Books & Writing: Creating Characters

Before I plunge into the next step of creating characters I need to crow a bit. 

Joy Takes Flight received a starred review from Libary Journal. Woo Hoo!

Okay. Got that out of my system.  : )  Now on to creating characters. By this time you probably have a pretty good idea of who your characters are so creating tags for them should be fun.

External tags.

Tags are characteristics that distinguish one person from another. They will help readers recognize the characters. They can be positive or negative. 

You definitely need these for your primary characters. The more deeply involved a character is in the telling of your story the more important are the tags. Those who come on stage and then leave . . . well only you can decide if they need a tag.

Types of tags

• Name
A name can be descriptive. In Steinbeck'sbook, The Wayward Bus there is a character called Pimples. It provides a good picture of a teen boy. We immediately get a visual when the name is used. 

Just a word about names. Be careful to use names that fit the time period and the place where your story unfolds.

• Action/body movement. 
People don't hold still. They do things like drum their finger tips on a table or crack their knuckles, twirl their hair or chew their fingernails. Think about who your character is and make their little idiosyncrasies appropriate to the individual.

• Speech/inflection.  
A person’s tone of voice, or the way they deliver their words should be distinctive. They may speak with a drawl or toss out words like rapid fire. Or speak without thought and always seem to say the wrong thing. My mother hums. Everyone knows she does it. One time she was in a public restroom at an antique show and went in to use the restroom. Another seller who knew her well walked into the restroom and my mother was humming while sitting on the toilet. The newcomer said, "Hi Elsa." She didn't need to see my mother to know it was her.  : )

• Background.
A character's occupation can be a tag. Make sure it works with the plot of
your book. 
You also want to consider a person’s age, education, religious background, and
where they were raised. Again, make sure the background fits in with the plot.

• Sensory.
The way a character looks or smells would be sensory. An example would be a man who wears a spicy, heavy cologne that arrives before he does. You'll always know who he is even before he comes on scene. Using my mother as an example once more--she wears White Shoulders perfume and if I were designing a character after her that character would use White Shoulders. You can know who the character is simply by this type of identifier. 

• Mental. 
The way a character thinks can be a tag. It can be demonstrated through dialogue or the things they do or the way they react to circumstances. An example that comes to mind is my own home town. When my husband and I moved here more than thirty years ago, there were to primary groups of people--rednecks and hippies. There was a distinctive difference in the way they spoke and what they talked about. What they did for fun. How they dressed. Their views on life. Just close your eyes and picture the two types of people standing side by side--the differences are stark. A caution here, however. When using something like this be careful not to become cliched in a character's development. Be creative.

If you do a good job of using tags a reader should be able to identify who is speaking without you, the writer, having to tell them who it is.

Have fun!

Quiet Moments With God -- It's All About Love

This morning when I settled down to write my blog, I thought I knew what I wanted to say. I even had it written out. But God said, "No. That's for another day. Today I want you to talk about love." So here's what's on my heart.

I've watched people I love tear one another down. They've come to the brink of no return and yet, they persevere in their selfish need to be "right".

And they're not the only ones.

WHY DO WE DO THIS TO ONE ANOTHER?

I'm just as guilty as the next guy. I've hurt people I love . . . on purpose. When I stand before the Lord I will see all the snipes and back talk, the slander, unforgiveness, impatience, rudeness and the demands for my own way. And I will be thankful for God's perfect love.

1 Corinthians 13 has a lot to say about love. Today, I'm including it here. Please read . . . slowly. Consider each word. Are you loving others? Let's see.

"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge and if I had such faith that I could move mountains but didn't love others I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of being wrong. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses  faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever. Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture. But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless.

When I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Three things will last forever--faith, hope and love--and the greatest of these is love."


God's measuring stick is not the same as the world's. Surrounded by less than Godly standards, it's easy to forget what love really looks like.

