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That is truly inspiring to read! I love how every bit of it is phrased. Something to aspire towards :)

PJ,I so agree with you. Beth is a true artist.

Once again, you introduced me to another wonderful author. You're right. Her blog overflows with emotional writing (just like your writing). I read one and my eyes welled up. I'm buying her books today.Thanks Vivian, and it's nice to see you back...

I'm floored, Vivian. You are much too much. I have a small vlog waiting for you on my blog, but jeepers, that's hardly enough to thank you.

Grappling. Perfect word for Beth's beautiful characters. And I love this: *circuitous sentences*yelped out words*surprising images *variation in the structure and rhythm of sentencesBINGO! Thanks, HWM and Beth!

What an amazing way to look at it! I love the idea of Beth and her characters always reaching for the pink in the sky. :)

Thank you, Patty! And if you wait, I've just posted the chance to win a copy of Undercover!Oh, Beth,You didn't have to do that! Thank you.Lorie Ann,E-mail headed your way!Em,Beth has a beautiful way of looking at things, doesn't she?

Beth teaches us to pay attention, to wonder, to live not only by doing, but also by seeing. Basically, Beth teaches us to care,shows us how to love.

Sherry,What you say has great truth. Beautifully written.

Oooo, great question to ask! Thank you for sharing! (and I'm glad you're back!)

Artisanal...I like this description.

Awesome writing!

Go Beth! :)

I am NOT going to watch that video. Thanks, perhaps, to having one almost 13-year-old son, I have managed to keep my life free of HSM, and I think I'll stay that way!This post makes me think so much, though, of what Donald Maass says in his book & workbook--that pushing to extremes, adding the depth and height and whatever other geometry term you want to apply. I'm finding it tricky--wondering if

My children's piano teacher was just talking about adding that layer of emotion in music. One point she made is that if you're still just trying to remember the notes, it's harder to add the emotion. I think that applies to my writing also. While there might be some emotion in my first draft, I need to come back and add it in on the next go round once I really know the characters and where their

Great post!I have found it interesting how HSM has made a brand for itself, marketing the movie on all aspects. It's phenomenal. It reminds of Harry Potter, although the branding didn't really happen until the movies came out.

Becky,It makes me feel like I'm on the right track if Donald Maass prescribes to it! Sherry,You're right. When art captures our emotions, it is brilliant. And it is a lot of work to get it to happen.Beth,HSM has made quite the name for itself. I didn't even think of how Harry Potter became more of a brand after the movies came out. Great observation!

I'm not watching the video either! I have a sticky brain. I've only seen the first movie, and as in other high school movies, I was struck by a few things:1. Wow, those halls are clean.2. With all of that singing, dancing and time between classes, how does anyone ever have time to study?3. Isn't it amazing that characters who have never sung before suddenly can belt it out?4. I wish my life were

I only watched a few minutes of the video, but it cracked me up! I can see why it's fun. I look forward to your posts--I have a really hard time adding emotion to my work.

I'm not watching it! But I'll follow along with you on your (always awesome) posts!

Singing along with you, HipWriterMama!

Ooh, I'm waiting for the Slumdog "Jai Ho" YouTubes to start, then I WILL be hanging around the house, singing to my heart's content.HSM hasn't hit our house either, but that's because the only kid in the right age group here is still pretending that he's not growing up. He wants nothing to do with girls and hormones. Nothing at all. Emotion is a funny thing, isn't it. I remember when I first saw

LOL. I love HSM and this scene is sic! The Rocket Man is soooo cute!

only way to do it is to get stuck on another one - oi!

Our house has been consumed with HSM since the first one came out. I have to admit singing along to the songs...you just can't help it. A brand that keeps sneaking into our house with my daughter...

We are slightly more addicted to Mama Mia at our house, but the same principle applies. I love the way you're thinking about this!!

I think if we all followed a nice character arc in our lives, we'd all attain so much more.It's a fun thing to think of, Vivian!

Wonderful question! I think I'm up on what external things or people my MC has to escape from, but I haven't yet figured out HER thing--her contribution to the problems/stuff holding her back--that she'll have to dump. Still working! :)

PJ,Isn't it the truth! Becky,Have fun finding out the answer!

