Tag: writing

Frivolous Friday: Visceral Villains

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

Heeeeeere’s Johnny! (Jack Torrance, The Shining)

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. (Michael Corleone, The Godfather Part II)

I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti. (Hannibal Lector, The Silence of the Lambs.)

I’ll bet you didn’t even need my help with naming the movies or the villains that made these quotes famous, well infamous.

Villains /antagonists, whatever you want to call them have to exist to make a story work. Someone (or something but for the sake of this blog, it’s someone) has to stand in the way of what a protagonist/hero wants to get to.  Peanut butter to the jelly. Oatmeal to the cream pie. Chocolate to the milk. You get it and I might be hungry.

Villains aren’t hard for me write. I revel in them. I know, I’m a Christian and evil is bad–but it is real. And if I’m going to try and convince a reader of that, plus show God triumph then I need to dive into the villain. Here’s a few things that I’ve found work well when creating a believable bad guy.

1. Make your villain normal or even above average.

 

Not all villains look like the picture above. In fact, the more “normal” (relative term) you make them, the better the story.  Does Ian Somerholder look like an evil bad guy? Not so much, but boy does he play a bad guy–well vamp–in Vampire Diaries. (Don’t judge me!)

2.  Distort your villain’s mind in order to motivate them into becoming your protagonist’s obstacle.

Ian Somerholder’s character, Damon, does twisted things out of his love for Elena. Half the time, you’re asking yourself why he would do something off the wall. That’s not love. That’s just making more trouble. Well yeah, but look who’s mind it is!

An average bear who’s jilted smashes a wall with his fist or drinks himself stupid. He doesn’t make it his quest to kill everyone the jilter loves. But a distorted mind will. Now we have a story. The jilter has to fight for the ones she loves and stop the villain.

Besides, distorted minds are interesting. Look at the True Crime market. Everyone wants to know, “Why do they do that?”

3. Don’t always save the villain.
Literally. As Christians, we want to redeem everyone! However, realistically and tragically, not everyone accepts salvation. If you write a story about a serial killer and you redeem him, I’ll give you a heinous review! 😉 Can they be? Anything is possible, but not likely.

Let’s take a  revengeful man who tries to manipulate his high school sweetheart and ex-fiance into marrying him– again. He has a underlying agenda.  What is his motive for this revenge? Abandonment, hatred for her family after he found out a secret–which most people would just be mad about and bitter–but if we distort his thinking and use Mr. Hotty as an obstacle to what the heroine wants, we’ve got an intriguing and mysterious story with layers of complexity and fun twists.

Circumstances ie backstory + distorted thinking= motivation to do heinous things normal people wouldn’t. But now you have a story.Is he redeemable? Absolutely. Will we redeem him? Nope. We’ll resolve the heroine’s conflict and leave him bitter, without peace, and alone.  There’s a biblical lesson to learn, it stays real, and we can end happily ever after for our heroine. Reader satisfaction guaranteed.

4. Amp up your villain’s complexity by giving him/her at least one good trait. (this does not apply to sociopaths or psychopaths–they fake good qualites but don’t really have any)

 

The ex-fiance wasn’t the revengeful snake before he found out the secret (circumstances ie backstory). He still has some tender qualities that pop out from time to time that relate to the woman he’s seeking revenge on. It’s an internal tug-of-war.

He hates her and then remembers when he first met her or kissed her. He softens, rethinks what he’s doing…then remembers why he’s doing it which is the secret he discovered about her family that has a direct tie into his abandonment. Distorted thinking, “she deserves to pay and have a happy life snatched from her too”gives him new motivation to make her life miserable without her realizing what he’s up to.

It also makes the reader play internal tug-of-war. She’ll hate him, then feel sorry for him when she doesn’t really want to–if you flesh him out and write it well. Which is every writer’s goal.

*note* We don’t always want the reader to have mixed feelings for a villain, but in this case we do. It depends on the story you’re writing.

If you’re a writer, how do you create a great villain and do you enjoy it?
Readers, what makes a good villain to you and do you have a memorable one from a book you read or a movie you watched?

Have a great weekend! On Monday, you’ll meet author, Susie Brown.

Oh yeah, I’m a finalist at Clash of the Titles for most emotional scene! I’m being interviewed over there, so come by and say hi! 

Must Read Monday: Stein on Writing

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

“The novelist is like a conductor of an orchestra, his back to the audience, his face invisible, summoning the experience of music for the people he cannot see.”

