How She Does It - Teri Thackston

We all know there are six elements in writing fiction and often fact. Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. I believe the first five lead to the sixth which for me is the plot. What's your take on this?

I agree completely. The first five elements are usually the fun part for me when it comes to writing a new story, with “How” being where the real work begins. All six elements are essential to a well-written and fully fleshed-out story.

1. How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific process?

Either my hero or heroine usually comes to me almost spontaneously – a gift from God. This character will have a specific personality and primary goal; not absolutely complete, but close enough to inspire his or her story needs. Then comes the hard part: creating the love interest character along with his or her personality and primary goal. That can take days of considering characters one after another until I find a fit – kind of like setting up blind dates for my characters!
Fortunately, for my newest paranormal romance, Moonrise, both the hero and heroine sprang to my mind together. They were waltzing together in the moonlit ballroom of a Welsh castle, and the hero disappeared every time they passed from the moonlight into shadow. It was an eerie but romantic scene that sparked the entire book very quickly.

2. Do your characters come before the plot? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end?

The initial plot of a book usually comes from the first character, and I plot the major scenes from that character’s goals. Of course, not every character cooperates with the plots I lay down, so I do a lot of tweaking of the plot throughout my writing process. By the end of the second or third draft of the manuscript, I usually have a pretty detailed written plot – down to the time of day and the weather for each scene. I have to write down those details or I’ll forget them!
For Moonrise, the plot of a Welsh Earl cursed to live unseen and unheard, trapped within his own castle for more than two hundred years, came to me fairly quickly. But it still took a while to pick his perfect heroine – a contemporary American – and to figure out how she could free him from the curse.

3. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?

I know the general ending – happily ever after! But the specifics are often a mystery until the second or third draft are complete.

4. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around?

Both, actually. I wrote a western romance once that took place on the Texas farm my family owned for nearly one hundred years. So I had the lay of the land in my head for that one. But I’ve never been to Wales, so for Moonrise, I had to design a castle. I studied different castles for months before I came up with my own version of a thirteenth-century keep that was modified over hundreds of years to become the manor house I called Beaumarith. Then I had to find out what kinds of plants grew in southern Wales, what a small Welsh train station looked like, what the weather is like in June (colder than Texas!). There were a lot of details to discover, and I found the research to be a lot of fun.

5. Where do you do your research? On line or from books?

The Internet has made research so much easier, but books are still a key research source for me. I even have a set of 55-year old Collier’s Encyclopedia’s that I refer to occasionally. But visiting a location can also be helpful. As I said, I’ve never been to Wales, so the Internet was invaluable with all the photographs and descriptive blogs that are available there.

6. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why?

Big time draft writer. I do some revisions as I go along, but usually only a couple of scenes back before going forward again. I don’t like to get bogged down in a scene by reviewing it over and over again in a short period of time…it loses its freshness. So I like to go through the book, focusing on specific aspects for each draft, i.e., one draft might focus on dialogue while another might focus on background elements. Then I usually put the book aside for a week or longer before I go at it again.

Thanks so much for inviting me to guest on your Eclectic Writer blog. I really appreciate the opportunity to ‘meet’ potential new readers. They can find me at www.terithackston.com or on Facebook and Twitter! And Wait Until Moonrise is available at http://tinyurl.com/75lcdm6

Thursday - Who I'm Reading - Renee Simons

I've been reading a lot of books. Always have and always will. I'm are-reader and some books I've read many times. Even though I know the story when I re-read I'm also learning how to hone my craft. Had a hard time this week deciding whose books I'd feature here but today Renee Simons gets the nod. Renee writes romantic suspense and they're all contemporary. I've read four of her books. One isn't available on Kindle yet, but when it is I'll buy and read again. What do I learn from reading someone who was a critique partner until she moved?

Renee has heros that I would like to know in real life. They are facing problems that could destroy their lives or the lives of people they love. Are her heros the only thing I see when I read her books? Renee's heroines always match her heros in strength and character. This is something I admire. Having heros and heroines as equals is a plus when reading her books. The villains aren't small potatoes either. They may be bad but they're also human. This takes a skill and pulls a person from page to page.

