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by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Many of our characters have a lifeboat filled with tangible items and memories that help them survive challenges. This is where a character travels when the storms of life gather and blow. The psychological connections keep the character grounded, inspired, on-task, encouraged, entertained, pacified, and motivated.  Sometimes the item is physical, a symbol of what the character designates as important. Other times, a memory, either cherished or despised, acts as a springboard for specific actions. To determine what�s inside your character�s lifeboat, look to genre, goals, needs, wants, personality, and life experiences. Genre Various genres dictate values unique to the type of story.  Contemporary novels contain characters who live in today�s world. The setting depends on culture, and the treasures are unique to the story line. This includes women�s fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, and horror novels. Romance novels use intense emotions to drive...

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan Or so I thought.  Why didn't someone tell me? Sure, a novella contains fewer words�about one quarter of a full novel to be exact. And I thought that meant less work. Ha! I mistakenly figured I wouldn't need all that goal and motivation stuff. After all, this was short and a romance.   Sugar, I had a lot to learn. I mean, you can put your boots into the oven, but that doesn�t make them biscuits. And throwing words willy-nilly onto a page does not a novella make. It took a weeklong binge of Hallmark Christmas movies to open my narrow mind to an ugly fact: It takes the same amount of time to work up the character interviews, learn their goals, motivations, lies, wounds, etc.  And that list doesn't even include the plot. Help! I didn't think of that part when I signed up. No, when some friends called for submissions for a collection, I just opened my big mouth.  The deed done, I needed to figure out how writing a novella was different . ...

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Our characters are plunged into an unsteady world brimming with high stakes and a strong potential for failure. The character chooses to go after a goal or solve a problem and is determined to do whatever it takes to succeed. But does the character understand that determination and commitment mean sacrifices? How far will a hero go to ensure what he/she treasures is happy and safe? One of the definitions of sacrifice according to the   New Oxford American Dictionary: � an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.� We writers understand our heroes and heroines must be prepared to give everything they have unselfishly, even their lives. But how do we show a sacrifice without telling the reader what is happening? I�ve heard that stories are what happened, and the plot is how it happened. Sacrifices must weave story and plot through detailed characterization. Only  your hero can make the needed...

Edie here. Today I'm super excited to introduce guest blogger, Erica Vetsch. She and several other writers (including our own Ane Mulligan) have just written an amazing book on writing, Writing from the Trenches . Be sure to give Erica a warm welcome and check out this newest book on writing.  5 Things to Consider When Naming Your Characters by Erica Vetsch @EricaVetsch Do you struggle to find just the right name for your fictional characters? It can be a challenge, for sure. Sometimes a character springs into your head with all their quirks and abilities and facial features and with their name solidly in place. Other times, you�re piecing together a character through discovery, asking, coaxing, sometimes begging them to reveal themselves, their personality, and their name. However you create your characters, naming them can be tricky. Here are the things to consider when it comes to putting a moniker on your hero or heroine. 5 Things About Naming Characters 1. Consider the time pe...

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted I�ve been writing seriously for the better part of fifteen years, and I still love to sit at the feet of those who are successful and pick their brains. They offer valuable guidance. When a new writer hands me a manuscript it�s easy to see their passion for the story. The concept is good, and they have an idea where the story should go, but as I begin to read, things start to fall apart. It�s because there is more to writing a novel than just having a story idea. There are mechanics. Important mechanics and it�s very difficult to gently begin pointing out why this story isn�t ready for publication. After all, there�s a protagonist, love, there�s a hint of conflict, and a good ending. Why doesn�t it work? Learning the basics is vital and listening to those who offer guidance is important as well.  Beginning Basics to Get Your Novel on the Right Track 1. An inciting incident : This incident is not the hook that draws your reader into the story rather it...