“When is it just about the Writing?”
September 16, 2011 2 Comments
USA Today Bestselling and Award-Winning Author of 50+ books, short stories/novellas and hundreds of articles. Published in as many as 63 countries and recognized by Who's Who in the World as an author and an educator. Former featured Columnist for Social-IN Worldwide Network and Book Fun Magazine. Sponsor/Founder of ChristiansRead.com. Vicki's latest novels are: in the Philanthropists series: The Guardian. In the StormWatch series, Deep Freeze. FMI visit vickihinze.com.
My Kitchen Table 
Thank-you very much for this advice and your insights about writing. I have been writing since I was a teen and have yet to publish anything other than a few poems. I hope to get a few books under my belt soon, but don’t know where to begin 🙂
Soares, if you’re thinking of doing a book, may I suggest that you begin by getting to know your characters? Have a cup of tea and pretend you’re chatting with them at your kitchen table. Ask them to tell you their life story. In exploring their histories, you reveal the things that shaped them into the people they are now. You learn their likes and dislikes, what they love most and fear most. That identifies your story conflicts–both internal and external–and that goes a long way toward defining your plot. You want them to face what they fear or dread most. You want to know what motivates them so you can test their commitment. As you learn more about these people, they’ll tell you their stories, and you’ll find yourself running to keep up with them, dodging mud puddles as you go. The obstacles and challenges will become clear. What is wrong in their lives that they, by what they experience during the course of the novel, address. The people are the lifeblood of your story. I hope this helps!
Blessings,
Vicki