tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71076975642241837592024-03-13T12:29:17.197-04:00Katie Klein WritesKatie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comBlogger678125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-67317335354910403472024-01-01T00:30:00.001-05:002024-01-13T10:54:38.578-05:00My Books!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAxdh4e3s7sjxkC-0ya-ssEQO5k-eFvgYAkTf0LvShLVnYwIjkNksYdfDEpjlIdDcD0ONm39UFS4HhOGyOpRUbaJWHrtbp3SzvfYoFd4PDRF_V85iA-59YqC_uogW4Uf8pEOTeHFgFYQQ0ZKYnjf8WIGbA2p0oNfatrITsdl-5SPdps20Jat4VjlVQTQp/s1909/Book%20page%20for%20blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="1261" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAxdh4e3s7sjxkC-0ya-ssEQO5k-eFvgYAkTf0LvShLVnYwIjkNksYdfDEpjlIdDcD0ONm39UFS4HhOGyOpRUbaJWHrtbp3SzvfYoFd4PDRF_V85iA-59YqC_uogW4Uf8pEOTeHFgFYQQ0ZKYnjf8WIGbA2p0oNfatrITsdl-5SPdps20Jat4VjlVQTQp/w310-h470/Book%20page%20for%20blog.png" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">*sighs*</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">*cries*</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://books2read.com/ap/RaZaMv/Katie-Klein" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Happily Ever Afters...</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-193492587339108622023-01-01T07:00:00.001-05:002023-01-01T07:00:00.171-05:00Happy New Year!<p style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">H<span style="color: cyan;">A</span>P</span><span style="color: cyan;">P</span><span style="color: red;">Y</span> <span style="color: cyan;">N</span><span style="color: red;">E</span><span style="color: cyan;">W</span> <span style="color: red;">Y</span><span style="color: cyan;">E</span><span style="color: red;">A</span><span style="color: cyan;">R</span><span style="color: red;">!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: verdana;">It's that time again!</span></p><div><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: verdana;">Five things to keep in mind as you're setting goals for 2023:</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: red;"><b><span face="verdana, sans-serif">1. Write the Goals Down</span></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;"><br /></span><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">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.)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;"><br /></span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: red;"><b><span face="verdana, sans-serif">2. Make them Specific</span></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">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.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: red;"><b><span face="verdana, sans-serif">3. Create a Plan and Set Deadlines</span></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">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. . . . </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">Get an action plan together.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><b>4. Get Out of the Way</b></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">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. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">Believe in yourself.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">And that voice in your head that says you <i>can't</i>? They're a liar. Tell them to shut the hell up. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: red;"><br /><b><span face="verdana, sans-serif">5. Remember WHY These Goals Were Set</span></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;"><br /></span><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">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. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">So . . . what do <i>you</i> want to accomplish in 2023?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">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.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">Step into your "discomfort" zone. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">Live intentionally.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">Figure out what matters most to you and make those tough decisions (if necessary). </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">Get moving.</span><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;"><br /></span><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">And, as always: </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">Be Brilliant!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;"><br /></span><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c;">~Katie~</span></span></div></div>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-1883114905189051962022-12-05T07:00:00.001-05:002022-12-05T07:00:00.162-05:00Katie Klein is on Hiatus<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's the most wonderful time of the year. . . .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And after an amazing Thanksgiving with family and a weekend spent decorating my house for the holidays, I've decided to take December off from the blog to recharge/regroup, work on my WIP, and maybe find some time to watch all of my favorite Christmas movies (the season really doesn't last long enough).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter will stay updated (to a certain degree), so make sure you're following me there in the event I stumble upon news to share.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Otherwise, I wish you a safe and <u>happy</u> holiday season and will see you on the other side.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3d1c_tLzIKM/YaZQ9EPICSI/AAAAAAAABos/IeB5kfv1HYsWi4Get2MM-Hh3oyfA3uRSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/christmas%2Bhiatus.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3d1c_tLzIKM/YaZQ9EPICSI/AAAAAAAABos/IeB5kfv1HYsWi4Get2MM-Hh3oyfA3uRSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/christmas%2Bhiatus.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-84069011097251012172022-11-28T07:00:00.009-05:002022-11-28T07:00:00.152-05:00From Blocked to Brilliant: Tips for Keeping the Creative Spark Alive<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's no secret that the key to a successful writing career is creativity, but the creative process itself? Yikes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, there are times when the ideas seem to dry up or you get caught in a rut, writing the same thing over and over or only when you feel "inspired." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So what happens when your creativity starts to dwindle? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here are five tips to help you keep the creative spark alive and burning bright. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx-wXfV41CCmTk6JBfrrJEy9gLgL8vFi0xfSB-QuQdiFgn7IYowQnz00IJVO_yuprnA92jWj7-izfx2FYbsns2NzG0Tcb2QPqmSrFRPuJsux0OxCB86P2Is_poYvAmJF8BAiIQjncB7TqRAN3e0doo0lsZ4vFXhUIGBRhwXb2HQZHTR4GQ142tJ_JAA/s2048/kelly-sikkema-411622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx-wXfV41CCmTk6JBfrrJEy9gLgL8vFi0xfSB-QuQdiFgn7IYowQnz00IJVO_yuprnA92jWj7-izfx2FYbsns2NzG0Tcb2QPqmSrFRPuJsux0OxCB86P2Is_poYvAmJF8BAiIQjncB7TqRAN3e0doo0lsZ4vFXhUIGBRhwXb2HQZHTR4GQ142tJ_JAA/s320/kelly-sikkema-411622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>1. Read, read, and read some more. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Make time every day to read something, whether it’s a blog post, a book, or articles on your favorite website. The more you read, the more ideas you’ll have to fuel your own writing. (For me, this also applies to watching movies.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>2. Switch up your normal routine. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you always write at the same time of day, in the same place, try shaking things up a bit. Write in the morning instead of at night, or vice versa, or try a new location.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>3. Take some time for yourself. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When you're feeling blocked creatively, it can be helpful to take some time for yourself, even if it's just 10-15 minutes. Step away from your work and do something that relaxes you. This can help clear your mind and give you a fresh perspective.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>4. Talk to other writers. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When you're struggling with your writing, talking to other writers can be incredibly helpful. Many have been there before and can talk you through it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>5. Do your best to write every day. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even if it's just a few hundred words, getting into the habit of writing regularly will help keep those creative juices flowing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's not always easy to keep the creative spark alive, but the ideas are out there, and if you can keep the faith (and your eyes and mind open to the possibilities), who knows? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next idea that hits could be the one that catapults you to bestsellerdom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~ </span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-16448708314126011482022-11-24T07:00:00.006-05:002022-11-24T07:00:00.163-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">To all my stateside friends (and anyone celebrating around the world): </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyGANFld9Gbz9iKr7vVENCNK-z_O7QBZLdGR72xNKkk1uEnjVW3B0FU0AmY2Bre0b7fBdgM7dUqhF2fjt6mYeA_11KbTg24ivo-swsI9GEtE72V4Hst0zsX_dxUBe4OY4vtNlqm7XRJ5pZYcAnskNAmoe0j1UQ67PZCXmV_5TBgsnUc5GtwBR0Fr9CA/s1080/Before.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyGANFld9Gbz9iKr7vVENCNK-z_O7QBZLdGR72xNKkk1uEnjVW3B0FU0AmY2Bre0b7fBdgM7dUqhF2fjt6mYeA_11KbTg24ivo-swsI9GEtE72V4Hst0zsX_dxUBe4OY4vtNlqm7XRJ5pZYcAnskNAmoe0j1UQ67PZCXmV_5TBgsnUc5GtwBR0Fr9CA/s320/Before.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-12143740759609534212022-11-14T07:00:00.001-05:002022-11-14T07:00:00.205-05:00Book Recommendation: The Essential Books on Writing<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-indent: 18px;">We're moving into the holiday season, so I can already feel things both speeding up and slowing down simultaneously (doesn't really help that the future of Twitter hangs in the balance), but before I go on my holiday hiatus, I just wrapped up another writing reference guide that I think you'll appreciate.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdSLwVJJYhlqLmbmo3QKodDX051-l5aQV6Hy_0gYB17ypgowyZDIjLmSU2L2p7uKGXep2kepsDfEqjZVx5S3BazIerVY5n1asrINUoyibxmOX1dgPlW8FXjUDtOAjeIZxbByVXHmy65Xrih5JviMZ_S-updvjeW1TgiWhiDjcGxvgxGzFUM43oYyqOw/s437/essential%20books%20on%20writing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="300" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdSLwVJJYhlqLmbmo3QKodDX051-l5aQV6Hy_0gYB17ypgowyZDIjLmSU2L2p7uKGXep2kepsDfEqjZVx5S3BazIerVY5n1asrINUoyibxmOX1dgPlW8FXjUDtOAjeIZxbByVXHmy65Xrih5JviMZ_S-updvjeW1TgiWhiDjcGxvgxGzFUM43oYyqOw/w190-h276/essential%20books%20on%20writing.jpeg" width="190" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="text-indent: 18px;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-indent: 18px;">My official review:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">Whether you’re preparing to write your first masterpiece or churn out your next bestselling novel, </span><i style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Books-Writing-Boxed-Set-ebook/dp/B0BDNJNCQC/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=yg7Pm&content-id=amzn1.sym.8cf3b8ef-6a74-45dc-9f0d-6409eb523603&pf_rd_p=8cf3b8ef-6a74-45dc-9f0d-6409eb523603&pf_rd_r=KXGYZVXDSJRT19WK3EP9&pd_rd_wg=WpTpT&pd_rd_r=0a6ead6e-c176-4979-a1e5-b0729ae76028&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi" target="_blank">The Essential Books on Writing</a></i><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;"> boxed set by Bryn Donovan has everything you need to get started and more. This collection is jam-packed with ideas, and part of its appeal lies in the fact that it doesn’t need to be read from cover to cover. </span><i style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">5,000 Writing Prompts</i><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;"> and </span><i style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">Master Lists for Writers</i><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;"> are reference guides that include super-creative story prompts and thoughtful, easy-to-navigate lists covering plots, words, names, and character quirks (among many others).