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is hard enough to maintain tension in one plot line, much less two. Making both threads equally thrilling is twice the work. Making both threads equally thrilling<i> and</i> related is grueling. If only one thread is interesting, the reader will do a lot of page skipping, unless they toss the book in the do not finish pile. Plot out each thread separately. Are all of the pieces there? How do they impact one another? How can you layer the scenes to keep the pace moving forward? Backstory, flashbacks, and memories are not story plots. They augment a plot. There are many stories that explore a story that happened in the past that has impact on a story in the current era or a future era. For example, a modern-day literary love story that is impacted by a romance in the past. A mystery with a modern day sleuth mirrors a case from another time and place. A historical thriller has a plot in the modern day that uncovers the full story of what happened in the past. Each layer has a main character, friends, foes, goals, stakes, and outcomes. </span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;">4. Does it suffer from too many characters?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Each protagonist interacts with friends and foes and either the same antagonist or different antagonists. Two protagonists and antagonists equal twice the work. Every primary and secondary character you add dilutes the emotional connection to the story. Keeping track of a vast cast, especially if one needs to consult a list or take notes, can put your story in the do not finish pile. As much as George R. R. Martin is heralded, his books suffered from cast bloat and many readers didn't finish the books. They were happy when it was adapted for TV. I suggest sticking to the POV of the main character for each plot or stay in omniscient POV. Using a close POV can also cause problems if not done well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">5. Does it have a satisfying conclusion?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is nothing worse than wading through complex construction only to reach the end and find a weird twist or obscure denouement. Don’t make one of the plot threads a dream. There are genres that require a happy ending. Romance requires a happy ever after for the main couple. A mystery requires the resolution of the current case, even if there is an overarching evil villain that returns in the next book. Moriarity in Sherlock Holmes is an example of a retuning mastermind. But each of Sherlock's cases are solved in the books. The rest of the genres can have an up, down, or even up/down endings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">6. Is it appropriate for the genre?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Separate plot threads are not the same as different point of view characters. It is two separate plots. If you use it for a Romance, it becomes a literary Romance. Romances follow one story line. There can be a subplot where the main lovers' best friends also fall for one another. That is not the same thing as two full plots. A murder Mystery follows one sleuth solving crimes. Switching between sleuths and timelines may not be pleasing to your ordinary mystery lover. In a recent television series</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Bodies, </i><span style="font-family: georgia;">there were four sleuths and four cases and four timelines. I love Mysteries. They make up forty percent of my story consumption. However, it was not my cup of English Breakfast tea. It had mixed reviews. Dual plots can work in Historical, Thriller and Suspense, Fantasy, Literary Dramas, perhaps even con, heist, and prison break.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">7. Are you depriving the reader of full engagement?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The goal of any story should be full immersion. The plot should be fully-formed and the tension gas pedal applied expertly to control the speed of the narrative. Are other layers simply an annoying distraction? Can you make multiple threads work together in a way that keeps the reader eager to turn the page? If you don't know how or assume the reader will forgive you for shorting them of the full-immersion experience, then reconsider.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I would not suggest this method for a first-time author. Build your skills first. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’m not saying it can’t be done, or even done well. Some examples of parallel plots are:</span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i> by Harper Lee</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><i>Holes</i> by Louis Sachar</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><i>Blueberries for Sal</i> by Robert McCloskey</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><i>The Lady of Wild Beasts </i>by Debra Spark</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><i>The Sex Club</i> by L. J. Sellers</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><i>Day of Atonement </i>by A. Alvarez</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><i>Sarah’s Key</i> by Tatiana de Rosnay</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Stephen King's <i>The Stand</i> is a complex layering of plot threads. Even the master of horror struggled with it because of the large number of characters and storylines.<br /><br />George R. R. Martin's <i>Game of Thrones </i>followed three separate but simultaneous storylines. Some readers gave up because of what I call cast bloat. If a reader has to start taking notes, they often give up.<br /></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you can see, they are very different books. Some were more successful than others. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Plot bifurcation has inherent structural weaknesses. If you choose to build your story on this skeleton, be prepared for the writing equivalent of a biathlon. Each plot must have solid structure, a full cast, and tension that builds. It is essentially writing two novels. You don't have to outline it if you are allergic to the process. You will need to do a detailed dissection of your story scene by scene and chapter by chapter after the first draft.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is critical that you have other people read it before submitting it or self-publishing it. The details in your head may not make it onto the page.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> It can be easy to lose your audience. They don't know the story in your head. What makes sense to you might confuse the reader and that results in bad reviews.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always if you find this information helpful, share it, like it. If you want more free information, sign up to follow the blog on blogger or the Story Building Blocks </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> p<span style="font-family: georgia;">age. Free tips and tools are also available on my site </span><a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/" style="font-family: georgia;">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span></p></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-12863955951223610492024-03-07T02:16:00.001-05:002024-03-07T02:16:39.326-05:00April to June Writing Workshops<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whether a one day session, one
week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a
good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and
get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with
editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you
find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local
conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit
members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was
available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue
to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also
offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some are free. Some require a
fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig
deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and
desires.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Also keep in mind that some of
these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to
join, etc. You may find your tribe.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">April 4 – 6, 2024 <b>Tennessee
Mountain Writers</b> annual conference at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oakridge,
Tennessee. <a href="https://tmwi.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://tmwi.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">April 4 – 6, 2024 <b>Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop</b>, University of Dayton, Dayton,
Ohio, workshop is a hybrid in person and virtual event. <a href="https://udayton.edu/artssciences/initiatives/erma/index.php"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://udayton.edu/artssciences/initiatives/erma/index.php</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">April 11 – 14, 2024 <b>Left Coast Crime Trouble in Tucson</b> in
Seattle, Washington<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.leftcoastcrime.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.leftcoastcrime.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">April 15, 2024 <b>A Rally For
Writers Conference</b> in Michigan. </span></span><a href="https://arallyofwriters.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://arallyofwriters.wordpress.com/</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">April 18 - 20, 2024 <b>Chicago North RWA
Spring Fling Conference </b>Chicago Renaissance O’Hare—and online Registration
begins Fall 2023. <a href="http://chicagospringfling.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://chicagospringfling.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">April 18 – 21, 2024 <b>Chanticleer Authors Conf</b>erence, Four Points by Sheraton in Bellingham,
Washington.<a href="https://www.chantireviews.com/chanticleer-conference/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.chantireviews.com/chanticleer-conference/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">April 19 – 21, 2024 <b>Clockwork Alchemy
Steampunk Conference</b> at the San Mateo Marriott. Panel discussions on all
things steampunk. <a href="http://www.clockworkalchemy.com/#/about"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.clockworkalchemy.com/#/about</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Heading2Char"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">April 25 – 28, 2024 Pikes Peak Writers
Conference will be held at the Colorado Springs Doubletree Hilton Hotel. </span></span><a href="https://www.pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc/"><span class="Heading2Char"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">April 26 – 28, 2024 <b>Ravencon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention</b> will take place at the Virginia Crossings by
Hilton in Glen Allen, Virginia. <a href="http://www.ravencon.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.ravencon.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">April 26 – 29, 2024 <b>Malice Domestic</b> Bethesda Maryland, <a href="http://malicedomestic.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://malicedomestic.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">April 26 – 28, 2024 Pikes
Peak Writers Conference Colorado Springs Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs,
CO. </span></span><a href="https://conference.pikespeakwriters.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://conference.pikespeakwriters.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">May 3 – 5, 2024 Gold Rush
Writer Conference in Mokelumne Hill, CA. </span></span><a href="http://www.goldrushwriters.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.goldrushwriters.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">/</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 3 – 4, 2024 <b>Lakefly Writers Conference</b> will be held
at the Oshkosh Convention Center in Wisconsin. <a href="https://lakeflywriters.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://lakeflywriters.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 3 – 4, 2024 <b>Atlanta Writers Conference</b>, is an in-person event.
Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel <a href="https://atlantawritersconference.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://atlantawritersconference.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 4, 2024 Writing
Conference of Los Angeles https://writingconferenceoflosangeles.com/</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 10 – 12, 2024 <b>GrubStreet
The Muse and the Marketplace Conference
</b>Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts <a href="http://museandthemarketplace.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://museandthemarketplace.com/</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">May 9 – 11, 2024 Storymakers
Conference is Provo Utah Valley Convention Center Provo, Utah </span></span><a href="https://ldstorymakersconference.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://ldstorymakersconference.com/</span></a> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">May 11 - 18, 2024 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Longleaf
Writers' Conference</b>, Seaside, Florida.</span><a href="http://www.longleafwritersconference.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">www.longleafwritersconference.com</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">May 18 - 21, 2024</span></span> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">Kachemak Bay Writers’
Conference Kachemak Bay Campus in downtown Homer, Alaska. </span></span><a href="http://writersconf.kpc.alaska.edu/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://writersconf.kpc.alaska.edu/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">May 26 – 30, 2024 <b>Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Asheville,</span> NC </span><a href="https://www.blueridgeconference.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.blueridgeconference.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 29 – June 1, 2024 <b>North Words Writers Symposium</b>, Skagway, <a href="http://nwwriterss.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://nwwriterss.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 30 - June 3, 2024 <b>ThrillerFest</b>
XVIII is at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, NY. <a href="http://thrillerfest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://thrillerfest.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 30 – June 2, 2024 <b>Stokercon Horror Conference</b>, San Diego Marriott
Mission Valley, San Diego, California <a href="https://www.stokercon2024.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.stokercon2024.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 31 – June 1, 2024 <b>Pittsburgh Writing Workshop</b>, in Pittsburgh,
PA will be an online event. <a href="https://pittsburghwritingworkshop.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://pittsburghwritingworkshop.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 31-Jun 2, 2024 <b>CrimeCon</b> in Nashville, Tennessee, <a href="https://www.crimecon.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">https://www.crimecon.com/</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">June 6 – 9, 2024 <b>Writer’s
Police Academy/Killer Con</b> in Greenbay, Wisconsin <a href="https://writerspoliceacademy.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://writerspoliceacademy.com/</span></a> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">June 6 – 9, 2024 <b>Indiana University Writers' Confer</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ence</span>, Bloomington, Indiana will be an
in person event this year. <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">https://iuwc.indiana.edu/<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">June 26
– 28, 2025<b> Historical Novel Society Conference</b> in Las Vegas, Nevada
looks like they are skipping 2024. <a href="http://hns-conference.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://hns-conference.org</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">June 9 – 15, 2024<b> Kenyon Review Fiction Workshop</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span>Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio
offers online programs for adults and young writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://kenyonreview.org/writers/fiction/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://kenyonreview.org/writers/fiction/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">June 9 - 15, 2024<b> Santa Barbara Writers
Conference</b>, Mar Monte Santa Barbara Hotel, Santa Barbara, California. <a href="http://www.sbwriters.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.sbwriters.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">June 16 - 22, 2024 <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">Chesapeake
Writers’ Conference at the St. Mary's College of Maryland. </span></span><a href="https://www.smcm.edu/events/chesapeake-writers-conference/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.smcm.edu/events/chesapeake-writers-conference/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">June 16 – July 27, 2024 <b>Clarion West Six Week Workshop</b>, Seattle,
Washington, <a href="https://www.clarionwest.org/programs/summerworkshop/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.clarionwest.org/programs/summerworkshop/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">June 23- July 20, 2024 <b>New York State
Summer Writers Institute</b>, Skidmore College, New. <a href="https://www.skidmore.edu/summerwriters/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.skidmore.edu/summerwriters/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">June 24
- 29, 2024 <b>Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference</b>, Bemidji State University, Minnesota. Conference
will be in person. <a href="http://www.northwoodswriters.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.northwoodswriters.org</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-41141149909662774352024-02-29T14:07:00.000-05:002024-02-29T14:07:45.356-05:00Creating Conflict With Backstory<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCcVrVtPjLpUSnlDM5oNPNGxClPqZEmvxR1Yki3g-C7sAAW94Q6ycevEBJL2Jp4IpPen9DidCKG1Bhha2jWrIXRGXFcE0PrJXxcSjAn35EDN4UgLjb9AdsOVcXzWsXhe_MN7rt5Z6dckLcIvJ_2ETLTZySFIdmw4o-9lUJI9jxcbcH-UThiChW-6Ax26F/s1153/2024%2002%2029%20Creating%20Conflict%20with%20Backstory.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1046" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCcVrVtPjLpUSnlDM5oNPNGxClPqZEmvxR1Yki3g-C7sAAW94Q6ycevEBJL2Jp4IpPen9DidCKG1Bhha2jWrIXRGXFcE0PrJXxcSjAn35EDN4UgLjb9AdsOVcXzWsXhe_MN7rt5Z6dckLcIvJ_2ETLTZySFIdmw4o-9lUJI9jxcbcH-UThiChW-6Ax26F/w181-h200/2024%2002%2029%20Creating%20Conflict%20with%20Backstory.jpg" width="181" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We have learned how to avoid backstory plot holes and discussed how to use backstory as plot devices. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week, we look at how to use backstory to create conflict.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. It is tempting to cheat by inserting letters, news articles, and pages from a book or diary to impart information. There may be instances where it works, but rarely. These shortcuts are generally boring in nature. Even worse, they are often placed in italics. If you insist on this, keep it short and simple. Pages of italics strain the eyes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Backstory in the form of letters or journal entries tests a reader's patience. They draw the reader out of real time. A few readers adore them. Most don't. I scan read them. If they are too long, I skip over them. They rarely contain conflict and are a lazy way of delivering information.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If the contents can be summarized quickly through internal dialogue or dialogue, do that instead. We don't need to see a long news article about a body being found. Dick can read the article and comment on it to Sally, offering her the juicy parts. Most of us do this when we read something to someone across the kitchen table or office desk. We don't read the whole article. We react emotionally to the contents. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">We skip over the blah, blah, blah parts and read the good stuff.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Reading Mom's diary is so surreal. I had no idea she was such a free spirit, a freethinker, and a party girl."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Jane reached for the book. "When did that change? She was so prim and proper." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sally dodged her and kept reading. "Oh my lord, she slept with Phyllis's husband before they got married."<br /><br />Jane attempted to grab the journal a second time. "Are you certain that's what she meant?"<br /><br />Sally turned the page. "Last night was so romantic. We walked to the back of the garden and stood under the weeping willow, my favorite hiding spot. We kissed. He slowly undressed me. The night air was cold, but his skin was so warm."<br /><br />"She never! That can't be our mom, can it?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This type of delivery keeps the reader in real time and in the presence of characters they care about.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. Short snippets of backstory can be revealed through inner dialogue and thoughts. What a character thinks reveals character. A conversation or situation can bring back pleasant or unhappy memories. Memories can differ. This is part of interiority. Dick can think:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sally thinks she knows everything. Even when we were in kindergarten, she thought she knew everything. No one in this town ever changes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This reveals that he has a history with the town, he has known Sally since kindergarten, and he isn't too pleased with her. In this example, he keeps the negative opinion to himself. The same information could be related as dialogue.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the next example, Dick shares the same information and antagonizes Sally in the process.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"You thought you knew everything back in kindergarten, too. Nothing ever changes in this town."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. Short summary can propel the story. Jane might drive past her old house, the one she shared with her ex-husband, and think:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I pulled up to the curb and left the engine idling. God, I missed the cottage. I loved the symmetry of it, the gables, and the white picket fence. I loved the rosebushes and the neighborhood cat that used to sun itself on the steps. I should have been sitting on the front porch swing, drinking tea, and reading a good book instead of driving past it like a lovesick teenager. It wasn't the affair or the divorce that gutted me. Dick wasn't worth a single tear. It was knowing that he had taken the cottage from me out of spite and moved in that lanky-skank ho. Killing him wouldn't make a difference. It would still belong to her. I'd have to figure out a way to drive them out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This reveals that Jane used to live in the house, her aesthetic preferences, she likes tea and reading books, and she loved the house more than her ex. It gives us the story goal. You could have spent pages telling us about Jane's past and setting up her motivation. Instead, it was summarized in a few short, bittersweet sentences.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. Backstory can be revealed though dialogue. Avoid horrible "As you know, Sally" information dumps. Make sure your characters would utter the words in a real conversation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"As you know, Sally, our great-grandpa started this tea business in 1893 when he came over from old England. He built the place from the ground up."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of course Sally knows. It's her grandfather. Let's slip this in with a little character conflict.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dick ran a hand over the smooth wooden chest, tracing the Sinclair name and the year 1793. "I wish grandpa Mac had lived to see this."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sally didn't look up from her phone. "He'd be 200 years old."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Not the point." Dick lifted the lid, inhaling the sweet smell of peppermint. "He left England with a small tin of tea and a dream and look at us: international distribution, thirty varieties, new hybrids."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"And disgruntled employees, greedy investors, irrational vendors."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Forget it. Let me buy you out. You'll never love the place the way I do."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"I'll never love anything the way you do. You're obsessed. You should leave this cave occasionally. Go on date. Get laid."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Get stuffed."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sally slipped her phone into her pocket. "Every chance I get. I'm hungry. Let's do lunch before I pass out."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"I'm serious. I want to buy you out."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"I'll think about it on a full stomach."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A character's hot buttons, prejudices, and conceits can rear their ugly heads during heated conversations. Backstory is best revealed through a verbal sparring match, not a lazy trot down memory lane. You add conflict when the characters block what needs to be said, reveal painful secrets, point out a person's flaws, or expose old wounds along the way.<br /><br />5. Differing memories can cause conflict. Memory is fallible. If you ask three children about their formative years, each has a different rendition based on how they perceived their experience. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"You were always their favorite," Dick said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sally snorted. "Me? You were the golden boy, the heir. I was the spare and an afterthought."<br /><br />"They let you get away with murder. I had to be perfect. I had all the pressure of their expectations. You were free to do whatever you wanted."<br /><br />"You got all the attention. They didn't know I existed. I could have paraded around the mansion naked and they wouldn't have noticed."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Oh, they noticed. They had massive arguments about you."<br /><br />"On how to get rid of me."<br /><br />Dick looked at the side by side caskets. "I guess it sucked for both of us."<br /><br />"Now we can't even confront them over it." Sally walked away from the grave site.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dick followed. "Don't be a stranger, okay?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sally opened her car door. "That's what we are, strangers. Maybe we should officially meet some day."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Masterful use of backstory elevates you from beginner to master craftsman.