A blog about the topics of writing, Writing tips and ideas

How developed are your characters?

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How much of your personality goes into your books? Do any of the characters share any of your qualities? Do you create a character of someone you know? Maybe you create a character with traits you wish you had. To date, I have not done that with any of my books that are fiction.

Developing characters is fun to do, yet it does require an author to step back and mull over how this “person” will appear to the readers.

Some characters your readers will fall in love with others they will hate that will propel the storyline. But having a lack lusting person won’t do you and your book any favors.

One should not rush into this. You create a physical description, but you also have to include mental and emotional aspects. You need a well-rounded person, one that the reader can invest in love or hate and imagine in their head.

I have had children ask me about Jasper and if he is in any way like he is in the book. It is an easy question with Jasper being a member of our family in real life. It is easy to put into the book his personalities and antics I have observed over the years.

I am striving for this with the books I write in other genres. I want my fans to see my characters in their minds. I want them to have a range of emotions concerning the characters as they turn the pages toward the end.

If I don’t spend the time beforehand and mull over how to develop my cast, they won’t go very far.

A blog about the topics of writing, A writing supporting other authors

Recycling your content: Do you do it?

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Do you recycle content on your social platforms? If not, why?

Finding content is not always easy. Some days I stare at the screen trying to will a topic to come to the front of my brain. It is then I will check other sites or books on my shelves. I am hoping for a glimmer of an idea. But some content that you have discussed should be repeated well repeatedly over time.

Just now, I noticed a blogger reposting a post I did for her months ago. I was elated. I knew someone who was doing it as well. Plus, it was a topic I get on my high horse about with other authors. The topic? How authors should have a social presence with their brand.

Awesome. This is a blogger who has been very prolific in helping authors promote themselves. If it works for her, it works for me.

You have new authors arriving on the scene who might need the tidbit you are discussing. It could help authors who have been around the block but perhaps need a reminder refreshers course. It could also remind you of things that might have gotten sale.

So, don’t fret over reusing topics. It could be the very thing that someone needs.

A blog on writing, Writers helping writers

Are you still meeting during this pandemic?

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With Covid being what it is, meetings of any kind have been on hold. Some groups have gone virtual, some are on hiatus, while others have still met.

As a writer getting feedback on our works is necessary to get our work in the best shape possible.

Why?

When one submits to a publisher or self-publish, what readers see between the covers will determine its success. There are a lot of parts to any book. But when we edit and revise one’s work, we won’t catch everything. We know our manuscripts the best, and in time we glaze over errors that others might notice, such as loopholes, spelling errors, punctuation, and run-on sentences.

We can’t be our editors and get 100% of it correct. Different eyes are necessary to make our book better.

So, during this pandemic, you need to decide what is the right path for you in being safe in how you go about getting your eyes on your work.

I have had an opportunity to meet IRL with other writers at a new writing group. I am not of the mind to do that just yet.

Ultimately I want you all safe regardless of how you proceed.

The Musings of A New Englander