Category: Strengths

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Creating a Character

Several months ago, after I had formatted and published a book for a friend, the author asked, “Do you know who the main character is styled after?”

“No, I hadn’t thought about it.”

“I already had a plot, but I formed the primary character after a man that we both know. That made it easy because I didn’t have to create the character. You wouldn’t recognize him because I added a few other traits to mask his identity.”

That’s good thinking, and it greatly reduced his writing time.

Use the character traits of a friend, family member, or even someone you don’t like. Use them to form your heroes and villains. You can also take notes of what you observe about someone you just met and set your imagination free to think about what that kind of person might do in various situations. A story idea can pop up without much effort.

Writing can be fun. It takes time, but it can be easy. So, sit down and write that next book. And make sure that you …

Write Creatively

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Learn from Others, but Be Yourself

Babies learn about speech by listening. They learn to talk by imitating. They get good at conversation by practicing. Is there a lesson here for writers? I think so.

We learn about writing by reading. We learn to write by imitating. We get good at it by practicing. Does that sound too simple? Well, if I could reduce it any further, I would.

I’ve heard it said, “Learn from the best, but don’t copy them.” I agree, but I modify it this way, Read, study other writers, and learn all you can. But when it’s your turn to publish your work, don’t copy someone else. Be yourself.

Years ago, my dad said, “My mentors at the writer’s guild told me that I have to write what people want to read. And I have to write it a certain way or I’ll never sell much. What do you think?”

I didn’t want to give advice that conflicted with his mentors because there was some truth in their statements. But they missed an important piece of the puzzle.

After a minute or so, I responded. “Dad, they have great advice if your goal is to make a paycheck. But my advice is to write your passion, about what’s in your heart and mind. But write it well! Learn from them, polish your style, but be yourself.”

How did he do? A few years later he told me that his books sold very well, and he was happy for the freedom of expression I gave him.

So, learn from the best, but don’t try to copy their style. Be yourself, and …

Write Creatively

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3 Steps to a Good Page-Turner

Yes, I know. Most of you have heard something like that many times, and I understand there are many more than 3 steps, but don’t go away. This could help burgeoning authors, and I won’t bore you veterans with unnecessary verbiage.

There is no shortcut to writing a great book. Although it takes time, it takes a lot of thinking, and it’s not easy, it is simple. In fact, this may sound too simple, and you might toss it aside. That’s okay with me, but read it first.

What do you need for the great book you want to write?

1. Enthusiasm, Passion

Simply put, you need an idea that means a lot to you. Tell a story that would keep your interest. Why? Writers tend to be more passionate about their own ideas; therefore, they can more energetically write the story. Infuse your writing with energy.

2. Exciting Characters

No one knows more about your characters than you do. Why? They are born out of your imagination. You assign to them looks, size, attitudes, strengths, flaws, skills, blemishes, character, and all the rest, so make them interesting. Make sure they fulfill their purpose for being in the book, and they dynamically drive the story in the direction you want it to go. Even if you have a dog, cat, or a chicken in the book, give it a purpose for being there.

3. Resolvable Tension

There is a need for nice, sweet stories like Pollyanna. But even in Pollyanna, there was tension. To keep readers turning those pages, there must be conflict. Let that controlled conflict empower the story throughout the book and grip the readers’ imagination.

As I mentioned, writing is not easy, but it is simple. Improve your skill, enjoy your writing, and

Write Creatively

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Set Your Imagination Free

On Monday morning, the teacher gave the economics class the assignment: “You have until Friday morning to write and hand in a three to five-page article about a dime.” Many of the kids thought it was a silly topic, but it shouldn’t be too hard. But one boy just couldn’t figure what in the world there would be to write about, and went to the teacher to protest.

“What’s there to write about? It’s just a thin, little old dime. How could I possibly get enough information for three pages?”

“Well, George, let me ask you a few questions.

  1. Why is it called a dime?
  2. What’s it made out of?
  3. What’s on the edge of the dime?
  4. Who’s image is on it, and why was he chosen?”

That was enough to get George started. But he ran into another problem, and three days later approached the teacher after class.

“Teacher, I might be in trouble. I thought about your questions and looked up a lot of info, but a whole lot of other ideas popped up that I had to include.”

“What’s the problem, George?

“You gave a limit of five pages. I tried in every way possible, but I just can’t cut the page count lower than ten.”

The teacher smiled because she had succeeded in helping another student learn how to use his imagination. “Well, don’t tell anyone in class, and I’ll let you get by this time.”

So, as you write, do not limit your thinking to what you know. Climb out of your self-imposed or culturally-imposed intellectual prison. Practice writing from various points of view. Practice replacing adjectives with verbs. Practice replacing narrative with action. Look up information about writing. Study various writing skills. But most importantly, be fully informed about your topic. Writing is complex, but it can be easy.

You get the point. As you broaden your writing ability, you’ll deepen your message, and you’ll be able to …

Write Creatively

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Writing Creatively?

Why do I normally end these blogs with the 2-word sentence, Write Creatively?

I’ve written for newspapers, science labs, businesses, and churches for most of my adult life, and believe-it-or-not, I sometimes seemed to run dry. I put my fingers to the keyboard and words popped up, but what I wrote was – are you ready? – boring! 

It might not surprise you to hear that people do not, repeat, DO NOT, like to read boring stuff. Therefore, “Write Creatively” is a reminder for me as well as for anyone who reads what I write.

Whatever you write, make your words erupt with life, action, adventure. Let your words be the worms-on-the-hook that lures people to your blogs and and your book.

Over 50 years ago when I began teaching, preaching, and writing, my dad instructed me with this undying bit of wisdom: “Don’t bore the people! Always give everyone something to take home and chew on.” Was I always successful? No, but, that was my goal.

I want you folks to apply that admonition to your writing. Whether your theme is adventure, science, spirituality, drama, poetry, or anything else, “Don’t bore the people! Always give everyone something to take home and chew on.” And fill your writing with life, action, and adventure.

That’s why I say ……

Write Creatively

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Fulfilling Your Dream of Writing – Step 5

This step is where you start getting serious about your story. Why? You found a writing location and you have the basic idea and theme for the story. But this is where you begin to choose and Define your Characters.

After you’ve decided on a theme for the book, consider which type of characters would be best suited for the story. Write a list of their names. Write a page about each one: who they are, what they are, and their importance to the story. Identify their strengths and weaknesses. What do they look like? Any scars? Handicaps? What’s their emotional and mental temperament? What are their likes and dislikes? Write anything else about them that you can think of. Even if some details do not make it into the story, it will help you to know them better.

One well-known writer said, “If I’m not personally familiar with all my characters, they don’t get into the book.”

These are the resource pages you will refer to as you write about them. So allow your characters to come to life on these pages for your benefit. If you do it correctly, your readers will receive the benefit later.

Writing the background for your characters will enable you to keep them straight in your own mind as you write the story.

Here’s why I emphasize this effort. In a movie I saw several years ago, a man appeared with his right leg in a cast. In a scene about 10 minutes later, his left leg was in the cast. Whoops! And in a movie I saw over a decade ago, the lawyer wore 3 different dresses in a 5-minute courtroom segment. Someone forgot to do their job. Whoops again!

Protect yourself and give your book a good foundation. Bring those people to life in your thoughts as you plan, and they will be alive when you write the story.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

Write Creatively