Grammar Archives

 Here are some tips for creating the story goal:

1. The goal your hero/heroine set to solve the crisis must be the most logical goal she would set under the circumstances.

2. This goal must cause your hero/heroine to try to gain either possession of something, for example a person, a thing or information, or relief from something, for example pain, suffering, fear, oppression, loneliness, domination or poverty.

3. It must be clear that if your hero/heroine fails to achieve this goal, she will suffer terrible consequences. Life without the crisis solved would be unthinkable.

4. Your hero/heroine must have a worthy motivation for pursuing this goal. It is not enough that you hero is pursuing this goal to solve the crisis. Some worthy motivations are duty, love, honor, justice, dignity, integrity, patriotism, redemption, and self-respect.

5. The goal must pit your hero/heroine against great odds. It should see impossible for her to achieve her goal.

                    Leave ’em hanging

Don’t you hate it when you’re really "into" a good TV show and it cuts off at the most crucial part of the scene? The announcer says "stay tuned for next weeks show," and you want to fling a shoe at him. Come on, you haven’t felt that way? Well, I have and that means the writer did his job to perfection.

Leaving me hanging, keeping me in suspense, keeps me tuning in week after week, cause I just gotta know what happens next.

As you write, think of each scene of your story as a weekly tv show. You want to excite your readers. You want to keep them turning those pages, day after day, hour after hour.

A few key words to remember are: conflict- suspense- drama - surprise - resolution

Think domino effect.

Leaving off in the middle of a scene, without any kind of resolution, creates drama: drama creates suspense: suspense creates intrigue and intrigue curiosity. Nab the curiosity and you’ll nab your reader’s attention.

Another important thing to remember: As often as you can, open a scene, or end, with a "hook."

In my historical time travel, Roy, a reporter, is driving up a steep mountain road. His thoughts are on my heroine and her whereabouts. I open the scene with:

She was in trouble. His sixth sense had never failed him before. It was one of those unexplainable things that was a part of him. His reporter’s instinct, he always called it.

I decrease the tension flow by having him think about a conversation he had with someone about my heroine. Every now and then I’ll throw in a key word which will suggest tension. As he’s drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, the radio announcer is talking about the "strange" weather they are having.

I end the scene and the chapter with:

A blast of hot air wafted across the side of his face. As heavy and as thick as honey, it sent prickly goose bumps up the nape of his neck. Strange, this weather - hot and sunny one minute, stormy the next. As strange as the strong feeling tugging at his gut that something bad was about to happen.

Hopefully the reader will want to turn to the next chapter to find out what happens next.

Don’t be quick to resolve the conflict in the immediate chapter. Readers have good memory’s and if your closing "hook" is strong enough, they’re not likely to forget where you left off; in fact, they’ll be looking for "what happens next," with anticipation and hopefully with bated breath. It isn’t until nine pages later that we’re back to Roy to find out if he’s in danger.

Withhold information.

Withholding information is a good way to keep readers intrigued. I love a twist of an ending, making the reader think one thing and then bam! However hints at the concealed information must be planted throughout the story, or when the "surprise" is revealed out of the blue, the reader will feel cheated.

In my current book, the heroine is revenging the death of her mother. Throughout the book this is what the reader believes to be her main focus. If you read between the lines, however, in her thoughts and in her words, there is another reason, which of course, isn’t revealed until the end of the book.

Plant your secrets carefully so that the reader doesn’t feel unfairly gulled and disappointed.

Surprise endings force the reader to go back and think about your character - to think about the character’s actions and what lead them to this point in the book, to perhaps look at them with a new light. And isn’t that what every writer strives to achieve?

Surprise endings, twists, either in a scene or at the end of your story, are powerful ways to keep those readers coming back not only to each chapter, but hopefully to each and everyone one of your books.

                                                                Press Kits:

A press kit ( release) is a low-cost way of reaching the media.

Send out a press release to just about everyone you can think of. Ex: the newspaper where you went to school, your local/city paper, the town newspaper where your book is set and to any TV/radio station.

Contents:

Two information pages, a cover, your picture and an excerpt of your story which can be in the form of a brochure.

Page One:

Start with a great opening hook that will pique the reader’s attention. Sound familiar? Just like any good book, your press release should grab the reader.

If you use facts or direct quotes make sure you cite your sources.

If possible scan a thumb-print picture of your cover onto this page. Not only does it look great, but it gives a visual.

Make sure your name, your publisher's name and address is on this page, as well as your ISBN number.

If the book is available on line, site those addresses.  Is your book a paperback, print on demand, e-book, hardcover?

Next on the same page comes a short blurb of your story, (the back blurb from your book works).

Then close with any review quotes.

Page Two:

Your book title: IN CAPS

Name

Address

Phone number

Email address

High School

College

And any personal information that might be interesting and draws attention.

Next, comes your bio- your "life at a glance." Here you can list any other books you have out, and where to purchase them.

Keep things short and to the point. The media is pressed for time and they look for quick eye catching information.

Add a black and white picture of yourself. (5x7 or 8x10)

If you have a copy of your cover- add it.

Put it all in a large envelop and make sure IT'S NOT TOO BULKY!

And most important:

Make sure your press kit is professional and neat.

 Love Scenes are......

A tango - a give and take - a push and pull that's what a love scene is, both emotionally and physically.

A love scene in your story can move the plot, add interest, add tension and complications.

Just like in real life, your characters take the chance of rejection and embarrassment and so it's likely there would be some kind of tension that comes along with attraction.

Think: two fighters in a boxing ring, both dancing around one another, trying to figure out just what would happen if: she leaned in closer, if he brushed a piece of lint from her shoulder, if they kiss, if she told him she loved him.

Most of us, when we first meet someone we are attracted to, won't jump right in and show how we feel. We'd make a move and see where it leads. Hopefully he'll take that hint and move with it - or not; thus the push and pull of your story.

It's important to keep your characters true to themselves. If your heroine is the type to jump right in with everything she does, consequences be damned, then she just might take that risk and tell him upfront how she feels. If a man is the: "my life is private and no one's allowed in" type, even during a love scene he wouldn't be all "talkie" about his feelings. Where she might be a bit nervous and talk even more, he'd clam up even tighter.

