Writers Creating Frustration

What the heck do your character want and why should/shouldn’t they get it?

That’s the question.

If your characters want or need something and there’s something ‘out there’ that stops them from getting it, that leads to frustration and frustration leads to better stories.

Think I’m wrong? 

Think about this. Jack and Jill meet in high school, decide to go to the same college, later get married, have a couple of kids, get great jobs and carry on…

Interesting?  NO!

So you’re gonna have to work with it. What might characters want that they can’t get? Maybe one wants to uncover a murderer, another wants to save the planet, or at least his neighborhood, another wants money, lots of money, yet another is desperate to save a dying loved one who needs a transplant and can’t get one. Whatever it is it needs to be something the character wants/needs very VERY badly.

So what might stop the character from getting what he wants?

Could be another character. The other character has different goals, ones that conflict. Could simply be differing goals (like in the movie UP; big corporations want to build on land where ‘hero’s small house stands – he intends to stay and his frustration ultimately causes havoc) or other character could have evil motivation. Could be both are evil. Maybe neither. Characters regularly come into conflict when both feel they are ‘right’ and their goal ‘noble’ but those goals are opposites or simply methods of getting there are at odds. And of course it doesn’t have to stop with just two characters, there can be many viewpoints and influences.  

There are also external events for characters to contend with, things that happen out of their control and can be very frustration. Weather happens. Tornados, hurricanes, storms, floods, blizzards, earthquakes (if that last can be called weather). Terrible snows can cause avalanches, floods can float houses away and take out bridges, earthquakes, well, earthquakes…!

Also on the ‘external’ list are things like a cell phone that won’t get service, a car that breaks down (could do it of its own accord or perhaps someone sabotaged it). A plane has minor problems delaying its departure from the gate, changing everything and frustrating protagonist. If it’s historical a horse could come up lame, a buckboard could lose a wheel, a train could be derailed, the telegraph down, the ship sinking. 

Well, you get the idea. There are many frustrations your characters can enjoy. But one word of advice. If you supply something along these lines you need to hint of it before. For example, if there’s a hurricane coming and you intend a bridge to be taken out, it could simply give way before the powerful force of pounding water – but what if a contractor is responsible for shoddy construction? Then perhaps it’s necessary to give an idea of what shape the bridge is in before the hurricane. But do it subtly so the reader gets a hint, but doesn’t have it thrown in his or her face. The ideal is to catch your readers by surprise…but not too much surprise. By that I mean the event may be surprising, but when the reader digests it all, he thinks, “Oh, yes, I suspected there’d be a problem because_______.”

Tease your readers, keep your characters in character and let them fight for what they want.

Developing Good Writer’s Habits

Writers write, right?

Sounds easy. But not so fast.

It takes dedication, discipline and some good habits to see any writer thorough.  From writer to writer they differ, but there are many writers have in common.

And there are just some things that need to be said, a reminder of sorts for those of us who get wrapped up in our every day work and find ourselves eating away at time that we’d really much rather have spent writing.

So, a few ideas.

Here’s one: Write on ugly paper because it tricks the brain to really believe that it doesn’t have to be perfect.  Really, it does work. And, besides, who wants to write that first draft on nice, clean, expensive final draft paper? And yes, you should print it out; makes for easier and more thorough editing.

Another: Write when you’re tired, write when you’re not, write when you have hours ahead of you, write when you can only steal a few minutes. Just write!

Here’s yet another one. Stop following links and write! Right now. Really. Stop. Do your research, then get off the web, close your browser window. You can’t browse, surf, whatever, and write at the same time. It just doesn’t work.

And related to that take some time to turn off all electronic devices. Cell Phones, tablets, web access on your computer. Everything. Set a time to dedicate to writing and eliminate all distractions and disconnect. You won’t die, really. And with no distractions like text messages, cell phones or games at your fingertips you’ll be able to really focus. It’s one of the best bits of advice I can give. Gads, unhook already.

When you’re writing always remember to repeatedly ask the question “what if…”  What if a meteor fell from the sky? What if it’s large enough to flatten a small city? What if a bunch of people in a large building have enough notice to dive into the basement and are trapped there by the explosion? What if one of them is a psychotic murderer? What if, what if, what if.  One of the best questions a writer can ask himself, if not the BEST question.

Another great habit to develop is to give yourself a break between writing bouts and be sure to stretch or exercise. Run up and down stairs if you have them. Take a short brisk walk outside. Get yourself an inexpensive stationary bicycle. Do stretches. Physical activity will keep the mind active and sharp. Writers simply sit too much. Think about getting a new standing desk. I have one and move from standing to sitting to standing several times during a work day. Standing keeps the brain moving too.

How about setting a timer? Force yourself to write a story within a set amount of time. The shorter the better, as long as you can create in that amount of time. It doesn’t have to be good, probably won’t be, but get that writing spewed out. You’ll feel better for it and it will almost definitely create something that can be revised later.

Don’t forget to make notes on ideas for where you’re going with a story for tomorrow before you quit for today.

Read great writing. Read bad writing. Read, read, read. Then write, write, write. 

Yes, writers write.

        .

Wanna Be A Writer?

