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More quirky character

4/26/2018

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As a sidebar to my most recent blog about developing characters and getting beyond stereotypes, here's a small introduction to two very different characters I'm currently working on. Both of these could so easily slip into a stereotype. NOTE: making them unique is not just about the visual.

"Ronnie," in excerpt #1, doesn't just have a a "colorful" wardrobe. She moves in quick, birdlike ways ... the opposite of what one would expect from a drawling, aging southern belle.

In excerpt #2, the "boy" is not your typical tall, dark and handsome love interest. His appearance is just unusual enough to make you wonder if he's a good-looking beach bum? Dock worker? Rich kid? Hobo? Petty thief? Could be any of the above! NOTE: his actions, not his looks, lead the reader to assume that he is controlled, methodical and not easily rattled. His maturity is obvious, despite saying only four words in the entire excerpt. Actions, almost always, speak louder than words.

Excerpt - Something Strange at Water's Edge (young adult)
By Brenda Haas

“Sweetie!” drawled a distinctly southern voice.

A flurry of silver jewelry flashed before Kat’s eyes as she was struck by the pungent scent of lilacs. Skip’s Great Aunt Veronica Hathaway flew past her and wrapped her arms around her nephew. The birdlike old woman pulled Skip down to her level and pecked him on the cheek.

Kat stared as Aunt Ronnie stepped back. The woman’s tan skin appeared to be too big for her body, as if she had lost a great deal of weight at one time. She was dressed in a flared mini-skirt and a sequined, magenta tube top. Kat stifled a snort. The old girl had a right to dress however she wanted. It was a free country, after all.

Excerpt - Hells of Northgate (young adult)
By Brenda Haas

“All clear,” Becklyn whispered, letting go of her breath.

Pushing the door open, she slunk from the van. The boy was right behind her.

Becklyn eyed him. “Wha – ”

Warm, calloused fingers against her lips stopped Becklyn mid-word. For a moment they just stared at each other. Finally, the boy took a step back. Motioning for her to wait, he disappeared around the corner of the van. Seconds passed. She couldn’t see or hear even a hint of him. Had he gone?

She was peaking over the hood when she felt a slight tap on her shoulder.

Spinning, she slammed straight into a muscular chest. Her knees gave way, and the boy grabbed her arms and carefully propped her back onto her heels. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
 
“They’re gone,” he said.

“Oh.” With a slight shake of her head, Becklyn began to focus on the details. He had at least a few inches on her – over six feet by the looks of things. Canvas shoes. Dark pants. Black tunic-like shirt of a raw, natural material. His hair was a shock of silvery gray-blonde and quite thick, hanging in chunky layers just above his shoulders. In contrast to his hair, his skin reminded Becklyn of aged honey with a hint of olives. When her eyes finally met his green ones, she was shocked by the intensity in them.

Blinking, Becklyn felt heat rise up her neck as, in turn, his cool gaze skimmed her scuffed tennis shoes, long legs, and worn jeans hugging thin hips and a flat stomach … then her nearly as flat chest.

He motioned to her bandaged arm. “That okay?”




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What a quirky character

4/26/2018

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I'm a bit quirky. My friends would say I have "character."

As a writer, I certainly hope so. I spend a great deal of time dealing with fictional characters in my head ... just clamoring to be let loose on the unsuspecting public.

 - An ancient vegan with soulful eyes, colorful skirts, and a knife strapped to her thigh.
 - A blind tween with a shaved head, gauge earring, penchant for combat boots and 4.0 report card.
 - The short, stout violin player wearing a gray fedora and carrying a ratty backpack filled with all his worldly possessions.

There are so many quirky individuals clattering around in my brain, they wake me up at night. What makes a character memorable and sleep-depriving ... one that readers will be rooting for or against, even in their dreams? 

#1 Tip - Kill the STEREOTYPES: "Jock," "homecoming queen," "nerd," "band geek." Odds are, an image for each came immediately to mind. But no real person is so stale ... so cliched. To avoid dropping your character into the same worn out, stereotypical human stew, you must present him or her in a different light. Add the quirky (just like me) and delve deeper. Let's use "nerd" as the example. If you pictured a freckled girl with thick glasses, no makeup (nor sense of humor), a Peter Pan collar, and sensible shoes, you've just hopped the drab train to trite town. Perhaps, instead, your "nerd" hides her smarts behind leather, a plunging neckline, and musky perfume? Perhaps your male "nerd" actually hates math (despite earning him a full ride to Princeton after that perfect score on the SAT). Secretly, he wants to win "American Idol" and dresses in drag every weekend while singing 80s tunes in falsetto at an open mic gig in the next town over. Perhaps your adult "nerd" wears those sensible shoes as an accountant by day, but dons ice skates and pads at night as the only female goalie at the local ice hockey rink. Use your imagination.Truly, there is more to every person you meet, or every character you create, than meets the eye. No two people or characters are alike. DON'T be lazy and spew out the same ol', same ol'.

Writing Challenge #1 - For giggles, check out this handy "List of Stock Characters," on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stock_characters. Pick three different stock characters and attempt to combine them (Example: hotshot/gentleman thief/tortured artist - our risk-taker engages in jewelry heists so he can create sparkly, jewel-laden pottery). Write a short description of your morphed character. Include physical attributes, name, job title, typical wardrobe found in the character's closet, what the character would eat for breakfast, most embarrassing event from childhood, biggest fear, and what that character most desires in life. Keep this to no more than 200-300 words. BE CREATIVE.

