Friday, August 30, 2013

Emotion Commotion!

"I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because I wanted it to be in A #1, picture-perfect shape.(Only Grammarly can do that, y'all!) And because Grammarly wants Hollywood to make my novel into a motion picture. (*ahem* I did promise Grammarly he could have a starring role.) You don't think that's why he wants Hollywood to make the movie do you???

Isn't is fun to say emotion commotion? Kinda rolls off your tongue, doesn't it? I've been thinking a lot about emotion lately. I'm adding lots more of it, as I make the final pass through my novel. I read a great quote from Jessica Page Morrell. "No feelings in the writer, no feelings in the reader." WOWZA! That speaks volumes, doesn't it? I already knew I was going to have to do this peeps. It had me worried because I didn't want the girls to be all sappy. I want the readers to feel like they're lost with the girls. I want the readers to be in the story as they read it. It goes without saying that writing emotion is showing. I mean, I'm not gonna have a character say, "I'm going to weep now." I'm going to show the tears. Draw a picture in the minds of the readers.

So I'm taking every scene from each chapter and working my way through. It's a big job, but someones gotta do it! Striking a fine balance. That's what this is all about. How are my readers going to care about my characters if I write stiff, cardboard like characters who giggle their way through the story? The first draft I never worry about this stuff. I just want to get the draft on paper. I wait until I make my final pass and then add the emotion.

Every action has a reaction. Especially in writing. I never want to forget that.
clichés
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So the game is on. I hope to get a chapter a day done and then send it to betas to make sure I have done the job. How do you get your emotion commotion going?


Monday, August 12, 2013

Picture Books and Poetry

"I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because it's smarter than me (sob) and smarter than my computer too. Can you believe that? It's true peeps! Y'all have to try it."

Picture books and poetry. I'm trying to write some poetry. And ever since I started, I've been reminded of how much picture books and poetry are alike. Even in non-rhyming picture books there's a rhythm that must be achieved. I've struggled to define rhythm for the longest time inside my head. I've decided that rhythm is the music in poetry and picture books. If I think of it that way, I can understand it and use it to my advantage when writing.

While writing my picture book stories I am trying to write poetry at the same time. That's really how I noticed the two are interwoven. I write a picture book rough draft and then a poem. I'm getting better. Finally.

I really got interested in poetry through an old writing friend, (Pat) Tricia O'Brien. She's so cool and her haiku is simply the best! Head over and visit her.

Even though back then I didn't take it seriously, now I have because I understand it much better through the picture books I've written. When I read picture books aloud, I realize that when I pause for that expected lull, it's the same with poems. The illustrations in picture books combine with the text to make a special kind of music.

Want to keep your mind occupied? Pick up some picture books and read that effortless poetry the writer is expressing. 

I'm getting by to see you guys this week. Christopher has had a headache for three months. Most days it's a 10 on the pain scale of 1-10. We found a new neurologist, but we can't see him until Sept. 19th.

BTW, I made a mistake when I decided to do disqus. Anyone know how I can get rid of it? Is it just something that will forever follow me everywhere I go or can I shake it? 

I have left disqus, but it must have gotten mad, because now NO ONE can comment. I have help on the way though. My ninja captain i.e. Alex Cavanaugh is going to appeal to his followers for help. He's so cool! Thanks Alex!