I remember going to a book signing for an author that I admire so much. My brother, Peter, and I were the last in line to have our book signed. There he was--a genius of a man, with a really cool white beard and twinkling eyes that spoke so much. We heard him speak earlier, and we have never had such a good time. We got a glimpse into the mind of the creator of our favorite books. I remember perfectly--he signed our books, and then he asked Mom to photograph us three--him, Peter, and I--all holding hands.
That man was Brian Jacques, and he died on February 5th of a heart attack.
Here is his website: Brian Jacques: The Official Website
"A mouse is small and can go unnoticed: but there is no limit to what a brave heart and a fearless spirit can achieve."--Brian Jacques
Showing posts with label Authors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Authors. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Strong Characters and Dark Plots
My friend asked me how to make strong characters, and I thought I'd might as well answer it on here. This is what works for me:
Base them on a real person. A lot of times, I base my main character, at least, on someone I know, including me. Ehra in Sarea for example. She's based on two real people: one friend for personality, and another for looks. If you think you'll get too attached to a character you're going to have die, then...I guess you could make up your own personality or something. I don't usually kill my characters, so I'm not much help there. I also base my bad guys on unsavory characters I know, or even historical ones (such as Sisera from Judges 4, or Judas Iscariot from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Basing them on real people helps when you aren't quite sure how your character would react in a situation; simply have them act like the person they're based on would.
Put some of their background into it. Add something more personal about them, so the reader really feels that they know the character. I added a few pages in Sarea when Ehra is talking to her parents, whom she has a very close relationship with. I also added a chapter when Ehra and her sister are chatting with some gossipy village girls, showing how different they are.
My friend also asked how she could keep her plot from being so dark and gloomy. My suggestions are:
Add little children into it. They're so innocent and funny; it lightens up the plot right away. I am naturally very optomistic, so I don't tend to have this problem, but I do have it sometimes. Also add some family into it; if your character is an orphan with a sibling who's her mortal enemy, is running away from a cruel slaverwhile unwittingly falling into a trap their malicious sibling has set, it would make for an interesting story line, but it'd be extremely dark and...not very family-friendly.
Any more suggestions, anybody?
Izori
Base them on a real person. A lot of times, I base my main character, at least, on someone I know, including me. Ehra in Sarea for example. She's based on two real people: one friend for personality, and another for looks. If you think you'll get too attached to a character you're going to have die, then...I guess you could make up your own personality or something. I don't usually kill my characters, so I'm not much help there. I also base my bad guys on unsavory characters I know, or even historical ones (such as Sisera from Judges 4, or Judas Iscariot from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Basing them on real people helps when you aren't quite sure how your character would react in a situation; simply have them act like the person they're based on would.
Put some of their background into it. Add something more personal about them, so the reader really feels that they know the character. I added a few pages in Sarea when Ehra is talking to her parents, whom she has a very close relationship with. I also added a chapter when Ehra and her sister are chatting with some gossipy village girls, showing how different they are.
My friend also asked how she could keep her plot from being so dark and gloomy. My suggestions are:
Add little children into it. They're so innocent and funny; it lightens up the plot right away. I am naturally very optomistic, so I don't tend to have this problem, but I do have it sometimes. Also add some family into it; if your character is an orphan with a sibling who's her mortal enemy, is running away from a cruel slaverwhile unwittingly falling into a trap their malicious sibling has set, it would make for an interesting story line, but it'd be extremely dark and...not very family-friendly.
Any more suggestions, anybody?
Izori
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Writing Tips II
Tip 4: Plot. A huge part of what makes a book a success is an exciting plot. Usually I don't have much trouble thinking up plot ideas, but sometimes I do. What helps me is to think what I would like in a book. Would I want to read a book with a series of riddles leading to a buried treasure in it, maybe? What would I find exciting? An overthrow of the evil king of the country? How about what would I not find exciting?
Tip 5: Writing a book when you've only thought up the middle. This is a huge problem for me. When I think up books, I tend to think up the middle of them--where the most excitement usually is. So then I know what's going to happen there, but I have the problem of having to think up a beginning. And writing a beginning takes a while; by then I've either forgotten my great idea, I've lost interest, or I've started another book. One of my friends was the first one to bring this concept to me: go ahead and start writing the part you've thought up, and when you're done with that then write the beginning. I haven't actually tried it yet, but it sounds good.