• Love is patient.
• Love is kind.
• Love is not jealous.
• Love does not boast.
• Love is not proud.
• Love is not rude.
• Love does not demand its own way.
• Love is not irritable.
• Love keeps no record of wrong.
• Love does not rejoice over about injustice.
• Love rejoices when truth wins out.
• Love never gives up.
• Love never loses faith.
• Love is always hopeful.
• Love endures.

I don't know how you're doing, but I need improvement.

Remember -- The greastest of these is LOVE. Let's get to it.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Books & Writing -- Creating Characters

I've taken several weeks hiatus from our subject of creating characters and it's time to get back to work on the people who live through the joys and heartaches we throw at them in our stories. We've got work to do. 


I encourage you to take lots of time when you're creating your characters. Remember, if they aren't real to you they won't be real to your readers. If readers don't care about the people in your story you'll lose them. They'll set your book down and not pick it up again.

I really liked this from Myers-Briggs. "All I have to do is ask the four key questions (intro or extro? Intuiter or Sensor? Thinker or Feeler? Piler or Filer?) Immediately personalities jump into my head.As we work through the creative process keep these basic traits in mind.


Because I've been away for a while how about a reminder of what we've talked about so far. You can refer to earlier blogs for more details.

•       Create real characters.
•      The Basics -- What do they look like?
•      Beyond Basics -- Who are they?
•      Creed -- What is their system of belief?  

The next step is . . .

Personality Type

It definitely helps to consider  personality types. Myers-Briggs have a great start with their questions, but I need to find out more and so when I'm developing the people who tell my stories the questions continue. Characters grow and become more complex.


It's important to be thorough in your development and then record what you find or it's possible a character could become someone they weren't meant to be. It can be a challenge to remain true to a personality type. That's why I create detailed character outlines. Frequently ask yourself, “Would this character react this way? Or would they do this or say that?  Why or why not?"

Personality examples: 

• Withdrawn 
• Gregarious 
• Mystical 
• Powerful 
• Fragile 
• A complainer 
• Argumentative 
• Dreamer 
• Practical-Get down to business type 
• Creative
• Impulsive

     These are just a few ideas to get you started. I bet you can come up with a lot more. If you think of something add it to the comments at the bottom of the page. Let's see how many we dream up. Remember, for today, we're focusing on personalities. We'll get into some of the other details in the weeks to come.


Grace and peace to you from God. And happy writing!


Bonnie

Books & Writing -- The Colonel's Lady

I'm back and sorry to have been MIA here on my blog. With the launch of my new book Joy Takes Flight my schedule has been filled with online and radio interviews, giveaway contests and book signings. But I've returned and am so excited to share a great book with you. 

If you love historical romance The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz is a must read. It's 1779 when Roxanna Rowan and Colonel Cassius McLinn meet in the Kentucky frontier. However, conditions couldn't be worse. 

It is a tumultuous time in history where the wild Kentucky countryside is drawn into the midst of war. Anticipating a reunion with her father, who is serving under Colonel Cassius McLinn at an isolated Kentucky fort, Roxanna Rowan leaves her Virginia home. Her hopes of a loving reunion with her father are dashed when she receives news that he has been killed in battle. Penniless, she has no recourse but to remain at the fort where she serves under Colonel McLinn as a scrivener. 


He is a leader respected by his men and by the enemy. He has a reputation that inspires, but on a personal level he's complex and mysterious. He drinks too much, holds people at a distance and seems unfeeling. However,  Roxanna sees flashes of tenderness and compassion in the colonel, which only makes it more difficult for her to resist his dashing good looks.

Roxanna is drawn to Colonel McLinn but she's heard he's betrothed to a woman who lives in his homeland of Ireland so she keeps her distance. Holding him at arms length is not easy. There is a strong chemistry and passion smoldering between these two. I must admit that the emotional heat kept me turning pages as I hoped for a meeting of minds and hearts.  

Romance, history and story are perfectly blended in this story of an impossible love. Laura's writing is exquisite and she is a genius at creating tension. She plants readers into each and every scene. You will join the characters as they face the fears and sorrows of war, the challenges of living in the Kentucky wilderness and experience the longing for a better life.

