tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777881807824974822024-03-24T10:47:49.933-07:00The Enchanted PenWriting and StuffHeidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-16270545955256761592015-08-31T19:57:00.001-07:002015-08-31T20:14:33.730-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Fh0UOJZByRUzbAF5IyMK3KTOfwDeR9O8LOmfeaJsAPSgydR2xfHRSOQn7BWOaO-Zmb2wDYwaQyUcmoodnQkAaFQ_4unzKJfjTLt7esxJPll9Ci6M_I7V_8zpKOWW8FJULR2j0kTecnWs/s320/l+margin-page-0.jpg" width="213" /></div>
Now available for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Turning-Red-Heidi-Mannan-ebook/dp/B014QC2Z5A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441067014&sr=8-1&keywords=turning+red+by+heidi+mannan" target="_blank"><span style="color: #660000;">pre-order</span></a>!<br />
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From back cover: <span class="projectSummaryDescription" id="projectSummaryDescriptionContent">Quirky, trepidation-riddled, red-in-the-face
Betty Brown sees herself as the soil that lies unnoticed beneath the beauty of
flowers. Her life is humdrum until she moves to the rural mountains of North
Idaho, where her Uncle Frank disappeared. Her search for Frank leads her to an
impossible choice between her most revered ideals and death. </span></div>
Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-62491132594420471592013-05-13T16:05:00.000-07:002013-05-13T16:05:11.231-07:00Where you write<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My biggest problem with writing is that I don't have as much time for it as I'd like. I often hear other writers complaining that they are stuck or "blocked" and can't write a single word. I think this must stem from fear of failure, whether it be failure of rejection or just the inability to make a story or character turn out as imagined. Whatever the case, I think one solution is to put yourself in a setting where you don't normally write. It might spark new inspiration, even if you aren't blocked!<br />
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Here are some photo ideas of places to write. Who knows, maybe the pictures will be enough to inspire you. Just imagine what it would sound like, smell and feel like to be there. What sort of story might take place there? If you go somewhere in person, pay attention to these same sensory details. If you go somewhere populated, don't forget to study the people. People watching is one of the best tools of the trade.<br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-3174855009833583972013-05-02T16:54:00.000-07:002013-05-02T17:05:26.975-07:00Oak Meadow curriculum giveaway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm deviating from the topic of writing today to post about a great giveaway. As many of you know, I'm homeschooling my son. Last year for kindergarten we used Oak Meadow syllabus as a curriculum base and it worked pretty well for us. It uses Waldorf philosophy and includes a lot of nature based activities.<br />
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This year, I'm using Oak Meadow's first grade syllabus as part of a tailored curriculum that fits my son's learning style, which is very visual. I love that about teaching him myself at home. His lessons are made specifically for him. And I get to be part of the whole process, which is amazing. <br />
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Now for the giveaway part. Oak Meadow is giving away one complete homeschooling curriculum. The lucky winner will be able to choose the grade. Read more about it <a href="http://www.secularhomeschool.com/content/929-may-2013-giveaway-oak-meadow-curriculum-school/?postid=124149#comments_124149" target="_blank">HERE</a>. By posting about it on my blog, I'm increasing my chances of winning. Wish me luck. <br />
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Read more about Oak Meadow curriculum <a href="http://www.oakmeadow.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </div>
Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-22709023111888866542013-04-30T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-30T00:00:23.705-07:00Letter Z<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bqQuoteLink">"Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment." ~</span><span class="bodybold">Thomas Carlyle</span></span></b><br />
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<span class="bodybold">Letter Z is the least used letter of the English alphabet, at 0.07%. That's not to say that Z is inferior to other letters. On the contrary, this little lightening bolt symbolizes accomplishment. It is the last letter of our alphabet and if you've made it to Z, you've made it all the way. </span><br />
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<span class="bodybold">I'd like to congratulate all those in the A to Z challenge who made it to Z. Bravo! </span><br />
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<span class="bodybold">This was my first year participating in the challenge and I've had a wonderful experience. I've met many kind, amazing, funny, brave and intelligent people along the way. I've learned things, smiled a lot and had fun. I've also grown as a blogger. In the past, I had difficulty figuring out what to blog about. On the rare occasions I blogged, I would spend a lot of time agonizing over my posts and wondering if they were worth anything. Not that anyone ever read them anyway. The whole affair seems easier now. Thank you to all my new followers and friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold">Blessings!</span></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"> </span><br />
<span class="bodybold"> </span>
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-7843522854598888732013-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-29T00:00:08.715-07:00Sometimes Y<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="txt" id="text4483">"Knowledge is indivisible. When people
grow wise in one direction, they are sure to make it easier for
themselves to grow wise in o</span><span class="gtxt" id="fulltext4483" style="display: inline;">ther
directions as well. On the other hand, when they split up knowledge,
concentrate on their own field, and scorn and ignore other fields, they
grow less wise--even in their own field.<span class="qc"></span></span>" ~Isaac Asimov</span></b><br />
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I'm currently in the process of preparing my sons first grade home school curriculum. He taught himself how to read when he was four and can read almost anything now (he'll be six in June), but he's never had any phonics training, so I decided I'll review phonetics with him to boost his confidence and skill as a reader. This brought me to the letter Y, this mysterious letter that is sometimes a vowel and sometimes a consonant. I didn't know what made it which, so, in order to teach my son, I looked it up. <br />
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Y is a vowel when it takes the place of a regular vowel, as in system, syllable or mystery. It is also a vowel when it creates a diphthong, as in boy (oi).<br />
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Y is a consonant when it appears at the start of a syllable where there is anther vowel, as in yam, yes or player. <br />
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Pretty simple.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - Letter Z</span><br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-85777316086445626752013-04-27T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-27T00:00:10.093-07:00Letter X<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bqQuoteLink">"A letter does not blush."</span> ~<span class="bodybold">Marcus Tullius Cicero</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;">Not <span style="font-size: small;">many common words begin with the <span style="font-size: small;">24th letter of the English alphabet</span>. For fun, I've added a link from <span style="font-size: small;">S</span>crabble <span style="font-size: small;">F</span>inder that identifies words <span style="font-size: small;">th<span style="font-size: small;">at <span style="font-size: small;">start with X. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"> </span></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.scrabblefinder.com/starts-with/x/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"></span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.scrabblefinder.com/starts-with/x/</span></span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold">Fun facts about letter X</span></span><br />
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"> When typing<span style="font-size: small;"> in correct format, you<span style="font-size: small;"> use your ring finger to strike letter X. </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Xanthan is found in many foods today, especially gluten-free foods. It is a bacteria<span style="font-size: small;">-produced gum typically derived from corn. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Elizabethan times, t<span style="font-size: small;">he word <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Xanthippe</span> meant to yearn. </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>X marks the spot! <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="bodybold" style="font-size: large;">Monday's post - <span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes Y</span></span>
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-19909141523286882952013-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-26T01:18:03.473-07:00Writing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="bqQuoteLink">"You fail only if you stop writing." ~</span><span class="bodybold">Ray Bradbury</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is the prologue to my manuscript, Turning Red. </span></div>
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<div class="IndText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prologue </b></span></span></div>
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One in the morning. The ticking magnetic clock on the fridge matched the throb in Betty's head. From windowsills framing darkened glass, and from nearly every inch of counter space, a variety of plants seemed to stare at her, awaiting an explanation. <br />
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"I know, I'm not usually out this late. Anti-death penalty sit-in and then coffee with the activists. I'm really livin' it up now." She dusted a spider plant's leaf with her finger. "I promise you'll all have a drink in the morning." <br />
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Yawning, she filled a glass with water, guzzled it and then reached into her purse for her phone. Rebecca should have called. <br />
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The phone wouldn't turn on. "Battery's dead again?" <br />
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She plugged it in and checked her inbox. Rebecca had left a message: yes, she could meet Betty for lunch tomorrow. <br />
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Another call had come at quarter to ten, from her Uncle Frank. She smiled as the automated voice recited his number, something she knew by heart. She needed some of his humor after the long night of serious discussion. The moment she heard his voice, however, her chest tightened. He sounded rushed and too quiet, like he was trying to whisper. "Betty," and then a pause that lasted too long, "I think… I'm in big trouble. She's coming—oh God." <br />