Today’s book is recommended for writers or anyone who is interested in learning the craft of writing.

Yes, it is a learned craft. Talent is necessary, but it isn’t enough. I’d like to think I have talent, and like most inspirational writers, I feel writing is a call on my life. I still need to learn and I’m glad I picked this book up at the CWG conference.

 Sol Stein is a genius. You can read about him here. I found something to highlight on every page. I found some things that I do well and some things I need to work on to make my writing tighter and more suspenseful.

Here’s a little bit about the book, taken from his website. I encourage you to read many books on the craft if you are writing. We can never stop learning or growing, and in the end it benefits our readers–who we’re writing for! They deserve our best!

“Whether you are an accomplished professional, a novelist, story writer, or a writer of nonfiction, you will find a wealth of immediately useful guidance not available anywhere else. As Sol Stein explains, “This is a not a book of theory. It is a book of usable solutions; how to fix writing that is flawed, how to improve writing that is good, how to create interesting writing in the first place.”

You will find one of the great unspoken secrets of craftsmanship in Chapter 5, called “Markers: The Key to Swift Characterization.” In Chapter 7, Stein reveals for the first time in print the system for creating instant conflict developed in the Playwrights Group of the Actors Studio, of which he was a founder. In “Secrets of Good Dialogue,” Stein gives you usable techniques that not only make verbal exchanges exciting but that move the story forward immediately. You won’t have to struggle with flashbacks or background material after you’ve read Chapter 14, which shows you how to bring background into the foreground.

Writers of both fiction and nonfiction will relish the amphetamines for speeding up pace, and the many ways to liposuction flab, as well as how to tap originality and recognize what successful titles have in common. Nonfiction writers will find a passport to the new revolution in journalism and a guide to using the techniques of fiction to enhance nonfiction. You’ll discover literary values that enhance writing, providing depth and resonance. In Chapters 32 and 33 you will learn why revising by starting at page one can be a serious mistake, and how to revise without growing cold on your manuscript.”

What books have you read and recommend about the craft of writing?

There is a Method to My Madness: But Not Really

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 
 
I’ve been asked to share my method of penning a story.
 
Here it is:

…there really isn’t one.

But this is how it works for me when I’m writing contemporary romance (with suspenseful elements). I also write romantic suspense and the plotting is different.

1. Inspiration Hits

 

Generally, it smacks me in the face during my early morning time with the Lord. I’ll see a face, hear a voice and a scene of some sort pops in my head. For example: When I wrote the Precious Gems Saga, I was reading Isaiah 54. “And I will make your pinnacles of rubies (Pigeon’s Blood was born) your gates of crystal (Crystal Gates) and your foundations of sapphire (Sapphire Foundation).” Each female character paralleled that particular jewel. I studied the stones and as I did, the characters developed.

After I wrote those three books, I knew it wasn’t finished. The characters weren’t ready to say goodbye just yet and new stories formed–with their children. The Wayward Children Trilogy, was born. 

2. Plotting

 
 

Plotting happens while I’m on the treadmill walking. Not when I run because I have to consciously remind myself to breathe. But when I’m walking, characters tell me who they are, what they’ve been through, what they want and how they think they should get it. I don’t alway agree with them, but what do I know? I see these things happen in live scenes. Like watching a movie in my head. The kind of music I’m listening to at the time sets the pace of the scenes I see.

 

I don’t always write the scenes down because I remember them, but sometimes when they say something very smart-alec or profound, that I can’t come up with on my own, I jump off the treamill and scribble it on a post-it. Or if I’m cleaning, I stop (great excuse to put the Pledge down) and find my post-its.

I rarely get the beginning scene right off-the-bat. The middle and ending happen first. Once I  have the basic structure and know who my characters are (because they tell me), I research anything necessary– which is always– and then I write.

3. Writing happens

Why yes, that is
my pink snuggie! Convenient
for writers who get cold!

 

Not really, I wish. I have to make it happen. I used to sit in a double size chair in our den with my laptop and skull candy. That’s where I wrote most of my manuscripts. I now have a sweet writing desk in my bedroom.
 
 I don’t need solitude, but I like it. I stuff my skull candy in my ears, crank up the music I’ve seen the scenes to and I disappear. Sometimes, I’ll play one song over and over for hours at a time. Writing is the only time I forget to eat.
 

