by Joanne Wadsworth | Aug 28, 2012 | Author Blog
Hands up if you know your characters and your plot and even have a synopsis all written before you begin your novel? Oh boy, I am nowhere near that prepared, but I hear some writers are. That’s got to take some skill, although my problem is I’m quite the creative sort, and I allow each chapter to guide me in the next direction I should go. This of course makes for interesting and time-consuming rewriting as I’m usually halfway through my first draft before I truly know my characters.
So, in order to get on board with solidifying my characters at least, I came up with an interview questionnaire (which I now have in place.) Yes, you heard that right–a questionnaire. My fictional people must answer a range of questions, before they even begin to exist. <Chuckling> Yeah, if that didn’t sound crazy, then you too must be a writer, for only we truly would get this.
Now, those interview questions are for my heroine, my hero, the antagonist, and any secondary character to the heroine and hero who has a large speaking role. So far, they are–
- Where were you born, and do you have both parents, or just one, or neither?
- What’s your age?
- What kind of relationship do your parents have?
- Do you have any siblings? (Give me their names and ages, and even the ones that may be a secret because your parents haven’t told you yet.)
- What’s your favorite food?
- Are you an early riser, or do you like your sleep-ins?
- What’s your most influential memory?
- Do you have any paranormal skills you need to tell me about? (I don’t need them popping up unannounced, because that’s just a hassle.)
- Where would you like to be in ten years? (And be honest with me–don’t go telling me in a sequel or series, because I’m not sure if I can make that happen.)
Okay, by the end of my questionnaire, you can see, me and my characters get quite chummy, although I’d like to point out, some of this information won’t actually go in my book. Nope, it’s more so I can do my job as the author to direct each character’s experiences as is necessary.
And that’s what it’s all about, understanding how our characters will act, as well as interact with each other. Because as most authors know, when we’re writing, our characters have a mind of their own and will play out their scenes and develop the story’s plot for us–and that’s where the magic of writing happens. There is nothing more wonderful or more believable for the reader than when an author lets the novel go in the direction the characters want. Ah, I love that part about writing.
So, if you interview your characters in such a way, let me know. Do you have any additional questions you ask? Or did you just find this post might have you sitting down and talking to your characters a little more?
Well, that’s all for this week, and I hope my blog post aided you. If you haven’t joined me for your weekly dose of bite-sized writing tidbits and you’d like to, then simply check out the right-hand side panel, and enter your email address to “follow the blog.” If you want, also click “like” on my FB author page to the right. I love all the support.
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PROTECTOR–BUY THE BOOK: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Lyrical Press / Kobo.
by Joanne Wadsworth | Aug 26, 2012 | Author Blog
I’m sooo excited to bring you an excerpt from Protector, my Young Adult, Fantasy-Paranormal Romance releasing 7th January 2013 with Lyrical Press. It’s now left my hands and is undergoing a final read through by a line editor. So many editing cycles–but, wow, I’ve loved them all. I’ll drop in the blurb first, but I hope the excerpt that follows leaves you eager for more.
PROTECTOR
To love and protect…across worlds.
Eighteen-year-old Faith Stryker is prepared to leap out into the unknown world beyond her home shores of New Zealand to experience life. Only she never expected to encounter Magio, a planet with two warring countries, where its people reach adulthood at eighteen by coming into their strength and prophetic abilities. Only after Faith discovers she’s a halfling–thanks to her warrior father she’s never met–does her own skill of forethought develop.
Peacio’s Prince Davio Loveria is sent to the young Faith Stryker by his grandfather, but not all goes as planned. Davio discovers Faith isn’t just a halfling, she’s also his soul-bound mate–an intense relationship he cannot, nor will not, give up.
With two wars now waging…one of land and the other of the heart…can the young lovers find their place in the world?
Okay, everyone, here’s the excerpt I’ve been eager to bring you–
Davio leaned over me, all six foot four of him, his warm honey-brown hair falling forward to curl snugly around his neck, and I longed for him, just as I had during my first sighting of him in the classroom.
“What’s happening is the bond, my mate. It will become difficult for me to keep my distance both physically and emotionally unless I leave and end this now.”
My heart hitched. “You want to leave?” I swayed closer on impulse. “Is that how this bond works? We find each other and then you leave?” God preserve his people if it did.
“No, it is not. Those mated are bonded for life if we allow the link to grow. Except that would be the most unwise choice for us to take. You are, quite clearly, neither from my country nor from my world, and as such will have no allegiance to me or my people. I have no wish to join with one who does not wish to join with me in all ways. With that being the case, I will find another when the time is right. As should you,” he added solemnly.
I frowned. Hold on–did he just say he would be joining with another woman?
I bit my tongue. That was good? I should leave it at that, right?
Jeez, what was wrong with me for questioning that choice?
“I’m sorry. We just met, and you’re right. Go find your, your–” Strangely, I struggled to get the words out and finally gave up. “Well, have yourself a nice long life, and all that.” I patted his chest roughly.
That was more like me.
The clock ticked and time slowed.
He didn’t move.
“Look at me.” He tipped up my chin, directly staring at me. “This would never work.”
“I understand. It’s been pretty awful meeting you too.” I leaned back, only to feel the pressure of his hand move around my waist to the small of my back, preventing me.
I moved to grip his arm. “Okay, you were going.”
*Nibbling my nails*. Oh boy, I hope you enjoyed that. If you did, Protector is now available to add to your read list on Goodreads, and I’ll drop the link in here for you–
www.goodreads.com/book/show/15827947-protector
Don’t forget if you’d like to join me each week for your writing tidbits, then simply check out the right-hand side panel, and enter your email address to “follow the blog.” If you want, also click “like” on my FB author page to the right. I love all the support.
by Joanne Wadsworth | Aug 20, 2012 | Author Blog
Today, more than ever, many people believe that good writing flows easily from pen to paper. Yet that’s not the case, and writers out there know it. We understand it takes weeks or months to perfect every line we write within a book, that a writer’s work is in the rewriting, not the writing.
Oh, how I wish at least one of my English teachers during my schooling taught me this. Instead they teach how to write–but not how to edit. Why is that? Editing is where the real work of writing begins. So, let me share some more editing tips this week, shining a light on this subject which is so very close to my heart.
When editing, delete, and rarely add
Yes, you read this right. Writers are usually too wordy and after finishing your first draft of your book, each subsequent draft will reduce in word count. Concise writing is more powerful and will pick up the pace of your book. Which means it’s not unusual for most writers to finish their rewriting with ten to twenty percent less than they originally began with. So many words that we didn’t even need.
Sleep on it
When you’re editing, ideally you want to forget what you wrote so that you’re not expecting to see what you do. *Chuckle* Seriously, when you’re editing, keep moving through the pages, then sleep on what you’ve done. If there’s a particularly difficult piece bugging you, highlight it and leave it, then come back to it after you’ve slept. When we approach our writing, it must be done with a clear mind. This is why there are several drafts in a book. Each time we return to the beginning, it’s with fresh eyes.
Avoid passive sentences
Within our writing, this is the use of (to be, is, were, was, am, are, had.) Although not always, but in many cases.
As writers we need to avoid the use of passive sentences wherever possible, and this is what publishers and editors ask we do. Passive writing is unconvincing, ultimately weakening the structure of what we write. So, below, I’m going to give you varying examples of moving passive sentences into “active,” by removing the listed words above. Just remember, I’m not talking in all cases, but many.
- It’s important to state actively what our characters are thinking and doing.
- It’s important to state actively what our characters think and do.
- Jack was clapping his hands along with the audience as Jane finished her song on stage.
- Jack clapped his hands along with the audience as Jane finished her song on stage.
- Max was wearing jeans and a white t-shirt.
- Max wore jeans and a white t-shirt.
- Mary is upset to have missed the show.
- Missing the show upset Mary.
- “Errors were made,” Henry said.
- “I made an error,” Henry said.
Sound editing is so important. Just remember it takes time and practice to perfect, but keep working on it because in the end, the results in your work will show. Well, that’s all for this week, and I hope my blog post aided you. If you haven’t joined me for your weekly dose of bite-sized writing tidbits and you’d like to, then simply check out the right-hand side panel, and enter your email address to “follow the blog.” If you want, also click “like” on my FB author page to the right. I love all the support.
* * * *
PROTECTOR–BUY THE BOOK: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Lyrical Press / Kobo.
by Joanne Wadsworth | Aug 13, 2012 | Author Blog
PROTECTOR–(To be published 7th January 2013 with Lyrical Press, Inc.)
Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
To love and protect…across worlds.
Eighteen-year-old Faith Stryker is prepared to leap out into the unknown world beyond her home shores of New Zealand to experience life. Only she never expected to encounter Magio, a planet with two warring countries, where its people reach adulthood at eighteen by coming into their strength and prophetic abilities. Only after Faith discovers she’s a halfling–thanks to her warrior father she’s never met–does her own skill of forethought develop.
