With all of the challenges facing the rising and younger generation today, fantasy has become huge. Today series like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and Hunger Games are the hot topics for youth. J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Suzanne Collins are authors known throughout the world and the reasons for their popularity may spark curiosity.

I have a couple of theories about what it is about the fantasy and sci-fi genre that has caught attention. Perhaps the main reason people go to books in the first place is to forget about life and enjoy the adventure of someone else’s trials for a moment. Whether it is comedy, horror, romance, etc. it’s a breath of fresh air to sit down and read. Escapism, to be able to escape the trials of life and become a part of something else for a time is one of the main reasons we read.

Fantasy, or other things paranormal, is something so different and unique that for the longest time it has been a curiosity. Practically two hundred years ago the pilgrims considered things like magic to be an abomination. However, as in many things, this abhorrence, over the years, grew to a curiosity, and then from there to acceptance, till finally we embraced it.

As for myself I have always loved fantasy. I love reading and becoming something that in reality I’m not and being a part of something great while the real world appears to be going to ruins. I don’t think I am the only one with the opinion that life is difficult. It would be a lie for me to say that I have not sometimes wished I could sprout wings and fly or be a part of something much greater in order to escape my real life.

Every day we are told from various sources that we have to get an education, we have to get a job, etc. etc. and for many people that kind of a life may be miserable due to many circumstances. In the media today there are so many tragedies happening all over the world. Bad things are happening everywhere and it is confusing. I think the rising generation sees this and sees what unpleasant things are happening and we don’t want that. Hence we seek for something exciting and new that brings pleasure and maybe offers fantastic solutions to everyday human problems. Thus there is a growing fascination with the peculiar and strange, the impossible. I have a feeling that if the world continues down the path it is going, this curiosity will only grow because of our desire for change, or answers, or for a better, easier life.

Juliet Petersen is the author of ASHER a fictional novel based on a boy changed as a baby to have wings. She is an avid reader of fantasy and is a student majoring in Creative Writing.

Informative post, Im now one of your feed followers

When the author needs a box of tissue or time to catch their breath because their sides ache from laughing so hard at the reactions of their characters, then they know the reader will feel the intended emotions. To achieve goose-bump level of intimate sensuality with the characters the author must experience life through their senses.

Visualization through Guided Imagery is one of the tools in my arsenal. If the setting is contemporary the exercise may be easier, but research is helpful no matter what, when, or where the world of your creation exists. My current work in progress in set in Palestine at the time of Christ. I want readers to smell the olive trees, and taste the figs. To do this I’ve watched time period films and looked at many different artists renditions as well as reading many books on related subjects.  Tasting the cuisine helps to elicit savory descriptions. At times I like to listen instrumental music appropriate for the setting of the novel. I’ve also done some aroma therapy with essential oils or other mediums to teach the olfactory glands what the scent is like. These are all aides to setting the mood for your personal tour.

I take time to be alone with my thoughts. I prefer to go somewhere very quiet other than the sounds of nature. The picture above looks very similar to where I go in my mind when I am not able to drive up to my favorite mountain meadow. The only items I take with me are pen and paper. I start with slow deep breaths, emptying the vault between my ears of extraneous matter. I imagine the world I want to convey in my writing and the person I am writing about. I let him or her tell me what it is he or she  has to say. This is when mysteries and secrets are revealed that busy life does not allow. The tour continues to surround me as long as I desire. When I finish that trip I journal the experience.

Often while I am tapping away at the manuscript, enjoying a shower or when I am asleep, voices tell me what comes next. Guided imagery lends to vivid dreams.  That is why there is a pad of paper and writing utensil everywhere I go. My beside stand and purse always have a note pad and pencil so those glimpses of inspiration can be captured.

Enjoy your journey with your characters.

Margaret Larsen Turley, author of SAVE THE CHILD,

Administrator of Writers Unite to Fight Cancer.

Blogs at: Words and Works - author interviews and book reviews and writing.

A Nurse’s World – articles related to health care, humanitarian efforts and more.

Save the Child Website – articles on children’s health, welfare, alternative medicine, parent’s rights and more.

Margaret made Elsie – the toy elephant she is holding – because she couldn’t find one like Sharon’s gift in Save the Child. Elsie is the main character for a children’s pi

I am fascinated with the unseen world of what we call Heaven—the realm where my ancestors reside. Many times I have wondered how that world affects mine. My ancestors may hover over my shoulder and read what I am writing about them. I would like to think they somehow give me ideas of what to write.

You’ve probably heard authors of fiction say something like, “My characters become real people to me.” In writing historical fiction based on the lives of ancestors, they are real people. They are people we are a part of and perhaps, depending on your beliefs, may someday meet. My greatest fear is to disappoint them.

When creating fiction, a good writer will flesh out her characters. To make a realistic character richer and fuller, he or she will need to have flaws. I find it hard to portray my ancestors in a bad light, yet I can’t have a flat character—one who does everything perfectly. They need to have defects. A good story will show how they evolve. I can’t protect them all the time, even if my first instinct is to do so. I can’t just show their positive side and expect the story to work. I need to put them in situations and see where they go.

I can learn from my ancestors. Some of them have left behind small clues to who they were. For instance, I have a family Bible which once belonged to my third great-grandfather. On the first page, written in his hand, it reads “This book is never to leave my family.” I can glean from those eight words; family was important to him, he was a man of the Bible, he was authoritarian. Writing about family means researching every clue you can find to figure out what kind of life they led, who they loved, how they loved, and what they did with their life.

