NaNoWriMo: What it takes to write a novel

Happy November, everyone! For many people November equals NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month. It's a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. I want to take this opportunity to go through NaNo with you, and to look at the writing process in great detail.

To start, let's discuss what it takes to write a novel.

There are the obvious elements: characters, setting, plot. If you've got these, you're off to a good start.

Let's look at them closer, shall we?

Let's start with the characters.

First, look at each of them individually. Where are they from? What is their back story? What brought them to the point at which your story begins? How do they speak? Do they have a specific dialect or accent? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are their faults (they are human after all, so they can't be perfect)? What are their insecurities? Their demons? What old pains and resentments do they still carry with them? What events and people helped to shape them into the people they are today? Who are they? Not just their name, their hair color, their sexy lips. Seriously. Who are they. You want to have good, rounded, complete characters. Dig deeply to create full people on your pages.


Setting.

It's easy to say that your setting is New York City in 1965. But where in NYC are you? What month is it? What day is it (day of the week and date)? What is the weather? What do your characters see, hear, and smell? Tell us everything your characters are experiencing. Use every sense. Don't just tell me they drove up to the dumpy no-tell motel. Say, "The lights from Donna’s Mustang shined brightly on the dilapidated motel. Dark brown paint peeled off the front of the building. The neon sign flickered sporadically. The patrol car pulled in right behind her, bringing even more light on the rundown property." Place your readers in exactly the same spot as your characters.


Next is plot.

It can be good versus evil. boy/girl meets boy/girl, etc. Don't keep it simple, though. Look at Harry Potter. Good versus evil plot, but there are so many twists and turns. Multiple goods versus multiple evils. Layers and layers. That's what you need. Not just a basic plot line, but a full story. Is anything in life ever fully easy? We all know how a day full of errands can easily become a day full of errors. Go with that. Shake things up. Change directions. Create a story with depth.


A novel is more than just Dick and Jane. A novel is a story. A full, complete story with full, complete characters, and a full and complete setting. By focusing on the details and layers of your characters, setting and story, everyone wins. You, as a writer, win because you get to experience the entire writing process. Your readers get to experience a great work by you. Don't chince your readers, and don't short change yourself.


Ok, we've gone through the basics. What else does it take to write a novel?

It takes courage.

Writing isn't easy. Seriously. It's hard work. It can be draining and trying, just as much as it can be exciting and satisfying. It takes a lot of courage to sit in front of that monitor every day and to hammer out a story from absolutely nothing. It requires bravery to see a novel from start to finish. It is a long process, and it isn't for the faint of heart.



It takes creativity.

You need to have a good imagination to write any kind of story. You need to be able to see things from a unique perspective. You need to have a way with words. It is imperative that you are slightly off center so that your writing can hit the bull's eye.



It takes determination.

Along with courage, you need to be able to persevere through the entire project. It's VERY easy to become complacent, and even quit. Things will get tough. There will be days where the writing will flow like Niagara Falls. There will be days that you try to make room in your head for creativity by pulling your hair out - and it still won't work! You have to stay focused, and you need to commit yourself 110% to your story.



It takes a sense of humor.

You need to be able to laugh - at your characters, your story, and yourself. Being stuck up, egotistical, and intense will make writing rather unpleasant. Go in with a positive attitude. Enjoy yourself!


It takes you.

You need to be there. Fully and completely focused. Be present. You need to give it your all, so make sure that you show up every day.


Writing a novel can be difficult, but it can also be a lot of fun and incredibly rewarding. NaNo gives everyone the chance to try their hand at writing. If you take on this challenge, make sure you give it all you've got. It'll be worth it in the end.

Character of the Week: Katie from The Vet Student/the Loving Her series

Katie Wolfe. She is as strong as a wolf. She is a lone wolf at times, and at the head of the pack at others.

Katherine - or Kate - or Katie - Wolfe is an only child born to Rev. Clayton Wolfe, and his wife, Abigail.

The couple quickly married after it was discovered that Abigail was pregnant. She miscarried, though. She then suffered  two more miscarriages. Another one before Katie, and one after. Since they were given only one child, they watched over her tremendously.

