Plots, Themes, and Goals

August 11, 2009 | Filed Under Writing | Comments Off

typeIt’s day three of my new novel process, and I’ve done preliminary character sketches, got some good notes on the time period and setting, and have written a decent blurb. According to First Draft in 30 Days, today we start on plot.

The first thing a plot needs is the big question the book will answer — also known as the story goal. Wiesner also calls this the “theme,” but from most of the other books I’ve read and classes I’ve attended, I think the theme is something deeper than the story goal. To simplify the difference — goal is an external entity that the character is aware of, and theme is internal. Almost a subconscious thing.

For example, in my novel Wings of the Dawn, the main character’s goal is to save her siblings from the villain. That is the story question — will her young brother and sister be safe at the end of the book? In some stories, the main story question or goal will change. That is not only fine, it’s actually common. In many stories, circumstances change, forcing the character to change directions. In fact, in Wings of the Dawn, Anna Jamison’s goal in chapter one is all but forgotten by chapter three when the antagonist threatens her family. Her goal changed.

Plot is what happens along the way to the story question’s answer — the step-by-step process my heroine must go to in order to ensure the safety of her siblings. In her case, she is blackmailed by the bad guy and must travel across the California Trail to San Francisco. As you can imagine, a lot of things happen along the way. Those things are plot, but the purpose behind her trials is her goal — it’s what keeps her plodding west instead of turning tail and heading home.

A story’s theme is somewhat of an undercurrent that flows beneath the plot’s surface. In Wings of the Dawn, the theme is taken straight from scripture — Psalm 139:7-10, which basically promises us that no matter where we are, God is there, watching over us. As my protagonist travels farther into the wilderness, she begins to lose hope, doubting that God even exists, yet along the trail, God reveals Himself through various circumstances. Nowhere in a novel does the author shout out “THIS IS THE STORY’S THEME,” but at the end, the reader will know.

Theme is often revealed through what is known as the Character Arc. In the beginning, my heroine doubts God. Although she was reared in a family of believers, at the beginning of the book, her faith is almost non-existent. She is cynical and angry with God. Little by little, her trust builds, until later, she begins to share her faith with another. And at the book’s conclusion, she is able to look back and see that throughout the entire ordeal, God never left her side.

A good story will keep the reader so engaged in the plot that the theme is very subtle — like a hidden treasure the reader won’t unearth until the story’s question is answered.

Article written by Linda Fulkerson

First Draft in 30 Days — Day One

August 9, 2009 | Filed Under Writing | Comments Off

wiesnerI don’t know if I’ll keep up a blog on every aspect of my newest novel journey, but yesterday I started the preliminary work on Book Two of an historical romance series.

As with anything in life, books begin with an idea. In her book, First Draft in 30 Days, Karen Wiesner suggests several ways to relax while letting the brainstorming process take its course. For me, brainstorming is the fun part. I spent most of the day what-iffing with my daughter, who has helped me develop ideas on many occasions.

Since this is book two in a yet-to-be publishes series, we started with a couple of secondary characters from the first book. They were young children in that story, so this will be a “Next Generation” type of book in the family saga. Besides, their ages in the time-frame we set the story is perfect for growing a romance.

The nation is on the cusp of change and a short-lived but legendary segment of American history takes place during this decade. I won’t divulge any specifics about the characters, setting, or plot at this time, but a fresh approach to the proverbial love triangle promises to offer plenty of conflict.

Wiesner’s book divides the novel-outlining process into six steps. This book might not be for everyone — the method is rather, well, methodical, but for newer novelists (like me), it’s helpful to have a map to keep one headed in the right direction. If you’re new to noveling, take a few hours to daydream. Pick a time, place, and person whose story you wish to tell. Ask lots of what-if questions. (Write down the questions & answers in a fresh notebook.)

Other books I use when starting a new fiction project are Goal, Motivation & Confict by Debra Dixon, The Anatomy of Story by John Truby, and, of course, Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass. There are many other great novel-writing guide books out there. These just happen to be the ones I prefer. I also mingle Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method and my notes from conference classes taught by John Olson and Susan May Warren among the suggestions offered by Wiesner, Dixon, Maass, and Truby and keep up with all my notes and research in a Scrivener file.

Those who know me, know that I primarily write nonfiction — mostly humor columns or newspaper & magazine articles. It’s been a while since I tackled a book-length project, much less a novel. But I feel ready. What prompted my seemingly sudden forray into fiction? At the prompting of a friend, I just finished a read-through of a dusty fiction WIP, and realized it wasn’t half bad. This inspired me to bring out the red pen and get the manuscript ready to submit. And, since I’ll be working up a proposal anyway, it never hurts to pitch a series. (As we were told often during my time in the Marines — you can ASK for anything. Doesn’t mean you’ll get it, of course, but it never hurts to ask.)

Besides, after just one short day of brainstorming, the characters have already begun to nag me, which is a sign it’s time to write soon.

