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Home » Archives for Tamela Hancock Murray » Page 48

Tamela Hancock Murray

Who Are You Hanging Out With?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 13, 2014
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Bored asian girl lying on the couch watching tv at home in the sitting room

During a recent television program, realization struck. I didn’t like anyone on the screen. So why was I spending time with them?

I don’t think I’ll be returning to that program soon.

When you are writing a story, you are asking your reader to hang out with your characters. For a very long time. Will they want to do that?

Granted, you’ll be providing drama and conflict. For the sake of the story, a couple of your characters may be stinkers. But in the end, the reader will need to like your protagonists. Or at least be intrigued enough by your anti-hero to stick with your story. Whatever you do, make your characters worth your reader’s time.

Your turn:

What is the most sympathetic character you can remember? Why?

What characters do you feel have become fictional friends of yours?

Leave a Comment
Category: Craft, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Characters, Craft, Writing Craft

An Atypical Time in an Agent’s Life

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 6, 2014
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I have enjoyed reading various “typical day” posts lately on other blogs, so I thought instead of sharing a typical day, I’d share an atypical month: Sad News for Us My father-in-law, a Baptist minister, passed away at age 89 after two strokes. While our family is sad to lose him, his funeral was a celebration of his life.  Snow, Snow Everywhere! I realize snowfall in Virginia is …

Read moreAn Atypical Time in an Agent’s Life
Category: Agency, Personal, TamelaTag: Agency, Agents

How Much Back Story?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 27, 2014
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Sometimes in my review of a novel, I find that the story doesn't pick up soon enough. I'm not sure what I'll be reading about and my interest may lag, though I can still eye great writing.

"But I wanted my readers to know about my characters," the author may protest.

Understandable, indeed.

However, I believe it's important to lay out the basic conflicts for the reader early on so she'll …

Read moreHow Much Back Story?
Category: Craft, Editing, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Back Story, Craft, Writing Craft

Do You Like to Cry While Reading?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 20, 2014
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I'll have to admit, I don't like to cry. I don't even like depressing songs. Instead I prefer things that are upbeat. For example, here are some of the lyrics to a song that helped me get through my teen years:
Flashlight.
Red Light.
Neon Light.
Spotlight.
Most of all you can funk. Help me find the funk....
Yoww
I think I found the funk!
["Flashlight" was written by Ronald R. Brooks, …

Read moreDo You Like to Cry While Reading?
Category: Reading, TamelaTag: Reading

Rooting for the Bad Guy?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 13, 2014
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Last week I blogged about amoral protagonists. But what about protagonists who are unquestionably immoral?

Some general market books make their readers root for the bad guy. Think about accounts of bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde, written from their points of view. Or a book written primarily from the point of view of a courtesan, such as Amy Tan's The Valley of Amazement. These books set the …

Read moreRooting for the Bad Guy?
Category: Craft, Creativity, Genre, Tamela, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Genre, Protagonists

The Moral Protagonist: A Key Difference

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 6, 2014
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This is entirely an opinion, but in my reading of general market fiction versus Christian fiction, I have noticed one key difference:
The protagonists don't have to be moral.
In Christian fiction, the protagonists must be moral or have a great desire to be moral at their core, even though they may make mistakes.

Christian fiction offers a Christian world view.  The characters' circumstances …

Read moreThe Moral Protagonist: A Key Difference
Category: Craft, Creativity, Genre, Romance, Tamela, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Genre, Moral, Protagonists

Why Did I Keep Reading?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 30, 2014
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As I believe I've mentioned on this blog, along with Christian books, I try to keep abreast of general market books. But I admit, I don't always finish reading the books I begin reading. So what makes me stick with a book from cover to cover? Here's just one example for nonfiction:

Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune  by Bill Dedman …

Read moreWhy Did I Keep Reading?
Category: Book Review, Craft, Creativity, Reading, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Book Review, Reading

Five Reasons Not to Brag

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 23, 2014
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We've all done it -- bragged -- whether intentional or not. Not only should all glory go to God for your accomplishments, but bragging may not get the reaction you think. Say you tell someone you made ten million dollars last year. Rather than the reaction you're expecting, you may instead:

1.) Look foolish. Ten million dollars? I paid more than that last year in taxes.

2.) Hurt someone …

Read moreFive Reasons Not to Brag
Category: Book Business, Career, Communication, TamelaTag: Career, Communication, Success

A Major Money Mistake

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 16, 2014
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When I was working for a small company years ago, the extremely reliable woman who cut our paychecks missed the Big Day -- a Friday. As it became evident she would be a no-show, one of my co-workers revealed she was upset. "I wrote out and mailed checks for all my bills last night because I thought I was going to get paid today. Now they'll all bounce."

I didn't understand why anyone would …

Read moreA Major Money Mistake
Category: Book Business, Career, Money, TamelaTag: Book Business, Money

Two Basic Tips on Budgeting with an Irregular Income

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 9, 2014
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One challenge of writing books for a living is the fact that unlike many other jobs, you don't usually see a cycle of paychecks appearing at regular intervals with predictable amounts. Instead, you may see a whoosh of money, followed by smaller amounts every few months triggered by actions on your part, such as turning in manuscripts and proposals. Only well-established authors will have this …

Read moreTwo Basic Tips on Budgeting with an Irregular Income
Category: Book Business, Career, Money, TamelaTag: Book Business, Budget; Finances; income, Money
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