I am now a Laura Frantz fan. Pick up a copy of this great book today!  


Grace and peace to you from God,


Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- The Word

 

I love God's Word. I cannot improve on it. Today I will simply post what I've read and let the Word stand on its own.  Bless the Word of the the Lord.

James 1:19-27

Understand this my dear brothers and sisters. You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancng at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you frree, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their disstress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- A WMD OR A WOG?

Have you ever noticed how God works scripture into our lives? Living the lessons helps them to stick and changes us from the inside out, with the help of the Holy Spirit of course.

Yesterday our Sunday sermon was about how our mouths can be WMD's (Weapons of Mass Destruction) or WOG's (Words of Grace). James 3 talks about our speech and how blessings and cursings can come out of the same mouth. In reference to this, James says, "Surely my brothers and sisters this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grape vine produce olives? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring."

We left church with this lesson firmly planted in our hearts. We talked about not allowing our tongues to be Weapons of Mass Destruction, newly reminded of the ugliness it can create. We also discussed how much better it would be if we offered Words of Grace to the people around us. Our pastor brought up a remarkable concept -- what if everyone in the church refused to use their mouths as WMD's. Church and our communities would look much different. We would actually live in the midst of love and peace.

Okay, so we felt we thoroughly understood the concept and then today -- Wham! A conflict between two people I care about broke out--both Christians. As I witnessed one of these people give the other a hateful tongue lashing the verses that say, "The tongue is restless and evil, full of deadly poison," came to my mind. Witnessing the wounds inflicted filled me with sorrow. As I think on it I wonder at the depth of sorrow felt by our Heavenly Father.

Why do we do this to one another? Do we take lightly the words that say, "People will know us by our love?" Sometimes I wonder what we've done with love. In 1 Corinthians 13 it is said to be more important than faith and hope. We are commanded to love one another. Yet it seems we easily fall into a seek and destroy mode whenever it suits us. I would venture a guess that we can all remember at least one occasion when we tore into someone we supposedly loved, leaving wounds behind.

God would not tell us to do something that is impossible. And yet,  it's clear WE can't control our tongues. However, God can if only we will offer our will up to Him. He makes all things possible.

Think about it -- A weapon of mass destruction means devastation. What if we pounce on someone and then wish we could take back the poisonous words we thrashed them with? Some words cannot be reclaimed. We need to think before we speak. Irreparable harm can result when tongues are allowed freedom to corrupt.

How much better it would be to tame the tongue instead . . . and love one another.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Books & Writing: Joy Takes Flight

JOY TAKES FLIGHT 

Genre: Inspirational, Historical Romance

RT Rating

I'm so excited about the 4 1/2 star rating from Romantic Times Reviews, especially since 4 1/2 stars is the most they give! I thought you might like to read the review. And I hope you'll buy a copy. 

Leon’s Alaskan Skies series comes to an end with a gripping plot, tying up all loose ends, and deeply emotional characters who will resonate with readers. Be prepared to empathize with, and live vicariously through, these lovable people who survive harsh weather and isolation to fulfill their dreams.

Bush pilot Kate Evans is now married to Dr. Paul Anderson, and she continues to fly medical missions to northern Alaskan territories. Then Paul is contacted by his family in San Francisco about his mother’s impending death and he rushes off. Kate believes nothing will overshadow their love and determination to serve the people of Alaska, but when Paul doesn’t return she wonders if she’s lost him for good. 

Reviewed By: Lindy J. Swanson


Happy Reading!

Quiet Moments With God -- Frazzled?

This morning was one of "those" mornings. Responsibilities and tasks piled on top of me. I was on the brink. Finally I found time to sit down with The Father. I said, "Oh Lord, speak to me. I need you." And then I opened my devotional, Jesus Calling and read this, "Stay calmly conscious of Me today, no matter what."

Ooh! Though I was anything but calm, joy bubbled up. I had that feeling--God had something to say to me. I read on.