I write all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I’m home and my kids are at school. On MWF, I get to come home at noon and write till I get the kids. I don’t usually write on weekends unless everyone goes to bed and I can’t sleep. Then I may work until 1 or 2 in the morning, especially if I’m nearing the end.

 
 
Somewhere in there, when it comes time for the twist, I stop and outline the rest of the novel. Just a paragraph for each scene to walk me through where I’m going, which will keep me organized, and then I bring it on home.
 

 

Now, my FBI Hornet’s Nest series is a whole other brand of cereal. The plotting is very different and more structured because it has to be in order to keep up with everything. I’ll write about that another time.
 
Have a great weekend!

 * The winner for Gray Matter, is Terri Tiffany! Congrats!

 
If you’re a writer, what’s the method to your madness? If you’re not a writer, what book are you curling up with this weekend?
 

Close Quarters + People = CONFLICT

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

“Get out of my way!”

“I was here first!”

“Mom!”

“Don’t you snitch on me. I didn’t do anything!”

“That toothpaste smell is gagging me!”

“Mom!”

Our mornings usually begin quiet and peaceful. Until my children have to share the bathroom. Bailey is primping and flat ironing her hair and Myles just needs to “water his hair” and brush his teeth.

Two minutes together. Tops.

I’m usually in the kitchen, feeling good after my morning with the Lord. I’m at peace. Quiet inside. Full of love…

“If I hear you screaming one more time, I’m going to come in there and give you a reason a to scream!”

Ever wonder how that happens? I can just see my flesh inside–crawling, gearing up to be let loose. Itching. Come on, I just need one tiny prick…where are those kids when I need them!?

They’re in separate rooms. That’s where.

 

Close quarters bring conflict. Bank on it. You fight most with the people you live with, or maybe work very closely with. It’s why you can go to church on Sunday and practically lick the syrup off folks’ faces. It’s easy to be sweet to people you see once a week.

Conflict is key in writing stories. It’s what keeps readers turning pages. Do you read? Would you agree? If there is no conflict there is no story.

In real life, I don’t want any drama. But in a book, where I’m not the target or stuck listening to whining and droning…I want drama! Lots of it!

 

There are many ways to inject conflict into a story.  The most obvious would be external conflict.

Miss thang here, well, she’s got herself in some kind of physical predictament that seems hopeless. Someone or something has literally put her up against a wall.

I see this picture and I think, “How did she get in this situation?” ie…backstory (that doesn’t need vomited onto the page) “How is she going to get out? After all, her best friend can’t save her…she’s strapped right up there with her.

Add some dialogue:
“I can’t believe you got me into this, Baby.”

“Me? Me? Duckie, you’re the one who said we should follow the bread crumbs.”

Duckie quacked and tried to point her wing, but the duct tape pulled at her feathers she’d just had trimmed and tipped, “I always say that! It’s like you always asking for a cookie! I tune it out! Now figure out a way to get us down!”

 

This bring us to Internal conflict. What’s going on inside of her? This is where writers get to be therapists. “How does that make you feel?” Then we get to be patients. “Well…stuck?”  Internal conflict is as important to a story as the external conflict.

 

I happen to love odd conflict. Inner and external. For example, this cartoon. This man is afraid of butterflies. I’m certainly not making fun of the fear of butterflies or phobias that people have. I have a few of my own.

I’m terrified of driving in heavy traffic. I don’t drive for a living, but take that fear and put it inside a truck driver. Now that’s good stuff! You may be asking, “Why would a guy become a truck driver if he’s scared to drive?”

Maybe it’s not a he. Maybe it’s a she and she is a single mom about to lose her children. What choice does she have? This may be the only thing she can do to make the money she needs to keep them. External conflict and internal. 

And of course, I have to have a little humor and duh, romance! She’s going to need an instructor, so she can obtain her CDL (a special license). This man has to ride along with her. He might even be a little chauvinist–but it’s probably a facade (his wife had an affair while he was on the road; he’s bitter).

Can you see her trying to use both foot pedals and shift that big ole’ rig with a burly (hot) guy glaring at her–ticked off because he’s stuck with some female who wants to drive a truck. She’ll kill them before she ever gets out of the parking lot!

We just amped up the conflict, ladies and gents!

 FYI, I just thought this up while writing; none of my stories are about a single mom becoming a truck driver. However…

 

In suspenseful stories (which all stories should have some suspense), a sneaky fox can add conflict. I like to call this Devious Mind conflict.

Someone who seems innocent, but secretly thwarts the plans of the hero/heroine in the story–or both. Maybe the reader knows this up front. If it’s a mystery, probably not until much later in the story. I write about serial killers in my Hornet’s Nest Series. I keep my killers a mystery–until the last “act.” and even then it’s about the end of the story.

I love characters that are crazy like a fox…or is that hungry like the wolf??? Oh well…either-both. Whatever, it works. 

 

 

One of my all time favorites, is the love conflict. Man loves woman, woman loves man. But they can’t be together. It’s the glue of a great romance novel. Who wants to read a book where a couple fall in love in chapter one, get married in chapter two and live a ho-hum decent life the rest of the book? If you do, sorry. But I do not!

Rejection in a relationship fuels me to keep reading. Nothing tugs my heartstrings like a woman or a man rejecting the other when I know they really love each other. But it takes, what to keep them apart? Conflict. Internal. External.

 

Mix it up with odd conflict, sneaky conflict or, just stick them in a bathroom together for about two minutes. I know first hand that works.

Either way, you can’t erase conflict from a novel. You don’t have one if you do. And you can’t erase it from your real life.

 

Thankfully, there is conflict resolution. His name is…God. That’s why I love writing Inspirational Fiction. I can show the world how God can be the conflict resolution in any situation. I get the pleasure of extending hope to readers who might identify with some of my characters–even single mom truckdrivers.

Does every situation end beautifully in real life? No. In fiction? Most times.

But, real life and fiction do have something in common when it comes to conflict resolution. The availability for God to resolve inner conflict is always there. The same hope you read about in fiction, is very real in the story we call real life.

You can’t change some of your circumstances. You don’t always ask for conflict, but God is always ready to bring peace to your inner conflict first. He cares more about the condition of your spiritual life, than your physical.

So…talk to me. Tell me what kinds of conflict you enjoy reading about? What keeps you turning pages?

Have a great weekend.  Join me on for Must Read Monday! I’m sharing about a book you can get for free! If you don’t have a kindle, I’M GIVING AWAY A BOOK! TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

I’m a Gold Digger: Treasures From the Book of Joshua

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

Yep, you read the title correctly. I’m a gold digger. I’m proud of it. I need the T-Shirt.

But I almost wasn’t.

I’m still writing my study in the book of Joshua. I’m at the point where it records his conquests. I wrote out the lesson, then had about a paragraph left before starting a new chapter. I skipped the last paragraph and started reading the new chapter when the Lord said, “You missed a few lines. Go back.” So I did.

Go back with me if you will, to Joshua 11:16-23. I want to focus on verse 21. I need to take you on a journey, that goes back to Numbers 13:16-33. It’s a journey of a young man, named Joshua. Son of Nun. (That is not a play on words or a typo. Nun does not = None.)

 

Joshua and eleven other men are commanded by Moses to go spy out their Promised Land. Eagerly, they take off on their mission, but when they come back only two of them (Joshua and Caleb–who was forty at the time) wanted to go in and possess the land. They trusted God. They believed. Faith was a road sign on their journey to their promise.

But the ten other spies were afraid and they put fear into the hearts of the people with their response, “We are not able to go up against the people for they are stronger than we…There were giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:31-33.

Because of their lack of faith, God sentenced them to forty years in the wilderness. All the men able to go to war would die and because God is faithful, even when we are not, He would allow the second generation of children to enter the land plus Joshua and Caleb. Numbers 14:26-35.

Fast forward to Joshua 11:21-22. “And at that time, Joshua came and cut off the Anakim, from the mountains…None of the Anakim wer left in the land of the children of Israel…” Joshua, wasn’t playing around. He was finally getting to do what he wanted forty-five years earlier. (Forty years in the wilderness and five years of war to slay all the kings who had come against him. Joshua 11:18 and Joshua 14:10.)

 

Those are the facts.
What was the story?
 I wonder what it was like for Joshua and Caleb all those years in the wilderness. Late at night, did Joshua weep alone in his tent for the promise he knew was his and yet couldn’t touch. Did those years creep by, one heat filled day at a time?

Young Joshua begged–pleaded for the people to have faith and go in to take the land. So much, they wanted to stone him and Caleb. “But it’s ours! We can do this! God has given us this great promise!”

