REAL LIFE HEROES....

We writers create fictional heroes all the time. We imbue them with qualities and traits we consider heroic and then give them a situation in which to act and show their heroism in ways both large and small. But true heroes are difficult to write because we have to also make them fallible. They must be human beings in order to truly be heroic. So we create heroes who have desires, wants, needs and fears, and in order to be heroic, they have to overcome their fears, sacrifice, and even admit defeat. In fiction we want our heroes to be larger than life.

In this, we can take a lesson from real life--our veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. military. I doubt anyone goes into battle or finds themselves on the front lines without feeling some fear.

There are no heroes braver, more valiant, more dedicated, more selfless, loyal and courageous than our 23 million veterans and those who are currently serving to protect our country, and I want to extend my personal thanks and also remind everyone that we should remember, and thank, those who serve for the sacrifices they and their families have made to protect us, not only on Veteran's Day, but every day.

In writing my current book A SOLDIER’S SECRET, to be released in January, 2012, I had the opportunity to talk to service men and women and also do extensive research on what services are offered to them upon their return home. I was surprised by the lack of services for those who have come home wounded, both in body and mind, and I vowed to get more involved than I have been. One way I’m getting more involved is to donate a percentage of the proceeds from sales of A SOLDIER’S SECRET to the Wounded Warrior Project. http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ 

Founded in 2003, WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

I can think of no better way to say thank you to our veterans and those still serving our country than to help provide services to meet their needs when they come home.

If you’re wondering what you can do, there are numerous ways you can say thank you. You can volunteer to do just about anything... from providing foster care for a vet's pet, to sharing your expertise. You can even record a war story for the Library of Congress for their record of tales from the front lines. 

Since we're all readers and writers here, one of the easiest ways to say thank you is by donating your paperback books to our troops overseas. Books can be sent to Ellen Keegan who runs Books for Troops Click here.  She accepts both new and gently used books.  

Whatever way you do it, join me in saying THANK YOU on this Veteran’s Day, and every day, to all those whose bravery and courage keep us out of harm’s way.

New Summer Classes at BOOTCAMP FOR NOVELISTS

Don't miss out on these exciting summer clinics at Bootcamp for Novelists!

July 22 to September 2
C1 Applying the Hero's Journey
Mythology was made famous by Joseph Campbell and later applied to screenwriting andstorytelling by Hollywood, yet the principles of this powerful tool to readers'subconscious common links are still only vaguely understood. Learn how the archetypes areactually placeholders and that the journey itself takes many forms. This course is sixweeks long and features considerable discussion as well as exercises for employing the"Journey" method.
Fee: $48


August 5 to September 16
LS1 Secrets To Writing a Killer Synopsis
Plus: Query Letter and First Three Chapters
The best story in the world won't sell if the editor can't get past the query letter and the synopsis. Most publishers give very specific guidelines on what they want in a submission, but they don't tell you how to make your submission stand out among the hundreds they receive daily. In this class, you'll learn the secret to do just that. This is a 6-week class in which you'll get direct feedback on your work. It is recommended that you have completed at least half of your manuscript in order to get the most from the class.

In this class we'll cover:
The Rules
Basic Presentation
Query Letter format --how to show individuality, style and a compelling story in one page.
The cover letter
The Synopsis - what's the secret?
Showing individuality, voice, style and a compelling story in a short synopsis.
Overview on the first three chapters of your novel

Register now! Get the tools that will help bring your proposal to the editor's attention...and make her want to read more!
Fee: $48

Enroll Now! http://bootcampfornovelists.com/ls-courses/l-course-ls-clinic-1-perfect-prop.html


AND THERE'S MORE. THE BOOTCAMP PACKAGES ARE BACK!
Each of these packages include the four fundamental courses of each Bootcamp track (basicand polish) and cover the same material as the individual Bootcamps. There will be a one-week break between each course, and you still have the option of registering for each Bootcamp individually, just without the package discount

PILLARS OF STRUCTURE PACKAGE
Begins September 30
1B - Creating Characters
2B - Dynamic Plotting
3B - Sculpting Scenes
4B - Conflict That Sizzles
These four courses develop your basic writing skills and give you the foundation for writing your book. You'll go through step-by-step exercises that can sometimes befrustrating but are designed to help you identify how to create the memorable characters,can't-put-it-down plotting, and tense, crackling scenes that are found in all the bestbooks. Plus, knowledge at a bargain.

