Tag Archives: characters

Backstory: Putting your world in context

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Donna Maloy, Author

Context = Clue Context gives us clues to the meaning of an unfamiliar word, the emotion behind a friend’s reaction, the point of a political slogan. The word “flag” can call several images to mind. But even if we’ve never … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Backstory, Backstory, Craft of Writing, Description, Differentiating Characters, Editing, Interaction with Setting, Interior life; interiority, Words and Phrases, world-building, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Monday Advice from Editors and Agents: Motivate Your Characters’ Decisions

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Donna Maloy, Author

Today’s (one day late) advice comes from agent Peter Knapp of New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. Peter will be part of the faculty at the Pacific Coast Children’s Writers Novel Workshop and Retreat, September 23-25, 2016 in Santa Cruz, CA. (Note: there will … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding coincidence, Backstory, Backstory, Character-driven action, Character-driven action, Characters, Conflict, Contrived Plots, Craft of Writing, Editing, Foreshadowing, Mistakes and Consequences, Motivation, Pacific Coast Writers, Plotting, Resolutions, Revising, Stakes, Story Elements, Teaching Writing, Teen Authors, Teen writers, Teen writers, Workshops, Writers Conference, Writing, Young adults | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monday Advice from Editors and Agents: Know Mako Mori and Bechdel?

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Donna Maloy, Author

Do you know Mako Mori and Bechdel? No, they’re not hot new publishing houses, or editors, or authors. They are standards/tests meant to rate the gender inclusiveness of a book or film–and some agents are starting to mention them in wish … Continue reading →

Posted in #mswl, Agents, Character, Character arcs, Character-driven action, Characters, Craft of Writing, Differentiating Characters, Differentiating Characters, POV - Point of View, Story Elements, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monday Advice from Agents and Editors: Show me the reason why

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Donna Maloy, Author

Have you ever watched a really awful horror movie and wanted to scream at the protagonist–the one who chooses to go down alone into a dark cellar full of moaning and whimpering instead of calling 911–“Why on earth do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Backstory, Character-driven action, Character-driven action, Characters, Foreshadowing, Interior life; interiority, Motivation, Swordfights, Writing, Young adults | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Build a Coming of Age Arc

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Donna Maloy, Author

Some of the most famous books ever written have been about finding oneself while on the journey to adulthood. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Giver by Lois Lowry A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith Lord … Continue reading →

Posted in Character arcs, Coming of Age stories, Coming of Age stories, Genre elements, Genre recipes, Interior life; interiority, Plotting, Young adults | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment