Apr 20

Building Characters, a Mental Exercise.

There are times when a writer, especially one who writes fiction, must become a person of multiple personalities. In order to write, put down conversation and thoughts, we must sit inside the character’s head, think like he or she does, and behave as they do. In my case, I flip from male to female characters so I must also try to think like a man part of the time. Now if you don’t think that’s difficult….

Some scenes are written from the viewpoint of my female protagonist, Andrea. She’s smart, yet timid in some circumstances. She can be very decisive when she wants to be, but then indecisive when it comes to her own personal feelings. Of course, that changed as the story, written over four books, progressed. She’s also organized and that characteristic was not too far a stretch.

Then there’s Brian. He’s all male…at times, wanting to punch someone in the head, his angry protective instincts aroused. But he’s also easy going, decisive, and proactive in all circumstances. He can be sensitive, like when his fiance is kidnapped, but otherwise, he takes things in stride, He feels emotion but in a more manly way than weeping all the time. I needed to consult my husband on certain scenes for this character and for the manly mannerisms that the story required. I have a number of men who read the series so I don’t want to insult their intelligence.

Then there are minor characters. Sometimes their POV is needed so I have to become a drug addict or a kidnapped girl. Sometimes my characters get drunk or come from horrible abuse. They all sit inside my head, inserting themselves into scenes when I least expect it. They juggle my brain waves until….well some days I think I may need to see a psychiatrist.

We strive not to insult the intelligence of our readers. We want to write for them but not talk down to them. I don’t have to describe everything because they will fill in whatever blanks I leave using their own imagination to flesh out a character the way they want them to be. I just need to point them in the right direction.

It’s made me more observant. I people watch with a mission. I read books on building believable characters. When someone comes to me and asks what happened to this one or that person, because they’ve been able to identify with a character, I’m not surprised. Feel the same? Or not. Write me a comment. Let’s talk about building characters. For readers, what kind of character makes you want to get to know them better?

May 17

Honesty and The Fiction Writer

Day by day, we who write fiction are immersed in a world that does not exist, telling – no – showing the story of people who do not exist, inventing dangers for the characters to avoid or not, and pretending that there’s someone in the story who cares. It’s all made up, false, a figment of our imagination.

Have you ever watched a child who tries to get out of a pickle? They invent a story, and try hard to get the person they’re defending their actions to, to believe their tale of woe. That’s what a fiction writer does. We invent stories and in the writing work hard to get out readers to believe that the story is possible.
So…while we would call the child a liar, does that mean that fiction writers are liars, too? And if we are…in the writing…how does that translate into everyday life? Are we able to leave the lie that we write and live the life of a person of integrity…someone that people can trust?
Trust is a big issue. If you think about who you trust and who you don’t, why did you lose trust in that person? Probably because they lied to you a time or two so you know you can’t trust them or their word. It takes a long time to rebuild trust once it’s broken. I don’t want people to distrust who I am or what I stand for just because I write fiction.
Now is this a stretch? Are all of you able to separate yourself from the fictional life you’ve created, to live a life of integrity? I’d love to hear some of your responses. I remember when I used to watch soap operas when I was a young mom. I’d live for the next segment, feeling the pain with the characters. I want people to react the same way to my books but…I want them also to know that they aren’t real, even though they feel real.
When I deal with actual people, I want my ‘yes’ to be yes and my ‘no’ to be no. I want to keep my word, carry out the plans I’ve committed to when I’ve said I’d do them, pray for people when I say I will. I want people to see me as a person they can trust, a person of integrity and while integrity seems to not be as important in our world as it once was, I think that it matters…a great deal. I hope you do, too.

May 14

Vanished Kindle Version FREE – Friday May 18

The Amazon Kindle version of Vanished, the first in the Wilton/Strait Mystery Series will be offered

Free of charge on Friday May 18.

Short Description -

Vanished! That’s what Andrea Wilton and Brian Strait discover when they come to visit their best friends one evening. Where could they be and does God answer prayers, two questions they find the answers to as they journey to another world of voodoo, murder, and more missing people. Andrea and Brian also discover each other as they learn to scuba, fight a common enemy, and search for the proverbial needle in a haystack.

Share this information with all your friends. Retweet, share on FB, and all the other social media sites you frequent.Then get the other three books for $3.99 each and you’ll have the complete set. When you’ve finished reading the book, please post a review if you enjoyed it.

May 12

Check out the latest interview

Click on this link http://wp.me/p18Ztn-2Hf

May 10

Los Angeles Internet Radio Host Helen Woo Interviews Barbara Ann Derksen

Take the time to listen to this recent interview on Los Angeles Internet Radio. It’s one hour long with comentary by the host.

Interview link

Once you’ve clicked on the link, look for recent shows, and May 9 is the date it was recorded.

May 09

Giveaway

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Silence by Barbara Ann Derksen

Silence

by Barbara Ann Derksen

Giveaway ends May 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

May 08

Fasting – a Health Issue or Faith Issue

Fasting has become a popular attempt to cleanse the body, a ritual performed by many health food gurus. The Free Online Dictionary describes it as voluntarily not eating food for varying lengths of time. Fasting is used as a medical therapy for many conditions. It is also a spiritual practice in many religions.

