By Ane Mulligan For those who have read Debra Dixon’s book GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict, I have come to the conclusion that Motivation is the most important. Motivation engages us. We can relate to character motivations. They form the foundation of characters that live on in our minds after the story ends. Motivation leads to character arc. It’s the …
Who’s In Charge?
by Maureen Lang I like walking our dog for exercise, so I set a fast pace. But if my dog were in charge, we’d stop at every “interesting” scent and visit every dog we pass by. And if a bunny crosses our path-look out for an unplanned hunt! As much as I love indulging my dog, my exercise regime would …
Exploring the Passion for Your Novel
by DiAnn Mills When I wrote The Chase, the first book in the Crime Scene: Houston series, I thought I’d never have that much passion for a story again. But I was wrong. The Survivor brought just as many tears, if not more. But why would I want to write a story that did not slice my heart raw? The …
Is There an Exception to Every Rule?
by Donna L. Rich There are many details one can miss when engulfed in pride of accomplishment. For instance, I’m published in contemporary, my most recent of which, Love for the Right Reasons, will be out in March from Heartsong. Nevertheless, I love writing and reading historical. Here’s where the pride comes in. Having had twelve years’ background in tracing …
The Question of Character
by Christine Sunderland In this week in which we celebrate our American Presidents, the question of character seems particularly relevant. How do we develop characters in fiction? How do we develop character in our children? What is, exactly character? Of course I’m playing a bit with two definitions – moral attributes, and a person in a novel. But are they …
Casting Notes For Character Auditions
A Novel Writing Exercise by Janet Chester Bly My husband, Steve, dictated these sketchy notes to me in the hospital on May 21st, 2011, concerning his novel, “Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot”. He passed away a few weeks later . . . Willamette Valley orphan farm Lair Apishamore, a character in Hawthorne Miller dime novel Romal Vug, a character in Hawthorne …