Individual courses are $28 each. You'll save $20 by enrolling in the combined package. PACKAGE FEE: $92

TECHNIQUES OF THE PROS PACKAGE
Begins November 11
1P - The First Three Chapters
2P - Deepening Character
3P - Escalating Consequences
4P - Creating Strong Subplots
The advanced techniques in these four classes are designed to expand and build on your basic foundation skills to take your writing to another level. The lessons and exercises,using your own work, will give you hands on experience as you learn the concepts and practice the techniques that make a bestseller...complex stories with memorable characters that readers will remember long after they've turned the last page.

Individual courses are $28. You'll save $20 by enrolling in the four-class package.
PACKAGE FEE: $92
For more information or to enroll, go to http://bootcampfornovelists.com/

LOVE SMART...

Find the One you Want--Fix the One You've Got.

No, I'm not going to tell you how to do that, but Dr. Phil will if you win the 6 CD audio book I'm giving away next Friday, March 4th, as part of our second anniversary celebration. Or, if you'd rather learn how to create a phenomenal family, Dr. Phil can tell you how to do that, too, in Family First--Your Step-by-Step Plan for Creating a Phenomenal Family. If you're the winner, you can choose which audio book you'd rather have.

Dr. Phil is an expert in human behavior and reading the back cover blurbs on the two CDs, I was reminded that we, as writers, have to be an expert in human behavior, too. In fact, I sometimes think Psychology 101 should be a prerequesite when learning the craft of writing. How can you write realistic characters if you know nothing about human behavior?

Like each of us, our characters' behavior is based on multiple factors stemming from genetics and life experience. No one is the same and two people striving for the same external goal will have different internal motivation that drives him toward it. Failure to delve deeply into a character's past is a common mistake new writers make. It's why characters seem wooden and sound alike. It's only when you dig deep enough to find your character's driving force that you can create characters with depth and breadth.

So, how do we do this, and how deep do we need to go? Some of us create charts or make long lists of traits--and we do need to do that--but charts alone will not get us where we need to be to make our characters come alive. We have to dig deeper and deeper, until we get down to the level of a character's values and beliefs about life...and, most importantly, about himself. When the reader understands a character's deep motivation, he can identify and will want to read more.

Do you go that far? Do you know what your character values the most? Do you know what your hero believes about himself? Do you know why he believes it? Do you know what happened in his childhood to cement this belief? Those are questions I have to ask if I want my characters to have deep internal motivation for whatever goal I give them. If you're not asking those kinds of questions, try it and see what happens.

If you'd like to be in the drawing to win one of the audio books by Dr. Phil, simply leave a comment and it's done.

And don't forget, there's still time to save on classes at Bootcamp for Novelists. The special discounted prices are good through 2/28 at midnight, but time is getting short. Check out our new Face-to-Face Clinic as well, at www.bootcampfornovelists.com.

Ciao for now,
Linda

Cheers! Salute! A votre sante! Slainte! Prost! Ysas!

Salud! Mazel Tov! Oogy Wawa!

Come join the fun! We're celebrating Bootcamp for Novelists’ second Anniversary on February 15th, and because we’re in a celebratory mood, we want to give you an anniversary present!

During the entire month of February, all classes will be $25. Check it out at www.bootcampfornovelists.com.

It's hard to believe Bootcamp for Novelists is two years old already. And like anyone with a birthday, we’re wondering where all the time has gone. It seems like just yesterday that we were brainstorming how to share our love of writing--and our knowledge and experience in publishing--with other writers.

We started with a germ of an idea...and a shared belief that anyone can learn to write a novel if given the correct tools to do so. We wanted to share what we know through a format we wished had been around when we were beginning novelists. That format was one that would take students from the beginning idea and story structure, all the way through the advanced techniques, to the end of the novel. That was our dream. In the beginning, putting together a program that hit all the right notes was a bit daunting, but the concept was so exciting, we forged ahead. And, thus, Bootcamp for Novelists Online classes began on February 15, 2009.

During the past two years, we've been delighted to get to know many of you who've been taking our classes, and we’ve had the pleasure of reading some very excellent work. We've learned a lot, both as writers and as teachers. We learned how to work more efficiently with Yahoo online groups. We learned what to do and what not to do when posting lessons and giving feedback. We learned what classes work well and which need to be restructured. We learned from each other...and, yes, we learned from you. And that is exactly as we had envisioned it.