It goes on to describe a purpose. Fasting can be used for nearly every chronic condition, including allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, headaches, heart disease, high cholesterol, low blood sugar, digestive disorders, mental illness, and obesity. Fasting is an effective and safe weight loss method. It is frequently prescribed as a detoxification treatment for those with conditions that may be influenced by environmental factors, such as cancer and multiple chemical sensitivity. Fasting has been used successfully to help treat people who have been exposed to high levels of toxic materials due to accident or occupation. Fasting is thought to be beneficial as a preventative measure to increase overall health, vitality, and resistance to disease. Fasting is also used as a method of mental and spiritual rejuvenation.

In the Bible, Fasting is used for another purpose altogether. Fasting is a way to impress upon God the seriousness of your prayer request so frequently is spoken of alongside prayer. Jesus has instructions about this too. In Matthew 6, verses 16-18, He says, “When you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

Fasting, as prayer, was supposed to be done in private. This is not a hunger strike…an attempt to raise awareness about some issue or other. This is something between you and God. No one else need know about it. Jesus tells us to comb our hair and wash out face. Don’t go around looking as if you’re making a big sacrifice and as if you’re suffering. In this society, many of us could go without food for several days before our bodies would be affected.

Consider the ramifications of fasting. Take into account your health issues, of course, but think about what it would mean to your prayer life. Walking closely with the Lord offers us a means to sit in personal communion with Him. Leaving the distractions of food behind can only enhance the experience.

This is an excerpt from Barbara Ann’s latest devotional – “Road Trip’ – a collection of inspirational writings based on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.You can preorder from the bookstore at a reduced price. Check out all the other books and build up your summer reading collection. All books can be autographed.

May 03

Free Book

In celebration of the soon to be released fourth book in the Wilton Strait Mystery Series, Silence, Presumed Dead the second in the series is being offered free for one day only at Amazon Kindle on Friday May 4.Also, this is your last chance to pick up Silence at the pre-order price of $15 from this website only. Go to the bookstore and order your copy today.

May 02

Sunshine Temptations

Today, it’s hard. The task of sitting at this computer, thinking about the words on my pages…editing…fixing…reworking the phrases. They all require concentration but…my eyes betray me as they stray outside. They watch flickering shadows dance across the neighbor’s parking lot with beams of sunlight chasing them from corner to corner.

Days like today, make the lone task of writing a choice. Unlike the winter, with only cold beckoning me, the spring and summer draw me. I want to feel the warmth of sunlight on my bare arms…but I must stick to the task at hand. I understand why, at one time, school administrations approved the design for windowless classrooms.

Do you ever feel like this? I suppose you probably do since I can’t imagine anyone feeling anything different. I watch the birds dig for worms and the newly leafed out trees wave happy branches in the warm summer breeze. But then I focus. I bring up the section of the book that I last visited, and continue making sure that when it is complete, my readers will not be distracted by sloppy punctuation and less than adequate words.

Today is the day I plan to finish. One more book, ready for the publisher, and ready for the hands of readers across the continent and beyond. They’ve waited a whole year to read the rest of the story. I plan not to disappoint but to entertain. I focus, re-read, and focus some more. Can you relate? If you’re a writer you can, certainly, but if you work in any other industry, doing the best we can is a conscious effort in the summer.

Hopefully, my goals will be met today. Then tomorrow, I play…outside.

Apr 27

Romantic, It’s Not

Watching my books go live is a rush. I mean, after hours, days, weeks, and months of wearing my manicured fingertips to the bone, it’s so satisfying to hold that finished book in my hot little hands. I caress it, open it gently, treat it like gold, and then frame it, but only the first copy. The ultimate high is when someone says, “I met God in those pages.” Then I know that I’ve accomplished what God and I set out to do.

In order to receive that kind of feedback, the book needs to circulate to readers. That’s when the work really begins. No one knows who I am. They are not flocking to the nearest bookstore to get a copy of my book. If I don’t start a buzz about the book, no one will. So the social media rounds begin.

I write press releases, twitter, Facebook, and whatever I can do to draw attention to my website where I’ve posted sample pages, the cover image, some early reviews, and anything else that will attract readers. I participate in online blog interviews, seek radio and TV interviews, and even a talk show or two. The work of publicity is endless. I even elicit the help of friends who have read the book to post reviews but most don’t.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m really not complaining but if anyone out there thinks that writing a novel is easy, let them think again. It’s work…lonely, hole in the wall type of work. It may seem kinda romantic when you think of someone hunched over a computer in some mountain retreat but few people can afford that kind of getaway and their regular, paying job wouldn’t allow them the time anyway. In my case, my dream is a beach in Florida but each to his own.

In case I haven’t mentioned it before, I love what I do. I love the plot and structure of fiction, and the words of wisdom I glean as I type non-fiction. Tickling the fancy of children with stories that keep them sitting quietly for five minutes has its own rewards. I enjoy watching people try to figure out where I am going with this mystery or that one and I love to see the light come on when they figure it out. I also love that they’ve heard from the Lord even in that genre.

So to round-up this rant, let’s just say, today is a beautiful day for a writer. The sun isn’t shining but the birds are still landing on my deck and the weather promises to be better tomorrow. Above all, God loves me and wants the best for my life so what more can I ask.

Apr 24

Meet Amy Manemann

Amy Manemann grew up in the rural community of Clinton, Iowa where she still resides with her husband and their two children. An active participant at her church she enjoys spending time with her children, writing and getting engrossed in a good book. Although brief, my visit with Amy relates the professionalism with which she writes. You can visit her website at http://amymanemann.webs.com/ and her book Deadly Reunion is available at Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/IBTOF6

Hello Amy, Welcome to my website.Let’s find out more about you and your work.

Barbara: What prompted you to write your first book?

Amy: Why, the desire to tell a story of course! Actually what started it all was the beginning talks of having our first high school reunion. High school wasn’t exactly a high time in my life so I had a lot of trepidation about this. Instead of burying my proverbial head in the sand, however, I took my fears and traumas from my high school days and spun them into a more humorous light.
Barbara: What’s your biggest writing challenge?

Amy: Finding time to write! I currently work part-time at a medical office, am the Mini Drill Sergeant at the World Literary Café , have my own website that I run and have two very active children. Life is busy and juggling it all can be a challenge but it’s worth it in the end. That and the characters in my head don’t stay quiet for too long. Eventually they like to come out lol
Barbara: How important do you think social media is today with regards to you as a writer?

Amy: Very important. I think it enables writers another outlet for our voices to be heard.

 

Barbara: Do you have a regular writing routine? If so, what is it?

Amy: Nope, I wish I could say I have this fantastic writing routine that would make every author foam at the mouth but alas, I have yet to establish such! I write when I can, when creativity strikes me and when the kiddos aren’t yelling “Mom! He hit me!”

 

Barbara: Tell us about your book.

Deadly Reunion (A Taci Andrews Mystery)

Smart mouthed Taci Andrews is an investigative reporter for the Riverdale Times with a lot on her plate. Between receiving a dreaded invitation to her fifteen year high school reunion, her best friend’s divorce drama and her own solitary dating status her fun meter is pretty much pegged.

When Taci’s partner goes missing while covering a missing child feature she is suddenly thrown into the story of her career, which oddly enough delves into a past she would rather forget. She soon finds herself squaring off against a malicious class Barbie Doll, the High School Quarterback and a steamy Fireman from her past whose deep blue eyes are still enough to curl her toes.

Concerned about the disappearance of his friend’s daughter, Firefighter Tony Parsons returns to his hometown of Riverdale to see what is being done with the case. Having a few connections with the police force he decides to pull in a few favors, running into former classmate Taci Andrews in the process. His last memory of Taci was back in high school when she’d given him a black eye for feeling up her shirt. He had to admit the grown up version of Taci was even better than the adolescent version and when he learns she’s covering the story for the Times he decides to tag along.

Despite babysitting three hyped up children, having a disastrous date night, receiving an ominous warning and nearly getting blown up, the sparks that quickly ignite between Tony and Taci are hard to ignore, despite their best efforts. As they delve deeper to uncover the deadly truths surrounding the sleepy town of Riverdale, the old feud that rested between them for ages begins to give way to an unexpected passion.

But new feelings for one another or not they both have a job to do and a missing child to find. Can they put their feelings aside to solve the case or will they be next on the missing person’s list?

Barbara: Which writers inspire you?

Amy: Chelsea Cain, Sue Grafton, Johanna Lindsey, Melissa Foster and Stacy Eaton to name a few. It’s an eclectic list for sure, but each of them bring a different aspect to the table that draws my attention.

 

Barbara: What’s the most helpful piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

Amy: To never give up on your dreams, courtesy of my father who passed away 11 years ago this June. It was a phrase he used while I was growing up and I would have given up on my dreams of becoming a writer had I not been reminded of that phrase.

 

Barbara: What is the biggest challenge to publication?

Amy: That depends if you’re looking at traditional or indie publishing. The biggest challenge with traditional publishing is actually getting your foot in the door, a near impossible feat but I’ve heard it can be done. For indie publishing the biggest challenge is getting your book to format correctly when uploading. Oh! And editing. NEVER underestimate the power of a good editor!!

 

Barbara: Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?

Amy: My children. They are by far the greatest thing I have accomplished to date and are my biggest cheerleaders.

 

Barbara: What are you currently working on?

Amy: Now that is a loaded question! I am getting Deadly Science ready for publication, I’m working on the third installment of the Deadly Series (Deadly Politics) and have started researching my next book series, Serial Sinners. Soooooo nothing too strenuous!

Thank You, Amy, for spending time with us today. Good Luck with the new book.

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