Characters Succeed When...

People [and Characters] Succeed When They're Given Equal Parts Of CHALLENGE and SUPPORT

Immediately after a teacher at my university said this amazeballs quote, I scribbled it down in my journal quicker than a Snooki on the hunt for an 18 oz. can of spray-on bronzer. *Fist pump, fist pump, fist pump* If you've never watched an episode of Jersey Shore . . . well, then you're missing out on life. Big time.

I got to thinkin' afterwards how wonderfully that statement applies to the life of a writer, and even more specifically the characters we write about. Besides hard work, determination, and the ability to craft intelligible prose, there really are two essential ingredients needed when attempting to cook up an awesome story: CHALLENGE and SUPPORT, the holy duo that makes characters of all shapes and sizes truly dynamic individuals.

None of us like the word "challenge." We don't like to be challenged, and most of us don't find joy in dishing out challenge to our characters, those fantastic creatures frolicking in our head that seem to do no wrong (even when they do). Many of us grow so attached to our characters that when it does come time to take them to that dangerous point in their lives -- or, heaven forbid, kill them off -- we start pulling out our hair and feel chunks of our soul begin to disintegrate. Rather than pushing a character into an uncomfortable situation, we'd rather be hogtied, thrown in a dark corner, and punished with a Backstreet Boys CD on endless loop.

But the truth of the matter is . . . at the end of the day, our characters NEED challenges in order to succeed with their mission, whatever that might be. They'll always have our support, we're their number one cheering section, but unless we give them something to fight for -- something to struggle against or with -- they'll never be able to grow. And if our characters don't do any growing, like The Situation's muscles after being deprived of their Muscle Milk, then our stories won't be nearly as interesting.

In what other ways might this quote apply to our lives as writers? Take those words, put them in your mouth, swish 'em around a bit, and see how they might relate to your personal writing journey.

~Cheers! 

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"Literature high five!"

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On Insanity (The Writerly Kind)

Currently, as I type this, my fingernails are about 4 microns too short and I seriously think my hair is starting to fall out (it's littering the keyboard as I speak). What's even more unsettling is that very rarely do I see a grown up male-ginger with a full head of hair, so I'm starting to think that maybe -- just maybe -- I'll be bald by the time I (if it ever does happen) land an agent. 

Life as a writer is stressful, and while we strive ever so hard to practice patience, sometimes -- most times! -- it just ain't easy. Not even a little. Whether you're trying to finish that damn novel, whether you're struggling to get through a series of tough edits, whether your bitchy characters are punching you in the face, whether you're waiting on a batch of query responses, whether you're at a loss for words . . . the right dosage of patience and the proper attitude to handle the situation can be tough to locate. Chances are you might go a little insane in the process. But that's okay, right? A little insanity never hurts anyone, especially a writer. 

(Just think about how many voices we have circulating around in our heads. If that's not constant insanity, then IDK what is!)

What I'm trying to say is that we're all going to experience road bumps, potholes, or hella awful magical spells that cripple us as we attempt to navigate our way through this crazy I-Freakin'-Need-An-Agent-Now-Or-I'll-Spontaneously-Combust Literary World. There are ups, and there are most certainly downs. So when you find yourself in that low spot, the very bottom of your world, don't panic. Take a minute and just think there. Walk around a little. Explore. You never know what new ideas you might be able to find, or the new characters you might stumble upon, or the new voices you might discover there.

Ursala K. Le Guin, one of my favorite fantasy authors, once said: "To light a candle is to cast a shadow."

Whenever we embark upon a new story, it's like we're lighting a candle. That glowing new idea bursts to life, casting an unbelievable light over our world that keeps us going and keeps us excited. But soon, the shadows become apparent. Eventually, the flame might start to die. You start to notice the plot holes in your story, the deficiencies in your characters, the lack of world building, and a whole crapload of other things that make you want to scream. When that happens, don't give up. Don't snuff out the candle completely. 

Sit down at your computer. Take a few deep breaths. Get out those matches (or prepare to utter your flame-producing incantation of choice). . .

And reignite that flame!

When the going gets tough, don't stop. In the words of Kanye West, get going "harder, better, faster, stronger." 

Cheers!

A Neglected Blog!

Wow, when people say to keep a blog, they probably mean to keep one that is updated more than once a month. So, it's my July resolution to increase the frequency of my posts!

I've been editing my manuscript lately and I think it's reached a point I'm borderline happy with -- though I continue to alter little things that I suddenly realize need changing.

These minor epiphanies usually arise just as I'm about to drift off to sleep. . .

Are their periods in your day that prompt sudden realizations regarding your work more than others?

