Happy St. Patrick's Day

I hope everyone is wearing "the green" for today.  One of the best things about today is I get to read my Irish Blessings book.  I am going to share a couple with you, and please know I mean what they say.

PS:  The Author is unknown.....I wish it were me, but was not to be

Here's wishing you the tops O' life
Without a single tumble
Here's wishing you the smiles O' life
And not a single grumble
Here's wishing ou the best O' life
And not a flaw about it.
Here's wishing you all the joy in life
And not a day without it!


May your home be filled with laughter
May your pickets be filled with gold
And may you have all the happiness
Your Irish heart can hold


A special Irish blessing
from the heart of a friend
"May good fortune be yours,
May your joys never end."

Creating Characters Part II

How do you get your characters?  Do you think about them for a long period of time and have them fully fleshed out in your mind before you start writing, or do you let them develope themselves.
I believe I blogged in an earlier blog, my characters in "The Tower" took on a life of their own and just were there.  I would come up with a name, and my main character developed as my story went along, plus several others.  I don't think there is a right or wrong way, unless you tend to have very flat one dimensional characters.

My characters for "The Tower," was not based on anyone I knew.  When my sister read the book she knew my main character was her.  I just let her go on thinking down that line.  Maybe she was, but it was on a unconsious level from me.

When it comes to your characters development there are questions you can ask yourself that will help the development.  Below is a list of possible questions.

1.  What is your character's name?  Is there a nick name?
2.  What is the character's hair and eye color?
3.  Any distinct physical features?  Scar, long eye lashes, birthmark, tatoo, ect.
4.  Who are your characters family and friends?  Who is the character closest to?
5.  Where and when was your character born?
6.  What type of personality does your character have?
7.  What is your characters desires and fears?
8.  Does your character have a secret?
9.  Where does your character live?  What type of abode? House, apartment, tent, ect.
10.  What does your character do when he/she is angry?

The questions can go on and on and with each answer you develop your character.  You man not use all of the information, but you have it, if needed.

If you are writing a story about good versus bad, then you would need to develop two characters, the protagonist(good) and the antagonist(bad).  You want to develop round characters and this can be accomplished with a little bit of thought and time for your characters.
Enjoy the video:  Joyce Carol Oates - On Writing Characters
http://youtu.be/LgJ809QKmas

Are They All This Way?

Since I began in the writing world last year, I have learned a great deal, but not enough.  When I published my book, "The Tower," I was as naive as I could be.  I went with Xlibris Publishing because they promised me the world (so to speak), if I let them publish my book.  Getting the world did not happen. 
Since I am now working on my second book "The Dobyns Chroncles," I have been looking around for another publisher to use.  I have contacted at least two and get the same answers to the questions I ask.  I always ask what kind of access do I have to find out the amount of books I have sold.  The answer, quarterly, that is when the reports come in from the outside sources, such as Amazon.com.  I also ask what type of help I get as an author who does not know everything I should about writing and publishing a book.  The answer: All the help you need.  We are here to assist you in any way we can.
My problem with those answers are this:  If I am spending my hard-earned money on marketing my book, how do I know the marketing is working, if I can only get information quarterly.  With Exlibris, I did not have access to the Amazon account because it's in Xlibris name. I asked Xliblis about access and the answer was, "I can understand your concern," and wasn't given any information about the account.  I can't accuse anyone of doing anything dishonest because i just don't know if I sold 10,000 books or ten.  Does every Independent Publisher do the same thing?
As far as the question about helping, I feel like I was taken down a rosy path with Exlibris.  I was supposed to receive help with the cover.  That didn't happen, I was asked to produce a picture for the cover.  That was my responsiblity.  I wanted someone to help me determine what type of cover I should have that would compliment the book, as well as create interest.  I also wanted a publisher who would tell me what I needed to do to improve my writing.  That didn't happen either.  I found out line editing (a term I didn't understand) was not enough.
I wrote a good mystery, but in hind sight it was not technically perfect.  I can write a good story, but getting all the I's dotted and the T's crossed is not my strong point.  Is there an Indie publisher who really helps their clients, or are they all after the money?  That's my two-cents for today.

Hard To Get, Or Is It?

Writing this particular blog happened, because I was listening to a video made by John Wooden, who I believe was a basketball coach at UCLA.  He made me start thinking about success in writing.  I do have to tell you I am not a sports fan at all.  Up until I watched this video, I had no idea who John Wooden was.  I have placed the video on the blog so you may listen to it also. (As you can see when you get to the end of this blog, it didn't work)
I liked his definition of success: “Having peace of mind after doing the best you can do.”  He also said a person must have faith and patience in whatever they do in order for it to be a success.  I can agree with that sentiment, but you also have to have the works to go with it.  As a writer, I can have the faith a patience that I am going to write a book.  Unless God steps in and creates a miracle (which I don’t see happening) and the book suddenly appears.  I am going to have to start working at it, to get the book written.
As far as success, that is something each one of us will have to determine for ourselves.  My girlfriend asked me last week, when would I consider my book to be successful?  I had a tough time answering that question.  I told her, I did not know because I hadn’t gotten there yet.  I think I will recognize it when it happens.  On the other hand, I was a success at writing my book, and at getting it published.  Do I think the book is a success? No, because it hasn’t sold a million copies, and yes, because I have received so many positive reviews on “The Tower”.   Maybe the question should be, when will you consider the book to be successful?  Am I really the judge of that answer, or is the reading public?
On eHow.com, I ran across ways to measure success and I want to share it with you.

Things You’ll Need:

• You are the Master of your own success
• You can measure success by failure being overpowered with something good
• You must measure by accomplishments and not failures

1.  Start by setting goals

2.  Understand your strengths and weaknesses
3.  Make preparation for the challenges of your success, and reassure yourself that you can be a success.
Tips & Warnings

• Be positive
• Be aggressive
• Be productive
• Be an achiever
• Be aware of those hindering blocks
• Be aware of the interests that pertain to you and your measure of success
• Be aware to avoid negative actions
• Be aware that time will bring on change

I would like to know what success means to you.  Since we have determine it for ourselves, there must be guidelines in your head on what you want.  I think it is a tough subject.  That’s my two-cents for today.