tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post7612808081953849082..comments2023-10-30T09:00:07.439-05:00Comments on A Walk In My Shoes: These Shoes Are Going SomewhereSusan R. Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-17361563063041121232009-11-06T05:02:50.258-06:002009-11-06T05:02:50.258-06:00Wow, Susan! I'm catching up on some blogs toda...Wow, Susan! I'm catching up on some blogs today, and you're giving me tons to think about that are very timely as I'm revising. Thanks! Keep it coming.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-50020539031310427032009-11-05T19:09:07.778-06:002009-11-05T19:09:07.778-06:00Ah, as I just wrote a scene to only further the ta...Ah, as I just wrote a scene to only further the tale. Going back to it, going back to it.Midlife Roadtripperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700277803842883251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-77419999224682123342009-11-05T08:11:45.897-06:002009-11-05T08:11:45.897-06:00This was actually something I was struggling with ...This was actually something I was struggling with in the planning stages... I knew what my MC would NEED to do, but what was it she actually WANTED out of life? I think I'm on the right track, but haven't quite refined that part yet. It's definitely important -- she can't be properly motivated without knowing what it is she truly wants.Faithhttp://www.boughanfire.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-11850220883242391332009-11-05T00:20:51.433-06:002009-11-05T00:20:51.433-06:00This is great! And kind of one of those "duh&...This is great! And kind of one of those "duh" things that I don't always do. Thanks for the reminder!B.J. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767654810069240472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-22493863188536779272009-11-04T23:39:31.317-06:002009-11-04T23:39:31.317-06:00You know- it does make sense! But I know I've ...You know- it does make sense! But I know I've forgotten to give the MC a goal before as well as other characters. I struggle with what the supporting cast's goals are too.<br /><br />I'm more cognizant of the characters needing goals now that I've researched writing for a while. I never understood before :) <br /><br />Great post!erica m. chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14773306703153110737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-14774964686271374482009-11-04T22:33:26.316-06:002009-11-04T22:33:26.316-06:00I find if I have a goal for my character, the writ...I find if I have a goal for my character, the writing goes so much better. The chapter is cleaner and I know where to send my character.Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-7497056269442092572009-11-04T19:41:03.634-06:002009-11-04T19:41:03.634-06:00I am going to go back and put my stuff through tha...I am going to go back and put my stuff through that filter. Thank you for posting about this!!!K. M. Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07167022736028223997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-37192289030689122552009-11-04T19:19:44.816-06:002009-11-04T19:19:44.816-06:00My MC has been out of the proverbial loop for awhi...My MC has been out of the proverbial loop for awhile. Because of this each scene is a chance for her to see precisely how horrid the culture of the city has become. If I do it right, and believably, the goal for each scene is have a little bit more of her heroic personality fall into place.Matthew Delmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452378192874048547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-40209249395559474782009-11-04T19:05:16.807-06:002009-11-04T19:05:16.807-06:00In my first draft the middle is where the story sa...In my first draft the middle is where the story sagged. There was a lot of meandering and not a lot of purpose. So there was a lot of slashing. <br /><br />Great reminder!Stephanie Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437077559099315853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-7454819348382701142009-11-04T18:20:01.205-06:002009-11-04T18:20:01.205-06:00Wonderful advice! and on the flipside - to make su...Wonderful advice! and on the flipside - to make sure the writer creates that scene realistically so the reader doesn't know what the writer is up to! You know, when you read something and it's obvious it is a device put there by the writer to move the plot or whatever :)Kathryn Magendiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12863595228298349863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-81718924565209063472009-11-04T17:36:55.178-06:002009-11-04T17:36:55.178-06:00Thanks for another helpful post, Susan. :)Thanks for another helpful post, Susan. :)Dawn Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05667675689038435581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-80453726986758271442009-11-04T16:09:23.297-06:002009-11-04T16:09:23.297-06:00If I can't get in touch with the main characte...If I can't get in touch with the main character of a story I usually get lost somewhere in the middle of the book. If the character doesn't build or get those goals it's like Oh um so what was the point of that? It's like in movies. lol I always relate things to movies but I guess that's because I'm a very visual person. Well if the movie didn't go anywhere, no goals were reached I'll probably do the "That's it?". I'll make sure I keep my story interesting & collective in it's events & have things mean things. <br /><br />This Fire in Fiction book must have been amazing. I think I might take a look at it.Melanie's Randomnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11331778717585609001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-53340000394613599232009-11-04T16:03:28.862-06:002009-11-04T16:03:28.862-06:00Have you ever read Goal, Motivation, and Conflict?...Have you ever read Goal, Motivation, and