Wow, what a great question for direction. I'm in a rewrite myself right now and that really touches on the depth I'm working to add to my main character and to the story itselfThanks for the great prompt!:^) anna

This is a great question to use in my conferences with kids who are developing complex characters when they write fiction.Thanks!

Yeah, it’s hard to not write those details, but it gets easier as time goes on.

You’re right, Madison–it gets easier.

I've run out and grabbed a bubble tea drink to see what it really tasted like mid-writing!

PJ,Thanks for sharing this! I've been feeling like I'm wasting too much time in the details, rather than finishing things up. Must work on the balance.

Balance is good, but learning the details make the whole experience so much more fun.BTW, I loved the Bubble tea, but my kids couldn't stand it.Good luck!

I've never tried Bubble tea. If I ever see a place that sells it, I'll try some in honor of you! Hope you like what you've written so far!

This is going to pay off for you! And for your readers. :)

Vivian: There are two minds with this. One (Ken Kalfus works this way) is to write the book through, leaving blanks where the "facts" must be. The other (which is my approach) is to read and read and stop and stop, because in the details often lie the story.It's fun work, I think.

Becky,I hope so! Thank you!----Beth,Thanks for sharing your process! Love to read these kind of things.

What good words! I especially like "Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love." What a romantic...

Great quotes!

Love the quotes, Vivian! I had no idea Einstein had so many great ones!

P.J.,Einstein has a slew of great quotes. Check them out sometime. Hope your book release party rocked! Can't wait to hear about it.----Chris,Thanks.----Sara,That is a great quote, isn't it?

"That's relativity"--LOL! Passing these on to my son. :)

So that is what truth is....(I've been wondering for what feels like a century)

Have you ever seen that Albert Einstein t-shirt....with the sticky-up hair that's glow in the dark? You'd love it!

down with mediocrity...I just always liked his cool hair! whee

I might be getting some ideas for a Children's Book That Never Was...

This is such great advice, Vivian! The conflicting motivation thing is huge and perfect when done right. Thanks!

Yes, yes, yes. CONFLICT. I think this is the big layer I'm doing in my latest revision. Of course, I THOUGHT I had it, but apparently the agents weren't so sure! :)

I've been thinking the Kindle and other digital interfaces will make books obsolete in the future. Sad to think about. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

I agree with the comment. I have a seven-year-old boy who loves comics, graphic novels( uh, I wonder where he gets this from?), and books that mention gross things. My son also loves to read. I think being around an educator/writer/reviewer mom helped with that. I know when I was teaching I looked for books that would interest my students. I also read Junie B. Jones daily--my students loved

Oh, the whole Internet reading thing, my own experience is that teens don't like reading books online. I had a number of them tell me they would rather wait to read my book when it came out in print then download it. I do think once an ebook player becomes cheaper, that ebooks will be the wave of the future.But there will always be a need and want for books.

I think boys will still read given interesting material, but the gross factor certainly does seem to appeal to them. Poop - not for me. My son loves it.I just have a hard time crossing this line completely to the world of grossness.

I think that in the article having it be an even-or with a gross book or Little House on the Prairie as choices for a boy to read does the whole literary world a disservice.My eight-year-old son loves to read. I don't think he'd be too excited about Little House on the Prairie. But he's read A Wrinkle in Time and loved it. He also loves the Percy Jackson series and he really enjoyed PJ Hoover's

I don't think anything will replace a real book--no matter how popular internet or electronic reading gets, there will always be real books, at least in my generation and the generation after mine--and probably beyond. Who can let go of a real book in comparison to a reader?As for the boy audience--I don't know. I just don't know...

Well said! I will do some investigating as the year starts!

I'd love to see more insight into how you feel character actions help develop a character. And how about when we make up character worksheets and have things like hobbies and collections and stuff. How to incorporate that info (if at all) without it seeming like the only reason it's in there is because we put it on our character worksheet.See ya!

I'm glad you found your vacation refreshing and a recharge for your soul. Everyone needs that now and then.

I don't think you're alone in wanting time to work on your dreams. It sounds like you had the recharge you needed on your vacation. All the best to your writing.One of these days, if I ever get time, I'm going to start up a blog.

