April 14, 2022 I published the first part of this blog post series, about the best part of telling a story. There are so many good parts, to me, each holds its own appeal. Let’s have a look at them again:
1. Drafting the plot
2. Finding a motive
3. Creating the protagonist and antagonist
4. Finding the perfect location
5. Thinking of plot twists
6. Create side characters
[7. Depending on the story, maybe even create a world]
Last time I ‘drafted the plot’, today I’m trying to find a motive.
I’m not sure, should I tell you, to me that’s more difficult or easier, than drafting the plot, since technically you can’t have one without the other.
Let’s find an example: you’re reading a crime story; the killer strangles a woman, when the police identifies and confronts him, he jumps off a bridge and you’ll never know why he did it. Wouldn’t you be disappointed? I know I would be.
In the case of a crime story, the motive of the killer is basically what drives the book. Why does the murderer what he does?
When we look at the ‘The Council of Twelve’ series, I have to find the motive for the actions of ‘both sides’, Good and Evil. Clearly expressed: Why does the Evil side what they do, how does the Good side react, and what is the outcome? We got the ‘why’, and that results in the ‘how’ – hence, the motive and the plot, which belong together.
The motive is the ‘why’ and with that in mind, we want to ask ‘how’, which leads us to the plot. One leads to the other, and we’re already in ‘the middle’ of story-telling.
What would you say to a criminal story without a motive, or a story without recognizable reason? Wouldn’t it just be empty? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Ms. Schwartz, who describes herself as a bestselling author, is also an entrepreneur: in addition to GenZ/Zenith, she’s the founder of Dr. Rissy’s Writing & Marketing, which offers various PR services along with copywriting, editing, and consulting; and, according to her Reedsy bio, of a ghostwriting company called AmWriting. She was recently elected to the IBPA Board.
As you might have realized, I took a week off from blogging. I’m still in transition to a new place, and a new life situation…
I have been busy with so many things, including trying to adjust to my new situation, working on book five some more, but when it comes to that, I’m in a waiting position right now.
1. My copyright lawyer is supposed to file it, I’m waiting for his information on that
2. The editor is looking over my book Blurb, I’m waiting for him to get that done and get back to me
3. My cover designer is desperately waiting for the blurb to finalize the cover
4. And I’m waiting for an information (good news) I’ve been waiting for since Tuesday night… The wait is killing me, and the ones who know me, are probably laughing now. Patience and I aren’t on best terms. I hate it to wait, even more since I am in a hurry.
What does that mean now? That I’m waiting for everything, and it seems I’m not progressing in any direction, which drives me up the walls. I’m unhappy if I’m stuck, no matter, if it’s within a book, or in real life. I wish, things would go on…
What do you wish for? What is the thorn in your flesh? Let us know in the comments.
It’s getting spring, warmer weather, life goes on, we live and arrange ourselves with the pandemic. COVID became a part of our life…
Through everything that happened during the past couple of years, I did not forget the holidays. They’ve always been a part of me. That’s how i grew up. I live, eat, pray…
Many things in my life are changing right now. Step by step I’m heading into the direction I probably should. And I know, I have to say thanks for my healing, and my getting better.
James saw the woman across the room and imagined her in another time. In that time she wore a dress with a bustle, corseted up, in brilliant peacock colors, her hair up with a diamond comb.
Now she stood in straight legged jeans, black sandals, and a white button down shirt. Her brown hair wasn’t up, but down around her shoulders.
She turned towards James and mouthed out the words, “come closer.”
James was feeling lucky. The jeans and button down shirt would come off a lot quicker than layers of a bustle dress and a tightly laced corset. Of course, she’d want him. Of course, she’d have him. How could she resist?
Up close she was even more intriguing than she had been from a distance. Freckles scattered across her face. Out of nowhere she pulled out a pair of blue framed glasses and looked at him with bright hazel eyes. She really looked as if she was looking at an ancient artifact or a perplexing work of art.
“I’m James,” he said.
“I’m Isolde,” she told him. “So, what is your pickup line tonight?”
“Before we get to that, I know you’re a Vampire.”
“Just like you.”
“Maybe.”
“What are you doing here?”
“It’s a party. I knew the place would be full of nice warm people. After the past two years it is good to finally get out and be somewhere with plenty of donors.”
Smiling does not only improve the quality of our face, it also benefits us in different other ways. We are more likable. Also, smiling allows us to share our humanity, in sociable settings as well as the work environment, and it also, surprisingly, improves our health. As we age, we smile less often. According to studies, a child smiles up to 400 times a day, as compared to the average adult who smiles only about 20 times within 24 hours. Considering we are truly improving our family and work-life by smiling, we need to learn how to smile and laugh again.
Smiling releases cortisol and endorphins, which improve our well-being by:
Reducing blood pressure
Increasing endurance
Reducing pain
Reducing stress
Strengthening immune system
If we take all the advantages into account that smiling gives us, and the only con would be a few laughing lines around the lips, I would like to highly recommend: ‘Live your life and smile away’.
Picture courtesy of Google.com
What is it that makes you smile? Tell us about it in the comments.
When Jake got so very sick, I had to take him into emergency care on a Sunday. That day I got so much help from friends, family, and readers, followers and many more! I’m so very grateful! When we left that vet-urgent care, there were good news, and not-so-good news. I had opened a Go-FundMe fundraiser for Jake. I am a very loving and caring cat-mommy, but unfortunately not a rich one. The pandemic hit me hard, and I didn’t know how to take care of my boy.
Jake’s tail wound was severe, but it had been taken care of and got better. He slowly started carrying his tail high again, full of pride, as he always did.
Unfortunately, his respiratory infection did not improve at all, but worsened. At the follow up appointment I was told that it’s essential, Jake starts to eat again, or organ failure and suffering to death would be the immediate results. By that time, Jake weighed less than a Yorkshire Terrier, but was double the size.
Three days later, I had to clearly see, that Jake decided to leave me. He did not start eating and stopped drinking too. I did, whatever I could to convince him to stay longer with me and Tjara, but Jake decided, it was time for him.
Jake crossed the Rainbow Bridge and left me here…
I tried to keep you all updated on the GoFundMe page, and I can assure you, that all funds are going towards Jake’s final vet bills. I cannot express how much all your help means to me! Thank you very much for your generosity and your compassion!
Today I had planned to write about ‘The power of positive thinking’… instead I decided to write about something else:
We all know that earlier this month Russia has invaded the Ukraine.
I’m not going into details about known facts, or any political discussion here.
All I would like to ask you at this moment is:
Please, pray for Ukraine and its people, pray for the end of that war, pray for peace in the world!
Thank you.
Picture courtesy of Google.com
Imagine
Song by John Lennon
Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us Above us, only sky Imagine all the people Livin’ for today
Ah Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion, too Imagine all the people Livin’ life in peace You
You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the You
You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will live as one
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