Jumping In and Dialing Back

21 Monday May 2012

Posted by in Elizabeth Fais, Reality Check, Writing

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Yep, that’s me…

I’m jumping back in to my work in progress (WIP) for (hopefully!) a final revision. Why another revision, you ask?

Well … I enlisted the services of a terrific freelance editor for a professional perspective on my WIP, and there’s work to be done before I can seriously hop on the submission train with this project.

The reality of her comments, though less glamorous than my dream of instant best-sellerdom, was all-in-all delightfully encouraging. I’m 100% behind the changes she suggested, because I know they will make the story stronger. So, with leap-for-joy enthusiasm, I’m rolling up my sleeves and throwing myself in to revision-mode.

But here’s the thing…

While time is indeed relative, there’s only so much of it in a day. And since “the book” has to be my most important focus … after my day-job that is … I’m dialing  back on the blog posts until this revision is complete.

I know. A blog post a week is hardly enough to stay connected in the bloggasphere. And even that might be a challenge once I’m submersed in my manuscript and swimming in my story.

But an author’s gotta do what she’s gotta do.

Life happens. And for everything there is a season, as Kristen Lamb wisely stated in a recent post. I’m entering Revision Season … which will pass in time too. If I stay focused on my WIP and the work at hand, that is.

Trust me, this is NOT farewell. I’m just slowing down on the blog posts so I can increase my WIP revision speed. That’s all. I’ll give a shout out whenever I come up for air. That’s a promise!

So … what season are you in these days?
Inquiring minds want to know!

Stuck on the Spin Cycle … Again …

14 Monday May 2012

Posted by in Bruce Willis, Perspective

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Like in a really bad Country Western Song…

I hate to admit it, but I was. Stuck on the infinite spin cycle of life, that is. Then I realized that we’ve all been there. I mean, who hasn’t been stressed out, not knowing *how* we’re going to pull everything off without a hitch … and giving up is so NOT an option?

Yeah, I thought so. Because that’s pretty much life. In this decade anyway.

But instead of wallowing in self-pity, I decided to do something to pull myself into a positive frame of mind. Hence this post. And during the process of writing (which did the trick by the way!), I remembered a few sure-fire tricks for turning my perspective around.

1. We may not have control over *what* happens, but we do have control over *how* we react to the situation. We can be freaked out, or we can do the best we can, then let go and enjoy the ride.  (Photo Credit – Walt Disney’s Tower of Terror)

2. Not to go all Pollyana … but making a list of things you’re *glad* about totally helps. I know. It sounds trite, but by the fourth item I’ve stopped focusing on the things that aren’t right and start seeing the things I’m grateful for.

3. When life kicks it up a notch, from spin to heavy-duty agitate, try watching an intense action film … like DIE HARD. The characters in those movies are always having a much worse day. Unless you’re outsmarting trigger-happy terrorists, crawling through disgustingly dirty air ducts, and running over broken glass in your bare feet … I’m thinking your day is GREAT compared to John McClane’s (Bruce Willis in DIE HARD).

4. Break out of your routines and do something extraordinary, maybe even succumb to downright silly fun.

5. Remember that the first rule to being happy is not to sweat the small stuff. The second rule is to realize that it’s all small stuff!

A wise person once said that “if everyone tossed their troubles into a hat, you’d be the first to pick yours back out.”

So what’s it gonna be … Tea Cup ride or Tower of Terror?  (photo credit Sean Molin)

And if after doing steps 1-5 you still can’t see (much less enjoy) what’s really important in life …  maybe these not-so-happy haunts can provide some essential perspective…

Because when you get right down to it … it’s all about perspective.

What tricks Do you use to keep a positive outlook?

Sharing is caring!

What’s Your (Character’s) Line?

11 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Characters, Elizabeth Fais, TV Shows

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Revealing One Character Trait at a Time

At the writers retreat last weekend, the exercises we did on Building a Better Character reminded me of the (really) old TV show What’s My Line?