I've heard you can't take care of other people until you take care of yourself first. Enter the airplane speech - please put on your own mask before assisting others. Our recharge time and time to do things we love is critical to being better mothers. I have a camp week ahead, and let me tell you, I'm already planning every minutes of the blissful solitude around the house.

We are going to NH next week. This makes me look forward to vacation even more!

I feel pretty lucky in that I've had the space to pursue my dreams with my husband's support (financially and emotionally), even while I'm raising my one child. My internal pressure stems from what I perceive to be external pressure to find gainful employment, i.e. something that brings in a steady paycheck! It may be mostly in my mind (mostly, I say), but it doesn't abate for all that. I'm so

my kids started summer break two weeks ago (from morning pre school) and i've barely thought about my wip, let alone worked on it. i love the kid time but do feel slightly anxious about getting nothing done. but we are off to the cape on wed so i'm hoping to have an experience similar to yours!

Yay for a great vacation! Mine has been similar to yours, HWM...only 3 weeks until school starts :)

I've felt this exact way and am so happy that you've put it into words... the feeling of being grateful for everything you have but still wanting something more just for yourself... Good luck with the laundry pile!

I don't have kids, yet. I plan on starting next year or the year after. One reason my husband and I are waiting is because we both know what an investment in time, energy, emotion, etc., having kids must be. So we're waiting to give ourselves a bit of a chance to continue living out our dreams before our priorities change.

Vivian-You're not the only one... I feel your words loud and clear. I need my time to write, reflect and express myself. Balancing the other (wonderful) parts of life with what I what I want seems to just be something I juggle constantly. Glad you are re-energized.

Oh I'm so glad you were able to enjoy a beautiful place and get some "you" time. I TOTALLY hear what you are saying - so much so that it feels like we may have come from the same motherhood mold! Good luck with your writing. :)

Of course we need those breaks. No, it's not just you! And it's hard if you went from full-time work (not having to do with kids) to suddenly being with them every day. I think that's why I started blogging. I'm so glad you got a rejuvenating break!

How great that you found a book that will help with your research! Congrats on the great find!

Not only is finding stuff like this useful, it's also fun!Hope all the pages you need are there :)

Very cool find.Hope your WIP is moving along well!Jim D

I'm also a big fan of Google Books for thoroughly obscure things like a history of Boston written in the 1800s (and obviously well past copyright).

Here, here! Especially the part about writng very specific (and always respectful) critiques. Remember those teachers who wrote "awkward" on school papers? They needed a lesson in critiquing!

And you mentioned commenting on something you like. I'd even go a step further and always find something you like. Even with something needing tons of work or something which doesn't appeal to you at all, there is ALWAYS something positive to say about it. And the positives make the writer feel SO happy!Great post, HWM!

Fantastic post! And I agree with PJ - always say something positive. Everyone needs a little positive to take the negative with (if there is negative) Remember - a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!

Positive comments are great. There have been scenes I've been iffy on, but other readers LOVED them. It helps me to know what works, as opposed to just knowing what doesn't.

I'm not part of a critique group, but people have given me things to read before. I try to give constructive criticism, but I always wonder-- what do I do when it's really just awful? When someone asks me if I think something should be published, I say that there is no way I can make such a pronouncement. After all, there are a lot of good manuscripts out there that haven't been published, and a

I'm glad you all liked this post. And Alkelda, what to do if something is simply awful? I'm hoping there's some redeeming quality about the piece. I'd say always speak positive about something, while offering a kind critique. There is always the chance that your insight will help the writer revise his/her work to something quite wonderful. The beauty of published books is that it offers

I am just getting caught up, reading back over this series. You've done a wonderful job of telling us about critique groups. I was once in a fiction writer's group at the local library and it was a great experience. Now I am thinking I need to get in a poetry group. Thanks for the inspiration.

Such wonderful advice and tips. Thank you!

Well I love FFW :) And, I'm glad you're part of it.I'm enjoying 5 days with internet and have caught up on this series. Good job, HWM!

What a thorough post! Your readers are really fortunate!And I'm with Kelly. I love FFW!

FFW has made me a much better writer! Three Cheers for FFW!

These are great tips. Thanks for putting this together

Well put, Vivian. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's post. One thing I've noticed in my face-to-face critique group is that we've improved and jelled and gotten together. It took a good year for that to happen.

