Write For Toddlers: How?

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

This post will address writing
for toddlers. Specifically, pre-
school age children.

Picture books are geared toward
this age group.

There are three categories of
picture books. The age groups
are: two-six, six-ten, ten and up.

Picture books are thirty-two pages
long.

Direct or target the age group
you're addressing.

Toddlers are interested in
pictures, color. Big pictures
should surround a simple story.

"What do you mean by simple
story?" You asked.

A story about sharing a toy, fear
of a loud noise, or why nap time
is important.

Toddlers like stories that are
fun, surprising, and humorous.

A toddler refuses to share a toy,
for example. Turn it into a story.

Take a look at my story idea.

It revolves around how a child
shared his toy. He/she allowed
others to play with his/her toy.
The toy disappeared, and the
children hunted for it.

In the end, the story
character found out
that it was more fun
sharing.

A possible start follows.

"Wanna play with my bear?"
Randy asked Sam.

Sam grabs the bear, bounces it.

"I want it back."

Sam runs. He's chased by
other children.

Sam laughs. He spins around,
hides in one room and then
another. He slips in a closet,
tips out. He finds himself
scrunched down in a bath-tub,
but the toy had disappeared.

How would you write it?

The second story start is a
toddler afraid of the noise
vacuum cleaners make.

Dan stares at his mother as
she opens the closet. He backs
away. She pulls out the monster.

"Too loud." Dan ran to another
room.

His mother goes behind him.

"It can't hurt you." She smiled
at him.

She brings the vacuum cleaner
to him. It accidentally...

Continue the story.

Finally, a nap time story
possibility.

"Not sleepy." Zack yawned.

"It's bed-time." Zack's mother
said.

"No, no."

I have an idea to help you
fall asleep...

Your Idea?

Also, toddlers like to interact
with the book.

A sing-along book to teach
counting is a way to hold
the toddlers attention.

Now, it's a good idea to
visit book-stores. See what's
on shelves, and the types
of books publishers are
buying.

Put your ideas into
stories, books.

The Poet: Awaken It

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Awaken the poet in you by reading
the works of other poets. Take note
of their style. How is imagery used?

Imagery is the descriptions selected.
The mental pictures you want to
float through minds when your
poems are read. They stimulate
the reader's imagination.

Tickle the imagination, and it
filters in other senses.

Metaphors and similes allow the
reader to feel, see, and experience
your poems.

Metaphors finds a similarity between
two unrelated things.

Let's look at examples of metaphors.

Susie is an eagle.

Susie is called an eagle, because
she's smart. It's a comparison
between Susie and the eagle. It's
creative, and more interesting for
the reader.

Gary is a bull on the run when it
comes to painting. I tried to
compromise on the color, but he
wouldn't listen.

The bull describes Gary. A
similarity is found between Gary
and the bull.

Critique my poems.

I Stand

I'm rooted a tree
Years of storms
Have stabilized my resolve
I bloom from harsh world winds

=====================

Choice

My choice is success
Not to sit and wish
But a turtle to a goal
Reaching it in time

==================

Similes compares two dissimilar things.
Also, similes describes by using like or
as. Specifically, one thing is like or as
another.

Examples of similes follow.

1. Tim is as thin as a stick person.
2. The rain tapped at my window pane
like a pecking bird.
3. His skin was like leather.
4. Belle's hair is black as coal.

Look at similes used in poems.

Flint
An emerald is as green as grass,
A ruby red as blood;
A sapphire shines as blue as heaven;
A flint lies in the mud.

A diamond is a brilliant stone,
To catch the world's desire;
An opal holds a fiery spark;
But a flint holds a fire.

Christina Rossetti
1830-1894



Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112392/simileclassics.html

========================================

Good People Rise

The corrupted hearts of a few
use confusion like a joke-
boost about their deeds,
but good people rise above them.

=======================================

Start writing poems by describing
a friend, family member, pet, or
an interest.

Write about an experience in
your life. Perhaps, a news head-
line, story.

Think about how you feel about
a friend, the experience, pet,
or story.

Write down everything about it.
Add metaphors, and similes.
Keep the words that best depicts
it.

In other words, poems must
be critiqued too.

Now, it's time to awaken the
poet in you.

Writing Goals: How To Reach Them?

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Every goal needs a plan.
It's not enough to say,
"I'll write when possible."

"Why?" You asked.

Time will never be found to
write. There will be
more important activities
in your life, and you'll push
writing aside.

"One day, I'll write that book."
You declared.

You have to take an action,
not just talk about writing a
book.

The day will never
come.

Sit down. Plan out
the time for writing.

Will you write in the
morning? Before others
awake in your house,
apartment, or living-space?
Perhaps, just before bed
is best for you. Pre-dawn
is more appealing to write?

The point is to find time
for writing. It's important
to write, at least, two hours
per day.

It must become a habit.
When possible, write more
than two hours everyday.

Is there something you
need to start?

Do you need to
get a refresher course?
Colleges offer them
online, offline.

My blog is stuffed
full of writer related
information.

The link is
http://critiqueandwrite.blogspot.com.

What will you write?
Fiction? Non-fiction?

"I'm not sure." You
shared.

Try writing about the
topics that interest
you.

Pet care have a special
meaning to you? Share
your thoughts, experiences,
on the subject.

A certain illness? Do
research. Find out more
about it.

Take small steps.
There's no need to
write a novel, at first.

Start-off with
writing a short story.

Do you prefer to
write an essay?
Greeting cards?

Business related information
is more your style? Begin
writing about it.

Here's an idea. Take an area
that isn't covered, and write
an essay. Or, jot down
information on a topic you
feel isn't written about enough.

There's no hurry.
Sample. See where
your niche is.

Niche is your place.
The writing works
well with your creative
flow. You and this
field is one, your
thing. It's a reachable
goal.

A reachable goal is
one that's right for you.
It's comfortable, and
attainable.

Let's look at a goal
that's not reachable,
unrealistic.

A plan to write a
novel in three days
is unreachable.

It would put unnecessary
stress on you. I'm sure
other areas in your life
would suffer too.

In other words, a writing
goal must fit into your life-
style.

Sometimes, you have to
re-arrange, stop, something
to have time to write. Avoid
a trip to the club, for example.
Instead, scribble notes on a
subject.

In order to reach a writing
goal, you have to plan for
it.

Title For A Story: How?

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Right Title

The right title grabs the reader's
attention. It's the title's job.

Titles ask questions, throw-
out statements, and enlighten
readers with information.

Story Title

I'm going to discuss how
to title your story, fiction.
It has to spark an interest
for the reader.

The goal is to keep the
title within the three-to-five
word range. One or two
word titles are effective too.

Creative Titles

Titles must be creative.

"How do I pick the right
title?" You asked.

The title does more than
hint at what the story is
about. The title sums-up
your story.

The title involves joy, sorrow,
hate, or sadness. Likewise,
the title should fit the genre.
A thriller, for example, requires
a different title than one for
a Western.

Adapt the title to your
story.

"I don't get it." You shared.

How To Pick The Right Title?

Sit down. Read through your
story slowly. Jot down words
that describe it.

Which words, combination of
words, best describe your story?
Select words to stir-up the reader,
and display your creativity to an
editor.

You want readers to say, Hmm.
What's that about? Or, it sounds
like I'll enjoy reading the story.

Title Example

Let's look at a title for a story
about a character who claims
someone is following him or
her. A few friends of the
character trailed him/her
to catch the alleged stalker.

Friends weren't able to
catch, see, him or her.