What’s My Line? (1950-1967) came from the time-before-color. Yes boys and girls, there was a time when the world was in Black and White. And worse … there were no laptops, iPods, or cell phones. And dinasaurs roamed the earth. Pretty much.

Anyway, way back then there was this game show where contestants with unusual occupations were interviewed using questions that had to be answered with a “yes” or “no” and from that the panelists had to guess the contestant’s occupation. There was usually one “mystery guest” round–with a famous person–where the panelists had to wear masks and the mystery guest disguised their voice.

So … are you up for a jaunt in the Wayback machine … blasting into the past for a few entertaining episodes of What’s My Line? Hang onto your bobby socks … 1950’s here we come!

What’s My Line? Mystery Guest ~ Walt Disney

What’s My Line? Colonel Sanders

There was a time when people didn’t recognize Colonel Sanders by sight? AMAZING!

What’s My Line? Female Wrestler

Do you have a favorite *REALLY OLD* TV show?

Building a Better Character…

08 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Characters, Meg Cabot, SCBWI

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…From the inside out

I attended a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) writers retreat this past weekend in Southern California. It was a working retreat, where aside from critiques and talking with editors one-on-one, the Young Adult (YA) and Middle Grade (MG) authors participated in hands-on workshops for developing richly layered characters. Something I need to work on, and I learned A LOT!

In the initial stages of defining a character, if you’re like me, you focus on the character’s strengths. What their good at, why people like them, how they affect the people around them in a positive way. That’s all good. But for a character to be fully developed and believable, you can’t gloss over their flaws. That’s because it’s the flaws that make a character likeable. Their faults are what we relate to, why we fall in love with the character. Take Mia Thermopolis‘ klutziness in the Princess Diaries, for example. Her dorkiness is what endears her to us, because we’ve ALL been there. At one time or another. One reason I love Meg Cabot’s books, is that she is a master at developing quirky, well-rounded characters.

But of course, to draw us in so we care about a character we can’t insert a bulleted list of good and bad traits. We have to layer in them so the traits are discovered through actions and reactions to other characters. Just like us, characters won’t interact with everyone in the same way. What a parent says will piss them off.

However, a friend can say the same thing and the character takes the advice to heart, or laughs it off. Defining a character through their interactions with the people around them — their circle of influence (COI) — is what makes them believable.

Another tool for building a character with greater emotional impact is to use traits that go against type.  For example, in one workshop at the retreat we wrote a scene with two characters that showed their flaws. I chose a paranoid, arrogant, and tad superstitious Jiminy Cricket pitted against a perfectionist Pinocchio who was theatrical and self-righteous. So not the Disney classics, but that’s the point.

Dare to be different. Breathe freshness and fun into your characters with unusual or conflicting traits. And it’s important to remember that in many cases …

…characters speak to conceal rather than to reveal.

That’s subtext … and a whole other topic … for another blog.

Implements of Construction

Here are some useful resources for building emotional impact into your characters:

What character is most memorable for you (film or fiction) and why?

Inquiring minds want to know!

The Positive Power of Desperation

29 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in Blake Snyder, Elizabeth Fais, Save the Cat!, Story

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The secret universal force

We’ve all been there … trapped in a situation or predicament, barely hanging on. We’re so tired, that we don’t think we can stand it another second. The only problem is, we’re stuck. And someone coming to save us? Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. We’re ready to give up/give in, but some small part of us can’t and won’t. That small voice grows and morphs into a hurricane force of determination that seizes control of the situation/predicament and kicks our butt clean out of the miserable situation/predicament.

That, my friends, is the Positive Power of Desperation in action. Get to know it. It is your friend.

Desperation Transformation … Zero to Hero

The Positive Power of Desperation is as essential to your protagonist as it is to you. This is the secret force that pushes your main character to transform into the heroine she is meant to be.