Thanks for sharing! I'm having a bit of trouble with my crit group now (no one else wants to work on it!), so it's good to hear about it from another perspective!

Great post! I'd just like to add that it's important to remember when joining a critique group - that the critique process is a two-way street. As much effort and attention that you want someone to give your manuscript - you need to be able and willing to do the same for everyone else.

Love the post, Vivian, and especially the part about not just having an idea. Finish something. And ditto on what Chris said!

Vivian,I'm reading this series of yours on crit groups with huge interest. I've been thinking a lot about the subject lately, and I love what you're saying.I think there are lots of writers who may be thinking about joining a crit group before they've finished a project--a good group can be a great motivator for that finishing part. In a group of writers/critiquers who are at that same starting

I've never run across RPO -- thanks for a new poetry resource! Great poem, too. Maybe you don't need to post anything else about criticism now?

What a cool poem! And I'll look forward to your post on critiquing!Now off to critique your piece!

I love poetry Fridays :)...could you include a piece in your critique post about how to find a good critique group? That's where I'm having some trouble...

That's the best advertisement for a critique group I've ever seen. And you're right - our group is Awesome. :)Oh - and congrats to oldest daughter!

I've been thinking about (and being grateful for) critique groups a lot lately, and you are right about everything. I wouldn't have written a third of what I've put on paper without my group. And the best part is, they never do make me feel like my underwear is showing--or if it is, maybe it's just not quite the perfect color!

What I find frustrating is when I think I wrote the perfect scene, and my group all mentions the same thing about it. It makes me wonder whether I have what it takes when everyone clearly finds something that doesn't ring true to it. I guess I just need to keep plugging at it.

I have kids in swim as well. And I recently had a similar experience!

Barrie,Hope your kids do well this swim season! ----M. Thompson,I do find it hard when I love what I wrote and my critique members have something to say about it. I end up taking a few days away from it, so I can reread it anew. Sometimes I still don't see it, other times it hits me smack dab in the face.What I end up doing when I still love what I've written, is to write another version of

What a great analogy! Thanks!

You should submit this post somewhere. It's great.

I wondered whether my underwear showed, so I bought some low rise :)But anyway, critiquing is hard - not in our group because I feel so comfortable with everyone. But in a new situation totally for me. I get so much out of the critques from out group. Even the littlest comments help take writing to the next level.But I also need to do more of pointing out the positive when I critique. This is one

Great post, Vivian. I'm having fun imagining the country club scene! (Congrats to your daughter!)M. Thompson, I LOVE it when my crit group all says the same thing about a scene/chapter/collection. It's when there's strong disagreement that I feel lost. So hard to know which advice/suggestions to take!

Just sent this to my friend who is trying his hand at screenplay writing. Very interesting - thanks for sharing this. Love that I always learn something here!

Harry follows a Hero's Journey in each of JKR's books.

I don't think I ever watched The Matrix with an eye to The Hero's Journey, but it certainly works, particularly when viewed against that well-cut YouTube video! Keanu used to be a Guilty Secret of mine. As long as he kept his mouth shut, I loved him. He really is the most wooden of actors, but he was great in The Matrix. And Constantine. (I love those vaguely cheesy portentous movies) And how can

The Cole Mine,Glad you found this helpful!-----Suzanne,You're right. I just added a post about this and linked to you.-----Sheila,Guilty Secret. Love it. But very true. I adored Keanu in A Walk in the Clouds (I was surprised he could play a romantic lead), Speed and Point Break.

I love this video, Vivian!And thank you so much for the huge compliment!!!!! It made my day :)

Thanks for sharing this great video!

How did you know I had big revision plans for this weekend? ;-) Thanks for the reminder - I bookmarked both your posts when you put them up last month, but this is even better than searching through my bookmark file (yeah, yet another thing that needs some organization help).

PJ,You're welcome! ----Tasses,Thanks for visiting and I'm glad you liked this.----Sarah,This video puts it all together, doesn't it? Good luck with your revisions!