That doesn't mean he's not thinking how beautiful she if, how soft, how wonderful. And she may be thinking, am I nuts? Yes, he's a hunk, but what am I doing? He's my boss! This, while they make passionate love. Thinking conflicting thoughts while making love creates tension, that dance around the ring that makes the reader want to know what happens next. Will that touch lead to love? Will they make love again? Will they stay together? Keep your reader guessing and you'll add suspense and anticipation to your story.

Remember to use your five senses. When you're in love, the world looks brighter, the air fresher, the sunsets are more vibrant and birds sing a sweeter song.

 Here's a recipe for turning a relationship into something a little more permanent:
                    

                    Ingredients:

2 cups attraction
2 cups friendship
1 quart of communication
1 cup of respect mixed with a pinch of courtesy
1 pint of trust
½ cup of support
a dash of compromise
1 quart of forgiveness
a whole handful of affection combined vigorously with as much sex as you can get


Preparation:
Combine all ingredients slowly. Simmer then heat till steamy.

Yield:
Many good years together.

                                                Investigating the Crime Scene

OK. You've started your thriller. Murdered off a character. The police are on their way. Now what?

Readers demand accuracy. Feed them the wrong information and they'll let you know you've made a mistake. So, to the best of your ability, you'd better know who does what, and what happens, at the crime scene if you are going to write about one.

Sherlock Holmes said: "Whenever you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." In other words the truth is present at every crime scene. And if it's your character's job to find it, make sure he's doing his job correctly.

Keep in mind that precincts vary in their allotment of duties. Not all houses have a large enough staff to divvy procedures out. In a small town, the local sheriff may do it all; whereas in a larger precinct, the Patrol division, Identification section, Scene of the Crimes officer, and detective will likely all be called in to investigate.

The following is the procedure used at a crime scene, in a homicide case, by a large precinct.

The primary responsibility, of those people involved, is the isolation and protection of the crime scene. This is very important. Any discrepancy, any contamination of evidence jeopardizes the case.

If this is an outdoor crime scene, conduct all examinations as soon as possible due to weather and light changes.

The patrol division usually gets the initial call and goes to the scene to determine the situation.

Upon arrival the first officer at the scene should preserve its integrity until the patrol division supervisor can arrive.

Responsibilities of first officer.

1. Record exact time of your arrival and or notify Communications that you are on the scene.

2. Enter immediate scene using one path of entry.

3. Check victim for signs of life.

4. Secure and define the scene by assessing the entire crime scene noting all exits and paths of entry.

5. Isolate a perimeter with a type of barrier.

6. Isolate witnesses and remove all persons from the immediate area.

7. Ascertain whether or not any evidence is present and control collection.

8. Request additional unites as needed.

Responsibilities of patrol supervisor:

1. Take an initial survey of the area, developing a mental image to ensure the scene is preserved.

2.Record names, addresses, dates of birth and telephone numbers etc of all persons present.

3. Set up a command post if police are to be at the scene for a long period of time.

4. Start a crime scene log to enter everyone who enters the crime scene.

5.Interview witnesses.

6. Notify the homicide division and record time of notification and who was notified.

Important:

Don't touch anything; unless there's an injured person. Once backup arrives, if the victim is removed from the scene, an officer should accompany the victim, in the ambulance, to the hospital.

Upon arrival, the detective takes over. It is now the officer's job to assist the detective.

The detective will:

1. Record exact time of his or her arrival.

1. Interview witnesses.

2. Canvass the area. Note the surroundings, who's loitering around. Everything should be considered as evidence.

3. Record everything from the time, to the weather, the lighting, to the amount of people on the scene, which includes ambulance personnel, family members, witnesses and police personal.

4. Interview first officer and other police personal at the scene to determine sequence of events.

5. Arrange transport for witnesses to be sent to headquarters and takes written statements. It will be the detective's job to follow-up on the investigation and write follow up reports, as well as make any subsequent arrests.

6. Record location, and complete description of the body, including a detailed account of their clothing. Note condition of body.

7. If identity of victim is known, get a background check.

8. Ascertain whether or not there are any suspects in custody.

A few details the detective looks for:

foot/finger/palm prints

clothing fibers

hair strands

blood

paint chips if a vehicle is involved.

tire tracks

All "trace evidence" is ascertained by the use of tweezers or other appropriate instruments.

(The name of the officer who found the evidence and the name of officer who receives the evidence at the evidence locker is noted.)

**Remember- all personal must wear gloves.

Photographs of the area are shot from the four corners of the scene, long distance, close up, etc., as well as photos of the body. This is done before the ME examines the body.

Now portions of the body which were not visual prior to photos can be photographed.

This is done by the identification officer of the crime scene division, or the detective. Some departments hire civilian employees to be a technical and they will take the pictures.

Physical evidence is taken and transported to the laboratory for further assessment. An initial crime-scene sketch at location and another sketch at headquarters is performed. Fingerprints are taken which will be compared to the prints of known suspects.

The ME (Medical Doctor), EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), or Coroner examines the victim and pronounces dead at the scene. He determines cause and time of death. Time of death is usually determined by taking the internal temperature of the body.

The victim's location/position of body is marked.

Body is then wrapped in a clean white sheet and placed in a body bag. Bag the hands of the victim with paper bags to preserve any trace evidence under fingernails.

It is critical that all evidence is collected, i.e., photos, initial examination, etc., before the body is released.

Oh, and a little tidbit I picked up: if your body's been dead for some time, remember to have your character wash his or her hair. The smell gets into the hair shafts and stays there!

       Check my links page for available research sites:

The forensic information, The police magazine, The FBI, are just a few site from the extensive list.

Reference books for the above article:

The Howdunit Series /Writer's Digest

Cause of Death: Keith Wilson

Amateur Detectives: E. Chase & A. Wingate

Police Procedural: Russell Bintliff

Murder One: M. Corvasce & J. Paglino

Scene of the Crime: Anne Wingate

Just the Fact's Ma'am: Greg Fallis

Hidden Evidence: David Owen

Practical Homicide Investigation: Vernon Geberth

Email from a Nassau County Detective concurring on the above procedures.