"Who wanted to do that,
and why?" One friend
asked.

Is the character making it up?
The character wants more
attention from someone?
Possibly, the character is
insane.

Possible Titles

What is the best title?

1. Followed

or

In The Shadows

2. Stalked

or

Is Someone Looking?

3. Dark

or

When Darkness Descends

Pick the best title from the
examples above. On a scale
of one to three, pick the best
titles. One is the best suited
title, and three the least suited
for the story.

Best Titles

I'll select what titles are
best as well.

1. In The Shadows

2. When Darkness Descends

3. Is Someone Looking?

Did your choices match
mine? What were your
selections?

Reasons For My Choices

My story is a mystery, possible
thriller. So, my title has to
reflect it.

My title choices are eye
catching enough to grab
the reader's attention, and
show my creativity to an
editor. I want the title to
ignite fear, concern.

My titles meet the three-
to-five word criteria.

Conclusion

Use these easy steps
to write eye catching
titles.

Note

I welcome differing
opinions.

Novel Vs. Short Story Writing: A Closer Look

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

The Novel

Writing a novel is an
exciting undertaking.
It takes passion,
determination.

First, with a novel,
narrow down ideas.
What will the novel
be about. Select
the idea with mass
appeal. Specifically,
what kind of plot?

Plot

Plot is the problem in
the novel. A book
length work can handle
more than one problem.

Usually, there's a major
problem, and one minor
issue. As you become
more experienced, you
can include as many
problems as comfortable.

Who will have the
problem? Male?
Female?

Show-Case The Plot
Immediately

The problem, plot, starts on
page one.

"Why start the problem
on page one?" You
questioned.

It gets the attention of
the reader. The reader
will want to know what
happens next, possibly
care about the character,
or is interested in seeing
how it's resolved.

So, on page one conflict,
plot, begins.

You can always go back,
and explain how the main
character's circumstances
happened.

Actually, let the character
or other characters in the
novel explain it.

Character Profiles

Make character profiles.
Describe your character.
Long hair? Bug eyes?
Always smirking. Tastes?
Dislikes? Educational
level? Put anything in it
that you feel the character
is. Or, include details
about him/her that's
pertinent to the story.

Character profiles are
information to keep close
at hand. When writing
about various characters,
you'll forget something
about one or the other
character.

I, often, referred to character
profiles. My novel, Grave
Street House, had characters
from different backgrounds.

I'd forget how a certain
character reacted
to specific circumstances.
I'd pull-out the profiles
to refresh my memory.

Protagonist/Antagonist

The main character is the
protagonist. The character
opposing the main character
is the antagonist.

The protagonist isn't a
perfect person. He/she
has flaws. Perhaps,
he/she talks too much,
isn't brave, and/or stares
at walls.

Likewise, the antagonist
isn't all bad.

Secondary Characters

Stir-in other characters
as needed. They are the
secondary characters.
The secondary characters
play small roles in your
novel.

Theme

The theme is the
message of your novel.
It's a statement made by
you through your work.

The theme of my novel,
Grave Street House, was
you get back what you
send out, bad or good.

Critiquing

Set your completed work
aside for, at least, seven
days before editing.

You are emotionally
involved with your work.
You have to take time
away before you're
able to critique it.

The break allows you
to come-back refreshed,
and full of new ideas.

Short Story Writing

This discussion is
about short stories,
five to six hundred
words.

Plot

As with a novel,
you pick an idea
to write about.

A problem, plot,
must exist for the
main character,
protagonist.

Space is limited
in a short story,
and one problem
is addressed.

Character Profiles

Each character is
profiled.

"Why?" You asked.

You are better able
to tell the story. If you
forget a character's
flaw, look it up.

In a crisis, how should
a character handle the
circumstances? His/her
character profile reminds
you.

Theme

Every short story, too,
has a theme. It's your
comment about the world,
life.

Critiquing

Place the short story
in your desk. Take a
break from it.

Conclusion

It's time to start
writing your short
story, or novel.

Health-Care: An Observation

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

"Don't kill grandma!"

"I voted for reform."

"What is he talking about?"

I'm sure you've seen, heard,
other comments about
President Obama's health-
care plan.

Stop. Listen to what the
President is saying, and
push fear to the curb.

"If you like your private
insurance, you get to
keep it." President
Obama said, several
times.

The confusion is
boomer-ranging from
people who aren't
paying attention to
President Obama's
messages.

As we all know, a change
is needed.

It's been a practice
for conservative talk
show hosts, lobbyists,
to flame doubts of the
afraid, confused.

The public's fears
are blown-up, pushed
at us online. The
media neon-lights it on
radio, television.
The bigger the protest,
the more people watch,
listen, and they get
higher ratings.

We, the people, tend
to add our fears without
getting to the truth.

A talk show host, media,
hints at a statement made
by President Obama.

It isn't necessarily true,
because a talk show host
said it, for example. The
next step is word-of-mouth
fear.

After you understand
President Obama's
health-care plan, give
your opinion. Make
informed comments,
decisions.

"All those protesters
can't be wrong." You
pointed out.

It takes one to
start chaos,
and others will
follow.

Yes, a group, protesters,
can be wrong. Often,
people, protesters, can be
misinformed.

Don't hide behind
the current health-
care system, or
blanket yourself
in the status quo.

The current health-
care system will
continue to spiral
downward.

Instead of repeating
what others say,
find out the truth
about President
Obama's health-care
plan.

Social Network Attack: Twitter

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

"Twitter's down!"

"No more Twitter. Anyone
there?"

"Why Twitter?"

They were only a few
of the statements made
about Twitter's offline time.

All over the Internet, people
were hurt, outraged, about
the attack on Twitter.

Have people allowed their
lives to be ruled by Twitter?
No, addicted to Twitter?

Is this a comment on how
technology influences present
day lives?

Shortly after I started
tweeting, the web site
pushed me to write better.

Writers tend to be chatty, and
Twitter forces one to be precise.
It has over-lapped into other
writing areas.

Still, Twitter is a social
network. I keep it in
perspective.

Naturally, life, what exists
within it must be taken in
small amounts. Twitter or
any web site shouldn't
dominate one's life.

Or, if one selects to immerse
into a social media web site,
maintain a balance.

There's no need to panic.
Twitter lives.

An idea is to jot down
what you'll say when
you return to Twitter.

It was more than one attack
according to Kazuhiro
Gomi, an officer at NTT
American Hosting Services,
which hosts Twitter's Services.

Twitter went offline due
to spam, e-mails, the
first time.

The denial of service
attack happened next.
Hackers pointed lots
of computers to the
Twitter web site. It
stopped legitimate
traffic from connecting
to the web site.

The Twitter web site
is used by many people,
businesses, celebrities,
and news services.

Twitter isn't just used for
expressing personal details
of one's life, but to get insights
about celebrities. World news
is shared on Twitter.

The attacker of Twitter hasn't
been caught, and held
accountable.

The Senses: How To Write With Them?

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Touch

The senses are touch,
taste, hear, smell, and
sight.

The body's sense of touch
allows one to glide one's
hand, finger, over an object
or surface. One can feel
the coolness, warmth,
or how smooth, rough,
it is.

Likewise, two objects
can be compared
through touch.


Taste

The mouth is the gate-way
to taste. The texture, flavor,
of food, drink, is realized
through the mouth.

This experience is
called taste. You
determine whether or not
it's pleasing, like-able.

Hear

The act of hearing
comes through the ears.
Sounds and language
are filtered to one's
understanding.