I love the journey. I always want journeys. I always want actions to lead to deserving/earned consequences.The Matrix was a very cool film, in terms of both visuals and stories. There were a few parts I didn't like so much - the lots and lots of guns and some other things I don't want to spoil for you - so I think I would rave more about it if it were a book and could imagine some things for

Yep, unfortunately way too many guns. I'd cringe for my son to see it. But it's so awesome I'd also want him to. I'll wait.

I met him at the Maui writers conference back in '04. I love his book and base my own writing on his model.Kim Baccellia

Oh, boy, does that Thomas Wolfe one strike a chord. The things that are coming out of this revision are bits I would have sworn were absolutely critical to the story. And a LOT of my favorites.The cool thing is, when you hit the right note for a revision and can get excited about where its going, somehow the cuts don't hurt quite as much, because there's a new vision that they truly just aren't

Thanks. Needed these!! :)

I'm with Becky. That's a good bit to remember. (Well, they both are, really!)

These are lovely! I'm posting a link from my blog to these!!

LOL about falling in love with the first draft. I fall in love with the fact I've written a first draft, but never the thing itself!Thanks for the post!

Ouch (but so true) to what Wolfe wrote. As depressing as it sounds, maybe that genius piece of writing that doesn't make it into a book will be published posthumously or some such thing. There's always that!

Too true...

Off topic: Thank you so much for all of your encouraging blog posts. You remind me to keep at it, and to be happy about small writing accomplishments (like the one I posted about today! as well as large ones.

HWM - you always have such great tips and motivations! Thanks!

Isn't people watching the greatest thing for a writer? So inspiring-I like to think about what one event in a character's past most influenced who they have become.

I like keeping in mind what my characters are afraid of. It helps me define what will get in the way of reaching their goals.

Good things to think about, HWM!Like PJ, I like thinking about the fears. I also look at their safety nets.

This is one of the most important things a writer needs to think about before or during the writing process. For my first MG, I spent countless hours creating goal worksheets/motivation charts/graphs all for the purpose of discovering who my character was. It wasn't until I borrowed a copy of Donald Maass's "Writing the Breakout Novel" workbook, that I really got it. It's a fantastic process to

I think my child is the next Hannah Montanah, so if you need some insight into my motivation, shoot me a line. I think what becomes the easy stereotype, is that the mom is living through the kid. But when I think about it in terms of my daughter's talent, I'm just so proud of her gift that I want to share it with everyone. It adds a whole layer to "stage mom" doesn't it? (That said, she's only

Fantastic writing tips all this week!Hurrah for young talent.

thank you for all your writing tips, I write writing tips on my site too. www.debrennersmith.com

Thanks, HWM!

Cool contest!

Glad you like the contest. Hope you join in!

I'm in - just let me run some errands first. And, you know - think of something to write. :)

What a great idea!

I love your writing. I would definitely want to read on!I just realized I'm the first entry. Yikes!Templeton limped towards me. His cane thunked with every step. I kept close eye on the cane. Templeton was known to use it if provoked."Templeton," I said, "Have I ever led you astray? The announcement was made this morning. Lord Shackleton is holding a contest for his daughter's hand in

M. Thompson,You're a brave soul to be the first one here. Just for that, if you'd like a critique of your first chapter, send it to my e-mail: hipwritermama at comcast dot net.

Okay, I'm back - I finally finished my errands - and had a chance to think. I might have gone a little over five sentences. (sorry)Here goes:O’Shaughnessy tapped a cigarette on the table before lighting it. He looked around to make sure that no one else was near. “Believe me, it’s true. It’s better than the Midas touch. There are risks though.”Templeton gave an exaggerated shrug. “What’s life

Okay, here goes:Templeton rubbed his hands together. His beady eyes flickered, watching my every move. I carried a ruby goblet, filled with a magic elixir. "Come now," I said, "drink from this cup and you will soon see the riches before you." Templeton shook his head.

I love how you all created different "stories" from the writing prompt. Can you imagine if you kept writing what you could create?Good job, Chris and Caryn!BTW, Caryn, are you the Caryn Thomas that commented earlier?

I gasped. Marlowe clasped his hand around my mouth and pulled me further in the shadows."Shhh! If the Sinster Five realize we're here, we're sure to be sent to the gallows," Marlowe said, "We need to find out why they need Templeton on their side." -Tom

What fun. I just like seeing the name Templeton used over and over. Stroke of genius, that name.

