Write Writing Written

A few months ago I won a full manuscript critique from Michelle Argyle. She sent it back with fantastic notes and ideas. Still, I was overwhelmed with the thought of revisions. My critique group suggested I set the story aside for a little while and look at it anew later.
I was going to follow their advice, I really was! Until I listened to a Writing Excuses podcast on foil characters.
What the heck?
The image of Joaquin Phoenix in a tinfoil hat came to mind. But that isn't what the podcast was teaching me.

Foil - a character that is used to enhance another character through contrast, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. Create characters in pairs like the straight man and the comedian or Cinderella’s grace and beauty as opposed to her nasty, self-centered stepsisters.

Here are a few other examples of foil characters:
Batman & Robin
Sherlock Holmes & Watson
Danny Glover and Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon)
Wise mentor & newcomer
Siblings

The last example i…

My muse has been absent of late. I think she took a vacation with no notice. For the last two weeks or so the absence of Le Muse has left me without my daily creative outlet. I haven't been able to do much writing or editing. I tried reading articles about writers block and how to get motivated to no avail. I started getting snarky with my family, taking naps and watching "Revenge."
Pinterest stepped in to save my sanity. I found recipes to bake (my family loved me!), crafts to make, and picture ideas to retake. Plus I cleaned and organized a few closets (Mom! What did you do with my broken spy glasses I never play with but now I want to because you threw them out??). 
For a week I've had the song "Hello" by Martin Solveig & Dragonette in my head. Seriously. I could not for the life of me get it outta there. I tried listening to different songs on the radio. Turned Jango up. Even had the kids sing songs to me. Nothing helped.
Then BAM! I got a great id…

Cuteness!
The new Pied Piper:






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"I wish my name was Brian because maybe sometimes people would misspell my name and call me Brain. That's like a free compliment and you don't even gotta be smart to notice it." Mitch Hedberg


I think as writers we need to know what's associated with our names out in the wide, open world. Many authors add a middle initial to make sure they get the the credit for their hard earned work and not to be mistaken by another person with the same name.
My name, Taffy, is obviously going to pop up with candy and Taffy Town. And with the last name Lovell, I'm linked to an astronaut and city (there's even two creeks in the City of Austin with both my names: one is Taffy and one is Lovell!). Look at what else popped up: (heehee)






An amazing picture Sarah Eden drew of me (took her hours and hours).














Guy named Taffy














Taffy asleep



Taffy the Golfer










Did you know there's a mugshot.com? Yeah. Taffy's on it.








And a cute married couple. Wait. That's me! I almost did…

2012 LDStorymakers Conference is coming soon! Lovelovelove this conference. You should go. Seriously. Go to this site and register. I'll save you a seat!
Conference: May 4-5 2012 2-Day Conference: $170Friday-only Conference: $95Saturday-only Conference: $75Location: Conference: May 4-5, 2012 2-Day Conference: $170Friday-only Conference: $95Saturday-only Conference: $75The Provo Marriott Hotel 101 West 100 North · Provo, Utah 84601 USA

This week is quickly coming to an end! Wow. As I post about the writers who have affected me, I realize there's even more than I'll ever be able to post about.

Once I entered the realm of writing a whole new world exploded open. I can not tell you how many amazing/awesome/cool/motivating people I've met.
Here is a shout out to all of you, my friends.
May your computers stay charged, your pencil lead not break, your ideas keep flowing and your story become what you dream it will be.

Loves and hugs to you.

I met Dashner, James Dashner at a writing conference in Midway. We had a fun group that weekend with Nicole Giles, Eric Swedin, Heather Moore and a few others that escape my memory. I believe Heather had an ARC of Maze runner that night and I was dying to get my hands on it. (I almost stooped to stealing but I'm proud to say I didn't.)

Our group had a great time that weekend talking and laughing. James told me about his goal to quit his accounting job (can you imagine him working numbers all day?). He had a specific day he would become a full time author. He worked hard on his writing and accomplished his goal. I totally admire his tenacity and talent. We can all learn from him.

He has such an easy, happy way with people. He can put anyone at ease. And he's funny! Be prepared not to be drinking anything while he's talking.
Oh. And just a heads up, he loves horseradish and will steal all of it if given the chance.


Hop over to The Dashner Dude's blog and say hi!

How was Valentine's for you? Sick of chocolate yet? Yeah. Me either. :)

A few years ago I attended a charity book event in Ogden. I'd never been and had no idea where to go. After a flurry of emails I ended up carpooling with some awesomesauce people like Jeff Savage, Sharon Glens, Kristen Landon and Juliana Montgomery. Jeff was definitely outnumbered and we teased him about being the head of a harem. He was a good sport. Another fun author who is quick to laugh and easy to talk to. Love his laugh.
On the way home Jeff asked me about my writing. He listened, asked questions then gave me advice. He's such a nice guy and gentleman. He is awesome at listening to newbies like me.

If you have a chance to go to any of Jeff's presentations, do it. He's an excellent teacher. He makes newbies feel like they are not alone in this writing world.

Here's a shout out to J. Scott Savage!




Do you have any author or writer you admire? Shout out in the comments!

Having a good Valentine's Day? Eating an extra piece of chocolate. There are no calories today!

Today I want to talk about the next person who helped me, made me smile and answered all my questions:
Tristi Pinkston

I don't remember when we met. Writer's conference? Book signing? I'm not sure. I'm just happy we're friends.
She wrote a book called Season of Sacrifice about the Hole-in-the-Rock expedition. My hubby's ancestors were in that group and I wanted a signed copy for him. I found Tristi easy to talk to and laugh with. She's clever, witty and brave. She has so much going on with writing, reviewing books, homeschooling and getting healthy. And yet, she still has time for the newbies like me. Even at Wal-Mart! :)

Thank you, Tristi, for everything you do in our writing community!

First off, Happy Valentine's Week! I hope you do eat lots of chocolate.

This week makes me think of those who show love in my writing world. Those authors who pay it forward. I believe almost ALL writers help other newbies like me. Someone showed me kindness by giving advice or making me laughing or helping me see a better way.

I want to honor a few of them this week.

My first book had a LDS theme. When I finished my story I suddenly realized I had no idea what to do next. I researched the local market and came across someone by the name of Heather Moore. I read her blog, My Writer's Lair, read one of her books and entered one of her contests. I signed up to read and review one of her newer books. She thanked me personally when I posted the review. That's how she is.

We met at a writers conference. She was kind and funny and made me feel welcome. I saw her at a few more conferences (I really hoped she didn't think I was a stalker!), took a couple of her cla…

Huge Rabbit sculpture by Gelitin collective, near Artesina, in the Italian Alps - you can see it in Google maps





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For the purpose of this post, you must have seen the Breakfast Club. Just kidding.
You just need basic knowledge of the characters. Do you remember them?

Criminal
Athlete
Basket Case
Princess
Brain

 What made them memorable?
One great scene we get to know the Breakfast Club was lunchtime. The Athlete had a humongous lunch; the Princess had sushi; the Basket Case had a Capn Crunch sandwich.
What else? The way they dressed. Language. Who they sat by. The way they walked and talked.

How can we make our characters stand out in our stories?
I found one worksheet that I LOVE. A big shout out to Josi Kilpack! I'm using her characterization worksheet today.  I've been able to flesh out my characters so much more internally and externally. If you can take a class from her on this, I advise doing it. I learned a ton from her.
I'm not going to give everything on her worksheet here but I will tell you the main things I do with my characterizations.

INTERNAL:

What is the primary goa…