Tip 6: Finishing a book. Another problem for me is that after the novelty of starting a book that's going to be so awesome, and will win awards, and be published and loved world-wide (or so I think :D) wears off, I sort of get sidetracked with a brilliant idea, like I mentioned in Tip 5. I keep my first book in the back of my mind while I'm starting another one. What I do here is make myself sit down. Don't force the ideas to come because then they won't be that great, but I find if I read over my previous work, I'll start to get ideas.
Tip 7: Beginning a book. This is a really hard one. For me, I know the plot, main characters, and what the main characters look like already, but to write about them...well, I have to start the book! Sometimes I like to plunge right into an exciting chase to get the reader hooked, and then I start explaining stuff. Or I could start with describing the scenery and the situation. I use both.
Izori
Tip 5: Writing a book when you've only thought up the middle. This is a huge problem for me. When I think up books, I tend to think up the middle of them--where the most excitement usually is. So then I know what's going to happen there, but I have the problem of having to think up a beginning. And writing a beginning takes a while; by then I've either forgotten my great idea, I've lost interest, or I've started another book. One of my friends was the first one to bring this concept to me: go ahead and start writing the part you've thought up, and when you're done with that then write the beginning. I haven't actually tried it yet, but it sounds good.
Tip 6: Finishing a book. Another problem for me is that after the novelty of starting a book that's going to be so awesome, and will win awards, and be published and loved world-wide (or so I think :D) wears off, I sort of get sidetracked with a brilliant idea, like I mentioned in Tip 5. I keep my first book in the back of my mind while I'm starting another one. What I do here is make myself sit down. Don't force the ideas to come because then they won't be that great, but I find if I read over my previous work, I'll start to get ideas.
Tip 7: Beginning a book. This is a really hard one. For me, I know the plot, main characters, and what the main characters look like already, but to write about them...well, I have to start the book! Sometimes I like to plunge right into an exciting chase to get the reader hooked, and then I start explaining stuff. Or I could start with describing the scenery and the situation. I use both.
Izori
Writing Tips I
I could have used a lot of these when I was a little bit younger. I'm pretty sure you can figure out how to fix a lot in a book if you read a lot of very well-written books.
In no particular order:
Tip 1: Making strong characters. To find out if your book has strong characters or not, have a sibling, friend, or parent read your book, and then ask them what their reaction would be if you made the main character get killed in a sword fight or come to some demise or other. Tell them to be honest. If they tell you that they probably cry or be really mad at the person who killed them, then your characters are very strong and life-like. If they tell you that they wouldn't care much, then you've got a problem (either the reader is heartless, or you have weak and flat characters. But usually it's the second). I still have this problem, and I don't have a particularly good way of fixing it, but the thing I usually try to do is put yourself in your character's shoes. Try to imagine what you would be like in a story, or if the character isn't that like you, imagine a sibling or friend. Or maybe try to descibe their life to the reader, like put some of their background in. Try to really write a good picture of the character.
Tip 2: Lengthening a book. I have that trouble a lot. What I've found best in most cases is put two sides of the story in. I only wrote one of my stories from the perspective of my main character, a teenage girl named Ehra, and the book turned out to be 70 pages. Then I added in the perspectives of some bad guys, and it turned out to be 130 pages! That's a 40 page difference! Also, try to read really long, well written books, like the Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini. He has a lot of description in his books, and his characters have long lines a lot of the time. Of course, you don't have to go overboard with the long lines, but take these examples. Say this is a part in your book:
"Were you able to solve the riddle?"
"No."
You can lengthen it like this:
"Were you able to solve the riddle?"
"No. We tried really hard, and we thought we came close to cracking the code at least once, but it turned out to be wrong. We even tried using the Caesar Cypher, but we can't find anything. I don't think we'll ever be able to solve it!"
That sounds less abrubt, and you lengthened the line considerably. One of those might not make much of a difference, but if you add in long lines and description several times where it's needed, your book could get longer by a few pages.
Tip 3: Thinking up titles for books and chapters. Some people don't have titles for chapters, but everyone (I'm pretty sure) has a book title :D! This, especially the book titles, can get sort of tricky. I usually have thought up a name for my book by the time I'm done with it, but it's hard sometimes. What I do is I name it after my main character, or where the climax of the book takes place. Brian Jacques, for example, names his books "Martin the Warrior", or "Salamandastron", or "Redwall". Christopher Paolini names his "Eragon" or "Brisinger". Chapters are a bit easier; you can just name them after what takes place during it. Like my most recent chapter of "The Return to Elandai", which is named Captured.
