Writers often create characters who are not likeable, to serve as foils or antagonists for the main characters. These antagonists exhibit qualities in opposition to the main characters in order to create conflict. Readers love an evil character. Think of the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz. We love to have someone toContinue reading “Who Loves Lady MacBeth?”
Tag Archives: novels
What have you appreciated lately?
As I was reading a novel set in early twentieth century China, I was struck by a line in which a character and her friends went out into the garden to “appreciate” the plum blossoms. We admire, find joy, look at beautiful things in our world, but how often do we simply appreciate what weContinue reading “What have you appreciated lately?”
NaNoWriMo (What the Heck Is That?)
This year, for the first time, I participating in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short. The goal is to write 50,000 words during the month of November. This is a pretty short novel, but a darned good start. I have been so caught up in the release and promotion of Lydia’s Story thatContinue reading “NaNoWriMo (What the Heck Is That?)”
Too Many Ideas
Writers are often asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” I believe most writers would answer the same as I do — it’s not a matter of coming up with ideas, it’s a matter of weeding out the ideas and deciding which ones I really want to develop in a short story, a novel, orContinue reading “Too Many Ideas”
Where do characters come from?
My characters are frequently based on real people, but as the story develops, they take on a life of their own and bear little more than a superficial resemblance to the person on whom it is based. In the case of Nara, the main character in The Gate House, she is based on the daughter-in-lawContinue reading “Where do characters come from?”