                                                     So you've sold your book. Now what?

In today's ever-changing marketplace fewer publishing houses are willing to devote money and manpower to promote new authors, so if you want your book to make it to the New York Times best sellers list, it's up to you.

You have to be your own promotions’ department, for unfortunately with the millions of books crowding the bookstore shelves, no one will look twice at your book if they’ve never heard your name.

Here are a few suggestions on getting recognized and boosting sales.

Do book signings.
Getting up in front of people and talking??? Most of us shiver at the thought!
Well, take a deep breath, go to a hypnotist - do whatever it takes to get yourself out there. A book signing is a great way to sell your book and get your name circulating.

Have bookmarks available to give customers and place them into the books.
If possible, the bookmark should have a picture of your book cover on it or at the very least your name, the title of your book, the ISBN # and any other books you've written. It should also have your website address.

The Internet is the future. The best way to get your information out to those endless multitudes of people is to have your own website. The pages should contain an excerpt of your book, your bio with your picture, a simple click link to purchase your book and any other pertinent information, as well as a guest book for those who'd like to drop you a line. Make the site easy to navigate, quick to open and your address easy to find by search engines and keywords.

Join on-line discussion groups and have a signature line after your name that clicks to your webpage. Link your web address to other writer’s pages and writing organizations.

Get your book reviewed by online reviews and post those reviews on your website.

Have pens, magnets, and any interesting 'give aways' you can think of, to hand out to those people you meet. Leave them on tables in restaurants, at the gym, at your doctor’s office, everywhere and anywhere. I once had a person stop me at a light to ask what my license plate said. Guess what? She drove away with one of my pens!

Create a newsletter to send to your fans and friends.
(This works better after you've sold more than one book, or at least have a second book coming out to promote).

Make up a colorful brochure and send it out to everyone you know. Try to find out who's having a convention and see if you can mail them your brochures. People are always looking for free handouts. Also get a list of booksellers and see if you can drop your brochures in the mail to them. Go to your local book store and leave a few with them.

Go to as many reader and writer conventions as you can afford. There is usually a book sale the last day, so make sure when you sign up, you have plenty of books to sell. If you want to increase traffic to your table see if you can have a raffle of some kind.

Make up a press kit and send it to the local papers along with a brochure.

Take out ads in romance and writing magazines. This can be a little costly, but again, it’s a great way to get your name and book title out to the public.

Last, but not least, call your local libraries and see if they'd be interested in having you present a program to their readers. You can talk, and I can hear you all cringing again, on many different topics of writing or the genre pertaining to your book. You may not be able to sell your book that day, but you'll meet people who'd love to have those handouts you've created.

And you thought when you completed your book your work was finished...this is where the fun begins!

                                      Characters who are they and from where do they come?

Simple, they are born from your imagination, or sometimes, from traits of those around you. And like any new born, they grow as the story grows.

So how do they start on their journey of growth? Well, it can start with a name or an image. A name like Bobby Joe, conjures up images of the South and a small town, where as JT, sounds more cosmopolitan. Celine Beaumont, sounds French, and Beth Levinsky, Jewish. A name like Victoria sounds old world, maybe even feminine, where as Sam, is a bit tougher, especially since she hates the name Samantha. Pick a name that portrays the right image of who that character is.

Once that’s determined, I make up a character chart. It has all the basics: age, eye, hair color, height, weight, body structure and facial lines. I’ll think about their parents, their nationality, their past.

If a person was traumatized as a child that will either in part or wholly determine how that person will think and react throughout your story.

In my time travel, A FIND THROUGH TIME, my heroine, Gabrielle, as a child disobediently went into a cave and her younger brother followed her. He fell and died and as a result Gabrielle believes her mother became despondent and her father left because of this accident. She blames herself and that guilt lives within her throughout the book; of course until that moment when hero makes her come to terms with the fact that it wasn’t her fault.     

Subsequently she is left at the alter, so between her father leaving and her finance leaving, her she is dealing with abandonment issues. Her view on men would be completely different from someone who came from a two parent home and who had a wonderful love life. 

So a character’s past is very important to who they are and how they view the world around them.

Back to the character chart. I’ll ask them about their fears, dreams, their philosophy on life. How much education did they get? What’s their stand on politics? Do they like their job; is money important? And of course in a romance: What is their love life like? You may never use all the information but this process, for me, helps me to get to know who my characters are and from this they grow.

In my second historical, THE ENCHANTRESS, my heroine is clairvoyant. As a result, she is a loner, thinking those around her will think she is odd. But that wasn’t enough- so I made her appearance a bit odd, her complexion being extremely white and her hair more silver than blond, she has yellowish green catlike eyes and she plays an instrument which at that period in time, was thought to wake the dead, cause deafness, and illness. As a result, she is afraid to let anyone close and in on her secret.

Of course I had her have a vision of a fire, where the hero’s son is in the room and she is forced to overcome her fears and save the boy.

So again think hard on who your character is and where they come from, for these things compounded together will cause them to think, react and will determine not only how they see themselves, but those around them as well.

                    Lets go over some character traits.

                                                    The male persona:

There’s the bad boy with the predatory expression, who’s dangerous to know.

The best friend, who is sweet and safe.

The charmer, suave, gregarious, life of the party, you can’t help but be attracted to him.

The leader, assertive, confident, who has no time in his life for anything but work and always takes control.

The analytical professor, introspective, reserved, who know every answer.

Mister adventure, independent, excitement is in his blood; he’s not the marrying kind.

And The warrior, honorable; courageous, he has to save the damsel in distress.

Then there’s the lost soul, withdrawn, inhibited, a sensitive being who you can’t help but want to hug.

                                                        A few Female types:

The boss, dogmatic, assertive, all work, no play.

The free spirit, optimist, who’d rather dance and party all night.

The librarian, the loner, insecure, deep-thinking.

The nurturer, a serene being, capable, motherly.

The tom boy, thick-skinned, loyal to the end.