And then the sentencing. The righteous were sandwiched in between the wicked. They had to wait. A blessing was coming. But not for forty more dry, dusty filled years later. “God, this wasn’t my fault! I wanted to go. It’s just not fair that I should wait too.”

Joshua learned under Moses’ tutelage. He became skilled at leading, military strategy…and how to honor and obey God. Even if his nights may have been spent fighting bitterness towards those who had been disobedient and wicked.

Then forty years were up. It was time for Joshua to do what he’d wanted to do so many years ago, with Caleb–now eighty-five but strong. Picture them, sweaty and exhausted from war–yet never falling back. Pressing on. The last giant falls with a thud and only the dust rises. The men of the second generation shout in victory, but Joshua falls to his face in the sand and weeps. Caleb takes his place on the ground next to him.

“Why are you weeping? We should be dancing! Singing! Celebrating!” The army yelled and then stood dumbfounded.

They were dancing–in their hearts. They were singing–in their spirits They were celebrating–through tears. Tears that came from a long, arduous journey. At last. Joshua proved, those giants couldn’t stop the work of the Almighty God.

Caleb clasps his hand, pulls Joshua to his feet and says, “I am now eighty-five. I’ve waited forty five years for this. Yet I am not weak. God has made me as strong now as I was then. Now. Give. Me. My. Mountain.”

And Joshua blessed him and gave him Hebron formerly known as Kirjath Arba (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim). Was.

How long have you been waiting for a promise? What are you doing while you wait? Life isn’t fair. Sometimes we feel stuck. Wandering. But your mountain is your mountain. God isn’t taking it away from you.

Tell your giants, “I’m. Coming. For. You. Give. Me. My. Mountain.”

 

What are you studying? Share a few golden nuggets!

Frivolous Friday: A story with no rhyme or reason

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

“She couldn’t see anything. The moon was teasing her, playing in the sick game, by hiding behind thick pasty gray clouds. She ran until her stomach burned. Her legs threatened to betray her as they buckled underneath her.

 She dared not look back for fear she’d trip on logs or underbrush. The bitter, stale, acidy smells assaulted her nose and lodged in her throat, signaling he wasn’t far behind. 

The blindfold he’d kept on her had only been off long enough to reveal the dense forest–his hunting ground.Where he’d found her two days or maybe two months before. She’d lost track of time.

 Barren trees reached out to trap her. Their bony branches, acting like jagged nails, taunted her cheeks as they scratched and peeled her smooth complexion away from her face, but she pushed through, ignoring the sting and the sticky substance oozing from her wounds.

The taste of earth, iron, and salt saturated her dry tongue. Her throat coiled in response. She gagged, but pressed on.  She begged for death, but not at his hands. Not again.

‘Here, kitty, kitty’ he called.”

My friend, we’ll call her Jane again, as once more she’s humilated herself, clutched the steering wheel  as we headed back from dropping a friend off at a conference. It was late and we were unfamiliar with our surroundings. I’d been sharing the story rolling around in my head. (you only got a snippet of it)

 I became engrossed in telling it, and though her eyes were on the road, her mind was immersed in the  woman escaping a psychopath.

“Hey did we miss our turn?” She turned the radio down. (Why do we do that?)

Slightly irritated that I had to come out of character, I looked around. “No. I thought you were paying attention.”

“Well I wasn’t,” she snipped. “I’m turning around.” She hopped off the interstate and began pulling over onto the shoulder of the road. Neither of us spoke. The silence hung in the air. We were surrounded by ominous looking woods. The night was similar to the one I had been describing. The moon was full.

As she slowed down, a shimmer caught my eye in front of us. What–what is that? “Oh no! Stop, Jane! It’s a man!” 

He was in the middle of nowhere. In the pitch of night. Holding a white plastic sack. I couldn’t make out his face, but as she slammed on the brakes he moved toward us.

I threw my hands in the air. “Lock the doors! Roll up the windows! Roll up the windows! He’s coming!” My soprano voice turned shrill.

That’s when my friend Jane, lost all ability to function. Her hand frantically raced up and down the car door looking for buttons to lock and secure us.

“Jane, do something!”

 

She did. A heinous word that had obviously been forming on the tip of her tongue forced its way out of her mouth. My precious friend’s mouth. She screamed it to the top of her lungs and once it was out it repeated like a stuck record. I stopped shrieking out of shock. My head seemed to turn in slow motion. The abominable word rang out in a slurred slow motion as well. Over and over.