</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">In </span><i style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">Blank Page to Final Draft,</i><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;"> Donovan offers writing insights that are both practical and actionable. Selections that stand out include the advice on how to end a chapter, the questions to ask beta readers so they know what to look for, and how you can turn a character’s good quality into something negative.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">Any writer at any stage can benefit from any of these books, but I think more seasoned writers will appreciate the plot and word lists while first-time novelists will appreciate Donovan’s approach to writing a book, which allows them to work at their own pace.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">*I was gifted an ARC of this book to review, but this in no way swayed my opinion. For me, this </span><i style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">Essential Books</i><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;"> collection is an easy five stars—an exceptional resource for any writer in search of new ideas and inspiration for their next project and practical advice on how to get their story from their head to the page.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;"> </span></p><p><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">If this is a resource you feel like you might benefit from, you can learn more <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Books-Writing-Boxed-Set-ebook/dp/B0BDNJNCQC/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=yg7Pm&content-id=amzn1.sym.8cf3b8ef-6a74-45dc-9f0d-6409eb523603&pf_rd_p=8cf3b8ef-6a74-45dc-9f0d-6409eb523603&pf_rd_r=KXGYZVXDSJRT19WK3EP9&pd_rd_wg=WpTpT&pd_rd_r=0a6ead6e-c176-4979-a1e5-b0729ae76028&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">As always:</span></p><p><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 18px;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-67812353570195347152022-10-31T07:00:00.006-04:002022-10-31T07:00:00.161-04:00John Matthew Fox: In Conversation<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last week I mentioned I had the pleasure of snagging an ARC of John Fox's new book <i><a href="https://tinyurl.com/2p8xmaxb" target="_blank">The Linchpin Writer: Crafting Your Novel's Key Moments</a></i>, and it really is unlike the other books on writing out there. You can read my full review <a href="http://katiekleinwrites.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-linchpin-writer-review.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but it's a welcome addition to any writer's bookshelf, in my humble opinion (and I've read A LOT of craft books, y'all).</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHfxv4ww26U8dq5GxnVnYSYCttzcH8W7R6q9WdjkQnF6qoutVcEZCpswH2dwvgu4RS7nRUXrMNlspUrd8T_wq-6zzhOKIMmd26W4alWUSOlnjyQCsw-CCpMfH8i51sDFrGrl9QTA-Q7v5phXXokKjlig5Zty-T9ltcXUM6uEXVxIfoDvbu475n7JTPQ/s2549/Linchpin%20Writer%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="1648" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHfxv4ww26U8dq5GxnVnYSYCttzcH8W7R6q9WdjkQnF6qoutVcEZCpswH2dwvgu4RS7nRUXrMNlspUrd8T_wq-6zzhOKIMmd26W4alWUSOlnjyQCsw-CCpMfH8i51sDFrGrl9QTA-Q7v5phXXokKjlig5Zty-T9ltcXUM6uEXVxIfoDvbu475n7JTPQ/w133-h204/Linchpin%20Writer%20Cover.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So I'm thrilled that John was willing to answer a few questions I had post-reading. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Enjoy!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">* * *</span></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;">You explain what a linchpin is at the start of your book, and I've heard the term applied to people in the business world or in a community--someone who is vital to an operation--</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;">but I've never really thought about being a linchpin from a writer's or a writing standpoint. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;">What made you choose this angle for your book?</span></span></b></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'd been doing developmental editing on novels for years and I realized that I kept on giving advice about the same sections of their books. And I realized the pattern held across a large number of novels, that writers struggled to write the most pivotal scenes in their book. And if they messed up on those scenes, there was an excellent chance that the reader wouldn't connect with the book as strongly. So I wanted to write a book helping as many writers as possible with those crucial parts of their story.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">That's awesome. I teach undergrads on the daily, so I totally understand those patterns that show up again and again in feedback. What would you say you enjoy most about the writing process?</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I remember that Jonathan Safran Foer once said that if he wasn't a writer, he would have become a builder. And I understood that comment. Writing is simply building with words. Slap some mortar of verbs, put on a brick of a noun, build an object that's tall or thick or beautiful.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Oh, I LOVE that metaphor!</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Yeah, so I love the building aspect of writing, the feeling of constructing a narrative. And so really, my favorite part of writing is the imagination. Of designing characters so they feel unlike everyone else, of designing a world that feels different from ours and yet similar, of designing a plot that isn't hackneyed and ready-made, but feels original and wild.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I might not be the best prose stylist in the world, but I sure do write stories that nobody else has put on the page.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I haven't read your fiction (yet!), so I can't speak to your prose styling, but I really loved your command of structure and tone in <i>The Linchpin Writer</i>. It's a smart book, but I didn't feel like I was being talked down to. It was accessible, but I didn't </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">get the feeling that you were diluting anything to appeal to a base audience (that may have come out wrong, so if I offended anyone by saying that, I'm sorry). I just loved that the whole book is so practical and encouraging while still maintaining that literary or sophisticated bent. So what advice did you leave out of the book that you might offer a fledgling writer?</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don't work on creating the perfect book. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Perfect books are quite boring to read. Perfection is too surface-level. First, work on creating a book that has flaws, but which gives the reader pleasure. That forges into new territory, that feels different than other books out there, that is the type of book you haven't read yet but wish it existed. So many amazing books have minor flaws, but I enjoy them because of what they tried to accomplish, and their imperfections seem beautiful to me.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Small example: the cranial mediations on the whale in <i>Moby Dick</i>. Was it a mistake? Should an editor have taken it out? Well, yes. But the book is still marvelous in spite of it.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Next, work on creating yourself into the type of person that can write a fantastic book. That means putting in the time at the desk. That means reading every day. And set a goal for the number of books you want to read for the year -- 50? 75? Over 100? And keep a notebook of everything you learn from those books, so you're not just consuming but you're analyzing the books to see what they teach you. That also means finding a writing community and getting words on the page.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />If you force yourself to write a book, that's good, but you just have a book. Instead, grow yourself into a better writer. So you can write book after book after book.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">That's a lot of fantastic advice. I've been playing this game long enough to see trends come and go (and come back again) and the whole state of the industry change. I've done the traditional pub thing, the self-pub thing, and it really comes down to not only loving what you do, but taking it seriously: showing up and doing the hard work and being willing to adapt at every turn. </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">So I don't want to spoil this story because it's in the book, but it nearly broke my heart. You mentioned mentoring a young girl from India who was struggling to become a writer (against her entire society's wishes). If you could have any author (living or dead) mentor you, whom would you choose and why?</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This summer, I flew out to Key West for the Hemingway look-alike contest. 150 guys who look like Hemingway, all competing to be crowned that year's champion. I went with my book club, and we drank Hemingway's rum, toured his house, saw his trophy fish, ran with the bulls in the bull parade, competed in the fishing contest, posed with all the Hemingway models, and drank a lot (as Papa would have liked it).</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />It felt like a good life. If Big Papa could rise from the dead and give me a few tips on my novel, I wouldn't say no.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>God, you have the most AMAZING writing group/book club. I honestly loved these stories in <i>The Linchpin Writer</i> as much as I loved the advice, and I won't pretend I'm not super jealous of your travels because I am. </b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Thank you so much, John, for dropping by the blog. It was a pleasure. Truly. :)</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">* * *</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The Linchpin Writer</i> is on sale now. <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2p8xmaxb" target="_blank">Check it out</a>, if you haven't already. Again, <a href="http://katiekleinwrites.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-linchpin-writer-review.html" target="_blank">here's my review</a>, but you don't have to take my word for it. The five-star ratings are strong with this one. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can also follow John on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/bookfox" target="_blank">@bookfox</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And <a href="https://thejohnfox.com/" target="_blank">his website</a> is PACKED with awesome content (check out his blog, first).