Category: Tips and Inspiration

Ideas on writing better or fire your imagination.

On Memorable Characters Panel

Panelists
Me with Amy Sue Nathan, Stacy Hawkins Adams, Kristina Wright, and Bruce Holsinger.

At the 2015 James River Writers conference, I moderated the panel, “Creating Memorable Characters: Writing the Characters Readers Hold in their Hearts.” The illustrious panel included Stacy Hawkins Adams, author of Lead Me Home; Bruce Hollinger, author of The Invention of Fire; Amy Sue Nathan, author of The Good Neighbor; and Kristina Wright, author of Fairy Tale Lust.

I think it went well. Alas, there is no recording or transcript to share. Here is some of what was said that I recall:

  • Dialogue should be used to reveal character or move the plot forward, not serve as exposition.
  • Use internal monologue sparingly — too much can send the reader skimming.
  • Some writers lavish their characters with physical descriptions, while others are more stingy. However much detail you use to convey your characters’ traits, be sure they are easy for your readers to hold in their minds.
  • Perfect characters are boring and unrealistic – your protagonists should have flaws just as people do.
  • Antagonists/villains are people too. Just as protagonists should have flaws, antagonists should have sympathetic qualities. Readers should understand their motivations, even if they don’t agree with them.

I would have loved to have been a panelist here as characters are what I most enjoy about writing stories. It’s like I’m introducing beloved friends to the world. My aim is to make compelling characters collide and write down the fallout.

 

April 2015 Writing Show – Author Websites

Thank you to James River Writers for inviting me to moderate the panel discussion on author websites.

Thank you to author Anne Westrick and Pubslush Development Director Justine Schofield for making my job easier by being engaging and knowledgeable panelists!

And thank you to all who came out to Firehouse Theater tonight to learn more about what goes into making successful author websites.

Writing Show panel
Author Anne Westrick answers my website questions while Justine Schofield of Pubslush looks on.

In the first half of the program, we covered domain names, free hosting, and examples of authors doing it right with their websites. And for those who do not know what Pubslush is, it’s a crowdfunding site specifically for authors. Justine took us through some of the projects getting funded and how the process works.

In Q&A, we covered search engine optimization, responsive web design, copyright concerns, and how much to put on your site versus saving it for publication elsewhere.

It was a privilege to be up there, as for the past seven (?) years I’ve been in the audience at the Writing Shows. I hope attendees found it worthwhile and that I get to do it again.

My personal view is that websites are crucial for any business. And writing is a business. Your site can sell you as much as it can sell your work. It’s open all the time, ready to serve your customers. It’s also a process. You don’t have to get it right when you first start. Trial and error are great teachers. Set goals and deadlines for yourself, then assess when you reach those milestones.

What do you think?

Interview with Author Bill Blume

Welcome to my Working Title inaugural podcast. I interview friend and fellow James River Writers’ member Bill Blume. He has written a fun teen read called Gidion’s Hunt,* published in 2013 by Fable Press. You can visit him on the web and follow him on Twitter: @BillTheWildcat.

With this debut novel, we discuss Bill’s writing process, finding inspiration in the USA network show, Burn Notice, snagging a publisher, and much more.

JP Cane with Bill Blume at his book launch of Gidion's Hunt.
At Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, Va. with Bill Blume at his book launch of Gidion’s Hunt.

What did you think of the podcast? Would you like to hear more? Be sure to pick up Bill’s novel and let us both know how you liked it!

* Bill’s book was initially released under the title, Tales of a 10th Grade Vampire Hunter.

† Intro and outro music in the podcast is called, “The Strategy.”