She cut a hard right and threw dust and rocks on the shadowed man standing alone on the shoulder near the woods. A hitchhiker? Maybe. A psychotic maniac with a switchblade and ropes? Possibly.

We shook with fear, turned into the wrong lane, dodged oncoming traffic and finally found our way into the city again. Jane pulled over at a movie rental store near the friend’s house we were staying at. We sat there staring straight ahead. Numb. Trembling.

Jane spoke in a hoarse whisper, “I want to tell you something.”

I looked at her then reached over and took her hand. It was still clammy. “It’s okay. You were scared. I forgive you.”

She pulled her brows together, pursed her lips and slipped her hand out of mine. “I was going to say you are never, ever, under any circumstances allowed to tell scary stories after dark.”

I stared at her a moment with surprise. “Oh…okay.” I scratched my head, sighed and paused a few seconds before I asked, “So you wanna rent a scary movie?”

“I hate you,” she whispered and started the car.

Have a fun and SAFE weekend! 🙂
* Jane did feel bad about her foul words… later.

Show Me the Love

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

So, is everyone blogging about love today? It is Valentine’s Day. I thought I should blog about love and romance since I am a romance writer. I thought I might share some pointers of writing about romance, showing how to create a scene that is full of romantic tension, or even writing about why we love romance. God created us for romance. Divine romance! But I’m not not going to blog about any of that.

Today I’m simply going to use this cyber platform to tell you how much my husband loves me. This morning I woke up to yummy chocolates and a thoughtful card. Was it on my pillow? No. It was on my laptop! Somewhere he knew I’d see it.  I’d forgotten today was V-Day. I was surprised and of course, freaked out as I have bought him nothing!

My husband, of almost 16 years, still dates me. I love that.  Now, my husband isn’t a writer. He’s a muscian, so he understands my passion for writing because he has a passion to tell a story through a song, (Although not through words. He doesn’t write lyrics, much.) He’s usually rather quiet about my writing. He doesn’t brainstorm with me, and I generally don’t use him to bounce ideas off of. While he’s romantic to be sure, he doesn’t enjoy reading romance (he did read one of my novels and he did like it, but I’ve written 12 so, you do the math). In fact, he doesn’t enjoy reading at all. “Jess, why read when I know the movie will be out in six months to a year.” That’s his philosophy. I cringe every time he says it, but we’re all different, right?

He listens to me when I share my goals or my frustrations. It’s called Book Club time to him, but he doesn’t often understand because he’s not walking in my shoes. I’ve mistaken it at times for him not supporting me, but that deduction is very wrong. He supports me in spite of his lack of understanding.

I think it really hit me this weekend. He may not be able to speak writing lingo with me. He can’t wrap his brain around how I come up with ideas, scenes, plot, etc…but he can show me just how much he’s in my corner by doing other things. Huge things!

I just got back from a very expensive conference. Not only was it a chunk of money(and very worth it), but the hotel, the airfare, the extra hundreds of dollars I needed for various things before the trip, the money to take on the trip, and the job of running the family and working still had to be taken care of.  That was something he could do. And he forked money out like it was falling from trees. I don’t know how he put it back, saved, and squeezed. But he did and without so much as one grumbling word because he believes in me. He believes in my writing. And it was a way he could be a part of this. 

When I came home, my house was spotless. I knew it would be. Floors had been vaccumed and the lines still shown where he’d ran them vertically. Cause I like that! The kids had been bathed, Myles had a hair cut, the laundry including towels had been done, the pantry and fridge were stocked because he knew I’d have work to do this week since the conference went well. The bathroom rugs were washed and the shower and tub scrubbed. The sheets were freshly washed and my pajamas had been laid out. Oh yeah, and he brought me food to the airport when he picked me up because he knew I’d be starving! And I was.

My husband loves me. He loves what I do, and he’s proud of me. And I love him and am so very proud of him. This could be my Valentine to him, but since he doesn’t read….

What wonderful thing has your special someone done to show his/her love for you?

A Turtle’s Journey…or Maybe a Clownfish

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

So this is me. This is where I am. I won’t always be here. I’m on a journey. Sometimes I feel like I’m barreling ahead, and sometimes I feel like I can barely crawl. Mostly I’m at least upright and moving at a decent turtle’s pace, but hey, it’s always forward.

I’ll be going to my first writers conference next Thursday. I’ve been a roller coaster of emotions. I’m exhilirated to meet new people, to learn new things from inspiring teachers, and to walk into a world where I feel at home.