That's all for now. There might be more; that's why this post is named "Writing Tips I"
Izori
In no particular order:
Tip 1: Making strong characters. To find out if your book has strong characters or not, have a sibling, friend, or parent read your book, and then ask them what their reaction would be if you made the main character get killed in a sword fight or come to some demise or other. Tell them to be honest. If they tell you that they probably cry or be really mad at the person who killed them, then your characters are very strong and life-like. If they tell you that they wouldn't care much, then you've got a problem (either the reader is heartless, or you have weak and flat characters. But usually it's the second). I still have this problem, and I don't have a particularly good way of fixing it, but the thing I usually try to do is put yourself in your character's shoes. Try to imagine what you would be like in a story, or if the character isn't that like you, imagine a sibling or friend. Or maybe try to descibe their life to the reader, like put some of their background in. Try to really write a good picture of the character.
Tip 2: Lengthening a book. I have that trouble a lot. What I've found best in most cases is put two sides of the story in. I only wrote one of my stories from the perspective of my main character, a teenage girl named Ehra, and the book turned out to be 70 pages. Then I added in the perspectives of some bad guys, and it turned out to be 130 pages! That's a 40 page difference! Also, try to read really long, well written books, like the Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini. He has a lot of description in his books, and his characters have long lines a lot of the time. Of course, you don't have to go overboard with the long lines, but take these examples. Say this is a part in your book:
"Were you able to solve the riddle?"
"No."
You can lengthen it like this:
"Were you able to solve the riddle?"
"No. We tried really hard, and we thought we came close to cracking the code at least once, but it turned out to be wrong. We even tried using the Caesar Cypher, but we can't find anything. I don't think we'll ever be able to solve it!"
That sounds less abrubt, and you lengthened the line considerably. One of those might not make much of a difference, but if you add in long lines and description several times where it's needed, your book could get longer by a few pages.
Tip 3: Thinking up titles for books and chapters. Some people don't have titles for chapters, but everyone (I'm pretty sure) has a book title :D! This, especially the book titles, can get sort of tricky. I usually have thought up a name for my book by the time I'm done with it, but it's hard sometimes. What I do is I name it after my main character, or where the climax of the book takes place. Brian Jacques, for example, names his books "Martin the Warrior", or "Salamandastron", or "Redwall". Christopher Paolini names his "Eragon" or "Brisinger". Chapters are a bit easier; you can just name them after what takes place during it. Like my most recent chapter of "The Return to Elandai", which is named Captured.
That's all for now. There might be more; that's why this post is named "Writing Tips I"
Izori
Thursday, June 25, 2009
New Author Coming Out! (Who also happens to be my baseball coach)
We've been so busy I haven't really had a chance to think up a new chapter for "The Return to Elandai" (and also our computer had to get new memory, which took a day. But it's really fast now:) However, I happen to know of an author who has some books coming out in October. I don't know the title of the books, unfortunately. Tod Stewart is his name, and he also happens to be my baseball coach!!! (That, I believe, is a little unusual). Here is his website.
Izori
Izori
Saturday, June 13, 2009
YTBPA: Catherine WhiteRose
And our second YTBPA (in her own words)
I enjoy writing because it lets me create my own world. I first started writing books when I was about nine.
The only books I am working on now is "The Autumn of The Fall".
It is about an elf who joins a clan (called ROWAN Clan) and strange things start happening since. Now they hear of news that the evil elf FeatherWing is on the move....and his destination? ROWAN Clan.
It is important to know you charaters like a friend. (examples: what is their favorite color? Who are their parents? Do they have any sibblings? If so, how many and what are their names?) This will make your charater more real to you, and though you, the reader.
The book was off of a game we made up in a creek, and based off of real people.
Authors I suggest:
Victoria Kasten
Brian Jacques
Christopher Paolini
Erin Hunter
Alex and Brett Harris
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Izori
Catherine WhiteRose
I enjoy writing because it lets me create my own world. I first started writing books when I was about nine.
The only books I am working on now is "The Autumn of The Fall".
It is about an elf who joins a clan (called ROWAN Clan) and strange things start happening since. Now they hear of news that the evil elf FeatherWing is on the move....and his destination? ROWAN Clan.
It is important to know you charaters like a friend. (examples: what is their favorite color? Who are their parents? Do they have any sibblings? If so, how many and what are their names?) This will make your charater more real to you, and though you, the reader.
The book was off of a game we made up in a creek, and based off of real people.
Authors I suggest:
Victoria Kasten
Brian Jacques
Christopher Paolini
Erin Hunter
Alex and Brett Harris
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Izori
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Our First "YTBPA", Black Jaguar
A "Yet-to-be-published Author (YTBPA)" already! So, without further ado...