</span></div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />“If it has ever happened to a human being, it is worthy of inclusion in a book. </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>It doesn’t matter if it offends someone or breaks a taboo—</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>the role of books is to say what seems unsayable.” </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>-John Fox</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></div>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-15726453049957927722022-10-24T07:00:00.021-04:002022-10-25T17:19:57.935-04:00The Linchpin Writer - Review<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are moments in our stories that can make or break them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">These are “linchpin” moments, and in a world deluged with tomes on craft, John Matthew Fox has brought a new angle and fresh insights to the writing conversation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The Linchpin Writer</i> is divided into three main sections: firsts (paragraphs, description, dialogue), emotions (sorrow, wonder, desire), and endings (chapter, story, character). Each chapter concludes with actionable advice and prompts, and to expand on the ideas, Fox offers a clear pathway to the resources on his blog, where we can take an even deeper dive into the subject matter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are insights aplenty for both the neophyte and the seasoned professional, and along with the analysis and breakdown of what works and what doesn’t, Fox proffers stories of his travels and some of the high and low points of his career to deepen the insights and encourage writers to stay the course. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You won’t find detailed instructions on world-building or character development. That’s already been done by hundreds of other writers in thousands of other books, and that’s not the purpose of <i>The Linchpin Writer</i>, anyway, which is precisely what makes it a welcome addition to any bookshelf. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With its excellent guidance on nailing key moments in your novel, clear and concise explanations for each topic, and encouraging tone, The Linchpin Writer is exactly what we writers need: nothing more, nothing less.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The linchpin moment of Fox’s book just might be the final sentence, which is a swift sock to the gut to anyone who calls themselves a writer. But I won’t spoil it here. I’d simply encourage you to pick up a copy of <i>The Linchpin Writer</i>, read it, and answer for yourself. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNKd7bT9ko1IdkhcIJrsj6P6irfv1O4aF8WgtDcvbZ9wH8dqMfSD1gdRRRdOny2k-bQNyfXjOpgW8oL_mB3ANJ0RXAR4WzR2fPVbI7gHoGOV2n7tYqnAUYxU-n4FAWQyvrKjDSDvLwYA1v1Dr1F5dI-EZMG9Wvb5XKGTdP0MBHTfS_scRNSAgHSKiug/s2549/Linchpin%20Writer%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="1648" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNKd7bT9ko1IdkhcIJrsj6P6irfv1O4aF8WgtDcvbZ9wH8dqMfSD1gdRRRdOny2k-bQNyfXjOpgW8oL_mB3ANJ0RXAR4WzR2fPVbI7gHoGOV2n7tYqnAUYxU-n4FAWQyvrKjDSDvLwYA1v1Dr1F5dI-EZMG9Wvb5XKGTdP0MBHTfS_scRNSAgHSKiug/w148-h229/Linchpin%20Writer%20Cover.jpg" width="148" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The Linchpin Writer</i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Linchpin-Writer-Crafting-Novels-Moments-ebook/dp/B0B45CFR3T/ref=rvi_sccl_8/137-3158210-4071202?pd_rd_w=RS0fI&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=DG179DTJ43K8CTSR852Q&pd_rd_wg=ehn4b&pd_rd_r=de62c591-5e38-46ac-8094-2084601b62ec&pd_rd_i=B0B45CFR3T&psc=1" target="_blank">goes on sale </a>this week. Inside, you'll find the keys to creating memorable moments in your fiction and tips for creating stories that will stay with your readers long after they've finished. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">*I was gifted an ARC of this book to review, but this in no way swayed my opinion: an easy 5/5 stars for any writer at whatever point of the journey they might be on.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">* * *</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Stay tuned, because I have an interview with John posting in the next few days. :)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~ </span></p><div><br /></div>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-50938618530561427112022-10-17T07:00:00.043-04:002022-10-17T07:00:00.149-04:00The Biggest Fan: Why Every Writer Needs Someone to Believe in Them<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Writing is hard, it's often thankless, and it's full of rejection. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every. Single. Day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Rejection.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're a writer, you probably already know how important it is to have someone on your team--someone who believes in you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIz4EXKdWkcXzVL_sAv6IXO39XJViqLwaJWKRDDJskUmX68PSOYcuNL4FNomo3RZWHU3ohFhQHsdCDXo4o9stSvAwxQxVlwilk3dhKMid-RrJ0GfX1KTGfF9Xtg4oWOoAAYDHt7idTWLprPxJFDCKVHnqk_e4cDgKUjgtlsE3Dk0dLTLLj2-kSYhmvXw/s6000/pexels-fauxels-3184302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIz4EXKdWkcXzVL_sAv6IXO39XJViqLwaJWKRDDJskUmX68PSOYcuNL4FNomo3RZWHU3ohFhQHsdCDXo4o9stSvAwxQxVlwilk3dhKMid-RrJ0GfX1KTGfF9Xtg4oWOoAAYDHt7idTWLprPxJFDCKVHnqk_e4cDgKUjgtlsE3Dk0dLTLLj2-kSYhmvXw/s320/pexels-fauxels-3184302.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by fauxels</span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. Motivation</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Having someone believe in your writing gives you the confidence to get started and keep going, even when it's tough. Sometimes all you need is a little push, and this person is here for it.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. Confidence</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Knowing that someone out there thinks your work is worth reading can make a huge difference. They know you have what it takes, and they never hesitate to tell you. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. Feedback</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">An ardent supporter is someone to bounce around ideas with, making it easier to get feedback and constructive criticism. This becomes invaluable when developing your stories and craft.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. Encouragement </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">They push you to be better and help you reach your potential, cheering for you the entire way. This can mean the difference between getting published and giving up too soon.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every writer has a story to tell, but not every writer has someone who believes in them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I won't go so far as to say that a support system is essential to a writer's success, but having someone in your corner through the discouragement and the vulnerability--when the rejections pour in--can be a huge motivator to keep at it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So if you're a writer and there's someone in your life who fits this description, cherish them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're not a writer (and you stumbled across this post by accident) but there's a writer in your life, be that person for them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're a writer without a tribe, consider joining a writing group (in-person or online) and start building relationships with other writers who can be that system for you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And if you're in need of a quick pick-me-up, feel free to drop me a line or tag me in a tweet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm more than happy to be that person for you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-12434516120930644272022-10-10T07:00:00.001-04:002022-10-10T07:00:00.178-04:00Setting Goals that Work for You<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When it comes to achieving our writing goals, motivation is key. But sometimes it's hard to stay motivated, especially when we're facing challenges. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">(I wrote <a href="https://books2read.com/u/3n5MQ9" target="_blank">an entire book</a> on how to work past those challenges, btw.) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With #NaNoWriMo coming up and thousands of writers making plans to sit down at the keyboard and pound out those words, I thought I'd post a few reminders about staying motivated and working toward your goals.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjphvXmkn2fPfmionBPRWgpGoo69ZP727THRys5OsfErqVXbe5WK4Wi_GwjvmQf9tb-oec-PXzSVdBx1jGaNpP1qRDs17zgG6PdXb0yzL4NsQIBAcI3uHn38RRoOVgAPorwRBP0dnLrlcr_08DJO3rbXew9ensWJWFMnSy45CYR_EKcNKFwVQcQHhlvw/s7952/pexels-engin-akyurt-1552617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5304" data-original-width="7952" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjphvXmkn2fPfmionBPRWgpGoo69ZP727THRys5OsfErqVXbe5WK4Wi_GwjvmQf9tb-oec-PXzSVdBx1jGaNpP1qRDs17zgG6PdXb0yzL4NsQIBAcI3uHn38RRoOVgAPorwRBP0dnLrlcr_08DJO3rbXew9ensWJWFMnSy45CYR_EKcNKFwVQcQHhlvw/w267-h178/pexels-engin-akyurt-1552617.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by Engin Akyurt</div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. Be realistic. </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's important to set goals that are actually achievable. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yes, it's possible to write a book in 30 days. It's less likely this can be accomplished in a single weekend. Don't set yourself up for failure by demanding something of yourself that isn't attainable. Goals should be challenging but not impossible. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. Get an action plan together.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once your goals are set, break them down into smaller steps. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's possible to write 50,000 words in a single month, but it means sitting down and writing 1,666 words every day for those 30 days. That might mean writing 833 words in the morning and 833 more words at night. Or it might mean writing 416 words every hour for four hours. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Either way, having a plan of action will help you stay on track and focused on what you need to accomplish.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>3. Take things one step at a time.</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Trying to do too much at once can be overwhelming and lead to discouragement. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've only been able to participate in NaNoWriMo one time many, many years ago. As much as I adore this idea and as hard as I cheer everyone else on, my work schedule just doesn't allow me much free time in November. I'd be more likely to sign up if it were in June or July. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The point? Don't set a goal or make a plan that's going to tip your (already full) plate of responsibilities. If you can't write a novel in thirty days, why not extend your finish line through the month of December? Give yourself 60 days, instead. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Only you know what you're capable of realistically accomplishing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Push yourself, but don't <i>push</i> yourself. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">That is, don't push yourself past your reasonable limit. :)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And above all:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~ </span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-60727492968304408592022-10-03T07:00:00.005-04:002022-10-03T07:00:00.169-04:00Writing as Therapy: How Pen & Paper Help Us Heal<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>"This was so therapeutic." </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">These are the words I see most often on the submissions for the "humiliation" piece in one of my classes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is a creative non-fiction assignment that asks my students to examine an embarrassing moment or a dark secret--something they've never told anyone, are still working through, or have finally overcome.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Affairs, divorces, abortions, abuse.... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've read it all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Outside of the requisite writing feedback, I am a no-judgment reviewer. They can tell me anything.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So yes, writing is therapeutic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUxHJ4LC50tZ27H1WfdTy3se2BuRZJfCMxXEaUj2ISVP0R0B88xEz2_VxROOOZdD-NIwp13pHQu_t2uf7hQsC_LVkCx_LcI6jCCz4Fftk68WUh5SI7w0yXGzMHgurKja1zFjpSBApkU1RE0FFrSiTg7HYa9hdGqWUGxNjOyLhRZZXl7eiTLvl8LzJvw/s5184/cristian-escobar-abkEAOjnY0s-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUxHJ4LC50tZ27H1WfdTy3se2BuRZJfCMxXEaUj2ISVP0R0B88xEz2_VxROOOZdD-NIwp13pHQu_t2uf7hQsC_LVkCx_LcI6jCCz4Fftk68WUh5SI7w0yXGzMHgurKja1zFjpSBApkU1RE0FFrSiTg7HYa9hdGqWUGxNjOyLhRZZXl7eiTLvl8LzJvw/s320/cristian-escobar-abkEAOjnY0s-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Photo by Cristian Escobar</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's a way to process and release emotions surrounding a specific event. It helps us understand our emotions or even view the situation from a different perspective. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It can help us cope with anxiety and reduce stress. It can help us sort through our emotions and gain insight into our thoughts and feelings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Writing can help us understand ourselves better. It can help us move on from difficult experiences. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The page doesn't judge, so expressing ourselves in this way is safe. The paper isn't going to misunderstand us. It isn't going to get angry or lash back. It's simply going to soak up the words until we're done with them and feel ready to move on. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So if you're feeling low right now, if you're struggling with something, why not pull out a sheet of paper or open that clean word processing document and give it a try?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then shoot me a message and let me know how it goes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">No judgment here. :)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-21772187842484082002022-09-26T07:00:00.003-04:002022-09-26T07:00:00.170-04:00Five Ways to Hook Your Readers<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">They say you have three to five pages to grasp a reader's interest. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">But in our fast-paced, information-driven, limited-attention-span world, I'd argue that's being generous. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">You might have one page. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">You might only have a paragraph or two.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is why first pages are so important. It's where you cast your line, hook the reader, and reel them in. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE7mqNcGnj6ceAfuX7YwyauOZqlG7VNzeW0AclwWvqb-5d42tYwSJgXqmw580kmfzEJXWlhIka5CAdil620g_g5RgpBQpGtKp_PK7xZvAO_IbZdiVbM88oSYX448kQu0g3_UU3qE1Px2zvRxohw263VxO8CI4O5UaNOy99xjYLAchQSZYYvjYFWliJA/s4556/domie-sharpin-XLqQLrkuBkI-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4556" data-original-width="3035" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE7mqNcGnj6ceAfuX7YwyauOZqlG7VNzeW0AclwWvqb-5d42tYwSJgXqmw580kmfzEJXWlhIka5CAdil620g_g5RgpBQpGtKp_PK7xZvAO_IbZdiVbM88oSYX448kQu0g3_UU3qE1Px2zvRxohw263VxO8CI4O5UaNOy99xjYLAchQSZYYvjYFWliJA/s320/domie-sharpin-XLqQLrkuBkI-unsplash.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by Domie Sharpin</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pulling a reader into your story from the very first page is easier said than done, but a strong story hook should be enough to grab their attention and keep them engaged.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">So how do we write a strong story hook?</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />1. <b>Start with action.</b> Begin with something exciting, or with a character in the midst of conflict. Give your readers a taste of the suspense and excitement to come from the very first sentences.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. <b>Introduce your characters quickly.</b> Give your readers just enough information about your protagonists and/or antagonists to pique their interest.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. <b>Use vivid imagery. </b>Set the scene with descriptive language, transporting your readers into the story world right from the start.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. <b>Set the stakes high.</b> Make it clear from the outset what's at stake for your character and why the reader should care about the journey that's about to unfold.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">5. <b>Don't give too much away. </b>Your hook should tantalize readers and make them want to know more, but resolve your story question(s) slowly. This is what keeps those pages turning.<br /><br />Bottom line: A hook should appear almost immediately within your story. To encourage your readers to continue reading, keep it interesting, unique, and specific to your story. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Be Brilliant!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></div></div>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-26966924299243936862022-09-19T07:00:00.001-04:002022-09-19T07:00:00.166-04:00When You're Burning Out<span style="font-family: verdana;">Writer burnout is a very real thing, and I feel fairly confident in saying that it affects every writer at one point or another. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Burnout" is the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that leads to a decrease in productivity. Writer burnout happens when a writer finds themselves not feeling any sort of passion for their work. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zJoFDHHhe5eSKYhyaU3waipuqI-MPrHnPjQn_rsoLvvZhaQmwyoAH6jX71NXCyVsUNC4sVD_Z3bBMcG9jaLvPWSYZ5_Ij8dak256jB56TYcFsIGBVzgQ1ne8l9eHMf0STMmvtD-pfKGDoPg4zu8p88uay6lVVxWEa1PY3WvBuLhu4vbIkaMCdVA4xg/s4608/pexels-sebastian-s%C3%B8rensen-750225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="4608" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zJoFDHHhe5eSKYhyaU3waipuqI-MPrHnPjQn_rsoLvvZhaQmwyoAH6jX71NXCyVsUNC4sVD_Z3bBMcG9jaLvPWSYZ5_Ij8dak256jB56TYcFsIGBVzgQ1ne8l9eHMf0STMmvtD-pfKGDoPg4zu8p88uay6lVVxWEa1PY3WvBuLhu4vbIkaMCdVA4xg/s320/pexels-sebastian-s%C3%B8rensen-750225.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Sebastian Sørensen</span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now, I love a good slow-burn romance, but a slow burnout? Not so much. A slow burnout looks a lot like sitting down and not getting any work done, or struggling to get words onto the page, or avoiding sitting down to work at all, and it will seriously affect our productivity if it's not addressed. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Early signs of writer burnout include a lack of motivation to get to work or a lack of excitement about our current project. It looks a lot like a lack of energy that can leave us feeling depressed or irritable. We may even dread going to the page because we know the writing isn't going "well." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">But if we can learn to recognize burnout at the onset, we may be able to rest and recharge before it gets too severe. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(We need your stories, so please don't throw in the towel just yet.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The best way to figure out how to recharge your writing batteries is to <b>take a step back from your work</b>. Try to focus on something else for a few minutes, a few hours, or even a few days. It can be as simple as doing the dishes or straightening up your desk. You can try meditating or taking long walks outside. Personally, I use movies to recharge. (Hello, Netflix!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you feel like you're in a rut and still want to write (especially if you're on a deadline), <b>try going somewhere that's not your usual writing environment</b>. Instead of writing in bed, head to a local coffee shop. Instead of writing in the morning, write at night. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're not on a deadline, <b>change up your format or genre</b>. Instead of writing romance, try a mystery. If you were working on a novel, turn your attention to a short story or a poem. If you write on a laptop, pull out a pen. </span><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's a truth that bears repeating: <b>writing is not always fun</b>. There are good writing days and not-so-good writing days. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">On those not-so-good days, focus on the long game, the end game, and try to remember your "why." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Think about the readers you want to connect with. Think about the characters you want them to relate to or the storyline that you'll use to pull them away from reality for a few hours. Think about all the ways you'd like to inspire them and the message you want to impart.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most importantly, keep in mind that for everything there is a season.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>There is a season for writing, and there is a season for resting, and taking periods to rest is just as beneficial to your writing practice as "sitting down to write every day."</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">In fact, it's one of the best ways to...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-54062736158454420782022-09-12T07:00:00.047-04:002022-09-12T09:32:26.865-04:00White Room Syndrome<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>White Room Syndrome.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'll be honest: this is a relatively new writing term to enter my vocabulary, though when I Googled this idea blog posts came up from more than a decade ago. (Go figure.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It makes perfect sense, though.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>When a scene doesn't include enough description to paint a clear picture in the reader's mind, it's as if the character is standing in a white room</b>--they could be anywhere (floating in space, for all we know). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXBaK5NFfBJNQ355S4ZL9UDF-_mfG47USL1QDNNgYVtH1erIhVnqEAOB4e4rFsrFzCLGsATAmhCT3lnkTwX4wN2kZQf6xzayJWr2aOzO9kth7cRlG_pEOBGw46pZLmAvUhbzChkbqoJtEa0ipFceh49lSTE8DOLJxcr6UAbmFYQvHFUDJ8uOj0GDMNQ/s4608/hrustall-jaIx3CaUKHE-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXBaK5NFfBJNQ355S4ZL9UDF-_mfG47USL1QDNNgYVtH1erIhVnqEAOB4e4rFsrFzCLGsATAmhCT3lnkTwX4wN2kZQf6xzayJWr2aOzO9kth7cRlG_pEOBGw46pZLmAvUhbzChkbqoJtEa0ipFceh49lSTE8DOLJxcr6UAbmFYQvHFUDJ8uOj0GDMNQ/s320/hrustall-jaIx3CaUKHE-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With White Room Syndrome there's some action occurring, but the text is mostly dialogue, with zero sense of place.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we're writing, we have to remember that the reader doesn't know what we know. We might have a clear mental image of our story backdrop, but our reader doesn't. Not until we impart the details. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So how can we avoid White Room Syndrome? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Think about where the story is taking place</b>. Think about the time period. Think about the mood you're trying to establish within the reader. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then, consider pulling the character out of the setting and freewriting a page of nothing but the <b>physical details</b> of the location. Once this is complete, try to merge the action into the setting, thinking about what your character is seeing and hearing as they act and react. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When writing, try to <b>use all of your senses</b>. Describe what someone might see, smell, taste, hear, and feel in the scene.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For example, what does the sky smell like on a hot summer day? What does it sound like when you're walking through a forest in the early morning? What does it feel like when you're holding hands with someone you love?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Here's <a href="http://katiekleinwrites.blogspot.com/2021/08/writing-descriptions.html" target="_blank">more on description</a>, and here's <a href="http://katiekleinwrites.blogspot.com/2021/07/on-grounding-your-reader.html" target="_blank">a strategy</a> I like to use.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">One caveat: don't overdo it. <b>The reader doesn't need to know every single detail</b>, just what's important to the story. It only takes a few key facts to establish a sense of place and ground the reader. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">White Room Syndrome is something you will likely address in a later draft. When the words are flowing (the dialogue always arrives the quickest for me) just focus on getting them onto the page. You can come back later to flesh out your scenes and descriptions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But to avoid "White Room Syndrome," the reader needs to be able to visualize the setting. They need to have that sense of what it might feel like if they were there.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's the fastest way to a lasting impression. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-46849347875631845882022-09-06T07:00:00.001-04:002022-09-06T07:00:00.175-04:00It's Here! First Love, with that little something extra...<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's Happy Release Day, and I'm so thrilled that my little rom-com was selected to appear in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Love-Art-Making-Doughnuts-ebook/dp/B09QH3Z28P/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">this anthology</a> with a fantastic group of writers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQLbVsweb1HbTeZlzQ3POZ7PBqKxwe27qQLTt5MNwjl7ty1_mT8NC-bxJPuDtxI2-XcJiKICiajlgZU4Jjzw76P4r1HkZBxL8_WoaID0lghYLh_SDiPZQutBqdAwWhFqQRGlaup2daK8rZYvdDf7Uuh4vxEn5NKNS2chUMkzTEjuIN_L3zjeAipFz-fQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQLbVsweb1HbTeZlzQ3POZ7PBqKxwe27qQLTt5MNwjl7ty1_mT8NC-bxJPuDtxI2-XcJiKICiajlgZU4Jjzw76P4r1HkZBxL8_WoaID0lghYLh_SDiPZQutBqdAwWhFqQRGlaup2daK8rZYvdDf7Uuh4vxEn5NKNS2chUMkzTEjuIN_L3zjeAipFz-fQ" width="158" /></a></span></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As one of the writers featured I was able to get an early copy, and I LOVE the variety and creativity between these pages, you guys. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were all working with the same concept (First Love) and took it in so many different directions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here are my personal reviews of each story (minus my own) featured in this year's anthology: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The Art of Making Doughnuts” by Linda Budzinski</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“A sweet surprise of a story. First love, with that little something extra.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“My Heart Approves” by Melissa Maygrove</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Maygrove sweeps readers into the time and place from the very first line. A lovely historical promenade of two characters easing into a love not even a lie can’t temper.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“My First Love(s)” by Templeton Moss</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“A ‘he-said’ then ‘she-said’ tale of all the loves one man can (sort-of) recollect and the woman who sets him straight. Moss nails the characters’ voices and pacing. I am 100% sure this story is worth the read.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The Real Thing” by Sammi Spizziri</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It’s not the first love Lola anticipated, but a rideshare to the airport turns into a meet-cute worthy of the most classic of rom-coms.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Paper Faces” by Sylvia New</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“A swoon-worthy historical account of a journalist who refuses to sacrifice her scruples and the man who adores her for it. The romantic tension between the main characters keeps these pages turning.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Oliver’s Girl” by Michael Di Gesu</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“An old man’s sweet imparting of love at first sight, and the namesake who believes in second chances at first love.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Clyde and Coalesce” by Kim Elliot</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Sparks fly when a musician and teacher keep running into each other—sometimes literally. The romantic chemistry between them seeps off pages that seem to want to turn themselves.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Marmalade Sunset” by Denise Covey</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The vivid imagery and captivating descriptions of Greece pull readers straight into Cora and her grandson’s journey to reunite with her first love.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The Castle of Ohno” by S.E. White</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“A grateful Hippolyta disarms the reclusive Konrad as two lonely outcasts work their way towards love in a gothic castle worthy of the most exceptional fairy tales.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So if you're looking for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Love-Art-Making-Doughnuts-ebook/dp/B09QH3Z28P/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">a nice collection of sweet love stories</a>....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-25198238173551197752022-07-18T07:00:00.001-04:002022-07-18T07:00:00.156-04:00The First Chapter<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first chapter sets the stage for the rest of your novel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It introduces the key character and at least hints at the conflict to come, but it also lets readers know what genre they're working with (pay attention to those conventions and reader expectations!) and sets the tone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It presents the character's world just before everything goes wrong.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first chapter also includes the story hook.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A story hook is what captures the reader's attention. It's also where the writer makes a promise to the reader. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What will happen next?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is what drives readers to turn the page.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is why the first few pages of your manuscript are some of the most important. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whether you're a pantser or a plotter or fall somewhere in between, it's nearly impossible to write a first chapter that's going to accomplish everything you need it to before the story is written.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My advice?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Skip the first chapter (or else write a "placeholder" chapter or jot down a few key notes or descriptions) then move on to the rest of the story. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-mvfNPo53F7hOu5aOEG2yvl-wGFj553Z128MLvW2taJRnr6K7tCFBn81V8dfZBghgvxjTySiTEE2d8hAcEjRWpeR6-qxBDJUTk058sdSfgIqvtuqJpIDlV6QgkqdVLgIUkJiGuzH7BT7TGtR19n5hVXk3bhpRrzIEhB8sMWHHN-hrcnOxGBeoaMAow/s4360/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3808904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4283" data-original-width="4360" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-mvfNPo53F7hOu5aOEG2yvl-wGFj553Z128MLvW2taJRnr6K7tCFBn81V8dfZBghgvxjTySiTEE2d8hAcEjRWpeR6-qxBDJUTk058sdSfgIqvtuqJpIDlV6QgkqdVLgIUkJiGuzH7BT7TGtR19n5hVXk3bhpRrzIEhB8sMWHHN-hrcnOxGBeoaMAow/w265-h260/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3808904.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Andrea Piacquadio</span></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since beginnings and endings often mirror one another (with the end highlighting how the character has changed), it's easier to</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> think critically about the first pages after the story has unfolded. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why? Because...</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">You know how the character will evolve, so you can set up a nice opposition. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">You'll be in a better place to (subtly) present the theme. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">You'll be in a better position to hook the reader based on what's to come. </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Writing is magical, and we can plot all we want, but our characters are likely to steer us in new and unexpected directions, affecting our story in all kinds of ways.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So don't worry about Chapter One just yet. You don't know where the story is going.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jump into the action, write to the end, then come back to it later. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And always...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~ </span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-67075560863245782372022-07-11T07:00:00.001-04:002022-07-11T07:00:00.160-04:00Three Tips for More Effective Dialogue Tags<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">How many times have you lost yourself in a passage of dialogue in a book, then had to stop and go back a few lines because suddenly you had no idea who was talking?