--hello! I found your site from PJ Hoover's. I wrote more than 5 sentences, but.... :-)He paused."But..." His eyes grazed over to the window, and the stormy sky outside. "On the other hand, eternal life may not be what I need. Perhaps..."I grabbed his arm, jerked his attention back to me. "This, THIS is what you need!"Templeton was already shaking his head. "Why do you want me to do this so

"Aw, Temp, it aint high living at all. I'm exhausted and bored and I'm sick of seeing my picture in the paper." "Then don't go back, Brit, stay here." "No, they'll never let me go." And, I'll never let you go either, thought Templeton, although somewhere deeper down he knew she was already gone.

DRAT> I didn't see this post until past the deadline.

OMG! You're right. The video is gross. But so funny. Thanks for these ideas. Very helpful.

Awesome advice, HWM! Love these posts :)

M. Thompson,Glad you found these helpful.Tricia,Thank you! Can't wait to hear all about Big Sur...

Great advice! I hope you've overcome your writer's block now.

What a great post! And you reminded me to add "Enchanted" to my Netflix list.

Chris,Yes, writer's block has finally disappeared. Thanks for your help!Nowheymama,Glad you liked the post. And definitely watch Enchanted. It is really cute.

I never get tired of reading posts like this. Maybe it's because that block can be so persistently pesky! Thanks for the great advice.

Jennifer,Thanks for visiting! Glad you liked this post.

I haven't seen this movie yet...so funny. My daughter will love it! Thanks for the motivation. I've been dragging my feet with writing as well. Take now for instance. I should be working on revisions but instead, I'm enjoying my favorite blog!

My girls and I loved Enchanted - even the roaches cleaning the tub part.Great suggestions on writers block. Mine is going on nineteen years now, so I suspect it will clear up any day now. Kidding. I'll print your tips for my writing days, whenever I can squeeze them in.

As always, your go-getum posts are so spot on. I particularly like the reminder that you should even grab 15 minutes in your chair. It feels bite-sized, manageable, to grab that and it almost inevitably turns into more. Good and more...

Great post! Thank you!

I get writer's block from impatience. I want to be published now! Now! Did I mention now? So when I think about slogging through 150 more pages until my first draft is done, somehow eating the Girl Scout ice cream in the freezer is more appealing. Don't think about it, just do it (and I'm not talking about the ice cream).

Girl scouts sell ice cream? All we ever get are cookies.

This summer I plan to do a lot more eavesdropping and recording. My neighbors with teenagers put in a pool, and I see much time hanging out with the parents and a notebook in hand!

Sigh...

Sad indeed.

i think i will keep my baby here with me forever....

I've never read Jacqueline Wilson's books either. Thanks for the links. Seems like she tackled some dicey types of material that appealed to kids. What happened to wholesome?

I selected both Yes and that they act too young, because teenagers are doing lots of things younger and younger, but also seem to do other things for themselves much less than they used to do.

I makes me sad that so many young children watch movies rated for adults and older teens. I hear first and second graders bragging about watching R rated movies and I think they are telling the truth. I don't know why parents allow or encourage that. I think it hurts their psyches to be exposed to so much smut and violence and horror - all given as entertainment. They should be on a diet of

Ooh, what Cloudscome just said! I completely agree. Kids are exposed to too much adult stuff too early. There's no going back after that. My kids homeschool and I notice a definite slowing down of the growing up meter as a result. One of the side effects I never thought about when we started all this.

Oh, you hit my mommy angst button. My sixth grader will only "play" with her little sister because no one over fourth grade seems to play anymore. When I asked what they did at recess then in fifth grade, she said the boys played ball but the girls just stood around and talked. So sad.

Hip,It's sad but true. I don't know if its technology, or society in general, but certain things make them seem older beyond their years and yet not...By 5th grade, I had certain responsibilities I can't imagine my 5th grader doing. My children don't seem to be growing up too fast, but it is all around us. My daughter and her "BFF," actually fell out of friendship with another girl because she

I am so glad that my fourth grade daughter acts like a kid. She's not in a rush. I "sheltered" her from some things--like Hannah Montana, Cheetah Girls etc. I wouldn't mind if she began to watch now probably, but she's not interested.She's not hip--she's nine!