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Adrenaline shaking her fingers, Betty punched in his number. She bit her lip while the phone rang. <br />
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Please, Frank, pick up. <br />
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No answer. <br />
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Probably just asleep. She's coming? Who did he mean? <br />
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She punched in his number again, chewing her fingernail while she waited. <br />
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Still no answer. <br />
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Her heart raced and a terrified sense of urgency coursed through her. If only she knew someone in Idaho who she could call to check on him. If only she lived closer. She had no one in the world if anything happened to Frank. He was more than just an uncle; he'd been her legal guardian and remained one of her best friends. <br />
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She tried his number a third time. <br />
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No answer. <br />
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Surely his ancient landline would have awakened him after three calls. Frank hated missing the phone. He always picked up. Always. <br />
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Again, she listened to his quavering voice: "Betty… I think… I'm in big trouble. She's coming—oh God." <i>Who, Frank. Who's coming? </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - Letter X</span><i> </i></div>
Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-22911659624485419562013-04-25T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-25T00:00:06.913-07:00Voice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bqQuoteLink">"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing.</span>" ~<span class="bodybold">Sigmund Freud</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;">Voice makes a writer recognizable, unique and special. Yet it's something many authors st<span style="font-size: small;">ruggle wi<span style="font-size: small;">th.<span style="font-size: small;"> It's well worth the effort to find your own personal writing voice. It's the very thing that will make your manuscript stand out among the <span style="font-size: small;">throngs. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold">Finding your voice</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't try to copy<span style="font-size: small;"> anyone else. Tryin<span style="font-size: small;">g to mimic another au<span style="font-size: small;">thor</span></span> is <span style="font-size: small;">one of the sure<span style="font-size: small;">st ways to lose your <span style="font-size: small;">voice. Write li<span style="font-size: small;">ke you, from your thoughts<span style="font-size: small;"> and</span> the things in your head and <span style="font-size: small;">heart</span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Keep your inner critic <span style="font-size: small;">locked a<span style="font-size: small;">way until it's time to edit. That nagging <span style="font-size: small;">little whisper in your head will always tell you something sounds stupid <span style="font-size: small;">if it's<span style="font-size: small;"> allowed free d<span style="font-size: small;">u<span style="font-size: small;">ring first dr<span style="font-size: small;">afts</span></span></span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Figure out who you're t<span style="font-size: small;">elling this story to<span style="font-size: small;"> and write it as if you were actually telling them t<span style="font-size: small;">he story.<span style="font-size: small;"> If you're <span style="font-size: small;">imagining you're telling it to your best friend, your <span style="font-size: small;">voice will <span style="font-size: small;">most likely be more <span style="font-size: small;">intimate and relaxed than if you're telling it to a grou<span style="font-size: small;">p of strangers. Are you telling yo<span style="font-size: small;">ur mother, your children? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Use <span style="font-size: small;">the <span style="font-size: small;">words you<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">n<span style="font-size: small;">or<span style="font-size: small;">mally use. Res<span style="font-size: small;">ist the urge to sound writerly or smart by <span style="font-size: small;">throwing in words that <span style="font-size: small;">will send readers to a dictionary. That's a great way to pull them out of the story world. It<span style="font-size: small;">'s al<span style="font-size: small;">so a sure way to lose your voice.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have confidence in your o<span style="font-size: small;">wn v<span style="font-size: small;">oice. <span style="font-size: small;">Think of your favorite authors and <span style="font-size: small;">how unappealing <span style="font-size: small;">it would be if they all sounded alike. <span style="font-size: small;">They probably wouldn't be your favo<span style="font-size: small;">rite authors. You could<span style="font-size: small;"> be</span> someones favorite author <span style="font-size: small;">one day<span style="font-size: small;">.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Y</span>ou're voice is worth it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - Writing </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bodybold"></span></span>
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-8118487795467752852013-04-24T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-24T00:00:11.282-07:00Uninhibited writing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Write a little everyday, without hope and without
despair." ~Isak Dinesen</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">One of the b<span style="font-size: small;">est stories I<span style="font-size: small;">'ve written to date came from a dream. Upon waking, I <span style="font-size: small;">quickly jotted it down an<span style="font-size: small;">d there it sat in a notebook for a few y<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">ars. Later, when I pulled it out to make a story from it, I found it needed very little editing.<span style="font-size: small;"> When I jotted <span style="font-size: small;">it down, I wasn't trying to make it perfect, I was just letting it come out naturally.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I wish it was always that easy. Just sit down for a few minutes and scribble out daydreams or nightdreams and viola! A wonderful story appears. Sometimes getting a story right feels like trying to bend re-bar with my hands.</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are some things one can practice to help push that <span style="font-size: small;">annoying internal editor out of the way and tap into <span style="font-size: small;">st<span style="font-size: small;">ream of <span style="font-size: small;">consciousness. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't be afr<span style="font-size: small;">aid to write crap. <span style="font-size: small;">First drafts always need a lot of work, whether you<span style="font-size: small;">'re stressing out about if it's good or not. <span style="font-size: small;">Accept t<span style="font-size: small;">hat</span></span> crap will come out with the brill<span style="font-size: small;">iance<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">. You can always delete it later. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Relax. <span style="font-size: small;">They s<span style="font-size: small;">ay if you relax your face, the rest of your body wi<span style="font-size: small;">ll follow. In turn, a relaxed body creates a re<span style="font-size: small;">laxed mind. A relaxed mind <span style="font-size: small;">is more <span style="font-size: small;">creative.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Write whatever comes to min<span style="font-size: small;">d. Sometimes if you're writing from str<span style="font-size: small;">eam of <span style="font-size: small;">consciousness</span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>strange and silly things appear on the paper<span style="font-size: small;">, things that don<span style="font-size: small;">'t make sense to your internal editor. Don't <span style="font-size: small;">delete it! Lea<span style="font-size: small;">ve it<span style="font-size: small;"> there and let the p<span style="font-size: small;">iece sit for a while. When you go back to it, you might find <span style="font-size: small;">the strange and silly parts make the story. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Y</span>ou mi<span style="font-size: small;">ght decide some of them don't wor<span style="font-size: small;">k at all and are <span style="font-size: small;">ridiculous, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">but <span style="font-size: small;">at least you <span style="font-size: small;">gave them a <span style="font-size: small;">chan<span style="font-size: small;">ce<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Tomorrow's post - Voice</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-21723476538405557922013-04-23T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-23T00:13:06.807-07:00When telling is better than showing. Is that even possible? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Great stories happen to those who can tell them." ~Ira Glass</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">We've all heard the warning, no, the <i>rule</i>: </span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b>Show, don't tell. But, while showing should be the dominant force in writing, there are instances when telling is the best avenue. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When to tell -</span><br />
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<li><b>To compress time -</b> Say your character just experienced something so extraordinary that she has to tell someone. She probably needs help, after all. Rather than having her actually rehash what readers just saw her going through, a quick summery is best. <i>She told her sister what happened and they headed straight to the airport.</i> In this same regard, there are times when a full-blown scene of showing would take too long because it's not that important to the story. Readers need the information, but it's not really scene worthy. </li>
<li><b>To provide back-story -</b> I try to only use summary for back-story as a last resort. But there are times when it's best. When the character's back-story isn't a big enough part of the plot to necessitate a flashback but is still important, summary might be the best way. But I'd say only if he doesn't have anyone he'd share it with through dialogue. </li>