 It’s all in Your mind.

Yes, really, it is.

Everything you need is there, inside you. There are parts you don’t normally let out to play, but they’re there. 

Here are a few thoughts on getting your mind set right to be a writer, a really good one.

First be open and curious. Observe people, places, things, animals, whatever, really observe via scent, sight, feelings, everything at your disposal. Engage in life and it’s going to shine through your writing.

A place were many writers fall down is their reaction to criticism. If you’re going to be great, accept criticism. Learn from it. Grow because of it. It won’t all be accurate, but enough of it will have some validity and if you give yourself a chance to absorb it you’re going to make some great new discoveries. Breathe in breathe out, move on! Indulge in a momentary irritation if it hits you wrong, then refocus, analyze and move on.

And while you’re at it, love to read and write. Don’t simply do it because you think you have to or you just want to. If you don’t really love reading and writing ask yourself why you want to be a writer. It’s a valid question because, again, if you don’t really love what you’re doing why do you think your readers will love reading what you wrote? It comes through. Think about that for a while.

Take risks with your writing. Take giant risks. Don’t be afraid to shock your readers (while not simply writing to shock). The you deep inside might be (and probably is) quite different than the you you show to the world. Ruffle some feathers. Take the road less traveled. Let the crazy you inside come out to play in your writing. Turn it loose like Godzilla attacking Tokyo~and blossom.

Always think of your readers. Remember them. Keep them in mind when you write. That’s your audience. That’s who’s getting wrapped up in this story – and hopefully looking forward to your next. You’re going to hear from them as you write so you may as well get used to it and believe you have someone looking over your shoulder as you create that next great piece of writing.

And finally, for this go-round, don’t take mundane experiences for granted. Those are the threads woven in to the background of life. Those are the ‘normal’ things that can make horror more horrifying, a western more gritty, a mystery more spooky. The more ‘normalcy’, the more ‘mundane’ you slip into the background of a story, the more the story jumps out, the more your writing blooms. So pay attention to those mundane experiences when they occur. Savor them. Think of where they can best be used in your next story.

Bo ahead, be a writer, it’s all in your head.

Don't Say It! - A Writer's Guide to, well, Writing

Have you ever noticed how many things we aren’t supposed to say, to talk about, to be ‘politically incorrect’ about these days in this society? Things that if you say them out loud not only will be real conversations starters but will probably have several people at your throat the minute the words come out? 

 

 

Here’s the thing. You may not want to be a trouble maker at a party or a family reunion or at the office, but what better place to be one than in a novel, a short story, movie script or other attention-grabbing written material?

Think about it. What if you said you ~

•   Don’t like babies – dogs – cats

•   Don’t like Christmas

•   Don’t like football or the Olympics

•   Don’t like gay people and are against gay marriage and adoption

•   Don’t like Republicans (or Democrats or Libertarians)

•   Aren’t in favor of marriage for anybody

•   Don’t’ like Dr. Who or Dancing With The Stars, or Survivor

•  Firmly believe in the stereotype of one race or another, one culture or another

Any of that can get you in deep water in a hurry. Opinions that aren’t dared to be expressed aloud, ever. These are prickly subjects (and they’re just the tip of the iceberg – there are obviously many more). Most people keep their opinions to themselves. 

But what’s to keep the writer from straying off the common ground, from veering away from acceptable thought? In fact, the writer darn well better stray into being pointed, obnoxious, irritating and intriguing or it isn’t likely that writer will crack the best seller market.  Every day, run of the mill, acceptable ideas won’t get you there.

Those above may actually be your opinions, but even presuming they’re not, they’re great subjects to be turned into attention-getting, to-be-twittered-about stories. If a subject sparks debate it can (and no doubt will) spark a great story. Stray off the generally accepted track and veer into controversial territory. 

 Think about it this way. 

1. You can’t stand Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, whatever. How about a murder mystery when only people of that persuasion are killed by a serial murderer? What gives the perpetrator away?  Is he captured or killed? How does it all affect the people in that group; the ones being disturbingly murdered?

2.  Babies aren’t your thing. What grist for a novel or a script with a society much like our own that goes even further, locking people in to a life of an Orwellian family structure of parents and children. And the rebels who choose a different way of life ~ and a violent way of ripping through that society to their own freedom. 

3. You hate Christmas. Always room for another Santa serial killer or elves who go berserk or reindeer who longs for a different life. 

4. You’ve heard the pros and cons of gay couples adopting. How about a gay couple who adopts several children – for nefarious purposes -  What is the purpose? Grounded? Other worldly? How does it turn out? How does the fact that the couple is gay affect the outcome?

5. Someone hates a TV Show – what if the people involved with the show start having bizarre accidents? What if they’re not just boring or annoying but come from another dimension? What if an inter-dimensional war ensues?

Craft a story that takes a stand on a controversial topic  (no matter what side of the topic you’re on) and you create suspense, action, and buzz. You’ll catch attention and create characters that are three-dimensional and ready to take on the world. Give them something controversial and difficult and they’ll grow. Examine a group or an issue or an accepted societal taboo and no doubt you’ll find you grow as well. 

Go out there and write something no one dares to say.