The waif, or damsel in distress, naive, innocent.

The crusader, unflinching, gritty, who goes out to fight the issues, true to her commitments.

And the survivor, a re-bounder who always gets her way.

                                      OK

Now that we’ve decided who our character is, how do we make them believable?

They become believable when the reader recognizes some familiar aspect or identifies with that character. A few examples: twirling their hair when nervous, biting their nails when distressed; a fear of heights, or spiders. Those of us with a few extra pounds around our middle can relate to a character who is self conscience of her flabby stomach, and hates undressing in a locker room. We can share and sympathize with a traumatic high school experience like being the last one left who wasn’t picked to be on the team, or not being asked to the Senior Prom. Just the same, we can share and perhaps relate to their good experiences like the birth of a child, a wedding, or an occasion you shared with your family and friends. So again, think of traits that a person can relate to.

Here’s a few vices:

oversleeps

overworks

drinks too much

smokes too much

interrupts people talking

cracks jokes at the expense of other people

watches too much TV

laughs too loud when nervous

cracks knuckles

grinds teeth

doesn’t’ hand up clothes

drives a little too fast

drinks out of the container

cracks gum between teeth

thanks people too much

apologizes for everything.

It is important to remember that a believable character will have flaws; not only will the reader not relate to them if they are perfect, put they will come across as a "cardboard character".

Remember: NO ONE IS PERFECT, at least I haven’t come across anyone who is.

                                            What lies beneath

Did you know that Native American women wore chastity belts and the word 'girdle,' was associated with the men of the twelfth century?

Welcome to the world of undergarments or lack of, where fashion ran the gauntlet from bare bottoms to bizarre contraptions made of bone, iron and wood.

During the Victorian times, what you wore beneath your garb would be a sign of class distinction. Revealing portions of your underclothing was an erotic gesture, symbolizing the act of undressing. Frequently, tops of a woman's undergarments would be exposed, or a dress was designed to look like a piece of underwear as to suggest the wearer was incompletely dressed.

"Tight-lacing," according to one woman, "produced a delicious sensation, half pleasure, half pain."

In the Elizabethan era, undergarments protected fine garments from filthy skin and were often heavily dosed with perfume. And did you know that in 1589, Queen Elizabeth received her first pair of silk stockings?

Medieval men wore hose which when too baggy, or too tight, chafed the top of their thighs and thus the complaint known as ‘Pikeman's Crotch’...

In 1629 a woman who had committed adultery had to be clad in a ‘Sheet of Repentance,’ when confessing her sins in church.

When tight breeches were regarded captivating, in 1770, men wore artificial calves strapped beneath their stockings. Women wore ‘pouter pigeon’ corsets of bone and iron, which pinched their sides, and squeezed the very breath from their lungs. Corsets lifted not only their decollete, but their self worth. As one woman said: "pride feels no pain."

In the 1900's men wore dickey's around their necks. And if you thought Victoria Secret invented those bust enhancing bras, think again. In the 1890s flexible celluloid bras were advertised. The ‘bust improvers, ’featured cup-shape wire structures with ‘ slitted pockets’ where a pad could be inserted.

Hearts, arrows, and provocative, erotic designs were nothing new to Victorian prudery of the 1880s.

Garments like, silk and linen were less liable to harbor lice then wool. Now, that’s a comforting thought!

The Act of 1678 provided that no corpse of any person, (except those who died of the plague) could be buried in any shirt, shift, sheet, shroud, or anything made with flax, hemp, silk, hair, gold, silver.

Horsehair was used to make pads, known as ‘mattress,’ for bustles and in the 1800s, when daring young women indulged in outdoor activities such as walking holidays, flannel or wool worn next to the skin was a must to absorb perspiration.

The word petticoat, an underskirt, comes from the Old French "petite cote" meaning little coat.

Bloomers, those baggy pants woman wore beneath their shirts and latter wore alone, gained respectability in 1849-50 and were named after the feminist Amelia Bloomer.

Oh and getting back to Naive Americans...

That protective rope was tied around their waists, passed down between their legs, and wrapped around each thigh. Ugh talk about rope burns!

And think again Victoria Secret -

The word 'G-string' is nothing new to those hunky warriors. Underneath those breechclouts a Native American male would wear a g-string made of cloth.

Here's a few links to undergarments:

http://www.costumes.org/pages/corsetlinks.htm#History

http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Village/4711/corslink.htm

http://www.geocities.com/FashionAvenue/Mall/5138/corset.html

http://www.costumes.org/pages/corsetlinks.htm

http://www.marquise.de/themes/korsett/korsett.shtml

Books:

The History of Underclothes by C. Willett and Phillis Cunnington

I Wonder What's Under There? : A Brief History of Underwear (Lift-The-Flap Book (Harcourt Brace & Co.).)

by Deborah Nourse Lattimore, David A. Carter

                 FIVE TIPS TO GET PUBLISHED – ASAP! By Beth Ann Erickson

 There are hundreds of variables that can determine how quickly you’ll get published. The economy and financial condition of a publication can determine how many freelance articles they purchase. Maybe you can hit an editor on a bad day and he/she hates everything he/she reads, even your manuscript.  As you can see, many of these variables are out of your control. That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news. There are variables you control, and how you treat these variables will have a direct influence on how often you get published. 

Here are five basic tips you can use on a daily basis that will enhance your chances of hitting pay dirt. Here they are: 

Learn everything you can about your craft.  Attend classes. Read writing books. Subscribe to e-mags that will help your career. Just like a carpenter who must purchase tools so he can practice his craft, you must invest in the tools that will make you a better writer than your competition. 

Read everything you can get your hands on.  Read fiction, nonfiction, direct mail, read everything you can find. When you become a voracious reader, you become a better writer. There are no short cuts. So turn off the television. Crack open a book. And have a ball. 

Target the publications you want to write for – then become familiar with them.  Subscribe to the magazines you want to write for. Purchase books in your genre. Get on GOOD direct mail mailing lists. If you’re short on cash, visit your library on a regular basis and read books and magazines there.  When you’re paging through your target magazines or books from a publisher you’re planning on contacting, try to visualize their ideal reader. Then as you write, write directly to that reader. An editor who knows you’ve taken the time to research their company will be FAR more willing to give your manuscript a read-through. 

