2013 Reflections

This morning, as always, I logged onto my Twitter and Facebook accounts. Looking over all of the posts, I found that I looked forward to seeing what everyone was up to on a daily basis. This isn't because I do not have a life of my own to keep up with, quite the contrary, but I do much of my socializing on various networks such as these. This morning, however, I really let it sink in. Some of these people on Twitter have become associates and even friends yet we have never spoken more than through various emails. The folks on Facebook are my family, friends and even a few fans. Each and every one of these people have touched my life is some way. They have helped me get through sorrows and celebrations, the birth of a new book and several grandchildren, helped me in the kitchen (even if it was just with a better recipe than my own), gave me a boost when I needed it and taught me new things EVERY DAY!
I just wanted to say that I truly appreciate everyone in my life, even the "electronic" ones. lol. Thanks for helping me be a better person, writer, mom and friend. I could not have accomplished everything that I had in 2013 without you.
~Lottie~

Comments

Adding Flesh to Bones: Character Creation in Fiction

Here you have your great story idea. You have it in your head how it is supposed to go and where its happening. You are set for that million-seller, award winning novel. Now you just have to get it down on paper, or word processor. Boom! You get to writing and the first character comes up. Your face gets that blank look to it and your enthusiasm fades. Who is this person? Where is he from? Do you have any background on him? How did he get to here? EEEEEEK! I will tell you this, sometimes, most of the time, you are not writing about a story. You are writing about a character, or several. Sometimes the character is so obvious that creation is easy. Joe Shmo is a mechanic who wins the lottery, or Jane Whatsherface moves to the beach into an old lighthouse. But is it this easy every time? Not on your life! If you go into your story without some sort of idea about your characters, it is like going cross-country driving without ever opening a map. The journey is slow and arduous. The...

My 10 Quick Tips on Writing

Hello, my fellow aspiring writers, poets and playwrights! First I want to thank all of you for the incredible support that you have given me in my writing and blogging. I have been writing most of my life but only recently decided to go pro. Many of you have decided the same thing. It's a rough road but we can take it. We are tough. It is always helpful (at least it is to me) when others with more experience or just some good ideas share what they know with the rest of us, so here I go with my little bit. Here are 10 quick tips on writing that I have found to be really helpful to learn. 1. Write like a demon! Ignore the format of the page, all of the little writing rules and every bit of writing tips you have been forced to swallow and just write! Let the words flow out like a busted fire hydrant. That first draft is the most important, even with its type-o's, grammar snaffoos and plot holes. It is the heart of any writing process and you can't let over thi...

The Elfstones of Shannara

Those of us who have read "The Sword of Shannara" by Terry Brooks know what I mean when I say this about "The Elfstones of Shannara," its sequal. Flick Ohmsford hasn't changed a bit 50 years after he and his brother, Shea, returned to Shadyvale. His stoic attitude and drive for normalcy after such heroic adventures of his youth seems to be his only concern other than his grand-nephew. What is to be noticed is that the courage and strength of character displayed by the heroes is combined in Shae's grandson, Wil Ohmsford. Swept up in another dangerous mission that could change life in the four lands, Wil has to learn things about himself that frightens even him. Accompanied by an elven girl, a chosen, they find that what cannot be seen is more deadly than anything that the eyes can see. Can mankind escape from the brink of devistation? This was definitely a book I couldn't put down and a classic that can never collect dust. I recommend this book highly alo...

The Writer's Block

Search This Blog