Melinda Curtis

Keeping On Track...but what track?

Melinda Curtis — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 07:46:00 -0700

Heard about the Blaze proposals:

Status: rejected
Reason 1: the plot is made up mostly of internal elements, relationships and conflicts (more like a Superromance).

The Tao of Mel - Writing Bookshelf

Melinda Curtis — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:23:24 -0700

I revisited my writing tool kit last weekend. Here are some of my favorites:

Break into Fiction, Adams Media, by Mary Buckham and Dianna Love. Great way to develop emotional growth and romantic arcs (character and motivation). Can be scary stuff for beginners. I try to create a quiet environment, ask the question (yes, sometimes out loud) and listen - really listen - to the small voice that pops up with the answer. Best advice: to keep a character behaving consistently by developing if, then statements. For example, If I nurture people, then I belong would explain why a character will take brutal punishment in order to remain part of a family unit - cinderella, anyone? (that is, of course, until a hero comes along and shows her what belonging really means).

Book in a Month, Writer's Digest Books, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt. Have trouble plotting or finishing a story? Try this method. You can download her worksheets free on her web site or take an online course if your bookshelf is already crowded.

The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes & Heroines, Lone Eagle, Tami Cowden, Caro LaFever, Sue Viders. Rememberever heard the old commercial: sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't? There are times when I'm writing a character and all of a sudden she wants to go from a plucky girl next door to a seductress. When you have one of those mind numbing moments, crack open this book, find the archetype for your character and a film example to use as your inspiration (Joan Wilder would never turn into a Temptress!).

The Writer's Brain Storming Kit, Gryphon Books, Pam McCutcheon, Michael Waite. This book is really good when plotting out a synopsis (repeat after me: thou shall love a synopsis like a square of chocolate). For example, if your story revolves around a secret, in this book you'll find what might be troubling about a secret, how it might result in conflict and how a character needs to grow or will be changed by a secret. Sometimes all you need is a nudge to unlock a whole new direction.

Any book on motivation for me, as a writer, an artist and a person trying to life a joyful, abundant life. Eric Maisel, The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins. The list is endless. When I walk or drive long distances I like to listen to motivational speakers. It's like having your own personal life coach tweaking your attitude.

I have a tall bookshelf full of writing books and resources, but these seem to be the ones I go to when I need a boost, some inspiration or just some advice. When you're stuck you need to hear the Beatles sing, "Little darlin'. It seems the ice is slowly melting...Here comes the sun. It's all right."

Mel

My Writing Plate is Full

Melinda Curtis — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

How did my writing plate get so full?

I'm trying to get the opening chapters right on an urban fantasy, while simultaneously trying to carry through the emotional growth to a satisfying conclusion in the synopsis (thou shall repeat after me: I love writing the synopsis, I love writing the synopsis). I've got a fantastic synopsis written that I've been asked to write into a proposal as a mainstream romance (don't be a hater - I took months to write that synopsis). And I just sat through another amazing Mary Buckham workshop which makes me want to really dive into character development (her motto: you can't say "it's hard").

So, if I can't use the "h" word (lol) I'd have to say writing is challenging, writing is time consuming, but writing is fun! Come on. Haven't you ever heard Frank Sinatra sing: I've got you under my skin. I've got you deep in the heart of me. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Mel

A Writer's Motivation

Melinda Curtis — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:56:47 -0700

Here are 10 things I do to kick up my motivation for the writing.

Beauty. Do you ever stop, if only for a moment, and look at the world around you? How blue the sky is? How beautiful the snow dusted trees look? How bright the flowers are? How a lazy cat looks content sitting beneath the fronds of a lavender bush? Focus on this feeling enjoying the beauty of the world brings you and carry it to the place you write.

If you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. How do you think about your goals? If you believe with all your heart that you'll find a way to make them reality, move on to the next item on the list. If you're like my husband, a self-proclaimed realist (I call him Eeyore), you're probably correct. The brain creates paths in line with our thinking, just like those trails you see cattle make in a field. Get off the negative track! If you're at risk of becoming a gray donkey, try to turn every "realist" comment into something positive. Example: "I'll never get published," into "I'm on my way to being published!"

The difference between being informed and being dragged down. Being aware of what's happening in the world is fine, but how upbeat and energetic did you feel after watching 3 hours of coverage on the Haiti disaster? I donated (twice), but tried to limit myself to twice a day updates. Along those lines (for you realists), monitor the amount of time you watch those shows that re-enact murders and disasters. Talk about sucking the life out of you. It'll suck the creativity right out of you, too.

How social are you? Don't let the technology stream take over your life so much it interrupts your writing time. Set a timer and refuse to check email, text, Facebook, Twitter, answer the phone, etc. until your time is up (I recommend 60 minutes: science shows it takes 10-15 minutes to get in the "zone" after any interruption).

Seek out silence. Whether in your car, at home, on a walk - try to spend time within your own head. That's right. Put down the earphones, turn off the stereo, shut down the TV. You'd be surprised how quickly your brain embraces a story or finds a solution to a problem.

Halfway there...

Rediscover your inner child. Watch America's Funniest Home Videos, sit on a bench and watch children play in the park, stop at the pet shop and gaze at the puppies playing, pull up a favorite comedian on YouTube. Now laugh, chuckle, chortle, giggle. Feels good, doesn't it? Sit down to write.

Sometimes you gotta dance. Professional athletes warm up to music, why shouldn't you? Turn on something that moves you and dance (even if you have to shut the bathroom door to do it). And then sit down to write.

Watch TV on your time. Between Tivodigital recorders, Hulu.com and any network's web site you can catch TV when you're free (like Sunday afternoon when there's nothing else on). Don't let the TV schedule control when you do things or become an excuse not to write.

Make a date. There's nothing like putting your writing time into your calendar - most phones let you do that now. Make an appointment with yourself and stick to it. Pretty soon your family will realize you're serious about your dreams and respect that time (caution: don't expect miracles on the first day).

Journal your progress. Write down what you did while the timer was on - plotted a scene, wrote a paragraph, banged out a scene, revised a section. Please note: any progress is to be commended. Repeat after me: I am a good writer. Sit down and write some more.

So, whether your dream is to be a writer or lose weight or (you fill in the blank), dreams don't come true by wishing. As Oprah says: Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. A quote from Seneca, a Roman dramatist, philosopher and politician. And if you needed another example, you can't drive from one coast to another in one day. You accomplish it one section of road at a time. Everyone: Butt in chair, fingers on keys.

M

The Donald

Melinda Curtis — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:18:43 -0700

It's been a week since I sat in awe of Donald Maass, super agent, at his workshop. I learned several things about him: he's been an editor of romance, a writer of romance, a writer of Nancy Drew mysteries and an agent. It probably also helps my opinion of him that he's adopting a child from Africa. Does he sound like the perfect man for the new Millennium?

He was also every writer's dream - a witty speaker, exhibiting a creative knack for story, scene and dialogue, and lots of tools in his toolbox for fixing story, scene and dialogue. I thought I couldn't wait to get back and edit pages after basking in his glow, but life got in the way and here it is one week later - no new edits. It's like Annie is singing in my head, "Tomorrow. Tomorrow. I love ya, Tomorrow. You're only a day away."

So, tomorrow it will be butt in chair (who wants to watch the Pro Bowl anyway?) and advice from The Donald taking shape on the manuscript.

Mel