Bye for now. Happy writing.

The Intense Urge to Query. . .

"No, no, no, no, it's not ready yet . . . but, oh boy *jumps up and down in seat, experiences minor convulsions of excitement* do I want to throw a query out there."

After dedicating many a night to getting those first 65K down on the page, the final sentence (the point when the glorious angels sing a Hallelujah chorus in your ears) seems like a sigh of relief. Immediately, we feel a rapid succession of thoughts (hopes and dreams) fly through our heads. . .

I'm going to query this novel. Agents will love it. I'll get a call. Oh, boy, what should I say? Gonna' play it cool. Gonna get an offer of rep. Agent-spectacular-the-most-awesome-person-in-the-world will pitch my novel. Yay, editors will like me. Go me! Yay, editors like me--but do they really? All my hard work wasn't for nothing. The manuscript will go into production. Maybe someday I'll see it on the shelves. OMG, time for author readings already? Want me to sign your book? "OH, please, please, please! Gosh, I'll die if you don't," you dream of a fan saying. The book will be a hit. Smashing success. Wow. NYT bestseller? Wow. Book two?

Ha ha. WRONG. Now I'm going to go barf from all the above sarcasm.

No matter how realistic of a person you are, it's nearly impossible to fight off that whirlwind of thoughts. I think, especially after you've spent countless hours listening to those unruly/snarky/humble/curious/badass/fearful/beautiful/grotesque/amoral/virtuous characters of yours, that you have a right to celebrate. But only a little. Don't go throwing around an unfinished query letter for an unedited novel. Eat a chocolate croissant, or down a box of donut holes, instead. 

I think it's healthy to let our minds go places as writers; it's healthy to let them wander toward the dreams we one day wish to fulfill. I honestly think that's what keeps us going. Sometimes, though, we just need to pull back the reins a bit (as I'm struggling to do) and take our time. In the end, I think our novels will thank us and our chances of landing Mr./Ms. Agent-spectacular-the-most-awesome-person-in-the-world will significantly improve.

A Character/Real Person from Alaska Visited the Blog

Hello. This is the shortest post that will probably ever be logged here. However, I just discovered the STATS feature on Blogger, and noticed I've had a visitor from Alaska.

If you're out there, Mr./Ms. Alaska person, you should definitely join my blog. I like Alaskans. We can talk about writing, etc. etc. and all things writerly.

On Critique Groups

I'm working hard to get a YA/Children's critique group started in the Portland area. If you're a Portland based writer and you happen to stumble across this blog, shoot me an e-mail, or check out the above tab labelled Rip City Writers.

We're going to have a blast this summer writing, writing, writing!

Characters, What Makes Them Tick?

I've always been told that when introducing a reader to a character, the most important thing to do--first and foremost--is to establish their wants. Let the reader know exactly what they desire, even if it's a grilled cheese sandwich.

But is that it? Just because you know they want a grilled cheese sandwich doesn't make you want to flag them down on the street and say "Hey, wanna' go get a cup of coffee?" Just because I know they want something doesn't make me care any more or less about them--they're simply a person, a common, everyday individual. And interesting stories aren't--as much as we'd like to think they are--about common individuals. The only reason people want to read a story is because it takes a common problem and makes it uncommon--or plants a common problem in a fantastic situation.

It soon becomes a question of not only what they want, but why they want it.

However, even after these two elements have been established, we're still left wanting more. We are just never satisfied, are we? Next, we want to know what will stand in their way? Unless there are hurdles and/or pitfalls along the road on which they're embarking upon, no reader in the world will care if they trip, get stabbed, or curl up in a dark hole.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, I have channeled my inner mathematician to devise a formula, which I think is quite reasonable.

(Their Wants + Their Reasons) + (The Challenges x The Antagonist) =

A *hopefully* Spicy Character on a Heroic Journey

Hello World!

Hello world. I've decided to start a blog documenting my journey as a writer, reader, and any other ramblings that seem pertinent to the publishing industry--which I hope to one day traverse with a novel of my own.

I'm looking forward to throwing myself out there into the writing cyber-community. From what I've gathered, everyone seems pretty friendly, right? I think so *chomps on nails*

I plan on updating this a few times a week, so, if by some strange twist of the universe, you stumble across my fun lil' blog . . . please join! I always love to talk, especially via words on the internet; I think there's a certain magic to establishing a connection with someone simply via words! And, if you're a writer (especially of YA fiction) looking for a critique partner, I'm always looking for a fun person to crit with.

Talk with you soon (though, right now, Nick, we're probably just having a straight up conversation with ourself).