Article written by Linda Fulkerson

Summer Reading — 15 Books

August 8, 2009 | Filed Under Reading | Comments Off

readingThough some may say love makes the world go round, the truth is, information is the likely culprit. Information leads to one’s thoughts. Thoughts lead to our philosophy (or belief system). A person’s philosophy controls his actions. And we all know that our actions determine our results. Therefore, our results stem from the information we put into our brains. If we don’t like our current results, the only way to change that is to change the information we’re putting into our minds.

If your current source of information is modern media, I’d suggest you read more. And be selective about what you read. The whole “garbage in, garbage out” concept touted by the health industry is probably even more important to our minds than our bodies. For by changing our minds, we can change our actions, including those that affect the results of our health.

It’s fascinating to learn what people are reading. Since I spent my morning blog post-composing time writing a Facebook note about the last 15 books I’ve read, I think I’ll just post that same list here and invite my readers to share their reading lists.

I think this is supposed to be a list of the last 15 books I read. (Not sure if it’s that or my fav 15, but I’m listing the 15 most recent books I’ve read/am currently reading.)

1. The Bible — don’t read it as much as I should, though!
2. Wings of the Dawn — a novel I’m editing & preparing a proposal for (Is it cheating to list this one? I did just read it, LOL!)
3. The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
4. Leadership Tidbits & Treasures by Orrin Woodward & Chris Brady (for those of you who’ve asked where I get all those cool quotes I post on my status — this book is the source of many of them)
5. A Thomas Jefferson Education — a real eye-opener!
6. Black Belt Patriotism by Chuck Norris — (okay, so I haven’t quite finished it, but I plan to!)
7. Getting Things Done by David Allen
8. Body for Life for Women
9. The Art of Influence by Chris Widener
10. How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger
11. Write Faster, Write Better by David Fryxell
12. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (My all-time favorite novel — I read it every year or two.)
13. Where Have All the Leaders Gone? by Lee Iococca (This book was NOT what I expected — save your precious time and don’t bother. I read about 80 pages, hoping it would get better and finally shut the book and moved on.)
14. Coach Wooden’s Leadership Game Plan for Success (John Wooden)
15. Cooking with Hot Flashes by Martha Bolton

Next on my reading list: I recenlty bought and have just cracked the covers of — Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Cialdini and The Cloning of the American Mind: Eradicating Morality through Education.

(Just realized I’ve only read two novels since May and I wrote one of them!)

Article written by Linda Fulkerson

The Pooch vs. Paunch Plan

August 5, 2009 | Filed Under Humor | Comments Off

dachshundIt would be easier to ignore the fact that I’m guilty of the deadly sin of gluttony if mirrors hadn’t been invented. So, I’ve taken the first step toward getting rid of my gut — reading weight-loss articles.

I recently read a piece touting a new way to lose weight: buy a dog. Having just purchased one, I was elated. However, after further research (i.e. one year of puppy ownership), I can assure you that this may not be the preferred weight-loss plan for most people.

Some things to consider before launching the pooch vs. paunch plan:

1. Dogs are ALIVE. You want a walking partner? Get a treadmill. Dogs require care. They need food, water, new leather furniture to chew on, underwear to drag through the house while you’re entertaining, and special shampoo to remove the stench from whatever they’ve rummaged through when you leave them outside to catch the phone. Add to To-do List: Buy a portable phone.
2. Dogs don’t speak English. Or at least mine doesn’t. Maybe it’s because she’s a dachshund, but no matter how many times I explain something to her, she tilts her head until one ear flops on the floor and gives me that “I’m too cute and adorable to potty outside” look. Thus far, the only English word she responds to is “cheese.” We can’t even say the word anymore and have been reduced to spelling. I’d hoped my days of communicating to my husband one letter at a time had passed when our youngest child completed kindergarten.
3. Dogs have teeth and toenails. ’Nuff said.
4. Dogs rarely come when you call them. Well, maybe some dogs might, but mine doesn’t. I guess when you put that into the perspective of using a dog as a weight-loss tool, having the little beast run four and a half miles in hopes of catching a butterfly every time you open the front door could come in handy. Who knew a puppy with 2-inch legs could outrun a racehorse? Add to To-do List: Buy a leash and make sure new portable phone has enough gigahertz to reach Quebec.
5. Dogs can’t eat table scraps. Remember the days when we could sneak any questionable cuisine under the table to Fido? At our “new puppy visit,” the vet cautioned that the fastest way to kill Miss-I’m-too-cute-and-adorable-to-potty-outside would be to feed her whatever we eat. Does that concern anyone but me? She must have been listening through some sort of miraculous vet-to-dog internal interpreter, (I’m convinced she doesn’t understand our language – otherwise she’d do what I tell her, right?), because she begs constantly but refuses to eat any morsels tossed toward her. Except for cheese. So…forget any thoughts of pawning off your plate’s excess to the pooch.

I’m sure the whole point of the “buy a dog” business is to encourage exercise, but after chasing after her for an hour and a half during every outdoor excursion, I’m just too tired to take her for a walk.

Article written by Linda Fulkerson

August 3, 2009 | Filed Under Asides | Comments Off

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.” — Thomas Jefferson


Article written by Linda Fulkerson

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