Conflict? I know it's probably old school but the basic premise is every character should have a goal, a reason for that goal, and something standing in his/her way from getting it.Stephanie Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10461865229341760836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-8131811757095527432009-11-04T15:41:08.201-06:002009-11-04T15:41:08.201-06:00This is good advice. I wonder how many of the clas...This is good advice. I wonder how many of the classic novels actually follow this premise? I know there are some, for they would provide a little synopsis at the beginning of each chapter(remember those?). In college, I can trudging through quite a few of the 'classics' that just seemed stuck for many chapters. I found myself flipping through. <br /><br />Am I guilty of the same sins? Probably so. ;-) But the authors who immediately come to mind who adhered to this rule are Shakespeare and Zora Neale Hurston. I am sure that there are many others, but they pop into my mind.<br /><br />I guess that I say all of this to say that it is my belief that writers should focus on the story. What are the characters telling us? Sure, it is cool to adhere everyone's style advice, but should we compromise our stories for it, if there is a conflict? I believe that 'a good read' is in the mind of the reader. There are many literary masterpieces out there that continue to sit on the shelves, unread. But I think that we tend to remember the works that capture our imaginations and souls.<br /><br />LOL... But remember I am an unpublished writer. What do I know? Squat! LOLLOL As you were, writers!LaFleur2009https://www.blogger.com/profile/08923030992428975322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-43641552344417333912009-11-04T15:18:29.012-06:002009-11-04T15:18:29.012-06:00I feel like I'm reading Mr. Maass book myself....I feel like I'm reading Mr. Maass book myself. Thanks to you Susan! These posts have all been so insightful and much needed. You've definitely motivated me to ask the right questions.<br />xoEllie Kingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14711249217634726986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-80120852559313978972009-11-04T15:09:44.921-06:002009-11-04T15:09:44.921-06:00This is such an important thing to know. what does...This is such an important thing to know. what does our character want??? I spend lots of time on this one, cause my MC is me in my memoir :) It can be hard to nail that down, but makes for a strong book when you do.Tabitha Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196816108272065974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-92061434100011153502009-11-04T14:56:36.146-06:002009-11-04T14:56:36.146-06:00I try to pull the reader into my MC's thoughts...I try to pull the reader into my MC's thoughts. I think it goes hand in hand with this: if the character knows what the MC wants, it will make more sense.Tara McClendonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246124060126729229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-72568854090475449822009-11-04T14:02:25.752-06:002009-11-04T14:02:25.752-06:00Great advice! Now I just have to figure out what ...Great advice! Now I just have to figure out what my characters want...Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861022355718378425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-33101531480249248252009-11-04T13:57:31.530-06:002009-11-04T13:57:31.530-06:00Good quote. Thanks for sharing. I'll keep thi...Good quote. Thanks for sharing. I'll keep this in mind while writing! =]Natalie Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116611923169722657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-8667978886700073362009-11-04T13:29:47.375-06:002009-11-04T13:29:47.375-06:00I have the overall goal pretty clear usually, but ...I have the overall goal pretty clear usually, but as for scene goals, I tend not to make them too blatant. Maybe I should.Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-58172401375868916922009-11-04T13:25:23.856-06:002009-11-04T13:25:23.856-06:00You give great advice for writers and I am sure th...You give great advice for writers and I am sure they appreciate it. I think your advice can pertain to everyday life too. We all need goal setting and a way of attaining it. Defining the outcome in advance is a sure way to achieve our success.Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858158707328118375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-48167100077601086432009-11-04T13:10:53.737-06:002009-11-04T13:10:53.737-06:00That is great advice. I don't have any additio...That is great advice. I don't have any additional insight to add to this. Just, thank you!Karen M. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06972093977468313631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-76705331353335217892009-11-04T12:23:12.745-06:002009-11-04T12:23:12.745-06:00Lately my character did not want to do anything bu...Lately my character did not want to do anything but sit. Can't figure out how to make her move.Angie Muresanhttp://www.angiemuresan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-85165220076566296002009-11-04T12:13:56.508-06:002009-11-04T12:13:56.508-06:00I've got to get this book SOON! I've ment...I've got to get this book SOON! I've mentioned before that these last pages are not what I want them to be. They're necessary, but they desperately need tweaking!Lillian Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488638666900705015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-32094971401111957182009-11-04T12:08:13.587-06:002009-11-04T12:08:13.587-06:00Great post, gives me pause as I think about my sto...Great post, gives me pause as I think about my story and the chapter I just started.<br /><br />much loveStacey J. Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059617724860253448noreply@blogger.com