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Without proper dialogue tags, it can be easy to lose track of who is speaking, especially if three or more characters are in conversation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">To help, here are my three best tips for incorporating dialogue tags into your scenes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">1) Keep them simple.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said. She said. Margaret said. Tom said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">That's all you need. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Beginning writers who want to spruce up their writing sometimes err in amplifying their dialogue tags. Suddenly Margaret is chortling or arguing or remarking or coaxing and Tom is commanding or imploring or quipping or jeering.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are any of these descriptors "bad" in and of themselves? No. They are actually effective at painting a more specific image in the reader's mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The problem lies in turning <i>every</i> tag into one of these. Do this, and you're going to wear your reader out. Save these tags for special occasions, and limit them to a few per chapter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This also applies to adding adverb qualifiers to your tags. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">She said hastily. He said menacingly. Margaret implored questioningly. Tom admonished very hatefully. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bottom line: Don't overdo your tags.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">2) Vary their location.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I'm hot," Margaret said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Go sit in front of the fan," Tom said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I tried that already," Margaret said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Well, I don't know what to tell you then. We're all hot," Tom said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When you use a dialogue tag in the same place in every sentence, the conversation begins to sound repetitious, and readers notice the pattern. Writers use "said" as the key tag because it tends to disappear on the page, but the ones used in the above example call attention to themselves so that we're focused on <i>who</i> is saying rather than <i>what </i>they're saying. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. Use descriptions as tags.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you play your phrasing right, you'll reduce the number of dialogue tags you actually need. Telling us what your character is doing is a great way to signal who's speaking.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's an example from <i>All I Never Needed</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Three people are in conversation: Mac, River, and Harley, and there's a mix of "said" and other variations, descriptions as tags, and locations of the tags.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">But before she could even answer there was Mac, striding toward us. </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">“Hey, Harley, some of us are about to head to my place. My parents are gone for the weekend and my sister is at a concert in Hamilton with some friends. You should totally come with.”</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">“Oh. Thanks, but my dad is expecting me home by eleven, so. . . .” She trailed off, allowing him to make the appropriate connections.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">“You don’t have to stay the whole time. Just a quick drop-in,” he said. “I can give you directions. It’s not far from here.”</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">Harley scratched an itch on her ankle. “Thanks, but I really do have to get home soon.”</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">He smiled his million-dollar smile—his “I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer” smile, an “I always get what I want” smile. Harley picked up on this, too, and the spell of the alcohol snapped—the transition from relaxed to “on full alert” almost immediate.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">“Come on. We have the whole basement set up. Pool table, ping pong, darts, a full bar. It’ll blow your mind.”</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">I forced my eyes not to roll. “Jesus,” I muttered. “She’s saying no, Mac.”</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">“No way. We’re having a blast,” he said. “And it’s not even eleven.”</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">“That’s not the point,” I said.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">He turned to me. “What, are you her mouthpiece or something? You speak for her now?”</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">“I speak for her when you’re too obtuse to recognize that she’s politely refused you twice already.” </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">He laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry, River. I didn’t realize you’d already laid claim.”</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">Something burned beneath my skin, my face growing hotter as I climbed off the picnic table and stood to look him in the eye. “Again, not the point, MacKenzie.”</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana;">“Look, I get it. If you two are going on just say so. Otherwise, back the *&#$ off.” </span></p></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv_uI1d_ixHX7RPtEOX97YDkkfa0HIWoEcm9DCydDsZ66OCgfxdx6gYxM8GPvrPajXNa_aID7Nm4YigvpdymhOAgSx-9v7JvJ3eEfgqZuntNoaAEKjqizzApOlQSrkOyU9yztVLofc1IF95HCwo6l3qXCqt4OBEyp-2BSHTP1mWMtfL-No_8f53O1RQ/s833/AINN%20ebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="580" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv_uI1d_ixHX7RPtEOX97YDkkfa0HIWoEcm9DCydDsZ66OCgfxdx6gYxM8GPvrPajXNa_aID7Nm4YigvpdymhOAgSx-9v7JvJ3eEfgqZuntNoaAEKjqizzApOlQSrkOyU9yztVLofc1IF95HCwo6l3qXCqt4OBEyp-2BSHTP1mWMtfL-No_8f53O1RQ/w124-h178/AINN%20ebook.png" width="124" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/bo2M09" target="_blank">Download </a>Today!</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So there you are: three ways to fix your dialogue tags. This isn't something I recommend worrying too much about during the drafting stage--it's important to get the words on the paper as quickly as possible--but during an early editing round. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're like me and tend toward distraction when you're editing, use the "find" feature to highlight the word "said." This may help you stay focused on the conversation, what tags are being used, where tags are being used, and if there's enough activity taking place between the snippets of dialogue.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As always:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~ </span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-62534008921242006932022-07-05T07:00:00.001-04:002022-07-05T07:00:00.163-04:00Creating Unique Characters<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When it comes to character, the goal is to create someone who is going to capture the reader's attention.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're writing a novel, you'll likely have several key players, and they will all need to sound different from the next. Otherwise, you're at risk of confusing the reader.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When brainstorming your character list, think about the key characteristics of each one. What is their gender? What is their age? Where are they from? How educated are they? What is their general attitude toward the world? What's their attitude toward the other characters?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">All of these are going to affect them profoundly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFozTESUlmaHkEMAXUTcsq4EziAaA682bZavwWVYmNF0r3BUtvYpN_b8EbmVk6Xf8g_K2FeR2XeaqZYP7-B8Rh5QvsJrhTMaHylyE7ZGn_YMsv1z2LSJPOMWp7VtZuKcrVgU8Q7EIsMoVEr5Fx-qRWU3x7syLKOcScR2-g-L5vxsWgza8whG2K92Cog/s4116/pexels-ron-lach-7967581.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4116" data-original-width="3631" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFozTESUlmaHkEMAXUTcsq4EziAaA682bZavwWVYmNF0r3BUtvYpN_b8EbmVk6Xf8g_K2FeR2XeaqZYP7-B8Rh5QvsJrhTMaHylyE7ZGn_YMsv1z2LSJPOMWp7VtZuKcrVgU8Q7EIsMoVEr5Fx-qRWU3x7syLKOcScR2-g-L5vxsWgza8whG2K92Cog/w198-h225/pexels-ron-lach-7967581.jpg" width="198" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Ron Lach</span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Character One is a woman in her fifties. She is a literature instructor at the local university, and her husband has just left her for a younger woman. Both of her children are out of the house. An elderly neighbor drops by Saturday mornings with items from her garden or newspaper clippings of interest, and the woman can't decide if this annoys her or if she appreciates the companionship. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fapay5cSXrB6Y4HAnMuSMFEJ93lm5TPB6xThsZlKzV7F0LROoupae-EC1He9R9jrdMFWjOi4ROek1J9otvPBqEgF86ZqF27Guv1WKma4WTFKilH5PyYBHjA96cc__DrOXSDnNHyUmTFFWHH6_8ZFbkwPYbgg0ipWE_eEmqpsCnTN7TtHlObLY47aEQ/s2048/pexels-khairul-leon-695779.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fapay5cSXrB6Y4HAnMuSMFEJ93lm5TPB6xThsZlKzV7F0LROoupae-EC1He9R9jrdMFWjOi4ROek1J9otvPBqEgF86ZqF27Guv1WKma4WTFKilH5PyYBHjA96cc__DrOXSDnNHyUmTFFWHH6_8ZFbkwPYbgg0ipWE_eEmqpsCnTN7TtHlObLY47aEQ/s320/pexels-khairul-leon-695779.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Khairul Leon</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Character Two is a male in his early twenties. He dropped out of high school to move to the beach. He loves his job at the local dive bar and that he has time to surf during the day. He's never met a stranger.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Think about how differently these two are going to interact with the world and the people in it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">These differences need to come across on the page: in their dialogue, in their reactions, in <i>everything</i> they notice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why? Because the more specific and varied your cast of characters, the more real they will seem. The more real they seem, the more memorable your story will be for the reader.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-88684973254630758672022-06-20T07:00:00.003-04:002022-06-20T07:00:00.158-04:00On Flaws and Wounds<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A quick way to add depth to your story is to give your character a "flaw."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A more compelling way to define this, I think, is a "wound."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Because it's not really enough for a character to have this negative trait--there needs to be a reason for it. A good reason creates empathy, which is why we sometimes find ourselves relating to and understanding the villain of a story. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So if your character's "flaw" is that he has trust issues and closes himself off from relationships, the reason why is the wound from which this trait stems.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maybe his girlfriend cheated on him. Or his fiancee left him at the altar. Or his wife packed her bags and walked out one day in search of a new life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">That event wounded him in some serious way, he hasn't dealt with it properly, and now a big part of his personality hinges on the idea that he's not going to open himself up to anyone for any reason whatsoever. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">He's going to do whatever it takes to protect himself from being hurt again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Enter a cute, spunky heroine and now we have a problem. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As your two characters circle one another, that flaw/wound is going to rear its ugly head at the most inopportune times. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But this is also going to open <b>a pathway for growth and change</b>. If, by the end of your story, the hero can move past his wound and open up his heart to love, he not only gets the girl, but your reader gets a satisfying resolution to his character arc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This kind of internal arc is the foundation of all great romance novels, but even if you don't write in the genre, give your character a flaw that stems from a serious past wound, have them deal with it while they're dealing with whatever other obstacles you're throwing their way, and you have a nice recipe for a page-turning read.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p><p><br /></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-40338696989417858132022-05-24T07:00:00.015-04:002022-05-24T07:00:00.158-04:00Plot Twist!<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A plot twist is "a literary technique that introduces a radical change in the direction or expected outcome of the plot in a work of fiction." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Thanks, Wikipedia!) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A plot twist disrupts a story, sending the readers in an entirely new direction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Perhaps they thought they had your story figured out--the mystery solved--but some surprising new information has just been revealed and now the reader must reconsider everything they thought they knew about what is taking (or has taken) place. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">M. Night Shyamalan has provided pop culture with some pretty epic twists. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I see dead people and guess what? You're one of them.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also--</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>We are living in this 17th-century village, but now I must go on this quest and surprise! It's actually the 21st century. I do not have to churn butter. I could get in my car and drive to the grocery store if I had access to either.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A plot twist is one of the best ways to surprise your readers, so when you're plotting, look for ways to go against their expectations. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once you have a twist in mind, make sure it's appropriately set up. A small amount of foreshadowing can go a long way in making a twist believable.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And finally, don't fall into the trap of thinking a plot twist must be this massive event or transformative revelation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The most believable twists are the ones that are significant to our main character or storyline. They should operate as a natural progression of the story we're telling, and the reader should walk away thinking there was no other way for this plot to unfold.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When a reader opens the cover of your novel, they <i>want</i> to be taken for a ride. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Make it a memorable one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-19196367664975085092022-04-11T07:00:00.001-04:002022-04-11T15:13:47.502-04:00On Rejection <p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rejection is the universe's way of saying there's something better out there for us--that w</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">e're worth more than whatever this thing we are pursuing has to offer right now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For writers, a rejection could mean there's a better publishing house, a better agent, a better journal, or even a better path than the one we're currently working toward.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maybe we didn't place in that anthology contest, but there's a literary magazine we can submit to that will showcase our writing in a more effective way. Maybe we're not right for that agent's current list, but there's an agent we haven't submitted to yet who is going to champion us 100%. Maybe the book hasn't found a home because it's too niche, but we can reach our market more effectively by self-publishing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the other hand....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes the rejection happens because the writing isn't ready or the story isn't as strong as it could be or the novel is missing that extra <i>something</i> that will make it stand out. Maybe the rejection is telling us that this obstacle will be one that helps us grow--it's going to turn us into better writers and storytellers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When it comes to rejection, though, we just need to trust the universe (that LIFE!) is supporting us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZSDfYGiVZ-oAH06WlGO_xqjn-4KGBB_xBeoKkIKIfyBh-8zafH-OyX_c8eSXDqJ-IeRZX96j5fYh50kHbbWnXYq642cerKtoRquHTAbMJxxq_JkTOw_QLUOMLYFEa13EBK0Yr61BI1rhfWJsNjQdEjztBe0RmGWwKJQu--_zB_Yk6wLJ-Rb2_1mjqA/s8192/pexels-monstera-5849579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4804" data-original-width="8192" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZSDfYGiVZ-oAH06WlGO_xqjn-4KGBB_xBeoKkIKIfyBh-8zafH-OyX_c8eSXDqJ-IeRZX96j5fYh50kHbbWnXYq642cerKtoRquHTAbMJxxq_JkTOw_QLUOMLYFEa13EBK0Yr61BI1rhfWJsNjQdEjztBe0RmGWwKJQu--_zB_Yk6wLJ-Rb2_1mjqA/s320/pexels-monstera-5849579.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by Monstera</div></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Soren Kierkegaard said: "</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We're not going to fully understand the path that we're on as we experience it, and</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">, when we're in the middle of it all, it's so easy to lose hope. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But the universe WANTS us to succeed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's working for us and it's working with us. And whether it's for our growth or because something better is headed our way, that rejection is going to be what sends us down the right path: <i>exactly</i> where we're meant to be. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~ </span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-89167068114754331272022-04-04T17:29:00.001-04:002022-04-04T17:29:47.575-04:00Story Circles, Part IV: Gail Carriger's Heroine's Journey<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Previously on my Story Circles series, I introduced <a href="http://katiekleinwrites.blogspot.com/2022/02/story-circles-part-iii-maureen-murdock.html" target="_blank">Maureen Murdock</a> and her theory that character fulfillment isn't just about bringing home the prize, but wholeness. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gail Carriger has a similar arc to her interpretation of the heroine's journey, and while I haven't taken one of her courses or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heroines-Journey-Writers-Readers-Culture-ebook/dp/B08D5ZSNRB/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=gail+carriger&qid=1649081961&s=digital-text&sprefix=gail+carr%2Cdigital-text%2C168&sr=1-10" target="_blank">read her book </a>(yet!) I know writers who have, and they both come highly recommended. So if you're looking for a deeper dive into this kind of storytelling, the resources are available.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyAMBDeGGMvF1OtA-SRwkOouEQQ8h7PkF9-9JZquND8miTzsGqlOSOrLj4sZaWjAuwSOdB8vCuD8sj3TZnM9YU4aq47UGgYY8sJnwCyEJwUCo4e-6Q1CXXJ5q0k2CHfwGJCawhEuLfIEQPDqgMrguvnxHmYEuvZQM1yRkX39evNbrP-V2zImZSJpQvCA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyAMBDeGGMvF1OtA-SRwkOouEQQ8h7PkF9-9JZquND8miTzsGqlOSOrLj4sZaWjAuwSOdB8vCuD8sj3TZnM9YU4aq47UGgYY8sJnwCyEJwUCo4e-6Q1CXXJ5q0k2CHfwGJCawhEuLfIEQPDqgMrguvnxHmYEuvZQM1yRkX39evNbrP-V2zImZSJpQvCA=w352-h352" width="352" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">copyright Gail Carriger</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />So, like many journeys, Carriger's circle begins with <b>The Descent</b>. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Act I, we have a main character with a broken familial network. Her pleas are ignored, she gives up power, and withdraws from her community. Her family tries to help but to no avail. She doesn't have a choice in this. She is broken in some way and is desperate to reconnect (with <i>something</i>).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">At this point, she steps into Isolation and Danger within <b>The Search. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Act II, the heroine is now at risk. She is operating in disguise or pretending to be someone or something she isn't. She gathers a surrogate family around her and takes a visit to the "underworld," which looks more like a deep low point or depression.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the key differences between the hero's journey and the heroine's journey is that the heroine is building her network (rather than losing it) and is more likely to compromise to get where she needs to be, while the hero is isolating himself in order to succeed on his own. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the heroine asks for help, she's going to get it, and she's going to get it from a group of sidekicks who will remain faithful to her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The compromise begins <b>The Ascent,</b> and in Act III she's built a new network, found a new family, and/or reconnected with her old family. She has reached her goal and is whole/complete. As an aside, her success in reaching her goal is typically beneficial to others in some way (i.e. she is not the only one who walks away a winner in this journey). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So again we have this wholeness or completeness at play. This certainly pushes past the hero's journey, which ends after the successful completion of the quest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Interestingly enough, many YA novels are heroine's journeys, and, if you write romance (which is ultimately about connection), your characters are definitely on a heroine's journey arc.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like I mentioned previously, don't think you're limited in your gender construction with these arcs. A heroine in a story can go on a hero's journey and vice versa. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So if something is going wrong in your YA or romance novel (or whatever story you're writing that's not on a hero's journey spectrum), try breaking the plot down to its skeleton and plugging in the key points onto this circle to see if you missed a step or pulled a character in a direction they aren't logically meant to go.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Because these arcs are so psychologically ingrained that readers *will* pick up on deviations, whether they're aware of it or not.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-29075119939733823222022-03-21T07:00:00.001-04:002022-03-22T18:26:34.383-04:00Why You Need An Inspiration Board<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you've followed me for a while, you know how I feel about Scrivener as a writing tool. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">(If you haven't and don't know how I feel about it: I love it. There is no comparison. It's like it was made for my ADHD brain. If you're in the market for a new word processing program and ask my advice, I will proselytize--Scrivener--and thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So one of the things I love most about Scrivener is that I can keep everything related to a project I'm working on in a single file. I have my chapter sections organized in Draft, sure, but Research is where I have the most fun. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is where I keep my brainstorming pages, links to any web pages I might need, my project Bible, and my...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>INSPIRATION PAGE.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What's an inspiration page, you ask?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">An inspiration page (also inspiration "board" or "folder" or "box," depending on the method of collection) is exactly what it sounds like: a page where I keep the items that inspire me most as they relate to the particular project on which I'm working.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What's on my inspiration page?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">-Pictures of my main characters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">-Pictures of their houses or the key places they go (if they're described in the book). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">-Pictures of important articles of clothing--like a prom dress--or a hairstyle or piece of jewelry that plays a prominent role.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">-Seasonal images (spring, Christmas, etc.) for world-building purposes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">-Links to songs that I associate with certain scenes.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I do have playlists for most of my books, but the inspiration page tells me exactly where the song fits into the book because I often put the song on a loop when I'm working on that particular scene. For instance, the Library Gala in <i>The Guardian</i> when Seth appears and dances with Genesis is linked to "So Close" by Jon McLaughlin.</span></p></blockquote><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnghhLwaWJDSlfBFHQzKDAEtxMkPV39K17AMoUgZqTiB0jpK2AIi2ExlvgD4TDQ1NIwkDCRMu2EsyqrMsZqFhTE7SjJfy3g125GlKWgZu77UnRbVk1u12JHnes8I_bXdaYJ2AidDK_-G7LZBnxXl5kQVJ_YX5SViKZRsWnM9q84eNqsAnl2S2pPEcNLQ=s3676" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3676" data-original-width="3627" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnghhLwaWJDSlfBFHQzKDAEtxMkPV39K17AMoUgZqTiB0jpK2AIi2ExlvgD4TDQ1NIwkDCRMu2EsyqrMsZqFhTE7SjJfy3g125GlKWgZu77UnRbVk1u12JHnes8I_bXdaYJ2AidDK_-G7LZBnxXl5kQVJ_YX5SViKZRsWnM9q84eNqsAnl2S2pPEcNLQ=s320" width="316" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by cottonbro from Pexels</span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Here, we have an inspiration "wall." ;)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The inspiration pages vary from project to project, but what they help with most is <b>grounding me in my story and the world in which it takes place.</b> I keep pictures of my characters so I don't have to remember if I've written them with blue eyes or green. If I can't remember if the guy's hair is brown or black, it's easy to click over to my inspiration page to look at the image I've based him on. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As an example: Luke Castellani (<i>Revelation</i>) was my young Gerard Butler. ;)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Thank you, Inspiration Page! </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every now and again I'll toss in a YouTube link to a movie scene or trailer that <b>elicits some kind of emotional response</b>--anything that triggers the mood I need to capture for a certain scene.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The <i>Bridgerton</i> trailers are great at triggering, FYI, but I also love the scene from <i>My Best Friend's Wedding </i>when Jules confesses she's in love with Michael, and when Miles shows up for Arthur's big night, plops down beside Iris, and tells her she looks beautiful in <i>The Holiday</i>. </span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I can't always trust myself to remember</b> the color of my character's hair or the dress she wore or the song to which the love interest confesses his adoration, but if I upload an image or paste a link on my Inspiration Page in my project file, the information is always at my fingertips.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Katie, you've just described Pinterest! Novel b</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">oards! Links! Images!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My dear Reader, do you even <i>know </i>what would happen to my ADHD-addled brain if I left my story to access a <i>Pinterest board</i>?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nothing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As in NOTHING would get accomplished for the rest of the day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">(My Pinterest board, however, would look lovely.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ergo, the Inspiration Page is built in Scrivener, and it stays in Scrivener.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why an Inspiration Page? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Because I believe if we sit down and get to work expecting the Muse will show up, she will. I also believe we can hurry her along--get her moving a little faster--if we can tap into the mood of our story, and that becomes possible once we've collected audio and visual material representative of what we're trying to create.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-59731335302216281552022-03-15T07:00:00.001-04:002022-03-15T07:00:00.156-04:00Where Do Writers Get Their Inspiration From?<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Insecure Writer's Support Group Romance Anthology Authors are talking <b>Inspiration</b> over at the blog this week! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Find out <a href="https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2022/03/feeling-lucky.html " target="_blank">where we get our ideas from</a>. 💖 </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve come to believe that writers co-create with the universe—that it offers us bits and pieces of information/inspiration because it wants us to do something with them. It’s happened when listening to music, while watching movies, when a character’s name fell right into my lap…. It’s never just 'thinking' about something; it always feels like more, somehow. So I take these bits and pieces and ruminate on them, adding and subtracting in the best interest of the story, and draw on whatever additional insights the universe is willing to toss my way with gratitude as I work toward 'The End.'" </span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">-- Katie Klein, "How to Save a Princess"</span></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107697564224183759.post-43963490098075721902022-02-14T07:00:00.008-05:002022-02-14T07:00:00.163-05:00Story Circles, Part III: Maureen Murdock <p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last week, I introduced the idea of the Heroine's Journey on the blog, so this week I want to talk about the first encapsulation of this type of journey, which is more about going deep inside, healing and reclaiming one's spirit, rather than heading out into the world and seeking that "magic elixir" (or whatever goal the hero is pursuing).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This first iteration hails from research performed by Maureen Murdock and was rooted more in the psychology of women and an understanding of their healing journeys rather than as a structure for storytelling (though this would come later).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is the journey circle she established:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1Z7VBAyu4a6mlXON7ZHL-RSQBa0A-zDz6qDAsjmv8-zQ8OCrMDBvsd-Lg7b65LxwJgLqDqlviQ52GEJuq4q0ezQ2p52L0cUuSVMJMhelVo0NTImgwFDCRYNXNuh6GW0QVukDl-IZTcQ2LY2nFZUkGzO2F9iCd9Ad9hfmgEA93aHwhmJdT7m2E5ZXaAw=s540" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1Z7VBAyu4a6mlXON7ZHL-RSQBa0A-zDz6qDAsjmv8-zQ8OCrMDBvsd-Lg7b65LxwJgLqDqlviQ52GEJuq4q0ezQ2p52L0cUuSVMJMhelVo0NTImgwFDCRYNXNuh6GW0QVukDl-IZTcQ2LY2nFZUkGzO2F9iCd9Ad9hfmgEA93aHwhmJdT7m2E5ZXaAw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Image Source: maureenmurdock.com</div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shift from Feminine to Masculine</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The journey begins with a separation from the feminine, most likely a mother figure or some kind of mentor, but mostly from the rules that one is governed by (which is why this circle works so well with minority populations).</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Identification with the Masculine</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In separating from the feminine, a new way of life appears--one outside traditional societal roles, as this structure now feels too limiting for our heroine.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Road of Trials</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The heroine faces antagonists who will try to persuade her to return to what is comfortable, to turn her from this new path.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Illusory Boon of Success</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The heroine overcomes the trials presented, but the new way of life isn't fulfilling, either. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Descent/The Meeting with the Goddess</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her new path is a problem, and the heroine falls into despair. This becomes a crisis moment. The dominant group strategies that she has adopted (i.e. the masculine) won't fully work for her.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yearning for the Reconnect</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As hard as she tries, she can't return to the feminine, either. No path seems to work, anymore.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reconciliation with the Masculine</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The heroine makes peace with both the feminine and masculine traits, pulling knowledge and skills from both sides in order to form a new perspective and way of life.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Union </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Both perspectives are fully integrated, and the heroine can now face her world.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">~:|:~</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What's so nice about this type of growth arc is that there are no binaries. It's not about male or female, success or failure, good or bad--it's about wholeness. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hero's Journeys often end with the "Boon of Success," but we know (and so did Murdock) that life goes on, and Heroine's journeys tend to focus on growth <u>after</u> the success, or "the rest of the story."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Be Brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">~Katie~</span></p>Katie Kleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874793530798198752noreply@blogger.com