Naming characters

If you're like me, sometimes a characters name will come to you easily. It fits like a glove and you know it's the right name. But what happens when you have a large cast of characters and you don't want to use a friends name, even if nothing "bad" happens to him/her.
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What I do and I've never run into a situation where I'm stumped for names any longer is to save obits. I know it sounds kind of morbid at first. But I keep a running list of names from the obit section. I reassign the first and last names of course. But I have an endless supply of names. I do not keep the pictures, because I am deciding what my characters look like.
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I know some people use baby books. But this didn't work for me because it only list first names. With my method you also have last names.
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And to take it a step further, I use a birth-date and astrological book to make sure that some character traits are really in line with the birth-date I give a character. Can have a character with a birthday in July become a super talkative Cancer or a character with a June birth-date as a stubbornly introverted Gemini. Those seem like minor things especially if you are writing a character with a specific birthday that is part of the story but the person who has that birthday or studies astrology sees it, they will think you are less than authentic with other parts of your story where you want their trust.
Happy writing.

Importance of Momentum

I have read numerous books that suggest the only way to grow as a writer is to basically write every day.
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Now some of you are thinking, I don't want to write every day. Sometimes I'm plotting in my head, which is akin to writing, but actually isn't. I talk to my characters all day long, in my head also, but if I'm not putting words to paper it means I am still that far behind in accomplishing my goal.

One of the books I use in keeping me on track as I write novels is First Draft in 30 Days by Karen Wiesner. (And NO I am not hawking her books). I have used her method because I don't like to outline. But I have noticed that it helps give me enough structure but doesn't pigeon hold me into a tight confine where creatively can't still thrive. It's a loose enough method for my right and left brain to both feel like they are working.

And one of the things I notice is that if I take the time to start writing, even if my goal is 3 pages, I usually end of writing more. It's the hardest struggle not to edit as I go. Which some writers may also struggle with. But I give myself permission to write badly. I understand that this draft is just that - a draft and not the final product. I understand that in the editing process more nuances of the story may take shape and I'm prepared when I have a decent outline to start with. And her method helps me stay on track because I can use research as a giant excuse not to write. I can get so sidetracked it would make you think I was working on my PhD.

I like the idea of pages a day instead of word count. And I usually use the same method that I use when I'm working on a screenplay. I visualize the scene and write that instead of thinking of the WHOLE finished book. That is too daunting and can stop you in your tracks.

Happy writing.

Discount for the holidays

I thought this is one way to gain new readers and appreciate the fact that people have loads to spend their money on and this is some way helps to reduce that cost. So from now until 12/24 my novel is .99, enjoy and happy reading. Inside Out - A Perri Stone novel

Tool to help the distractions

It's so easy to become distracted as a writer. If you have a regiment you stick to, it's a lot harder to let those pesky distracted bother you to the point that you don't get your pages in. The dishes can wait an hour, the kids can watch a little television or a lot, turn off the internet and write longhand so that you aren't tempted to check email, Facebook, Twitter. We all do, me too. But I am trying to become the writer who doesn't put everything else first and then go to bed tired and never having written that day because I just didn't get to it.
SelfControl I like this product that someone else mentioned and I put it on my net book. So that when I want to write, I can't log on to all the distracting sites for the time limit I set. If I don't have the self-control not to peek, this program stops me. And no, I am not an affiliate or anything else associated with this program. I just like it as a tool.

How do you sustain and build at the same time?

I just read a wonderful post Where Do Indie's Find New Readers?. And I have wondered the same thing. On twitter and other social networks were other writers are asking each other to promote and support their endeavors, what happens when they aren't returning the favor? I have purchased lots of ebooks lately, some in genres I like, and some because I have tweeted with the person and thought okay "I'll give their book a try" but my own numbers aren't changing when I check them. So what that is saying to me is - they are potentially downloading a copy and because it isn't in their comfort zone for books they like, they aren't purchasing a complete copy. I asked my partner is I should offer the ebook version for .99 to build a readership. But why discount, when there are others who have purchased the ebook and/or paperback at the asking price. It's like remaindering your book before you've had a chance to build anything. What a conundrum.
What are others experiencing?

Getting the work done

It's so easy to procrastinate and then beat yourself up for not finishing anything. Why not do the things you are avoiding and then it's complete before you know it. I did my pages today during my lunch. Hell, I was just going to eat and watch a television show on my tablet. So instead of that, I worked on my pages. Every page down is that much closer to finishing the novel. The first draft is also the hardest. After it's all on paper, the real work begins. Happy writing.

screenplay for Inside Out

As you may or may not know, I have a degree in Screenwriting. So, my draft for Inside Out is complete. I saw this book visually, long before I wanted to write it in novel form. But I have both. Yeah me. Don't know if I will write Quiet Riot in screenplay form or not.

outline complete

The note cards are complete (mostly) - Quiet Riot is on track.

snowy days/lazy days

It snowed last night and the white coolness spread out across the land as far as my vision can see - okay so it's not poetry. But it's time to get in the saddle and get some writing done. Although the peach cobbler I am going to make today is also enticing. What to do, what to do? How about Facebook first, Twitter second, cobbler third and writing fourth. So the wrong order. :)

11th Anniversary

It's Lynn and my anniversary. We are heading to Kincaid's for a lovely dinner. I can't believe it's been 11 years. The best and most enduring relationship of my adult life. With a woman who is generous, gracious, funny, smart, and a great friend. I love you honey.

New Orleans

As you know we went to New Orleans last week for Thanksgiving. My kids never confirmed if they wanted dinner with us or not, so Lynn and I used skymiles and hit the Big Easy. Had fun as usual. Ate the best food at Desire Bistro & Oyster Bar and had great buffet at Harrah's were of course we gambled. I love the ordering drinks at Harrah's push a button and here it comes.

A review from Amazon

I started reading late last night and didn't go to sleep until midnight because I wanted to finish! I usually try to "solve the mystery" before the end of a novel but I never guessed the end results. 
I look forward to reading about Perri's relationships, Bear, and Thompson. 
Great read! I did have to pause (prison rape) but I felt like I was learning the about the underbelly of the prison...corruption, secret codes/prison law, and the COs that work there...all very interesting. 
I will be purchasing the next Perri Stone


http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Out-Juin-Charnell/dp/146646397X/ref=cm_cr_dp_orig_subj

another day to get it done

The hardest part of writing are the multiple distractions we use to allow ourselves not to write. The television show (which we can view on demand later or dvr), the book by a fellow author we want to read, the children, the husband, the wife, the something that is always taking precedents over just getting your pages done. I know it's difficult, I struggle with the procrastination. But the overwhelming thought in my head now is that people expect a second book. I am expected to write it. I made a indirect promise to people that, if they read the 1st book (in the series), there would be more to come. So I'm walking away from the computer (I write longhand) and getting the words on the page and then I can watch television or read a book. And I've accomplished my goals for the day. Happy writing.

meeting goal

Today's goal was to continue working on the character sheets for the people in the novel. Some things I know and some things are changing. I also discovered a mid-novel twist - that I was trying to figure out how to have it fit with everything else going on - and it logically came together for me. So, be methodical in your process but keep the channels open for the story to unfold in ways you might not have imagined.

book on iTunes

I'm back. I haven't written in a while. I will try to post here on a more regular basis especially since the book is selling and people may want to connect. I am in the process of outlining for "Quiet Riot". That will be finished by the end of this month. I want to have the final draft ready for proofing and editing by end of January. And no, I don't write a book in a month. I have bits and pieces of this novel on scraps of paper and in my head so the writing should (I hope) go smoothly. On the other hand, "Near Salem" is 3/4 finished but I have set it aside so that I can get the next Perri Stone book completed.

Using Twitter

I have been using Twitter to grow my following. The guru's suggest adding so many followers a day. Which basically means, you add 50 people and maybe those 50 will follow you. So as you add these people daily, and give out great content, you build a following and become recognized as a leader and social media expert (eventually).

Now I don't recommend trolling Twitter like an idiot but follow people who have a genuine interest in what you want to say. And whose information you are interested in reading. I like business minded people, readers, writers, parents, True Blood (the show) amongst other things so when I search for people who are interested in those same things as me, I don't feel like I would be wasting their time if I add comments and they like what I tweet.

You can use Twitter and build a massive following by just following every recommendation that's on your page but do you really want to possible Spam people like that. Just a thought.

Embrace Your Age Cause You're Living!: Say Hey and I love you#links

Embrace Your Age Cause You're Living!: Say Hey and I love you#links

What type of Articles should you write?

Until you get a handle for the expert level of articles you want to be known for, start out with shorter, 200-300 word snippets that focus on one idea then encapsulate it into a bigger article once you have enough snippets to make a whole.

For example, if I wanted to provide an eBook on writing features and benefits, I might start with these small snippets, using a car as my example:

Features:
· Brakes
· Tires
· Air bags
· Gasoline
· Seat belts
· Color
· Body type

Benefits:
· Anti-locking brakes prevent you from skidding into a tree as you try to swerve from hitting a dog in the road.
· Quality tires will grip the road in the snow easier than balding tires.
· Air bags in multiple locations of your vehicle will ensure your safety in an accident.
· Premium gasoline will keep your engine running smoothly.
· Seat belts that lock on impact preventing death.
· Certain color cars are more apt to be in accidents due to blindness and inattentive drivers not noticing them.
· The body type will help you in that collision with a semi, do you want to be in a putt-putt car or a 4x4?

This is just a quick way to brainstorm the features and benefits when you are breaking down your product for a client. But take it a step further. Every one of the features, by themselves are worthy of 200 to 300 words. Because you will expand on my simple, quick off the top of my head thoughts. You will have manufacturers to recommend, prices you can quote, websites you can direct people to. And before you know it, you have an article. This piece is 300 words.

the piece you have to do yourself

I like the system so far. I have read that I must Squidoo, Twitter, Facebook all for social media. Or blog, hub, digg, etc. I have to write articles and get them published. This is all great content information but no one is telling you how to write these great articles that people will want to read. Are you supposed to only write about your niche? Can you branch out and write about the other things you feel like you're at expert with knowledge on? I know it's difficult. I want to point you to a ebook by "Bob Bly" one of the most successful writers out there. Not because I know him or anything, but I've read his books (the real ones from a library or bookstore) and they have been useful to me over the years. The Super Productive Writer

books that mean something

I have only re-read a couple books in my years of reading.
Once a year, I re-read "The Golden Compass, The Amber Spyglass, The Subtle Knife".
I am usually reading 2 or 3 books simultaneously. What do you read, over and over again?