"Remember that I go before you as well as with you into the day. Nothing takes Me by surprise." I will NOT allow circumstances to overwhelm you, so long as you look to Me."

God is so good to me! He is merciful. He is kind. And today, He knew I needed to be reminded of His presence. In Him is peace. I called out to Him and He was there, because He's always there . . . where we are.


But, I am not free of responsibility. There was an "if" in the words I read. "So long as you look to Me."  I knew that I  needed Him but I hadn't been looking at Him. I'd been looking at EVERY THING ELSE.

What a blessing, what peace to know He is with us. Always.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Books & Writing: Creating Characters

Lets take a look at another quality we need to consider when creating characters that jump off the page and become real to us and to our readers.

Create a Creed

Every one of us has a creed, a system of belief. Think about what you feel passionate about, what pushes your buttons or makes you stand up and speak up or what motivates you to action.

Some examples:

• Is your character a Conservative or Liberal? In today's world that makes a big difference in what they believe and how they react to the world around them. Make sure to keep the time period in mind when considering this--it can make a big difference.

• Is the character religious or not? Do they hate even a hint of religion or do they embrace it to the point of being irritating? What is their religious background--that will make a difference in how they view religion and Christianity.

• Is family important to them? If not, why not? 

• Are they a go-for-the-gusto type person? Do they have a bucket list? And are they actively persung that list? Consider what motivates them to live this way. Or are they the opposite--afraid to live? Again, you've got to ask yourself, why.

• Do they believe in getting the other guy before the other guy gets them? What happened in their past to make them so cynical? Or maybe it's just a way of life they've learned from someone they grew up with. 

• Do they trust no one, or do they trust everyone?

 • Do they believe all life has to offer is what you make of it or what you take from it? Or maybe they are a Mother Theresa, who sacrificed everything for service.



There are a lot of different creeds. Look around at the people you know and you'll see the variety. Or you might try watching a movie and write down one's that appeal to you.

REMEMBER . . . when you bring these people into your story they should blend in with the tale, become part of it. Don't just drop them in because they're interesting. They must contribute.

I'd love to hear from you. Are you creating a character or group of characters for a new story? Have the past three topics about creating a character been helpful? I'd love to hear your descriptions thus far. And creeds are so much fun. What kind of person have you come up with?

YOU GET TO CREATE THIS PERSON, WHICH MEANS YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU LIKE. FUN, HUH! 

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie 

Quiet Moments With God: Where Are You Lord?

 Have you ever crawled out of bed, feeling like you've been run over by a truck? And worse yet, that your spirit felt like it had been flattened too? Have you felt like God is so far away you'll never find him again? And that He doesn't even care? I admit to having been in that predicament more than once. In fact, this morning was one of them. Today started out rough. And no matter how bad I might feel I ought to know better than to let emotions rule me, but I got caught up in a storm of them . . . again. I really had an attitude--and not a good one. I think I said something like, "Okay God, I've had enough."

Eww. Sorry, Lord. You don't deserve that.

We know that life doesn't always make sense and sometimes it's downright unfair. Or so we think. But we only see a fraction of what God sees. He knows the beginning, the end and everything in between. And he always has our best interest in mind. Right?

WE TRUST HIM OR WE DON'T. RIGHT?

I'm not judging anyone who has a down day or a terribly bad moment. Really. Because we all do, don't we?  I believe God's Word is true. And that when it says it is "God Breathed" then that's just what it is. I can trust it. I can trust God. He knows what He's doing--even when I'm having one of those I should never have gotten out of bed kind of mornings.

And so this morning, while I was griping and focusing on circumstances I was miserable. But God is so good to me. He just shook His head and said, "Bonnie, Bonnie, Bonnie. When are you going to learn? Look at me. I'm right here." That's when the Holy Spirit nudged me and I sat down and opened my Bible. And there He was, my Lord . . . waiting for me. Oh Lord, thank you for waiting. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your love!

Seek Him and you will find Him. And then the world will look sunnier.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Books & Writing: Be Yourself

Taking a short break from Creating Characters today. Back to it next week.

