Building Character: New Writing Exercise

Sometimes the hardest part of writing a story is not figuring out what your characters will do, it is finding out WHO they are! Anyone can jot down a story, but it takes a talented writer to give that story meaning, soul, and life! Doing so takes having strong characters...after all, it is there story! So how do you as a writer go about do this? That's the beauty of being a writer. The techniques you choose to use are (and should be) as unique as your style! But from time to time, it's good to take tips from one another. Which is why I am sharing with you my newest and best technique so far for the novel I am working on. My Space! Yes, you read it write! I rarely use my own My Space, but I noticed a favorite author of mine doing the same thing I had thought of a few months ago and decided it was worth a shot. I created a unique My Space for each of my characters in my novel. Each girl, Molly, Hannah, and Claire; have their own page, uniquely made to match their personality. They are friends with each other, and (of course) me! What makes this so great is that I can actually play out scenes in the book to help me build character. No, I don't plan on using everything word for word, and I don't plan on playing out the entire book through the web! But it helps me gain background for each of the girls.

Because this exercise is new, I can't really write much about it as I myself continue to learn as I go along. But what I can tell you is that it has been an extreme help in getting to 'know' these girls. It sorts out a lot of the thoughts in my head, and so far has helped me get rid of the infamous writers block we are all faced with at times in our careers!

If you would like to know more, just message me! So far this is a fun process and very helpful!

Creatively yours,
Kat

Proud to Announce.... :0)

As promised months ago, I am releasing the names of my characters for my Untitled novel! For those of you who keep up and remember a few months ago, I actually had a dream where one of my characters demanded that I re-name her! I then went on to realize that the reason I was having so much trouble writing was in fact because the none of the character's fit their names! SO, I started a quest in search of names! I looked high, I looked low, I bought baby name books, searched the Internet, and asked person after person "what is your name!" There were days I thought I had it, and I would write it down and sleep on it, and when I woke up it still was just not right! The process has about driven me insane, but today, everything finally clicked and in the moment I said the three names out loud, my heart seemed to fall in sync with three young ladies who's story I am telling. With that, I am very proud and honored to introduce to you:

* Molly Grace Conner
* Claire Marie Ballard
* Hannah Renae Sawyer

The feeling I have now is of pure excitement as I can now focus my full attention on their adventure that continues to un-fold before me!

Creatively yours,
Kat

It is a miracle! It has to be!

I am very very VERY happy to be able to post the great news that my computer is finally back up an running! For a little while there, I thought I was going to lose my last nerve and start pulling out my hair! But everything is up and running! New hard-drive, new programs, and updated virus software. She is all ready for me to get back to work... which means I now have to full-fill the promise I made! If my computer ever got fixed, I was going to quite dragging my feet and hop on the writing express! I have spent a lot of time working on the small details and little things that do have a large part to do with my career, but not enough time writing and perfecting those amazing stories! SO, starting tonight, I will be working hard-core on my novel and a few other little secret items I have in the works! I am sad to announce that I lost a few manuscripts over the course of this computer crash. :0( Normally I save every little thing to my jump drive, but was pressed for time and hadn't saved the little series of Bigfoot stories and the Halloween manuscript yet. When the error popped up on the screen, I was frantically trying to get everything transferred, but wasn't fast enough. In the end, I did save a few Bigfoot stories, but lost a great deal of them and the Halloween manuscript. It broke my heart because the bf stories are actually a gift for someone, and the Halloween manuscript took a lot of thinking! HOWEVER, on the bright side, I have a few printouts of versions of a few and I have confidence that I will be able to re-write it all and have them ready to go in a few months. I am just thankful I didn't loose more...such as my mind!

Other than that (which is rather large news really), not much is going on! I have been working and trying to keep up with class. Tomorrow I find out what classes I will be taking next semester. I also have to decided if I want to take more or stay with the same hours this time around. I think I will remain at 9 as I don't want to overload. But it will depend on the level of classes I look into tomorrow. Got to have time to write! ;0)

I shall now duck out and get some work done, but until I write again..as always...stay creative!

Creatively yours,
Kat Callaway

Secret Life Of Bees Quite the Buzz!

As you all know, I waited and waited for my favorite book to come out on the big screen! I even convinced my friend to go with me to this total chic flick on the opening night! It was all set, and I could have not been more ready for the evening to get there last Friday. But then, when I called in to find out the exact time, I was served a rude awakening on a cold plate! The Secret Life of Bee's would NOT be shown in Emporia! Needless to say, my heart was crushed, but not for long. For those of you who know me, you know that when it comes to something I have my heart set on, I am one stubborn lady! With that said, I started calling every movie theater possible...starting with the closest and working my way out. As it turns out, this movie was on a limited release (another way of saying they show it where they want and it makes it difficult for the small town people such as myself). But the movie theater in Topeka, KS was showing it at 9:30. I took one look at my clock, called my friend and told her she needed to fly over and we were off! Making it just in time to grab a coke and nachos before ducking into the packed theater.

As the lights dimmed, and the screen flickered, I couldn't help but feel the excitement rush through my veins. Almost 5 years have passed since I pulled that book out of the birthday bag that held it; and as the commercials carried on, I had different pictures flashing on the screen. Because all of a sudden, I remembered just why that book was so important to me!