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always if you find this information helpful, share it, like it. If you want more free information, sign up to follow the blog on blogger or the Story Building Blocks </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Page. Free tips and tools are also available on my site </span><a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/" style="font-family: georgia;">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-28870513903541332512024-02-23T13:47:00.000-05:002024-02-23T13:47:12.099-05:00 Backstory As Plot Devices<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXitj-oOrrEFdbX3791OnqM9Drrq8-LQC7qcFW1rkN2Y1IIISy0srWNB97t2WS_3ScdXR5SbgSGf-ZoySnsBDRbAFlUW2tIWjhqDph99sF2gxV0KbBa0v87pcTF8-a1t4a3K0Va3loiDYqNTW8zdwFux55tzCRVhn_TcycttA-DIAX7CG3oGCJXTNkR7vb/s1153/2024%2002%2022%20Backstory%20As%20Plot%20Device.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1046" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXitj-oOrrEFdbX3791OnqM9Drrq8-LQC7qcFW1rkN2Y1IIISy0srWNB97t2WS_3ScdXR5SbgSGf-ZoySnsBDRbAFlUW2tIWjhqDph99sF2gxV0KbBa0v87pcTF8-a1t4a3K0Va3loiDYqNTW8zdwFux55tzCRVhn_TcycttA-DIAX7CG3oGCJXTNkR7vb/w181-h200/2024%2002%2022%20Backstory%20As%20Plot%20Device.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>Last time, we discussed how to avoid backstory plot holes. This week, we offer ideas for using backstory as plot devices.<br /><br />1. You can reveal your protagonist's critical flaw by explaining somet</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: left;">hing that happened in the past. The critical flaw is revealed near the beginning to explain why Dick is drawn into the story problem and trips him up along the way. The flaw, his kryptonite, can stem from a traumatic episode from the past.</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. The secret weapon is revealed early on to explain why Dick, and only Dick, can solve the overall story problem. It can be a talent, strength of character, belief, or an actual object. You can show him using his secret weapon, or refusing to use it, in the past before he is called upon to use it in the present.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. Whatever skills or failings Dick has, don't whip them out at the last minute by saying, "Oh, yeah, back in school I used to (fill in the blank)." That is backfilling and it is a no-no.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. Backstory can raise questions rather than answer them. You can show Dick doing or saying something in the past, but not explain why until later. Mystery keeps the reader invested.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">5. Backstory can be revealed in layers, like peeling an onion. Each reveal adds a slightly different twist to the reader's understanding of what happened. Write the backstory then select the bits you want to reveal and order them in the most effective sequence. Slip them in when needed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. If Dick did something in the past, he can repeat the action or find himself in the same dilemma in the present day, only there is an obstacle this time. His old method no longer works. He knows better now and this time it's uncomfortable. Perhaps he has the skills or experience to do things differently.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. Backstory can create conflict for Dick by presenting him with difficult choices. In the past, the decision might have been easy. The current situation, or new knowledge, makes the same choice more difficult. Maybe he used to easily run toward danger, but he has new responsibilities and has to seriously consider the wisdom of his past actions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">8. Backstory can reveal change. If Dick is afraid of spiders because he was bitten by one as a child, he may have to take on the giant spiders that invaded Earth at the climax. If Dick was a coward in the past, he can be brave in the present. If Dick denied his feelings in the past, he can embrace them in the present.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stay tuned for our wrap-up on how to use backstory effectively.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always if you find this information helpful, share it, like it. If you want more free information, sign up to follow the blog on blogger or the Story Building Blocks </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Page. Free tips and tools are also available on my site </span><a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/" style="font-family: georgia;">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span></p><p><br /></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-85103026908720902312024-02-15T18:10:00.000-05:002024-02-15T18:10:05.875-05:00Backstory Basics<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlxSDDf-4Dd2H0D9WIWKpuBHGdM-OLqIkKElLaQ1dIOprjJvTFRsKUHYy-ThNNgBtpsq10QDcKaGhcTjXXeCLLc1dOJSWkwjR5M77Qvf02eSMT_tk94XiWIn2LeGQlMV_woNCkTPENz0HwP2SpbXWSIeUjGTDf5y7w4Wwo0tMXk0_WVXFU326_FDmbt4V/s1153/2024%2002%2015%20Backstory%20Basics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1046" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlxSDDf-4Dd2H0D9WIWKpuBHGdM-OLqIkKElLaQ1dIOprjJvTFRsKUHYy-ThNNgBtpsq10QDcKaGhcTjXXeCLLc1dOJSWkwjR5M77Qvf02eSMT_tk94XiWIn2LeGQlMV_woNCkTPENz0HwP2SpbXWSIeUjGTDf5y7w4Wwo0tMXk0_WVXFU326_FDmbt4V/w181-h200/2024%2002%2015%20Backstory%20Basics.jpg" width="181" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Backstory, when used properly, enriches a plot. Used poorly, backstory creates a plot hole your reader is forced to skip over or sludge through. Most readers skip the boring bits.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The problem with backstory is often two-fold: too much too soon or way too much information at once.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Backstory can be related through dialogue, flashback, internal dialogue, thoughts, and narrative. Over the next few posts, we'll explore the finer points of using backstory with mastery.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. Don't begin your novel with backstory. Invest your readers in the current situation before trying to explain the character's history. Otherwise, why should they care?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If the action has already passed, we know the characters lived to tell about it. It may have bearing on the plot, but the characters survived and have moved onto what is happening now. The reader may feel there is no need to read a long passage detailing what happened in the past if the characters are clearly functioning in the present.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. Backstory is best presented in short bursts not long-winded information dumps. The delicate balancing act is giving the reader enough backstory to help explain the current situation, but not so much that she is derailed from the forward momentum of the story.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. If you feel a section of backstory requires a full scene with its own beginning, middle, and end, it should contain tension and a scene goal. A chapter or two of backstory loses the reader. She pages forward until she gets to the part that matters. That is not the kind of page turning to aim for.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. Bits of backstory can be related through narrative, but keep it short and simple. Transition in and out and don't offset it. A paragraph or two should suffice. Resist the urge to insert large sections of italicized words. You should be able to transition into and out of backstory without resorting to special fonts or italics.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">5. Backstory is not the same as weaving separate story threads together. A subplot set in the past has its own story arc and every scene should contain conflict. You should order the past versus present scenes in a way that has the most impact. Badly braided scenes can ruin an otherwise riveting tale.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. Backstory should not cram in the character's past all at once. People don't tell each other everything about themselves and their lives the first time they meet. If they do, their psychological boundaries are fuzzy. They make people nervous by offering too much information. You don't need to tell your readers everything up front either. If you do, your structure is fuzzy. Once the reader has formed a relationship with your character, their past has more resonance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. Backstory works well in internal conflict scenes when your protagonist struggles with his personal dilemma which can be rooted in his past. It could be the partner he didn't save, the girl he didn't get, or the friend he failed. The backstory makes the current situation more poignant and should be relevant to the overall story. Resist the urge for a long memory scene. It is more powerful if the character is remembering while doing something to progress the current plot.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">8. Backstory must, above all, be relevant. Don't spend paragraphs telling us about Dick's botany hobby unless he uses botany to solve the overall story problem. It bores your readers. They don't need to know about every Civil War battle, every lover the protagonist ever had, or the life stories of everyone who sank with the Titanic. Backstory that has no relationship to the current story is irritating. Readers flip past it or skim read it. If it happens often enough, they put the book down and walk away.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stay tuned for more discussion on how to layer backstory to create conflict.</span></p><div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always if you find this information helpful, share it, like it. If you want more free information, sign up to follow the blog on blogger or the Story Building Blocks<a href="https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks" target="_blank"> Facebook</a> Page. Free tips and tools are also available on my site <a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a>.</span></p><div><br /></div></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-51226186325943843502024-02-08T18:07:00.001-05:002024-02-08T18:07:57.190-05:00Recognizing Narrator Intrusion<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbloorFNsFxtYpWNFGr6xmmSer6Vlf_z9R5bbzg6OLQTB0vHXGxzf8IQbBP42rt9-0uWzP5i89_LMX1G9Wzrii8qqigVKlQA-rZcpvcTF7P_sYBV-9GgGSflz5FZNOaxqIHl_F-ZmptifmKQzdQ7gDg8gL22W6C1-IydfcHB0WoXmwxqw8pM_oiUMbbMKJ/s1153/2024%2002%2001%20POV%20copy.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1046" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbloorFNsFxtYpWNFGr6xmmSer6Vlf_z9R5bbzg6OLQTB0vHXGxzf8IQbBP42rt9-0uWzP5i89_LMX1G9Wzrii8qqigVKlQA-rZcpvcTF7P_sYBV-9GgGSflz5FZNOaxqIHl_F-ZmptifmKQzdQ7gDg8gL22W6C1-IydfcHB0WoXmwxqw8pM_oiUMbbMKJ/w181-h200/2024%2002%2001%20POV%20copy.png" width="181" /></a></div></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The biggest problem with any point of view, other than omniscient, is narrator or narrative intrusion. The author interrupts the story to deliver his commentary, thoughts, opinions, or information. They create speed bumps that disrupt the reader's total immersion in the story. This is especially a problem when you use first person and third person close up.</span></div><div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let's learn how to search for it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. Ideally, comments, thoughts, opinions, and information should be filtered through the characters, not the writer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Omniscient narrators are able to be in everyone’s head at all times. You lose a certain number of readers with this method. But the omniscient verbal camera can go anywhere and take in anything. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">With other points of view, narrator intrusion removes the verbal camera from the shoulder or the eyes of the viewpoint character to take in action on the stage the character isn’t aware of. The speed bumps can be low or high depending on the severity of the intrusion.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Example: </span><span><span style="font-family: arial;">What Nora didn't see was the shadowy figure hiding in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to grab her.</span><br /><br />Example:</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Meanwhile, on the opposite shore, the enemy troops boarded a ship to sail to America.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. Key intrusion words to look for include: as before, after, behind, believed, considered, debated, discovered, during, felt, figured, hated, inside, knew, liked, loved, noticed, realized, pondered, remembered, sensed, since, smelled, tasted, thought, wanted to, when, while, wished, understood, until, used to.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. Showing versus telling is not necessarily the same as narrator intrusion. An example of intrusion would be:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dick Malone, a dark, handsome, intelligent man stared through the window of his fortieth-floor penthouse at the brooding LA skyline.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This sentence is simply awful, but you get the point. Yes, I just intruded with an opinion. If you write in omniscient, this is perfectly acceptable. In all other cases, it isn’t.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Even in third person, a character does not think to himself:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m a handsome, intelligent, man standing in my fortieth-floor penthouse. My décor is ultra-modern and shows I have expensive taste.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">To fix the intrusion, the writer can show the character entering his building or getting off at the fortieth floor. The character places his keys in a ceramic bowl on a glass and steel hall table or hangs them on an ornate message board above it. The character walks into the living room, across the deep pile carpet, and places his jacket on the back of a white leather sofa. He can look at himself in the mirror (overused but effective) or catch a glimpse of himself in the glass as he stares at the brooding LA skyline.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">He could notice a photo of himself and his wife. He can think about the way they used to be, so young, so good looking, so idealistic. He can wonder if she still finds him as attractive as he finds her. He can miss her presence in his swank apartment, one they chose together but he now occupies alone. In this way, you show the reader his world rather than tell them about it. This would be strongest in first person or third person close up, relating it through the character's lens. How does he feel about the space? What irritates or soothes him? Is coming home a good thing or a bad thing?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The door closed behind me with its familiar whoosh. I tossed my keys onto the slick glass table. As they slid onto the white marble tile floor, I resolved to find a coconut shaped ash tray like the one I stole from a hotel in the Bahamas. It had comfortably held my keys for years before I met Sally. I could take a sledgehammer to the table, pity she wouldn't be around to see it. I could replace the white leather furniture with soft suede lounge chairs with cupholders. For the first time in five years, I could do anything I wanted. I flung my coat across the metal back of the dining room chair and used the remote to lift the automatic blinds from the panoramic windows. They were useful and could stay. I slipped off my tie and rolled up my sleeves. The fancy, useless rugs, monochromatic vases that didn't hold flowers, and artfully arranged books she never read, could go to Goodwill. They'd make some poor schmuck's day. I popped a frozen burrito in the microwave, no plate, and popped the top off a Corona. I needed boxes and some paint, yeah, brown and beige to relieve the endless white. She left, but it was time for me to erase her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. Another example is when a writer inserts statements for suspense:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sally didn’t know that Dick had other plans for her and that his plans would change her life forever.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Little did Dick know that Spot, so peacefully curled up at the end of his bed, would attack him in the middle of the night. If he had known what the dog was capable of, he might have put Spot in his crate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">These are extreme examples, but you get the point. Who is giving us this information? It isn’t Dick or Sally. Some writers do this on purpose, to say, “Wait for it: a tense situation is coming.” It does the opposite. The author just told us there is going to be an attack in the middle of the night, removing the suspense factor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The author could have shown Dick snuggling up with dear Spot, holding the dog close, feeling all warm and safe. Then Spot growls and wriggles away from Dick. The dog’s fur stands on end. Cut scene. Next chapter. The reader keeps turning pages to find out what upset the dog. That is well-crafted suspense.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">5. In third person limited point of view and first person, a writer often tells the reader things the point of view character couldn’t possibly know.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jane sat in the café, sipping a cooling mocha latte, lost in thought, a book open on the table. The man in the booth behind her stared and wondered why someone so good looking was so sad.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unless Jane has eyes in the back of her head, she isn’t aware that she is being watched. Unless she reads minds, she won’t know what the man behind her is thinking. The verbal camera panned away from Jane and followed the man in the booth. This is either head-hopping or author intrusion, depending on the point of view.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Another example would be:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sally perched on the edge of a park bench. She closed her eyes, wiping the sweat from her brow. When did it get so hot? A man sat down on the grass, not close enough to be obvious, but near enough to catch her if she decided to run.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sounds suspenseful, right? However, Sally’s eyes are closed. She can’t see the man sitting on the grass. She doesn’t know why he is sitting on the grass, or that he intends to grab her if she leaves the bench. The author thinks he is setting up suspense, but he is shifting point of view or intruding.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The scene can be fixed by simply having Sally open her eyes, see the guy sitting on the grass. She can decide he is a problem and calculate whether she could run before he could grab her. This keeps us in her head and sets the tension. Will she go for it? Will she make it?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. Writing in first person POV, a passage might read:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I bent over to pick up the note that fell from the boy’s backpack. The paper was crumpled, from the kind of yellow legal pad a businessman would use. I unfolded it and examined the crabbed handwriting. A red stain colored my cheeks as the profane words registered. What kind of boy would write such a thing?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is very subtle intrusion. Why? Because the character can’t see her own face, so how would she know it was red? She could feel her face flush. The reader knows that a flushed face looks red. You don’t have to explain it. These mistakes are hard to catch. A good critique partner, beta-reader, or editor helps you find them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. Another example is when the author gives the reader the reason for someone else’s behavior:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jane lifted the hotel receipt from the table. She held it up so Dick could get a good look at it. “And you were at the Savoy last week for what reason?” Dick turned away to hide his panic and formulate an excuse.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If the piece is written in omniscient point of view, this passage works. Otherwise, it doesn’t. Jane can see Dick turn away. She might guess why, but she wouldn’t think to herself: </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dick turned away to hide his panic and formulate an excuse.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jane could see him turn away. She can surmise that he is hiding something and press Dick for an answer. Dick’s lack of response tells her he is formulating a lie.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When he comes out with, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">“It was a business meeting</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">,” Jane assumes it is a lie.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jane can then call him on it by saying something like: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">“An overnight meeting?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dick justifies it with: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">“No, but it ran late and I was tired, so I got a room.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jane could top it off with: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">“You paid for a room instead of a cab? We only live five blocks away.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lie exposed and you have tense dialogue with a great zinger at the end. The fight is on.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">8. Another problem is describing details a character would never notice.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dick is standing at the coffee machine in the break room and Jane walks in with designer shoes and a dress that hugs her curves. Unless he is really into fashion or works in the fashion industry, he won’t know the dress is Dior and the shoes are Manolo Blahnik. A lot of female readers, me included, won’t know what the heck Dior or Manolos look like either. It is best to describe the dress and the response it creates within Dick (he is turned on by stiletto heels), than to toss in labels a reader wouldn’t recognize.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A reader forgives a few of these. If the book is riddled with them, and he feels the need to Google, you may lose him forever to social media.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can use the shorthand references for inspiration, but you need to describe it. You can say:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span>J</span><span>ane had on a tight, knee-length dress and uncomfortable-looking heels.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This statement reveals character more than blatant references. If a man observing a woman thinks her dress is too tight and her shoes interfere with her ability to walk, it tells you he is either sizing her up as a potential victim who can’t outrun him, or deciding that she would make a very high-maintenance girlfriend. He might like women who dress like runway models or prefer a girl who wears cargo shorts and sneakers. The way he describes Jane’s outfit tells us a lot about the way he views women.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">9. Inserting descriptive shorthand for people, places, and things can be intrusive.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The author might know all about fashion or might throw designer names in to impress or to define character. It can have the opposite effect if the reader is frustrated by not grasping the reference. When a writer inserts cultural, geographical, designer, celebrity, and product references, she assumes her readers are familiar with them. When the references are lost on the reader, he flips the page. He might waste time Googling the reference. In order to Google, he must put the book down or switch screens. This is not the kind of page turning to aim for.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Writers are frequently cautioned to show not tell, though there are times when the character has to tell. It is a fine, hotly debated line and one most writers struggle with. Don’t tell us someone is sad, show us. Don’t tell us someone is angry, show us. The advice makes many writers throw darts at their manuscript. It is still good advice.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Intrusion is difficult to avoid. Stringent editing can fix it. Read through each scene. If possible, have other people read through each scene to look for intrusions. Pull back and look at what you’ve written with a jaundiced eye. Ask yourself if you’ve put anything there that the POV character couldn’t see, hear, feel, smell, taste, touch, notice, know, or do. When you’ve identified the intrusion, it is fairly easy to repair it. Rephrase it in a way the POV character would say it or do it, or change the scene’s choreography to show instead of tell.<br /><br />As always if you find this information helpful, share it, like it. If you want more free information, sign up to follow the blog on blogspot or the Story Building Blocks<a href="https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks" target="_blank"> Facebook</a> Page. Free tips and tools are also available on my site <a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a> .</span></p><div><br /></div></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-46272746745633831082024-02-01T16:18:00.000-05:002024-02-01T16:18:07.310-05:00Who Is Telling Your Story?<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxSw1pWI0sO9C0EuMTRqFMaCZ1YrT0ZRTjJjwXLAplGPHbQR4uWIj2zRSZF-GUaPOWthXw5zhmYXIIOCaYrQnKWhGiRnVf3XoYa05KZe5dulNrbDtKjRvJYVkNr0O_MPtbQaWpy5Nia59XACJYoZcuiFA9910WWHccaVtrWU4Hg55mdknxj3K7bFePIE3/s1153/2024%2002%2001%20POV%20copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1046" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxSw1pWI0sO9C0EuMTRqFMaCZ1YrT0ZRTjJjwXLAplGPHbQR4uWIj2zRSZF-GUaPOWthXw5zhmYXIIOCaYrQnKWhGiRnVf3XoYa05KZe5dulNrbDtKjRvJYVkNr0O_MPtbQaWpy5Nia59XACJYoZcuiFA9910WWHccaVtrWU4Hg55mdknxj3K7bFePIE3/w181-h200/2024%2002%2001%20POV%20copy.png" width="181" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are several methods for relating your story through point of view. <br /><br />The verbal camera location depends on the method you choose. Each method has strengths and weaknesses. You can alternate point of view from person to person by changing the POV with each chapter or scene. Don't switch POV characters from sentence to sentence or paragraph to paragraph to avoid “head hopping.”</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In most genre fiction, a protagonist viewpoint is preferred, either protagonist only or protagonist as main viewpoint. The antagonist, love interest, friends, and foes may also chime in depending on the needs of your story. You can have an unbiased narrator or the cold eye of an unmanned camera.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stories have been narrated by friends or observers. Stories are rarely told by the antagonist, but it has been done. Sometimes the protagonist proves to be the antagonist.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sometimes POV methods are intentionally mixed, but you must carefully edit for random, unintentional shifts. A single method is easiest to follow. There have been stories where the protagonist is written in first person and other characters are written in objective or close third.