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Posts by Carly Sandifer

Mar 22

What’s the worst thing you can do to your character and why?

One thing about writing that’s hard for me is being mean to my characters, well at least most of them. I suspect that certain scenes we write are our way of acting out and doing things fictionally that we can’t do in real life. But stories need conflict and so we have to do horrible things to characters at times so they can grow and change and we can advance the story. (Although I draw the line at hurting the dog.)

So what are some guidelines for doing this? Writer K.M. Weiland says the point is to not only up the stakes and create conflict, but to generate character growth and advance the character’s personal arc.

For more details, watch her 2:26-minute video.

For more inspiration from Weiland, follow her @KMWeiland and visit her website.

Mar 20

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How author Jo Knowles uses storyboarding to imagine her stories

Even though I suspect I have a drawing deficiency, I’m intrigued by drawing and by how writers can use it to outline and build out stories. Drawing can bring ideas and insight to the surface.

So I was especially excited to read an interview that Debbie Ridpath Ohi conducted with award-winning writer Jo Knowles. Knowles has a master’s degree in children’s literature and has taught writing for children in the MFA program at Simmons College.

In this interview posted on Inkygirl.com, Knowles talks about her writing process and how she uses storyboarding to advance her writing. She says creating a storyboard helps her, “get organized, and figure out themes, plot and rhythm of the book.” Read more

Mar 18

An on-the-job lesson in the art of observing

Last week, I was sitting in my cube at work when I heard the squeak and clatter of a cart being wheeled down the aisle near my desk. Since it was on the other side of the wall, I couldn’t see it, but I could hear the man who was pushing the cart sing as he rolled along.

He stopped on the other side of the cube wall near the water machine. I heard the thunk of a big jug of water as he replaced an empty one with the new, then the gurgle of water as it settled in. During all this, the man sang the Michael Jackson song, “The Way You Make Me Feel.” (He had a great voice too.)

As this was happening, I heard the sound of two men talking as they walked towards us down the hall discussing lunch and if the weather might be nice and if they should go out for lunch. The man pushing the cart stopped singing long enough to tell them, “It’s a lovely day.” He resumed singing, and I heard the ding of the elevator bell as he wheeled and bumped his cart into the elevator.

As I reflected on what I’d just heard, I realized that I had a picture in my mind of the scene on the other side of the wall, even though I didn’t see any of the “characters.” It also occurred to me that I probably picked up more sensory details that were auditory due to not being able to see, but only hear, the action around me.

I imagine if I’d been able to watch the action take place, I might have relied more on what I saw than heard, and I might have missed some of the auditory details. Read more

Mar 14

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Is your book title odd? Check these out and vote for the weirdest one

Selecting the right title for your book is important. It draws readers in, helps set the tone for your story, and hints at what’s to come. It can also get the attention of booksellers, agents, and editors.

But what if your title is just plain weird?

Well, for one thing, you might win an award. You can learn more in this Huffington Post article about the Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year.

I like weirdness. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by “How Tea Cosies Changed the World,” (I love a nice tea cosy but never realized they’d changed anything more than the temperature of my tea!). And then there’s “God’s Doodle: The Life and Times of the Penis.” (Does it get any better than that for a title?)

Read about the other odd titles and then vote for your favorite.

While you’re at it, maybe you’ll find inspiration for creating your own title.

For more ideas about book titles, read these One Wild Word posts:

Four tips to choosing a book title
Pick a winning title for your novel, memoir or screenplay

Mar 12

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Out of sorts? Give yourself an injection of writing medicine

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” Ray Bradbury

Do you ever feel distress, unease, or a tinge of depression? It could very well be that you haven’t had your proper dose of writing medicine.

My writing friends and I all agree that we feel out of sorts if we don’t write regularly enough. It’s a good addiction.

If you have the deep desire to write, you must feed it. For many of us, writing is our way of dealing with the reality of life. I believe that to be happy, people must find their creative passion, whether it’s writing, photography, drawing, or volunteering for a cause they love — whatever it is that makes them feel alive in the midst of this sad, happy, crazy world. Read more

Mar 8

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Take Will Smith’s advice and defy the writing enemy

Do you have a piece of writing that you’re afraid to share with the world? You must push beyond the fear, says actor Will Smith.

The ANA Alliance for Family Entertainment, James Lassiter and Will Smith of Overbrook Entertainment are looking for a few talented writers in the America’s Newest Scriptwriter Contest.

“The greatest enemy to doing the things you want to do in this world is fear,” says Will Smith, in a video on the contest website. “The only way to deal with fear is to smash your head against it. Write your work and submit it.”

Smith and film producer James Lassiter, co-founders of Overbrook Entertainment, will judge the contest.

They’ll select two winners — one for a 30-minute comedic script and one for a one-hour dramatic script. Winners will meet with Overbrook Entertainment to discuss opportunities to further develop their scripts. Each winner will receive $5,000. Read more

Mar 6

The 10-Day Blitz: Try this tactic to energize your writing

If you read my previous blog post, you know that my blogging buddy Carol and I are on a mission we’re calling the 10-Day Blitz. We kicked off the Blitz to push forward with our writing and project goals.

We’re huge fans of timed writes. It’s a way we focus and push ourselves to throw words down on the page. (It also works for other projects we want to complete.) Sometimes, we’re able to sit in the same room and write together, and other times we communicate via instant messages or e-mail. One of us sets the timer and notifies the other when to “go in” and when the time is up. This structure helps us focus and complete our writing and other projects. Read more

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