Blake Snyder (Mr. Save the Cat!) gives a nod to the Positive Power of Desperation when he describes the Dark Night of the Soul moment in a story (Blake Snyder Beat Sheet). The protagonist is worse off than when the story started, plagued with confusion, doubt, and remorse. It’s a scary and painful place. The protagonist is standing on a precipice, and must face an ugly truth about themselves–a deeply buried flaw–for their transformation to happen. The Positive Power of Desperation is what propels the hero through his cocoon, transforming him into a butterfly. This is the heart of every story … what really counts. It’s the hero’s moment.

In the Hunger Games, the All Is Lost moment comes with Rue’s death. Katniss bottoms out in the Dark Night of the Soul as when prepares Rues body and sings her a parting song. Katniss has to face how she’s lived her life being satisfied with mere survival. At the end of her song to Rue, Katniss lifts her hand in a signal of defiance.  She’s done playing by the Capitol’s rules and she’s not afraid to show it. In the words of Master Cat, Jessica Brody, in her Hunger Games Beat Sheet:

She turns to the sky and lifts three fingers upward, a symbol that was established earlier during the catalyst moment as an act of defiance. Katniss’s transformation from survival-obsessed girl who will do anything to win, to the leader of a revolution is nearly complete!

How has the Positive Power of Desperation transformed your life…
Or the lives of your charcaters?

Steampunk Shakespeare!

27 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in Shakespeare, Steampunk

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What could be more Bardacious?

Not much. Which is why I had to give a huge shout out for this soon to be released anthology of short stories.  The Omnibus of Doctor Bill Shakes and the Magnificent Ionic Pentatetrameter hits the shelves May 11th!

For those of you who have yet to discover the rich and fascinating world of steampunk, Wikipedia says…

It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—such as Victorian era Britain or “Wild West”-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of science fiction or fantasy. Steampunk often features anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations that incorporate Victorian elements of style.

Think Sherlock Holmes meets Blade Runner and the Road Warrior.

I heard about Steampunk Shakespeare through Tim Kane, who’s contribution to the collection is “The Malefaction of Tybalt’s Mechanical Armature”.  For a complete list of stories in the anthology, check out the Steampunk Shakespeare site. I love the way Tim Kane described this adaptation of Shakespeare on his blog…

The power of the Bard shines through, even when he’s dealing with cogs and top hats.

I can’t wait to read it. How about you?

The Othello Rap

25 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Reduced Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare

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Shakespeare rocks the hood with Othello as a rap song. I’m not even kidding!

The Reduced Shakespeare Company

The Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a troop of three madcap men in tights who perform The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) — all 37  plays in 97 Minutes! 

So, trust me.  It really only takes a couple of minutes to watch this version of Othello. Hilarious!

Warning! Do not watch this video while operating heavy machinery, or when your boss is nearby. Seriously. I laughed so hard I cried!

Rapping Othello

Your turn…

What’s the funniest Shakespeare play/performance you’ve ever seen?


Dangerous Reflections & Twisted Reflections ~ GIVEAWAY Winners!

20 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction, Young Adult

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It’s time folks! What we’ve all been waiting for … The Adventures of Alexis Davenport giveway winners! A BIG Thank You to everyone who participated!!!

The Deets: The winners were randomly selected from everyone who left a comment on Monday’s Guest Blog by Shay Fabbro. One winner receives a signed copy of Dangerous Reflections and another a signed copy of Twisted Reflections, both by the fabulous Shay Fabbro.

Dangerous Reflections (Book 1) Giveaway Winner!

Alexis Davenport wants to go home. She hates her new school, her mother for moving her away from her friends, living in her aunt’s guesthouse, and her father for walking out.

To make matters worse, Alex is haunted by the images of strange girls reflected in her mirror. It is bad enough juggling homework, a relentless bully, boys, and a deadbeat dad. Now, she must save the world from an evil presence hell-bent on changing the past–and our futures. Who knew her A+ in history was going to be this important?

