Enjoying the darkness.

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My novel,  a psychological thriller –  Attic of the Mind  – follows a twisting road of deceit, revenge and ultimately, resolution.
In reality, I don’t live in a dark world full of misery, suspense and a bubbling below the surface fear. My life is mainstream, with the usual ups and downs experienced by many.
However, in my writing, I delve into the dark shadows that move in the corners of the room. Everything that spooks me, I put in my novels – with the situations become darker than I had originally imagined.

I find that writing about things I would never do in real life, brings some kind of perverse release; exploring the psychopathic tendencies and violent acts that belong to a character is fascinating and sometimes challenging.
If I’m getting bored in a chapter – then I assume that the reader would too – so I rewrite or delete, depending on the relevance of the section.
I like to jump right in from the first sentence in the first chapter. However, I do wonder whether some people – ie Agents – may find it rather distasteful, abrupt or off-putting. Sadly there is no time for Agents to say what puts them off after requesting a partial – as that would be invaluable advice. I obviously only seek out Agents who have an interest in this genre – it would be madness to do otherwise.

I write what I like to read – as it thrills me to spin the web of darkness. However, in this economic meltdown – many articles talk about readers seeking escapism  – well, I would argue that a psychological thriller is still escapism, but to a world you would only visit rather than live in.
The hint is in the genre word itself – ‘thriller’ – I want to thrill people with my novels – fingers crossed – one day I will.

Happy Word Flow One & All

Remember it’s the first draft.

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This should be my mantra, currently, as my WIP is over 58,000 words and I’m suffering with fluctuating emotions.
I read a wonderful quote on Twitter – I forget from who, but if it’s you, please let me know – that reads, “a novel is not written, but rewritten”- repeat after me….
It is so easy to forget, as one ploughs along, writing from the brain and heart. As has been mentioned by numerous people, it’s easier to edit words that are on the page/screen, than have no words to edit at all.

I have to periodically remind myself, that to get  Attic of the Mind  to the standard I felt worthy of sending out, it took five rewrites, plus a final polishing. Hence, I should realise that my current WIP is a long way from being the polished article I would be happy to send out.

There is a tendency to believe that others around one are writing better – faster – more wisely than oneself, but we all have moments of word-freeze and self-doubt – it goes with the territory. Far better to remember that everyone has to work and rework a story before it becomes the novel worthy of belief.

Sometimes, it is wise to let the words flow, regardless of their ugliness or redundancy. The more one reads and writes, the more the mind will register relevant words and ideas that will produce the rich text that forms the intricate plot line.

Never give up – the first draft is what it is – the first draft.

Happy Word Flow One & All

The rush to find an agent.

/ hemmiemartin / 2 Comments

Hindsight is a marvellous phenomenon which we are all blessed with when it’s too late.
Last year, I sent Attic of the Mind  out to a few agents, but without success except for one partial request.
Six months later, I re-read the ms and discovered that it still wasn’t polished to my liking. I had to remove paragraphs that were leading nowhere, and chop around the structure in places to improve the flow and pace. After a fifth rewrite I felt a warm glow about the result – ah – that warm glow feeling we so seek.

I am, however, someone who learns from mistakes – why make them otherwise – and I realised that my synopsis needed a face-lift. @Bubblecow (Twitter) talks about the synopsis being a marketing tool – a way to sell oneself. So, seeing it with this in mind, I wrote another one that I believe to be more appealing, snappy and attention grabbing – I hope.

I have read more about the Kindle and ebooks – as this may be forward for me – who knows?
Okay – I have tentatively begun the search for an agent – but I’m aware that querying agents can have an addictive undercurrent – so I must tread with caution, and continue to learn from my mistakes.
I feel hopeful about 2011 – let’s hope it doesn’t let me down.

Happy Word Flow One & and All

Christmas Wishes & Future Hopes.

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How quickly this time of the year comes around to envelope us in the melee of shopping, wrapping and baking. as much as I love this time of year – I also know that it will impede my writing time somewhat.

Writing has always been a pleasure in my life – during my school years I always used to write about Hayden Moss as WWII fighter pilot, and I remember my English teacher saying that over the years, I had probably written a book – although totally unpublishable I imagine. Writing is important to me and something I feel the need to do – although sometimes I can only write drivel that needs plenty of revision at a later date.

New Years Eve is a time for reflection about the passing year, and to conjure up hopes and desires for the future.
One gift I know I’m getting is the Writers’ & Artists’ yearbook 2011, and I intend to plough through it to search out suitable agents an publishers for my psychological thriller.

I also plan to re-write my query letter and synopsis to make it more succinct and eye-catching. Oh yes – I’m hoping that 2011 will bring me an agent or publisher, all wrapped up in ribbons and bows. I will also keep working on my current thriller WIP and never give up the dream – the dream so many of us have.

So, my thoughts are with you all – all you writers, published or unpublished, and I wish each and every one of  you a peaceful festive season and a bright and exciting New Year.

Have you thought of your own hopes for the New Year? I imagine that we are along the same lines with regards to the writing world – but you can let me know, if you have the time that is!

Happy Word Flow One & All.

Character development in the thriller genre

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Before I begin plotting the path of my novel, I write the characters’ names on index cards and start describing their physical appearance. As the plot develops within my mind, I then add personality traits, quirks, habits and words often used by the character onto the cards.
I do bear in mind that in the thriller genre, characters are often described more by their actions, which in turn illustrates the concept of the novel.

However, I do enjoy reading and writing psychological thrillers, and I believe for this purpose, it’s important to have a more in depth knowledge of the characters. This more rounded vision enables the reader to feel the characters presence and connect with them on an emotional level. The reader can travel with the characters and appreciate any changes the character makes.

The plot is generated and moved along by the characters’ interactions and actions within the novel community. Like the proverbial onion, more of the character’s traits are exposed, which can add tension to the plot, especially as the reader discovers a darker side to a character, who had otherwise appeared benign.

I enjoy writing darker characters, but I am aware that the reader needs to care for the protagonist, so that their life matters within the plot. However, perfection is not sought, otherwise the character would feel false. There is no such thing as a perfect character or perfect crime – to do this would not engage the reader into believing the novel – you want to leave them wanting more.

When the reader has finished the novel, you want them to miss the characters and feel like they have lost a friend – if you are writing a series, this would leave the door open for the protagonist to once again live in the reader’s mind, until the enforced ‘rest’ came along.

Happy Word Flow One & All

In it for the long haul.

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The first draft of a novel is just that – it’s not the finished article. It can be rather rough at first, but the edges can be smoothed down at a later stage, so it takes the shape you were aiming for.

The general conscientious is that once the first draft is finished, you take a break so that your brain can focus on the re-write with a detached mind so you have a more objective view – much like an agent. Here are some questions you could ask yourself during the revision.

– Does the opening grab your attention and get you interested?
– Does the reader get sucked into the story, or is it a slow burn?
– Is too much given away too soon?
– Are too many characters introduced too soon, hence confusing the reader?
– What is the pacing like – is it too fast, too slow or flagging badly in places?
– Are there enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested and get them to begin deducing things for themselves?
– Have the characters retained the same distinguishing features – make sure their eyes remain the same colour.
– Does the reader always know who is talking?
– Does each scene move the story forward and have a purpose?
– Do the protagonists have a journey to make?
– Is the protagonist a likable character for the reader?
– Does the ending leave the reader feeling satisfied?
– Are all the subplots neatly tied up – unless need for curiosity for the next novel in a series.

If it was easy to write a novel, everyone would be doing it. It takes hard work, time, dedication and a positive outlook to keep going and keep believing. Retaining some of the above questions may help you to read over your work with a critical eye.

Happy Word Flow One & All