Smell

The nose is the agent that
picks up fragrances, odors.
Some smells are more
pleasant than others.

Sight

The eyes are the vehicle
for sight. Sight allows us
to see the world around us.

Writing With The Senses
Individually

I'm going to use one sense
at a time to write with.

Let's start with the
sense of touch.

Find an object to
touch. Run your
hand across it, turn
it over. Is it heavy?
Light?

Write down everything
you can about it.

My Object--Phone

I have a mobile phone
in my hand. Now, I can
write fiction or non-fiction.

Possible Essay

Mobile phones changed
the way we communicate,
our social life, and started...

I can write a short story
revolving around the
mobile phone.

Fiction Start

"I looked for two days,
and couldn't find my
cell." Mary explained to
Katherine.

"When did you have it last?"

"The night we went out with
your cousin."

"No way..."

The next sense is taste.

Taste can be researched,
and taken in any direction.

Question: Why is taste one
of the senses? Hmm.

Your answer?

Fiction Idea

A tasting contest is given,
and someone dies. Accident?
Murder?

Third Sense Listed

Sit quietly. Listen. What
is your sense of hearing
picking up?

Write about it.

The Fourth Sense

The sense of smell telling
you anything? Sniff.

Write about your findings.

The Last Sense

Look out of your window.
What do you see? People
scattered about? Kids
playing? A dog crossing the
street?

Jot it down.

Write With The Five Senses

The Fire Truck (sight) raced
down the street, roared (hear)
as it went.

The stench (smell) of the burning
house attacked my nostrils, and
made me cough.

I stumbled, fell against the
truck (touch). I steadied myself,
headed home.

I entered my house, washed
my hands.

I grabbed a bottle of water out
of the refrigerator, sipped (taste)
it. My mouth filled with the odor
of burned material (taste).

Was it my imagination reacting
to my experience?

What are your thoughts?

In closing, the five senses
gives you many fun writing
ideas. Try it. Let me know
your results.

Successful Article Writing: The Secret

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

In the age of multi-tasking,
everything has to be done
yesterday.

The secret to writing
a successful article
is to have a compiled
list to pick from.

Scan through writing
ideas you haven't had
the nerve to tackle.

Don't forget the ideas
that came across your
path during the day.

The list is researched
before you sit down
to write. All ideas
are researched to see
which idea is best to
write about.

"What do you mean
which researched idea is
best to write about?"
You asked.

I'm referring to the idea
that excites you, your
imagination. Is there an
idea that has mass appeal?
Pick that idea.

If there is more than
one idea that's interesting,
select the one you like
best. Save the others
for a later date.

Make an outline for
the article.

"What should the outline
include?" You pondered.

An outline includes the
headline, introduction,
body, and it concludes.
A link-resource paragraph
is added too.

Headline

The headline should be
five to seven words
long. Its job is to
grab the reader's
attention.

Introduction

Second, the introduction
is displayed. The problem,
issue, you'll address is
explained.

It's an accepted
practice to share
an experience you've
had with the problem,
issue.

Body

Third, the body gives
solutions to the problem,
issue, you mentioned in
the introduction.

Walk the reader through
it.

Each point is made in
different paragraphs. If
there are seven points, for
example, your article has
seven paragraphs.

Sub-headings are
recommended.

"Why?" You questioned.

It's easier to read for a
society who multi-tasks.
Sometimes, specific
information is required,
and sub-headings will make
it clearer, faster to find.

Also, people prefer to
read what applies to them,
and not the entire piece.

Conclusion

Fourth, the conclusion
restates the main points
of your article.

Link-Resource Paragraph

Lastly, a link-resource
paragraph mentions your
URL, or other information
you want to share with the
reader.

Suggestion

It's best to write your
article as if talking
to a friend, informal. Leave
technical terms out where
possible. Or, technical
words should be scattered
throughout the article.

Leave The Article Alone

After the article is written,
leave it alone. Take a
break from it.

A three-to-five day vacation
away from your article
will allow you to come
back refreshed.

Edit

You return to your
article looking for
weak verbs, words
taking up space, and
grammatical errors.
Always spell-check more
than once.

The secret to a successful
article is to have a
thought-out idea, outline,
link it back to your web
site, and edit.

Who Else Wants To Reach A Writing Goal?

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Everything worth having in life,
writing, requires that you plan
how to get it.

"I'm not sure how to reach
my writing goal." You said.

Sit down. Decide on a goal.
It couldn't hurt to set more than
one goal. However, your focus
must remain on the primary goal.

Let's say, for example, your
goal is to write a book. Still,
you'd like to explore other writing
areas.

Write two-three pages of your
book everyday, and then try
writing other projects.

There will come a time when
you're tired of editing the
book.

Put it aside for a week or
two. Pull-out the other
projects to work on.

It keeps you busy while
allowing much needed
time away from writing
on your manuscript.

You'll go back to writing
on your manuscript
refreshed. New
ideas will jump-out
at you.

The point is plan to reach
a writing goal, create steps
to it.

"How?" You questioned.

Simply, write each day.

In your writing place,
create word pictures.

Sometimes, a main project
gets boring. Or, you need
a break from it. This is when
other work-in-process becomes
your assignment.

The bigger a project, the longer
break you'll need from it. More
than thirty minutes, for instance,
is needed after completing a
manuscript. It takes time to
mentally break-away from it.

Take your mind to something
new, different, or a piece you're
working on.

Treat yourself after reaching
such a goal. It can be
something you wanted to do,
but couldn't because of writing
the manuscript.

Next, there will be moments when
you think it's not worth the time,
you're not moving along fast
enough, or your work is rejected.

Writing is your goal, dream, and
any goal takes perseverance. You
have a course of action. Stick to it.

Use time to work on reaching
your writing goal, and not
worry about how long it's
taking to achieve it. keep
creating.

Rejection is part of the
writing life. It helps us
write better.

"How?" You pondered.

The fact that a piece
was rejected makes us
look at it closer. A search
of why it was rejected is
started. Find the reason,
correct it, and send the piece
out.

Don't take rejection
personally. Although,
rejection isn't comfortable,
and can cause you to
doubt yourself. Don't
let it.

Always refer to
your writing goal.

Look at rejection
as a motivator.

A writing goal is reached
step by step. Figure out
your goal. Draw-up
a plan, create, and keep
writing through obstacles.

In time, you will reach
your writing goal.

You must, first, believe
in yourself.

25 Relaxing Ways To Get Writing Ideas

Have a question? Agree, disagree, with me?
Leave me your opinion.

There are relaxing ways to get writing
ideas.

"Just twenty-five?" You asked.

There are limitless ways to get
writing ideas, but here are
twenty-five.

Take a look.

1. Think of a happy moment
from childhood, something
interesting happened earlier
in the day, or on the way
home?

Write about it.

2. Read a book that you
wanted to. How would
you re-write it? Could
you write an essay
from it?

3. What can you
write about your
favorite color?
Poem?

4. A favorite recipe.
What makes it a
favorite? Suppose
it was a family's
treasure? Only,
a family friend wants
it.

What tale could you
tell about it?

5. A dream.

6. A song that
you like.

7. The day a truth
revealed itself to
you. Or, the day
you figured it out.

Turn it into a mystery.

8. A word you heard
during the day, and it
stands out.

Decide on the
characters that best
fit the scenario.

9. What are the benefits
of eating ice cream?
Test it yourself, and have
friends, family, take the
survey.

Write-up your findings
in an essay.