Peacio’s Prince Davio Loveria is sent to the young Faith Stryker by his grandfather, but not all goes as planned. Davio discovers Faith isn’t just a halfling, she’s also his soul-bound mate–an intense relationship he cannot, nor will not, give up.
With two wars now waging…one of land and the other of the heart…can the young lovers find their place in the world?
I’m super excited to bring this cover art to you all. For me, this is a dream come true. Thanks everyone for joining me on my journey to publication.
by Joanne Wadsworth | Aug 12, 2012 | Author Blog
As writers we never intentionally set out to frustrate the reader, but mistakes happen and blunders are made, ones which we usually wish someone had enlightened us on at some point in time. So here I go, aiming to shine a light on those common slip-ups which can make the reader say, “Ah, what?”
Naming Your Non-Speaking Characters
As you’re no doubt aware, when we name the major players in our story, this is our reader’s clue that this person is someone of importance, and they’ll note those names and pay attention. So that being the case, make sure you don’t make the mistake of naming your non-speaking/non-pivotal characters. Your reader isn’t going to care about the name of the next door neighbor, or the waitress who serves her coffee, the delivery boy, or even the name of the cute dog who lives next door and wags his tail.
You want to make certain you don’t frustrate your reader, because those clues they look for can get lost within the maze of names if you do. So keep in mind, that unless the person serves an essential role, they should remain a nameless prop within your story.
Too Many Bodily Processes
Here we go— Her heart raced. She struggled to catch her breath. Her heart beat in her chest. She sobbed in choking gulps.
Yeah, sometimes I’ve read too many of these short “shows” within a half page of writing, and I’ve actually wondered if the heroine is about to have a heart attack (if you get my drift.) This can be frustrating for the reader, so make sure you go easy on these, and ensure you show in all the ways we have open to us as writers. Always remember to include strong dialogue and narration to drive your scene, giving a good blend of all the elements.
Characters Calling Each Other By Name — When Is It Too Much?
Oh boy, this is a something that frustrates me when I’m reading a book. And to explain it fully, let me set the scene to give you an accurate description of what I mean.
Here Jack is sitting on a chair in the dining room, and Jane comes in after a long day at work. It’s just the two of them having a conversation.
“Did you have a bad day, Jane?” Jack sat forward, watching her intently.
She tilted her head, and blew out a breath. “Jack, what was your first clue?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Jane. Perhaps it was the way you stomped into the room.” He stroked his jaw. “Why don’t you tell me about it?”
She clenched her fists and glared. “I hate my job, Jack. I can’t stand being the one everyone unloads their work on.”
Okay, I went overboard on the name use, but what I’m trying to point out is that any reader will get that Jack and Jane are having a conversation, and as writers, we need to eliminate any overuse of our characters’ names. So often I’ll be reading a passage where it’s just the hero and heroine present and they’re saying each other’s names in general conversation as I’ve recorded above. But why? I mean how often do you say someone’s name once you’re already speaking to them?
And to make certain we’re all on the same page, here’s the example rewritten without the overuse of names—
“Did you have a bad day, Jane?” Jack sat forward, watching her intently.
She tilted her head, and blew out a breath. “What was your first clue?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps it was the way you stomped into the room.” He stroked his jaw. “Why don’t you tell me about it?”
She clenched her fists and glared. “I hate my job. I can’t stand being the one everyone unloads their work on.”
As you see, the dialogue was strong enough to dispense with the names straight after the opening line. It was more than obvious exactly who was speaking. So, once your scene is set, and your reader knows who is who, then don’t bring their names back in until the scene changes, or it’s unclear who’s speaking, or you’re just plain driven to drop that name back in. (And you’ll know what I mean when that happens, but until then, judge your own writing and don’t allow yourself to go overboard.)
Question: Of the three common mistakes I’ve mentioned, which frustrates you the most when you’re reading? And if there’s any other that really exasperates, make sure you tell me and I’ll mention them in a future post. Because that’s what I’m all about–ensuring writers support writers by keeping us all informed.
That’s all folks, and I hope my blog post this week has been immensely helpful. If you haven’t joined me for your weekly dose of bite-sized writing tidbits and you’d like to, then simply check out the right-hand side panel, and enter your email address to “follow the blog.” If you want, also click “like” on my FB author page to the right. I love all the support.
* * * *
PROTECTOR–BUY THE BOOK: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Lyrical Press / Kobo.