<li><b>To develop character -</b> I think this has largely to do with pace and structure. There are times that just seem innate to telling what a character looks like, how they're feeling or what they're thinking. All showing with no telling doesn't always feel natural. Good stories are balanced and varied. </li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When not to tell<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span> - </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Readers don't need you to explain what's going on if you've already shown it through dial<span style="font-size: small;">ogue or character actions</span>. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Details matter. If your summer<span style="font-size: small;">y generalizes things too much,<span style="font-size: small;"> you probably need a <span style="font-size: small;">full scene. </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If your plot is moving too fast, you probably need to <span style="font-size: small;">turn some of those summaries into scenes. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If beta reade<span style="font-size: small;">rs are complaining that <span style="font-size: small;">they're having trou<span style="font-size: small;">ble visualizing part of your story, <span style="font-size: small;">does that section contain <span style="font-size: small;">summary that you could expand into a scene wi<span style="font-size: small;">th more <span style="font-size: small;">sensory <span style="font-size: small;">details? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - Uninhibited writing </span></div>
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-46102179937751875092013-04-22T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-22T00:04:17.919-07:00Setting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bqQuoteLink">"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm."</span> ~<span class="bodybold">Abraham Lincoln</span></span></b>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bodybold">Some books have the ability to open up and allow us to step into them. Setting is often a key factor in making this possible<span style="font-size: small;">. M<span style="font-size: small;">ore than me<span style="font-size: small;">rely where a story takes place, setting creates <span style="font-size: small;">boundaries</span> for a story and forces characters to react<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span>For instance, if <span style="font-size: small;">a story takes place in Montana dur<span style="font-size: small;">ing winter, you can't have your character gar<span style="font-size: small;">denin<span style="font-size: small;">g outdoors. <span style="font-size: small;">Shoveling</span> snow would be more likely. I<span style="font-size: small;">f your story is set in ancient Egypt, characters can't whip out their cell phones to check the time or take a picture. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: large;">Three things to <span style="font-size: large;">keep in mind while </span>c</span>reating setting - </span></span><br />
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<li><span class="bodybold" style="font-size: small;">Use the five senses. This anchors readers into a story. What sounds are there? What <span style="font-size: small;">smells? I once read an article that said smell is directly related to memory. If you get readers sen<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">ses</span> involved, they<span style="font-size: small;">'re more likely to remember and connect to your story. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="bodybold" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Avoid<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> the forbidden info dump. This bores readers, which is also forbidden. <span style="font-size: small;">T</span>ry to describe setting by having characte<span style="font-size: small;">rs interact with it. Have him trip over the tree roots as he runs from <span style="font-size: small;">pursuers</span> rather than s<span style="font-size: small;">ay tree roots surround him. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
<li><span class="bodybold" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> You can also use setting to underscore a character's <span style="font-size: small;">mood. For instance, if it<span style="font-size: small;">'s raining when your character <span style="font-size: small;">receives</span> bad news, it amplifies his emotions. I<span style="font-size: small;">f th<span style="font-size: small;">under and lightening accompany his fear, he's goin<span style="font-size: small;">g to become even more afraid, a<span style="font-size: small;">nd <span style="font-size: small;">so will readers. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span class="bodybold" style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - When telling is better t<span style="font-size: large;">han showing. Is that even possible? </span> </span>
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-6733377455436879672013-04-20T10:30:00.000-07:002013-04-21T22:39:34.626-07:00The Liebster Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A quick little aside from A to Z ... Last Sunday, my blog was nominated for the Liebster Award by the lovely Miss Kate over at <a href="http://katejarvikbirch.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Next Life</a>. Thank you Ida Chiavaro @ <a href="http://idachiavaro.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reflex Reactions</a>, for nominating me for the award today! Since Kate nominated me first, I'll be answering her questions. I don't think I'm up for doing this twice. I'm always up for a challenge, so here's what I have to do:</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Post the award on my
blog</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Thank the blogger who
gave me the award and link back to their site</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Post 11 random facts
about myself</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Answer 11 questions
that the presenter of the award has asked</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Nominate 11 new
bloggers with fewer than 200 followers that I want to pass the award on to</span></span></div>
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6. Ask my nominees 11
questions of my own</span></span><br />
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So, first things first. Thank you so much Kate for nominating my blog! This should be fun. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">11 random facts about me:</span></div>
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<li>I'm a night owl. Always have been, and probably always will be. Mornings make me sick.</li>
<li>I LOVE the Avatar cartoons.</li>
<li>I have a great need for organization, yet I'm not very organized. Working on it!</li>
<li>I have a very acute sense of smell. Nothing drives me from a room faster than a bad odor. </li>
<li>I have an out-of-control chocolate habit.</li>
<li>I write in the bathtub. No, not on a computer. I use the old-fashioned pen and paper method. I type everything into the computer after it's written.</li>
<li>I lost all sense of taste except for bitter one time. Everything I ate tasted bitter. It lasted a week and then remedied itself. Thank God! After some online research, I think it was caused by pine nuts that had gone rancid. </li>
<li>I like to swing.</li>
<li>I have redhead pride.</li>
<li>I own a lot of books I haven't read yet.</li>
<li>I LOVE dreams, even the bad ones. </li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My answers to Kate's questions: </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">1.If you were an animal
what would you be? </span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I'd be a bear. They're at the top of the food c<span style="font-size: small;">hain and only have to watch out for humans. They're also very protective of the<span style="font-size: small;">ir young.</span> I pretty mu<span style="font-size: small;">ch live that life alr<span style="font-size: small;">eady. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">2.What is your favorite book of all time (or two, or three)?</span></b><br />
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This is a hard one. I'm just gonna go for it: Strangers by Dean Koontz, Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice and The Book Theif by Markus Zusak. <br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>3.What's your biggest fear?</b></span><br />
This is also tough for me to answer. I have many fears. My biggest is that something bad will happen to my son. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">4.If you could have any talent (that you don't already have) what would it be?</span></b><br />
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I'd be super flexible. I'd be Elastic Woman.<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">5.If you could invite three famous people (alive or dead) to dinner, who would you choose?</span></b><br />
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John Malkovich, so I could listen to his unusual cadence all evening. Dean Koontz, to see if his real life sense of humor matches his writerly one. My deceased grandfather, because I miss him and I'd love for him and my son to meet.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">6.If you had a time machine, where would you go first?</span></b><br />
To the future, to a time when my son is old. I want to see what he'll do with his life. <br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>7.If calories didn't count, what would you eat today?</b></span><br />
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Barnanas, all day. They're dehydrated banana chunks covered in dark chocolate, for those unfortunate enough to not know.<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>8.What book do you wish you'd written?</b></span><br />
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The one I did write. :) <br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>9.What antagonist do you most relate to?</b></span><br />
This is a really good question, but I'm drawing a huge blank. Maybe someday I'll think of an answer and do a whole blog post about it. <br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>10. If you could relive any day of your life, what would it be?</b></span><br />
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Well, at first I was thinking I'd want to relive a day when I made a really bad decision so I could change it, but then that would alter my entire life and I might not like where I am now. So I'll stick to just a replay of a really great day. None stick out as better than others. I get pretty excited about little things, like seeing my garlic growing after a snowy winter and about smelling summer on its way, so I <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">have a lot of good days. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?</span></b><br />
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Right where I am. I live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My 11 picks for the Award and blog challenge:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Heather Jacobs @ <a href="http://hmjacobs.com/" target="_blank">Heather Ja<span style="font-size: small;">cobs</span></a></span></span></span><br />
