Serious Wednesday: What is a Suspense?

Carrying on about suspense:   

There's a big difference between suspense and mystery, but what is it?

Today, let's talk about what suspense is:
In a basic description, Suspense means that the reader is aware of things unknown to the protagonist. The protagonist goes through an emotional process where there is an unknown situation, event, or a threat that produces fear and anxiety and must be resolved.

People confuse mysteries and suspense books, but if you know the difference, it is the beginning of writing a terrific suspense.

1.  Create a lofty viewpoint. In other words, the reader will view the action, the story throughout the book. Most times, he will also know who the antagonist is.

2.  Time Constraints.  There is a feeling of rush, an urgency that something must be done NOW!

3.  The stakes must be kept high. There is a (sad, scary, heavy) price that will be paid if results aren't successful.

4.  When it seems the story is smoothing out, apply more pressure. Don't allow the tension to resolve too early. Keep it up!

5.  Creating dilemmas will help build pressure.

6.  Complicate matters by causing problems and situations that confuse or hinder results.

7.  Don't allow the reader to get too comfortable. By bringing in unpredictable situations, persons, actions, etc., the reader will wonder if the villain will win after all.

8.  And, finally, the author must create a really good villain. If he/she's not realistic, not relatable in a negative way, then interest will wane.


These are just a few ways to help create suspense in your book.

Happy writing!

Sunday Sunshine: Plans for 2019?

What are your plans for 2019?

Work harder?

Save more?

Gain a promotion?

Increase your income?

All good resolutions.

But what about...

Reaching out to those less fortunate?

Will you...

Seek the lost for Jesus' sake?

Can you strive to...

become more holy?

Will you...

be kinder,

grow stronger,

seek peace,

love more?

These are the things that are important.

Happy New Year!

Seven Things I Plan to Accomplish

What's in store for me this 2013?
I don't know but I do know I've set a few goals I hope to gain.
Here they are:

1.  Come up with a super marketing plan; something never tried before but guaranteed to sweep my book into the NY Times Best Selling ranks.

If that doesn't work, then come down out of the clouds and work hard at what's been tried and proven.

2.  Come as close to finishing as I possibly can at least two books I'm working on now. It'll take dogged determination. Do I have it?

3. Do all the edits coming up this year in a reasonable but speedy amount of time. A must!

4. Do some serious research on a novel I hope to begin soon. I've been putting this off even though I normally love research. It might help if it was a topic I wanted to study.

5. Check out publishers for our children's books series. Another seemingly endless tunnel. Gotta be done.

6. Improve my blog in looks and content. Since I'm technically challenged this is harder than it looks.

7. Work on increasing my faith in God. Just saying the words doesn't get the job done. Active prayer, Bible reading, and action on my part is required. And sometimes that action is just being quiet and listening.


That's enough for now and quite a list if even half can be reached.

What's your thoughts and goals for this year?
Want to share?

Happy New Year!
Blessings

Did You Set Them?

New Year's Resolutions, that is.

I did and didn't.

I'd call them goals that I've set for 2008.

Here's a few of them:

• Try to spend more time with God.
• As my literary agent and her assistant wished me for Christmas: a sucessful published year. Oh, yeah!
• To finish the three books I'm currently working on--soon! (one romance, one cozy, and one historical suspense)

1. Once I finish the romance, I'll be done with romance for awhile, unless another idea hits me, and I hope not. I've got several others that need to be worked on.
2. The cozy is just the first in a series, so who knows about that?
3. And the historical suspense is the first in a three-book series about three red-headed sisters.

• To begin soon (before spring?) the second in my CMIYC suspense. Since this is a long book, I need (want? hmmm) to get going on it.
• To finish printing out hubby's (and mine) children's stories (his are adventure, mine character traits)
• To learn the something new I've got my eye on.
• To figure out how to get my fish pond biologically sound. Sigh.
• I just read a great hint today about plotting a novel. Since I'm a pantster (one who writes as the ideas come -- a very simplified definition), that does a little plotting, but not a lot, this might be a great way to keep from hitting a writing plateau or a snag. I'm anxious to try it on the remainder of my books I need to finish.
• Once my new writing area at home is finished, I'm going to try to get more organized. I hate having boxes of my "stuff" sitting around. I hope to make it cozy, quiet, homey, and an encouraging place to write.

There you have it. A few of the goals I hope to accomplish. Will I succeed? Maybe. Maybe not. But I'll never know till I try. One of my favorite sayings is: Shoot for the stars.

And, no, I haven't forgotten about the other books. Shar McClaren's and Lena N. Dooley (two). I'm giving this week for comments, emails, personal, phone. If you haven't commented, it's not to late to get ahold of me some way.

Communication hints (good for kids, hubby, wife, etc.)

Listen:

• Stop what you're doing when the other person is talking, and pay attention
• Don't interrupt
• Don't prepare what you'll say while the other person is speaking
• Reserve judgment until he/she has finished and has asked, or expects, a response.

Look:

• Be aware of the other person's facial expressions and body language. This will help you know how the person is feeling.
• During the conversation, ackowledge what the person is saying by moving your body forward if you're sitting; touch a shoulder if you're walking; or nod your head and make eye contact.

Respond:

• Watch how you respond with words. "You should" "You're wrong" "If I were you" are ways that put the other person on the defense.
• Don't ignore subjects even if you don't want to talk about it.
• Sometimes it's better to listen than to respond verbally. Maybe the person just wants to get something off his chest.
• Make sure you understand. Repeat for confirmation if necessary.

Quote: A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.
Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others.
As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance. --anonymous

Blessings!