10. Look around your
living space. What's
the ugliest structure
within it?

11. What does splash
mean to you, and how
would you write about it?

12. Finish the following
sentence.

The day it happened...

13. Where were you
on July 4, 2009?

Did something interesting
happen? What? Write
about it.

14. What can you write
about your street sign?
An essay? Romantic
story? Mystery?

15. Swimming is?

Explain the advantages
of swimming. Is it
therapeutic, and how?

16. What setting is
snow used for? What
story works well with
snow?

17. Numbers exist to?
What would you say
about numbers?

18. Place the market
you visit in a setting,
and write a short
story. Or, carve an
essay. Research the
idea, and see where
you want to go with it.

19. Why is exercise
good for you? Or, is
it?

20. When you see
someone laughing, do
you smile? How about
others?

Test it on friends. See if
it works with family, and
then experiment at a mall,
shoe store, etc.

Write your findings
in fiction, or non-
fiction.

21. Touch. How
can it be explained?

22. Digestion. What is it?

23. What is there to
say about your life? What
category would it be in?
Comedy? Mystery? Or,
another?

24. A DVD as a topic
to write about? There
are many directions
to go with it.

25. Write about the
noises where you
live. City? Suburbs?
Rural? Other?

Now, some of my
neighbors provide plenty
for me to write about.

A few of them are clouded
in ignorance, and disrespect
for human laws.

Of course, they show
disregard for God's laws.

What do they see in the
mirror? Or, can they, even,
approach a mirror?

Finally, take the
relaxing ways to
get writing ideas
a step further.

Look at the writing
ideas upside down,
and inside-out.

Who Else Wants To Write Attention Grabbing Short Stories?

Have a question? Agree, disagree, with me?
Leave me your opinion.

Write an attention grabbing
short story by using every
word. Select words wisely.
Every word moves the story
along, and contributes to
the story.

Paragraph one must grab
the attention of readers.
Pull them into the drama,
issue of your fiction.

I'll show you how paragraph
one grabs the reader's
attention. This happened
to me.

The mail-person knocked
at my door, and I opened
it.

It was a package delivery,
I thought.

I cracked the door, and
a powder was blown into
my face.

I quickly shut the door.

I began sneezing,
and my nose felt
clogged.

Yes, it was the United
States Post Office.

Also, my mail feels
like there is powder on it.

When I see mail at someone's
house, I feel it. It feels different
from mine, no powder on it.

As a matter of fact, UPS
and Fed-Ex delivered packages
have the same powdery feel.

Now, here's a possible
paragraph one scenario.

"Who is it?"

"Delivery."

"Leave it."

"I need a signature."

I slowly pulled the door open,
and a hand reached out...

What are your thoughts?

The drama, issue,
curves-out your plot.
How the drama, issue,
is resolved unfolds your
plot.

In other words, plot is
the problem in your story.
How the problem is solved
reveals your plot.

"How?" You asked.

Your main character and
his/her issue, drama, is
introduced. Show the
character's mood, age,
and play it out on a
specific setting.

Hint at something is
going to happen. Stir-in
other characters.

Allow the characters to
chat, gossip, about what
they think will happen. Of
course, their accounts are
worse. Perhaps, a character
is right? It depends on how
you want the story disclosed.

I suggest that you work
with the first person
viewpoint, I.

This means the story
is told by a specific
character.

Some say that's a
disadvantage.

"Why?" You
questioned.

The viewpoint character
isn't in every scene,
and readers find out
information through
that character.

Still, the first person
viewpoint is easy to
work with.

Remember, a short
story's pace is fast.
There's no room to
give long descriptions.

The word count on a
short story is from
500-900 words.

Naturally, it addresses
one issue.

Every report is brief,
to the point.

The idea is to excite the
reader's imagination,
emotions.

Use dialogue to mix-in
joy, sorrow, love, or hate.
Dialogue mimics speech.
It stirs-up conflict, sets a
specific mood, and
contributes to advancing
the story.

Let's look at an
example.

"How are you, today?"


The greeting is boring.
Instead write, "How ya?"
or
"What up?"

A character learns,
grows, from his/her
encounter. The end of
the story brings a lesson
learned about life, him/herself,
the world, and he/she is
changed.

Michael Jackson: Lost Child-Hood

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

The young boy who danced, moved, in
ways unseen. He changed the pop
world, challenged causes, and
charmed the world.

There was something mysterious
about him. We saw the heights
and lows his life took.

Fame is two-sided. Few realize
that fact until it's too late.

There's a price to be paid
for fame. You must give-up
something, lot, for it.

Sometimes, it's too
costly.

Along the rode to his
dream, fame, he gave-up
his child-hood.

As result, we saw the
darker side of this giant
talent.

A talent that knew no
boundaries. One which
could have reached any
star.

Only, sexual abuse allegations
against children scarred his
reputation. Although, they
were unproven.

The years of longing for a
child-hood, loneliness,
and illness took its toll
on him.

It seems to be the norm
to fill the hands of
our talented, giants,
and icons with
drugs in any form.

He, too, fell into
the trap.

One that is under
the influence of
chemical substances
can't say, "No!"

Who speaks for one
that is under? Whose
fault is his death?

Or, blame can't be
placed?

The pop icon was worshipped
in different cultures. He paved
the way for others.

The man created a home
children would adore.

He wanted his child-hood
back, but life doesn't
work that way.

You can't change an
instance in life, mis-spoken
word, or re-live your
child-hood.

Still, it's no denying
his robust energy, the thrill
he gave audiences, and joy
he projected from the stage.

The eleven-year-old kid that
splashed on stage grew
into a prince, institution.

He left a global star.
One achievement was to
open main-stream music
for Blacks. They, now, show-
case their tunes to the main-
stream in music, and doing
well.

Michael Jackson showered
the world with his unique
flavor, style. Now, he rests.

What Everybody Ought To Know About Transitions

Have a question? Agree, disagree, with me?
Leave me your opinion.

Transitions takes the reader,
by the hand, from one idea
to the next. They help people
understand how a point was
reached, and smoothly connect
it to the next point.

A transitional word, sentence,
or phrase smoothly moves
the reader along, and establishes
a logical approach to paragraphs.

A transitional word is written at
the beginning of a new paragraph,
but can be placed at the end of
a paragraph too.

Strange odors come from my
neighbor's house. The smells
resemble sulfur, and some
my nose have never encountered.

In the market, a broken down
refrigerator had an offensive
odor. The same kind of smell
comes through the wall from
my neighbor's house.

"Where did that come from?"
You asked.

I didn't use a transitional
word or sentence. Therefore,
you were thrown-off the
smooth path of logical
reading. It shook you,
and you wondered if you
missed the point.

Here's an example of
using transitions.

I arrived late at
the meeting, and
my back burned from
the eyes barreling
down on it.

In spite of it, I managed
to get a long applaud
after my presentation.

In spite of it leads you
smoothly to the next
sentence.

I'll list some transitional
words, phrases.

At least, however, in spite
of, on one hand, nevertheless,
in contrast, and rather.

I'll give another example.

The two boys bickered,
and fought all night. I
tried to get them to
compromise. They, even,
disagreed about that.

However, I gave them no
choice, and they decided
to talk about the problem
next week.

At least, the line of
communication is...

Now, transitional words
are used to distinguish
a sequence of events
as in the following.

First, they took the
house apart, and left it.

Second, I called their
boss, and he...

Next, I gathered the
courage...

Finally, the owner...

Look at another example.

I'll explain what happened
on that frightful day.

First, I arrived. There were
no tell-tale signs of what
awaited me inside.