Thelma @ <a href="http://www.widowsphere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Widowsphere</a><br />
Colleen Chen @ <a href="http://www.colleenchen.com/" target="_blank">Collen's Write Brain</a><br />
Gwen Tolios @ <a href="http://www.fulfilling-dreams.com/" target="_blank">Fulfilling Dreams</a><br />
Jay Noel @ <a href="http://www.jaynoel.com/" target="_blank">Jay Noel Writer on Fire</a><br />
Donna Smith @ <a href="http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mainly Write</a><br />
Shell Flower @ <a href="http://tangentshell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tangent Shell</a><br />
M.J. Joachim @ <a href="http://mjjoachim.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">M.J. Joachim's Writing Tips</a><br />
Rebecca Douglass @ <a href="http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/" target="_blank">The Ninja Librarian</a><br />
Jennifer @ <a href="http://acreativeexcercise.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Creative Exercise</a><br />
Claire Goverts @ <a href="http://cgoverts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Claire's Writing Log</a> </div>
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<a href="http://swaggerwriters.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">My 11 questions for those who accept the challenge: </span></span></span></span><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Who is your biggest inspiration?</li>
<li>What is/was your relationship like with your mother?</li>
<li>Do you have pets?</li>
<li>What is your guilty pleasure?</li>
<li>Do you outline or are you a seat-of-your-pants writer? </li>
<li>Do you write aspects of your personality into your characters?</li>
<li>Last time you lost your temper, what caused it?</li>
<li>What would your dream vacation be?</li>
<li>Do you think you're weird? Why or why not?</li>
<li>What do you think your purpose is?</li>
<li>If you were going to a deserted island and could only take three things, what would they be? </li>
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I don't believe there's a time restraint on this, so if you decide to take it on, don't feel like you have to do it today.<br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-64016064787577499242013-04-20T01:30:00.000-07:002013-04-20T01:55:20.095-07:00Rejections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">"</span></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rejected pieces aren’t failures; unwritten pieces are<span style="font-size: large;">."</span></b> <b>~</b></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Greg Daugherty</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A</span>nyone who<span style="font-size: small;">'s submitted their work for publication has seen the face of rejection. Probably many, many times. <span style="font-size: small;">I happens to <span style="font-size: small;">ALL writers. <span style="font-size: small;">Check out this list<span style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<ol>
<li>John Grisham’s first novel was rejected 25 times.</li>
<li>Beatrix Potter had so much trouble publishing <i>The Tale of Peter Rabbit</i>, she initially had to self-publish it.</li>
<li>Robert Pirsig, author of<i> </i><i>Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance</i>, received 121 rejections before it was published. It later become a best seller.</li>
<li>Gertrude Stein spent 22 years submitting before getting a single poem accepted.</li>
<li>Judy Blume received rejections for two straight years.</li>
<li>Madeline L’Engle received 26 rejections before <i>A Wrinkle in Time </i>was published. It's a good thing she didn't give up. The book won the Newberry Medal and become one of the best-selling children’s books of all time.</li>
<li>Frank Herbert’s <i>Dune </i>received 20 rejections before being published.</li>
<li>Stephen King received dozens of rejections for <i>Carrie </i>before it was published. </li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why </span>manuscripts are rejected -</span><br />
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A manuscript could be rejected for any reason, really, but here are some of the most common:<br />
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>It's just plain bad. May this not apply to you or me.</li>
<li>It's good, but the agent or editor just isn't feeling a connection with it.</li>
<li>It's good, but the agent or publisher isn't looking for that type of book.</li>
<li>Spelling and grammar problems.</li>
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May the above list of authors inspire you to never give up. Have a wonderful weekend! <br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monday's post - Setting</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-69674050166964266682013-04-19T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-19T00:00:02.454-07:00Query letters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Above all, a query letter is a sales pitch and it is the single most important page an unpublished writer will ever write. It's the first impression and will either open the door or close it. It's that important, so don't mess it up. Mine took 17 drafts and two weeks to write." ~Nicholas Sparks</b></span><br />
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Writers agonize over query letters. Personally, I dread the synopsis more, although, considering the above quote, writing a query letter still makes me sweat. In a query, you have about three short paragraphs to tell agents or editors about your book and about yourself. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The opener</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Agents and ed</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">itors receive a lot of queries every day. One way to catch their attention is to let them know you've done some research about them and their company. Drop in a few of the titles they represent that you've read, tell them<span style="font-size: small;"> why you think they would be <span style="font-size: small;">t<span style="font-size: small;">he right fit for your book</span></span></span>. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The blurb</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This <span style="font-size: small;">is the hard part. How in the world <span style="font-size: small;">do you <span style="font-size: small;">d<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">ecide</span> what</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;">to include and what to leave out? <span style="font-size: small;">In a query, you have<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> one paragra<span style="font-size: small;">ph<span style="font-size: small;"> to</span> enti<span style="font-size: small;">ce a potential ag<span style="font-size: small;">ent or editor to read your <span style="font-size: small;">sample chapters. </span>E</span></span>xplain your main character <span style="font-size: small;">and</span> what happens to him in a cons<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">ice</span> and <span style="font-size: small;">engaging way</span></span></span>. </span>Many ag<span style="font-size: small;">ents and editors like to know the setting as well<span style="font-size: small;">.<span style="font-size: small;"> Imagine you're writing the blurb for the back of the book. </span></span></span></span>They say a <span style="font-size: small;">query should be written in the same tone and voice as the novel so editors<span style="font-size: small;">/ag<span style="font-size: small;">ents can get a<span style="font-size: small;"> better idea of the book</span></span></span>. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Your bio</span><br />
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This is where you tell about yourself. If you don't have any writing credits, just tell them where you live and what genres you write in, or something along those lines. I do believe having a resume helps when it comes time to query for a novel. Not to say that if you have no previous stories published agents and editors will write you off, but if they see you've been published in various magazines and anthologies it shows them that you already know how to work with an editor, at least to some extent. It also shows them you're most likely into this writing thing for the long haul. Believe it or not, some people feel they've accomplished all they need to with only one book. They can somehow continue on with life without imagining things and writing them down. I don't get it, but I've heard it's true.<br />
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The internet provides a ton of good information about writing query letters. Here are some helpful links: <br />
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<a href="http://poewar.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter/">http://poewar.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_349129065"><br /></a>
<a href="http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/08/how-to-write-query-letter.html">http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/08/how-to-write-query-letter.html</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter2">http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter2</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - Rejections</span><br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-7067256959454052862013-04-18T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-18T00:00:06.776-07:00Plot <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bqQuoteLink">"I always have a basic plot outline, but I like to leave some things to be decided while I write.</span>" ~<span class="bodybold">J. K. Rowling</span></span></b>
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Although it's pretty obvious, I'll take a moment to define plot. Plot is the what happens in a story and the sequence in which it occurs. Some writers like to use outlines to plot their novels before they start, others do best just jumping in and deciding how things will happen as they go. Either way, a good plot needs certain elements.<br />
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<b>Character</b> - Of course, if anything of interest is going to happen, there needs to be someone for it to happen to, or to make it happen. Characters should be realistic representations of people. Make the readers care about this individual. <br />
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<b>The hook</b> - This is where you grab your readers and make them want to keep reading. It could be your protagonist making a life changing decision, or being forced into a situation he would have never chosen.<br />
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<b>Conflict</b> - The character runs into trouble. He wants something so badly he's willing to do anything to get it, but there's something or someone in his way.<br />
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<b>Stakes</b> - The higher the stakes, the more your readers will care. If you're protagonist wants something badly but everything will be just as before whether he gets it or not, the stakes aren't high enough.<br />