The couple moved to Iowa nine months after Katie was born. Clayton was offered a position with a small congregation, but it was the perfect opportunity. It was a good place to raise a family, and he found a church where he could - and would - preach for years.

Katie's life was a quiet, simple one, but it was a good one. Her parents doted on her. She always felt very loved. Her parents could be quite strict, but they were far from abusive.

Katie met a girl named Samantha in elementary school. Sam's family had just moved there from Nebraska. The girls hit it off right away. Not only were they classmates, but Sam's parents attended Katie's father's church. The girls were always seen together.

They had an amazing friendship. They understood each other, they never judged each other. They could be silly little school girls one minute, and quiet, caring friends the next. Katie and Sam were two peas in a pod.

As the girls grew up, Katie began to notice something different about herself. Though all of the girls in school would talk about cute boys, Katie was anything but attracted to them. Instead she found herself fawning over other girls. When in the presence of other female classmates, Katie would feign an interest in the boys. When she and Sam were alone, though, she didn't have to put on a facade. 

She didn't understand what it was, so it took her quite a long time to tell Sam. Not because she was ashamed, but because she kept expecting her attraction to the other girls to fade away. That never happened.

When the girls were sophomores in high school, Katie told Sam that she found herself to be more attracted to girls than boys. Katie's access to books, articles, magazines, newspapers, and such was very limited by her parents. So Sam would look for information for Katie. Together, Katie was able to understand that she was gay. She told Sam because she knew she could trust her. Indeed, she could. Sam kept that secret perfectly.

In school, they helped to balance each other out. Katie excelled at math and science. Sam was much better in English and history. They studied together, and they tutored each other, and they were both able to do well in school because of it.

Katie's strong science and math skills gave her the opportunity and desire to pursue a career as a veterinarian. Sam thought about becoming an English teacher, but college was far too expensive for her. She didn't get scholarships like Katie did. So it seemed that her college dreams were put on hold. 

Katie supported and helped Sam as best she could while she worked her way towards college. It had been such a battle to get her parents to accept that she wanted to go to college. After conversation after conversation, and argument after argument, Katie's parents reluctantly agreed to let her go to college. She had been given a nearly full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The thought of Katie being so far away was awful to her parents. They couldn't keep a close eye on her. They wouldn't know or be able to find out about whatever was going on in her life. Clayton and Abigail hated the idea. She wouldn't even be in the same time zone! Because she received such a large scholarship, though, they acquiesced. 

Throughout her time in high school, Katie had a crush on the most beautiful girl in school, Jackie Thompson. Jackie was tall and beautiful She had sandy brown hair and amazing green eyes. It was impossible to find Jackie not beautiful.

We meet Katie in her senior year of high school. She is over at her friend, Stacy's house. Katie had always been very sheltered. Sleep overs were few and far between in her childhood. That made this sleep over that much greater. Not only was Katie outside of her controlling parents' house, Jackie Thompson was there. As so many kids do, the girls were playing Truth of Dare. Katie took a dare. As if it was a sign from Heaven, her dare was to kiss another girl in the room. How perfect! Her opportunity to gain Jackie's attention - and hopefully her affection. With all the courage she could muster up, Katie kissed Jackie. It was a dream come true.

That dream, though, turned into a nightmare the next day in school. Rumors were flying - and they weren't very nice. Katie felt as though the world was watching her as her hopes and dreams were dashed with Jackie's vindictive words. More than anything, Katie feared any repercussions from her parents. If they were to get wind of this, what would they do? Would they stop her from going to U Penn because of all this? Would all of her hopes and dreams come crashing down? What was going to happen? Katie's moment of glory turned into an episode of dread.

There was one very positive outcome to all of this, though. Sam finally came out to Katie. She had felt the way Katie had for all those years, but she was too afraid to say anything. Fearing that she might lose Katie's heart and attention to Jackie, Sam finally came clean.

Their friendship turned into a teenage romance. Their bond became even stronger.

Unfortunately, their timing was rather poor. Katie quickly found herself leaving for college in Philadelphia. Their separation tried them both in many different ways.

Katie worked towards her goal. Sam worked to work. As Katie progressed through her program, Sam progressed through the societal expectations that had been placed on her. The longer they were apart, the greater the divide between them.