While reading a devotional this morning, I had to share this thought. It's taken from Max Lucado's devotional, Grace For The Moment.

He talks about the face-off between David and Goliath. These two are nothing alike. Goliath is huge, strong and he wields a javelin and a spear. David is young, small and his weapon is a sling shot. As Mr. Lucado points out this is like an eighteen-wheeler coming up against a VW Bug.

King Saul tries to help by offering David his own armor and weapons, but David refuses. And though it would appear he's choosing suicide, he defeats Goliath with his slingshot and a stone.

Mr. Lucado says, "What fits others might not fit you. Indeed what fits the king might not fit you. Just because someone gives you advice, a job, or a promotion, you don't have to accept it. Let your uniqueness define your path of life."

I don't believe we should ignore advice, but while we listen with a careful ear we must remember who we are. As a writer I sometimes wish I wrote like so-and-so -- I become frustrated with my own style, wishing I wrote snappier or that I was wittier or that my prose were filled with more detail and beauty. Certainly, my writing style is not for everyone. It's not meant to be. I'm not supposed to be a copy of someone else.

Just as you and I may read different types of books, we also write in our own unique style. That's as it should be.

Make peace with who you are. Embrace the gifts given to you, just for you. After all, they are given by God and if he can create all the universe, then He certainly knew what He was doing when He created you and me.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God: On Bended Knee

Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing. The faithful have vanished from the earth. Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts,. May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. They say, "We will lie to our hearts' content. Our lips are our own--who can stop us?" The Lord replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do. The Lord's promises are Pure, like silver refined in a furnace purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, eventhough the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.
Psalm 12

 "The godly are fast disappearing. The faithful have vanished. Neighbors lie to each other. We will lie to our heart's content. The wicked strut about and evil is praised."

This sounds a lot like our present society, doesn't it. This morning, as I read these passages I saw recent newspaper headlines, my church,  neighbors, friends, family . . . me. I saw me. All of us do evil. And our society feels as if its spiraling downward deeper and deeper into sin. Perhaps it is, but evil has existed since The Garden. There is nothing new under the sun.

Also during this morning's reading, passages of hope rose up. "Help, O Lord. The Lord replies. I have seen. I have heard. I will rise up. The Lord will protect. The Lord's promises are pure."

When I consider my sins I want to look away. I hate them. The words of the apostle Paul from Romans 7 help me to see the truth. He says, "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Even Paul was a sinner. If that is so, then how can we change, not only ourselves but the world?

The Lord provides the way. He is our help and our strength. He sustains us when we can no longer stand. He gives us the words to speak when we must. And reminds us to remain quiet when we should. He enables us to love and to forgive. He is full of mercy.

If we want to change the world, we need to begin with Him. Change takes place one bended knee at a time.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Books & Writing

Last Wednesday, we took a small step toward creating memorable characters. This week--one more step. But before we begin, did you come up with any ideas about the character I showed you, about who he is? His name is Tom in the book I'm working on. This week I have a new character. I'd love to know what you think about her.


Now on to the fun of creating characters.

We want to move beyond the basics.

• Consider what is going on in a character’s life. What are the struggles and conflicts they face today? Their successes and joys, hopes and dreams. What do they want more in life than anything else? What do they fear most? And if they've walked through fire in the past what was the outcome? How has the past effected the present? 

During this period of creating a character, you as the writer, need to give yourself time to consider each person in your story. Who do you need and why do you need them? Allow yourself time to let your imagination run free. 

Make sure the characteristics you give to each character contributes to the story you have to tell. There needs to be a reason they are who they are.

• Create a family for your main characters. Get creative. 

What were their parents like? Did they have parents? Siblings? 
What was their relationship like with the rest of the family? 
If there were conflicts, what were they about and what was behind them? 
How did conflicts manifest themselves? 
What kind of home did they live in? 
What was the neighborhood like? 
Where have they lived? 
What was home life like--rigid, free(maybe to much so)?
What is their relationship like with their parents and siblings today? 
  
