Keeping Secrets or Not

This week my study focus is on ultimate stakes. Here's a clip from Donald Maas' Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook exploring the ultimate stakes. 

The first draft of my latest novel Mirror, Mirror—Who's the Next to Die is completed and has been for some time, so I've started the hard work of the second draft. I want to make my main character as three-dimensional as possible so I'm asking questions—why does she get up in the morning. Why does she do the things she does?  What motivates her? I thought I knew, but as I started asking questions (interviewing her), I found out I didn't. I want to find the perfect combination for her. Enough conflict in her life to make her interesting and enough strength in her life to make me want to be like her.

Another book I've been delving into is Conflict, Action and Suspense by William Noble and on page 98, he talks about Terrible Secrets.  Do you have a terrible secret? Most of us do. Mr. Noble asks how many of us would be comfortable telling about our secrets. If you would not be, then it's a terrible secret or one worth writing about.  I'm not telling mine, but I'm trying to come up with a terrible secret for my character, Jill McKeel, to live with. I haven't figured it out yet.

Does anyone remember the show I've Got a Secret? I found it interesting to follow the clues in order to guess the secret. I believe the same concept is why many readers keep turning the page. They want to put the clues together to reveal the secret.

How well do you know what motivates your character? How well do you know what motivates you? Have you ever thought about it? I'm thinking about it right now. What motivates me? 

Does your writing reveal secrets? Even, many recipes are of greater interest because they have a secret ingredient. It's time for a confession (true or not). Share your thoughts about secrets that motivate.

A couple of other Muffin Blogs that speaks of characters are:

Elizabeth King Humphrey's "Introducing Your Characters"

Another of Mine (Cher'ley Grogg) "Making Your Characters a Character"

Books photo Cher'ley Grogg

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5 comments Blog., Characters, Cher'ley Grogg, convictions, get up and go, Keeping Secrets, know what you write, Mirror-Mirror, motivation, persistence

The WOW Story—Where Should a Writer Start?

The WOW story, novel, blog or article takes preparation in the form of research, investigation and on-hands knowledge. Writing is hard work but writing that very special bit of prose is excruciating. The writer needs to draw deep within and string words together perfectly in order to come up with the WOW story.

An excerpt from Donald Maass' book WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL tells us: "A truly big book is a perfect blend of inspired premise, larger-than-life characters, high-stakes story, deeply felt themes, vivid setting and much more."  Big equals popularity and success.  

Where should a writer start?

1.     Answer the question why does this story, novel, blog or article need written. 

·        To persuade

·        To inform

·        To explain

·        To entertain

·        To Share

2.     Answer the question what style to use.

·        Witty

·        Bold

·        Serious

·        Warm

·        Business

·        Combination of one or more

3.     Answer the question where will this be read or in what context.

·        Online

·        Snuggled in bed

·        Book Club

·        In a doctor's office

4.     Answer the question who will read the material.

·        Man, woman or child

·        Age bracket

·        Specific target group

·        Public

5.     Answer the question when will this story, novel, blog or article go public.

·        Right away

·        Time sensitive

·        Relative forever

6.     Answer the question how to add interest, fun, joy or deep emotion.  Try these exercises:

Describe a room so messy that the occupant has disappeared into the mess. What’s cluttering the room in detail and tell about the room’s owner and how he or she got into this predicament. Tell what happens to the room’s occupant over time. Does he or she ever get out?

Chose a color, go for a walk and then write about everything you see on the walk that is that color, or everything that reminds you of that color. This is a great early morning exercise for the body and mind.

When writing the WOW story start with the above questions and then add more layers. 


It is said, "Write what you love." I say, "Write what you love to research." Research is a key element in writing. Even if the subject is familiar, research will reveal different aspects or facets to add to the prose.  

Sources: 

Donald Maass, Writing the Breakout Novel

Cher'ley Grogg, quote, "Write what you love to research."

Exercises adapted from Edu Guide

Girl Reading Photo by Anna Theodora http://www.flickr.com/photos/annatheodora/2775643078/
Frog Photo by Doug 8888 *http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug88888/4581541909/
Yellow Toadstool photo by Cher'ley Grogg

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5 comments 'Quotes on Writing', Answers, Cher'ley Grogg, craft of writing, Donald Maass, exercise of mind and body, how, know what you write, questions, when, where, who

I Do Know What to Write

By Jill Earl

I’ve been watching the local public TV station’s offerings for Black History Month. I eagerly watch, hoping to add to the always-growing list of books, articles and other media I want to read to acquire more knowledge about my heritage.

In between programs, the “I don’t know what to write!” whine came out of my mouth. Never mind that I’d recently read a couple of articles on the subject, or that I pondered writing about family. The whine-fest was about to be on, until I revisited an experience from my days as an adult student at college that made Black History Month more alive for me.

While visiting my mother, we watched a documentary on the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Panther Movement was mentioned. At one point, Mom sat back, a faraway look in her eyes.

“Remember those meetings we went to?”

“What meetings?” Then I realized what she said and gave her my full attention. “What meetings, Mom?”

“The Panther meetings! What else?”

“You--were a Panther?” She nodded and I struggled to grasp her words. Dusty memories floated into my mind, including one where I saw the meeting location she referred to, on the corner of a now boarded-up block in the city.

My mother turned 79 at the end of last month. She lives with me, unable to live alone. The journey has been hard for us both but I’m thankful that she’s reasonably healthy. Her memory is another story, gaps becoming more frequent. And painful.

But she’s seen and lived so much. Time to get to recording her experiences while she remembers, especially the Panther ones.

Because I do know what to write.

Jill Earl

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