I briefly mentioned in the last related post that the book was a gift to me on my 16th birthday. However the book was given as much more than a gift; it came in the form of a lesson, and a gift from the heart that created a memory that still to this day makes my heart shine on even the cloudiest of days. The book was given to me as a reminder.... and what I realized as I watched the movie, was that I had begun to forget those important lessons as the years have passed. So in a way, the book making it to film was almost like it was meant to be. Like in some weird, unexplainable way....the universe was pulling at all its strings to say "hey, yeah you! don't forget!" No, the gift giver had nothing to do with the book coming out on film, or any control over the situation at all.... but the connection was so incredibly strong. I haven't talked to the gift giver in 3 and a half years. But regardless, the lessons she taught me, the memories... they are still there.

So, stepping away from sappiness! What were those lessons you may ask?

So what were these lessons? The way they were taught to me, they came in quotes. Quotes that were repeated to me and talked about and applied in lessons when the times were just right. So here are a few of my favorite and most memorable quotes that you can take your own lesson from (quotes from the novel Secret Life of Bees," written by Sue Monk Kidd):

1. "Bee yard etiquette: ... the world is really one big bee yard, and the same rules work fine in both places: Don't be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don't be an idiot; wear long sleeves and long pants. Don't swat. Don't even think about swatting. If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates, while whistling melts a bee's temper. Act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't. Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved."
2. "... some things don't matter much. Like the color of a house. How big is that in the overall scheme of life? But lifting a person's heart--now, that matters. The whole problem with people is ... they know what matters, but they don't choose it... The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters."
3. "Every human being on the face of the earth has a steel plate in his head, but if you lie down now and then and get still as you can, it will slide open like elevator doors, letting in all the secret thoughts that have been standing around so patiently, pushing the button for a ride to the top. The real troubles in life happen when those hidden doors stay closed for too long"
4. "... something everybody wants is for someone to see the hurt done to them and set it down like it matters."
5. "... when it's time to die, die, and when it's time to live, live. Don't sort-of-maybe live, but live like you're going all out, like you're not afraid (of dying)."
6. "There's a fullness of time for things... You have to know when to prod and when to be quiet, when to let things take their course."
7. "Knowing can be a curse on a person's life. I'd traded in a pack of lies for a pack of truth and I didn't know which one was heavier. Which one took the most strength to carry around? It was a ridiculous question, though, because once you know the truth, you can't ever go back and pick up your suitcase of lies. Heavier or not, the truth is yours now."
8. "It is the peculiar nature of the world to go on spinning no matter what sort of heartbreak is happening."
9. "Regrets don't help anything ..."
10. "There is nothing perfect. There is only life"
11. "... the only purpose grand enough for a human life... is not just to love--but to persist in love."
12. “Most people don't have any idea about all the complicated life going on inside a hive. Bees have a secret life we don't know anything about.”
13. “No person is perfect… we need to let the puzzle of the human heart just be what it is.”
14. "Someone who thinks death is the scariest thing doesn't know a thing about life."
15. "After you get stung, you can't get unstung no matter how much you whine about it."
16. "I wanted to know what happened when two people felt it. Would it divide the hurt in two, make it lighter to bear, the way feeling someone's joy seemed to double it?"
17. "You have to find a mother inside yourself. We all do. Even if we already have a mother, we still have to find this part of ourselves inside...That's the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just to love - but to persist in love."
18. "It was the first time I'd ever said the words to another person, and the sound of them broke open my heart."
19. "Honeybees depend not only on physical contact with the colony, but also require it's social companionship and support. Isolate a honeybee from her sisters and she will soon die."

I could go into a long drawn out explanation about why each quote is special. What the amazing meaning is behind each one. But it would be pointless for me to do so. What is so great from this book; from these quotes, is that the reader can interpret them at will and apply them as needed to their own lives. The reason these lessons, and this story meant so much to me was because I could apply them in a special way with my life. A different reader would see an entirely different meaning behind every word! But I will say this...This story is an amazing journey that takes the reader down a path of many different topics . It points out that strong friendships aren't made based on skin color, age, or backgrounds; and on a larger scale...it points out that no matter what you are going through in life, no matter how many fights, disagreements or moments when you think things are ruined for sure... true friendship will lead you through if you are strong enough and have faith. Furthermore, is stresses that no one has to live their life alone. Like the bees, we move through life forming in little colonies. And as Lily so clearly learned, family doesn't have to have anything to do with genetics and life doesn't have to make sense! Sometimes, it's about the journey, not the destination. Just remember the proper "Bee Etiquette," and have a little faith and you will be ok!

Busy days, falling leaves, chilly air!

It has been busy around here; but nothing far from the usual! I do have good news! The disk drive for my computer came in today! Now all I have to do is figure out exactly how to put it in...which will happen after I figure out how to take out the old one! So it could be interesting, but I plan on trying to do it tonight! So keep your fingers crossed!

With any luck, my computer should be up and running my tomorrow and I can get on and get back to work! I am hoping that the few manuscripts I tried to put on my jump drive right before it crashed transferred ok! I can't check because my work computer cannot support the jump drives I have (aka the porthole doesn't work right). The manuscripts were the ones I created about Bigfoot! However, if they did not save, I can easily re-write those...it would just be easier if they had saved!

Other than that, life is pushing right along. We are nearing the big election and the tension and excitement in the air is high! It is extremely exciting for me as it is not only my first election (that I am able to vote) but a historical one as well! I am ready to vote! In fact, so ready that I think either tomorrow or next week I will early vote!

So that is about it in the way of new news! I will keep you posted! Stay warm!

Creatively yours,
Kat