Black Jaguar
Writing since he was nine, Black Jaguar does it "'cause it's fun". The books that he's working on now are The Assassin's Knife and The Monster in the Shower. He thinks that the second one mentioned will be published. Black Jaguar's summary of the book: "Something evil, something mysterious, something dangerous is lurking in the shower. And it's up to Wally and Mo, six year old twins, to kill it and protect their home."
The main characters in his book are Wally and Mo, and their older brother, Ryan. Wally is cautious and will probably grow up to be a rocket-scientist. Mo, a daredevil, is a future archeologist, lion tamer, or explorer, and Ryan..."He's a typical older brother," Black Jaguar says. "Gave Wally his first i-pod and gameboy!" None of the main characters are based on anybody in particular, just a mix of personalities Black Jaguar has encountered.
The authors Black Jaguar suggests to read are Brian Jacques, Bill Myers, and John Erickson.
His writing tip is: Don't write for the audience, and don't be dismayed if someone doesn't like your book. There's always going to be someone out there who doesn't like your book.
And there you have it. I might not do the layout like that next time, so they'll all look pretty different. Next time I might do it a lot like a chart.
Izori
The main characters in his book are Wally and Mo, and their older brother, Ryan. Wally is cautious and will probably grow up to be a rocket-scientist. Mo, a daredevil, is a future archeologist, lion tamer, or explorer, and Ryan..."He's a typical older brother," Black Jaguar says. "Gave Wally his first i-pod and gameboy!" None of the main characters are based on anybody in particular, just a mix of personalities Black Jaguar has encountered.
The authors Black Jaguar suggests to read are Brian Jacques, Bill Myers, and John Erickson.
His writing tip is: Don't write for the audience, and don't be dismayed if someone doesn't like your book. There's always going to be someone out there who doesn't like your book.
And there you have it. I might not do the layout like that next time, so they'll all look pretty different. Next time I might do it a lot like a chart.
Izori
"Yet-to-be-published Author"
I had this really cool idea last night. I'm not sure what to call it; I guess it's "Yet-to-be-published Authors". What you would do is you would send me some information on your 'future writing career' (:D) and the book your writing that you think will be published first. Then I'll post it up here, and when your book does get published, it'll be more advertisement! And it's always nice to know that you aren't alone in writing. (Wow, maybe I should be a salesperson, instead of an author. Aren't you convinced?)
If you would like to be a "Yet-to-be-published Author", just answer the questions on the chart below, and then comment your information. I have to approve the comments before they go on my blog, so I'll get it before the rest of you do (haha).
Here's the information. If you have any suggestions to the questions (that rhymes, maybe I should also be a poet), please comment.
Name (blog user name only)
Should I have a link to your blog (not recommended if you have a blog with pictures and information on you and your family, but recommended if you have a writing blog that you would like more publicity):
Books you're writing:
Book that is most likely to be published:
Summary of the book:
Characters in the book (personality, were they based on real people?):
Why you like writing:
When you first started writing books:
Writing Tip(s):
Suggested books/authors to read:
Remember, comment your information if you want to be a "Yet-to-be-published Author".
Izori
If you would like to be a "Yet-to-be-published Author", just answer the questions on the chart below, and then comment your information. I have to approve the comments before they go on my blog, so I'll get it before the rest of you do (haha).
Here's the information. If you have any suggestions to the questions (that rhymes, maybe I should also be a poet), please comment.
Name (blog user name only)
Should I have a link to your blog (not recommended if you have a blog with pictures and information on you and your family, but recommended if you have a writing blog that you would like more publicity):
Books you're writing:
Book that is most likely to be published:
Summary of the book:
Characters in the book (personality, were they based on real people?):
Why you like writing:
When you first started writing books:
Writing Tip(s):
Suggested books/authors to read:
Remember, comment your information if you want to be a "Yet-to-be-published Author".
Izori
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Author Suggestions
Do any of you guys have any favorite authors that I haven't heard about? I'm running out of books to read. The authors whose books I already read are:
Tony DiTerlizzi
Holly Black
Cornelia Funke
Brian Jacques
Christopher Paolini
J.R.R. Tolkien
C.S.S. Lewis
John Flanagan
Robert Elmer
I'm sure there are more floating around in my brain somewhere, but I can't bring any to mind right now. Thanks if you post suggestions.
Izori
Tony DiTerlizzi
Holly Black
Cornelia Funke
Brian Jacques
Christopher Paolini
J.R.R. Tolkien
C.S.S. Lewis
John Flanagan
Robert Elmer
I'm sure there are more floating around in my brain somewhere, but I can't bring any to mind right now. Thanks if you post suggestions.
Izori
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