We were lucky. So many times in life, the greatest efforts don’t turn out as envisioned, and when that happens, it requires another look to see what needs changing. This part wasn’t too hard for us because we’re writers. Writers are constantly revising. The harder part is looking at our strengths. How often do we look at what we’re doing right? How often do we capitalize on our strengths? Not very often is my guess.

As writers, we should continue to learn and grow as artists, and part of that growing is recognizing what we’re doing right. We need to find our strengths, capitalize on them ... and then make changes. I’ve seen far too many manuscripts with a fresh, exciting voice end up sounding as if it could've been written by anyone. There’s no distinction. No personality. The magic is gone.

Don’t let that happen. It's important to know and understand the methods...and then decide how to make them work for you. Protect who you are, because the magic in any work of art is what the creator brings to it. The magic is you!

I'm curious. What are your thoughts when you’re revising or looking at feedback on a story? Do you go directly to what isn’t working...or do you look for your strengths and try to capitalize on them? Do you know what your strengths are?

Leave a comment and you’ll be in the drawing to win the beautiful turquoise bracelet in the photo. We'll be celebrating all month long, so be sure to stop by and chat both here and at Connie's bootcamp blog. Prizes will be involved. :-)


UPCOMING BOOTCAMP CLASSES:
February 11 to March 11
2B - Dynamic Plotting
2P - Deepening Characterization

March 18 to April 15
3B - Scene Sculpting
3P - Escalating Consequences

April 22 to May 20
4B - Conflicts That Sizzle
4P - Strong Plots and Subplots

We're now on Facebook! Come join us and be part of the Bootcamp for Novelists Community page. Start a discussion with other writers...or just let us know what you're up to. We'd love to see you!

The Rules of Engagement...

The Rules of Engagement...

No, I’m not talking about Prince William and his new fiancé, winsome commoner, soon-to-be-royalty, Kate. Or is it now Katharine? Actually, I could talk about the subject at length because I write romance novels and a tale of a Prince and a commoner falling in love and living happily ever after is a great story. But I won’t because you’ll soon hear more than you ever wanted to hear about the royal couple from the media...and because that’s not what I wanted to talk about. Besides, the Pygmalion/opposites attract theme sounds a little familiar, doesn’t it? Cinderella, Sabrina, The Way We Were, Pretty Woman, My Fair Lady, Breakfast at Tiffanys, Overboard, The King and I, African Queen and even Shrek are all variations on that theme, so really, it’s been done to death, hasn’t it.

Actually not. Those stories are, in a way, exactly what I was planning to talk about. The opposites attract/happily ever after stories, while seeming cliché, are timeless. They win readers’ (or movie fans) hearts. They win hearts because they contain certain elements that appeal to wide audiences. They win hearts because the authors followed The Rules of Engagement…and that is what I wanted to talk about.

Never heard of those rules? Me either, at least not formally. So, I’ll go ahead and create that rule right now. The way to make your story win readers’ hearts is to follow The Rules of Engagement.

Readers choose to buy a book because something about it interests them, be it an evocative title, stunning cover, an enticing back cover blurb or can’t-put-it-down first paragraph. Usually, it’s a combination of all of the above, and when that happens, the reader becomes engaged. But only temporarily. Our job as writers is to continue engaging…and that’s where The Rules come in.

I’m not a fan of rules in any art or craft…other than you have to know them in order to break them, but I absolutely believe certain elements must be present at the beginning of a story in order to engage the reader. Hence ... The Rules of Engagement. Not being a rule lover, I confined my rules to only those I feel are absolutely necessary. In order to engage a reader immediately, your story must have:

1. A sympathetic character the reader can identify with, worry about and root for
2. Empathy – universal emotions that the majority of readers can relate to
3. Emotional urgency – important action that hooks the reader instantly. The reader must know up front what’s at stake...what stands to be lost? In other words, conflict happens immediately.
4. An interesting setting – the setting enhances the emotion and tone of the story.

Notice anything about the above rules? They all involve eliciting emotions from the reader. Feelings are what keeps us engaged. In order to be truly engaged, the reader needs to be actively concerned about a character’s sanity, safety or soul. The reader must be interested in the story outcome. If that doesn’t happen-–if the reader doesn’t care what happens to the character, why read on? When I find myself reading a story I normally wouldn’t read, it’s because I care what happens. My emotions have been engaged. As authors, it’s our job to make the reader care about what happens.

Think about the best books you’ve read recently. Do they have all the elements above in...say...the first three to five pages?