You get the idea.

• Create a history for each character. This will help them become three dimensional, which is what you want. If they are real to you they will be real to your readers and that way readers will care about them. If they don't, they won't care about the story and that can be a disaster.

You want to think about the big and little things. Include things like:

A favorite childhood pet.
Favorite or least favorite food (why do they hate strawberries?).
Best friend. 
Fun they had or pranks they pulled. 
Traumatic experiences and do those experiences still plague them? Or did it make them wiser and stronger?  
What are some of their special memories? 
What kind of relationships have they had--friends, family, lovers. 
If they've been in love, how did that work out? Has it effected the way they feel about romance today? 
Have they lost someone they loved? 
Vowed to never love again?
What do they want for their future?
Dreams & aspirations--do they believe they can achieve them?

Consider what it is about their past that effects who they are today. We all have pasts. Where we've been and what we've done shape who we are. 


These are a few of the questions you can ask yourself. I'm sure you'll come up with more. Do your best to be thorough so when you're writing your story you'll understand your characters so well that you'll know how they'll react to the action, relationships and situations they encounter in the lives you create for them. 

A reminder -- ask why. It's important to know the why's about your characters if you want to present them realistically and consistently to your readers.

There's lots more to talk  about when we create characters, but we'll get to that next week. 

I hope you discover more of the sharp edges and soft places in the people who tell your stories. Have fun!


Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie 

CHRISTIAN FICTION SCAVENGER HUNT, STOP #2

Welcome to the first ever Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! Make the loop to discover 23 new or upcoming novels, and write down the clue at each stop. When you know what the clues say, fill out the Rafflecopter form by June 4, 2012 (midnight EST) at www.LisaBergren.com, and you could be in the running for the grand prize of 23 new, autographed books (if you live in the USA; unsigned if international). Note: if you're the winner, you must email the complete statement within 24 hours of notification in order to claim the Grand Prize...so don't miss a stop! Be ready with your answer if you're the lucky winner! No need to email it unless you receive the good word on June 5, 2012.

Meet Janice Hanna Thompson! 

As a part of this scavenger hunt, I’m hosting Janice Hanna Thompson, a one of a kind author who loves romantic comedy. Her stories will make you laugh. Janice is a versatile writer who creates light-hearted historical, inspirational romance, quirky cozy mysteries and fun books for younger readers.

Tia Morales is used to calling the shots. She's the director of the popular sitcom Stars Collide, and her life on set is calculated and orderly. Well, most of the time. But her life outside the studio is another matter. If only she could get her family to behave as well as her stars do! When she starts butting heads with handsome camera operator Jason Harris, it's enough to send a girl over the edge. Will she ever learn to let go and take life--and love--as it comes? Full of the humor and crazy family dynamics Janice Thompson fans have come to love, this colorful story gives readers an inside look at Hollywood and a healthy dose of romance.

Make sure to grab a copy of Janice's new book, The Director's Cut when it releases June 1st, 2012! 

You can pick up a copy at your local book store or . . .

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Directors-Cut-The-Novel-Backstage/dp/0800733479/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337133860&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directors-cut-the-janice-thompson/1106916694?ean=9780800733476

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/the-directors-cut-backstage-pass/janice-thompson/9780800733476/pd/733476?item_code=WW&netp_id=963839&event=ESRCG&view=details.

Here’s a Scavenger Hunt Exclusive

from Janice

that has never appeared anywhere else.

A BEL AIR TALE:

In the summer of ’79, my dad decided to move our family from Houston, Texas to Los Angeles CA so that he could get into the movie biz. I was eighteen at the time. I’d visited California on occasion, but had certainly never lived there. Settling on a home was a challenge, since my dad didn’t have a solid plan for how long we would stay in the area. He found a house in Bel Air West, off of Mulholland. We were literally a stone’s throw away from the Groves Overlook (above the San Fernando Valley). I still remember the house because it took my breath away: sweeping staircase, fabulous kitchen, fantastic backyard, complete with pool and Jacuzzi. Quite the place! We only lived there a few months, but the home left a lasting impression.

Jump ahead to 2011: When I decided to write The Director’s Cut, I set the story in Hollywood. Tia Morales (the story’s heroine) is the director of Stars Collide, a popular sitcom. She’s a busy gal with a very full life. Tia lives in (you guessed it) my old house! Quite a few years have passed since the home was built, and I happened to drive by it the last time I was in Los Angeles. It seemed smaller and definitely in need of an overhaul! Ack! Not at all what I remembered. Then again, thirty-plus years have passed. Houses, like people, age!

With that in mind, I decided to make the home’s renovation a major part of Tia’s story. She spends her days at the studio, directing the sitcom—a controlled environment. She spends her nights and weekends working on the house, (something she can’t control). To complicate the situation, her irresponsible brothers are in charge of the renovation.

In the end, Tia’s love interest, Jason, plays a key role in her home’s makeover. Through it all, she learns several lessons about trusting God with the details. Come to think of it, I learned a few lessons about trusting the Lord with the details of my life while living in that home, too. My memories of L.A. are sweet, and I hope it shows in Tia’s story. Oh, and for the record, one thing hasn’t changed in thirty-plus years: the views from Mulholland are as breathtaking as ever! Check out the picture of Groves Overlook for all the proof you will ever need!

The Groves Overlook: http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=43 (Click the link to learn more about the area near my old home.)

 Find out more about Janice Hanna Thompson at:            http://www.janicehannathompson.com

The Scavenger Hunt Skinny

Now mosey along, Hunters, to STOP #3: Cara Putman at http://blog.caraputman.com/2012/05/angela-hunt-scavenger-hunt.html

so . . .

you can pick up your next clue!

But before you go, 

write down this STOP #2 clue – these

Books & Writing: Characters Readers Can Believe In

My last blog post on Books and Writing was about a book I'd recently read, Rosslyn Elliott's Sweeter Than Birdsong.. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. After writing the post I thought it would be fun to take look at this book and a few others and discover why we love them.

The characters in Rosslyn's novel were finely drawn--she did her homework and I found them vivid and real.
So, this week, I'd like to wade into the process of creating believable characters, people we believe in and care about enough to stay with through an entire novel. And discover those unique and memorable characters that we carry with us long after putting a book down. If readers don't care about the characters they won't care about the story. Joyce Scott, a fellow writer, once said while describing her characters, "They're a long term relationship . . . like the rest of your life. The characters and their stories are real to me and so they live on as long as I do." 

She's exactly right. That's who they need to be if we're going to know them well enough to write their stories. We've got to know them inside and out, what motivates them . . . who they are.

·         Today we'll look at the place to begin, with some very basics. In coming weeks we'll dig deeper to discover who our characters are and what makes them tick. Why do they do what they do. I build a character profile for every person in a story--the larger role they play, the more information I include. To begin with we need to know . . .

Basic Facts:

• Find a photograph that represents your character.
• It can be someone you know, an actor/actress, photo from a magazine or newspaper.
• I used to use files for characters, but now it's very easy to find photographs online. 
• Beginning with a photo helps create a three-dimensional person in your own mind, one that you can actually see.

Bring your characters to life:

• List your character's physical characteristics. You must take the time to do this before you begin writing or you may begin a book with a blue-eyed, blonde and end up with a dark-haired gal with brown eyes. 

Things to consider

• Hair--Is it long, short, dark, blonde, greasy, stringy, curly, or . . . ?
• Eyes--What color are they? Shape. Are they cool, warm, compassionate, cruel?
• Skin--What kind of complexion do they have? Is their skin weathered, scarred, pimpled or soft as a new born babe's?
• Size--Is the character tall, short, fat, thin, burly, petite . . .?
• Age--How old is this person? Do they look their age? If not, why not?
• Male or female? Sometimes it's not so easy to tell these days.

Other basics to keep in mind.