 

And I’m nervous, because though, I feel at home in the writing world, I’m one clownfish in the big sea. (I know… you’re thinking how can a clownfish go at a turtle’s pace?)

I don’t plan to walk in there and think my dream will happen overnight. It could. But most likely it will not. This is the best I can do: I can pray and ask God to put me in the path of the right people. Not necessarily people who can help me now, but be there for me in God’s perfect timing later.

And hopefully, though I’m not a published author yet, I still have something to bring to them. Maybe it’s just a good laugh to break the ice. I’m pretty good at ice breakers. Or maybe, I can encourage another writer who’s crawling and made it to the conference in spite of their doubts. I don’t want this to be all about ME and MY book and MY feelings and MY career or MY ministry. I want to be a blessing too. (Ok so my blog is about me. That’s why it’s my blog. Just go with me a minute or however long it takes you to read.)

So maybe I stumble in a pitch, I just pray God only allows their ears to hear a symphony. Maybe I get asked a question about the industry and I don’t know it and probably should. Fine. I just hope there’s a distraction, like maybe Will Ferrell will bust through the Hyatt, hollering, “We’re going streaking…through the Quad!”. I’m playing of course, but here’s my point: I can’t worry so much about everything that might go wrong that I miss a chance at something so very write.  (Get that…;) little play on the word right! Just helpin you other turtles…or clownfish out.)

And I know something will because God works everything out for the good of those who love Him. That includes me. Will an agent turn me down and say my pitch won’t work for him/her? Probably. Will an editor tell me my material isn’t what they’re looking for? I’d put money on yes. BUT, if I walk away knowing that maybe I’ve made a new friend or future colleague, then that’s good.

So here are my realistic goals for the Writing for the Soul  Conference Feb. 10-13. I give you the dates because I ask if you remember, say a prayer for me. Not to land an agent or an editor(although if you feel led, by all means) but for God to do something good, and that I won’t need Him to smack me upside the head to see it. Because that generally hurts. (and also you can pray these goals for me)

1. To meet  2 critique partners. A cord of 3 strands aren’t easily broken.
2. To walk away with knowledge I didn’t have before.
3. To  not pass out and die when my first page is critiqued in a workshop. (Because it’ll give away that it was mine.)
4. To meet other writers who can share this awesome journey with me, because they understand; they’re in it too.

Those are my realistic goals. Anything else God decides to do is just icing on the cake. And I do love a good buttercream icing. Yum!

Share with me your experiences at writers conferences? How did you meet your critique partners? Any words of advice?
If you’re not a writer, what journey are you on and what animal do you feel like?

Don’t judge a book by its cover…but for the love, read the back!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 
 
A true story…
 
My friend, I’ll call her Jane since she said not to use her name as she humiliated herself, came over this week. She brought her laptop, and we decided to search the Amazon store for free books that we could read together. While browsing through them, I became engrossed and tuned her out. I’m really trying to get better about this habit. Our conversation went like this:
 
“Oooh, Jess, this book looks really good!”
 
“Hmmm…”
 
“Are you listening to me?”
 
I was reading the back cover of a love inspired book. “Yeah, what’s it about?”
 
 “A paranormal detective. Stop what you’re doing, and look at the cover. It’s intriguing!”
 
I glanced up as she turned the laptop around, and staring me in the face was a nice looking man with sinister yet determined eyes. In the background a dark shadowy house beckoned my attention and piqued my interest. I had to admit, the cover looked like something I’d definitely want to consider. Not so much the man, but the house and the darkness. I looked at the title, which I’ll not name, typed it in, and hit my “one click” button. BAM…I can read it whenever.
 
I moved on to other books, and then I decided to go back to the paranormal book. I scrolled down to the item description, and my mouth fell open. “Jane, did you read the back cover?”
 
“Um…yeah.” I looked up and glared at her until she felt it and met my eyes. “What? I did.”
 
I can’t arch one brow like most fictional characters, so I raised both. “So…you enjoy gay porn?”
 
Her eyes grew wide, “What!? No! That’s not what that book is about!”
 
I cleared my throat and proceeded to read, “Putting his life and sanity on the line—for a man beyond his reach. Sam Raintree’s experience with things he can’t explain isn’t the only reason his new job as a paranormal investigator is a perfect fit. His coworkers, preoccupied with things outside the norm, will never notice he’s gay…This book has been previously published. Warning: This title contains explicit male/male dream-sex, cross-dimensional electromagnetic theories (mmm, that’s hot!), intense violence, and language graphic enough to wake the dead.” *the remark in parenthesis is not mine.

