The Right Career for your Characters By Connie Vines #Round Robin #writing tips, #defining your characters

The Right Career for Your Characters.

November's topic from Skye:  

Creating a believable career for your character(s).

#1 brew a cup of coffee. Tonight, it's Columbian Roast with a splash of milk, served in a "Peanuts Snoopy" mug with Snoopy seated next to a typewriter.

#2 In the weeks before plopping myself in front of the keyboard for a dedicated writing session, I heard bits of dialogue or conversations in my head. I also have a sense of time and place.

#3 Then...My dreams have music. It's one theme song, replaying on a loop. All. Night. Long. It's cranked up to "movie theater" loud. One night, the theme of "How The West Was Won" or "The Yellow Rose of Texas," or my least favorite song of all time, "Stand by Your Man."

#4 He's a Texan. A Bullrider. The "Wildcat" of the rodeo circuit. His name is Lynx Maddox.

#5 The Heroine? She must have a connection to the rodeo world. Rachel Scott's father was a bronc rider. She lived with her grandmother while her parents traveled the circuit. 

#6 She's attending a local college while supporting herself waitressing at the local diner. 

#7 The Opening Scene: 

Chapter One, Rodeo Romance, Book 1, "Lynx"

Charlene hadn't told Rachel that she'd fixed her up with a cowboy, much less Lynx Maddox, the "Wild Cat" of the rodeo circuit. Rachel sighed. She should have known. After all, Charlene only dated men who wore boots and Stetson.

Rachel Scott cringed at the thought even as her gaze took in the breadth of Lynx Maddox's chest, broad shoulders, and dark green eyes, which scanned her with blatant masculine approval.

Despite her stern efforts to control it, her heart pounded against her ribcage. She'd seen him sitting at the table with Charlene Davis and Dan Elder before he spotted her. She'd allowed herself to look when he walked her way--looking didn't hurt. And it was okay to dream--a little fantasy never harmed a woman. But that was where it ended. After watching her father die in the arena, Rachel had sworn she'd never have anything to do with another rodeo cowboy. She stopped her train of thought and gave the cowboy a smile.

"Nice to meet you," she said, accepting his extended hand. She felt the strength in his warm, calloused fingers. Rachel tried to ignore a fluttering sensation low in her stomach. There was one thing she was sure of as she looked up into his piercing eyes and uncompromising jaw--men like him had trouble written all over them. And she doubted Lynx Maddox would prove to be an exception.

"Rachel, I'm glad you came tonight." His voice was soft as velvet and laced with a Texas drawl.

He smelled of woodsy masculine cologne, and the sudden rise in her body temperature alerted Rachel to the unexpected twists in this encounter—she was much too aware of the sexy cowboy. She focused on the warmth of his hand against hers and knew that although his grip was light, he was very strong. His presence had a power; it vibrated everywhere, even from the sawdust-covered floor beneath her feet.

His slow, lingering smile seemed to unravel what remained of her composure...

💖

#8 Many authors approach setting up a career for their characters systematically and logically. However, my mind doesn't work that way. 

I often have general knowledge. My father is from Texas, and I've lived in the panhandle and vacationed in Montana. I've mucked out stalls, ridden horses, and even taken a tumble. 

However, I knew almost nothing about the sport of Bull Riding, aside from the fact that "I can't even watch it on television." 

I had never worked in a fast-food restaurant, diner, or as a waitress in a restaurant. 

#9 So, how did I overcome my ignorance? I annoyed people, mostly. I interviewed friends and strangers familiar with ranching/western life. I also read rodeo books and magazines and convinced my children and husband they had always wanted to attend rodeo events. 😉

#10  One must remember to walk in each character's shoes, paying attention to detail in each person's point of view and temperament. Rachel's background will color her reactions. She is an introvert but will stand her ground. Lynx is self-assured and self-reliant, with a cowboy's code of honor. Charlene is an extrovert who has never met a stranger. Dan is Lynx's wingman and cousin.

# 11 The career must also advance the story's plot, and the character's actions, reactions, and life choices must ring true. (Be sure to read my rodeo arena and Honky Tonk Bar scenes, the latter a nod to my late cousin Clancy Carlile.) 

 Thank you for stopping by :)

Please visit the talented authors participating in this month's Blog Hop. I'm visiting their websites now!!

XOXO

Connie 

 Helena Fairfax

Anne Stenhouse

Victoria Chatham

Dr. Bob Rich

Diane Bator

Marci Baun

Skye Taylor

Authors--Traditional or Indie? Publishing Wins and Pitfalls By Connie Vines #Round Robin Blog Hop, #WritingTips

October Round Robin Topic: Indie or Traditional Publishing?