So if you like romantic suspense try Eye of the Storm, Safe Haven and Dearest Enemy. I enjoyed them.

Wednesday's Writer's Tip - Eileen Charbonneau - Elements of the Novel

Once again I'm reading the Elements of the Novel written by Eileen Charbonneau. This chapter talks about Structure. "Every novel, even the most experimental, has a structure." This is something we can see every time we read a book or hear a story. So what is the structure. Beginning, Middle and Ending.

Sounds simple and it is unless you're the kind of person who likes to complicate matters. The Beginning is where the characters, their goals and motives are set forth. As Eileen says. "The beginning is a promise." I know there have been times while judging contests that I've been fooled and one kind of story I thought I was reading turned into another kind. A contemporary romance suddenly becomes a paranormal or something else entirely. So with the beginning remember what you're trying to do. Don't prolong the beginning. Generations ago writers wrote long books and they had more room for their beginnings. Things happen faster now. So make sure you have all the points plus showing the setting and the kind of story you're writing in those first few chapters.

The middle is a time of complications but not ones that go all over the place. The middle should be a series of escalating events leading to the ending. Here's the place where the characters, setting and plot are explored. Here's what Eileen says about the Middle. "To deepen and expand your story without losing its pace." So here you must make sure each scene leads to the next, and making sure you don't have repeated scenes, characters with the same purpose or scenes that slow the pace.

Now comes the End. Eileen's advice. "To resolve and satisfy while seeming inevitable." May seem hard but I know I've read books where the ending didn't satisfy me or where it semed forced. Another thing is loose ends need to be resolved. Just recently I was reaching the of my current work in purpose and I found I'd left an strand waving in the air and not tied down. I needed to make sure this end was woven into the other parts of the ending and was logical.

Being a draft writer, I find I spend a lot of time honing the beginning or my stories and as much on the end. Sometimes finding that proper last sentence is hard, especially if you're dealing with a character who is part of a series. You want the reader to reach for the next book or if they've found your series in the middle to want to go back to the beginning.

Tuesday's Inspiration - John Hersey - Reasons To Write

Valid and non-valid reasons for writing a novel.
Here are the good reasons - A search for understanding. Not of oneself but that does figure in, but a desire to understand what and why something is happening. Mr. Hersey mentions War and Peace a book I've read more than once. This seeking to understand the influence of people on events and events on people can drive a writer. I think sometimes this is what drives me even when I'm writing of worlds invented for a story. What about you?

A desire to communicate. Writers often exist in a solitary world but they have things they are driven to say. Romance writers want to talk about happily ever after, mystery writers of good overcoming evil. There are any number of things a writer wants to communicate. What's your desire to tell other people?

Anger. Now this can work two ways. A great novel can be based on a writer's anger about some subject or some event impacting their world. But if the anger is done didactly the only accomplishment is to turn the reader off. Anger filtered through humor or with a light hand succeeds more than a preachy time.

So these three points are reasons that might draw the reader into the writer's world. The reader may be seeking escape or knowledge but they will read. What about the negative sort of reasons.

Catharsis. Pouring ones inner insecurities may turn a reader off. Especially if the unconscious emerges in long strands of thought and rambling moments.

Money If this is the sole purpose of writing a story it will fall flat.

So why do you write. I'd like to think what I'm trying to do involves the first three. How about you?

4 June Week Behind and Week Ahead

What interested me last week was tieing up loose ends in a story I'm writing. The first loose end really wasn't one but an end that led to a plot development that I didn't realize had a meaning. Does this ever happen to you? Sure did to me and has happened other times. Now sure what the unconscious mind does to a writer but it's like striking gold. I hope I've found all the loose ends in The Micro-manager murder. It's nearing the final re-write and soon I'll be able to write the End and start something new. By the end of this month is the goal.