When I am writing fiction about real people, I have to balance the facts I have with my imagination. I try to keep the facts intact. I research and find all the evidence I possibly can. Old census records are a good start. I have also tracked down many descendants of my ancestor’s siblings. In fact, it’s a great way to find photos of ancestors because people usually didn’t keep their own photographic portraits, but gave them away to family members. Speaking of photos, a face is worth a thousand words—let your imagination go wild.

It’s amazing what can be found in a courthouse. I once found a record of my sixth great grandfather being sued for beating up a gentleman. That gentleman became someone famous, which made it all the more interesting to me. Courthouses hold records of births, marriages, deaths and so much more. Orphans Records can be very enlightening. Bastardly Bonds intriguing. It might be surprising to learn how much land an ancestor owned, and where it was or what it was used for.

Researching and writing about my ancestors has deepened my love for them. I have come to respect them for who they were and the paths they chose. The best thing that has come from writing about my ancestors is the bond that has formed between them and me. Learning of their lives has helped me understand better who I am.

Ora Smith is the author of CHOICES, a historical novel based on her third great-grandparents. She has been a genealogist for 32 years, spending 12 of those years researching for her book.

Non -Verbal Communications for Cops, Villains  and Writers. A recap of Lynda Fryant’s  3-part article posted during Summer of 2010.

93% of all our communication is non-verbal. Dr Phil and law enforcement and behavioral experts have made similar claims in articles, books and on National TV . . .  Since about the mid-seventies, law enforcement officers have been using the more scientific art of reading body language rather than the application of brute force when trying to ascertain the truthfulness of a person’s statements . . .  Nowadays police can’t even legally use the time honored smack in the face or the Billy club to extract the “truth” from a suspect.  And that’s where body language comes in.

Writers can now use the same subtle tools  and clues to give our readers information  that will have them thinking that they are smarter than we are (which guarantees that they will keep reading your work to see if they are right). Body language is wonderful writing tool that uses the technique of “show, don’t tell” to draw the reader in to the story . . . When the body language in your novel or short story is appropriate, you can communicate information and character traits to your readers without them even knowing it . . . They have gleaned a piece of information that makes them want to know more.

For more details read post #2 and post #3.

Linda Fryant was an investigator for the State of Washington Department of Revenue for over 17 years. She has written articles and taught classes about body language, how people lie, and how to create “Villainous Villains.” She currently works for Washington Public Employees Association, a Union representing state workers. Linda was a Teacher’s Assistant to Pam Goodfellow at the University of Washington.

I agree.
Thank you,
Margaret

Thanks for dropping by Carolyn. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your workshop.
I’ll definitely be using the handout we received at ANWA conference in our folders.
My daughter wrote a great article on her blog about women’s history and geneology
you may be interested in: http://feministsforchoice.com/create-your-own-history.htm .

Best wishes,
Margaret Turley
GPS executive assistant

You are welcome. I found it to be very informative and helpful.
We take guest blog posts if you are interested.
Thank you,
Margaret Turley
GPS executive Assistant

Hey, thanks for referencing my article on WOW! and providing a link to it.

This post contains lots of beneficial information. I hope it is read far and wide by people who need to know the benefits of Writer’s conferences. Thank you.

Great post, Margaret! Networking is always a positive benefit of attending conferences. The danger however, is the same with conferences as with writing contests. Conferences and contests can become an addiction and the writer begins to write only for the next conference or contest, instead of for the improvement of his/her skill level or to advance his/her publishing career. Remember the most important thing is to choose writing related events that will benefit each writer as an individual and enhance or improve each individual’s unique writing skills.

I appreciated this post, especially the quote that more is not necessarily better. We learn to cut things from our writing, so we need to also learn what to cut from our active participations. The trick is to know what, where, and when to cut.

I am a SSA member and I looked on the website and couldn’t find anything. I
will happily update the post when I get the info.
Thanks Patricia.
Margaret

You should add the Wrangling with Writing Sept. conferencein Tucson put on by the Society of SW Authors – I spoke there last year- it is an excellent conference and has gone on for many years – it is three days long.

After attending the excellent Writer’s Conference hosted by the American Night Writers Association this past weekend I thought I would share some of the benefits and items one should consider when choosing whether or not to go to a certain writer’s conference, besides whether or not it fits in your schedule and budget. You will want to receive the most edification for your personal writing experience. I’ve quoted a couple of experts on this subject.

Margo L. Dill of Women on Writing wrote that a writer’s conference can change your career. She gives five reasons to attend:

• Networking: One of the best benefits of attending a conference is the chance to network with professionals in your field.
• Sharing War Stories: Another great reason to attend a conference is to meet other writers just like you.
• Improving your craft: Most writing conferences have speakers, who are working writers, editors, and agents.
• Inspiration: When enthusiastic writers, agents, and editors surround you for a day, a weekend, or even a whole week, you will most likely leave inspired.
• Tax Deductible: You can claim your conference expenses on your income tax. The fees for attendance, hotel, food, mileage, and even parking can be claimed. Just remember to save your receipts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Here are her Tips for getting the most from writing conferences:
• Don’t Be Shy: The number one tip is don’t be shy. You have to be willing to talk to people, especially agents and editors. Remember, most people around you are writers and want to improve their craft, get published, and sell their books just like you! A great opening line when you’re sitting next to someone is, “So, what do you write?”
• Do Your Homework: Do your homework.  Research the editors and agents, especially to see what they publish, so you don’t waste your time.  Try to read something that presenters have written . . . The Internet and local library are wonderful tools when it comes to preparing for a conference.
• Be Choosy: Find a conference that fits you. If you write for children, several conferences are targeted specifically for children’s writers.  Don’t go to a conference . . . just because your friend asked you to go, and you think you need to attend a conference. Remember, this is your passion and your career—take charge and find a conference where you will learn a lot and meet an important contact.

Orson Scott Card’s  Hugo Award-winning reference