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<b>Subplots</b> - In real life, we never have just one thing going on. Add in family life, job life, or whatever else your character has going on. Just make sure to tie it into the main plot so it's not just there to look pretty. It has to have a real purpose for the story. If you could cut the subplot without the story suffering, it's not a good subplot and should either be cut or worked into the story in a meaningful way. <br />
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<b>Climax</b> - This is what it's all been building up to. All the conflicts, stakes and character struggles come to a peak and play out in a grand finale. <br />
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<b>Resolution</b> - This is where you tie up all the loose ends.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - Query letters</span></div>
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-104160868153928242013-04-17T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-17T00:00:03.796-07:00Opinions about your writing - how to handle it<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bqQuoteLink">"Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes."</span> ~<span class="bodybold">Voltaire</span></span></b>
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It's always a good idea to have someone else read your writing before you deem it finished and send it out into the world. Because, let's face it, you're only one person with limited perspective. The more beta readers the better, because there are as many opinions as there are people. If you had 100 people read your book, reader 101 would point something out that everyone else overlooked. So would reader 102. But what if you don't like what some people are saying? And what do you do when some people love a certain part of your story while others hate it? Believe me, this happens all the time and, although it can be frustrating, leaves the writer where she should be: in charge of her own work. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How to handle advice</span> </div>
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I always consider what my readers say. Even if it doesn't make much sense and my initial reaction to it is nausea. It's always a good idea to try to see where the reader is coming from. Possibly they reacted the way they did because your writing wasn't clear. Usually, though, when a reader suggests something I don't like, I end up tossing it in the end. </div>
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If more than one person comments on the same thing, I deeply consider changing it. If several people comment on it, there's something wrong with it and it has to go, unless, of course, they're giving it praise. </div>
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I've had a lot of stories critiqued by fellow writers and it never fails, there's always something that some readers loathe while others declare it their favorite part of the story. The main thing to remember is that it's your story. You choose what goes, what stays and how it all fits together. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whose opinions count? </span></div>
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I most often have other writers critique my work. They know the craft, after all. And they're the most likely to take the time to give you feedback because they want some feedback of their own. But different writers have different styles and not everything a writer friend says about craft is going to apply. What they say as a reader, on the other hand, is the most helpful. Writers are definitely readers. Writers probably buy more books than anyone.</div>
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If you can get other people to read your unpublished manuscript, go for it. I don't care if it's your neighbor or the janitor at your child's school. Anyone who reads counts because they're the ones who buy books. They're the ones you want to please. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - Plot </span></div>
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-13439419417756889972013-04-16T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-16T00:00:08.304-07:00Naming characters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bqQuoteLink">"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.</span>" ~<span class="bodybold">William Shakespeare</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;">Picking t<span style="font-size: small;">he right names for characters is one of the things write<span style="font-size: small;">rs <span style="font-size: small;">agonize over. Names are important. In picking the right names for the populace of a <span style="font-size: small;">book, you must k<span style="font-size: small;">now your characters.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;">Is</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;">a chara<span style="font-size: small;">cter </span>strong and fearless or petite a<span style="font-size: small;">nd frail. <span style="font-size: small;">It should fit not only who <span style="font-size: small;">they are, but also </span>their ethnicity and time era<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The genre or tone of your story plays a large role in name choosing as well. Sometimes, especially if yo<span style="font-size: small;">u w<span style="font-size: small;">ant to add humor to your work, you might choose a name that directly conflicts your characters appearance or personality. </span></span>Nicknaming your stor<span style="font-size: small;">y'</span>s thug Pip<span style="font-size: small;">squeak is one example. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If your <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">writing in a serious tone<span style="font-size: small;">, however, <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">you <span style="font-size: small;">don<span style="font-size: small;">'t want to</span></span> steal credibility from your story by being too silly. <span style="font-size: small;">Y</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>ou might choose <span style="font-size: small;">an o<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">rdinary</span> name to symbol<span style="font-size: small;">ize the <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">normalcy</span> of a character's li<span style="font-size: small;">fe before your story throws them into a whirlwind of adventure. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Giving a character a new n<span style="font-size: small;">ame at some point <span style="font-size: small;">during</span> the story, or at the end, <span style="font-size: small;">is one way to <span style="font-size: small;">drive home <span style="font-size: small;">growth<span style="font-size: small;"> in the <span style="font-size: small;">individual. I'm not talking about suddenly switching the name and causing readers to wonder who you're talking about. But if the character <span style="font-size: small;">passes some important <span style="font-size: small;">test or reaches some lofty goal, <span style="font-size: small;">their <span style="font-size: small;">peers might hold a special renaming ceremony<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - <span style="font-size: large;">Opinions about your writing - how to handle it</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-75295495716194899952013-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-15T00:00:13.196-07:00Marvelous Middles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="sqq">“The function of the middle is to develop the implicit promise made <span style="font-size: large;">by a stor<span style="font-size: large;">y's beginning</span></span>.” ~<span style="font-size: large;">Nancy Kress</span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Often</span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="sqq">writers will delve into a story with much enthusiasm and then, even if they have a<span style="font-size: small;"> good</span> idea <span style="font-size: small;"></span>where its all going to end, flounder through the middle. You know, all that stuff that has to happen to get us from point A to point B. Here are <span style="font-size: small;">some tips <span style="font-size: small;">to help keep your middle from sagging. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Focus<span style="font-size: small;">.</span> Never lose sight of your <span style="font-size: small;">through-line</span> - the main plot line. It can be helpful to write the entire through-line before adding in sub<span style="font-size: small;">plots. Although this method might seem tedious<span style="font-size: small;">, since you'll most likely <span style="font-size: small;">need to go back and tie the subplots into the <span style="font-size: small;">through-line</span>, it can save you from trying to figure out how to fix an<span style="font-size: small;"> out-<span style="font-size: small;">o<span style="font-size: small;">f-control middle<span style="font-size: small;">. Once a middle is <span style="font-size: small;">unwieldy</span>, it<span style="font-size: small;">'s<span style="font-size: small;"> sometimes h</span>ard to figure out <span style="font-size: small;">what it needs... and doesn't need</span>, even for th<span style="font-size: small;">e author. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Make sure character motives are clear. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Character growth/change must seem plausible. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't tr<span style="font-size: small;">y to include all your research. It's <span style="font-size: small;">not uncommon for w<span style="font-size: small;">riters to want to include <span style="font-size: small;">every fascinating detail they've discovered while rese<span style="font-size: small;">arching a story. Too much info <span style="font-size: small;">can <span style="font-size: small;">muddle your middle and leave readers wondering <span style="font-size: small;">what the point is. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Use the middle to deepen conflict.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Raise <span style="font-size: small;">the stakes. By the end of the middle, your story sh<span style="font-size: small;">ould be s<span style="font-size: small;">et up <span style="font-size: small;">for the <span style="font-size: small;">grand climax<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - Naming characters </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-55106409850331621602013-04-13T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-13T00:42:16.267-07:00Lies vs fiction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<span class="bqQuoteLink">Fiction is the truth inside the lie.</span>" ~ <span class="bodybold">Stephen King</span></span></span></b>