Read EVERYTHING you send out aloud.  You’ll catch typos, grammos, and generally dumb sentences when you read EVERYTHING you write aloud. I read The Almach aloud at least three times. Jumpstart went through the same process. Reading your manuscripts aloud will not guarantee that they’ll be perfect, but you’ll discover that your writing is much easier to read after this exercise. It takes time but it’s worth it. Just purchase some throat lozenges (I use Jolly Ranchers) and get going. 

Never give up, never give up, never give up.  Write on a daily basis. It’s easy to get discouraged when a rejection letter flows in. But having a number of queries floating around in cyberspace keeps that little flame of hope burning bright. I’m thoroughly convinced that the only way we can fail as writers is if we give up. As long as you don’t give up, you’ll definitely be published.

 Eventually. If these tips sound like a lot of work, they are. But the work you put into honing your writing and researching your target publications will be reflected in the number of acceptance letters you receive. These simple tips will make your writing absolutely sparkle when the editor reads your words. You’ll outshine your competition. And when you outshine your competition, you’ve just enhanced your chances of getting published. 

 Beth Ann Erickson is the publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers.
 

            Character Profile:

Name:_____________________________________________

 (remember a name can portray a character’s trait before you let the reader know them. ex. Victoria sounds old world, where as JT sounds more cosmopolitan. If a person named Samantha insists on being call Sam, because she hates the name, this tells you a little something about her personality.)

Date of Birth____________________

Age:            ____________________

Ht:               ____________________

Wt:              ____________________

Build:          _______________________________________________________

Facial Characteristics:_____________________________________________________

Eye color:      ______________________________________________________

Hair color:      _____________________________________________________

any scars, blemishes, physical disabilities: _________________________________

How does he/she dress:______________________________________________

Three words that describe character’s looks:_______________________________

Nationality: _______________________________________________________

Occupation:_______________________________________________________

Education:____________________________________________________________________________

 From what part of the country do or did you live?______________________________________________

 Family background:

 mother (and her impact on character)________________________________________________________

 father (same) _________________________________________________________________________

 siblings (same) ________________________________________________________________________

any thing significant happen in childhood, like: abuse, sibling rivalry, etc._______________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

type of home life: poverty, privileged ________________________________________________________

any kind of nickname ____________________________________________________________________

 what were his/her childhood dreams_________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 friendships____________________________________________________________________________

  Current:

strengths _____________________________________________________________________________

weakness______________________________________________________________________________

fears_________________________________________________________________________________

goals, ambition: what does he/she want to accomplish in life________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

dreams_______________________________________________________________________________

hobbies_______________________________________________________________________________

 habits_______________________________________________________________________________

life philosophies________________________________________________________________________

prejudices_____________________________________________________________________________

superstitions____________________________________________________________________________

unique speech patterns___________________________________________________________________

mannerisms or gestures that indicate personality traits, (twirl hair when nervous, stamp feet when angry etc)___

_____________________________________________________________________________________

sloppy?_______________________________________________________________________________

neat?________________________________________________________________________________

Laid back - type A personality or somewhere in between?________________________________________

obstacles you need to overcome.___________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

do you act differently when with family than with friend___________________________________________

do you ask for advise? Do you take it?_______________________________________________________

Are you trusting of others?________________________________________________________________

Do you judge by first impressions?__________________________________________________________

How do you decide if you can trust a person?__________________________________________________

What do your friends think of you?__________________________________________________________

Are you keeping any secrets?______________________________________________________________

Is there anything keeping you from your goals in life?_____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Is there any situation that your self-esteem is at risk?_____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Athletic or hate exercising.________________________________________________________________

movie___________________________

food____________________________

color____________________________

music____________________________

book____________________________

hero_____________________________

heroine___________________________

car______________________________

animal____________________________

place to escape to ______________________________________________________________________

place to spend a vacation _________________________________________________________________

Love

Do you fall in love easily? Or take your time?__________________________________________________

What scares you about your lover or potential lover?____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What kind of relationships have you had in the past?_____________________________________________

How did they end?______________________________________________________________________

What kind of person attracts you?___________________________________________________________

What part of your lover’s body do you like the most?____________________________________________

What part of your body do you like the most?__________________________________________________

What embarrasses you about your body?_____________________________________________________

Are you afraid to love? Or embrace it?_______________________________________________________

Are you easy to fall in love with? Why?_______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

If your lover asked you to give up your dream to be with him, would you?_____________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Any emotional scars when it come to love? (Left at the altar, found lover in bed with someone else, etc)______

____________________________________________________________________________________

What does your lover know about you that no one else knows?____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Would you tell your lover your darkest secret, dreams, fears?______________________________________

Is being in love easy or hard for you? Why?___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Do you like yourself as a person?___________________________________________________________

 You've Just Met:  By Sara Eckel 

When it comes to relationships, psychologist Dr. Judith Sills says that there are two kinds of people: askers and non-askers. "Askers ask way too early -- on date three they'll ask 'What do you think about children and what religion should they be raised in?'" Non-askers ask way too late, if at all, so after the wedding they'll say 'What do you mean you were married before?'" says Sills, author of the forthcoming If The Horse is Dead, Get Off (Viking, 2004).Small queries can lead to big answers when looking for a life mate -- here's a brief guide to what to ask, and when.    

     You're at a party, on a blind date, or just hanging out with friends. So far you like what you see. He's attractive, well groomed, and doesn't appear to have any major substance addictions. Get to know him a little better by asking:

 1. What did you do today? When asked on a weeknight, this is a subtle way of finding out if your potential beau is gainfully employed. On a weekend, this will tell you if your interests are compatible -- "Got up at 7 to run" or "Slept until noon" will hold various levels of appeal or disgust, depending on your own point of view.

 2. What do you love about your job? We've all experienced that horrible awkward pause after you ask a man what he does and he informs you that he sells packaging materials. But what he does is far less important than why he does it. So give him a chance to tell you why being an insurance actuary is actually fascinating work, or that he loves nothing but the money he makes. Either way, the answer will be revealing.