Writing Challenge #2 - Morph 3 DIFFERENT stock characters to create your first morphed character's arch nemesis. Follow the same guidelines from writing challenge #1.

Don't forget, add a dash of quirky. Your character will thank you.





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Grishas are awesome

4/16/2018

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Perhaps I read young adult novels because I'm an 18-year-old girl trapped in a 49-year-old body? Anyway, who cares?!?

Enter author Leigh Bardugo's Grishas, the "magically elite" with special talents. I accidentally stumbled upon Bardugo's young adult Grisha trilogy, consisting of "Shadow and Bone," "Siege and Storm" and "Ruin and Rising," while browsing an unfamiliar bookstore. I loved the stylish "Russian-like" art on the front cover, which got me to read the back cover and make the purchase (kudos to  the publisher's art and marketing departments).

The story, set in fictional Ravka, a previously great nation now divided by the Shadow Fold (black void with dark, scary man-eating monsters), introduces underwhelming orphan Alina Starkov, who is plucked from mediocrity when she is discovered to have special late-blooming abilities that could repair the damage to her world and again bring peace.

Throw in a love triangle with childhood friend/super tracker Mal and the mysterious Darkling, who rules the Grishas, and this expertly crafted story sucked me in from the first page. I haven't had a ton of time to read recently, but I devoured all three books in this trilogy in about 5 days (and they are lengthy). I have to say this is one of the best trilogies I've read in recent years. I simply could not put them down. Any Sarah J. Maas fan would love Bardugo, who is an incredibly talented world builder. I can only imagine the backstory she must have written about Ravka, its surrounding areas, and the histories of the Grishas before she even began writing Alina's story.

"Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Follow Alina Starkov as she discovers her dormant powers and is swept up in a world of luxury and illusion." per www.leighbardugo.com

'Cause, seriously, Grishas are awesome.
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The writing world ... use your resources.

4/3/2018

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I've had my fair share of magazine subscriptions, over the years. Many I now access online using a device. On a rare occasion, I'll snag a mag from the checkout line at the grocery store or take a few minutes to browse one at the library.

The two biggest exceptions are my longstanding subscriptions to Writer's Digest magazine, http://subscriptions.writersdigest.com/Writers-Digest/Magazine, and The Writer magazine, https://www.writermag.com/. I look forward to the hard copies tucked in my mailbox each month. Not only are these two publications the most USEFUL resources I've ever benefited from as a writer, they are always filled with additional resources that may better my craft. They also provide a monthly nudge to keep plugging away at what I love.

This week, I received the "20th Annual 101 Best Websites for Writers" issue of Writer's Digest. Like a kid in a candy shop, I've been spending all my free time perusing suggested sites about creativity, writing advice, jobs & markets, online writing communities, agent info, general resources, publishing/marketing resources, genres/niches, and even sites that are "just for fun."

Good stuff (perhaps a little TOO good ... I can't put the issue down and get any actual writing done).

For you writer types, here are some of my favorite websites, so far.

Storybird
https://www.storybird.com/
"Make stories in minutes and enjoy them for life." This site is a wonderful tool for both writers and artists who want to blend their talents. Writers may use Storybird templates and illustrations to enhance their stories. Artists may sell their artwork. This site includes monthly challenge prompts and an opportunity to be featured on the Storybird blog.

Daily Writing Tips AND Grammarphobia
https://www.dailywritingtips.com/
https://www.grammarphobia.com/
Don't let common grammar mistakes become a roadblock to publishing. These two grammar sites provide quick tips to help a talented writer provide the "cleanest" version possible, when submitting work, and potentially tip the scales in favor of a "yes" from the slush pile.

Manuscript Wish List
http://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/
For those who like to tweet (#MSWL) and those who don't, this website is a great source of agent and editor info and a compilation of tweets about what's going on in the world of publishing. "What I'm Seeking" lists make this a top site for writers actively watching the market.

Create If Writing
https://createifwriting.com/
Publishing one's work is just one step in the process. Use this site to get to the heart of building a "platform" through promotions and marketing.

Problogger
https://problogger.com/
Not just for bloggers, this site includes a job board with writing job listings across a wealth of mediums.

Enjoy! Hope you find these helpful.


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    Writer

    Brenda Haas lived in the Pittsburgh, PA area for over 20 years and moved to Lake Erie with her husband in early 2018. She has two grown daughters and way too many pets.

    A columnist for Pittsburgh area's Penn Franklin News Publishing Company, her "A Little Bit of Life" essays provided a snapshot of being a parent, wife and independent woman who attracts the "quirky" in everyday living. She has also been published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and My Outer Banks Home magazine.

    Brenda currently freelances for various businesses and non-profits and is well-versed in public relations and marketing.

    Works-in-Progress


    Adult:
    "Here or There on Beddington Bluff"
    "Sutton's Choice"
    "Sutton's Second Chance"

    Young Adult:
    "Something Strange at Water's Edge"
    "Hells of Southgate"
    "Forest for the Trees"

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