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Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Book Giveaway, Writing Tip, Beth Kephart, Adding Emotion, Add a tag
Last week, I invited Beth Kephart, author of YA novels Undercover (Come back later for a Book Giveaway Contest!), House of Dance, and the soon to be released Nothing But Ghosts, to stop by and share her thoughts on how to create emotion in our writing. Beth kindly accepted and I was thrilled. I mean, Beth is a National Book Award finalist, an NEA grant winner, a Pew Fellowships in the Arts recipient, a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts winner, a Leeway Foundation award winner, and a Speakeasy Poetry Prize winner. In addition to YA, Beth is written memoir and non-fiction. She offers experience and beauty of words and it is a wonder to learn from her.
You have asked me how I bring emotion into my work, and may I first say what a tremendous question this is, for how, indeed, is emotion achieved on the page? For me it begins in real life, in the way that I live. I feel deeply, always. I live my life on the perpetual precipice of wanting, of wishing, of needing. I want to touch things I can’t reach, like the pink in the sky. I want to be able to do things I can’t do, I want to live longer, I want to see more, and I lean all this wanting directly down onto the page. My characters are reaching, too—filled up with desire or curiosity or loss. They’re not finished people. They’re grappling. Sometimes the thoughts they are thinking are swooshed together in long, circuitous sentences. Sometimes they are yelped out, in a word or two. The surprising image is essential to emotional writing. So is deliberate variation in the structure and rhythm of sentences. So is reading every sentence you write out loud, several times, and if it doesn’t move you, it sure as heck isn’t going to move its readers.
See? Beauty and emotion.
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Adding Emotion, Writing Tip, Add a tag
My kids and their friends have been watching High School Musical 3 since the DVD release. It's probably my fault since I refused to take them to see this movie and payback...well, let's say I've paid my due. Not only have I watched/listened to this movie, but my children (and their friends) have amused me with re-enactments of various scenes. Our household is one big musical and yes, it is fun.
Which made me realize that this applies to our writing. Not that our characters' lives should be a musical, though, it would be satisfying to be able to burst out in song and dance in a moment's notice. I'm thinking more of how we can add the layers of emotion and other little touches that help the reader identify with the characters and actively participate in the story.
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tip, Character Development, Add a tag
How much baggage do you need to get rid of before you can move forward?
Not that I have any.
How much baggage do you need to get rid of before you can move forward?
Blog: Cheryl Rainfield: Avid Reader, Teen Fiction Writer, and Book-a-holic. Focus on Children & Teen Books (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writing tip, writing technique, Uncategorized, Add a tag
Have you ever read a story where the character starts going through their day–they get up, brush their teeth, get their breakfast–lots of boring details, but nothing happens? It makes you want to put the book or manuscript down. It’s a mistake a lot of beginning writers make.
Readers don’t want to read those details. If they’re not important to the story–if they don’t move the story forward–they should be cut from the story.
Read more about how to do this in Helen Ginger’s blog post Happening Scenes.
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Agonies, Writing Research, True Confessions, Writing Tip, Add a tag
Details are really important to me.
I've interrupted writing sprees to research the little things so I can construct realistic scenes of places I've never been, traditions I've never practiced, clothing and accessories I've never worn.
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Inspiration, Writing Tip, Add a tag
I'll admit it. I find Albert Einstein fascinating. This controversial genius's opinion was sought out for everything--science, religion, politics, love. I won't pretend to understand all his scientific discoveries, but his wisdom, when taken from quotes, is quite something when you apply it to writing.
Need help with setting up or resolving conflict? Love? Working on plot? Character development? Here are a few great Albert Einstein quotes to help jump start your writing day:
-Albert Einstein
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
-Albert Einstein
The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem. It has merely made more urgent the necessity of solving an existing one.
-Albert Einstein
Truth is what stands the test of experience.
-Albert Einstein
Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.
-Albert Einstein, (attributed)
The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them.
-Albert Einstein, (attributed)
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thought in clear form.
-Albert Einstein, quoted in New York Times, March 19, 1940
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tip, Character Development-writing, Add a tag
Last week, I wrote about fleshing out character motivations. This week, I'm going to step it up a notch and write a little on how to create a complex character.
"The day I decided to steal a dog was the same day my best friend, Luanne Godfrey, found out I lived in a car."
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tip, Writing Research, Add a tag
An article about boys and books made it to the front page of today's Wall Street Journal. It seems boys will only read books if they are really gross...like these books. I don't have boys, but I'd like to think it wouldn't take gory details to entice them to read. I also found an article in today's New York Times that is the first of a series of how the Internet and other digital means is
I've decided to focus on character development for my next couple Writing Tip posts. If there's anything you'd like me to concentrate on, either leave a comment or send me e-mail.
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Inspiration, Motherhood, Writing Tip, Add a tag
I'm back on track after a week-long respite to the Cape. Okay, fine. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. But technically, I've been back from vacation for half a day and there is a large pile of laundry to be conquered before I can reward myself with writing. Isn't this picture lovely? This incredible view was the perfect backdrop as my reading research kept me in a constant
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Research, Writing Tip, Add a tag
I found a copy of a rare book from the nineteenth century that provides much needed research about the little details for my current WIP. Can you say HAPPY? I'm a facts type of gal. Even though my historical WIP is fiction, I still want it to be as accurate as possible. Otherwise, why go to all this effort to write about a different time period if the reader can't be right there, along with my
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tip, Critiques, Add a tag
Unless you've decided to go the professional critique route, if you've joined a critique/writing group, you'll be part of the receiving and giving end of the critique. Since you've done your research, you know this is a huge time commitment and needs to be taken seriously. As I've mentioned before, I love the critique process. It's an incredible learning experience and as with any form of
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tip, Critiques, Add a tag
If you've decided you're ready to take the plunge to find a critique group, you're ready for the next step. What's that, you ask? Now you need to take the time to figure out what type of critique/writing group fits your needs best. Are you the type of person that works best with face-to-face interaction with other people? Do you prefer working at your own pace? Or, would you prefer having
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tip, Critiques, Add a tag
Last week, I wrote a post on critiques. Since then, a few readers have e-mailed me with questions so I've decided to expand on this topic in a few posts and share what I've gleaned from my experience. Keep in mind this isn't the absolute word on writing groups or the critique process, but I hope this will help you as you figure out what works best for you. Okay. So. You've finished your
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Poetry Friday, Writing Tip, Add a tag
I just received an e-mail from a loyal reader who read this recent post and wanted some more information about the critique process. I'm not sure I'm the best person for this, but I'll give this a try. I hope to have something up early next week. In the meantime, I thought you'd find this poem by Lord Byron amusing. Have a great weekend! Dear Doctor, I Have Read Your Play by Lord Byron Dear
Yesterday, I set foot for the first time on the well-heeled grounds of an exclusive country club. And it wasn't because I'm a member, thinking about being a member, or knew any members. My eldest daughter had her first summer swim meet there. She got 2nd place in the freestyle. Wahoo! But, I digress. The country club experience was something else, from the long drive past the manicured golf
It's all her fault. Yup. PJ Hoover. PJ is one of my critique buddies. She happened to mention The Hero's Journey, when I shared my plotting outline method. She even went so far as to share her plot structure. And because I enjoy her writing so much, I decided to try this method. Of course I had to find out whether there was a YouTube video of The Hero's Journey...and guess what I found?
"Writing is rewriting. A writer must learn to deepen characters, trim writing, intensify scenes. To fall in love with the first draft to the point where one cannot change it is to greatly enhance the prospects of never publishing." -Richard North Patterson "What I had to face, the very bitter lesson that everyone who wants to write has got to learn, was that a thing may in itself be the
What is it about school talent show auditions that will get even the quietest of children to stand on stage and belt out a show tune? Or a group of "cool" boys to collaborate on a comedic skit. This is the second year I attended the talent show auditions of my children's school. Overall, it's a great program and the teachers will throw out any of the children if there is any irreverent
Yesterday, I wrote about the importance of plot outlines. Writers were kind to leave comments on their plotting methods. And guess what? One of my critique group members, PJ Hoover is sharing!! Go here to check out PJ's website and to get her character worksheet and plot structure downloads. PJ, you rock! Incidentally, PJ has a MG science fiction novel, The Emerald Tablet, due to be released
I just found these and thought I'd share. Query Shark (via Nathan Bransford) Buried in the Slushpile's One Sentence Pitch Post
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Meme, Writing Tip, Writing Exercise, Writing Contest, Add a tag
I was tagged while I was on vacation. Not by one, but by two of my pals for fun memes. Barbara Johansen Newman tagged me for a book meme. PJ Hoover tagged me for a writing meme. I have to admit, I'm a bit lazy right now. I pulled out a meme I did earlier this year (via Chris), in the hopes it would satisfy both memes. In the original post, I highlighted three books I've enjoyed reading: Gentle's
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tip, Writing Agonies, Add a tag
Perhaps it's my recent encounter with a pesky tick or maybe it's the funny but gross video below of Enchanted's "The Happy Working Song".... I've finally come to see the writer's block I've been battling for the past few weeks in a whole different light. It is just a bug. And you know how some bugs keep coming back? I decided that sometimes I need a pesky bug of my own to wage war. The only
Blog: HipWriterMama (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tip, Writing Tip, Add a tag
Jacqueline Wilson, an award-winning English author of children's books who has sold over 20 million copies of her books in the UK, believes that children grow up too fast. I must admit, I haven't read any of Dame Jacqueline Wilson's books yet, but I do agree with her. It makes me sad, especially when I look at my children. I wonder if they're going to be one of those kids that yearn to leave
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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! :)