 3. What CDs are in your stereo right now? If you ask him what kind of music he likes, you'll probably learn more about what kind of music he thinks sounds impressive at cocktail parties than what he sings in the shower. So put him on the spot and let him confess that he listened to his old Flock of Seagulls album this morning. You may find that you have the same guilty pleasures.

 4. What brought you to New York/Seattle/Boise? The reasons that people pick up and move to new places -- "I fell in love," "I wanted to pursue my dream of being a landscape architect," "My college pal needed a roommate" -- reveal a lot about a person's spirit. And if they've lived the same place their entire life? Well, that tells you a lot too.

 5. So did you see that story about the guy who was in a coma for 19 years? By asking about a compelling news story, you'll get a good sense of whether your interests meld. You'll also keep your first encounter from sounding too much like a job interview.

 Going the next level

Life with your new man has been blissful. He's been a perfect gentleman. Picks you up at the door to go to concerts, movies, romantic dinners. The physical attraction has been strong, so much so that you're hoping he won't be quite so gentlemanly at the end of the evening. But are you ready for serious physical intimacy? Ask him:

 1. When do you think is the right time to sleep with someone? This question should be asked in a relatively low-key environment -- when you're walking in the park, getting an ice-cream cone, fishing. Not when he's fumbling with your bra strap. The idea here is to get his general philosophy, without necessarily commenting on your relationship.

      2. Are you seeing anyone else? It might seem unfathomable that the man you've felt so connected with all these months could have another girlfriend, but he may have an entirely different interpretation of your relationship. So while you may not like the answer, it's better to learn this before you ask him to spend the night.

 3. Do you worry about STDs? Asking a guy if he's been tested for sexually transmitted diseases is about as romantic as asking him to pee in a cup. This is never an easy topic, so start by asking a more philosophical question. "The bottom line is you have to have the safe-sex talk, and you have to come to an agreement that you're both comfortable with, whether that means wearing condoms, getting tested, or both," says Sills.

 4. Are you sure you're ready for this? This will let him know that you take the relationship seriously, that there indeed is something one needs to be "ready" for.

 5. What are my parents' first names? Okay, you don't literally ask this question. But if he's viewing this as the next step in building a committed relationship, then he should already know some basic stuff about you. "You really want to be at the point where the relationship is stable enough so that you don't have to ask. Is he part of your life? Has he met your friends and family? Or is he just someone you've been on six dates with? Behavior answers this question more than a conversation," says Sills

Shacking Up  

 The way you see it, you're together all the time anyway. But before you start playing house, have a frank discussion about a few issues:

 1. What's our commitment level? It's not that you have to decide that living together equals engagement, or even pre-engagement. But you both need to know where the other one stands. If one of you assumes that you'll be getting engaged in a year and the other thinks you're just saving on rent, then there's sure to be trouble ahead.

 2. What are your concerns about our compatibility? Will it drive him crazy that you leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight? Can you deal with the fact that he needs the television on 24-7? "You're sharing more time, more space, more money, so it's natural that things will come up," says Sills. The more you discuss your idiosyncrasies beforehand, the easier it will be.

3. What are your expectations regarding togetherness? Will he leave you home every night watching Sex in the City while he plays pool with the guys? Or will he be angry when he discovers you work until 9 p.m. most evenings? If one of you expects to be joined at the hip, while the other plans on maintaining a separate life, then there'll be a lot of tension in your household if you don't sort things out now.

 4. How will we pay for stuff? Are you planning on splitting each bill down the middle, or will the person who earns more pay more? And what's your money style -- do you go crazy if bills aren't paid on the 1st of the month, or do you wait until the last minute? "This is a romantic relationship with a powerful economic variable, so you need to have a frank economic discussion because these issues will definitely surface," says Sills.

 5. How will we divide the chores? If you're a neat freak and he tends to leave his dirty underwear on the living-room floor, then it's probably not realistic to expect him to keep the place up to your standards. You don't have to divide each job equally down the middle, but you do need to find a system that you both think is fair. Decide where you're willing to compromise, and what you're willing to contribute.

 Marriage

Before you start picking out china patterns and interviewing caterers, make sure you've got this stuff squared away:

     1. How do you feel about kids? Obviously, this is key. But if you both decide you want children, don't leave it at that. You also need to find out what sacrifices he's willing to make to ensure that these children will be raised, clothed, and fed. Will he be willing to quit his job to raise them? Will he be willing to get a job to support them?

 2. Is there anything I need to know about your finances? Just because he wears expensive Italian suits and always dines at 5-star restaurants, doesn't mean he doesn't have financial troubles. In fact, those designer clothes and gourmet meals could well be the reason for his money woes. So before you co-mingle your finances, you need to know if you're marrying thousands of dollars in credit-card debt, in addition to a sharp dresser and a discriminating palate.

 3. Where do you want to have the ceremony? Even if he has never mentioned his religion, don't assume that he'll be willing to recite his nuptials at your hometown church, or even City Hall. Weddings often bring out strong feelings of religious or family loyalty, so it's important that you speak respectfully to each other about whether you'll have a religious or civil ceremony, whose hometown you'll marry in, and who will be expected to convert.

 4. What are your expectations about seeing our families? Is your idea of family values seeing your relatives for a couple of days at Christmastime, or having dinner with them every Sunday?

 5. What are your most significant life experiences? If he once was a member of Gamblers Anonymous, has already been married, or if his dad was an alcoholic, then you should know this before you tie the knot. "Marriage is full disclosure. You don't need to tell him how many people you've slept with, but if he thinks that you've never slept with anyone, then that's lying," says Sills. So even if you think you know your partner down to his toenails, make sure you have this discussion. The fewer surprises the better. Says Sills, "The closer you are, the less romantic the wedding, and the more solid the marriage."

