I like to straighten my office, purge, dust and organize before undertaking a new project. The ritual involves letting go of what I have been doing and prepare for what's coming. This time, granted, I've gone overboard with the purging. Several trips to the Goodwill drop-off center and an overflowing recycling bin two weeks running attest to my single-minded pursuit. I'm well aware of what I'm avoiding. I'll get there. In the meantime, while clearing out the old to make room for the new, I … [Read more...]
An Outer and an Inner Goal — Try it for Yourself
July 26, 2018 By
After the hour plot consultation, I wander outside. My thoughts soften. The writer I just worked with and the protagonist of her novel meld into one. They’re each in pursuit of an outer goal -- the writer to finish her novel, the protagonist to find her father. The actualization of their external, measureable goals has the potential to transform their outer lives. If the writer continues writing forward, she finishes what she started ten years ago. So long as the protagonist doesn't give up, she … [Read more...]
Plot and Creativity
July 22, 2018 By
Plot is how the dramatic action in a story transforms a character's emotional development in a meaningful way. Creativity is how your actions transform inspiration into reality in a meaningful way. Plot and creativity tips abound in the Universal Story. Left-brain and Right-brain Creatives Some writers like planning and logic, order, cause and effect. These writers often embrace traditional rules and patterns. They also excel at producing meaningful action-packed plots. Other writers like … [Read more...]
Beginning or Finishing? Which is Harder?
July 9, 2018 By
Perhaps I should have included the middle, too -- Beginning, Slogging through the Middle or Finishing? What is the hardest? Responses on Twitter unanimously agree. Finishing is the hardest. Reaching the end. The realization of a goal. Fulfillment. Completion. Seize the prize. From a creative point-of-view, an outer cause for the difficulty is confusion over technique and/or what each part symbolizes themetically and archetypially. An inner cause from a spiritual point-of-view is ego. Attachment … [Read more...]
The Connection between Sensitivity and Creativity
June 26, 2018 By
As writers and creatives, we're often interrupted by life. We’re energetically in the creative zone and suddenly an emergency strikes. Our child, father, dog gets sick and needs help. The hose springs a leak. There’s a knock at the door. The electricity goes out. Our spouse invites us to lunch. A friend needs a shoulder to cry on. Being compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others, we respond. The child, father, dog, hose, electricity, spouse, and friend represent external antagonists. No, … [Read more...]
Plot a Publishing Plan – Step Three
June 24, 2018 By
Are you feeling overwhelmed? I am. No surprise overwhelm hits upon leaving the beginning -- step one and step two -- of this plot a publishing plan. Step three sends us into the middle of the program. And we all know what happens in the middle of the Universal Story! Suddenly, I'm faced with how much I don't know. I love writing. I love teaching. Independent publishing? Not so much. Honestly, not at all. But... I set myself a goal. And I do believe inspiration appears with a purpose. We learn … [Read more...]
Follow Me!