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Motivating Magic by DiAnn Mills
Shoving our characters into action sometimes takes a stick of dynamite. Or discovering what motivates them into pursuing a worthy goal. When a character yawns and claims, I’m not interested, we writers haven’t done our job. Before you reach for the matches to light that stick of dynamite, let’s talk about what we can do before page one to create …
The Moods of Color by DiAnn Mills
Writers choose specific colors for their characters that indicate their personalities and emotions. Colors establish mood, affecting the actions and reactions of those who experience them. Consider the following colors and explanations to see where you fit with your color choices. Red is a vibrant color that causes strong emotions. From warm and comforting to anger and hostility. Red can …
Romancing the Prince by DiAnn Mills
Fairy tales about a beautiful princess finding her perfect prince fill women of all ages with sweet satisfaction. We all want happily ever after lives with our princes, even when they lose their hair and their middles get rounder. Of course, at the same time, we women maintain the freshness and vitality of our youth. But do you remember what …
Reducing the Flab by DiAnn Mills
Ever read something you wrote one year ago, six months ago, or yesterday and cringe at the writing? Everything from word choice, descriptions, characters, plotting, and setting screamed back at you. I bet you even checked to make sure you actually wrote the piece. That was because we are always changing, growing, and learning the craft. Our job as writers …
Using Sensory Perception to Enhance Symbolism by DiAnn Mills
Sensory perception is a valuable tool when incorporating symbolism into a novel. What a character sees in a story can have a symbolic nuance, whether it is physical or in the character’s mind. In Charles Frazier’s novel Cold Mountain, the mountain is home to the characters, but the mountain represents the harshness and unfairness of life as the characters struggle …
The Light Side by DiAnn Mills
I write suspense and work hard at plunging characters into one abyss after another. My goal is to have danger creep across my characters’ lives in every scene while adding a spark of romance. Sometimes my hero and heroine are wounded. Sometimes they have to display courage when they’d rather run. Sometimes they have to find logic in the midst …
Movie Magic by DiAnn Mills
Writers are always looking for ways to deepen their craft. Movies offer an opportunity to see a story line in action. We view the characters, observe the setting, hear the dialogue, and analyze the plot twists. This often provides new insight into our own stories. Close your eyes and imagine your story as a movie. Would viewers be interested? The …
Taking the High Road by DiAnn Mills
We writers would like to take the easiest and surest path to publication, but those distinctions contradict themselves. The surest path is often not the easiest to a bestseller. Good habits and a conscientious effort to work hard at our craft means commitment and dedication. Whew! But you can do it. Each time we position our fingers on the keyboard, …
One in a Million by DiAnn Mills
Every writer has a story. Some of the behind-the-scenes events strike a gallant pose of purpose and education and inspiration, while others are mediocre in the laborious uphill climb to the city on the hill called Publishedville. If I had majored in creative writing in college and had earned a MA or PhD that elevated me to bestseller potential, or …