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<br /><br />Fiction is made up. Does that mean it's just a bunch of lies? Well, let's see, the definition of a lie is to intentionally mislead. While writers sometimes exaggerate to make a point come across stronger, their purpose of writing fiction is most often to point out significant truths about life and the human existence. Yes, we fiction writers make up all sorts of stuff: characters, events, worlds and whatever else we want - and we have great fun doing it. For most of us it's about telling truths as we perceive them. Fiction can actually be a very honest art form.<br /><br />That isn't to say, however, that all fiction contains the truth. I suppose it's possible that some writers might actually want to mislead by means of fiction, although I can't imagine there are many. Also, not everyone in this world shares the same truths or perceptions of things. You might not agree with an author's truth, but that still doesn't make it a lie. It's just another view of things. If an author is really good, he can make a reader who has an opposing viewpoint stop and at least consider things from his point of view.<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monday</span>'s post: Marvelous middles</span><br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-81126808608949417522013-04-12T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-12T00:00:08.443-07:00How to help kids develop as writers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"</span>We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." ~Stacia Tauscher</span></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">No imagination can parall<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">el</span> that of a <span style="font-size: small;">child</span></span>. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">What better time to begin planting the seeds of storytelling in our kids than while their creativity is at its most fertile and lively<span style="font-size: small;">? <span style="font-size: small;">M<span style="font-size: small;">y son began makin<span style="font-size: small;">g books when he was very young, about three or four. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, he couldn't yet write. But he could draw. That's how young chil<span style="font-size: small;">dren tell stories, through their artwork. If you ask a child what any picture they've drawn is about, there will no doubt be a<span style="font-size: small;">n <span style="font-size: small;">elaborate</span> story behind it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a great idea to <span style="font-size: small;">always <span style="font-size: small;">have premade "books" handy for kids to draw stories in. <span style="font-size: small;">All you have to do is fold several <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">pieces</span> of </span></span>paper <span style="font-size: small;">together and staple them down the side so they stay together. It's also a good idea to cover the stapled edge with fabric tape or decorative duct tape. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">As they learn to write, they can add w<span style="font-size: small;">or<span style="font-size: small;">ds to go alo<span style="font-size: small;">n<span style="font-size: small;">g with <span style="font-size: small;">their drawings</span></span></span>, or you can add their words for <span style="font-size: small;">them. Don't worry about teaching them character develo<span style="font-size: small;">pment or story arch or anything technical until they're older. If you read to you<span style="font-size: small;">r<span style="font-size: small;"> k</span></span>id<span style="font-size: small;">s, they automatically have knowledge of story an<span style="font-size: small;">d how it works. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Read to them often. The more you read to them, the more likely they'll want to <span style="font-size: small;">tell stories of their own. </span>Kids have some ama<span style="font-size: small;">zing sto<span style="font-size: small;">ries to tell! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">An<span style="font-size: small;">other fun game you can play with kids is a game <span style="font-size: small;">my family used to play when <span style="font-size: small;">there was a power o<span style="font-size: small;">utage<span style="font-size: small;">. One person start<span style="font-size: small;">s a st<span style="font-size: small;">ory and someone else picks it up where <span style="font-size: small;">they</span> left off. Or even just making up <span style="font-size: small;">entire stories and telling them to each othe<span style="font-size: small;">r helps young minds <span style="font-size: small;">develop a<span style="font-size: small;"> foundation f<span style="font-size: small;">or writing. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Janet Lansbury's recent post on nurturin<span style="font-size: small;">g creativity is w<span style="font-size: small;">orth reading, as well. It helps us <span style="font-size: small;">well-meaning par<span style="font-size: small;">ents to stay out of our <span style="font-size: small;">children's<span style="font-size: small;"> way. T<span style="font-size: small;">ake a look. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.janetlansbury.com/2010/04/a-childs-creativity-how-i-learned-to-shut-up/" target="_blank">http://www.janetlansbury.com/2010/04/a-childs-creativity-how-i-learned-to-shut-up/ </a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post: Lies vs fiction</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-52519685075143999252013-04-11T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-11T00:00:01.986-07:00A joyful journey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end." ~Ursula K. LaGuin</span></b><br />
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Working hard to achieve our goals is an important part of a healthy life. If our only focus, however, is the payoff at the end, we're robbing ourselves of our life essence. Think about that. It's easy for a writer to care more about finishing a story and having it published than the journey. But that's a huge mistake. There's a lot to gain from the journey.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ways to to enjoy the journey</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Focus on cr</b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>aft -</b> <span style="font-size: small;">You shouldn't be wri<span style="font-size: small;">ting if you don't love the cra<span style="font-size: small;">ft. Seriously. Not only <span style="font-size: small;">would that be <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">counterproductive, but if you're looking for riches and fame<span style="font-size: small;">, you should probably to look elsewhere. So<span style="font-size: small;">, assuming you're <span style="font-size: small;">writing because you love the craft, <span style="font-size: small;">if you find yourself <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">dislik<span style="font-size: small;">ing </span></span>the journey<span style="font-size: small;">,<span style="font-size: small;"> wi<span style="font-size: small;">shing </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">a story <span style="font-size: small;">would just wrap itself up, remind yourself why you <span style="font-size: small;">started writing in the first place. You mi<span style="font-size: small;">ght need to step back and work on some<span style="font-size: small;">thing unre<span style="font-size: small;">lated to your current project<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;">Create a new cha<span style="font-size: small;">rac<span style="font-size: small;">ter <i>just for fun</i>. When's the last time you did that? Or just <span style="font-size: small;">free-write</span> for th<span style="font-size: small;">irty minutes, let your mind go wherever it wants. <span style="font-size: small;">Before long, y</span>ou'll most li<span style="font-size: small;">kely </span>fall in love with the craft all over <span style="font-size: small;">again</span> and the journey will <span style="font-size: small;">be richer for it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<b>Never stop learning -</b> Learning gives us a new perspective on things. Writers, especially, should always be learning something, about a character or by researching for a story - or looking at something in a new way. Even if it's just a matter of trying a new craft technique, it's bound to help you enjoy the journey. <br />
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<b>Set reasonable goals - </b>If<b> </b>you expect too much too soon, you're only setting yourself up for failure, which will probably become obvious somewhere along the way, making the journey seem pointless. It's hard to enjoy a journey that has no purpose. <br />
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<b>Learn to manage your time -</b> This is a big one. To be a writer, you have to write. To be a good writer, you have to write a lot. It can be difficult to make time for it, but we have to do it. On the other hand, don't let it take over your entire existence. It's just as difficult to stop writing when you're in a flow as it is to start when you're in a slump.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post -</span> <span style="font-size: large;">How to <span style="font-size: large;">help </span>kids<span style="font-size: large;"> develop <span style="font-size: large;">as writer<span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span></span></span></div>
Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-65565708127274844552013-04-10T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-10T00:23:00.250-07:00Interview<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><b><span style="font-size: large;">"I sometimes find that in interviews you learn more about yourself than the person learned about you." ~ William Shatner </span></b></span><br />
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Here's an interview I did for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Sun-Rising-Stories-Japan/dp/0987138316/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363979110&sr=8-1&keywords=new+sun+rising+stories+for+japan" target="_blank">New Sun Rising</a> project. It's a wonderful charity anthology that sends all proceeds to the Japanese Red Cross. My story <i>Moon Kisses</i> is included. <br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Title of piece
contributed to New Sun Rising </b>Moon Kisses</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What was the
inspiration behind your piece? </b>Sometimes writers work from a visual such as
a painting or photograph, other times they might have a specific scene, setting
or character in mind. With Moon Kisses, I had a particular feeling I wanted to
portray.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>I wanted it to feel like
one of those delicate looking Japanese paintings that seem like, if you blew on
it, the wispy brushstrokes might float away. I also wanted to incorporate Shintoism
into the piece. That's why I used a tree as the main focus of the story. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why did you decide to
donate this to charity? </b>Although I've never been there, I've always adored
Japan.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Some of the most amazing
things have come out of the land of cherry blossoms: my favorite movies,
beautiful art, the tea ceremony and the samurai, just to name a few.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>My heart wept tears made of the
Pacific Sea when the disasters hit Japan. As horrible as the earthquakes were
for those living among them, Fukushima Daiichi hit me hard on a personal level.
As a child of the cold war era, I've had a lifelong fear of nuclear disaster.
Talk of nuclear war and what might happen afterwards was a constant background
noise, on the news, in movies and in conversations of nearby adults. I've had
nightmares of Fukushima Daiichi type disasters throughout my life. I think a
lot of people outside Japan don't realize it's still not over. People are still
without homes because of the earthquakes, the tsunami and the radiation. The
radioactive isotope levels in Japan are astronomical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while I'm on the subject, radiation doesn't know the
invisible lines drawn by nations. It treats us as we are, one world, one
people. What happened in Japan affects us all. It meant a lot to me when I
found out Moon Kisses was selected for the anthology, on many levels. I love
that I get to help those in need by simply doing something I love, writing.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What sorts of
works/genres/ materials do you normally produce? </b>If it's fiction, I write
it. I've written mostly short stories. I also write
novellas and novels. I write a lot in the horror genre, but I'm not a fan
of gore. My stories tend to be more bizarre, psychologically disturbing and/or
creepy. I write fantasy, sci-fi, mystery/suspense. My stories often have
romance storylines running through them as well. I don't write by genre. I just
put down whatever happens in my head. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Who are your models
or those you draw inspiration from? </b>I draw a great deal of inspiration from
other writers. I read a lot and it's often a fleeting thought the author just
barely touches on that sets my imagination afire.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Mostly it's the characters in my own head that inspire me. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What are you working
on right now? </b>Right now I'm working on a novella and thinking about my next novel.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Sun-Rising-Stories-Japan/dp/0987138316/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363979110&sr=8-1&keywords=new+sun+rising+stories+for+japan" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygH2ojlFsnHOK6pZX4CnIjWxZwdaZ7bjaZkCcVtniaTXD_cPMuL168a2vVqEnHRN-PdT3KfSwalHz5j6DXXrkWQ2yJgx1jb3X7zR71hwMCepzqYocncQ3tiEoy7TZIGN42j-lF6k-EM5s/s320/New_Sun_Rising_Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's Post - A joyful <span style="font-size: large;">j</span>ourney</span></div>
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-53135887706441892462013-04-09T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-09T00:00:12.403-07:00Adding humor to your writing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Humor is mankind's greatest blessing." Mark Twain </b></span><br />
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I've often heard writing humor is the hardest type of writing. I can see the point; humor is even more subjective than the craft of writing itself. But it's fun, and fun is always worth it. Let's look at some ways to make readers laugh, or at least smile.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A word about perspective</span><b><br /></b><br />
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Humor is all about perspective. How you, or your characters, view the world or situations is where the funny is, not in formulas or tricks. Humor can be found <i>anywhere</i>. Once you've found the funny, there are several ways to convey it. <br />
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<b>Incongruity - </b>This type of humor surprises readers by presenting unlikely connections-like comparing someone to a peanut-or inappropriate role performances-like having a military man dance in a ballet, or a very petite, beautiful woman with an extremely deep voice. <b><br /></b><br />
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<b>Visuals - </b>This type of humor uses props or expressions. You might be thinking that's impossible in writing, but it's not. In fact, it's very important. Describing a funny face or using setting as part of the humor works wonders in writing. <br />
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<b>Satire - </b>This type of humor mocks someone or something, with sarcasm often playing a role. It works best if whatever
is being made fun of is something everyone can identify with, giving
them the feeling of: "Yeah, I totally know what you mean! Ha ha!" <br />
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<b>Exaggerations - </b>Also known as hyperbole, this type of humor makes something seem more extreme than it really is. Examples: "My plate was so full, I couldn't see over it." "Climbing the stairs to bed every night is like climbing Mount Everest." <br />
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<b>Understatements - </b>This type of humor is the opposite of Exaggeration. It's funny because it makes something big look insignificant. Example: A guy risked his life to save your character. They fell from a cliff, just barely escaping death, and your character says: "That was nice", as though the guy did nothing more than hold a door open for him/her. <br />
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<b>Substitutions - </b>This type of humor uses cliches and turns them on their heads. Example: "Divorces are made in heaven" rather than "Match made in heaven." <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Final thoughts</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
Another thing to consider is who in your story is going to be humorous. Is it you, the narrator? Or is it one or more of your characters? The ways to express humor are the same either way, except if it's your characters who are funny, you have a few more avenues, such as witty dialogue and joke telling, things that would be inappropriate for most narrators.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - <span style="font-size: large;">I</span>nterview</span><br />
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Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-75711812892069004432013-04-08T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-08T00:00:13.819-07:00What are your characters' gestures saying about them?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"The features of our face are hardly more than gestures which have become permanent." ~Marcel Proust</span></b><br />
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In order to create multidimensional, life-like characters, we as writers need to not only understand the people who populate our pages but also know how to portray their emotions. We've all heard about the show don't tell rule. It's vitally important to show how a character is feeling without coming right out and saying Bob was sad. One way to do this is by using gestures, such as slouched shoulders, frowning mouths or teary eyes. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two ama<span style="font-size: large;">zing <span style="font-size: large;">resources</span> </span></span><br />
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<b><a href="http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/p/the-emotion-thesaurus.html" target="_blank">The Bookshelf Muse</a></b> - This site is a true gem. They provide an emotion thesaurus, a physical attribute thesaurus, a character trait thesaurus and more.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bodylanguageexpert.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Body Language Expert</b></a> - Tons of useful information about gestures and what they indicate. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gestures around the world</span><br />
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Pay attention to cultural influences when creating your characters. Gestures have different meanings in different places. For example, in Middle Eastern countries it's not uncommon for men to hold hands as a show of great friendship. In Nigeria, a thumbs up is seen as an obscene gesture. Be sure to do your research when your characters live in unfamiliar places or are visiting them. There could also be opportunities for conflict here. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The larger gestures</span><br />
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Body language can be very telling, but don't forget to use larger gestures as well. Is your character the type who always brings flowers to dinner or the type who always expects someone else to pay for the meal? Do they offer to help others or expect others to help them? thoughtful gestures - or selfish ones - go a long way to let readers know who your characters are. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Using gestures for structure</span><br />
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Dialogue tags get old fast. It's often best to use action or body language to show readers who's speaking rather than telling them. That's were the resources above come in handy. It's important to use an assortment of gestures so our writing is realistic and vivid. Sure, there might be some characters who have habits, like biting their nails, that they repeatedly do throughout a story, but in general, variety is best. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow's post - Adding humor to your writing </span></div>
Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377788180782497482.post-25651598402425252102013-04-06T00:00:00.000-07:002013-04-06T10:39:08.465-07:00Fiction teaser<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</xml><![endif]--><b><span style="font-size: large;">"Imagination and fiction make up more than three quarters of our real life." ~Simone Weil</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Today I'm posting a teaser from my short story, <i>Call Me Crazy</i>. It's available in an anthology titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Never-Go-Away-ebook/dp/B007RZC1U8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1363914279&sr=8-3&keywords=I%27ll+never+go+away" target="_blank"><i>I'll Never Go </i><i>Away (Volume 1)</i></a>, published by <a href="http://www.rainstormpress.com/" target="_blank"><i>Rainstorm Press</i></a>. </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">CALL ME CRAZY</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My shadow wears red mittens </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Waving to all that pass</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My shadow dances and sings</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>And stops to look at beautiful things</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>While I am trapped and bitten.</i></span></span></div>
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<br /><br />Joshua sits at the dining room table with every single window in his apartment covered. It's not the darkness he's afraid of. He never opens the blinds anymore, even during daylight hours. <br /><br />On the table in front of him, his cell phone lays in pieces. It's his fifth phone in five months. They've all broken. Bad luck? Maybe, but he doubts it. He positions one of the miniscule screws into place and, as he's about to twist it home with a tiny screwdriver, his entire upper body jerks against his will. The screw falls to the floor, surely lost. He plucks up another one from the table, but the same thing happens. <br /><br />"Damn it!"<br /><br />A rapping at his door startles him and jolts his heart. It doesn't take much these days. Fear is his continuous and only companion. His few friends drifted away months ago. <br /><br />He isn't sure if he should answer the door. He has no idea what to expect, but whatever it is, he knows it won't be good. Bad things plague him constantly. He anticipates them at every turn. <br /><br />As he crosses the room, someone in the upstairs apartment follows him, stomping directly above. This has been happening for a while now. <br /><br />His apartment building is old and low budget. No peephole graces the door.<br /><br />With caution, he opens it, just a crack, and peeks out.<br /><br />Sarah, his ex-girlfriend, stands on the other side. She shoves the door open and barges in as if she owns the place.<br /><br />"Hey, babe. I got your note." She lets her purse slide off her shoulder onto the couch. Her skirt barely covers her ass. She looks around. This is the first time she's set foot in this apartment. He can't recall ever giving her his new address. <br /><br />"What note?"<br /><br />Her eyes are dark, like coffee grounds. She stares at him as though he's just recited a mathematical equation or made some other absurd outburst. <br /><br />"You look like hell," she says. "Are you drinking again?"<br /><br />"No. And I didn't leave you a note."<br /><br />"Don't screw with me." She crosses her arms, moves her weight to one leg. "Are you sick or something? <br /><br />
You're, like, all emaciated." <br /><br />"I'm fine." Except he's not sure that he is. "Someone else must've left you the note. What'd it say?"<br /><br />"Okay. I can get into that." She peels away her tight sweater. As usual, she isn't wearing a bra. <br /><br />"No, you don't understand." Joshua can't help but stare. One thing Sarah has going for her is her body. Even a young man with problems has libido.<br /><br />"We can play your game first," she says. <br /><br />"I'm not role playing."<br /><br />She pulls a bottle from her purse. "You're right. Let's loosen up first."<br /><br />Saliva pools under Joshua's tongue at the sight of the dark amber liquid. <br /><br />Sarah chugs some and offers him the bottle. "You'll be okay with this, right? You won't, like, end up in AA again or anything, will you?" <br /><br />He takes it. "Just a taste. I could really use it." The scent intoxicates him, makes him tremble.<br /><br />For the first time in almost a year, he feels like he might have a moment of reprieve, one little pleasure in an otherwise tormented life. <br /><br />As soon as the cool glass touches his lips, though, another involuntary jerk seizes him. Rum sloshes from the bottle and splatters onto the linoleum. <br /><br />Sarah grabs it back. "What're you doing?"<br /><br />"Give me the bottle."<br /><br />Her look of disgust doesn't faze him. All he cares about is getting the rum into his mouth, feeling it burn his throat, its warmth wash into his veins.<br /><br />"Why are you acting so weird?" she asks.<br /><br />"You think this is weird? You don't even know the half of it."<br /><br />So many unexplainable things have been happening to him for so long that they fail to shock him anymore. But the terror never goes away; it's his shadow. <br /><br />"Are you taking drugs?" Sarah asks.<br /><br />"You're the druggie, not me."<br /><br />"I'm clean now. But you, you're a mess."<br /><br />"I wish it was drugs. That would make sense. I have no explanation for what's happening to me."<br /><br />His fear comes from not knowing. Maybe if he knew why these things happened, who was involved, then he could deal with it, do something about it.<br /><br />He wiggles his fingers at Sarah. "I need that drink."<br /><br />She extends the bottle to him, but he doesn't take it.<br /><br />"Maybe if you hold it to my mouth it won't spill."<br /><br />Grimacing, Sarah lifts the bottle to his lips; he jerks, can't get a drop. <br /><br />"Geez, you're really messed up, aren't you?"<br /><br />He looks into her percolating eyes, contemplating, then, "I'm being harassed, or something." He shakes his head, runs his fingers through his uncombed hair. "I don't know."<br /><br />"You're, like, all sweaty."<br /><br />"Yeah, I could really use that drink."<br /><br />Sarah pulls down the hemline of her tiny skirt, still topless, and looks uncomfortable. <br /><br />"Watch this." Joshua points to the ceiling and walks across the room. The creep upstairs chooses this moment to ignore him.<br /><br />Sarah stares at the ceiling. "I don't see anything."<br /><br />"Someone upstairs thuds across the floor in sync with my movements."<br /><br />Sarah bites her lip.<br /><br />"A horn honks every time I flush the toilet." He runs to the bathroom and flushes. Nothing. <br /><br />"Joshua?"<br /><br />"Look at this." He pulls a box of cereal from the cupboard, opens it and displays its contents. "This was full just yesterday when I bought it. Now it's almost gone."<br /><br />"You must've been hungry."<br /><br />"I haven't had any yet."<br /><br />"Joshua." She inches toward the couch. <br /><br />"They do shit to my mind, too. They talk inside my head."<br /><br />Sarah wiggles into her sweater. "Have you gone to see anyone about this? A psychiatrist?" <br /><br />"I'm not crazy."<br /><br />
She shakes her head at him. "God, Josh, you used to be the one I'd come to when I needed stability. You were the most together guy I knew."<br /><br />Her words sting, not because he cares what she thinks of him, but because she used to be the messed up one between them, so screwy that he ditched her. How could he have sunken this low? <br /><br />"I'll see you around, okay?" She heads toward the door. <br /><br />"Wait. Please stay." Whoever's harassing him, for whatever reason, doesn't seem to want to play when she's around. <br /><br />"Sorry." And she's gone.<br /><br />As soon as she walks out the door, the creep upstairs starts up again.<br /><br /> Joshua collapses onto the couch, covering his face with his hands, still thinking about the rum. To divert his mind, he recalls the expression on Sarah's face. Despite himself, he laughs. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Never-Go-Away-ebook/dp/B007RZC1U8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1363915371&sr=8-3&keywords=i%27ll+never+go+away" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKz2ej5aTN5iEXINyEkBg8kahrmNccScKF2aft2bW5xlFi5JtEtOkVfIPLlyQYpUSwtCaPPuhrD0t9owwKTmrLgmmFgxgJsvle2ismOB5me1B79Damj7xASSEEoP5rkFiq3GkmA4sBG2X/s1600/Ill_never_go_away_cover_small.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monday's post<span style="font-size: large;"> -</span> <span style="font-size: large;">What ar<span style="font-size: large;">e your character<span style="font-size: large;">s' ge<span style="font-size: large;">stures saying about them</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
Heidi Mannanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977089185982591577noreply@blogger.com23