Pros and Cons.

Like many authors, my writing has evolved but has also changed to accommodate the publishing industry.

Once upon a time...

I wrote nonfiction articles for children's magazines, short stories, flash fiction, and stand novellas.

Later, I branched into YA/Middle School Historical fiction. Western Romance, RomCom, and Romantic Suspense.

All of these markets were "Traditional".

I am currently contracted with a Traditional publisher. My books are marketed as ebooks and in trade paperback to accommodate the reader market. 

I am comfortable with the traditional market platform. 

Why? Because an editor does a final read of my manuscript and will adjust my formatting if needed. 

(Yes, I understand HTML. But it's a left-brain function. If I am left-braining, I have zero access to the creative side of my brain.) 😕😢

We share promotion responsibility and watch market trends. (I like to write what I want, but that is not a key to success.) 

Most importantly, I have input for my book cover, but I do not have to design one. 

Indie Publishing: 

Have I ventured into the world of Indie Publishing? Yes, though not solo.

I have been involved in numerous anthologies. A common location, characters who interact with each other (to a limited extent). A defined genre: romance, mystery, etc. 

The promo is extensive. The timeline is short, and the word count is predetermined.

Limited meetings via text, short phone time, or a designated FB room to keep up-to-date work well for me. 

I'm an introvert. Intense interaction with others, even via weekly or daily Zoom meetings, is physically draining. Especially when I'm required to change what was already agreed upon. 😕😖

Plus side?

The marketing/promo is divided among the members.

Pre-release and early release are effective ways to garner readers and build momentum. 

The way to publish is a personal decision.

It is defined by an author's personality, writing style, willingness to promote, and love of accounting and tracking sales results.

Happy Writing and Reading,

XOXO

Connie Vines

Please hop to the next Blog...where another member has his/her story to share :)

 Connie Vines (you are here)

 Bob Rich

Diane Bator

Victoria Chatham

Skye Taylor

Writing in a Whole New Genre- (Pros/Cons) My Personal Experience By Connie Vines #Writing Tips, #Round Robin, #New Genre vs Established Readership

 Topic:  The Wisdom and or Experience of Trying a Whole New Genre    

Thank you, Skye, for this month's topic.

I began my career writing nonfiction, short stories, and preschool games in magazines (Humpty Dumpty, Jr. Medical Detective, etc.). So, it was only natural to branch out into Y.A. historical fiction.

I assumed it would require extensive research, travel, and interviews.  

The challenge was adding more. More descriptions, additional characters, multiple plot lines, plot twists, etc. In other words, a storyline that was not linear. 

Historical documents, interviews with tribal storytellers, and interviews with those who attended Native American boarding schools.

This also required adapting my story to the reading levels of the Y.A. readership and their understanding of what I was explaining: the sensory details, the harshness of life, and the meals prepared. Was the information relatable to a child who watched television and had a microwave oven? 

I was blessed with beautiful book reviews and student letters.

I was proud of the book and its recognition: awards for historical accuracy, "Teen Read Selection" in Public Libraries, the G.A.T.E. program, and speaking engagements in Southern California.

Will I attempt another Y.A. historical novel? Probably not. 

This project was a five-year journey. The most discouraging part was the shrinking of the hardbound/paperback publishers. I signed a contract for a hardbound novel, but the editor pulled it when he learned the company was being sold. (I discovered later that he did me a huge favor).  

   

Spanish Version

English Version

The next growing market was women's fiction. I selected Contemporary Romance.

Did I hesitate? No, I decided to dive in. 

Setting? 

I have all this Western research material. My father's people were Texans, and I enjoyed Bull Riding events. My hero was a cowboy. My heroine lived in Montana; her late father was a Bronc Rider.

My plot, characters, subplots, setting, etc. I'm at the keyboard after the kids are in bed, writing chapters one, two, and three.

I reread and reread the chapters.

Something needs to be fixed.

This was the kicker. I knew something was wrong but did not know precisely what it was.

Was the flow? Word choices? Pacing? Or was it the tone?

I was residing in "The-Land-of-in- Between." And I need an intervention! 

Fortunately, I joined a critique with members of my local R.W.A. Chapter. We wrote in multiple genres (though I was the only one who started out in children's). We read each other's chapters, made suggestions, and brought revisions the following week.

I garnered a few rejections, made changes, and sent the story out again.

Then I received that "Phone Call" in February, and the book was released in July!

