Saturday, October 17, 2009

AHA!!

I came across a post on one of my favorite blogs that I have to share. I've talked before about layering character emotions but I had an "aha" moment after reading this post...

Method to the madness - How Acting Can Make You a Better Writer

I've mentioned before that I'm a huge Bob Mayer fan and love to visit the Warriorwriter's Blog to see what industry tips I can pick up that might help me on my writing journey to pubbed land. Warriorwarrior's Blog is a publishing industry blog presenting the main principles from NY TIMES Best-Selling Author Bob Mayer's, "Who Dares Wins: Special Operations Tactics for Success." The contributing author of the blog is professional editor Kristen Lamb.

As I read the blog post, I began to think about the western historical I've been working on. I've been stuck on the plot and the internal conflict for my hero. So I came at it from a different angle. I usually interview my characters but this time I tried to look at it strictly from his POV. But it still seemed lacking something for me. I think I'll go ahead and interview him and then try the role play. I'll put myself in the hero POV in a scene instead of working from the dialogue reactions.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend! My Sooners are playing Texas. BOOMER SOONERS!!

8 comments:

Susan R. Mills said...

Yes, Boomer Sooners! Thanks for the link. I need check that out.

MeganRebekah said...

In my head I play out each scene from every perspective. It's time consuming but my writing won't work any other way.

Chelle Sandell said...

Susan ~ Our poor Sooners! I bet we've lost Sam Bradford for the season.

MeganRebekah ~ I like to hear how others write. I usually start out with a scene in my head and work mostly with dialogue first.

Jessica Nelson said...

I've never heard of that blog but it sounds great. Good luck with your hero! (don't you love it when they get stubborn? *snort*)

Erin Kern said...

that's an interesting approach. are you a huge sooners fan? my husband and i happen to be at the texas state fair on saturday with the game at the cotton bowl on the fairgrounds. needless to say it was incredibly crowded. my family is an A & M family so we're not big fans of UT. i actually thought of you while watching all the people in their maroon shirts, knowing you were from Oklahoma.

Tamika: said...

Hi Chelle! I'm so glad I stumbled across your blog!

Thanks for the links to some useful information, I plan on hopping right over. I outlining a new WIP and I just finished my character letters- it was great fun! Like you, I feel lacking on a few elements with one of my characters.

Happy writing!

Chelle Sandell said...

Jessica ~ Yeah...it usually takes some "manipulation" to get my hero to talk. LOL. My heroine won't shut up. ;)

Ms. Erin!! Good to see you girl! Hope you guys had fun. Yep...my Sooners aren't doing so well this year. I'll cheer for your A&M team when they play Texas. :)

Tamika! Welcome, honey!! I love meeting/making new online friends. I usually like to post articles on the writing industry that I find interesting.

Dawn Simon said...

It's interesting to hear what other writers do to improve their scenes. We can learn from each other. And thanks for the link--that looks like a great blog.

Have a great weekend! :)