There were times that Katie felt that she was the only one hurt by the dissipation of their relationship. Sam sent letters, though, and they mirrored Katie's feelings. Eventually, though, they became nearly toxic for each other, and what was once a great kinship suddenly turned into something nonexistent.

While in Philly, Katie began to learn who and what she was. She studied and worked hard, but she also allowed herself some freedom to experiment and discover herself. She tried everything from soda to alcohol to cigarettes to study aids. The world was her oyster, and she wanted to explore every nook and cranny.

While she did, she still had to answer to her strict parents. They seemed to be getting worse - more controlling. Katie did the best she could to appease them, do well in school, and still be true to herself. It was an incredibly difficult balance to find.

It became even harder to manage when Katie met Linda. Linda was a tall, lean, beautiful lesbian who grabbed her attention while waiting in line at the pizzeria where Katie worked. By some miracle, they bumped into each other again when Linda was leaving. Katie got Linda's number, and she was ecstatic.

Their romance blossomed right away. Linda and Katie were meant for each other. They met in October. By semester's end, Katie moved in. It was perfect. This was the life and love she had dream of for so long. This was perfect.

Her excuses for moving out of her student housing did not fare well with her parents. Things had been strained for a little while. They did not approve of her job at the pizza parlor. When she was on one particular break, she discussed evolution. Now she had suddenly moved in with a woman who had a rather deep and raspy voice. Clayton and Abigail were anything but happy.

Everything came crashing down during her summer break. Linda wrote to her daily. Katie's access to the outside world was nearly nil thanks to her parents. It was a long, strenuous, painful break. Katie could not return to Philly soon enough.

This was where things got odd. Suddenly, there were issues with Katie's school schedule and registration. Her tuition payment had been stopped - and not by her. Telephone conversations with her mother were dreadful. Things became worse and worse, until her parents came to Philadelphia and did the unthinkable.

Having a friend who was a cop was the only reason Katie was saved from her parents. Donna was her knight in shining armor. She rescued Katie, reunited her with Linda, and got them both the medical attention they desperately needed after the ordeal.

Despite it all, Linda and Katie were completely devoted to each other. Their love was something out of a fairy tale. What they had in each other was simple extraordinary. When their wedding day finally came, they both changed their surname to Wolfescott, the perfect blend of Katie Wolfe and Linda Scott.

Small but feisty, Katie is an amazing young woman who is bright, brilliant, resilient, and remarkable. Katie is the heroine of her own story.

Favorite quote from Katie: "No Dad. I was on your path. Doing what you wanted me to do; being what you wanted me to be. But it wasn’t me. I just did that because I had to. But for myself - all I ever wanted was to be a vet. And to live somewhere real. Not out in the middle of nowhere. To be a vet and to meet a nice girl and live the kind of life I want. Not what you or anyone else wants. What I want."

Happy reading!

http://www.amazon.com/Vet-Student-Loving-Her-Book-ebook/dp/B00L5WJXCS/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1433120747&sr=8-16&keywords=lauren+shiro

Character of the Week: Marc from Unbreakable Hostage

Marcus Raymer is a cop whose past is as mysterious as he is.

Born and raised in London, England, Marcus came from a fairly prestigious family. His father worked in Parliament. His mother came from a very influential family, thus she did not work.

Marcus certainly lived a life of luxury. His parents drove spectacular cars. Their home was quite remarkable. His friends and classmates also came from London's most elite families.

Life was good for the Raymer family. Things always have a dreadful way of changing, though.


Marcus had an older sister, Marci. When Marci was sixteen, she met a man named James. James was 22 at the time. They began dating.

Marcus and Marci's parents were not happy about this arrangement at all. They greatly disliked James. The age difference was bothersome enough, but James pulled her away from them. He was very controlling and manipulative. The family had great concerns for Marci.

They attempted to talk to her. Explanations of their concerns only solidified Marci's beliefs that she and James were akin to Romeo and Juliette. Discussions became arguments, conversations became confrontations. The tension escalated greatly.

Finally one day, when the family awoke, they found a note in the kitchen from Marci. She had run off to be with James. That was the last anyone had ever seen or heard from her.

Marci's absence took a tremendous toll on Marcus. Her loss ate away at him. He could never truly relax as he worried about her day in and day out. He became incredibly introverted and quiet. He began losing friends as he totally withdrew from those around him. His parents worried about him because the change was so drastic, but no matter what they did, Marcus remained a loner.

Losing Marci caused Marc to want to become a constable. He felt that by helping others, he was hopefully helping her. That his police work would lead him to her. Again his parents worried: he had never been exposed to some of life's greatest difficulties. Could he truly fare with some of the worst people and places that London had to offer? As well, they hoped he'd change his mind. Police work was not something that people like them would do. Prominent and influential families had a higher status and thus a higher calling. Police work was...well, beneath them.

Much to their dismay, Marc was accepted and became a constable.


Marcus did well as a constable. He was able to diffuse many situations with his calm, quiet, rational personality. His large, muscular built instilled both confidence and fear. He liked police work. It suited him well, and he did very well.

His parents still worried about him, though it seemed their focus was more on status than it was on his well being. He, though, became more focused on their well being.


Some of his father's constituents were becoming displeased with his work in Parliament. Things seemed to be getting tense. Marcus expressed his concern on more than one occasion. His father chalked it up to politics, plain and simple. He was not worried at all.


Unfortunately, Marcus' hunch was correct. One hot summer night, the Raymer home was set on fire, and Marcus lost both of his parents that night.

Marcus was once again devastated. Already a loner, he just lost the two people he had. He could no longer take the loneliness or pain. London was chock full of memories - memories that he didn't want to have.

He took everything he had and moved to the States. He needed a complete change of scenery, so he moved to southern California. A new place, a new climate, and a new life.

California was a beautiful new change. It helped him to escape his past of pain. But he could not escape from his own isolation. His introversion kept him alone, still.

In America, he became a missing persons detective. His drive to find his sister stayed with him on an entirely new continent. Again, Marcus succeeded. He was an excellent detective and one of the highest rescue rates.

One particular day, he received a phone call from a young woman who was absolutely distraught over the disappearance of her roommate. Though she hadn't been missing for twenty four hours yet, he knew that something was amiss. Thus, he took on the case of Lareina Oliveira.


Lareina's case was unlike any other he had taken on. Her captor was like so many others: obsessed, controlling, and unpredictable. She, though, was like no captive he had ever seen. She was smart and quick witted - she sent messages to her roommate Sandy to help lead the police to her. She was strong and determined to survive. Her resiliency was uncanny. She was also amazingly beautiful.

Marcus focused on her wits more than her beauty. It seemed as though time after time, though they were so close to finding her, they missed her. He could not sleep knowing she was being held hostage somewhere. He worked tirelessly to find her. He drove his chief, and the chief of Fresno crazy with his demands and attempts to save her. He continued to believe in her while they had both given up on her and the case.


It was his persistence that eventually brought her salvation. Finally coming upon her and Tony, Marcus fought valiantly to save her. After an incredible battle, Lareina had finally been rescued.

The sight of her tore Marcus apart. She was a small, beautiful woman who had been severely abused. Her faces was battered and swollen. She had innumerable woulds on her arms, hands, and legs. She should have died due to the extensive nature of her injuries. It was a horrible sight. As carefully as he could, he got her in the car, and drove her to the hospital.

He visited her in the hospital during her recovery. There was such a connection, and he had such admiration for her. He needed that moment for himself as much as for her. During his visit, Lareina said she wanted to thank him for rescuing her. Though he told her she didn't need to, when the time came, he was more than happy to spend the time with her.

There was something between them. A mutual concern and respect for each other. An undeniable spark. Indeed, theirs was an amazing bond. From rescue to romance, they were destined for each other. In finding Lareina, Marc also found himself. Marc rescued Lareina from Tony. Lareina rescued Marc from his isolation.
                                                 


Favorite quote from Marc: "Do you think I'd drive all the way up here for a joke, Dominick?! Jesus, get real."

Happy reading!
http://www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Hostage-Lauren-Shiro/dp/0615902456/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1433098115&sr=8-14&keywords=lauren+shiro