Originally posted on Paper Beats World:
If you’ve never questioned my sanity, you might be after reading that title. But I bet that I can say four names that will change your mind; Hermione Granger, Gandalf, Rue and Four/Tobias. Secondary characters make the story. If you’ve never really explored all the different ways to use…
Monthly Archives: June 2016
Lilliann, The Inventor
“Now, Lillian,” Daddy said, squinting through the rain on the car windshield, “I want you to remember that moving was not an easy task. I had to find a new job, to start with. I’m going to have a hard time getting new jobs if I get into the habit of quitting after just aContinue reading “Lilliann, The Inventor”
The Best Movies for Storytelling
I’m low key in love with movies. Okay, not low key. I really love movies. And I’m as crazy eclectic with my movie love as I am with music. (Remember, I’m the weirdo that has Eminem, Sugarland and Elton John on my tablet, right along with Cher and Panic! At The Disco.) It goes furtherContinue reading “The Best Movies for Storytelling”
What Aaron Sorkin taught me
I’m a huge political junkie, if you can’t tell. Normally I spend a lot of time during an election year, even the mid term elections, glued to the news, reading every paper I can get, and just stuffing myself as full of election information as I can. This year, I’m not really thrilled with theContinue reading “What Aaron Sorkin taught me”
Idiosyncracies, how to use them and why your character needs them
Originally posted on Paper Beats World:
This is an often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood part of creating a character. Too often we talk about a characters strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, favorite brand of coffee, that sort of thing. We don’t talk a lot about characters idiosyncrasies, though, and that doesn’t make a lot of sense…
Golden Eyes
It had seemed like such a simple thing to compliment Martha on the dragon tattoo on her left ankle. I’d always liked tattoos, and her’s was especially nice. That green and silver dragon, wrapping around her brown ankle. How the hell was I supposed to know that she was going to drag me off toContinue reading “Golden Eyes”
A Review of Bo Burnham, Make Happy
The darling husband and I are big on stand up comedy. I, in particular, love musical comedy, like Weird Al and Stephen Lynch. (That’s the only thing those two people have in common. Weird Al’s usually family friendly, and Lynch works about as blue as you get.) One of our recent favorites is Bo Burnham.Continue reading “A Review of Bo Burnham, Make Happy”
My Grandmother, My Heritage
I don’t get on with my mother, I might have mentioned that before. I really don’t talk to most of my blood family, really. I love my husband, mother in law and kids, and that’s about it. But I do talk to my grandmother. Actually, as I get older, I realize that there’s more ofContinue reading “My Grandmother, My Heritage”
Protagonist vs. Good Guy
Originally posted on Paper Beats World:
Last week, we talked about what an antagonist doesn’t have to be. This week, we’re going to talk about the one thing your protagonist doesn’t have to be, a good guy. Modern story telling has given us all sorts of examples of main characters who are not good people.…
Alarms
Vivian trudged from her last class of the day, feeling sore. There was no rest in sight for her. The night would consist of a few hurried hours of studying, followed by a six to midnight shift at the diner. As she passed the line of student apartments a yard sale caught her eye. VivianContinue reading “Alarms”