Headed to the Backspace Writers Conference May 31 and June 1 in New York? Then check out this information on two scholarships offered this year:
http://www.backspacewritersconference.com/scholarship2007.htm
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith – www.angelawilson.blogspot.com
I don’t know much about cars. But some of my character’s do. Their car is more important to them, at times, than their spouse.
When I need information about a particular car – or just some inspiration for what my character wants to drive – I go to the bookstore and check out magazines (not the lady-inspired ones, either). When I have a specific car, I surf the web for enthusiast groups for that particular model; I email someone with the club and ask them questions to help authenticate my story.
This method also comes in handy when I need a car accident to really mess up a character’s day. Mechanics can offer certain specifics, but I find ideas for accidents – and the types of injuries that come from certain accidents – from magazines and car reviews and those crash tests on television. Here are some websites to get you started (don’t forget to check MySpace groups for auto enthusiasts):
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith
You can say a lot about your character just by looking at them.
A woman with with subtle hint of Opium in a sleek, black silk Armani suit, Ferragamo pumps, a small clutch reeks of money.
A man in a slightly worn suit, a tie with age-old stains, dress shoes worn at the edges and tired eyes hasn’t made it in life nearly as well as he’d dreamed. (Give him greasy hair and a shark’s smile and you have a car salesman from one of those "individually owned" lots that pop up in even the most remote towns.)
Get a handle on your character. Describe what they are wearing – but not just to describe it. Use that description in a way that moves the story along, that allows other characters to size him or her up and make a judgment call about how to pursue conversation – or not.
If you are having problems relating to your character, take a trip to the mall. Buy a smoothie (or caramel mocho frappicino WITH whip if it’s been a really, really, really bad writing day) and window shop. Be sure to have pen and paper in hand for the occasional note you need to jot down. Check out the stores. See what appeals to your character. Your gut will tell you when you’re headed in the right direction. Add this information to your character sketch or an area with notes on your novel so you can always refer back when you need to refresh your brain.
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith
When I was in high school, I wrote character sketches. Only at the time, I had no idea the importance of what I was doing. I still have notebooks full of characters that I’d forgotten, but still demand their stories to be told. I have their names, ages, weight, height, physical charactaristics, family background, occupation. Weaved throughout are tidbits of the plot – just so I wouldn’t forget where they fit into the story.
Now, as a writer with some experience under my belt. I realize the importance of these documents. I haven’t used one in ages – I didn’t want to "stifle" myself. But I’m finding with so many life distractions, I need those little sheets of paper to remind me of important details that would drive people crazy if they changed. (I read a book once where a character’s name actually changed midway.) I also have a file full of photographs of interesting people, and I sometimes use a photograph to help remember what the character looks like. It’s easy to glance up while writing for affirmation sometimes, rather than break the flow to dig through my files.
Here are the items I list on the sheet:
This information also helps me see where the characters are solid and where they need development. It helps me get to know them intimately – and as a writer, that’s essential to a riveting story.
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith
Just received this exciting release from a member of Ozarks Writers League. I hope I can get to this one!
Sisters in Crime announces its first Forensic University of St. Louis: 50 Ways to Catch a Killer.
Please save the dates– Nov. 1-4, 2007. The two-and-a-half day conference will be held at the Hilton St. Louis Airport (St. Louis, Missouri).
Our headliners are Jan Burke, Dr. D. P.Lyle, Eileen Dreyer, and Detective Lee Lofland (retired).
Planned topics include an overview of forensic science and police procedure; how to make forensic science work in your book; crime scene basics; overview of crime labs; death investigation basics;
autopsies; psychology of crime; poisons and their detection; understanding DNA evidence; fingerprints; firearms evidence; the role of photograph and videography in forensic work; interpretation of blood spatter; trace evidence; forgery; the role of jurisdiction in forensic procedures entomology; science and the courtroom; the role of canine units; and using warrants and searches.
Faculty will be drawn from law enforcement and those working in the field of forensic science.
Early sign ups can join us on Thursday afternoon for a trip to an indoor shooting gallery for an extra fee. Tickets are also available at extra charge for A Muddy Brew-Ha-Ha Party and Auction to benefit the Crime Lab Project Foundation. The auction and party will be on >Saturday evening.
For more information go to:
http:///www.sistersincrime.org/ForensicU or for updated information
about programs & faculty: http://forustl.blogspot.com/
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith
Check out this post from Merlin Mann:
http://www.43folders.com/2007/02/15/your-new-blog/
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith
I am a reviewer for PopSyndicate.com. We recently started a new podcast called the Author Series. I was priviledged to interview 16 authors at the Love Is Murder conference in Chicago this month. Those interviews will be posted once a week on Thursdays via the iTunes feed, Pop Syndicast.
I am searching for other conferences where I can meet and chat with authors about their lives, their muse and their latest works. If you are part of a conference that would like to participate, email me at authorangelawilson@gmail.com.
This is a great, new venue for you to talk about your work and open yourself up to new markets.
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith
Great article from WD on inpiration killers. Check it out.
http://www.writersdigest.com/articles/arrington_inciting_inspiration.asp
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith
From www.themysteryplace.com:
Breaking News! AHMM is teaming up with The Wolfe Pack, the official Nero Wolfe appreciation society, to sponsor a new annual writing prize, The Black Orchid Novella Award, to honor an unpublished work of fiction written in the tradition of the Nero Wolfe mystery stories by Rex Stout. Rex Stout was a master of the novella form and published dozens of novellas featuring the corpulent and irascible detective Nero Wolfe and his sidekick Archie Goodwin. Today, the novella is uncommon, though AHMM has a long tradition of publishing novellas. For more information on the contest, including submission guidelines, go to www.NeroWolfe.org.
Good luck!
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith
I came across this site while surfing the net for mystery writing information. Mysterynet.com has lesson plans for grades 4 and up, which show teachers ways to teach students how to write mysteries using resources provided by the site.
Students are given a photograph and told to write a myster follow the mystery writing format. Great for students. And not a bad idea for writers who need to flex their writing muscles, or just get away from a project for a while.
Check out the site and see how the information can work for you.
http://www.mysterynet.com/learn/lessonplans/writing.shtml
Angela Wilson – Wicked Wordsmith – www.angelawilson.blogspot.com