CHARACTER IS EVERYTHING

Readers need a reason to invest in your story. That investment usually comes in the form of a connection to one or more of your characters. It’s the author’s job to create and maintain the personality of their characters. If they start off crazy, unless the goal is for them to remain in that state, crazy is how they should end up.

That is just one example of showing character trait. One opportunity that many overlook is character revelation via response to others. How does he/she act in response to abrasive comments, being the brunt of a joke or a random act of kindness?

Keep this in mind; your characters should be so well defined that your reader can identify them even if you remove their names from the passages.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Take the synopsis below and create Betty, her background and something in it that would justify her actions.

Synopsis: Betty’s strong outer shell, straight-no chaser dialogue has always been attributed to her military training. In an unexpected turn of events, it will be Betty, not her equally hardened co-harts, who goes beyond the call of duty to befriend one who is unmercifully bullied.

By the time you finish you should be able to answer the following questions:

*What is it about Betty that will endear and/or give readers a mixed reaction to who she is?
*How did I grow her while building intrigue and guarding her secret?
*What situations set her off?
*How do her obvious traits make you believe you know what she’ll do next?
*How do her friends support or hamper her goals?

Have fun and let me know how you did.

Linda! 

Let The Redeemed...Say So!

What do you get when you combine a born-again Christian, a handsome widow and his adorable daughter? A match made in heaven? Maybe—maybe not.

The relationship between Karyn Wallace and Levi Tolliver seems to be headed in the right direction; that is until he reveals his true thoughts—he believes that anyone on the wrong side of the law deserves whatever punishment they get. His point-of-view leaves Karyn in the precarious position as to whether or not he can handle knowing her past.

Added to Karyn's stress is her determination to overlook the less than cordial attitude of a co-worker and the venomous personality of Levi's sister-in-law. Unfortunately, neither of these ladies are willing to allow Karyn to live a life minus strife.

In Crowning Glory Author Simmons has woven a story that will satisfy the need of the romantic and those struggling to overcome their past. Prayerfully, this work will cause the reader to take stock of their beliefs and what holding on to the pain of the past can do to harm not other their future, but that of others.

To learn more about the author and her works, visit her at: www.patsimmons.net

A Man Among Men

There is no doubt that John Wooden left an indelible mark on the lives of those he coached. However, within the pages of Coach Wooden: The 7 Principles That Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours readers become privy to the wisdom that created his legacy.

Author’s Pat Williams and Jim Denney’s presentation of  Coach Wooden’s background,    is inviting rather than being the typical impersonal litany of facts about a public figure. The choice to do so aligns with the personality of a man known for having an attitude of gratitude rather than one of self-absorption due to his notoriety.

Someone You Should Know



Stanice Anderson is an author, playwright, speaker and a woman Walking on Water. I encourage you to take the time to visit her website to get to know about her vision, her journey and her joy. Her latest work, Walking on Water When the Ground Ain't Enuf is available online.

Before you step out to her site, please take the opportunity enjoy this visual of the anointed woman in action.