Try This At Home: The Dos and Don'ts of Great Sex     

     With a little planning and imagination, passion can continue to grow throughout your marriage. You can't have great sex unless you are true to yourself and honest with your partner. Still, despite great strides, one adage largely holds true: Women need love to get in the mood for sex. Men need sex to be receptive to love. Keep these dos and don'ts in mind:

Don't    

 Don't consistently have sex if you're not physically ready. Over time, giving in -- because you feel you must, or because time is short -- can breed resentment that will seriously erode any good feelings you have for each other. Instead, transform the moment: Tell him that you're thrilled that he wants you, and suggest a better time.

  Don't criticize him for trying something new that doesn't work.

 Don't have sex when your mind is mulling over how to handle the problem with the contractor, your son's failing math grade, and whose turn it is to take the lacrosse carpool on Saturday.

 Don't use your fear or your resentment as a weapon and avoid sex. Find a way to talk about what's really bothering you outside the bedroom -- it doesn't need to ruin what happens inside.

Do  

 Pay attention to the pace at which your body responds. If you're not aroused enough for sexual activity, let him know.

 Tell your partner what you need and like.

 Keep in mind that it can be difficult moving into new sexual arenas. If a spouse's suggestions are uncomfortable for you, don't automatically refuse. Tell him what scares you but try to modify it in some way that will please both of you.

 Give him a chance to fix what bothers you about your sex life. Give him feedback, but avoid critical remarks, especially in the moment. Try to sandwich a negative between two positives.

 Be the seducer. Trading roles will help you both empathize with each other, not to mention boost passion. Surprise him by showing you're thinking about him when he least expects it.

 To purchase a copy of the new book Seven Secrets of a Happy Marriage, visit www.workman.com.

Try This At Home: The Trust checkup: by Margery D. Rosen and the Editors of Ladies' Home Journal

Trust is the expectation, often unspoken, that someone will be there for us. When trust is broken, we no longer feel safe-physically, emotionally, or spiritually. How much can you and your mate really trust each other?

On the line next to each situation, rate whether it is A) easy, B) somewhat difficult, or C) difficult for you to get help, support, or encouragement from you partner when:

1.      ___ you feel indecisive.

      2.      ___ you're depressed.

      3.      ___ you feel exhausted.

4.      ___ you feel guilty.

5.      ___ you need encouragement.

6.      ___ you need advice.

7.      ___ you feel like a failure.

8.      ___ you're in physical pain.

9.      ___ you're in a money crisis.

10. ___ you feel humiliated.

Here's a few tips to help your characters get through a few rough spots when it comes to relationships.

• The Importance of Fighting Fair  • 

Anger is inevitable in marriage. If two people are living together, they are bound to disagree about small, seemingly petty things ("Whose turn is it to walk the dog?" "Why am I always doing the laundry?") as well as larger, more significant issues ("How should we handle our 2-year-old's tantrums?" "Why don't you ever back me up when your mother criticizes me?") Yet anger itself is not the real problem. It's how couples handle and deal with anger that separates a healthy relationship from one at risk.    

 Try This At Home: How to End an Argument -- So You're Both Happy    

         The "Rules": 

 Stop trying to win. In most arguments, each person is a little right and a little wrong.

 Schedule a time and place to resolve conflict. Timing is everything. Don't bring up important issues when you are too tired or too rushed to resolve them. 

Be clear and specific. Discuss one issue at a time and stay focused on the point you are trying to make. Try to be as neutral as you can in presenting your point of view.

 Make suggestions for resolutions, brainstorm ideas, and pick one to try that seems to satisfy both of you the most. If that doesn't work, don't despair. Pick another. Comments such as: "Let's try to find a common ground," or "Where do we more or less agree?" show that you're serious about negotiation.

 Call a time-out when either of you is so white-hot you will soon say or do something you regret. Remove yourself, temporarily, from the situation. You can say "I'm feeling very angry and I'm beginning to lose it now. I want to take a time-out." Or "I see you're very angry right now. Let's discuss this tonight, after the kids are in bed." Make a definite time and place to continue the conversation. Then, leave the room and do something physical -- walk, jog, clean the garage -- anything to defuse angry energy. 

Don't be cruel. Promise each other you won't be nasty, sarcastic, or personally critical.

 Don't insist on the last word. You may win the battle but lose the war by building resentment.

 To purchase a copy of the new book Seven Secrets of a Happy Marriage, visit www.workman.com.

     ***************************************************************************

Below is an article I thought was interesting and may help you when your characters are in a relationship. Try having them ask the questions and see what happens.

Why Communication Counts    

Over and over again, communication problems are targeted as the number-one cause of marital strife.

 In many cases, couples think they're communicating, but the messages aren't getting through. Communication problems stem from differences in conversational styles between men and women.

 Another common reason for communication foul-ups is what we call the mind-reader syndrome. Many couples -- newlywed as well as long-married -- fall victim. "If he really loved me, he would know what I want" is a typical complaint. So is "She's not saying anything, so she must be mad at me." Men are also much less likely than women to ask questions of a personal nature. They frequently think: "If she wants me to know, she'll tell me." Unfortunately, clinging to misconceptions often prevents couples from saying, honestly and directly, what they really feel and need.

To purchase a copy of the new book Seven Secrets of a Happy Marriage, visit www.workman.com.

                            Get FREE Press Coverage

By Beth Ann Erickson, BethAnnErickson.com

Advertising is expensive. A small classified ad in my local paper costs around forty bucks to run a four-liner ten days.  Four dollars a day probably isn’t that expensive but those four-dollar increments add up to well over a hundred dollars over a one-month period. To make matters worse, it’s almost impossible to make your ad stand out in the cluttered classified section, especially if it’s only four lines long.

Write a press release.

Each press release should contain the elements of a good article. The better written your release, the better your chances of getting it published.

When you send press releases, your worst-case scenario will be that they won’t use it. Don’t give up. It’s not personal. Media people are extremely busy. Keep trying, build a good reputation and you’ll eventually hit pay dirt.

Sometimes your press release will run as you wrote it. Sometimes they’ll run it but it will be edited – sometimes it will be edited a LOT.

Best case scenario? They’ll send out a reporter and photographer and you’ll get an entire article. That’s when your job gets fun….