And the winner is…

Tami Clayton
*** Tosses confetti ***

Twisted Reflections (Book 2) Giveaway Winner!

Alexis Davenport wants to be rid of her gift of time travel, and the duty that has been thrust upon her to protect the time line from an evil lunatic trying to change the past.

When she travels back to ancient Egypt, Alex gets a most unexpected surprise; she meets a fellow Traveler like herself, someone who can possibly help her figure out how to use her powers to stop Drifter from altering the past.

But can she learn how to control her gift before Drifter finds a way to stop her from meddling in his plans?

And the winner is…

Lisa Gail Green
*** Tosses even more confetti ***

Stay connected with Shay:

  • Check out her Website
  • Visit The Adventures of Alexis Davenport fan page on Facebook
  • Follow @DrShayFabbro on Twitter

YA Voice Dilemma ~ by Guest Author Shay Fabbro

16 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Young Adult

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Today I have special guest author Shay Fabbro on board to share her secrets about writing in an authentic YA voice. It might seem easy peasy when you’re reading a great YA novel, but just try it sometime. You’ll find out it’s NOT. Take notes folks. Because Shay’s more than earned her street creds:

  • Shay Fabbro, PhD is published with BookTrope Publishing
  • A Finalist in the Indie Excellence 2011 Book Awards (Fantasy category)
  • The author of the Portals of Destiny series and The Adventures of Alexis Davenport series
  • A Member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
  • Website: shayfabbro.com

Shay’s new book, Twisted Reflections, just released and is the second in The Adventures of Alexis Davenport series.

Stop back this Friday for a chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Dangerous Reflections and Twisted Reflections!

Authentic vs. Realistic YA Dialog … What’s best?

Take it away Shay…

For me, writing dialog for adults is so much easier. I am, after all, an adult (alright
you guys, quit yer laughing!) so this sorta makes sense. But you can’t write dialog in an adult voice and connect with YA readers. You gotta speak their language, get in their heads and put on paper the way their thoughts sound in their own minds.

The problem is this: if I were to actually write dialog exactly how young people talk nowadays, it would have to be rated R and couldn’t be marketed as YA. I spent a lot of time listening to conversations carried on by teens who had no idea they were being observed as part of a scientific/writerly experiment. The results were not all that shocking to me: teens have filthy little mouths and use language that isn’t appropriate for a YA audience to read. They throw out curse words as well as derogatory comments that I can’t even write down.

They, like, also, like use the word “like”, like a lot! And it’s like so annoying and makes me, like, want to shoot myself. Even writing that was painful. As a professor of college students, it STUNS me how many young people can’t formulate a sentence without throwing in the word “like” after every other word. I think it’s the new “umm”.

So while I totally understand the need to write realistic dialog for a teen audience, I am restrained by the very rules that exist to make YA books appropriate for age 13 and up. Most moms wouldn’t want their teen reading something that has the F-word or the n-word thrown in every time one of my characters opened their mouth. I had to find a fine line between realistic and age-appropriate. My YA series, Adventures of Alexis Davenport, has some mild language (damn, hell, etc) and some mild violence but I think it’s totally fine for teens to read. No worse than Harry Potter.

Now as for the “like” every other word…*sigh*. I had to take s stand as a girl, as a nerd, as an educator to refuse to write characters that sound like idiots. I just couldn’t do it. I think it degrades those teens that are smart enough to construct a complete sentence and sound logical and mature. I would rather write dialog that makes my readers smarter, not encourage them to continue to like, talk like idiots.

So what are your thoughts? Should writers be completely genuine when it comes to teen dialog or is there some room to improve (refusing to use idiotic words)?

Leave your comment below for your chance to win one of two FREE autographed paperbacks of Dangerous Reflections or Twisted Reflections!

You can connect with Shay in the following ways: