A few tips writers might find helpful.
I have had a day of reading scripts and sadly writing notes which will be the basis of some rejection letters later. A lot of the scripts I receive seem to have the same shortcomings. I am always in two minds about writing blogs about writing tips. As a dyslexic, there is a great irony in offering advice to others about writing. I was chatting with a BVS author the other day and I mentioned my reminder sheet. This piece of paper I laminated and sits in front of my PC monitor. It has been there for about 12 years and the tips on there are as valid today as they were when I printed it out. It was advice from my friend and editor, Laurie Sanders when I was starting out as a writer.
Keep in Character. Don’t just tell the story. Show the reader what is happening. See the scene through the character’s eyes. Use all of the five senses. What do they feel? What do they see? What do they hear? What do they smell? What do they taste?
Make the characters interesting, if the reader does not connect with the characters they will stop reading. Show what makes the characters tick. What is their motivation? Where is the drama? Tension? Conflict?
A deep point of view requires at least three parts of the character’s experience (mental, emotional and physical, consider spiritual.)
Show the emotion. Emotions are not isolated, they are not constants, they come and go. Emotions have shape, color, texture, resonance, volume – describe them that way.
Emotions ebb and flow. They swell grow and expand, they cloak, cocoon, enclose, envelop and overwhelm.
1.) Romance is ABOUT the developing romantic relationship between characters
2.) Relationship stories are ABOUT curing the ills within an existing relationship.
I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, reflections, and stories on writing. Or any views, tips or help you might like to share. Here, the blog, Facebook or Twitter.