Conflict, Sword Fights, and Monocles?

 I'm going to mix things up and start with...

Our awesome co-hosts this month are Kalpana, Kim Lajevardi, Rebecca Douglass, Jennifer Lane, and Cathrina Constantine!

Today's question: As a writer, do you have favorite themes that you like to explore in your stories? If so, what are they?

REDEMPTION! I especially love this with a villain. But with any character, really. Secondarily, I love the "don't judge a book by it's cover", or things are not what they seem. Isn't it the best when you think you've got the whole plot or a character figured out, but you're wrong? 

This leads me to life. So often, we assume we know what people are thinking.

We don't.

I recently had an interpersonal conflict where my intentions were assumed by the other party, and were completely off base. In turn, I looked at their reactions and tried to understand the why. Still puzzling through it.

Tone of voice? Eye contact? Confidence vs insecurity?

It is imposible to avoid conflict. We can only see through our eyes, the lens that life has shaped for us. It's unique. Without effort, it's impossible to understand another person's perspective.

Thus the need to TALK.

Communication is the #1 problem in 90% of our literary conflicts. Should we be surprised that it's the same thing in every day life?

Because fiction comes from reality.

Along those lines (and carrying on the same theme), we recently release the ULTIMATE conflict song on Spotify. (And all other streaming realms.) 

Please check it out. Share. Enjoy.

How do you deal with conflict? What are your favorite story themes?

How to Inspire Others Like a Boss

Have you ever experienced that moment when someone's eyes lit because what you told them struck hard?

I'm teaching a writing class right now to kids 9 to 13 years old.

With the rare (singular) exception, at the beginning of the school year, every single student told me they don't like writing.

Challenge accepted.

I told them that by the end of the school year, every single one of them would love writing. And then we attacked writing in a way few of them had experienced before: from the heart.

Because I love writing -- sharing ideas that make other people think, smile, laugh, etc. -- I bring that excitement to the classroom. If my students catch fire, meaning they want to communicate the ideas in their heads, they'll be motivated independently to learn the syntax, grammar, etc., I just have to help them find the initial flame.

And I've already heard from a couple parents how pumped their kids are. I can see it in my student's eyes.

Do I expect perfection from these kids? Heck no. Their starting efforts are sloppy and riddled with holes, but they are trying, and with a little guidance, they are improving.

The same is true for people in our lives. We inspire them when we share what's in our hearts, when we reveal the inner fire. You can't inspire someone without a spark.

In other words, you have to BE what you preach.

Our awesome co-hosts this month are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Liza at Middle Passages, JH Moncrieff, and Jemima Pett!

Today's question: Many people are calling for writers who use AI to disclose it. Most who employ ghostwriters do not admit it - do you think authors who use ghostwriters should have to disclose that, too?

Allow me to deviate from the actual question.

Here's where I straight up admit using AI -- to help prompt the twist of a phrase, sometimes to restructure a sentence that is befuddling me, to offers suggestions on imagery...which I usually ignore because, AI. However, if I admit to using AI to the general public, they form this idea that AI writes my stories based on a prompt and I edit a couple things here or there. I suppose what I'm saying is, there's no black and white on this concept. Also, I know kids who have been accused of using AI, simply because they had perfect grammar. This is a problem. So I'll leave that right there. Where do we draw the line?

(I look forward to other's thoughts on ghostwriters.)

Have you been inspired by someone's fire? Have you ever set someone on fire? (Not literally. Come on, folks!) What are your views on AI?

To Series or Not to Series, That is the Question

Everyone loves a good story --

One that engages

One that makes you feel

One that ends.

I started reading a book series a year ago, recommended by a friend, and 8 books in, I read the grand conclusion...only to learn there were an anticipated 8 more books to come. Over the next decade. (That number has since been upped and last I heard, it's supposed to be 22 books in total!!!  !!!)

Ugh.

I don't know about you, but I would have waited for the whole thing if I'd known.

Some people prefer an ongoing story. Some want to have it all, right now. 

Which are you?

And yet, there is joy in taking a journey, one episode at a time. Because writing and editing isn't enough, I've been elbow deep in video editing (and getting better all the time), writing descriptions, and scheduling posts out to the moon and back. Although I'm totally a consume-it-right-now girl, we're putting out a series. One minute at a time.

Our awesome co-hosts this month are Kate Larkinsdale, SE White, JS Pailly, Olga Godim, and Natalie Aguirre!

Happy 15 year anniversary, IWSG!!!

Today's question: Do you have a favorite character archetype you tend to gravitate toward in your writing?

Do I ever! The tortured, brooding hero is definitely a favorite (with religious/moral roots), as is the snarky female lead. Oh, and the geeky, misunderstood character. And the quiet, bullied underdog. And the righteous Javerts (justice seekers, for those not familiar with Les Miserables). --All those with a side of ridiculous support characters whose personalities are usually the opposite of my lead. 

We're inviting friends to support an author this month through the hop. Unfortunately, about six months ago, my publisher pulled the first book in my series with the intent to repackage and rerelease. I don't have a date yet, but books 2 and 3 are still available, along with several anthologies I've contributed to. I'll list just my books and one anthology here. 

MOONLESS

SOULLESS

TIMELESS

PARELLELS

Do you like series? Would you rather have it all right now or in snippets over time? What's your favorite type of character to write/read?

5 Reasons Why You Should NEVER Begin Something New

Beginnings are hard, right?

1. They suck the life out of you. Day and night, you worry and stress and plot.

2. They're slow. (Enough said.)

3. They leave you teetering, questioning your choices. There's no balance to beginning something.

4. They take SO MUCH WORK!

5. You MIGHT succeed, and succeeding can be a lot scarier than failure.

Once you get moving, momentum grows.

“The hardest part is always the beginning, when you feel uncomfortable. Know that this is normal, and all you need to do is go against your emotions. ...face your fears, be uncomfortable, and experiment with different strategies until you find something that works.”

― Jamie Cooper, Albert Einstein: Extraordinary Life Lessons That Will Change Your Life Forever

In the last four years, I feel like I've started again about fifty times. But like Wright Brothers (who failed more times than I want to count, going through 200 different wing shapes for planes and risking everything while unemployed), we keep trying.

Because beginning something is easy. Seeing it through takes dedication, fortitude, and the willingness to start and start again.

This week, we are starting something NEW.

We're publishing the entire STAGED READING of our musical in 1 minutes episodes over the coming weeks. Subscribe so you don't miss out!

Our awesome co-hosts are Shannon Lawrence, Diedre Knight, Liza, and Pat Garcia!

Today's question: As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you'd done differently in your writing process?

I'm skipping this one, but I look forward to reading everyone's responses!

How do you feel about beginning something new? Are you in the midst of a new project? Do you like musical theatre?