Let's Be Clear

He Can.

Or he can't.

She will.

Or she won't.

As you begin to tell the story of your characters as they work to reach their goals (i.e. setting up the story question), remember that the question must be answered in no uncertain terms.

Yes.

Or no.

An unclear story goal or question and/or a vague resolution is one of the fastest ways to disappoint a reader. 

Be clear. Be specific. 

He did. . . .

or he didn't.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

On Support

"Seeking support from friends and family is like having your people gathered around at your deathbed. It's nice, but when the ship sails, all they can do is stand on the dock waving goodbye."

-Steven Pressfield-

Sure, it's nice to have backing and encouragement, but it's not necessary to create good art. Appreciate your fan club if you have one in your corner, but, if you don't, know that only one person is responsible for getting the hard work done: you.

If the friends and family haven't aligned with your vision, get started without them. Maybe they'll step onto the dock, maybe they won't: the ship should depart, anyway.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

The Story Question

Curiosity.

Suspense.

Your reader wants to know what's going to happen next and how it all ends for the character. This is what keeps those pages moving. When the pages stop moving, you've lost her.

Remember that every story begins with a question. The answer to that question is what makes a satisfying ending. Everything that happens in between--progression, regression--should somehow connect to that initial story question, and the conclusion must come about logically because of those events. 

If you aren't sure what your story question is, ask yourself: what is my character's goal? What does he (or she) want more than anything else in the world?

Yes, the goal can change or evolve throughout the story (as long as it's a logical progression based on the scenes in the book), but the characters have to want something.

The reader wants to know if they get it.

Curiosity.

Suspense.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~  

On Self-Doubt

While there's nothing inherently wrong with having faith in one's abilities, watch out for presumptuous self-confidence.

Real artists aren't pompous or smug. Real artists are scared. They're worried. They're afraid their ideas won't resonate, the words won't do the story justice, the colors won't speak to the theme or make the necessary impact.

There are so many ways a project can go wrong, and the real artist has considered every one ad nauseam.

The real artist's hands and fingers still shake (literally or metaphorically) when it comes time to release their project out in the world. 

Be wary of those with big ideas, who have all the answers, yet never really accomplish anything.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

On Settings

Even if you're not writing a milieu (Lord of the Rings, anyone?), setting is important to a story.

Maybe you're not creating an entirely new world or universe, but you are creating your character's universe, and that means adding insight into who she is based on everything that surrounds her.

The buildings, the decor, the weather, the people--the sights, the smells, the sounds--these all affect your character in some way. They not only make up her environment, but they set the mood and atmosphere.

In a word, setting = details.

Use exposition to your advantage, and give your reader little insights into your character by discussing the things around her and how she reacts to them.

A couch can tell us as much about a character as the words that come out of her mouth, sometimes moreso.

For instance. . . .

Is it a shabby couch? Worn on one end and fraying at the edges? Is the pattern faded? The middle sagging?

Is it an heirloom? Something she remembers from her grandmother's home? Stiff velvet cushions and hand-carved legs?

Is it sleek white leather? Clean lines? Not single rip or tear?

It's amazing what a single piece of furniture can tell us about who someone is and what they value.

Don't skim over this important part of the writing process. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~ 

Are You Ready?

Writing a novel takes time and energy and emotion. 

And odds are you're already engaged in a balancing act of "life": work, school, and family/other personal responsibilities and obligations. 

But if you can't sleep at night for imagining the plot points of your story; if you can't help but listen to the whispered conversations of your characters while you're shopping for groceries or picking up dinner; if your home is littered with Post-it notes detailing events and phrases . . . . then you may be ready to write.

Just know it will take some sacrifice: late nights and/or early mornings, forgoing your favorite television show, saying "no" to that dinner with friends. . . .

It takes commitment, but, if you're willing, no one can stop you.

But first, you have to sit down and write. 

Then, you have to finish what you start. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~  

  

On Dialogue

One of the best things about writing dialogue is that it allows you to present a lot of information in a limited amount of time. By filling your characters in on what's happening around them, you're filling your readers in.

That said, nothing pulls a reader from a story faster than when characters are discussing something they should already know.

"Your sister turned eight this year."

"We just came from that store."

"You stopped at the bathroom before going inside."

Think about the conversations you share with friends and family.

There's a big difference between a discussion that begins with "Remember when. . . ." and uses a mix of dialogue and exposition to present something that previously happened, and imparting information through conversation that the character should already know.

The latter is nearly as bad as tapping your reader on the shoulder and saying: "Here. This is for you."

Always read your dialogue out loud. If it sounds the tiniest bit contrived or obvious, fix it.

(and always) Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

On Criticism

"If you find yourself criticizing other people, you're probably doing it out of Resistance. When we see others beginning to live their authentic selves, it drives us crazy if we have not lived out our own. Individuals who are realized in their own lives almost never criticize others. If they speak at all, it is to offer encouragement." 

-Steven Pressfield

Maybe you're not the problem. Maybe you're living your authentic life, but someone close to you isn't living theirs.

If they spend their time criticizing your hard work and effort, you have a few options. Depending on how close they are to you, you can cut them out of your life completely.

If you can't cut them out of your life, and you err towards altruism, you can support them as they work to find their purpose.

Or you can take a step back from them as best you can, continue to show up and do the hard work, and tune out the negativity.

I'll be honest: it's not easy.

Critics are loud and obnoxious, and even their quiet, subtle jabs sting. But however you choose to handle their negativity, don't let them snuff out your spark, tear you down, or swallow you up.

Keep doing you.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~ 

Five Things to Remember When Setting Your Goals

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's that time again!

This particular post has become something of a tradition with me, so, without further ado, five things to remember when setting your goals for the new year:
  

1. Write the Goals Down

It's proven that just in writing your goals down, you're more likely to accomplish them. Make a list and keep it handy. (But don't overload yourself. Limit your list to the three to ten things you MOST want to accomplish.)

2. Make them Specific

Don't just say you want to "read more" or "write more." Write down how many books you want to read a week. Determine how many words you want to write a day, and which story (or stories) you want to write.

3. Create a Plan and Set Deadlines

What will it take to read a certain number of books in a year? Trips to the library? Penciling "reading time" into your schedule? If I wanted to read six books a month, that's one book every five days. With due dates, that's two individual trips to the library. The first and fifteenth could be designated library days. I could find a quiet place and read for thirty minutes after dinner every evening. . . . 

Get an action plan together.

4. Get Out of the Way

I fully believe that we are in control of our own destiny. I'm not a fan of assigning blame or even letting past events or situations affect our today and tomorrow. Don't sabotage your goals with a negative mindset. 

Believe in yourself.

And that voice in your head that says you can't? He's a liar. Tell him to shut the hell up. 

5. Remember WHY These Goals Were Set

Maybe it's to become more well-rounded. Maybe it's to step outside of a comfort zone. The "why" is just as important as the "what" and "how." This is what you will return to when the road gets tough. 

So . . . what do you want to accomplish in 2019?

Your goals don't have to be reading or writing-related, either. Make this the year you get healthy--both physically and spiritually. Make this the year you save for that trip. Learn that language. Work for that promotion. Make that career change. Go back to school.

Step into your "discomfort" zone. 

Live intentionally.

Figure out what matters most to you and make those tough decisions (if necessary). 

Get moving.

And, as always: Be Brilliant!

~Katie~