Category Archives: characters

The Magic of Creating

Posted on August 12, 2013 by veldabrotherton

A member of our critique group and I were discussing how we begin to write a story, be it novel or short story. I said I begin with a character, and her next question set me to thinking a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in characters, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

The Process of Writing

Posted on March 25, 2013 by veldabrotherton

My daughter is a pre-school teacher, and yes they do teach. She once told me that children of that age are more interested in and enjoy the process more than the outcome, solution, results. Take your pick. As a writer, … Continue reading →

Posted in a writer's life, beginning writers, books, characters, craft of writing, creating characters, creative writing, fiction, fiction writer, fiction writing, first novels, goals, how to become a writer, joy of writing, process, the writing life, writing, writing as a career, writing as a hobby | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

SHORT AND SWEET

Posted on March 2, 2012 by veldabrotherton

Welcome to guest blogger Caroline Baines  There’s no doubt that the short story has been gaining in popularity recently. For a while it seemed that short fiction was no longer in vogue, yet with e-books and self-publishing becoming so successful … Continue reading →

Posted in characters, description, dialogue, ebooks, fiction, self-publishing, short stories, writing | Leave a comment

RECOGNITION APPRECIATED

Posted on August 10, 2010 by veldabrotherton

An email arrived a couple of days ago from the International Blogging Recognition Council (IBRC) They wrote: your blog (On Being a Writer and the July 19th posting Working With Small Publishers) received IBRC’s designation of “Recognized Blog”. IBRC reserves … Continue reading →

Posted in characters, conflict, goals, motivation, plot, theme, Velda Brotherton, writer's block | 4 Comments

Workshop Reveals Ideas

Posted on September 28, 2009 by veldabrotherton

Twice a year I hold a workshop at Ozark Folkways. Attendance has mushroomed since we first began doing this. Saturday, Sept. 26 we arrived with an enrollment of 25, but two fell out because something came up, so I had … Continue reading →

Posted in characters, dreams, flaws, goal, Maslow's Triangle, Ozark Folkways, pacing, plotting, POV, Velda Brotherton, workshop, Writers | Leave a comment

Creating Strong Characters

Posted on January 12, 2009 by veldabrotherton

To me the most important thing before you begin a new book is to get to know your characters. I don’t like charts or outlines, but there are other ways to do this. And you can do it as you … Continue reading →

Posted in characters, conflict, five senses, goal, motivation, POV, Uncategorized, writing | Leave a comment

Writing Hair Raising Suspense

Posted on August 25, 2008 by veldabrotherton

Before we get into writing hair-raising suspense, let’s determine the difference between suspense and mystery, because that’s important. In a mystery the hero pursues the killer, in a suspense a killer pursues the hero. Well, that’s pretty simple, but a … Continue reading →

Posted in characters, five senses, scenes, suspense, villains, Writers | 5 Comments

Editing Finished

Posted on August 11, 2008 by veldabrotherton

The editing on my book, Wilda’s Outlaw, part one of the series The Victorians, is finished and ready to mail. This means I didn’t miss a day in my blogging, though the past few posts haven’t been terrific in content. … Continue reading →

Posted in characters, draft, editing, Kansas, plot, railroad, Victoria, writing | 1 Comment

Spring brings out Five Senses

Posted on April 14, 2008 by veldabrotherton

Saturday I spent the day teaching writers at an all day workshop on a mountaintop south of my home. The redbuds and service berry trees were in full bloom, presenting red and white clouds over our Ozarks. A cool spring … Continue reading →

Posted in characters, dogwood, emotion, five senses, Ozarks, redbud, workshops, writing | 1 Comment

Ezine Article on Voice

Posted on March 1, 2008 by veldabrotherton

Greetings one and all on this lovely March 1. Hope you’re all writing like mad. I recently posted an article titled Write with an Entrancing Tongue. Thought you might want to read it. During every workshop I host and wherever … Continue reading →

Posted in articles, characters, dialogue, Jodi Thomas, tags, workshops, writer's voice | 1 Comment