Coming this week A re-release of what was formerly known as Flight will now be Escape and the series will be Affinities. The cover is the falling tower from the Tarot cards. What's interesting here is the falling people represent the four children's parents who metamorphize into birds who appear at strategic times in the four stories to guide and protect their children. This was another of those magic moments in a story linked to a fable the children have loved. "The Doma of The Birds. Imagination alwasy interests me. This book will have a free day on Kindle next week. As to my current writing I'm starting the final re-write of The Micro-manager Murder and then all that's left will be the checking for spelling and words that are words but are not the ones I want like our instead of out, those kind of things never picked up with the spell check.

On the blog as usual Tuesday will be Inspirations that have pushed me to write or that help other people write, almost always something another writer has said. Wednesday will be exploring Eileen Charbonneau's Elements of Fiction. A short book but one full of gems. Thursday wil be What I'm reading and here I'm torn between five or six writers. I read a lot. Friday and Saturday will see a new writer to me but one I hope everyone will enjoy and Sunday I'll be finding blogs that I f interesting. Wish I could read every blog and focus on them but that's an impossibility if one wants to write.

3 Blog Visit Sunday

I'm a guest up here today. http://karennacolcroft.com/special-guest-janet-lane-walters/

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2012/05/bad-habits-of-authors/

http://mahubooks.blogspot.com/

Saturday's Excerpt - Karenna Colcroft - Lost Soul

Blurb for Lost Soul, available from MLR Press, http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=KC_LSOUL

Sorcerer Joel Turcotte fuels his magic by stealing pieces of people's souls during sex. Since he caused the death of his lover a decade ago, he's careful to only take small pieces, but he regrets each one. When he meets Lanny Turcotte, he finds the strongest soul he's ever encountered, and one that's almost impossible to resist. Although Joel is reluctant to become involved with anyone, he and Lanny begin a relationship.
But Joel isn't the only sorcerer who wants Lanny. Can Joel protect his lover from other sorcerers---and from himself?

Excerpt:

The relationship was progressing well. Joel had even hinted a couple times that he was thinking about asking Lanny to move in with him. Lanny had decided not to decide until Joel made the invitation official, though he was leaning toward saying no. He loved Joel, and the condo was easily the most beautiful place he’d ever even considered living, but he didn’t want to be obligated to Joel in any way. And he didn’t want to risk becoming homeless if things didn’t work out between them.

Right then, he didn’t need to think about that. Joel had put him in charge of choosing the location for their date that night, and half an hour before the dealership closed for the night, Lanny was sitting at his desk running his mind through all the restaurants and grills he knew of in the area. It wasn’t a very long list.

Then something changed.

The place had been busy all day; Lanny wasn’t the only salesman whose numbers had improved since Joel’s presentation. Although they’d had a lot of customers, the overall energy of the dealership had been calm and stress-free. Even Barry Brigham, who’d shown up for an hour or so to check on how things were going, had seemed considerably more relaxed than usual.

That changed with the suddenness of a thunderstorm blowing in. Lanny couldn’t pinpoint at first where it began, but suddenly his chest tightened and a chill ran through him. The two salesmen who were still with customers went from relaxed chatting to leaning over their desks and speaking in too-forceful tones about the need to buy a car that day.

Aden.

Just as the name crossed Lanny’s mind, the man entered the showroom. He was dressed as he had been on the previous occasions: tailored clothes, leather boots, and exuding a sense of wealth and privilege.

He didn’t even pause to look around, but everyone in the showroom stopped what they were doing to stare at him. Everyone including Lanny, even though he fought to ignore the sorcerer. Whether it was magic or something else that drew people’s attention, it was far stronger than it had been the other times Aden had shown up. That pull Lanny had felt when Aden had tried magic on him before was so strong he couldn’t resist it.

He reached for his cell phone, but Aden was at his desk before he could dial. “I don’t think you need that.” He held out his hand. “Give it to me.”

Against his will but unable to ignore the command, Lanny lay the cell phone on the palm of her hand. “I’m not yours,” he said, each word an effort.

“I think that’s about to change.” Aden smiled and slipped Lanny’s phone into the pocket of his suit coat. “Come with me, Lanny. We have a lot to talk about, and I don’t think you’ll regret the conversation.”