Beth Ann Erickson is the publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for serious writers. Make Your Writing Sparkle. Write Killer Queries. Get Published. Subscribe to Writing Etc., the FREE e-mag for writers. Receive the e-booklet "Power Queries" when you subscribe. http://FilbertPublishing.com

Building a story:  the basic list:

First off you need a Theme:  A theme sums of the essence of your story. What do you as a writer allude to throughout the story? Is it Love conquers all? Or  Love against all odds? Lost Identity- regained life? Etc.

Back cover blurb: this summarizes your whole story in a quick pitch you'll need to sell to an editor or agent.

Character chart: see above ↑↑

Motivation: "The big picture"

What does your Heroine want?

What does your Hero want?

External Conflict  for ea.       Chapter  _________Scene_______

Hers:

His:

Internal Conflict for ea.      Chapter __________Scene________

Hers:

His:

Lets build the chapters: use this basic outline for each chapter

Chapter _______  Scene_______  POV ______

Setting/Time Period:

Action:

Conflict/obstacles:

Motivation/wants:

Hook that moves the story forward:

Thoughts that need to be resolved/answered in future chpts:

Each chapter, like a rollercoaster ride, should have a opening hook- a conflict, either internal or external, - a hint of a resolution and another hook that takes the story to the next level.

The first chapter should start with a Bang! Preferably in the middle of action/conflict.  To build a tense scene keep your lines short and quick. Dialogue is the best. Flashbacks and a lot of "fill" stop the action. 

Show don't Tell:  Telling is just that, it's you the author telling us what's happening.  Showing is done by having the character doing something by action. Showing can be done through dialogue as well.

Middle chapters:  a turning point. Start heading toward a resolution.  If you pick up the book and open it to the middle make sure there's a lot of action/movement then----wham!

The Black moment:  This is where it looks like everything is falling apart. The heroine/hero won't reach their goal: their love is doomed: etc.

Then wrap it up: All questions should be answered. All hints made throughout the book should be realized. And, of course, for all romances, the love is every lasting ending.

By: Marianne Petit

A is for Attitude
Moving Towards Happiness

It's important to establish the ground rules by emphasizing that it's how you feel about yourself that will determine your effectiveness in the coming year.

It's all very well setting lots of goals for yourself but if the thought of them fills you with dread you're not going to get very far. This is why most New Year Resolutions are doomed to failure - what seems like a burning conviction on New Year's Eve can quickly turn into a damp 'maybe' a day or so later!

The trick is to set 'aspirations' that make you smile and fill you with a warm fuzzy feeling that will last.

Born to be Mild

This is what Robyn and I learned on that road trip to Darwin. We were filled with love for each other - high on travelling and having fun when we sat down and drew up a list of 101 things we'd like to do in the following year.

There were good, noble things there like finishing manuscripts, submitting stories and book ideas to publishers - all the things we knew we had to complete. But alongside, there were less serious, even silly things like meeting Johnny Depp and visiting the pyramids together.

We wrote things down that made us laugh - like arriving in a limo at a movie premiere for our own movie - something that now, two years later, is actually going to happen!

And we think that's the trick - to give yourself writing goals that seem like fun. When you tell yourself you need to get a novel finished, don't stop there. See the book in stores. Imagine yourself at the signing - chatting to your publishers, your fans, the press.

Imagine the reviews and the Hollywood options that will come your way. Why not? You may as well enjoy yourself - even if it's all a fantasy.

Because the subconscious mind seems to like fun. We already know the subconscious likes images - real or imagined, it's all the same. And if you plant fun images of your future into your subconscious, your every day actions over time will pull you closer to this new, fun reality.

Are You Ready?

In order to be successful, you need to be ready for success. Too often, just at the point at which success is about to come bounding down your hallway, a little voice inside your head says, "I'm not ready for this." And, as much as you're sure you deserve a break, that you have every right to get more money and perhaps a little fame, that little voice will stop you from reaching out and taking the success you're offered.

Moving towards happiness may mean you have to think about your life.

We're told often when we're growing up that we should be responsible, that we have duties and need to make sacrifices - that this is all part of being an adult.

But really, is this true? Do we have to go through life miserable just because our parents, teachers and bosses say we should?

Pah! Look at it this way.

Say you're a father, bent on providing for your family. You work hard, all hours, to bring home money. You're always tired. Your wife rarely sees you and, despite all the apparent comfort in their lives, your children resent you for being such a workaholic.

You'd like to be there for your family but your work, your sense of duty, compels you to work harder - to imagine you're indispensable to your job. You're busy, stressed and miserable most of the time.

How much better a father would you make if you were happy first? What if you decided that being happy was the most important thing? What would you do?

This happened to me:

At one point in my life I decided I should settle down, get a secure office job, a profession, and climb the corporate ladder. I trained as a corporate buyer and moved into contract management. My glittering future seemed set...

But having children changed all that.

When the boys came along I asked myself, "What kind of father do I want them to have?" Did I want them to see me as some boring office type that was unfulfilled and who whinged about the sacrifices I'd made for them?

What sort of role model would that make me?

Would they rather see me as a happy, successful artist that felt proud of his life and achievements? Wouldn't that make me a much better role model - someone who showed them, through his actions, that compromise was not the only option in life?

Of course I decided on the latter, despite any and all of the consequences. It wasn't easy but I made the change. I began writing full time, on a wing and a prayer - because I knew that my being happy would be what was ultimately best for the boys. And it's worked out just fine.

Now, when the boys are on holiday from school, so are we. They get to spend days with us that other children would die for! We work from home so we're always there for them. We can be their friends and guide them in a way that would be impossible if we had 'proper' jobs.

Being Selfish is Okay

Moving towards happiness is about being selfish I admit. But being happy makes you a much more productive and useful human being. Being unhappy doesn't help anyone - least of all yourself.

So, think about what makes you happy. Think about how you can get rid of all the things - and people - in your life that make you unhappy. Seriously consider changing your circumstances to create your perfect life.

If you need more time to write, make it so.

Why not? It's your life.

And you have a duty to yourself to be happy.

The next message in this series will arrive in your inbox shortly.

To Your Writing Success!

Rob Parnell

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