I sat the laptop down. “Not exactly inspirational fiction.”

Her face turned red. “Maybe I just skimmed it. The cover looked so good.”

“Maybe? Do you realize that since I downloaded this book, next time I’m on Amazon it will prepare a list of books I might enjoy reading based on what I’ve downloaded!?”

“That’s bad, huh?”

I gave her a pointed look and promptly deleted the book. “Don’t even ask to get a say in our next book club read. The answer’s no.”

 

 
 
You never know what’s inside it!
 
Book covers influence what I pick up and what I curl my nose up to. I may put a book down just because the cover isn’t intriguing. (I should also take my own advice and not judge a book by its cover!) But it is important. I went on Amazon and started scrolling through books. Christian and non. I found a pattern to what draws my eye. I then scrolled through some authors I enjoy reading and lo and behold, I found the pattern! Here are few:
 
 

 

 

 

See the pattern?
 

Guess I like scary houses (shrug). I don’t know. It’s what drew me to download the gay porn novel. It was the back cover that inspired me to delete it! The above books have mystery…intrigue. What secrets are lying behind the cover of night? I love designs that hold shadows of people or places. Even if I’m reading a romance, which I love to read, I’d rather see a setting of where the book takes place than to see the people (unless they’re shadows =)). It’s just my reader preference. It’ll probably be my preference when my book goes through cover design. We’ll see what happens when the time comes.

 
Do book covers influence your choice of reading? What kind of designs determine what you purchase?  Have you found a pattern that draws your eye?
 
* Mary Keeley an agent with Books and Such Literary group wrote a great blog on book covers and the design process this past Wednesday. Check it out.
 
Have a great weekend! See you Monday!
 
 

What’s In a Name?

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

 Names have always been significant in the Bible. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Jesus called Simon, Peter. God is called many names describing who He is. Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Jireh…

Ah, to find the perfect name. For babies, or pets, but for fictional characters. A good name, in my opinion, is vitally important when crafting a story.

I like for my fictional friends and antagonists to have names that describe them in some way whether a personality trait, (strong or weak) something that they long for, or ambition they have. I even like to use a seemingly ironic name– for example, naming my female lead Sophie (wisdom) when she’s rather foolish. I  then drive that character into her name as the plot unfolds. 

  Another example, in Forgetting What Lies Behind, I named the heroine, Hope. Why? She needs it! Her father, Gavin (Hawk) has that name because he watches her like one after her accident. Nicholas (Victory of the people) has his name because he’s overcome his bitterness. He forgave when the world said he shouldn’t and Jesus said, “Do it.” So many people need that same victory. 

In Pigeon’s Blood, my heroine’s name is Amelia (to strive) Aston (noble stone). She’s a jewelry designer. The book I’m presently working on, Cassius “Cass” (vanity) is a Cosmetics Company heir and Jolie (pretty) is a former model.

Choosing my characters’ names are one of the very best parts of planning to write. I like to roll it around on my tongue while I’m fleshing out their physical traits and what motivates them. A name helps me stay focused on who the character really is or a goal they’re trying to achieve. 

I’m also a reader. I’ve been a reader longer than a writer and I pay atttention to names in other books. I like a character better if I think their name suits them. Maybe it’s a quirk of mine. Maybe not.

According to http://www.babycenter.com/, the #1 girl’s name in 2009 was…Isabella. Twilight was first released in 2005 with the last book releasing in 2008. Since the saga came out, Isabella has been on the rise and is still holding at #2 for 2010. Twilight moms to be were hoping for baby girls to name after Isabella “Bella” Swan. Some of you may say, “It was the movies that started the hype, not the book.” The name still originally came from a character in a book!  Not to say everyone naming babies Bella/Isabella was because of the books, but the saga had a direct influence in pushing that name to the #1 slot.

There are many parents (mostly moms) who choose baby names after favorite characters. Movies are written as screenplays first. I’ll be honest, I named my daughter Bailey after the written character from the TV show Party of Five. Oh yeah, I did.
What do you think? As a writer, how do you decide what name to give your characters? How important is a name to you? 
As a reader, do you pay attention to names and if so, is there a name that has stayed with you over time?

Have a great weekend! See you Monday!