Second, I found the
emergency key, and slid
it in the lock.

Third, a man snatched the
door open.

"Where is Tara?" I asked.
"We agreed to meet at
the mall."

Her brother joined
the man at the door.
Her brother, Joe, rolled
his eyes to the ceiling,
coughed.

Finally, he grabbed...

Are you beginning to
see how transitions
are used?

How would you have
written the above
paragraphs?

I suggest to write
transitions in non-fiction,
or fiction. Place the
transitions in, and
re-arrange them. Make
the piece better by shifting
the transitions.

Keep editing until
you've decided
it's ready.

In closing, what
everybody ought to
know about transitions
is clear. They make
your writing easier to
understand, and more
enjoyable.

You Want To Write A Book?

Have a question? Agree, disagree, with
me? Leave me your opinion.

"I want to write a book."
Several people have told
me.

It's a rewarding journey.
It involves writing, re-writing,
but well worth the effort.

I know the excuses that
you give yourself.

I gave myself reasons to
avoid writing book length
work too.

I don't have time, not sure
where to start, no one
will like my book, and/or
where will I write?

You're giving yourself
excuses for not writing.
Instead, find time during
the day or night to write.

It takes several weeks,
years, to complete a
novel. It depends on
you.

What will your book be?
Fiction or non-fiction?

My book is a work of
fiction.

Your writing time should
be in a place just for
writing. Tune-out
everything else.

This means turning-off
your cell phone, television,
ignore loud neighbors,
and write your book.

Today, I'm going to
discuss fiction.

Start by deciding on
what the book will be
about. Create characters,
and a setting.

My setting was any urban
city USA.

Where will the
story take place?
Locked Library?
City? Rural?
In the middle of
a crowded
restaurant? Or,
a country different
from your own?

Make a profile for each
character. Will the main
character have a limp, blue
eyed? Or, a female with
a rude manner? Still,
she has many friends? Or
not? Educational back-ground?
Employed?

Profiles contain any information
you feel a character should
have.

What problem will the main
character be forced to resolve?

The main character in my novel
had to find a way out of a dare,
and handle her female boss'
sexual harassment.

Long fiction, book length,
has more than one problem
to address.

Chapter one introduces
the main character, and the
problems he/she is engulfed
in.

Other characters are stirred
in. The secondary characters
must move the story along,
and not just take-up space.

Write two or three pages daily.
Write for, at least, two hours.

The first write-up is a
draft. There will be time
to edit. For now, write.

Make sure, there's
plenty of conflict,
suspense.

A character must try
to succeed a minimum
of three times before
reaching his/her goal.

Throw obstacles at him/her.
Have a scene where the main
character almost makes it,
but some force ruins it. Or,
the opposing character
spoils it.

Show the character's reaction
to this disappointment.

At the end of the story,
a character is different.
Perhaps, he/she learned
to stand-up for him/herself.
Found a new meaning to
his/her life?

The change is for the
better, or worse.

Always explain any
issues introduced
during the story, or solve
them.

Don't dream about writing
a book. Do it. I know
you can.

Simply, believe in yourself.

Here Is A Method That Is Helping Me To Write More

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

There's a method that is helping me
write more. I had no idea inspiration
comes from this source. It's easy to
over-look this vast source of writing
ideas.

I'm sure this ready-supply of
ideas are all around you too.

"What is it?" You questioned.

The method that's helping me
write more is people's behavior.

Yes, people's behavior.

People around you, at work,
those you pass outside, people
in various places like the market,
some making news, and
celebrities.

There exists endless writing
ideas based on people's
behavior. Shape the writing
ideas into fiction, non-fiction,
essays, or poems.

Some of my neighbors, for
example, bird call in the early
morning hours.

Yes, they imitate the sounds
birds make.

This morning, it started
around 3:30 a.m.

"Why?" You pondered.

I have no idea, and don't
want to know.

Are they insane?

However, it stirs to mind
writing ideas.

The behavior can be
researched, and an essay
written.

Possible title: Joblessness
Plays With The Mind.

Joblessness hurts some so
badly until they find ways to
harass others. They see it
as funny, but their actions
reflect badly on them.

It's truly sad when they
have their children
acting in such a
disrespectful manner.

I don't want to think
about the cruel adults
those children will
spawn into.

The behavior depicts...

A second idea follows.

It's of teens roaming
out of control. He/she
steals, sell drugs, and
anything else he/she
wants to do.

Specific behavior
come to mind? What
will you write?

I, too, see this kind
of behavior in my
neighborhood.

People gun their
vehicle engines as
they pass my house.
Buses, cars, and trucks
do it.

On June 7, 2009, people
roared their engines from
the early morning hours
until night.

Now, the street is small.
Accidents have happened
on it.

One day, a corner house
leaned, and fell to the
ground.

Now, I can't be certain
the buses, cars,
and trucks toppled
it.

One idea is to pin-point
the male who had an
accident at the corner.

He couldn't stop, and hit
a wall.

Only, the next day, the
wall looked like usual.

The car was gone.

Hmm. Who removed
the car, and fixed the wall?
Human or other?

In conclusion, there are
many writing ideas that
can be based on people's
actions. Sift around your
neighborhood, and see
the writing ideas that
jump-out at you.

Notice people's behavior.
Jot-down the writing
ideas that you want to
explore.

Writing Ideas From Life

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

In high school, an English teacher
noticed my flair for word creations.


"You have a way with words."


"Uh huh." I nodded, didn't mean
much to me.
.
I continued my education, and
began to appreciate my writing
ability.


Still, I pushed away the idea of
taking it seriously.

The degree and I found a job,
planned to retire from it.


The unthinkable happened. I was,
unjustly, fired.

Devastated covered only one of
the emotions I felt.

"Why?" you asked


My former manager and
co-workers weren't happy
with taking away my
livelihood.

They took it to the street.

My neighbors began being
rude, to put it lightly. Now,
I spoke to them, but they
weren't friends.

Strangers bumped into me
as they passed on the
street.

I was forced to call the
Philadelphia Police.

They were the first on
the scene to take me
seriously. They came
to my aid. I was a person
with no money, and no
connections. Yet, they
found my complaint had
substance.

The tears dried up.

I turned to writing a detailed
account of what happened at
my former job, but fictionalized
it.

Besides, I was unable to
get a job. I sent out over
one-hundred resumes.

All kinds of doubts
invaded my thoughts
about my novel.

Can I do it? Would anyone
buy it? Publisher? Maybe,
an agent?

I shoved those writing-stoppers
away.


I wrote the novel, not sure where
to go with it.

I found someone to critique it, but
her rates were too expensive.

"I'm cheap compared to others."
She assured.

"It's just that my funds are limited.
My elderly mother shares her food
with me."

"Good luck."

I trashed paragraphs, and improved
the plot. From time to time, peppered
it with more suspense.

I crossed paths with an agent, sent
him the manuscript. He returned it
with a scribbled note that read,
"Work on it."

I did. A telephone call or two from
him showed me my book was
not on his submit to a publisher
list. I moved on.

Next, I enrolled in a writing, mail-
order, course. The instructor
had the option of recommending
a student's work for publication
with the school.

Of course, my manuscript failed
to get picked.

I tried a second attempt at taking
the course, and my manuscript
was tossed back into my hands.

It was time to read on my own.
The goal was to get a better
understanding of plot, suspense,
and breaking into the writing
world.

Surprisingly, no one explained
the reason(s) my manuscript
wasn't acceptable.

So, it was up to me.

When I critique someone's work,
I explain my comments. I tell
people why their work will be
rejected. It's the humane thing
to do.

After studying on my own, I
managed to pin-point, correct,
errors.


Meanwhile, my search for a
publisher went on.

My efforts paid-off.


Life gave me the writing idea,
and I had the courage to use
it.

My novel, Grave Street House, was
published.


At any given moment, life will
throw dirt at me, you. I'll write
about it. What will you do?

In closing, life gives us many writing
ideas. Some are funny, and easily
written about. Others take effort to
write about.
*******************************************
An excerpt from my novel, Grave Street
House.

"Amanda, few of us are goin' to the club.
Come with?"
"No, I have to get home, because my
mother wasn't..."
"Not gonna last long 'round here with
that attitude."
"I'll go another time."
"Has to be now."
"Why didn't you let me know before the
last minute?"
"That's why they say stuck-up using ya're
name." She rolled her eyes.
The trust I had for them added up to
zero. The thought of going out with them made
me uneasy. A trick? The way they talked
openly, loud in the work area. It showed they
were capable of doing anything. I preferred
not to be in their company.
On the other hand, if I joined them at the
club, how bad could it be with others around?
Plus, if I go now, never again.
"All right, I'll go out with you one time."

To Write, Or Not

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

"Id like to be a writer, but
I can't find the time." I've
heard several say.

It's a must to push pass
excuses for not writing.
There are two choices for
you. They are to write, or
not.

Don't give yourself any
excuses as to why you
aren't writing.

Instead, find time to
jot ideas down. Later,
edit, and explore the
idea.

Set your alarm one hour
or two earlier to get writing
time. Scribble notes down
on a break, at lunch. Try
idea gathering as you
commute home, before bed,
or while relaxing in front of
the television.

You witnessed an interesting
event? Heard idea provoking
chat as you passed several
people? Take a few moments
to write your thoughts down.
It counts as writing time.

Let's look at why passionate
writers are successful.

Passionate writers are
successful, because they find
time to write.

Passionate writers squeeze-
out some portion of their day
for writing, and so must you.

Perhaps, the time you spend
in the bathroom is your writing
get-a-way.

Have a writing session as you
enjoy coffee, tea, or orange
juice.

Think of reasons to write.
It frees you. Enlightens
you? You have something
to contribute to the world?
It stresses you down? You
have a story to tell.

Get into the habit of
writing at the same time.
This good habit is practiced
everyday. Stay there a
minimum of two hours.
This is your time.

Bring inspiration. Inspiration
is a quote, favorite book,
poem that needs your touch,
or a note to yourself.

A possible note: I will write
at four o'clock. Repeat it
to yourself throughout the
day.

It becomes a goal, something
to look forward to. A dream
in the making. Connect to it,
realize your potential.

Look at a possible
writing idea from my life.

The city I live in gave me a
fine.

"Why?" You asked.

The fine was for litter.
Yes, litter.

I place my trash bags out
every week, at the same
time. This is a habit, like
brushing my teeth.

On a particular day, a violation
notice was pushed in my door.

I paid the violation.

Now, three and four weeks
after payment, the city is still
sending me a bill.

I'm being billed for the original
fine, and penalty. The penalty
is as much as the original bill.

I referenced it to point-out
the fact that life gives us
writing ideas.

There are endless ideas
running to my mind about
the litter fine.

Find the passion in you,
and don't make excuses
for not writing.

In closing, push pass
writing excuses by
doing the simple act of
writing.

MY Bout With The Internet

I couldn't get an Internet connection.
The Internet's modem kept blinking,
but wouldn't connect.

I called Comcast. The representative
was present.

A week later, the technician
arrived.

He stole our box(modem) that
my son paid for.

I wasn't sure which box my
son acquired on the sell-n-buy
anything web site. At the time,
he was away at college.

"I can only get in Comcast
boxes." The technician
fibbed. "If it wasn't ours
I couldn't get in it."

The next day or so, the
Internet connection went
down again.

Now, my son arrived home
from college, and telephoned
Comcast. He explained
about the stolen box.

Comcast should have just
referred him to Never-Never
Land.

"Why?" You asked.

The information was
useless.

Comcast scheduled
a visit two days after
my son called.

Now, while my son was on
the telephone with Comcast,
he was able to get on the
Internet. After he hung-up,
the connection was gone.

I tried to get an Internet
connection every-day it
was down.

On a random day, I tried to
get on the Internet. It allowed
me, and then disconnected.

Sometimes, I was able to
get a connection, but it would
immediately disconnect.

One time, I was in chat when
the Internet stopped working.

Actually, I kept the connection
to chat, but everything else
failed.

"What do you mean?" You
questioned.

I was explaining my problems
with the Internet in chat. I'd
log-on, but the connection
disappeared within seconds.
I was telling those in chat how
Internet Explorer wasn't making
a connection.

"Reboot." Someone
suggested.

I did.

Still, I was able to get into
chat, but Internet Explorer
refused to connect. Or,
it didn't connect.

Without warning, I was
kicked out of chat.

I re-booted, and my
Internet connection was no
more.

My family grilled that
Saturday.

The next day, Sunday,
Comcast was scheduled
to come fix the Internet
connection.

"There's a Comcast truck
parking across the street."
My son stared.

"They must be fixing someone's
cable service," I replied. "I'll
be glad when our service is
repaired."

Soon after, we cleared everything
away.

"The Internet is on." Someone
informed me.

"Probably for minutes at a time
until it's fixed." I continued with
the dishes.

"My Internet is on." My son
said.

So, my son waited for the
appointment day to cancel.

He was told that the appointment
had been canceled. The technician
took care of the problem yesterday.

Now, I had no idea that
Comcast fixed our Internet
connection the day before.

My mind spun-out a possible
writing idea. Take a look.

Connection To Internet
666.

A character logs on to
the dark side of the
Internet. He/she is
unable to connect to
Yahoo, Twitter, Google,
etc.

In closing, my down
Internet connection
inspired a writing idea.
Sometimes, writing ideas
come from anywhere,
everywhere.

Who Else Wants A Cure For Writer's Block?

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

I'm told writer's block happens
when you're on a dead-line,
need a chapter start, right
words for a poem, or a certain
article.

I'm cured of writer's block.
I can't remember having it.

"You're joking, right?"
You scoffed.

I find a word, object,
person, or animal to
ignite an idea.

You can be given anything
to write about, and this
technique will cure
writer's block. Test
it.

Look around you. Pick the
first object, person, that
your eyes see.

It's a game to writing.

There are variations, but
I'll work with the following
version.

My eyes landed on
the radio. The first letter
of radio is spun into five
other R words.

My words are Ralph,
random, road, roll, and
rat. The words are off the
top of my head.

The game to writing will
cure your writer's block.

Take a look.

On Halloween night,
Ralph ran into an old
friend.

"Millie, that you?
Ralph, from high school."
He pointed at himself.

"Right." She stared
forward. "Let's get on
the road, leave this bar."

"I have to get home to my
wife."

"Too bad." She smirked.
"We coulda had a roll while
on the road. Get it?"

"Nah, gotta get home."

"You don't do random?"

"I'll take you home." He
offered.

"All 'ight."

"They left the bar.

Suddenly, she blasted
him with foul names as
they reached his car.

"Ralph, you were the rat who
killed...

How would you continue it?

The game to writing is fun,
and the possibilities are
endless.

Say the following sentence
six times, fast, and no pauses.

Ralph rolled randomly 'round
the road.

Try creating a poem with
your letter. My letter is R.
Add other words beginning
with R.

My attempt at a poem.

*Ralph ranted about roses
roll them away
runny nose
nasal cavities will pay*

Play the game to writing
if you need a chapter start,
when writer's block stopped
you in the middle of an article,
or to create a new idea.

Also, the object your eyes
land on can be researched.
The game to writing allows
flexibility, and opens
options.

The more you use the game
to writing, the easier it is.
You'll change it to fit your
writing needs.

Experiment with it. Leave
me a comment about how
it helped you. Did you find
a new version? Or, it didn't
help you?

In conclusion, the game to
writing is the cure for writer's
block. It requires you to sit
down and write.

Twitter Inspires You To Write Better

Have a question? Agree, disagree, with me?
Leave me your opinion.

Twitter is a web site for people to
make friends, keep in contact
with old ones, give a holla-out
to neighbors, and a shout-out
to co-workers.

"Who should sign-up for a
Twitter account?" You
asked.

It accommodates people from
every walk of life. There are
writers, marketers, publishers,
coaches, freelancers from
every field imaginable,
and the list goes on.

"How can Twitter make me
a better writer?" You
coughed.

First, get an account.
Type Twitter: "What are
you doing?" in your
search engine.

Click on: "Twitter--What are
you doing?"

The Twitter web site pops
up, and then create an
account.

Twitter inspires you to
write better by limiting
your writing space.

You are allowed one
hundred and forty characters
to convey a message.
The spaces between words,
any symbols used, letters,
and punctuation count.

Twitter inspires the best
from you by pushing
your think mode button.
You have no choice, but
to be concise.

You stumble-fumble to
find the perfect word,
combination of words,
to paint an exact written
picture.

There isn't space to be
chatty, or provide bloated
words. Get to the point.
It's essential you select
words wisely.

Look at words upside down,
inside out, to find descriptive
words. Or, use as few words
as possible to display your
idea.

"What do you mean?" A few
questioned.

Gather up verbs to sprinkle
throughout your post.

Obliterate the adverb-adjective
using tendency.

It's normal to type more than
Twitter has room for. Simply,
try again.

Here's an idea. Aim for
Twitter's capacity. Type your
post elsewhere. Did you meet
the limit?

If yes, good job.

If no, take out all the words
just taking up space. Any
word not vital to the meaning
of your post, delete it. Are
you using verbs? Mix in
short words.

I, personally, look forward to
Retweet(RT). Retweet is an
accepted practice on Twitter.

It's done by copying someone's
text into the box: "What are you
doing now?"

Here is how you'd "Retweet"
this post.

You start with "RT" or "Retweet,"
and my name.

RT @marcellaglenn Twitter Inspires
You To Write Better.

High-light the post with your cursor,
and copy it.

Click the "Update" button, and
you're done.

In closing, Twitter inspires you
to write better by confining your
writing space. It demands your
best writing.

How To Write Through Fear

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

First, find a place to call your
writing space, office, writing
area, writing corner, or
somewhere your writing ideas
can run free.

Visit everyday. Yes, write
everyday.

"How long should I spend
writing?" You asked.

Write, at least, two hours
per day.

Mix your fear of writing up
into fiction, or a great piece
of non-fiction.

"What do you mean?"
Someone asked.

What do you fear? Why?

Write down the reasons
for your fear. Look at
what you wrote.

Create a character to
work through a fear
in fiction. Place him/her
in a setting comfortable
for you.

Get over any fear by writing
about it through a character,
and then come to terms with
it.

Writing through a fear helps
you understand it better.

It's possible you'll want to
do some research, and
write an article about it.
An essay on it is interesting.
A poem?

Also, another idea is to
have various characters
work through different
fears.

Here are some questions to
ask yourself before working
a character through fear.

Should a male or female
be best in that role? How
will the character look?
He/she will show signs of
the fear?. Will the character's
behavior point to which
fear? His/her appearance?
His/her speech pattern? The
character's quirks a result of
the fear?

What age should the
character be? Where will
he/she live? City? Suburbs?
Rural area?

Should height of the character
be included? Educational
back-ground? Is there
anything else you need
to stir-in?

If you're not ready to attach
your name to a work, use a
pseudonym. It's a pen name.

There's an added benefit to
writing through your fear.
It's therapeutic. Writing
everyday about a fear helps
you deal with it, and move on.
You're less stressful about it,
and happier.

It's a big step toward healing.

This is how my novel, Grave
Street House, was born.

It started out as a poem.
I kept writing until I realized
a novel was in the making.

Always, turn ideas upside
down to get other ideas.

Write about someone
else's fear. A friend?
Neighbor? Co-worker?
Associate?

In closing, write through a
fear to gain knowledge,
and live better. Perhaps,
you'll write a master-piece
as a fear is worked through.

Hook The Reader

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

As in life, you get seconds to make
a good impression. The window to
hook the reader's attention is narrow.

So, on page one or paragraph
one, start the conflict. This is where
the main character tries to succeed,
win, reach a goal, or just feel normal.

Why the main character can't
succeed, win, reach a goal, or
just feel normal is played out on
page one.

This is how you hook the reader,
keep him/her reading until the
story's end.

You begin the story in the
middle of a crisis. The
beginning sets a mood,
tone.

Take a look.

A nagging feeling of dread
blanketed me all afternoon.
I had trouble focusing on my
work.

Still, I pushed through
projects, and managed to get
some work done.

I kept looking over my shoulder
on the train ride home.

The feeling remained as I spoke
to a friend. I couldn't focus on
our conversation.

"What's wrong?" Susie asked.
"You look sick."

"Just a hard day at work,
could be coming down with
something."

"Lata." Her stop rolled-up.

Finally, my stop.

I paced my way home, I
turned down my street.

The closer I came to my
house, the pain intensified.
I slowed down, leaned against
a wall. I took deep breaths.

I prefer not to be sensitive,
but it happens. I don't want
to know when something bad
is about to kick-off.

I collected myself, continued.

I approached my house. The
front door was open. I heard a
man's voice. I turned to leave
when...

==============================

This is how my novel, Grave Street
House, begins.

When I walked onto my street heads
bobbed and turned, some people cried.
They knew the horror awaiting him. A
few drifted into their places of
security. The homeless intruder,
wobbled, stumbled on his way into
the House. They reacted with clear
warnings to stay out. He ignored them.
He, slowed down, whirled his head
toward me with fear in his eyes.

I motioned with my hand for him to
come back. I rushed closer to the
House, forced my way through the
mob of people.

Perspiration beads formed on my
forehead. I strained to take in
enough oxygen. I stopped moving;
terror had me in its grip.

He continued to sway up the worn-out
steps, made a mockery of the
condemned, haunted, Grave Street House.

I tried to run to the old House, to
snatch him away. My feet stuck to the
ground. I trembled.

Surely, he was someone's son, husband,
brother, or father who had sealed his
fate.

Why take shelter there? The House
disliked anyone that entered its
structure. I struggled in place, to
no avail. I took deep breaths.

"Oh no!" I shouted.

The man disappeared into the House.
His footfalls echoed throughout. I
shivered.

In closing, the beginning hooks the
reader with suspense, ask an
interesting question, make a
thought provoking statement, or
create a shocking scene.

How To Bring Characters To Life

Have a question? Agree, disagree, with
me? Leave me your opinion.

Characters, after all the other
ingredients have been added,
bring the story to life. You bring
characters to life through dialogue.

"How do I learn to write dialogue?"
You asked.

There are books available on dialogue,
but I learned more from listening to
people talk.

Go to the mall, any place of business,
and listen to people. For that matter,
keep an ear open to family members,
co-workers, people on public
transportation, or children at play.
You'll be surprised at how people
pronounce common words.

Let's look at various words.

1. Your
--yer
--ya're

2. With
--wit

3. That
--dat

4. Around
--round

5. You
--ya

6. Not
--ain't

7. No
--nah
--naw
--nope

The speech pattern is decided
when you're making the character
profile.

The profiles include height,
weight, educational level, quirks,
origin, beliefs, dreams, and
anything else you want to put in
it.

The profile helps you to know
your character. The better
you know him/her, the easier
it is to write the dialogue,
story.

Let's look at my character,
Delores Young, from the hood.
She is from Any-City, USA.
She's street smart, managed to
graduate twelfth grade, and was
given a job at the local mall.
She has worked at the store for
a year.

"Hey, Dee-Lo." Joy spoke as
Delores passed her on the way
home.

"Hey."

"Ya're goin' to Molly's party?"

"Nah, wasn't invited." Delores
stopped walking.

"Go wit me, no thang." Joy's
eyes swept across the ground.
"There's somethin' I gotta tell
ya."

Now, there are many interesting
paths to take in finishing the
story. What are your ideas about
it?

Dialogue gives characters life-
like presence, and moves the
story along. Dialogue should
pull readers into the story.

Allow dialogue to show who characters
are, and what they are up to. Profile
information is given through dialogue.
A tid-bit of profile information is
shared at a time. In other words,
profile information is disclosed
sparingly.

Dialogue takes the place of
writing paragraphs of description.

Dialogue puts the reader in your
story. He/she hears what's
going on. It's more interesting
than reading tons of information
from the author.

Bring characters to life by using
dialogue that mimics human
speech. Use profiles to make
characters interesting.

Where To Get Writing Ideas

Sit down. Relax. Is there
something someone said that
jumps to mind? A joke you
heard early in the day,
prank, movie you saw, or a
place plays over in your mind?

The last words your co-worker
uttered to you before the day
ended swirls in your mind.

Write about it.

"My neighbor is from another
planet?" She complained.
"She doesn't understand anything
the first time it's explained."

One idea is a neighbor who
changes into an animal at night,
and looks for food to eat. It
could be the reason why the
neighbor needs a re-cap of
the language.

What an interesting plot.

You heard a joke. How many
cats does it take to meow
the first line of Silent
Night?

What could be done with that?

You were dared to prank
someone at work. The person
is your boss.

What twists and turns that
plot would take. The boss is
one of the guys, or stick to
the rules kind of person?

A movie keeps swirling
around your mind. What
view-point are you going
to use. What problem is
there? Make sure what you
write is from your imagination,
or research.

Once you're done, it should
be completely different from
the original.

"Why?" You asked.

It's good practice. Make it
original, avoid the
possibility of the L-word,
litigation. Or, have someone
say you copied it, and you're
not a real writer.

Is there a place that flows
to mind? A dream? It's a
place in the four corners
of your mind. Use it as a
back-ground for fiction, or
non-fiction.

In conclusion, there's no
shortage of where to get
writing ideas. They exist
in the words of co-workers,
jokes, a movie that plays
over in your mind, or a place.
The place may not be real,
but bring it to life.

How To Write A Page Turning Plot

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

What is meant by the four letter
word, plot? The plot, problem,
unfolds to tell a tale. It is the
action that keeps readers wanting
to know the story's end. It thins
down to the structure of your story.

Plot is the idea of a story. A
character almost succeeds, but
some unseen problem, force, creeps
in to frustrate him/her. Happiness
is peeled away.

A character must try and fail, at
least, three times before reaching
a goal.

An obstacle urges a character to
try something, anything, else.

Conflict

On page one, introduce the main
character(s), and show what issue(s)
is involved. The conflict serves
to hold the reader's attention.
People will connect, in some way,
to the story.

He/she could dislike a character,
and want to see how the tale plays
out. You never know who will be
liked or hated in fiction. The
writer's goal is to engage the
reader's attention.

If people aren't hooked by your
fiction, re-read this post. Next,
contact me.

Rising Conflict

Everything, in the story, leads
up to this point. Suspense is
heightened.

Climax

This is where the emotion is
highest, turning point.

Actions Falls

The problem(s) is solved.

Short stories, usually, have one
problem.

In long fiction, more than one
issue is required. A big problem,
and a minor one. Some writers throw
in several complications. Read over
my example.

Mrs. Dawthorne knocked on Thomas'
front door.

He opened it, yawned.

"Curb yer trash. Nobody understands
why ya not takin' it to the curb."
Mrs. Dawthorne argued.

"Yeah, right." Thomas slammed the
door in her face.

Mrs. Dawthorne and her cane
limped home.

He paced down the street to Mrs.
Dawthorne's house as she reached
her bottom step.

"Why ya all up in my business,
old lady?"

People gathered around them. Mrs.
Dawthorne was looked at as the person
everyone turned to with problems.

"Back-up, boy," Mr. Darthy stated.

"Let him go," Mrs. Dawthorne said.

The crowd parted to let Thomas
through.

"I'll get him to curb his trash."
Mrs. Dawthorne told Mr. Darthy as
they walked away.

Everyone dispersed.

The next day, Mrs. Dawthorne went
to Thomas' house, bumped into Gail.
She's Thomas' girl-friend.

"Hey, Gail," Mrs. Dawthorne spoke.

"Hey."

"Thomas won't take his trash to the
curb, and we tired of doin' it for him.
Can you get him to understand that?"

"Ain't my problem. Gail stared at her.
"Ya need to stop hatin'."

"Ya mean leave his garbage on the
porch, and let the summer heat cook-up
a stink."

"Whateva." Gail motioned to unlock
Thomas' front door.

Mrs. Dawthorne fell against Gail in
an attempt to move too fast.

Thomas snatched open the door.
Gail lost her footing as a result of
Thomas' action. She bumped
her head on the porch's rail. Mrs.
Dawthorne broke her fall by grabbing
onto the rail.

Several neighbors rushed to Mrs.
Dawthorne's side, steadied her.

"What the..." Thomas began.

"Accident," Mrs. Dawthorne
interrupted.

"Like I believe that." Thomas told
Gail to get inside of the house.

Gail remained motionless.

Thomas pulled-out his wireless
phone.

"Gail," Mrs. Dawthorne called.

"Get off my porch!" Thomas
ordered.

"Watch how ya talk to her," Mr.
Darthy warned.

"Let's go," Mrs. Dawthorne
commented, "his fault anyways."

Mrs. Dawthorne, Mr. Darthy, and
the others left.

Several hours later, Mrs. Dawthorne
knocked on Thomas' door.

"What?" He positioned the door
between them.

"Just wanted to know how Gail was."

"She all 'ight. No, she ain't go to
the hospital." He closed the front
door back.

"Just curb the garbage!" Mrs.
Dawthorne went home, retired
to bed.

Thomas knocked on Mrs.
Dawthorne's door, the next
morning.

"What do you want?" She hollered
through the door.

"I'm done hasslin'." He paused.
"Ain't no problem with me curbin'
my trash."

Mr. Darthy opened the door.

"That's all we wanted." Mrs.
Dawthorne's eyes rolled to the
floor. "How's Gail?"

"Stubborn, but all 'ight."

Thomas retreated.

In closing, a good plot
boils down to conflict and
suspense. Those two will
hook the reader.