Writing Craft

Personality Quirks

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 5, 2015

We all have personality quirks. These are part of our charm.

Some people may think that the fact I have named my three houseplants is a personality quirk. But what other modern living beings would put up with the monikers Perpetua, Magnifica, and Scholastica? When I ask my husband, “Did you water Perpetua?” he knows what I mean.

We inherited a large peace lily from one daughter’s college days, called Lord Ellington. Our daughter still living at home renamed him (I’m going with the male designation since he was a lord). The new name? Jade.

Your turn:

What personality quirks do you give your characters to make them come more to life?

Do those quirks reflect your own personality?

Which plant do you think is pictured? Perpetua, Magnifica, or Scholastica?

In the Garden – A Creative Exercise

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 29, 2015

Some writers tell me that ideas flow so fast they don’t have time to write them all. Others say the muse can be reticent. One thing both types of writers seem to have in common is a love of the creative exercise. Through my devotional reading, I entered into a creative exercise that I think many writers will enjoy. Would you like to join me? The idea that your soul can be compared to a …

Category: CreativityTag: Creativity

A Love Affair with Words

By Karen Ballon January 28, 2015

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I love writers. Love how much they love words. Love how they seem to know from the earliest age, that words are more than just letters strung together, they’re… Power. Persuasion. Delight. Wonder. Magic. As I pondered this, I looked back at those early days when I started to discover I was a word person. And I wondered… When did writing first sing to us? To me? To you? Whose words first stirred …

Category: Creativity, Personal, Writing CraftTag: Stories, The Writing Life, words

Suspending Disbelief

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 22, 2015

After watching a television series about the life of St. Teresa de Jesus, my husband and I viewed the special bonus about the making of the film, in the early 1980s. One scene showed travelers, using conveyances common to the 16th century, moving toward several parked trucks. Another scene showed vehicles parked behind a village facade. An outtake showed St. Teresa speaking, with a contemporary …

Category: Book Proposals, Craft, Creativity, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft

Five Steps to Finding Hot Topics

By Karen Ballon January 21, 2015

Last week we talked about finding things to write about, things that will resonate with our readers, by looking at the people around us. Today I want to share some easy steps you can take to dig deeper into this idea. Step One Start by looking at yourself. Yes, you. Look deep within and ask yourself the following (but give the real answer. This isn’t about looking good, even to yourself. It’s …

Category: Creativity, Get Published, Platform, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Get Published, Topics

But My Book is Unique!

By Dan Balowon January 20, 2015

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Excerpt from author cover letter: (not real) “Dear (Agent or Publisher), The enclosed book proposal contains never-before-seen information to help the most important of all human relationships. It identifies six different kinds of languages of love, combines the findings of extensive studies from all cultures and is endorsed by every important person living within one hundred miles of my home. It …

Category: Book Proposals, Creativity, Get Published, Writing CraftTag: book proposals, Get Published

Watching History

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 15, 2015

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Over the holidays, my husband and I viewed an epic series about the life of St. Teresa de Jesus, filmed in Spanish, though English subtitles were provided. For eight hours, we were taken back to the 1500s in Spain. As a writer of historical novels, I’ve researched many eras. However, being immersed in an era for such a length of time brought to life many facts: 1.) Even in the best of …

Category: Genre, Writing CraftTag: Genre, Historical, Research

Start the New Year Right

By Karen Ballon January 7, 2015

I must have started this blog fifteen times. I’d write a word or a line, then delete it. All because I’m trying to think of something new and clever to say about the fact that we’re facing a new year. But you know what? There isn’t really anything new to say. Sure, publishing has changed, and will continue to change. Yes, books are being published and will continue to be published. How that …

Category: Art, Career, The Writing Life, Writing CraftTag: story, The Writing Life

Unlikeable Characters

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 18, 2014

In a recent blog, I touched upon the problem of unlikeable characters. I mentioned that I stopped reading a published book because I didn’t like any of the characters. So when do I think a reader will keep reading about unlikeable characters? I’d say one or more of the following will save a story: 1.) The protagonist has been victimized and the reader can root for her to overcome being …

Category: Craft, Writing CraftTag: Characters, Writing Craft

A Picky Reader

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 11, 2014

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Having a book rejected by an agent or editor is puzzling, especially when the agent or editor have stated they are seeking just what we’re offering. Almost every day, my office must decline books that should be a fit. Usually the reasons are concrete (too long, too short, writing doesn’t sparkle, insufficient platform). But sometimes we’re just picky. I’ve touched on this …

Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Craft, Creativity, Get Published, RejectionTag: Rejection