He would regret it. He knew that too well. If he followed Aden, the man would soul-rip him and wouldn’t be as careful about it as Joel.
But he couldn’t help standing and taking a step toward Aden.



Blurb for Lost Soul, available from MLR Press, http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=KC_LSOUL

Sorcerer Joel Turcotte fuels his magic by stealing pieces of people's souls during sex. Since he caused the death of his lover a decade ago, he's careful to only take small pieces, but he regrets each one. When he meets Lanny Turcotte, he finds the strongest soul he's ever encountered, and one that's almost impossible to resist. Although Joel is reluctant to become involved with anyone, he and Lanny begin a relationship.
But Joel isn't the only sorcerer who wants Lanny. Can Joel protect his lover from other sorcerers---and from himself?

Excerpt:

The relationship was progressing well. Joel had even hinted a couple times that he was thinking about asking Lanny to move in with him. Lanny had decided not to decide until Joel made the invitation official, though he was leaning toward saying no. He loved Joel, and the condo was easily the most beautiful place he’d ever even considered living, but he didn’t want to be obligated to Joel in any way. And he didn’t want to risk becoming homeless if things didn’t work out between them.
Right then, he didn’t need to think about that. Joel had put him in charge of choosing the location for their date that night, and half an hour before the dealership closed for the night, Lanny was sitting at his desk running his mind through all the restaurants and grills he knew of in the area. It wasn’t a very long list.
Then something changed.
The place had been busy all day; Lanny wasn’t the only salesman whose numbers had improved since Joel’s presentation. Although they’d had a lot of customers, the overall energy of the dealership had been calm and stress-free. Even Barry Brigham, who’d shown up for an hour or so to check on how things were going, had seemed considerably more relaxed than usual.
That changed with the suddenness of a thunderstorm blowing in. Lanny couldn’t pinpoint at first where it began, but suddenly his chest tightened and a chill ran through him. The two salesmen who were still with customers went from relaxed chatting to leaning over their desks and speaking in too-forceful tones about the need to buy a car that day.
Aden.
Just as the name crossed Lanny’s mind, the man entered the showroom. He was dressed as he had been on the previous occasions: tailored clothes, leather boots, and exuding a sense of wealth and privilege.
He didn’t even pause to look around, but everyone in the showroom stopped what they were doing to stare at him. Everyone including Lanny, even though he fought to ignore the sorcerer. Whether it was magic or something else that drew people’s attention, it was far stronger than it had been the other times Aden had shown up. That pull Lanny had felt when Aden had tried magic on him before was so strong he couldn’t resist it.
He reached for his cell phone, but Aden was at his desk before he could dial. “I don’t think you need that.” He held out his hand. “Give it to me.”
Against his will but unable to ignore the command, Lanny lay the cell phone on the palm of her hand. “I’m not yours,” he said, each word an effort.
“I think that’s about to change.” Aden smiled and slipped Lanny’s phone into the pocket of his suit coat. “Come with me, Lanny. We have a lot to talk about, and I don’t think you’ll regret the conversation.”
He would regret it. He knew that too well. If he followed Aden, the man would soul-rip him and wouldn’t be as careful about it as Joel.
But he couldn’t help standing and taking a step toward Aden.

How She Does It - Karenna Colcroft

We all know there are six elements in writing fiction and often fact. Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. I believe the first five lead to the sixth which for me is the plot. What's your take on this?
I agree. I haven't really thought about it much, to be honest; for me the process of writing fiction happens so quickly in my brain that I don't really stop to analyze how many elements I have or what they are. But I agree with your statement.


1. How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific process?
No process. Most of the time the characters just jump fully-formed into my brain and say, "Hey, here I am, write about me." The times when I have had to try creating a character, the story hasn't worked out so well.


2. Do your characters come before the plot? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end?
Again, I do a lot of the process in my head and it often goes pretty quickly, so sometimes the characters and plot seem to show up simultaneously. I used to let the characters lead the way, and I still do to an extent, but I'm experimenting now with doing a brief brainstorm prior to writing the story and a few brief notes each day before I start that day's round. It's a tip I saw on a blog (I've unfortunately forgotten which one), and since I started doing it this way I've consistently managed to write 5000-10,000 words per day.


3. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?
It depends on the story. I usually have at least a vague idea of what the ending will be. Once in a while it's specific, but usually I get to the end and struggle a bit to figure out exactly what words will end it.


4. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around?
Most of my romances lately are set in the Boston area, where I live, so I'm familiar with it. As for the actual houses, buildings, etc., they're mostly figments of my imagination, other than a few public buildings that I can go into so I can describe them accurately. I also write novels for teenagers under the name Jo Ramsey, and most of those are set in and around Portland, Maine, where I grew up.


5. Where do you do your research? On line or from books?
I avoid research whenever possible, but when I can't get around it I research online. I prefer to write about things I've already learned or write things that I can make up so that I don't have to research them.


6. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why?
I'm very much a draft writer. If I revised as I went along, I would never finish anything.

You can find out more about Karenna Colcroft and her books on her website, www.karennacolcroft.com, or by joining her Facebook group, http://www.facebook.com/groups/261093317316839/. Her most recent release is the M/M paranormal romance Lost Soul, from MLR Press, which released May 4. Her next release will be the heterosexual paranormal romance novel Beta Test, from Passion in Print Press.

Books I've Been Reading -- Jude Pittman's mysteries

Jude Pittman is an online friend, partner in one of my publishers but I really discovered her through a group that was a promo group that has evolved into a publisher. I have also read three of her books, all mysteries.

I'll have to admit that I'm a re-reader and I've read her books at least three times. But you know the ending people often tell me. Granted I do. I have a memory that often clings to stories. While I may know the ending, the nuances are what fascinated me. I love mysteries and trying to find the hidden hints to the revelation at the end. Perhaps my love of reading stories again and again is because I do learn how to hone my craft and I'm also a re-writer doing drafts and drafts of a story.

Now back to Jude's stories. Deadly Secrets and Deadly Betrayal take place in Texas. I happen to have two Texas born childr so one of the pleasures in reading Jude's books take me back to my days of living near "the Hospital on the hill" near Ft. Worth. Now the hill was hard to find but that's another story. I have both books on my Kindle and also on two other electronic readers from my past that are now defunct. Kelly the hero is tough and coruageou and the atmosphere of the bar with its characters provides laughter and a few hints to what is going on. I'm really a cat lover but I found Jake, the dog, to be a fascinating creature. The mysteries are well crafted and I do wish there were more of these stories. Sometimes a reader finds a character they don't want to let go and Kelley is one.

I've also read Jude's other mystery Bad Medicine and enjoyed meeting her characters in this story. This is another area to explore and learning about other cultures is a great thing.

So hats off the Jude. Hopefully there will be more books coming.

Wednesday's Writer's Tip - A visit with Eileen Charbonneau - Elements of The Novel

Today and for the next 12 weeks, the tips will be provided by Eileen Charbonneau, a classy writer and former critique partner. The Elements of the Novel is written in a form easy to read and one that gives tips to aid the beginning writer help and also to help the experienced writer remember things perhaps forgotten. Eileen has written a number of award winning stories that are both evoctive and poetic. I have a number of her books on my shelves and will place this one there with honor. Now to the tips.

The first chapter speaks of Process. Just what is this? The Process is the way a writer approaches their craft. The first element is finding time. Most writers don't have the luxury of beginning to write with all the time in the world. They have jobs and families and other responsibilities. For one to be a writer, they have to find the time and a regular routine. Just like fitting exercise into a person's life an aspiring writer must find a time and a routine. Do you have an hour, a weekend, the ability to write for an entire day? Making the time is important and making it a regular part of your day is vital.

The second element is Product. Without putting the words on paper there would be no product. Eileen has an interesting look at plotter vs panster. I happen to agree with her. As a writer I am a bit of both and that's mainly because plot is an important part of my way of creating books. So do you do volumes of planning before your begin or do you gather your characters and set out to write their story? Perhaps you do a bit of both. Putting the words on paper is the Process.

Eileen, Thanks for sharing your expertise with us and I'm looking forward to many more weeks with The Elements Of The Novel.