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are many opinions about which point of view you should use. Omniscient is the most distancing and first person is the most intimate. You should use whatever works for the story you wish to tell.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: red;">First Person</span></b>: The reader experiences the story through the character’s lens. The verbal camera records from inside the character's mind. The reader is limited by what the protagonist can see, hear, overhear, and know about. The story is influenced by their outlook on things. You are privy to their intimate thoughts. They have to be in every single scene. It uses I, me, and mine. The reader in essence becomes the character.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: red;">First Person Subjective</span></b>: The point of view character is the narrator of the story but rather than relating his experience, he gives his version of someone else’s story. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is told in first person using I, me, and mine.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The story is told through his filter and can limit the suspense potential. The verbal camera records through this observer’s eyes. It is limited to what he can see, hear, etc. You cannot explore anyone else’s thoughts unless they voice them. This can be used if you want an unreliable narrator or to mislead the audience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: red;">Modified Objective</span></b>: This viewpoint character might not know what the other characters are thinking, but will put their own spin on it. This is told in third person using he, she, and they. The point of view character interprets what is happening through the filter of his beliefs and feelings. However, it can be hard to summon the requisite sympathy for the protagonist if the story is told from someone else’s viewpoint.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Second Person</span></b>: With this viewpoint, the reader becomes the POV character and is referred to as "you." The narrator describes 'you" seeing, hearing, acting, etc. It is often told in present tense. This method is rarely used. It is quirky and can be a turn off. It doesn't work in all genres.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: red;">Objective Third Person</span></b>: The story is told from the viewpoint of a portable verbal camera. It records whatever it sees and hears. Thoughts and feelings are related through actions and dialogue instead of internal narrative and dialogue. It uses he, she, and they. This method allows you to follow different characters and record their interactions. The advantage is you can let the reader in on information the protagonist could not know. This works well in stories where the reader is allowed to see what the antagonist, friends, and foes are up to.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Third Person Close Up: </b></span>allows you to enter a character’s mind and films like first person, except you use he, she, and they. This is useful when you have multiple point of view characters, but the verbal camera remains tight on each character as they relate their part of the story.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: red;">Limited Third Person:</span></b> is a bridge between third person and omniscient. The camera is off to the side. It picks up what it can see, hear, and experience. It can stand aside as an observer, taking in other people's body language, emotional reactions, interactions, etc. It is not always reliable. In limited third, a writer often inserts something the character misses, You can comment on an expression or behavior going on in the room where the POV character isn't looking. This can sometimes turn into blatant author intrusion. You have to tread the line carefully.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: red;">Omniscient:</span></b> An omniscient narrator knows all, sees all, and reads every mind at any given time. This is done with he, she, and they. The omniscient narrator can offer commentary and opinions and supply information. He never becomes one of the characters. The characters are not aware of the narrator. He is merely there to tell the tale. This method was used in literature from previous centuries. The verbal camera pans the scenes from afar. There are few limitations as to where it can zoom and what it can record. It can distance the reader from the character. Sometimes with this method, the writer “tells” the reader a story, much like reading a book to someone. The challenge is in shifting the vantage point of the verbal camera. The shifts should not be random and should be easy to follow. It can notoriously result in “head hopping.” The other danger with this method is consistency, meaning you stay in this point of view and not veer off into first person or third person close up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In addition to type of POV, you need to decide how many point of view characters you need. The more often you switch from one narrator to the next, the more you risk diluting the reader's emotional connection to the story. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Shifting between different character POVs allows the reader to know things the protagonist doesn't. This can add to the suspense level. Deciding when and how to shift is a skill worth learning. POVs can be mixed. The protagonist has been written in first person while the other characters are written in third person close up. It requires strict editing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Poisonwood Bible</i><span style="font-family: georgia;">, Barbara Kingsolver cycles through five first person POV characters: Orleanna Price and her four daughters Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May. It is one of the few stories with that many POVs in one book that I consider successful.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Switching characters does not work in all instances. One of my favorite cozy mystery series written by Ann Purser follows Lois Meade as she meddles in cases while cleaning houses. The author detoured in one book to follow the secondary characters. It was irritating rather than pleasing to find Lois relegated to the dust bin for an entire book.</span></p><div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Shifting the point of view in a series can keep it fresh. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tana French does so successfully in her gripping Dublin Murder Squad mysteries set in Ireland by following a different investigator in each book. <i>In The Woods</i> is narrated by Rob Ryan. <i>The Likeness</i> is narrated by Cassie Maddox and so on. I did something similar in <i>Mythikas Island</i>. Each book in the series is narrated in first person by a different character. In Book 1 it is Diana, Book 2 Persephone, Book 3 Aphrodite, and Book 4 Athena.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you switch point of view within a series or from chapter to chapter, make sure it adds rather than detracts from the tension.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Breaking the fourth wall is a character intentionally speaking to the reader and was used in 18th and 19th century novels and in some modern Sit-Coms. It works best with comedy and satire.</span></p><div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The biggest problem with any point of view, other than omniscient, is narrator or narrative intrusion, which is when t</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">he author interrupts the story to deliver commentary, thoughts, opinions, or information dumps. This can be highly annoying. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Omniscient narrators are able to be in everyone’s head at all times. With other POVs, narrator intrusion creates subtle speed bumps in the story’s flow. It removes the verbal camera from the shoulder or the eyes of the POV character to take in action on the stage the POV character isn’t aware of. The speed bumps can be low or high depending on the severity of the intrusion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We will examine narrator intrusion in depth next week.<br /><br /><br /></span></p></div></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-86809709340430486622024-01-25T11:40:00.000-05:002024-01-25T11:40:35.469-05:00The Importance of Setting<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_MCLA-gFU0GACeHUpgmlsppGeG7qICnCNi1OcCddHZA1r-yCQT-jkfJKKiGS8AIfG8z9tOemPnxNihgNI1gMUITYobt6vBvHMEvPHC63A-GTZOpRDx9f61cgF2m8uUhz4Cycvzngz75D-ht8Q45VqkSEkfRAx7KoROrUFwv4Ft4pGEWZMy37QGqRLave/s216/2024%2001%20Setting.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="216" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_MCLA-gFU0GACeHUpgmlsppGeG7qICnCNi1OcCddHZA1r-yCQT-jkfJKKiGS8AIfG8z9tOemPnxNihgNI1gMUITYobt6vBvHMEvPHC63A-GTZOpRDx9f61cgF2m8uUhz4Cycvzngz75D-ht8Q45VqkSEkfRAx7KoROrUFwv4Ft4pGEWZMy37QGqRLave/w200-h200/2024%2001%20Setting.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></span>Setting is a character. It can be a friend, foe, or antagonist. It lives and breathes. It can set the tone and atmosphere. It can create obstacles or remove them. It defines genres.</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are a number of ways to approach the setting for your book. Contemporary settings and real locations are probably the easiest, but that does not let you off the hook when it comes to research.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. You can use a real place.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This requires researching the place in question. You can use Google maps as a start. You can now go to Streetview and "walk" along the boulevard. You can visit the town if possible. If you can't visit, you need to thoroughly research the place to get the feel for how the people think, operate, dress, speak, and move about. The pitfall is using what I call "cultural shorthand" to describe it. People who don't live there won't know what Bob's diner looks like or where the Louvre is. So it's important to describe the place well. Even if you pick a famous locale, describe it as if you are seeing it for the first time. If you have never been there, you will have to use your imagination to fill in the details of how it looks, feels, smells, tastes, and sounds. You can research books and travel blogs or blogs written by residents of the place in question. You could consult their social media pages. If it is set in the past, see if you can find books written about the era, newspaper articles, or local historical societies. If it is so far in the past you can't find anything, you will have to make it up as best as you can. With <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mythikas-Island-Book-One-Diana-ebook/dp/B004KZPIUS/" target="_blank">Mythikas Island</a> I set it in 3500 BCE on the Greek island Rhodes. It was impressive the amount of information about the topography, weather, moon phases, flora, and fauna I located. I found the beliefs, science, fabrics, jewels, weapons, etc. too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. You can use a real place and change the name.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The fun here is you get to name it Made-Up Town and change it up. Not all small towns or big cities are the same. You still need to invent the details. If you pick an existing town, you can rename all the businesses and streets and redecorate the town to your taste. The buildings can be clapboard or brick. The streets can be poorly paved or cobblestones. There can be derelict zombie infested malls or high-speed robocabs. The streets can have gaslights. The countryside can have quaint cottages. If you are thinly disguising the town where you live, others might recognize it. They will feel very clever.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. You can create a new town, state, or country inside a real place.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Create a location that is in an existing place but apart from it. Most British cozy series invent areas of England and police departments. You should do some research into the closest places to get a feel for the area, but you can make it look and operate any way you like. Adapting an existing area is a little easier because you can research the topography, weather, access to airports, ports, perhaps beaches, lakes, police procedures for a mystery, etc. Use whatever you need for your plot and invent the rest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. You can keep it vague.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some writers like to keep all descriptions vague so the reader can insert their own ideas. I personally hate that method. I like rich detail. I don't need to know the name of every plant. When writers don't describe their main characters or the setting, which I consider an important character, it feels empty and unsatisfying. Some readers don't mind. There are arguments for both sides.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">5. Create your own world from scratch.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Placing it in the fantasy or sci-fi realm is a ton of work. You have to invent who they are, what their world looks like, feels like, and tastes like. You have to invent the government, commerce, travel, morals, religions, and languages. What do they eat? What resources do they have access to? How do they obtain food, water, shelter, and clothing? Time intensive, yes, but also a lot of fun. Let your imagination run wild.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The type of setting you choose affects the genre and sub-genre of your book. Readers may be drawn to historical romance or prefer gritty urban fantasy. They may be turned off by certain eras like the specific wars. Some readers scoop up anything set in a quaint English village or a protagonist running a bookstore. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Setting can also provide promotion and marketing tie-ins. If you feature a city or town, local book stores may be willing to host a book signing, perhaps sell the book in their bookstore. If your beach read features a specific tropical hot spot, you could set up book signings there and write the vacation off as a business expense. Don't be shy about approaching local stores to see if they will feature your book. Many Barnes & Noble stores have a "local" author shelf. I have seen local author kiosks in grocery stores. For most book stores, returnable status is a factor, but they may still be willing to sell a few on consignment. In some tourist spots, books set there sell like hot cakes no matter how they are published.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Choose the setting that works best for your story. Do you need an ominous city, a remote island, or a tropical paradise? Do you need small town conflict or gritty urban crimes? Setting is part of your pitch and can be referenced on your cover. Always m</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">ention the setting (where and when) in your book description. It matters.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">For further tips and reading check out these posts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://dianahurwitz.blogspot.com/2020/02/mastering-setting.html" target="_blank">Mastering Setting</a>, making the most of your setting.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://dianahurwitz.blogspot.com/2020/02/mastering-worldbuilding.html" target="_blank">Mastering Worldbuilding</a> tools to craft a brand new world or examine an existing one<br /><br />If you would like a paper version of the Build A World Workbook, you can pick it up here:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Build-World-Workbook-Building-Blocks/dp/1475106017/" target="_blank">Build A World Workbook on Amazon. </a><br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is also an ebook version: <br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Build-World-Workbook-Building-Blocks-ebook/dp/B071CL2FLM/" target="_blank">Build A World Workbook on Amazon</a></span></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-54405447795069718912024-01-18T11:20:00.000-05:002024-01-18T11:20:04.502-05:00Writing Conferences Dates To Be Announced<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKL79ZrKRBRuSkHEE2c8fColozaUS7l0GEOkuSd5ESWV3V_kkix9kqGGGBplehm4ipYCSvqw9OuH9saZre_azGk8FaDjcRfKSdG29Rq86qz-MXkZdQoyoQ7lO9XOp-amTtLiys_BdHrLLdbpV5qm-TlLrcTH2es0y2yag0j2tHuvmR57rDOkMUqF8v5Z1/s1800/2021%20Conferences.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKL79ZrKRBRuSkHEE2c8fColozaUS7l0GEOkuSd5ESWV3V_kkix9kqGGGBplehm4ipYCSvqw9OuH9saZre_azGk8FaDjcRfKSdG29Rq86qz-MXkZdQoyoQ7lO9XOp-amTtLiys_BdHrLLdbpV5qm-TlLrcTH2es0y2yag0j2tHuvmR57rDOkMUqF8v5Z1/s320/2021%20Conferences.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Whether a one day session, one
week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a
good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and
get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with
editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you
find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local
conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit
members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was
available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue
to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also
offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some are free. Some require a
fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig
deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and
desires.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Also keep in mind that some of
these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to
join, etc. You may find your tribe.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Alaska Writers Guild
Conference.</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> Check site for updated information on the 2024 event. The
2023 event was September 29-30 at Rasmuson Hall, University of Alaska in
Anchorage. </span></span><a href="https://www.alaskawritersguild.com/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.alaskawritersguild.com/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext">Annual Digital
Author and Indie Publishing Writers Conference</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext"> TBA
http://wcwriters.com/aglawc/index.html</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext">Boldface Conference
for Emerging Writers</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext">, University of Houston, Texas details
to be announced. 2023 was in May. </span></span><a href="http://boldfaceconference.com/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://boldfaceconference.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>BookCon</b> in Midtown Manhattan, check their site for
updates regarding the 2024 event. <a href="http://www.thebookcon.com/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">http://www.thebookcon.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Book Lovers Convention</b>,TBA <a href="https://www.bookloverscon.com/%20"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.bookloverscon.com/</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext">Blue Ridge Writers
Conference</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext"> in Blue Ridge Georgia.</span></span><a href="https://www.blueridgewritersconference.com/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.blueridgewritersconference.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Broadleaf Writers Conference</b> Decatur Library,
Decatur, Georgia. Dates TBA <a href="http://broadleafwriters.com/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">http://broadleafwriters.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>California Crime
Writers Conference TBA</b> Hilton Los Angeles Culver City, California <a href="https://ccwconference.org/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://ccwconference.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Cape Cod Writers
Center Conference</b> TBA Massachusetts <a href="https://capecodwriterscenter.org/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://capecodwriterscenter.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Castle Rock Writers' Conference</b>, Castle Rock, Colorado. To be announced. Check their site for
updates. The 2023 event was end of September. <a href="http://castlerockwriters.com/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://castlerockwriters.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext">Desert Nights,
Rising Stars Writers Conference </span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext">TBA has
multiple events</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext"> </span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext">at Arizona
State </span></span><a href="https://piper.asu.edu/conference"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://piper.asu.edu/conference</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext">Door County Young
Writers Conference</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext"> has not announced the date for the in-person
event at Sturgeon Bay High School. Check their site for other online classes
and events throughout the year. </span></span><a href="https://writeondoorcounty.org/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://writeondoorcounty.org/</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Fine Arts
Residency Conference</b> Pacific University campus, Forest Grove, Oregon. The
ten-day residency takes place twice a year and is open for registration. Dates
TBA. There are other workshops available as well. <a href="https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/residency-writers-conference" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/residency-writers-conference</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext">Hampton Roads</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext"> <b>Writers</b> holds events throughout the
year. Check their site for schedule and details. The 2023 Conference was in
November. </span></span><a href="http://hamptonroadswriters.org/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://hamptonroadswriters.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Highlights
Foundation </b>holds classes and virtual workshops throughout the year, live and
virtual events. Visit their site for details. <a href="https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/upcoming-workshops/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/upcoming-workshops/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Historical Romance Retreat TBA </b> in San Diego, California. <a href="https://www.historicalromanceretreat.com/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.historicalromanceretreat.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Jackson Hole Writer’s Conference TBA </b>Jackson Hole Center for the Arts, Jackson Hole,
Wyoming offers monthly workshops in addition to the conference <a href="http://jacksonholewritersconference.com/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://jacksonholewritersconference.com</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Juniper Institute for Young
Writers</b>,
Amherst, Massachusetts. Event is for
high school students finishing grades 9, 10, or 11. There are online events. No
conference has been announced for 2024. Visit the site for more information. <a href="https://www.umass.edu/juniperyoungwriters/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.umass.edu/juniperyoungwriters</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Kentucky Christian Writers Conference</b>, Elizabethtown,
Kentucky TBA. The 2023 conference was in October. <a href="http://www.kychristianwriters.com/" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.kychristianwriters.com/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext">Main Crime Wave</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext"> Portland, Oregon dates to be
announced.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Men of Mystery Conference</b> to be announced. <a href="https://www.menofmystery.org/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.menofmystery.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Napa Valley Writers Conference</b> TBA will be held in Napa
California at the Napa campus of Napa Valley College <a href="http://www.napawritersconference.org/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.napawritersconference.org/</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext">North Carolina
Writers Conference</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext"> holds multiple events each year. There
will be a spring and summer conference as well as workshops throughout the
year. </span></span><a href="https://www.ncwriters.org/programs-and-services/conferences"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.ncwriters.org/programs-and-services/conferences</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop</b>, Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire
Odyssey offers three workshops a year and ongoing online resources such as
classes, webinars, critiques, podcasts, etc. Check their site for dates. <a href="http://www.odysseyworkshop.org/"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.odysseyworkshop.org/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>The Pacific University Residency Writers Conferenc</b><b>e</b> TBA <span style="background: white; font-size: 10.5pt;">Forest Grove, Oregon </span></span><a href="https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/residency-writers-conference" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/residency-writers-conference</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: georgia;">Pennwriters Annual Conference</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> offers multiple
online events. No conference data announced yet for 2024</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. </span><a href="https://pennwriters.org/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://pennwriters.org/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: georgia;">PNWA Annual Writer's Conference</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> TBA registrations began in September 2023. </span><a href="https://www.pnwa.org/page/conference" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.pnwa.org/page/conference</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span color="windowtext">Rochester Writers
Conference 16<sup>th</sup> Annual </span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">TBA </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Held
at Oakland University</span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">. </span></span><a href="https://rochesterwriters.com/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://rochesterwriters.com/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span color="windowtext">Sanibel Writers
Conference</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext"> was held in November in 2023. Dates for 2024 TBA. </span></span><a href="https://www.fgcu.edu/siwc/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.fgcu.edu/siwc/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: georgia;">Summer Writing Program</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> at </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Capitalocene
Naropa University, Boulder. TBA Check their site for updates. </span><a href="https://www.naropa.edu/academics/swp/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.naropa.edu/academics/swp/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: georgia;">Vermont College of Fine Arts
Novel Retreat</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, Vermont.
will be an on-campus retreat. </span><a href="https://vcfa.edu/novel-retreat/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://vcfa.edu/novel-retreat/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span color="windowtext">Voices of Our
National Conference. </span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">Miami, Florida holds several events
throughout the year. </span></span><a href="https://www.vonavoices.org/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.vonavoices.org</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: georgia;">The Writer’s Digest Annual Conference</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">New York, NY. To
Be Announced. Check site for plans for the 2024 conference. </span><a href="http://writersdigestconference.com/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://writersdigestconference.com/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: georgia;">Writers' League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Austin, Texas. Check site for updates on the 2024 summer conference.
There are other events throughout the year. </span><a href="https://writersleague.org/programs/summer-writing-retreat/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://writersleague.org/programs/summer-writing-retreat/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: georgia;">Writers Studio at UCLA Extension</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> in Westwood Village has been shifted to the
summer. Check site for dates. There are other events and opportunities during
the year. </span><a href="http://writers.uclaextension.edu/writers-studio/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://writers.uclaextension.edu/writers-studio/</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.</span></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-63399527639493176062024-01-10T23:50:00.000-05:002024-01-10T23:50:08.790-05:00Crafting the Ending<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNii2oF00oGqohYNKbzSLGYzsNtAf-w1YAShe-zoGjdn-MJbELNUWzLFacc9hNPjCoqGma2huztM26RflRpy5RPfvPzAuEIVXoOIUhC44xJmXSl7phudI3k7gmtcaLCoZmy6C1bxuDNB4Qtz-rI4-7AFABqDWrqQthAT_O-XhnA0suZkEW_t38Syb3wCQ/s2250/2023%2012%2021%20Crafting%20the%20Ending.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNii2oF00oGqohYNKbzSLGYzsNtAf-w1YAShe-zoGjdn-MJbELNUWzLFacc9hNPjCoqGma2huztM26RflRpy5RPfvPzAuEIVXoOIUhC44xJmXSl7phudI3k7gmtcaLCoZmy6C1bxuDNB4Qtz-rI4-7AFABqDWrqQthAT_O-XhnA0suZkEW_t38Syb3wCQ/s320/2023%2012%2021%20Crafting%20the%20Ending.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the conclusion of your exciting tale, most readers are rooting for a happy ever after ending. They want the bad guy punished, the good guy rewarded, and the lovers to be in love.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sometimes a tidy ending just isn’t where the story should go. Should you change it to conform or end it the way you feel deep in your gut it should end? Some genres have specific expectations. A Romance should end happily. A Mystery should be solved. Beyond that, the resolution of your story can be a little more creative.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Every story has a central question. Will the protagonist succeed in his overall story goal? There are multiple answers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) Yes. Dick succeeds and there is no gray area or hanging questions. The plot is tied up in a neat little bow. He feels good about it. This is an up ending. Readers love up endings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) No. Dick fails and feels bad about it. He fought tirelessly, but in the end just couldn’t win. This is a down ending. Readers hate down endings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) Yes, but. Dick succeeds at one thing but fails at another. He succeeds but there are ramifications of his success that carry on into the future. He succeeds but at a terrible cost he didn’t calculate. This is a form of up-down ending.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">4) No, and further more. Dick not only fails, but he is further punished or must try again in a sequel. Dick may have been going for the wrong goal and not only does he realize he is wrong, he must take on a new challenge to make it right. Dick fails at his goal, and we realize he was the bad guy all along.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">5) Yes and No. Dick thinks he has succeeded or failed in his goal but there is a twist ending and he finds the opposite is true. He can kill monster A only to find out the real monster is B. Dick may win the battle but cause a major war. Dick may succeed but hurt everyone affected. Dick succeeds at his goal but during the final credit roll, he gets nailed by an oncoming bus. This is another type of up-down ending.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">6) Maybe Yes/Maybe No. The ending is left ambiguous. It is never made clear what really happened or how the story ends. The reader is left hanging. They may want to hang you. It is a risky artistic choice.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whichever ending you choose, your story architecture must support it. The ending must grow organically from the actions and decisions leading up to it. You don’t have to make everyone happy. You just have to leave everyone satisfied.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find this information useful, please like and share. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The four layer method is laid out in Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict, available in paperback and e-book if you wish to have a copy with all of the information. The theory information is also available on https://dianahurwitz.com/theory.html.<br /><br /></span></p><div><br /></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-57332955355878854672024-01-01T13:32:00.003-05:002024-01-01T13:32:54.749-05:00Writing Conferences January to March 2024<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGCRxYnICDSK_yOje4ZB7EpkU2nMBA0f5FSeiS1W83Fu5vojuV6EfTvxQxgvVe8Cj_8U1v2bSar05XvGLJc7v2FnzcjNSRWsIzzPuJVv8ognC5hL2JzfxpuKPQfMRzG74NU4BKzCUenLU-Rce9UhROhTQMXlcFyGoFqVdMa2aeJCiBOKp9uXQgTG6MM-o/s1800/2021%20Conferences.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGCRxYnICDSK_yOje4ZB7EpkU2nMBA0f5FSeiS1W83Fu5vojuV6EfTvxQxgvVe8Cj_8U1v2bSar05XvGLJc7v2FnzcjNSRWsIzzPuJVv8ognC5hL2JzfxpuKPQfMRzG74NU4BKzCUenLU-Rce9UhROhTQMXlcFyGoFqVdMa2aeJCiBOKp9uXQgTG6MM-o/s320/2021%20Conferences.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whether a one day session, one
week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a
good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and
get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with
editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you
find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local
conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit
members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was
available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue
to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also
offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some are free. Some require a
fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig
deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and
desires.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Also keep in mind that some of
these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to
join, etc. You may find your tribe.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">January 7 – 11, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Key West Literary Seminar and Writers' Workshop Program</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">,
Key West, Florida </span><a href="http://www.kwls.org/writers_workshops/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.kwls.org/writers_workshops/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">January 12 - 15, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Winter
Poetry & Prose Getaway</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> at Seaview Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ</span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext"> There are also online events during the year. </span></span><a href="https://wintergetaway.com/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://wintergetaway.com/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">January 12 - 15, 2024 <b>The
Colrain Poetry Intensive</b> online event via Zoom. </span></span><a href="http://www.colrainpoetry.com/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.colrainpoetry.com</span></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">/</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">January 13 - 20, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Annual Writers In Paradise Conference</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, Eckerd
College in St. Petersburg, Florida </span><a href="http://www.writersinparadise.com/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.writersinparadise.com/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 2 – 3, 2024</span><b style="font-family: georgia;"> Rhode Island Romance
Writers Retreat</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, in Middletown-Newport, Rhode Island will be an online zoom
event. </span><a href="https://www.rirw.org/retreat/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">https://www.rirw.org/retreat/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 3, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Murder in the Magic City</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, Homewood
Library, Birmingham, Alabama is an in-person event. </span><a href="http://www.mmcmysteryconference.com/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.mmcmysteryconference.com/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 7 - 10, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Association of
Writers and Writing Programs Conference & Bookfair</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, Kansas City,
Missouri </span><a href="https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 8 -10, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Superstars Writing
Seminars</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, Colorado Springs, Colorado. There is a one-day intensive on February 7,
2024 as well. </span><a href="http://superstarswriting.com/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://superstarswriting.com/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 9 – 11, 2024 <b>SCBWI Conference</b> New York Hilton Midtown New York </span><a href="https://www.scbwi.org/events" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.scbwi.org/events</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 15 - 16, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Life, the Universe and Everything</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Conference </b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Marriott Hotel in Provo,
Utah. </span><a href="http://ltue.net/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://ltue.net/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 15 – 18, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">San Francisco
Writers Conference</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Hyatt Regency in San Francisco will be an in-person event. </span><a href="https://sfwriters.org/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://sfwriters.org/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">February 15 – 19, 2024 <b>The Savannah Book Festival</b> h</span></span><a href="https://www.savannahbookfestival.org/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">ttps://www.savannahbookfestival.org/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 16 - 18, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Southern California Writers Conference </b><span style="font-family: georgia;">San
Diego, California. </span><a href="http://writersconference.com/sd/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://writersconference.com/sd/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 19 – 23, 2024</span><b style="font-family: georgia;"> San Miguel Writers'
Conference & Literary Festival</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, Hotel Real de Minas, San Miguel, Mexico </span><a href="https://sanmiguelwritersconference.org/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://sanmiguelwritersconference.org/</span></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">February 22 – 25, 2024 <b>Coastal Magic
Convention</b><b>, Urban
Paranormal, Fantasy, & Romance</b> in Daytona Beach <a href="http://coastalmagicconvention.com/" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://coastalmagicconvention.com/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">February 24, 2024 <b>Amelia Island Book Festival</b> </span></span><a href="https://www.ameliaislandbookfestival.org/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.ameliaislandbookfestival.org/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">March 4 – 10, 2024 <b>Breakout
Novel Intensive</b> in Hood River Oregon </span></span><a href="https://www.free-expressions.com/breakout-novel-intensive-hood-river-or" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.free-expressions.com/breakout-novel-intensive-hood-river-or</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: georgia;">March 7 - 10, 2024 </span><b style="color: windowtext; font-family: georgia;">Futurescapes
Conference </b><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: georgia;">at Utah Valley University will be a virtual event. </span><a href="http://www.futurescapes.ink/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.futurescapes.ink/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">March 9 - 10, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Tucson Festival of Books</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, Tucson, Arizona, University of
Arizona Campus plans an in-person event this year. </span><a href="http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">March 9, 2024 <b>Bay
To Ocean Writers Conference</b> at Chesapeake College, Wye Mills</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">,
Maryland W</span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">riting workshops, craft sessions, readings and more every Thursday night
from 7:30-9 PM on Zoom. Free & open to all. </span></span><a href="https://www.easternshorewriters.org/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.easternshorewriters.org/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">March 14 - 17, 2024 <b>New
York Pitch </b>has a live event in NYC. </span></span><a href="https://newyorkpitchconference.com/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://newyorkpitchconference.com</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">March 15 - 16, 2024 <b>Mid-South
Christian Writers Conference</b> in-person conference at the First Baptist
Church in Collierville, Tennessee </span></span><a href="https://www.midsouthchristianwriters.com/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.midsouthchristianwriters.com/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">March 16, 2024 <b>Suffolk Mystery Authors Festiva</b>l in
Suffolk, Virginia </span></span><a href="https://www.suffolkmysteryauthorsfestival.com/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.suffolkmysteryauthorsfestival.com/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">March 17 – 23, 2024 <b>Sirenland
Writer's Conference, </b></span></span><a href="https://sirenland.net/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://sirenland.net/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">March 19- 24, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Get Away to
Write Retreat</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Registration open now.</span><u style="font-family: georgia;"> </u><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are
other online events during the year. </span><a href="https://murphywriting.com/writing-workshops-retreats/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://murphywriting.com/writing-workshops-retreats/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">March 20 – 23, 2024 <b>Wild
Seeds Writers Retreat</b> at Medgar Evers College, CUNY in Brooklyn, NY. </span></span><a href="https://centerforblackliterature.org/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://centerforblackliterature.org/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">March 20 - 23, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">The National Black Writers Conference </b><span style="font-family: georgia;">in Brooklyn, New York.</span><b style="font-family: georgia;"> </b><span style="font-family: georgia;">https://centerforblackliterature.org</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">March 22 - 24, 2024 <b>Chicago Writers Association Conference</b>,
</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">Warwick Allerton in </span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext">Chicago, Illinois </span></span><a href="https://www.chicagowrites.org/conference" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.chicagowrites.org/conference</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">March 23, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Liberty States
Fiction Writers Conference</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> at the Hilton Garden Inn, Hamilton, NJ </span><a href="http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/conference/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/conference/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">March 23 - 25, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">54th University of North Dakota Writers </b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://und.edu/writers-conference/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://und.edu/writers-conference/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">March 28 – 31, 2024 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Norwescon Between Two
Worlds</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> SeaTac, Washington, </span><a href="https://www.norwescon.org/" style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">https://www.norwescon.org/</span></a></p>
<p>Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.</p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-27959194488559528942023-12-28T23:43:00.001-05:002023-12-28T23:43:39.314-05:00Dressing Up The Skeleton with Subgenres<div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayV3ef23y4si0AtRKRxSgBiq4pNDma3qyK2PHLTh2albvmaV6qpoMIB4hDV2pLKGJwXsB1Bx_5bqiRcRDRxbKET7hJFmrEhH-9prKNmK0RMa_zkFizEhJYosyUdBi5SItWII3jFU_YJmWpUUNCxJpGre79b1fHfe4RqzNBreKypFbbokVznGecgCHHYFX/s2250/2023%2012%2014%20Dressing%20the%20Layers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayV3ef23y4si0AtRKRxSgBiq4pNDma3qyK2PHLTh2albvmaV6qpoMIB4hDV2pLKGJwXsB1Bx_5bqiRcRDRxbKET7hJFmrEhH-9prKNmK0RMa_zkFizEhJYosyUdBi5SItWII3jFU_YJmWpUUNCxJpGre79b1fHfe4RqzNBreKypFbbokVznGecgCHHYFX/s320/2023%2012%2014%20Dressing%20the%20Layers.png" width="320" /></a></div>What if we decided the meteor story worked better as a Romance? We continue with Dick, love interest Sally, and friend/foe Jane and Ted and the meteor and try on different subgenres.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If we select the Romance skeleton, the focus is on Dick meeting, possessing, or losing the object of his affection: Sally. The meteor, Jane, and Ted present antagonistic and interpersonal obstacles to this goal. There are different ways to dress up a romance.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. You can add the Contemporary Romance jacket. This is defined by the time period. The obstacles to their love occur post World War II to modern day. It is often combined with or related to the term “women’s fiction.” Most romances are told from the female’s POV, but doesn’t have to be in certain subgenres. Ted wants Sally, or Jane wants Sally. Jealousy and rivalry keep Dick from achieving his goal. The impending meteor strike adds an element of anxiety. At the final turning point, Dick saves the day and wins Sally's heart forever. Or, Sally and/or Jane saves the day if you want to add a feminist touch.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. If you add the Historical Romance mantle, it means that the obstacles to love occurred prior to World War II and may feature elements of mystery or “damsel in distress.” In this instance, Sally is directly threatened by Jane or Ted while the impending meteor strike provides atmosphere and heightens emotion. We learn a bit about the history of astronomy along the way, but not too much. In the end Sally and Dick live happily ever after.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. If you choose the Romantic Suspense trench coat, the meteor strike is a Thriller and Suspense subplot. The setting could be contemporary or historical. The couple’s relationship is tested by the race to save the planet. Will they live to love or will the meteor obliterate them? Ted is foiled. Jane is mollified. Dick and Sally live happily ever after.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. If you select the Paranormal Romance cloak, one or all of your characters could be vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, or witches. The focus is on the romance and the paranormal elements as they attempt to thwart the meteor strike. The different species may have different agendas. In the end, Dick and Sally wind up together, the normal world is saved, and they are happy about it. Except for perhaps Ted. Or Jane. Or Ted and Jane.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">5. If you prefer the Science Fiction Romance jumpsuit, the setting becomes the future, perhaps on a remote lunar outpost. A rocket may circumvent the tragedy, taking out the antagonistic Ted along with the meteor, leaving Dick and Sally to love uninterrupted in their space capsule as Jane waves forlornly from the control room.