I have enormous respect for authors of reference books for other writers. There is one in particular that I go to time and again—The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood.

If you are having difficulty beginning your novel, or if you’re stuck on chapter three, you need some trouble. Your main character REALLY needs a story problem to make her/him interesting to your reader. One great idea can be found in The Pocket Muse:

Monica Wood states:”Most Good Stories Are About Trouble.”

This is true. In the Alaska Iconoclast series, my characters have several problems. Kat (the protagonist) has difficulty with commitment. Bart (her cousin and the town’s one police officer) is caused the most trouble when he cannot protect the town he swore to serve. These are underlying problems for the characters to overcome.

In most good books, there is one main story problem. In the Alaska Iconoclast Series this trouble unites the characters in a common cause—to save the town of Ravens Cove.

So, when you are stuck, maybe it’s because there’s a problem you (or your character) need to solve. Ask what causes your character the most trouble: An unsolved murder of a close loved one? Trouble with regret? Financial stress that may cause the character to consider becoming a thief? Trouble with a  spouse? Trouble with a stalker? A broken down car on a deserted highway?

Find the question. The answer will write itself.

Until next time,

Just the title of this blog is enough to make me want to go take a nap. I mean, really, this is awfully technical stuff for a creative writer. (Do I hear an “AMEN?”) Still, they are the only way I’ve found to begin a book. And, in all honesty, the only way I’ve found to complete a book. They are the cornerstone. So, no shirking here.

Working Title: Other than the story idea, the working title is the most important piece. That title is what I come back to when I get stuck. It is like putting on a pair of blinders that keeps me focused on the story and ultimately the finished novel. So the question is: If you were to boil your book down into two, no more than three words, what would it be? Is it an object? Is it an emotion? Is it a person? That is your working title.

Outline: It took me several years to find the right outline for me. If you’re stuck trying to sketch out your book  in the way we were taught in school, then here’s an idea.

Pretend you are telling a great story to your best friend. (Remember sitting around a campfire and telling ghost stories? Same idea here.) Now, write or type your outline in story format. One page, single spaced.

Once you have this written, you will more than likely have an idea of who your protagonist and antagonist are. You will even be able to visualize the location, time and season of the year in which your book is set.

I have written three books using these two foundation stones as the beginning. I am beginning my fourth novel. Join me. And, let me know if either or both of these ideas work for you.

Until next time,

Once I had a ‘space to call my own’ for writing, I realized I needed to surround myself with items that inspired me to write. This is personal to each of us. For the sake of this blog, I’ll list some examples that are helpful to me:

Music: Writing can be stressful even when it is fun. Music is my way of toning down the anxious moments. You’ve probably experienced those times. The instances where you don’t know what you’re characters is going to do next. These impasses inevitably cause me to think I’ll never get that novel to the fourth chapter, much less finished. Music calms and inspires me at the same time. I tend to listen to George Winston or Yanni, and contemporary Christian artists among other modern musicians when I write. You might be inspired by rock and roll or heavy metal. It is personal. All I know is that music sets the tone (pun intended) for my writing.

Art: The artwork on my walls are landscapes. When I feel like ‘dreaming’ for a bit, getting lost in one of these landscapes can bring characters and plot actions to life. It’s easy to ask a question like, “If Kat came upon this creepy cottage in the fog, what would she do?” Or, “Which character is most likely to take a thoughtful walk on this flower-filled pathway?”

Inspirational sayings: I’m a writer. You’re a write. Words are special to us. Find some encouraging thoughts about writing. It can be from the internet; it can be a blurb from one of your favorite authors. Anything that lifts your spirits and gives you the strength to get to writing is game.  Here’s an example:

 The bottom line: create a special, unique work environment just for you. It will inspire you at times nothing else can.

If you’d like to share about your writing space, I’d enjoy hearing from you.

Until next time…..

What does a bookkeeper, secretary, and CEO have in common? They all have a designated area to work. Each of them have the tools they need to do their jobs. And, my writing friend, that is the first thing you need, too.

Author Virginia Woolf said it very well: A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.

May I take this a step further and say, An aspiring writer must have money and a room of his or her own if he or she is to have any success in writing. This prescription for success has two parts:

Money: I am not proposing that you must be independently wealthy before attempting a career in writing. What I propose here is that your basic needs are met: a roof over your head, food to eat, and clothing to wear. So, until you are able to support yourself with your writing, support yourself so you can write.

A Room of Your Own: Once you have wrapped your mind around the fact that you must effectively work two jobs in the beginning, the most crucial step for success is “a room of your own.” This does not necessarily mean four walls and a door. When I began to write, my ‘room’ was a small desk and computer in one corner of our family room. Over the years, it has progressed to an office where I can close the door. Door or no door, it is important you claim a space in your home as yours alone. A place where you can focus on your next great work without being conflicted when your child needs to do homework or your partner wants to get online—RIGHT NOW. When you do this, you are saying to everyone, “I take myself seriously as a writer. Please do the same.”

I have learned that putting these two ideas into practice sets the stage for successful writing. Maybe you have some other ideas that have helped you write successfully. If so, please share them. I’d love to talk about it.

In my next blog, I’ll talk about the environment I use to inspire my writing.

Until then, write on. It’s worth it!