• Ethnicity
• Mannerisms
• Speech patterns
• Strengths
• Weaknesses 

I'm looking forward to digging deeper. Hope to see you here next week.

By the way, what do you think you know about the character in the photograph, just by looking at him? You can tell a lot just by what a person looks like. 

I'd love to hear your feedback--he's a character in a book I'm working on.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God: Ever Feel Lost?

 Have you ever felt like you’ve lost your way, or even lost yourself? Have you had times when you've wondered what happened to the joyful, hopeful, inspired disciple of Christ you once were? The one who knew that with God nothing was impossible. The one who saw the world as a place filled with possibilities.

That's me, at least some of the time. For the last several months life has been difficult, full of trauma, change and heartache. I think I'm grieving or just weary. But knowing that doesn't change the way I feel. And so I am left with a question. How do I find my way back to me, back to joy? 

God knows what I need before I even ask Him. And He always provides.

In my reading this morning Oswald Chambers’ words cut to my heart. “God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible.” 

I read those words and sucked in a deep refreshing breath, then let it out, feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit. I knew the answer to my question. 

I must step aside and give God rule in my life. Trust Him with the troubles and sorrows, the changes and the fears.

Mind you, this is not a new lesson for me. I've been here before. But some lessons need to be taught again . . . and again. And so here I am, relearning or maybe it's best described as working it more deeply into my soul. Maybe this time I'll REALLY get it.

I’m pretty certain that I’ve previously mentioned that I love my life orderly and predictable. Change, for me, is like stepping blind-folded to the edge of a cliff. For eight months I've been standing on the edge of that cliff. Every day arrives filled with unanswered questions and often heartache. Nothing is predictable.

When my mind wanders freely without constraint I sometimes find myself feeling hopeless and a sense of loss threatens to sweep me up in a powerful wave.  And then I reign in my unruly thoughts and seek refuge--my Lord. He sees me. He knows my heart, every fear and every hope. He stands with me and even carries me when I need Him to. And even though I am in a place where tomorrow is uncertain I know He will shine a light on the path before me and show me the way I should go.

Resting in Him allows God to do the impossible.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

               

Relationship -- Comrades

I spent last weekend with new and old writing friends. Ann Shorey, Laura Frantz, Mesu Andrews and I joined forces at Lifeway Christian Books in Beaverton, Oregon and Tukwila, Washington. We had a good time chatting with readers, signing books and getting to know each other better. Ann and I have been buddies for years, but I'd never met Laura or Mesu. The book-signing was scheduled as a promotion for our work, but it turned out to be more than that.

I now feel as if I have new comrades in the writing world. Writers need each other--we understand what the writing life is like--the challenges and the joys. Us gals had fun sharing battle tales, triumphs and the perplexities of an author's life. And we laid groundwork for what may be long-standing friendships.

It was fun hanging out together. We know one another in a way we didn't before, and we better understand how to pray for one another. And I personally feel freer to reach out when I'm in need of guidance or support. We are comrades. A writer's life can feel isolated so in some ways when we bond it feels like us against the world. Ann, Mesu, Laura and I are now less alone in the great big writing ocean.

You and I--we all have our niche, and there are others we can share our interests and gifts with. Seek out one another. Share your unique talents as well as your strengths and weaknesses. Link arms and lean on one another. You will be stronger for it.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

MEET THE AUTHORS!

           


 THERE WILL BE FOUR

Ann Shorey

Mesu Andrews

  REVELL AUTHORS

 

Laura Frantz

Bonnie Leon

AT LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN STORES

Gift basket drawing. Chocolate. And . . . GOOD BOOKS!

We'd love to meet you! Join us May 19th, Friday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 PM in Beaverton, Oregon at the Lifeway Christian Store located at 2785 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. Saturday, the 19th we'll be trekking northward to Tukwila, Washington where we'll be looking forward to meeting you at the Liveway Christian Store at 17326 Southcenter Parkway from 1:00 - 3:00.

SEE YOU THERE!