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. If you adopt the Romantic Fantasy cape, your story will feature dragons, wizards, or fairies working to repel the meteor heading for them, preferably with magic. Perhaps the near miss with the meteor was foretold in a prophecy naming Dick The Chosen One, which tests his relationship to Sally. Dick and Sally hold onto their love in the face of fantastic odds.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. If you assume the Time Travel uniform, some - or all - of the cast must travel through time to solve the meteor strike problem. Perhaps Dick travels to the past, leaving poor Sally in the present. Will their relationship survive the distance? If Dick changes something in the past, will Sally still be in the present anxiously awaiting his return? Or will he return to find her happily (or unhappily) paired with Ted? Perhaps Jane sees her chance with Dick now that Sally is out of the way. But in the end, Dick and Sally are reunited and it feels so good.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">8. If you don the Erotic Romance sheet, you’ll need to add steamy sex scenes in specific chapters. The impending meteor and Ted and Jane's interference fuel the fire. As long as they fog up the windows while fighting for their lives, you're good to go. In the end, the meteor misses and Dick and Sally wind up in bed, thankful to have dodged the celestial bullet. Ted and Jane may end up in bed together as well, even though they pretend to hate each other.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whatever costume you choose, your romance should satisfy the reader by answering the question: “Will they or won’t they?” The answer should be, “Yes.” If your reader is titillated and satiated by the story’s end, they will love you for it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The four layers method is versatile enough to work with any genre, subgenre, and mixed genres. Breaking the story down into the types of conflict keeps the reader turning pages. A conflict can be as small as trying to get a cup of coffee and being interrupted and diverted along the way to Starbucks or as massive as a space opera with cowboys fighting aliens.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find this information useful, please like and share. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The four layer method is laid out in Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict, available in paperback and e-book if you wish to have a copy with all of the information. The theory information is also available on <a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a></span></div></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-29715054737245170622023-12-21T12:20:00.000-05:002023-12-21T12:20:31.667-05:00Stacking The Layers<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGu9SPMlZi1p9yVzhYbugaTgwH_EoObynNfKT1hdhqntT45KR103bui4zIgjQ_b643kruOLxAsuNFP4LBMSh09iLqg-gAiQccwszneQHHMTgIwtloTsKtLGJ8x7UGVlE_Kk8bApvRfBTON6CdVnBcEkgSZXkgctaO5WeL4M9xF5EQufr3n1kySn8CNH7o/s2250/2023%2012%2007%20Stacking%20The%20Layers.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGu9SPMlZi1p9yVzhYbugaTgwH_EoObynNfKT1hdhqntT45KR103bui4zIgjQ_b643kruOLxAsuNFP4LBMSh09iLqg-gAiQccwszneQHHMTgIwtloTsKtLGJ8x7UGVlE_Kk8bApvRfBTON6CdVnBcEkgSZXkgctaO5WeL4M9xF5EQufr3n1kySn8CNH7o/s320/2023%2012%2007%20Stacking%20The%20Layers.png" width="320" /></a></div>We have developed our scenes. Now let's look at the best way to arrange them. We began with the premise for a story involving a meteor streaking toward earth, a conflicted scientist, his crumbling marriage, and a coworker who makes his life miserable. We decided to make the story about Dick, love interest Sally, bossy Jane, jealous Ted, and the meteor streaking toward earth. We have selected the Disaster Thriller format and created at least ten ideas for each layer of conflict. The next step is to decide which order works best for each scene.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We have come up with ten basic ideas for all four layers of conflict. You may find you need to add more scenes to fill in the gaps in the story. You may change your mind about elements of the plot. The point is to have a series of prompts that keeps you working through your rough draft. You can tweak and enrich the draft during the revision layers. Things will come to you as you write that you didn’t think of before. Your characters will come alive and may change the trajectory of your story. That’s expected. What’s important is to avoid getting stuck in the muddy middle.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let’s layer the scene ideas we've developed in the most logical order.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">INCITING EVENT</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 1: Dick and Sally make plans to go on a long-awaited vacation. He gets a call.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 1: Dick learns <span style="color: red;">a meteor will strike.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Antagonist Conflict 1: Ted learns there is a meteor headed toward earth. Finally, the world can be destroyed and he doesn’t have to lift a finger. All he has to do is sit back and watch the show.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interpersonal Conflict 1: Jane meets with Ted to declare her feelings before it is too late. He manipulates her into helping him without telling her the real reason.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 2: Dick informs Sally that he isn’t retiring after all. He can’t tell her why.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Antagonist Conflict 2: Dick has come up with a plan. Ted vows to make sure it doesn’t work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interpersonal Conflict 2: Jane meets with Dick and gives him erroneous data.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 2: Dick thinks of a way to stop the meteor while it is still far away. He will nudge it with a satellite.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interpersonal Conflict 3: General Smith argues that his satellite is too important to be used to adjust the meteor’s trajectory. It could cause more harm than good. They should blow up the meteor.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 3: Dick and Sally fight about the vacation. Looks like we have to cancel it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Antagonist Conflict 3: Ted is denied access to the equipment. He has something on one of the ground crew, Bob, and uses that pressure to convince him to tamper with the equipment. Bob objects, "But we’ll all die.” Ted threatens, "Do you want to die now or later?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interpersonal Conflict 4: Bob tries to tinker with the satellite, but almost gets caught by Jane.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Antagonist Conflict 4: Ted confronts Dick. "Why are you trying to stop the inevitable?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interpersonal Conflict 5: General Smith relents and allows the satellite to be used.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 3: The satellite crashes into the meteor, but doesn’t change the trajectory.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">TURNING POINT ONE</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 4: Sally gives Dick an ultimatum: "I’m tired of waiting. It’s me or the job." Dick replies, "If I don’t do this there won’t be any me or you." Sally asks, “What do you mean?” To which Dick replies, “I can’t tell you.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 4: Dick comes up with plan to divert the meteor with a laser beam.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Antagonist Conflict 5: Dick has come up with a new plan. So Ted must get Bob to tamper with the laser beam.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 5: They can’t get the beam close enough from the ground.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Antagonist Conflict 6: Ted calls Sally and tells her Dick and Jane are having an affair.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 5: Sally accuses Dick of having an affair with Jane at work. Dick is called away.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interpersonal Conflict 6: Captain Curtis balks at sending the laser to the space station.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 6: They send the laser to the space station. The equipment breaks off and is lost in space.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div>TURNING POINT TWO</div><div><br /></div><div>Internal Conflict 6: Dick finds Sally packing her bags. Dick says, "Don’t leave. I love you. I’ve always loved you."</div><div><br /></div><div>She replies, "Then why are you ruining things?" Should he tell? Is it better for her to know or not know that their days are numbered?</div><div><br /></div><div>Antagonist Conflict 7: Dick confronts Ted. "You had something to do with this." Ted replies, "You’ll never prove it and in a few days it won’t matter anyway."</div><div><br /></div><div>External Conflict 7: They are back to the drawing board - all seems lost. They enter countdown mode.</div><div><br /></div><div>Internal Conflict 7: Sally tells Dick that she received a call from Ted and that he said there was no reason for Dick to stay at work. That he is lying to her.</div><div><br /></div><div>External Conflict 8: Dick comes up with a final plan. It is do or die. They will nuke the meteor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Antagonist Conflict 8: Ted must find a way to make certain the shuttle doesn’t take off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interpersonal Conflict 7: Captain Curtis appeals to his crew. Is anyone willing to go? Captain Curtis decides to go himself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Internal Conflict 8: Dick tells Sally the truth.</div><div><br /></div><div>CLIMAX</div><div><br /></div><div>External Conflict 9: They rev up the shuttle loaded with a lethal payload to intercept the meteor and, despite last minute glitches, the shuttle takes off on a suicide mission.</div><div><br /></div><div>Antagonist Conflict 9: Ted’s attempts to prevent take off fail.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interpersonal Conflict 8: Ted and Jane have a show down. Jane can’t believe Ted is so evil.</div><div><br /></div><div>Internal Conflict 9: Dick and Sally spend the evening together knowing it may be their last.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interpersonal Conflict 9: Bob rats on Ted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interpersonal Conflict 10: Jane and Bob celebrate when the shuttle succeeds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Antagonist Conflict 10: Ted is led off in handcuffs.</div><div><br /></div><div>RESOLUTION</div><div><br /></div><div>External Conflict 10: Their plan succeeds and everyone lives, except the crew of the shuttle.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interpersonal Conflict 11: General Smith tells Dick to stay. He is too valuable an asset to retire.</div><div><br /></div><div>Internal Conflict 10: Dick and Sally leave for the airport to go on their vacation.</div><div><br /></div><div>THE END</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that we have a basic outline of the plot progression, we can begin our first draft. If massive changes are made along the way, it doesn’t hurt to repeat this exercise at the end. Make a list of each scene and the conflict it addresses. Does it still flow in a logical cause and effect order? </div><div><br /></div><div>Next week, we will take a look at how subgenres can affect the story idea.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find this information useful, please like and share. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The four layer method is laid out in Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict, available in paperback and e-book if you wish to have a copy with all of the information. The theory information is also available on <a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a></span></div></div><div><br /></div></span></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-67640022973709530572023-12-07T14:07:00.000-05:002023-12-07T14:07:06.277-05:00Working the Theory Internal Conflict Scenes<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlpzQmL2JT0LbFRjhNLzdCZg2ZcQyoguOZ5mqP_63_f1fJRrKJxGwu4sieJMF66htaCOCfIq7-bntDgTgNo-qTr5dDA_WwFGs9rOv42svcBW0_3CEnsmdt_JheI5TuB7xQPt8oHDT58g6CF_MQ4Pp6f6LRz4opu0p2dArW7l51mflXhx2QfpfE6fZBNur/s2250/2023%2011%2030%20Internal%20Conflict%20Scenes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlpzQmL2JT0LbFRjhNLzdCZg2ZcQyoguOZ5mqP_63_f1fJRrKJxGwu4sieJMF66htaCOCfIq7-bntDgTgNo-qTr5dDA_WwFGs9rOv42svcBW0_3CEnsmdt_JheI5TuB7xQPt8oHDT58g6CF_MQ4Pp6f6LRz4opu0p2dArW7l51mflXhx2QfpfE6fZBNur/s320/2023%2011%2030%20Internal%20Conflict%20Scenes.png" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict scenes introduce and explore the personal dilemma your protagonist struggles with. The verbal camera is focused with a tight spotlight beaming on the protagonist in the background. Use these scenes to reveal the protagonist’s back-story and show him dealing with his guilt, pain, or need which leads up to and is resolved by his point of change.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">These conflicts test the protagonist’s character and faith. They make him question who he is and what he does. These are the emotional complications or ties that bind that complicate the overall story problem.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If the love interest has equal weight, you can explore her personal dilemma and point of change in these scenes as well.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal conflict scenes can be flashbacks, dreams, and revelations of back-story through memories or an encounter with a friend or foe.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can show him exhibiting one type of behavior in the beginning and a complete reversal of behavior at the end to show the point of change.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">These scenes can reveal the event that happened in the past and how it changed him: he deals with the death of his partner, the loss of his wife, or the child he didn’t save.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The internal conflict often culminates in the section after the climax, where we find out if the protagonist lives happily ever after. It can also culminate just prior to the climax.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That does not mean other characters cannot be in these scenes or that he is not doing anything. It means the verbal camera is zeroed in on his thoughts, feelings, actions, and reactions to the underlying problem that drives him and complicates the overall story problem.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In this Thriller, Dick’s personal dilemma focuses on his marriage. His marriage is on the rocks because he is a workaholic. He had planned to retire but this latest crisis forces him to keep working.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 1: Dick and Sally make plans to go on a long-awaited vacation. He gets a call.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 2: Dick informs Sally that he isn’t retiring after all. He can’t tell her why.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 3: Dick and Sally fight about the vacation. Looks like we’ll have to cancel it.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 4: Sally gives Dick an ultimatum. “I’m tired of waiting. It’s me or the job.” Dick replies, “If I don’t do this there won’t be any me or you.” Sally asks, “What do you mean?” To which Dick replies, “I can’t tell you.”</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 5: Sally accuses Dick of having an affair with Jane at work. Dick is called away.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 6: Dick finds Sally packing her bags. He begs, “Don’t leave. I love you. I’ve always loved you.” Sallies feels otherwise, “Then why are you ruining things?” Should he tell? Is it better for her to know or not know that their days might be numbered?</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 7: Sally tells Dick that she received a call from Ted and that he said there was no reason for Dick to stay at work. That he is lying to her.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 8: Dick tells Sally the truth.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 9: Dick and Sally spend the evening together knowing it may be their last.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Internal Conflict 10: Dick and Sally leave for the airport to go on their vacation.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the next section, we will look at the best way to layer our scenes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find this information useful, please like and share. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The four layer method is laid out in Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict, available in paperback and e-book if you wish to have a copy with all of the information. The theory information is also available on </span><a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/" style="font-family: georgia;">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a>.</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></div></span></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-38430365728101852372023-11-30T00:30:00.000-05:002023-11-30T00:30:01.786-05:00Working the Theory Interpersonal Conflict Scenes<span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gq2U0SiSIm4uKJIzrURu_2JngXjhXcQaGEoDcUx4dRrlodsgO07CqytZumDL5AY-ibUwGobZiQpL8RYbgIC2kFkO5CpCYkJe2S_1xVs6LI5xLJaz0bMys1isUVFvXTr3ZRIL3FT38f73o79wev9JXcFpo9Z_uE1EMhZus5oWFNbyTyFGW_1nTIj-Srh7/s2250/2023%2011%2023%20Interpersonal%20Conflict%20Scenes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gq2U0SiSIm4uKJIzrURu_2JngXjhXcQaGEoDcUx4dRrlodsgO07CqytZumDL5AY-ibUwGobZiQpL8RYbgIC2kFkO5CpCYkJe2S_1xVs6LI5xLJaz0bMys1isUVFvXTr3ZRIL3FT38f73o79wev9JXcFpo9Z_uE1EMhZus5oWFNbyTyFGW_1nTIj-Srh7/s320/2023%2011%2023%20Interpersonal%20Conflict%20Scenes.png" width="320" /></a></div>Interpersonal Conflict scenes reveal how the protagonist and love interest, if applicable, are affected by friends and foes. These conflicts test the protagonist’s friendships, loyalties, and will to continue.<br /><br />This is your verbal camera focused on stage left. Interpersonal conflicts are the push and pull away from the action needed to solve the story problem by secondary characters.<br /><br />Depending on the point of view, they can involve the friends and foes interacting with the protagonist, love interest, antagonist, or each other. Friends and foes can be used in any combination of scenes that fit with your story line. There will be both positive and negative interchanges with these characters.<br /><br />Interpersonal scenes address subplots and side stories which should culminate before the climax, with everyone lined up and revealed to be on which side of the fight. Subplots should circle back to and intersect the external story problem. If they don’t, you should consider cutting them.<br /><br />Secondary characters should have an agenda and stakes. They want to hide, reveal, provide, or take something away. Their personal goals may be at odds with the protagonist’s goal, or the antagonist’s goal. Their situation may complicate the overall story problem, intentionally or unintentionally.<br /><br />If you are writing in third person omniscient or shifting point of view, you can use the different viewpoints to express the friends’ and foes’ thoughts and feelings or show them taking actions the protagonist would be unaware of.<br /><br />Interpersonal scenes require the most flexibility depending on the point of view you choose, the number of subplots, and the length of the story. You should decide how many scenes each subplot requires, but they should not exceed the number dedicated to the main throughline. List notes for each subplot scene including inception, complications, and conclusion.<br /><br />Let’s say that Jane is in love with Ted and wants to help him. Captain Curtis is in charge of the space shuttle. General Smith represents the military and controls the satellite. Bob is the ground crewman controlled by Ted. Jane works with Ted and Dick.<br /><br />Interpersonal Conflict 1: Jane meets with Ted to declare her feelings before it is too late. He manipulates her into helping him without telling her the real reason.<br /><br />Interpersonal Conflict 2: Jane meets with Dick and gives him erroneous data.<br /><br />Interpersonal Conflict 3: General Smith argues that his satellite is too important to be used to adjust the meteor’s trajectory. It could cause more harm than good. They should blow it up.<br /><br />Interpersonal Conflict 4: Bob tries to tinker with the satellite, but almost gets caught by Jane.<br /><br />Interpersonal Conflict 5: General Smith relents and allows the satellite to be used.<br /><br />Interpersonal Conflict 6: Captain Curtis balks at sending the laser to the space station.<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interpersonal Conflict 7: Captain Curtis appeals to his crew. Is anyone willing to go? Captain Curtis decides to go himself.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interpersonal Conflict 8: Ted and Jane have a show down. Jane can’t believe Ted is so evil.<br /><br />Interpersonal Conflict 9: Bob rats on Ted.<br /><br />Interpersonal Conflict 10: Jane and Bob celebrate when the shuttle succeeds.<br /><br />Interpersonal Conflict 11: General Smith tells Dick to stay. He is too valuable an asset to retire.<br /><br />Next week, we look at Internal Conflict scenes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find this information useful, please like and share. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The four layer method is laid out in Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict, available in paperback and e-book if you wish to have a copy with all of the information. The theory information is also available on </span><a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/" style="font-family: georgia;">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a>.</div><div><p></p></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-24997654783331710502023-11-16T18:15:00.000-05:002023-11-16T18:15:00.423-05:00Working the Theory Antagonist Conflict Scenes<span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK9yXl0dE4tp6ku7AUdhZ8qPPTQ9cZv283pXjD41wvhF80KUvnpWUNllbwkzNKOaEhKrvpRsjSK0LP-w-zVVGq33CP_p7AOVVRcw4Q_VRb_4cyvzotW7_r4X6H_vTYBR880qn9KZX6OzNnJ6O3Fcy_6sfoulbpHRnWQJC8D86wuYyGZBMlkiYf5iP6Wjt/s1029/2023%2011%2016%20Amntagonist%20Conflict%20Scenes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="1029" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK9yXl0dE4tp6ku7AUdhZ8qPPTQ9cZv283pXjD41wvhF80KUvnpWUNllbwkzNKOaEhKrvpRsjSK0LP-w-zVVGq33CP_p7AOVVRcw4Q_VRb_4cyvzotW7_r4X6H_vTYBR880qn9KZX6OzNnJ6O3Fcy_6sfoulbpHRnWQJC8D86wuYyGZBMlkiYf5iP6Wjt/s320/2023%2011%2016%20Amntagonist%20Conflict%20Scenes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Antagonist Conflict scenes introduce us to the antagonist or antagonistic forces. This is your verbal camera focused on stage right. </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">These scenes test the protagonist’s and antagonist’s knowledge, ingenuity, and strength. They are battles of will and wit.<br />They develop how the protagonist and antagonist face off in between the external conflict scenes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />If you are only following the protagonist’s POV, these scenes are where the lead alien and the hero face off, the serial killer taunts the investigator, the brothers fight over the woman, the scientists clash over the best way to thwart the meteor, or the knight and the infidel cross swords.<br /><br />If the verbal camera follows the antagonist, or these scenes are written from his point of view, they show him actively pursuing his goal and reveal his personal dilemma. They show him interacting with his henchmen or threatening secondary characters.<br /><br />In some stories the antagonist force may be pushing the character to do something positive. Some stories that don't have an evil villain. In a Road Trip, Team Victory, Romance, or Golden Fleece tale, there may not be an overt corrupt or evil character. In these cases, the character who serves as an antagonist is the one who has the biggest impact on the protagonist. They butt heads and interfere. They exchange barbs if they aren't exchanging bullets.<br /><br />In Antagonist scenes, the villain states his side of the thematic argument. All of these conflicts lead to the climactic confrontation with the protagonist. The final scene reveals the fate of the antagonist. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />If you are using antagonistic forces rather than a person, these scenes show the protagonist struggling against them. If the force is nature, these scenes show the protagonist being threatened by nature. If the force is society or a controlling power, these scenes show him working against them. If the force is family disapproval, and a specific member isn’t singled out as an antagonist, then these scenes show the protagonist trying to win them over or to break their hold over him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Antagonist scenes escalate the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist or antagonistic forces: snags in the plan, unexpected discoveries, reversals, gains, important information concealed or revealed, and increasing levels of threat. They are arranged in an order that will make the most impact. The first scene should introduce the antagonist or forces. The final scene should reveal the final disposition of the antagonist or vanquishing of the forces.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Using our thriller story seed, let's look at what the antagonist scenes could look like. <br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Ted is directly opposed to stopping the meteor. He has been so damaged by life that he thinks it is time for humanity to be destroyed. Since this is a thriller, we will allow the verbal camera to follow Ted.<br /><br />1. Ted learns there is a meteor headed toward earth. Finally, the world can be destroyed and he doesn’t have to lift a finger. All he has to do is sit back and watch the show.<br /><br />2. Dick has come up with a plan. Ted vows to make sure it doesn’t work.<br /><br />3. Ted is denied access to the equipment. He has something on one of the grounds crew, Bob, and uses that pressure to convince him to tamper with it. But we’ll all die. Do you want to die now or later?<br /><br />4. Ted confronts Dick. Why are you trying to stop the inevitable?<br /><br />5. Dick has come up with a new plan. So Ted must tamper with the laser beam.<br /><br />6. Ted calls Sally and tells her Dick and Jane are having an affair.<br /><br />7. Dick confronts Ted. You had something to do with this. You’ll never prove it and in a few days it won’t matter anyway.<br /><br />8. Ted must find a way to make certain the shuttle doesn’t take off.<br /><br />9. Ted’s attempts to prevent take off fail.<br /><br />10. Ted is led off in handcuffs.<br /><br /></span>Next week, we will look at Interpersonal Conflict scenes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>The four layer method is laid out in Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict, available in paperback and e-book if you wish to have a copy with all of the information. The theory information is also available on </span><a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find the information useful, please like and share.</span></div></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-1120839807153288532023-11-09T15:30:00.001-05:002023-11-09T15:30:29.623-05:00Working the Theory External Conflict Scenes<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7_R8phC89HDb1CkgRA1aTahYMQojSpKSTd23fPklPRrG00TI6x6oIvuwOyE6jrPEMljGzY38ydHoABPNWDFxMpvozEptqFogctN4GQNZnwRlbTUOrurIiu4uk4TWWlMaChe0IApHYvIFPT8EQF-IptC89fUtiLRDkU45hKVaI0YT0ASFuL3Y2LxfCwEo/s2250/2023%2011%2009%20External%20Conflict%20Scenes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7_R8phC89HDb1CkgRA1aTahYMQojSpKSTd23fPklPRrG00TI6x6oIvuwOyE6jrPEMljGzY38ydHoABPNWDFxMpvozEptqFogctN4GQNZnwRlbTUOrurIiu4uk4TWWlMaChe0IApHYvIFPT8EQF-IptC89fUtiLRDkU45hKVaI0YT0ASFuL3Y2LxfCwEo/s320/2023%2011%2009%20External%20Conflict%20Scenes.png" width="320" /></a></div>Now that we have chosen the story skeleton, the challenge is providing riveting obstacles between question and answer to keep the reader glued to the page. The reader knows from the outset that the hero will most likely survive. Your mission is to make them question the outcome anyway. We do this by utilizing the four layers of conflict.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />We began with the premise of a meteor streaking toward earth, Dick as a conflicted scientist, his crumbling marriage to Sally, and Ted and Jane as coworkers who make his life miserable. We have selected the Disaster Thriller format. Let’s start crafting conflict.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />External conflicts test the protagonist’s courage, nerves, and determination.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />They are high tension scenes that focus on the question of whether the overall story goal will be achieved. They include the main actions and reactions and turning points leading directly to, and including, the climax of the story.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />External scenes show the characters caught up in the situation of your premise such as: boy meets girl, the volcano erupts, aliens invade the town, a body has been found, they are all forced to go to a wedding or reunion, or the wagon train heads out for the wild west. They do not address the subplots unless and until the subplot collides with the main plot at the climax.<br />They introduce the protagonist, the inciting event, the story goal, the prize for reaching the goal, and the cost for not reaching the story goal (stakes). They show him developing and attempting a plan of action for tackling the story problem. In the usual three-act structure, his first plan fails and he must come up with a second plan (the wrong solution). That plan fails and he must come up with the third plan (the right solution).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />There have to be some positive moments where it looks like the protagonist is gaining ground. You could divide them equally: five scenes where he is making headway and five scenes where he is losing ground.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Once you’ve picked a skeleton and dressed it up, it is time to list your initial thoughts on events that will happen to trigger then escalate this external conflict: snags in the plan, unexpected discoveries, reversals, gains, and increasing levels of threat. Arrange them in an order that shows cause and effect and final resolution. The first scene should contain the inciting event. The final scene should contain the climax.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Continuing with our premise, we have come up with a list of scenes that introduce and eventually resolve the outer conflict: the imminent meteor strike.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />External Conflict 1: Dick learns a meteor will strike.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 2: He thinks of a way to stop it while it is still far away. He will nudge it with a satellite.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 3: The satellite crashes into, but doesn’t change, the meteor's trajectory.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 4: He comes up with plan to divert the meteor with a laser beam.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 5: They can’t get the beam close enough from the ground.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 6: They send the laser to the space station. The equipment breaks off and is lost in space.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 7: They are back to the drawing board - all seems lost. They enter countdown mode.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 8: Dick comes up with a final plan. It is do or die. They will nuke the meteor.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 9: They rev up the shuttle loaded with a lethal payload to intercept the meteor and, despite last minute glitches, the shuttle takes off on a suicide mission.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">External Conflict 10: Their plan succeeds and everyone lives, except the crew of the shuttle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Next week, we will craft Antagonist Conflict scenes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The four layer method is laid out in Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict, available in paperback and e-book if you wish to have a copy with all of the information. The theory information is also available on </span><a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/" style="font-family: georgia;">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a>.</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find the information useful, please like and share.</span></div></span></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-68731925290730421782023-10-26T03:11:00.001-04:002023-10-26T03:11:19.358-04:00Working the Theory<div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlAULBm5ZSLpvLP_JErfP0OdResgzhIAut0jXAYygiaZJtRxgkXRvq8FiWqPXA52m1Vz3uR1h3SMjRfWgLCo1cPeRz21sgvpDa7oyytAMgyifZIScORcfFx_ybL-YM58XFSUC1mrFYgpJdzJfpVw0Sc_k7YqNkFTHMHDWZS3A_jtB371mLHi1KLG5OIq_/s2250/2023%2011%2002%20Working%20The%20Theory.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlAULBm5ZSLpvLP_JErfP0OdResgzhIAut0jXAYygiaZJtRxgkXRvq8FiWqPXA52m1Vz3uR1h3SMjRfWgLCo1cPeRz21sgvpDa7oyytAMgyifZIScORcfFx_ybL-YM58XFSUC1mrFYgpJdzJfpVw0Sc_k7YqNkFTHMHDWZS3A_jtB371mLHi1KLG5OIq_/w320-h141/2023%2011%2002%20Working%20The%20Theory.png" width="320" /></a></div>Genre is the promise you make to your reader to give them the kind of story they want without annoying them by giving them information they don’t want.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So what happens when your premise, that brilliant story seed that came to you in a dream or while pacing your kitchen at 3:00 a.m. on a sleepless night, doesn’t fit neatly into one of those broad categories? What if the term genre makes you feel slightly nauseated or makes you fear you’ll have to kill too many darlings?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let’s say you have an idea for a story involving a meteor streaking toward earth, a conflicted scientist, his crumbling marriage, and coworkers who make his life miserable. How do you decide what to do with it? There are hundreds of variations on the same premise. You develop the idea by choosing a story skeleton and dressing it up to suit your taste. Let’s start with choosing a story skeleton based on the central question. Every plot hinges on a central question. Posing the question at the beginning of the tale and answering it at the end is sound story architecture.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let’s play with skeleton selection with a few broad options. We start with a story idea about protagonist Dick, love interest Sally, bossy Jane, jealous Ted, and a meteor streaking toward earth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">OPTION ONE: We can dress up the Literary skeleton and explore the theme that relationships are vulnerable to unexpected blows. The impending meteor strike could be real or imagined, past or present. The tension it creates, or the mystery that surrounds it, tests the bonds of the people involved. Threatening situations can bring out the best or worst in people. The central question becomes: What life altering decision will Dick make and how will it affect his life? He can decide to walk away from his chosen career, stay or leave an unsatisfying relationship, or come to terms with the fact that you can’t save everyone, especially from themselves.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">OPTION TWO: We can take it on a Road Trip. Dick, Sally, Jane, and Ted travel to the crash site. What they find when they get there isn’t the main concern. It is what they learn along the way. The central question is: What is he feeling and how does it change? Dick can gain an important insight about himself, clear up a misunderstanding from the past. He can find out Sally is having an affair with Ted and Jane has always been in love with him. External obstacles make the destination difficult to reach and interpersonal squabbles bring the conflict to a head, but the internal journey is the focus. The Road Trip could be a slow psychological dissection or a hilarious Comedy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">OPTION THREE: We can wrangle it into a Western. Dick is the Sheriff. Ted owns the ranch where the meteor landed. Jane is the saloon girl who secretly pines for Dick while fighting off unwelcome advances from Ted. Sally is the new widow in town that Dick falls for. The Indians see the meteor as a sign that the white man must leave town or their world will be destroyed. The overall story question becomes: Will they overcome the challenges and stay or will they go?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">OPTION FOUR: We can warp it into a Science Fiction future where the meteor is being controlled by savage Carpathians. Dick is the ship’s captain. Ted is his argumentative first officer. Jane is his communications director and is having an affair with Ted. Jane wants Ted to take the Captain’s seat so she can become first officer. Sally is the security chief and half Carpathian. Dick is intent on finding a way to turn the meteor against the Carpathians while Sally lobbies for a peaceful resolution. After all, not all Carpathians are evil. Ted and Jane realize at the last minute that if Dick fails, they all die along with promotional possibilities. Sally forges a peace treaty while Ted and Jane live to plot another day and Dick is once again the hero in the eyes of the federation.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which category do you want to explore with your premise? You may not be certain yet. There are subcategories to consider. You can mix genres. You can bend and twist genres. But at some point, you have to pick a main through line that gives a story direction and momentum.<br /><br />You can have a historical thriller with romantic complications. If it is heavy on romance with the thriller threat as a complication, you market it as romance. If you follow the thriller skeleton, the romance complicates the threat they overcome at the end. The way you layer the genres affects the skeleton dressing, but the central question drives the marketing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Next week we look at the different layers of conflict that play a part in your decision making. Who is your hero and what complicates his mission? Who is your antagonist? Who are the friends and foes? Is there a love interest?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Next week, we look closer at the external conflict layer.<br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The four layer method is laid out in Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict, available in paperback and e-book if you wish to have a copy with all of the information. The theory information is also available on </span><a href="https://dianahurwitz.com/" style="font-family: georgia;">https://dianahurwitz.com/</a>.</div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find the information useful, please like and share.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><br /></div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-8966119152309543812023-10-19T14:30:00.001-04:002023-10-26T03:05:54.949-04:00The Four Layers of Conflict<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fUtpT-dbFyHRd-P_spN27Crxszo41ClJtMDR6P_3RQYmkK6MZLRqhLuT7Y09p4AqWrM6aB2n22OdWG1PCxCXOv_CSbS-8BbwgUMAkTvEetJW_L8UsSe6SpVNR-DAiyVy08T0H6fTtpfjTg8oSUOMcOIlY69c5G_YYRKKKgiZijtGsoK5Vs1j5IDUxMJh/s2250/2023%2010%20The%20Four%20Layers%20of%20Conflict.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fUtpT-dbFyHRd-P_spN27Crxszo41ClJtMDR6P_3RQYmkK6MZLRqhLuT7Y09p4AqWrM6aB2n22OdWG1PCxCXOv_CSbS-8BbwgUMAkTvEetJW_L8UsSe6SpVNR-DAiyVy08T0H6fTtpfjTg8oSUOMcOIlY69c5G_YYRKKKgiZijtGsoK5Vs1j5IDUxMJh/s320/2023%2010%20The%20Four%20Layers%20of%20Conflict.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Every scene should contain conflict."</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This advice led me on a journey to answer the question, “How do you come up with conflict for every scene?” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I developed the four layer method when crafting my YA series <i>Mythikas Island</i>. There were four books. Each character (Diana, Athena, Persephone, and Aphrodite) had their own story arc and acted as the point of view character in their installment of the four book journey. However, there was no one "bad guy" in the book. So how could I make the story tense without a villain or major battle scenes between good and evil?<br /><br />As I read and studied, I realized there was another way of looking at conflict in a story. There were different types of conflict in the books, movies, and TV shows I dissected. Many did not have a central villain.<br /></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The result is the Four Layer of Conflict method which takes writers from “I have an idea” to the actual nuts and bolts of “I have the required scenes and all pull their weight.” This method can help new writers complete their first novel and offers experienced writers another way of looking at structure.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />The first layer is the <b>External</b> conflict layer which focuses on the central conflict of the story. There are times when the characters make progress toward the goal and times when they fail and have to regroup. These are the big battle scenes or the high tension emotional tipping points. They include the inciting event that starts the story ball rolling and all the key scenes that encompass the twists and turning points and the climactic moment.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The <b>Antagonist</b> layer involves scenes where the antagonist and his minions are enacting or plotting their side of the battle or the protagonist and antagonist are in direct conflict. It can be antagonist forces such as weather, terrain, organizations, etc. Whatever, or whoever, is the main source of resistance that stands in the protagonist's way. The POV used depends on the focus of the scene. If you follow only the protagonist, then this is their encounter with minions or friction with the antagonist leading to the main turning points. If you follow the antagonist or other characters, these scenes can follow the antagonist working their plan or interacting with other characters.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The <b>Interpersonal </b>layer involves the friends and foes, perhaps the love interest if it isn't a Romance. These cast members aid and abet or derail the protagonist's efforts to reach the overall problem goal. Sometimes secondary characters have their own arc. This layer follows their detours which will require extra interpersonal scenes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The <b>Internal</b> layer follows the inner conflict of the protagonist. They often have internal resistance to taking on the challenge. It follows the hero wrestling with his conscience. He may not feel worthy or strong enough. Sometimes their personal life interferes with the challenge, an illness or addiction that makes winning seem unlikely. It is sometimes divided loyalties or a problematic relationship. This is the protagonist's personal crisis moment. Do they have what it takes? Should they quit? Should they leave it alone and take care of other problems? Not all stories have an internal layer. This is often left out of Horror stories. I think it is stronger if present.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you interweave multiple story threads, each may have its own four layers. Perhaps it is a past versus present story or multiple characters that come together at the end. There are many ways to utilize the building blocks. Later we will look at how they play out in each genre.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Next, we look at how the layers can be utilized to develop a story.<br /><br /></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The four
layer method is laid out in <i>Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict,</i>
available in paperback and e-book if you wish to have a copy with all of the information. The theory information is also available on <a href="goog_634214437">http://</a></span><a href="http://dianahurwitz.com"><span style="font-family: georgia;">dianahurwitz.com</span></a>.</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find the information useful, please like and share. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> </span></p>
</div>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-49360379273458120362023-10-12T01:46:00.000-04:002023-10-12T01:46:01.326-04:00What Is The Central Question Of Your Story?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMAMDpG5VNYBWuyFm73fsnjNKAoGdgKxQ0WFIfRl8N9zNfeeQK8W0erffvtYK0rqtLde9il_Gg_3TfEnqfsXTzJc4BkKxdIQM0NLjldr72GNmQsr0fMTUEC8BTKP-GPO3n_PNYAlL5w9cbXqcfU04bzh3bE5tF_FM7tI4y1zQa1lIXSph4drvkgk1_rKh/s2250/2023%2009%2014%20The%20Central%20Question.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMAMDpG5VNYBWuyFm73fsnjNKAoGdgKxQ0WFIfRl8N9zNfeeQK8W0erffvtYK0rqtLde9il_Gg_3TfEnqfsXTzJc4BkKxdIQM0NLjldr72GNmQsr0fMTUEC8BTKP-GPO3n_PNYAlL5w9cbXqcfU04bzh3bE5tF_FM7tI4y1zQa1lIXSph4drvkgk1_rKh/w320-h141/2023%2009%2014%20The%20Central%20Question.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Every plot hinges on a central question. Posing the question at the beginning of the tale and answering it at the end is sound story architecture. Does that task make your head spin? It shouldn’t. It’s as easy as choosing a story skeleton. Let's look at the fourteen genre's I present in Story Building Blocks.</p><p>The <b>Comedy</b> skeleton poses the central question: What do I think and how has this changed it? </p><p>The goal is to make your reader laugh while subtly exploring ideas such as ethnicity, relationships, prejudices, social practices, politics, religion, or manners. Any genre can be written with a comic flair. But a true comedy often uses humor to talk about difficult things or express uncomfortable truths.</p><div>The <b>Con, Heist & Prison Break</b> poses the central question: Will they succeed? </div><div><br /></div><div>There is often an assembly of a team, but the protagonist has a goal that he considers noble. He can be exacting revenge or payback, seeking justice, righting a wrong, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>The <b>Fantasy</b> skeleton poses the central question: Will the hero obtain or learn to use the power to defeat the evil that has disrupted his world in time?</div><div><br /></div><div>The force is usually with the hero. The wicked witch gets her just due. Lord Voldemort is defeated. If you plan a sequel, the villain can live to fight the hero another day, but the story must show a resolution to a skirmish in the battle. There are many subgenres of fantasy and each puts a twist on the overall story problem. There is often a romantic layer. But the difference here is the overall story is about the conflicts not whether the couple ends up together.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The <b>Gothic</b> story is related the Horror story, but it has specific elements that make it stand out. </div><div><br /></div><div>The overall story problem is a deep, dark secret threatening to break free. The reader asks will they realize the danger in time and will they escape?</div><div><br /></div><div><div>The<b> Historical</b> story explores events set in the past. The reader asks: what was it like and how did it change things?</div><div><br /></div><div>It can involve historical characters in an historical situation, historical characters in fictional situations, or fictional characters in historical situations. There can be elements of Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Science Fiction, and Fantasy, but the overall story problem focuses on the historical situation more so that the other genre elements. Otherwise, it is another genre story with a historical setting.</div><div><br /></div><div>The <b>Horror</b> story involves a mortal threat to an individual or group. The reader asks what brought the danger near and how will they get away from it?</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The horror story takes suspense to a higher, usually more explicit, level and generally contains more graphic material than the Thriller. No story makes your skin crawl more than the horror story. The answer can go either way as long as you reveal the reason why. Some horror stories ignore the first half of the question, but fans consider that a weak story. The mythology has to make sense. Fans usually want the main character to live to be frightened another day, even if every other character is knocked off by the tale's end.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The <b>Literary</b> story is usually a wrenching, life-altering, personal decision or life event. The reader asks: what are they feeling and how will it change?</div><div><br /></div><div>I use the term literary to cover the human drama genre, it is not a statement as to what constitutes "literature" with a capital L. Theme is key. Literary can have a specific plot or be a slice of life vignette. Literary fiction does not always follow the traditional story arc, but the protagonist must undergo a point of change no matter how minimal. The Literary story can be mixed with elements of any genre.</div><div><br /></div><div><p>The <b>Mystery</b> skeleton poses the central question: Who did it and will they catch him? Sometimes it is a "howdunnit."</p><p>The answer is usually “yes.” The criminal may escape at the last moment to torment the detective another day, but the case that is the focus of the story is considered solved. Twists where someone other than the detective solves the crime or there wasn’t a crime after all should be rerouted to the Thriller section.<br /><br />The <b>Road Trip </b> overall story problem is a lesson that needs to be learned or a secret that needs to be revealed. The reader asks: how did this journey change them?</p><p>It can be mixed with any other genre with the caveat that two or more people (or a person and animal) are forced into traveling together. They can be trying to reach somewhere or running from something. It isn’t the end of the journey that matters as much as the friction between the characters and the obstacles or stops they overcome along the way. </p><p>The <b>Romance</b> skeleton poses the central question: Will they or won’t they end up together?</p></div><p>The answer had better be “yes” or a satisfying equivalent. The girl can find out guy A isn’t what she wanted after all because she found guy B, but this is not the genre for an “I’m okay on my own” ending. That story uses the Literary or Women's Fiction skeleton. Romance readers want passion and fulfillment and are very disappointed if they don’t get it.</p><p>The <b>Science Fiction</b> skeleton poses the central question: Will the hero find, change, or stop something in time?</p><p>Most fans prefer an "up" ending. They want to believe that we can overcome the challenges to our existence, especially if you plan a sequel. There can be a romance layer here. Science Fiction needs to be rooted in science, nature, and physics. This sets SciFi apart from Fantasy where magic and paranormal events are possible.</p><p>The <b>Team Victory</b> story problem is an underdog who needs to win or achieve something. The reader asks will they win? </p><p>Usually they do. If not, they should still feel really good about it: almost was good enough. Usually the other coach or team needs to be taught a lesson. These are mostly action and plot-centered tales that make people feel good.</p><p>The <b>Thriller & Suspense </b>story problem is a threat to one or many. The reader asks: how will they, and by proxy we, survive the threat? </p><p>For an "up" ending, the hero succeeds. If you want a "down" ending, the hero can fail and learn an ugly truth. It can have an up/down ending. Twists often provide an unexpected answer in this genre.</p><p>The <b>Western </b>story problem pits man against self, other men, or nature to survive in an unsettled land. The reader asks how will they overcome the difficulty and will they stay or go?</p><p>The conflicts weigh the morality and challenges of survival. Part history and part myth, they explore the people who are courageous enough to explore new frontiers and the obstacles they must overcome to do so.</p><div>Once you've chosen a skeleton, the challenge is providing riveting obstacles between question and answer to keep the reader glued to the page. The reader knows from the outset that the hero will most likely survive. Your mission is to make them question the outcome anyway. You do that by exploring believable obstacles.</div><p>Next week, we will take a look at the four layers of conflict that are the building blocks you can utilize to tell any tale. They help you fill up the murky middles and act as goal posts to keep the story flowing. They offer a lot of latitude for story development as opposed to the two twists and a finale formula.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;">If you want to learn more, you can check out Story Building Blocks at </span><a href="http://www.dianahurwitz.com" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;">www.dianahurwitz.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;">for free information and forms. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can follow new posts on this topic on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks " target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks </a>or opt for an email through follow.it.</span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;">You can check out the Master List of blog posts at </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="http://dianahurwitz.blogspot.com/2021/10/master-list-of-mini-courses.html">http://dianahurwitz.blogspot.com/2021/10/master-list-of-mini-courses.html</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find this information useful, hit the like button and share.</span></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-82496314744263284232023-09-29T01:38:00.003-04:002023-10-04T18:28:40.983-04:00Successful Books Begin With A Promise<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-eQ6m10FcuJizq6pVouDOPrcF-6joFjDp3iJ7xTXmjn8wIJ1lqvgoWHy2qWT5XOkeEhwr3iLiWZj-nsCoJDT4Zx-T6eg_kEHdOyueaJjD0GvgOBlED8ASmfE4oQM4Y085H5zGC5oJQUDX3WWSyMoz7wK_BwsPLAArPFxAB13Uv2b_wqqFggVaqxGquXR/s2250/2023%20Post%20Header.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="2250" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-eQ6m10FcuJizq6pVouDOPrcF-6joFjDp3iJ7xTXmjn8wIJ1lqvgoWHy2qWT5XOkeEhwr3iLiWZj-nsCoJDT4Zx-T6eg_kEHdOyueaJjD0GvgOBlED8ASmfE4oQM4Y085H5zGC5oJQUDX3WWSyMoz7wK_BwsPLAArPFxAB13Uv2b_wqqFggVaqxGquXR/w320-h141/2023%20Post%20Header.png" width="320" /></a></div>“You promised!” is a cry often uttered by frustrated toddlers denied a treat. Frustrated readers feel this way when a writer makes a promise they don’t keep.<p></p><p>One of the most important things you as a writer need to decide before you publish or pitch a book is what kind of promise are you making to your reader? When a reader buys a book they want to know what kind of adventure they are settling down to read. Readers find comfort in certain story forms. Just like ordering from a menu, you want what you want, not what someone else thinks it should be.</p><p>You can add stars and quotes and reviews all over the cover, but if you haven't told them: come aboard, ride with me, this is the kind of story I want to tell, it's all wasted effort. Your story promise in the one thing that matches the right audience with your product.</p><p>Premise is the story idea, such as a tragic love story about ferrets. The premise could feature giant cockroaches invading the planet, a guy meeting the girl of his dreams, a terrorist attack, aliens descend, a murder is committed, an asteroid heads toward earth, a mysterious virus strikes, a heist is planned, a criminal breaks free, a thief needs to be caught, a monster eats Manhattan, or an evil wizard seeks control of Wonderland. Translating the story idea into a novel-length manuscript is where the work begins.</p><p>You must pick a promise which ties in to genre. </p><p>The term genre is often considered a four-letter word. I say genre is the skeleton key that opens doors instead of a locked door that limits your freedom. Genre plays an important role in storytelling. Ancient man did not sit down at the communal fire and promise to tell a testosterone-filled tale about hunting then launch into a boring account of how he picked nits from his partner’s hair. He would have been justifiably chased into the woods by people armed with clubs.</p><p>A premise can combine several ideas such as vampires and a love story. However, you must decide if the focus is going to be on vampires killing off humans thus preventing the lovers from getting together or a Romance about people who happen to be vampires. Right off the bat, the concept of vampires will intrigue some and repel others. That is acceptable. You can’t please everyone. If you want to write a vampire tale, write it. If it is good, there will be an audience. If it is bad, there might be a key element of it that attracts readers anyway.</p><p>Romance genre readers may not read Horror and vice versa. Horror stories can have light moments, but Horror fans expect to be frightened from page one. If your story does not deliver on that promise, Horror fans are disappointed. Regency Romance lovers expect a love story set in Regency England. They are offended if you throw in a serial killer.</p><p>If a reader is warned beforehand that your story explores the mind of a pedophile, she may pass it by. If the cover tells her she is getting a lighthearted Romance and you toss in a pedophile, she will toss your book in the nearest trash bin. Next time she sees a book written by you, she will shudder and move on. I once sat down to read what was billed as a lighthearted Comedy. There were some funny lines, but the story was about child abuse. I was not amused.</p><p>Carefully select the promise you want to make to the reader then keep it. It’s the secret to winning loyal fans.</p><p>But my novel is full of lots of things! I see this often. That means you are confused about what your plot really is. </p><p>There can be several layers to a story. You can have a Fantasy novel with Romance layer. You can have a Sci-Fi novel set in the old West. You can have a Road Trip that is a serious literary journey or a comedic romp. To help you parse what layers your story has, next week we will look at the importance of the Central Question.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;">If you want to learn more, you can check out Story Building Blocks at </span><a href="http://www.dianahurwitz.com" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;">www.dianahurwitz.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;"> for free information and forms. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can follow new posts on this topic on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks " target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks </a>or opt for an email through follow.it.</span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;">You can check out the Master List of blog posts at </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="http://dianahurwitz.blogspot.com/2021/10/master-list-of-mini-courses.html">http://dianahurwitz.blogspot.com/2021/10/master-list-of-mini-courses.html</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find this information useful, hit the like button and share.</span></p><p><br /></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-63710697405412859742023-09-21T18:15:00.002-04:002023-09-21T18:15:45.781-04:00The Magic of Mark Budman<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLyrXIryplgKdVrjre6d1hQ7LeBnIcsrymodVK9FBcsbXHJGdKk5RvOdyV4uUDHq4Oeb4FNDnFYGtkxWTlI0RiqiBYNwrmcPmExOGK8O7tfOBspiMr2-Y-nU8Na0XJ6sSEqJQv6snQl-0agi_3doeYcESSowpC9AMWZlHFp7Pls6q5zjGCCNbnzLgSM8x/s647/Front%20Cover%20only%20jpg.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="428" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLyrXIryplgKdVrjre6d1hQ7LeBnIcsrymodVK9FBcsbXHJGdKk5RvOdyV4uUDHq4Oeb4FNDnFYGtkxWTlI0RiqiBYNwrmcPmExOGK8O7tfOBspiMr2-Y-nU8Na0XJ6sSEqJQv6snQl-0agi_3doeYcESSowpC9AMWZlHFp7Pls6q5zjGCCNbnzLgSM8x/s320/Front%20Cover%20only%20jpg.JPG" width="212" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">I just finished the most delightful book by </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/mark.budman?__cft__[0]=AZUPR-p0ha2Sy8QoIfogsUCWPwwelxLCpaLhndNUfxJ0MB6lBarL2q1Pk0jCIy5TkxBAOc7gXotfn9c3NhjYtfHRFKfNSQ4myUZdZuH4E0JE2rsKOUOIF6klpymkMUASOacAbGIFzF_vUenSkIGdm-ARx6VsY1h_VDuaKEtq0ExAjQ&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline;">Mark Budman</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">, <i>The Shape-Shifter's Guide to Time Travel</i>. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is suitable for any age, not just YA. The main character, Rose, travels to the last land of magic in the modern world, fictional Temnova, as an exchange student. She teams up with the Prince of Talents, an advanced shape-shifter named Gavrilo. Together they must go back in time to find an antidote to a drug that suppresses the power to shift. The government has imprisoned the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">rebel leader and only the antidote can free her and aid their cause to overthrow the totalitarian dictatorship.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The narrative voice makes the characters and setting come alive in a truly divine way. I'd give it six stars if they were available.</span></span> </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: georgia; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark Budman is a first-generation immigrant. His fiction has appeared in <i>Catapult, Witness, World Literature Today, Mississippi Review, The London Magazine </i>(UK), <i>McSweeney’s, Painted Bride Quarterly</i>, and elsewhere. He is the author of the novel <i>My Life at First Try</i>, published by Counterpoint, and co-editor of immigration-themed anthologies published by Ooligan Press, Persea, and the University of Chester (UK). One of his short story collections from Livingston Press received a starred review at Kirkus and another received an honorable mention by the Forward Indies 2022 Award.</span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had the pleasure of chatting with him about his writing career.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">What led you to your path as a writer?</span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As
soon as I learned the letters, I began to put them together, and I enjoyed the
process so much that I switched to assembling words. The sentences came a
little later. By the time I progressed to novels, I immigrated to America and
had to learn another language.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">2.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or combination?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A
pantser all the way. That is why my pants need replacement more often than the
rest of my wardrobe.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">3.
How has your background as an immigrant informed your writing?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I
answered a bit in #1 but in addition, I consider myself a champion of immigrant
fiction and as such I co-edited an immigrant-themed anthology and penned an
immigrant-themed novel and two short story collections. All were moderately
successful. For someone who learned English at the age of 30.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">4.
What was your inspiration for <i>The Shape-Shifter’s Guide to Time Travel</i></span>?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I
love fantasy. I love the </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">what if</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> question. I asked myself, what would
happen if two people with disparate powers fell and love and combined their
powers? What if this would have happened in an oppressive country like my
native Soviet Union?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">5.
Is there anything you would like your readers to take away from this book?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Be
young in spirit and adventurous no matter how old you are. And have a good
friend. They come in handy. Just come in handy for them as well.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">6.
You write multiple genres. Do you have a favorite?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Magic
realism is my number one love. To combine realistic and surreal in one
believable blend. If you make it real, what can be more magical?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">7.
What is your advice for someone who dreams of writing?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If
you have a wish, don't squish it. Work hard and turn the naysayers into
admirers.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">8.
Do you have a favorite author or two?</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mikhail
Bulgakov. I reread his <i>Master and Margarita</i> several times. I imagined myself
both of them but not at the same time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">What do you like to do when you’re not
writing?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Watch fantasy shows. Currently, it's <i>Foundation</i>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">While I believe anyone can learn the craft of writing, some are just born with natural wit and story-weaving capability that sets them apart. Mark Budman is a natural. In addition to devouring the <i>Shape-Shifter's Guide to Time Travel</i>, I have his book </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">The Armor Thieves</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> on my Kindle to read next. Pick up your copies today!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shape-Shifters-Guide-Time-Travel-ebook/dp/B09BBY2QYG/r" style="font-family: georgia;">https://www.amazon.com/Shape-Shifters-Guide-Time-Travel-ebook/dp/B09BBY2QYG/r</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Armor-Thieves-Mark-Budman-ebook/dp/B0BN7182CD/">https://www.amazon.com/Armor-Thieves-Mark-Budman-ebook/dp/B0BN7182CD/</a></span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWKySvmg_eC3HcZZiYlcQMoGMWk6L3UR4D4WHTZBCEbMkPwd5hB6TkJgEcEUcahSeNf98fWuWrllxAhrsyvGSLWGwtP2M4tkWgtIWcA0x7tmxthmpMzQ16V5iC469a7RZ9sNRQfK67GAOM9WaJVy3-Bvdlw2_QFzKtUPUaNHuLpWC0F8CL-EyD90an93jk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWKySvmg_eC3HcZZiYlcQMoGMWk6L3UR4D4WHTZBCEbMkPwd5hB6TkJgEcEUcahSeNf98fWuWrllxAhrsyvGSLWGwtP2M4tkWgtIWcA0x7tmxthmpMzQ16V5iC469a7RZ9sNRQfK67GAOM9WaJVy3-Bvdlw2_QFzKtUPUaNHuLpWC0F8CL-EyD90an93jk=w133-h200" width="133" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In a country ignored by most search engines, Andrey and Nina, a brother and sister, take opposite sides in a civil war. Both wear the pieces of an ancient queen’s armor protecting them and only them from any modern weapon and from each other. They both are brilliant and attached to their causes. He’s twenty. She’s eighteen. He’s a modest archivist. She’s a rising star in the Secret Police. He’s a newbie superhero, and she’s a novice super-villain. He loves her. She hates him and his friend Vesna. She wants to fight. He has to fight. Only one can win but many can lose as a result.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: georgia;">I look forward to reading many more stories from this talented author. </span></p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span><p></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-54131372405217927212023-09-15T17:37:00.002-04:002023-09-16T14:31:58.552-04:00Separating the Writer from the Story<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGSS2RSo9EJ1PPMSmbTFXwzMuS_ziNA5_hUZeOAhWbq-IfxuV5_6qHU8PYyGIvw0i6b2SDQ8N4szxptOFgDj0SIKuxgX0UWgpoqnrWAJb0qScZziTm1TRLwUGhllpfaIm9B5_DDj07G27ws91L4574_8upregJpds9M4E8ll4ofGFyzlk1YDEhhQBE21_/s1537/2023%2009%2014%20When%20is%20a%20story.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="1177" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGSS2RSo9EJ1PPMSmbTFXwzMuS_ziNA5_hUZeOAhWbq-IfxuV5_6qHU8PYyGIvw0i6b2SDQ8N4szxptOFgDj0SIKuxgX0UWgpoqnrWAJb0qScZziTm1TRLwUGhllpfaIm9B5_DDj07G27ws91L4574_8upregJpds9M4E8ll4ofGFyzlk1YDEhhQBE21_/w153-h200/2023%2009%2014%20When%20is%20a%20story.png" width="153" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is a mistake most beginning writers make. They think, or have been told, they have an anecdote or situation from their life that would "make a good book." Chances are, it doesn't. Not that it isn't an interesting story, perhaps an important story of survival or overcoming a trauma, but that doesn't build a plot. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Many writers start off this way. I certainly did. I thought well, this was a unique situation. It was. But it wasn't a good fictional situation. Plot is not situation. Plot is when an inciting incident happens forcing a protagonist to face obstacles to a achieve a goal that has stakes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The problem is that most beginners attempt to shoehorn a real life situation into a fictional framework. But fiction doesn't work that way. You can't write the first half as autobiography then twist the story into a genre plot. The frame is poor and the glue won't hold.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am not saying that a writer can't be inspired from things in real life. I am saying there are requirements of a good story and genre expectations. Readers have expectations. They want to know what kind of story they are buying. They want it to meet certain minimum requirements. They really hate bait and switch: when it appears to be one kind of story but turns into another story form they don't like. The biggest problem with this approach is that many readers will walk away unsatisfied. Worse, they will voice their displeasure in a review. They may never give your writing another chance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So what is the solution? There are multiple options. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. You can write an autobiography.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Autobiography is a chronological narration of your life. You takes notes about the important bits and cut the boring bits. Think of it as a highlight reel. Hopefully the content is interesting enough that other people want to read about you. It helps if you are famous or have some illustrious career or fascinating hobbies.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-autobiography"><span style="font-family: georgia;">https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-autobiography</span></a></p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;">2. You can write a memoir.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A memoir is a group of anecdotes related by a theme: love, loss, relationships growing and dying, life beginning and ending. It can feature a series of successes or failures. It can be a tale of overcoming a disease, an addiction, a trauma. Finding your audience depends on the theme.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-start-writing-a-memoir"><span style="font-family: georgia;">https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-start-writing-a-memoir</span></a></p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia;">3. You can take elements from your personal narrative and turn it in to a literary drama.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">You have to let go of the idea that it is your personal story and make all elements serve the plot. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it is true! But that's what really happened! It isn't that simple (insert complex explanation). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That has to go. Do you want to write a memoir or a sound fiction story? There's no point twisting yourself into a pretzel to try to make a biographical anecdote fictional. It's just not worth the effort. The story will be weak.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Subgenres include: <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">● Activist/Cause Literary</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> examines the ramification of a social
topic, politics, religion, man's inhumanity to man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Coming of Age Literary</b> examines an adolescent facing adulthood.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Crime Literary</b> examines the impact and fallout from a
crime for the victim, victim's family, the perpetrator, or his family.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Disease/Death Literary</b> examines the effects of a serious illness
or the impact of a death.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Friendship</b> examines the building, maintenance, or
unraveling of a friendship.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: georgia;">● Historical Literary</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> examines the impact of a pivotal point in
history on a person and/or their close personal friends and family.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Legal Literary</b> examines how upholding or contesting the
law impacts a person or group of people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Malfeasance Literary</b> examines how a corporation or group has
damaged people and how their crimes are exposed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Multi-Generation Family Saga</b> examines the lives of two or more
generations in a family.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Relationship Literary</b> examines the building, maintenance, or
unraveling of any relationship.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Romantic Literary</b> examines the building, maintenance, or
unraveling of a romantic relationship as opposed to the happy-ever-after
expectation of the Romance genre.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Revelation Literary</b> examines the impact of the revelation of a
secret or a universal truth.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● Situational Literary</b> peels back the layers of a problem to
reveal the cause.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>● War Literary </b>explores the cost of war.</span></p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: red;">4. You can write a story from any other genre.</span> </span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There may be elements that inspire your fiction, but don't let your life story hinder the mechanics of a fictional one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For more on literary drama and other genres you can put your idea through the story sorter here:</span></p><p><a href="http://dianahurwitz.com/theory.html"><span style="font-family: georgia;">http://dianahurwitz.com/theory.html</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you want to learn more, you can check out Story Building Blocks at <a href="http://www.dianahurwitz.com">www.dianahurwitz.com</a> for free information and forms. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can follow new posts on this topic on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks " target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/storybuildingblocks </a>or opt for an email through follow.it.</span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;">You can check out the Master List of blog posts at </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="http://dianahurwitz.blogspot.com/2021/10/master-list-of-mini-courses.html">http://dianahurwitz.blogspot.com/2021/10/master-list-of-mini-courses.html</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, if you find this information useful, hit the like button and share.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-80685899235626625722023-08-31T01:50:00.001-04:002023-08-31T01:50:05.511-04:00A Few of My Favorite Things: Anne of Green Gables <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ltQ1SxWPpt0c0wn1CXxa6AsedhRKn_9FwxFkUHtOOosIp_egdYGEjskXh1GGx-NEO9T2QcZIS-8ZTNeVWOccyuYgJFvEIRCAo8T4jKWDsUYDjrtUgK860bdbHv6zogqJaA52LxiJ3Ns/s1600/Anne+of+Green+Gables.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="453" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ltQ1SxWPpt0c0wn1CXxa6AsedhRKn_9FwxFkUHtOOosIp_egdYGEjskXh1GGx-NEO9T2QcZIS-8ZTNeVWOccyuYgJFvEIRCAo8T4jKWDsUYDjrtUgK860bdbHv6zogqJaA52LxiJ3Ns/w180-h200/Anne+of+Green+Gables.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne of Green Gables by<br />Lucy Maud Montgomery</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">It is the late 1800s at </span><a href="https://www.tourismpei.com/green-gables-house" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration-line: none;">Green Gables</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"> in the fictional town of
Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. Geriatric Matthew and Matilda Cuthbert reached
a point where they needed help on the farm. So they applied to an orphanage to
take on a boy old enough for the job. Instead they get Anne Shirley, a
loquacious, dreamy, eleven-year-old girl.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">“Isn't it splendid to think of all the
things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be
alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we
know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then,
would there? But am I talking too much? People are always telling me I do.
Would you rather I didn't talk? If you say so I'll stop. I can STOP when I make
up my mind to it, although it's difficult.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;"><br />
</span></i></span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">She charms them in to letting her stay. As she struggles to
adjust to life on the farm and school, she proves a challenge. Both grudgingly
fall in love with her and decide to keep her.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;"><br />
“Because when you are imagining, you might as well imagine something
worthwhile.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The story is told by an omniscient narrator in third person.
The pace is deliberately slow and the tone lighthearted.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">“It's been my experience that you can nearly
always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;"><br />
</span></i></span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The protagonist is quirky and spunky. Her secret weapons are
her imagination and resiliency.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">"Nothing could rob her of her
birthright of fancy or her ideal world of dreams." </span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;"><br />
</span></i></span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">When her world disappoints, even cuts when Matthew Cuthbert
dies, she embraces her fate with courage and determination.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">“Anne always remembered the silvery,
peaceful beauty and fragrant calm of that night. It was the last night before
sorrow touched her life; and no life is ever quite the same again when once
that cold, sanctifying touch has been laid upon it.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The pull, of course, is the orphan finding a home through
line. The Cuthberts are decent people, though somewhat set in their ways. There
are disapproving neighbors and bullying children to fill in as antagonists, but
no one is overtly evil.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">“Life is worth living as long as there's a
laugh in it.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;"><br />
</span></i></span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Montgomery's attention to detail brings the characters and
setting to life.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">“Look at that sea, girls--all silver and
shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn't enjoy its loveliness any more
if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;"><br />
“It was November--the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns
of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the
pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow
the fogs out of her soul.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;"><br />
</span></i></span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Anne finds allies in Diana, an opposites attract friendship,
and a budding love interest Gilbert Blythe. Both appreciate Anne for her
pluck and uniqueness.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">“Miss Barry was a kindred spirit after
all," Anne confided to Marilla, "You wouldn't think so to look at
her, but she is. . . Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's
splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The book series has remained popular since its publication in
1908 and has spawned multiple film and television versions and stage
productions.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I loved this series for its warmhearted characters, the
humor, the feisty protagonist, and the thematic struggle to find a home in a
world where you've been abandoned.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The only plot hole would be that someone of her background
would not have the vocabulary and sometimes mature thought processes Anne displays.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">“People laugh at me because I use big
words. But if you have big ideas, you have to use big words to express them,
haven't you?”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">If there is a weakness, it is perhaps the romanticizing of
life on a farm. It is difficult work with little time for leisure.
Irresponsible acts can prove devastating. People set in their ways are unlikely
to melt so easily, especially when they need the manpower to run the farm.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">“We pay a price for everything we get or
take in this world; and although ambitions are well worth having, they are not
to be cheaply won, but exact their dues of work and self-denial, anxiety and
discouragement.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Still, it is a story of hope and finding one's way and I need
that from time to time: a little light in the darkness.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Forty years on, I still love Anne and enjoy the different
iterations of her story. The most recent adaption is the three season <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anne with an E</i> series on <a href="http://Netflix.">Netflix.</a> Sadly it is now over. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">I hope she
continues to touch hearts for many generations to come.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;">"Dear old world", she murmured, "you
are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.”</span></i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white;"><br />
</span></i></span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">You can pick up a copy of her story <a href="https://www.amazon.com/L.-M.-Montgomery/e/B000AP8S68/" style="cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">here.</span></a> Or download a Gutenberg <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45" style="cursor: pointer;"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">ebook</span></a> or <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20593" style="cursor: pointer;"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">aud</span></a><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20593" style="cursor: pointer;"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">io book</span></a> for
free.</span></span></span></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579505280744644201.post-41258054744436087112023-08-24T16:04:00.001-04:002023-08-24T16:04:31.925-04:00Fierce and Funny Marti MacGibbon<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">One of my personal heroes is the amazing Marti
MacGibbon. We met one day when she and her husband knocked on our door with a
petition to keep a self-storage facility from being built next to the
elementary school. We happily signed. They had moved in a few houses down and
my husband and I were thrilled to find kindred spirits.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">When
I mentioned I wrote books, Marti told me about her self-published memoir </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Never-Give-Fear-Laughing-Bottom/dp/098600670X/" style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration-line: none;">Never Give In To Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom</span></i><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration-line: none;">.</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> Memoir
is not my usual jam, but I purchased it and loved it. With her gallows humor,
Marti wrote about her move to California to work in comedy which soon turned
into a nightmare of homelessness, addiction, and being sex trafficked to the
Japanese Yakuza. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXGJ0K7LhCnOhISjeb-bHdS6M2yKstTrLywOKzRDxrGad7mqbfoFbQ71UrZAntLUwJKM7OhWIVc6WIgGYgfJLyQNkCgjJ_-1l32PuvxPDR7tyD5-kFTOpxSz94vqtHteZjVlhPTLfELAR1stPGv9mAQ-4vy6s5Vvq9JmIJe1jXEhuaKEiG9-fv_eZuA/s290/Never%20Give%20Into%20Fear.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="193" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXGJ0K7LhCnOhISjeb-bHdS6M2yKstTrLywOKzRDxrGad7mqbfoFbQ71UrZAntLUwJKM7OhWIVc6WIgGYgfJLyQNkCgjJ_-1l32PuvxPDR7tyD5-kFTOpxSz94vqtHteZjVlhPTLfELAR1stPGv9mAQ-4vy6s5Vvq9JmIJe1jXEhuaKEiG9-fv_eZuA/s1600/Never%20Give%20Into%20Fear.JPG" width="193" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">Marti
not only survived but thrived, using her experiences to help others. She gained
professional certifications in ACRPS, (Advanced Certified Relapse Prevention
Specialist, and the CAPMS (Certified Addiction-Free Pain Management Specialist)
and became a public speaker on the issues of addiction and sex trafficking. She
has traveled the globe and been invited to speak at the State Department, the
Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office for Victims of Crime on
mental health and policy advocacy. Returning to her love of standup, Marti was
founder, producer, and emcee of Laff-Aholics Standup Comedy Benefit for
Recovery, an annual charity fundraiser in Indianapolis that features nationally
headlining comedians.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY82iXabxgY5KVtYU_DaeX3UlzBso5maXInN9j0MYP6JaiBHfSi9BUsJr9hF7iu7tZTdQuEaKWAPDrb8zL85ZtmIJPu3AbV76oHtrKwwsNivQHWVSsRYzgbQd8OxHKgWOg25ylSNn_GnAcJjeoB9K7qevS70KZ81AnPj0s6Pie1cEoGGSj-JaItG0xDg/s290/Fierce%20Funny%20Female.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="195" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY82iXabxgY5KVtYU_DaeX3UlzBso5maXInN9j0MYP6JaiBHfSi9BUsJr9hF7iu7tZTdQuEaKWAPDrb8zL85ZtmIJPu3AbV76oHtrKwwsNivQHWVSsRYzgbQd8OxHKgWOg25ylSNn_GnAcJjeoB9K7qevS70KZ81AnPj0s6Pie1cEoGGSj-JaItG0xDg/s1600/Fierce%20Funny%20Female.JPG" width="195" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Never
Give Into Fear</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> became a national award-winning and critically
acclaimed memoir. She followed it up with her award-winning <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fierce-Funny-Female-Journey-Through/dp/0986006734/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration-line: none;">Fierce,</span></a></i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fierce-Funny-Female-Journey-Through/dp/0986006734/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration-line: none;"> Funny, and Female</span></a></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";"> in which Marti takes us to
the oil fields in Texas where she was one of the first women to work as a
laborer, setting off explosives and staking oil wells. The memoir is dotted
with memorable characters: sleazy authority figures, wannabe Sixties musicians,
crazed Corn Belt cult leaders, wild-eyed redneck coworkers who robbed banks on
their lunch hour in the company truck, Texas oil billionaires and wildcatters.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>W</o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif";">e
both left Indianapolis, moving to opposite coasts, but I have enjoyed watching
her spread her wings and soar, giving back to a world that took so much from
her. She is a bad-ass warrior woman and I can't wait to see what she does next.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
can learn more about Marti and connect with her on social media and view her
inspirational talks and comedy on her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt2x9-WrvFAuHrUc00GvjEQ" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">YouTube channel</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://martimacgibbon.com/"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://martimacgibbon.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MartiMac"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.facebook.com/MartiMac</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://twitter.com/MartiMacG"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://twitter.com/MartiMacG</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/martimacgibbon"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/martimacgibbon</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Never-Give-Fear-Laughing-Bottom/dp/098600670X"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.amazon.com/Never-Give-Fear-Laughing-Bottom/dp/098600670X</span></a>/<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fierce-Funny-Female-Journey-Through/dp/0986006734/"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.amazon.com/Fierce-Funny-Female-Journey-Through/dp/0986006734/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt2x9-WrvFAuHrUc00GvjEQ"><span style="color: #3367d6; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt2x9-WrvFAuHrUc00GvjEQ</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Diana Hurwitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com0