This book received multiple awards and excellent reviews.

Will I change genres again? I've branched out into Romantic Suspense, RomCom/Paranormal. At the moment, I'm writing several novellas, and I've begun another romance series. I may write a Cozy Mystery novel or a Western Gothic (only if I don't cause myself to experience nightmares!)

The emerging genres seem to be Worldbuilding, Horror, "Bad Mothers," Science Fiction, Western Gothic, Foodie Romance, and Fratito. However, this could change next month.

If you want to write in a new genre, look into it. Examine the market and see what is trending. If you are selling novels and have a following, you're good. 

If you still want to change, consider a nome-de-plum. And see how it goes.

Good Luck & Happy Reading,

Connie 

XOXO

Follow the links! These Talented Authors have much to share!!

Dr. Bob Rich: https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3jJ 

Anne Stenhouse: annehousenovelist.wordpress.com 

Connie Vines (you are here)

Skye Taylor: https://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

  

 

How to Avoid Telling the Reader too Much Too Soon (AKA: Info Dump) By Connie Vines #Round Robin Blog Hop #Writing Tips

This month's Topic: How to Avoid Telling Your Reader Too Much, Too Soon.

Authors get so excited about a new project. We love to conduct research, pore over dusty documents, and discover exciting nuggets of information. 

And we love to share our latest discoveries with our readers.

This free-flowing enthusiasm can become too enthusiastic. 

Really? How?

Do you recall Monday mornings when you attended elementary school? The schools I attended allowed everyone a moment to "share about his/her weekend" at the front of the class.  

One child mumbled while staring at her shoes, another focused on the family dinner, another on a cry-baby sibling or, heaven forbid, dog poop/cat poop, etc. 

You get the general idea. Enthusiasm run-a-muck.

"Well, don't do that!" Stifle the urge to overshare and over-tell.

Why? 

Because that is an information dump. The author tells the reader too much or completely unnecessary information.

Keep your focus on the story. Drop information like petals of flowers on a long and uneven path of discovery...to an adventure...or to find true love.

It's the journey the reader loves.

The act of discovery, the twists and turns of the plot, 

the read-herrings, the delightful surprises. 

Remember, the magic that each storyteller weaves lives on and on.

Your written words are magical.

Magical. Powerful. Healing. Words of courage, kindness, comfort.

Your stories transport your readers to another place, another time, a moment to forget his/her troubles or to escape into a safe haven.

Select your words with care.

Remember, a reader is waiting to read your next story.

Connie

XOXO

This month's participating writers have stories to tell.

Please visit them :)

Anne Stenhouse

Connie Vines

Helena Fairfax

Diane Bator

Skye Taylor

 Dr. Bob Rich.

Where Do Your Ideas Come From? By Connie Vines #Writing Tips, #Round Robin Blog Hop, #Ideas,

 Where do my ideas come from?

I must confess that it is not an easily defined topic, but it is worth pondering.

There are three general perspectives when it comes to the origin of ideas:

Psychology, Philosophy, and Anthropology (none of which I will delve into).

Instead, I will muddle through my process. 

1. Dialogue will pop into my head. I find myself 'obsessed' with a style of music, a period of history, or even a type of food. 

2. I have stenopads where I compile research. (Pen-to-paper assists in the creative process.)

3. False starts. Numerous.

4. Staring at the blank computer monitor.

5. Then something clicks, and I create an opening scene. 

6. My ideas are a mixture of my life experiences and how I process them. 

7. My stories contain humor with a HEA while still dealing with real-life challenges (childhood abandonment and an alcoholic parent) "Lynx."

Raising a child after the death of a spouse. "Brede."

My stories can also be funny, quirky, mysterious...

...Or even supernatural 

 8. While a nomadic childhood has given me insight into the regional quirks and cultures of the USA.

Texas rodeos, farm and ranch life, tales of the 'dust bowl' years. And, of course, hundreds of ways to prepare chili. 

Swamps, hurricanes, learning to bake, when to wear gloves, and, most importantly, alligators can sprint uphill.

I will forever dislike snow, and I'm still petrified of snowmen.

This lifestyle also made me an observer. I evaluated what worked and did not work for me. 

 9. It's the start of summer, and a mini heatwave is underway (temperatures are in the low 100s). I'm sipping my morning coffee outdoors, overlooking the rose garden.  

10. Right now, I'm in the development phase of two novellas and plotting a new series.

Please visit the authors participating in this month's Round Robin Blog Hop.

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com

Diane Bator https://escapewithawriter.wordpress.com/

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3ef

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea