This blog is now at: www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/
It's revitalized and loaded with prompts, articles, and inspiration!
Thanks for your interest,
Emily
emily@emilyhanlon.com
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Building Dramatic Tension in Fiction Writing, A TeleSeminar
from Emily Hanlon and The Fiction Writers Journey
January 29, 1 pm eastern time
Every story needs dramatic tension. Every story needs a sense of mystery to create "what happens next." This is what makes the reader want to turn the page. However, there are two kinds of dramatic tension. Perhaps the more obvious is outer dramatic tension or action. There is also inner dramatic tension that builds from the characters' emotions. Both are powerful; both are a necessary a ingredient of every story. Understanding the difference between inner dramatic tension, which is character driven, and outer dramatic tension or action, can demystify the process.
Dramatic tension is a powerful and essential tool for every writer's toolbox!
In this TeleSeminar we explore:
To further explore the TeleSeminar and register, go to:
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/telesem_dramatic_tension.htm
January 29, 1 pm eastern time
Every story needs dramatic tension. Every story needs a sense of mystery to create "what happens next." This is what makes the reader want to turn the page. However, there are two kinds of dramatic tension. Perhaps the more obvious is outer dramatic tension or action. There is also inner dramatic tension that builds from the characters' emotions. Both are powerful; both are a necessary a ingredient of every story. Understanding the difference between inner dramatic tension, which is character driven, and outer dramatic tension or action, can demystify the process.
Dramatic tension is a powerful and essential tool for every writer's toolbox!
In this TeleSeminar we explore:
- Dramatic tension and the arc of the scene, the chapter and the story
- Inner and outer dramatic tension
- The cliff-hanger
- Place and dramatic tension
- Character and dramatic tension
- Creating a plot even if the idea of "plot" makes you want to give up writing!
To further explore the TeleSeminar and register, go to:
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/telesem_dramatic_tension.htm
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Who Am I?
To: ME From: ME
Me. Who am I/me? Do we ever truly take time to know/find this? When we are in the process of growing up, we are told not to be selfish. This robs us right away of the "me". Or so it did me. It was well meaning of people who were trying to teach us that thinking of ourselves first is wrong. To sit day dreaming is wrong. No time for dreaming, it is not practical. No time for that. No time for that sort of play or believing. Hurry up now, we will be late. Color in the lines! This is the only right answer your guess is not right. Even though the instructions say to estimate. "She is so different from her Sister". "She should BE her Sister...this is how I judge her. Her Sister is so well behaved! She never acts out. She never cries when I say things like that. No, you must play with so and so. We want to be pillars in the community. We want things put in the paper. Who we lunched with. When our birthdays are celebrated, who came? No, do not go down by that pond. You can use your imagination there. There is calm by that water. DANGER! You must not enjoy yourself, you may be hurt or die~! Be careful up in that tree! Don't challenge me, I am God~~~!!!! Do you want a spanking? I will,you know I will! I have about had it with you~~~!!! Do you want me to tie you in that Bed? You have to go to bed before any good show is on television, so don't you dare sneak over there and watch! Creative? no we don't have time to create! Must be here and do that when so and so is there. Alone? why would you want to be alone? To Dream? Dreams are not practical. I did not get to have my own dreams, so you cannot have time to find yours, to find out who YOU or ME is. Me. I am Me. I am Bright, Creative, Talented, Pretty, Intelligent! How DARE you think that???? Thats so Rude and Selfish.!"
I am Me. I am the I. I am the wonderful Blue Eyed Blonde 3 year old with the pretty red socks. Don't go by the water to wash those socks!! They did not tell me that the reason not to go by the water was because they were afraid I might fall in and drown. TELL ME. Explain WHY. Don't assume that I will absorb the why of anything. I do not know how to do that,yet.
Me. I am Me. We are Me, You are We and We are all together! This may seem a bit mental, but I am typing what comes to mind as it does so. I will take some time to decipher it at a later time. Now I need to get it out, get it down on paper.
Me, I am Me. Is that not enough to know?
Yes it is. Me will tell me later what me wants. Right now me wants to simply be. Yes BE!!
Hugs ME, I LOVE YOU.
Katie
To those reading this. I feel better having written. Thanks
Adding this on at a much later date. It is now the end of 2021. Lots of water has run over the dam. I must have been a bit angry when I first wrote this. I am glad I did write it. Things have changed a LOT since 2007. I was mad because of the way my parents parented me. I have been doing a lot of soul searching and realized that I was NOT a perfect little girl. I was probably depressed. Just looking back at some of the photos of the past, I did not look happy in very many of them. Probably because I did not want to stop what I had been doing to take a danged picture. Over the years I have come to the conclusion that life is just what it is. Everyone just gets along, doing what they have been taught or come to believe on their own, is the right way to live. So many people try to find sense in things, what is MY goal. What to do when that goal is reached, where do I go now? Is this all there is? YES! This is all there is. Today. Now. Live each day the best you can and you will be okay. Trust me, through a lot of ups and downs, just do your best. I is all that is needed to do. Really! There is no magic potion. No Prince, no devined future. Stop looking. See what you have right at home. The Pandemic should have taught us all something. Did id? I don't know. I hope so.
TeleSeminar on the Power of Point of View in Fiction Writing
from Emily Hanlon and the Fiction Writer's Journey
December 11, 1 pm eastern time
Point of view or who’s story are you telling?
Point of View is the most powerful technique we have as writers. POV gets you out of yourself and into your character’s head, heart and gut—POV is seeing the world through the eyes of the character. Understanding and opening deeply to POV is one of the most exciting movements you can make as a writer.
In this TeleSeminar we explore the many facets of Point of View
Register and receive a free e-book of Point of View Exercises
Register for the TeleSeminar and audio download: $20
Can't make the TeleSeminar? No problem... the program will be available as a download to everyone who signs up, whether or not you attend.
Order the TeleSeminar on a CD $30 + postage
The CD will be mailed to you shortly after the teleseminar is held. With a CD, you can enjoy the teleseminar in your car or regular CD player.
Countries in Europe with country call-in numbers:
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK
December 11, 1 pm eastern time
Point of view or who’s story are you telling?
Point of View is the most powerful technique we have as writers. POV gets you out of yourself and into your character’s head, heart and gut—POV is seeing the world through the eyes of the character. Understanding and opening deeply to POV is one of the most exciting movements you can make as a writer.
In this TeleSeminar we explore the many facets of Point of View
- Making the move out of self and into character
- The difficulties of POV!
- The challenges of POV
- The freedom of POV
- Use of POV in memoir
- Spotting a character hungering for a POV
- What do to about recalcitrant POV characters
Register and receive a free e-book of Point of View Exercises
Register for the TeleSeminar and audio download: $20
Can't make the TeleSeminar? No problem... the program will be available as a download to everyone who signs up, whether or not you attend.
Order the TeleSeminar on a CD $30 + postage
The CD will be mailed to you shortly after the teleseminar is held. With a CD, you can enjoy the teleseminar in your car or regular CD player.
Countries in Europe with country call-in numbers:
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK
Thursday, October 04, 2007
New TeleSeminar: Identifying and Defanging the Inner Critic
Tuesday, October 23, 1 pm eastern time
Imagine your mind is tuned in to a radio station run by a single disc jockey: your Inner Critic. It seems no matter which station you tune in, sooner or later, the Inner Critic takes control. Worse, you have no way to turn down the volume much less turn it off! In fact, you’ve grown so used to the Inner Critic's comments and criticism, judgments and evaluations, that these usually foul condemnations of self feel like your own true voice.
Read more about Defanging the Inner Critic teleseminar
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/telesem_inner_critic.html
Thursday, July 19, 2007
This free TeleSeminar is for anyone:
The TeleSeminar will include a telling of the myth and an exploration of its main characters as well as a discussion of what the myth means to us as creative women. The myth of Inanna is a call to wholeness; a journey of renewal of spirit. In exploring the myth, we will explore:
I have written about the myth and the journey of feminine initiation in detail on the retreat pages. Please explore them and if you are interested in attending this free teleSeminar, please call me at 914 962 4432 or email me: " Where you stumble, there lies your treasure." ~Joseph Cambell
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Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Journey of Women, Myth and the Deep Feminine
Explore a deepening of the journey for the Women, Creativity and the Journey of the Soul: Embracing the Gift of the Shadow.
The August retreat is a call to reclaim lost parts of self from the shadows. Nestled in a nourishing and private retreat center in the lush foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, we will create for ourselves a place of women where, through a variety of means including writing, mask making, myth and other interactive experiences, we will enter the Mystery to honor the depth of the feminine.
This is a call to wholeness; a journey of renewal of spirit. Join us as we discover that our deepest fears hold our deepest treasures...
http://www.creativesoulworks.com/workshop_reclaim_shad.htmThursday, April 05, 2007
The Creative Process, How and Why It Works
A New TeleSeminar from Emily Hanlon on April 24 at 1 pm eastern time.
You get an idea for a story. It comes in the proverbial spark of inspiration! It's a great idea. Inspired, really. You feel kissed by the Muse and can't wait to sit down and write. But ...
No sooner do you begin than your great idea, the visions, the excitement — the very Muse herself — vanish.
Still, you press on. You struggle to find the right words, the perfect first sentence or intro paragraph, but this only makes things worse. Feeling frustrated and confused, lost in chaos, you succumb to the mean-spirited taunts of the Inner Critic. "Who were you kidding anyway? You're not a writer. Look how easily you give up!" the Inner Critic gleefully spits out the poisoned darts. "The idea was stupid to begin with. Inspiration, my foot..."
This is the point where most of us give up.
We shouldn't.
Even a cursory review of the creative process tells us why. This confusion or what has been called the "chaos" is a vital part of the creative process. It is the right brain or intuitive aspect of the process, when all things are possible and nothing makes "rational" sense. In fact, the rational part of your brain, the part that looks for reason and order, is better off taking a nap when chaos reigns!
Creativity can no more do without the "chaos" than the earth can do without the winds, the rains, the snow and the sun.
However, the chaos or intuitive, right brain exploration is only one half of the creative process. By its very nature, creativity moves towards definition and completion. The right and left parts of the brain work in unison. They are equal partners in the dance of creativity.
Understanding the Creative Process Can Alleviate Writer's Angst and Change Your Relationship to Your Self and Others
The Creative Process: How and Why It Works!
TeleSeminar and audio download: $20. Register
Monday, January 15, 2007
A Question on Interviewing Characters
I received this email this morning and thought it was a very good question:
"I have been reading the Partial Listing of Questions and I have a query...When I got to question 13 Describe something really bad you once did... How would one answer that from a psychopathic personality point of view? Since guilt is not in their make-up. What would be another way to draw this out?"
Diana
My response:
Hi Diana,
Interesting question... I think what I would do in interviewing such a person would be to first show interest in his/her activities, crimes... get him/her talking about them, really opening up, and all the time you, as the interviewer, must show sympathy and support. Look for openings that could lead to memories that reveal how the person was treated as a child...
I think the key is for you to be a really good empathizer and, at the same time, read between the lines. As soon as you sense some emotional hurt coming through... perhaps through an outburst of anger, show a lot of sympathy and say, "Yes, that must have been very difficult for you." Or "Wow, I can understand how that could have made you really really mad... Do you remember how you felt when that bad person did that to you..."
In effect, you are leading the witness... trying to find a way through a mirror of the character's emotions, even if the character doesn't consciously feel what is going on...
Also, the character most likely wasn't born a psychopath... so lead them back and back to earlier times until you get to a point where the wounding was felt.
Hope this is helpful.
Good luck!
Emily
You can get this list of interviewing questions when you purchase the audio of the TeleSeminar on Interviewing characters. It is a package that includes the audio download as well as two e-books. Explore the TeleSeminar Package.
"I thought the TeleSeminar was GREAT, one of the best ones I've ever been involved with. I was caught up in it from the first minute. Excellent job by you and by Janet, and of course by Katie and Carla! I've been interviewing my characters for well over a year now, but this has me eager to jump into it again!"
Kari Kilgore
"I have been reading the Partial Listing of Questions and I have a query...When I got to question 13 Describe something really bad you once did... How would one answer that from a psychopathic personality point of view? Since guilt is not in their make-up. What would be another way to draw this out?"
Diana
My response:
Hi Diana,
Interesting question... I think what I would do in interviewing such a person would be to first show interest in his/her activities, crimes... get him/her talking about them, really opening up, and all the time you, as the interviewer, must show sympathy and support. Look for openings that could lead to memories that reveal how the person was treated as a child...
I think the key is for you to be a really good empathizer and, at the same time, read between the lines. As soon as you sense some emotional hurt coming through... perhaps through an outburst of anger, show a lot of sympathy and say, "Yes, that must have been very difficult for you." Or "Wow, I can understand how that could have made you really really mad... Do you remember how you felt when that bad person did that to you..."
In effect, you are leading the witness... trying to find a way through a mirror of the character's emotions, even if the character doesn't consciously feel what is going on...
Also, the character most likely wasn't born a psychopath... so lead them back and back to earlier times until you get to a point where the wounding was felt.
Hope this is helpful.
Good luck!
Emily
You can get this list of interviewing questions when you purchase the audio of the TeleSeminar on Interviewing characters. It is a package that includes the audio download as well as two e-books. Explore the TeleSeminar Package.
"I thought the TeleSeminar was GREAT, one of the best ones I've ever been involved with. I was caught up in it from the first minute. Excellent job by you and by Janet, and of course by Katie and Carla! I've been interviewing my characters for well over a year now, but this has me eager to jump into it again!"
Kari Kilgore
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Special Offer on Last Week's TeleSeminar
Character Development in Fiction Writing:
The Art and Technique of Interviewing
Because of the exciting feedback I have been getting on this week's TeleSeminar, I am holding the pre-TeleSeminar prices for audio downloads and CDs for another week, through Friday, January 20. These prices include Janet King's inspiring e-book on Interviewing Characters and more...
Read What Participants Say About the TeleSeminar
"Thank you soooo much for a great TeleSeminar yesterday. It showed me that many of my thoughts and concerns are shared by others. Especially, the difficulty of merging myself, my experiences and those of my characters.
~ Susan Calvert
"I loved the seminar....I'm so busy trying to talk to Mae I haven't time for suggestions (can I talk to more than one at a time?)... I'm still trying to decide for myself whether I'm consciously pushing my character to say what I want or if it is authentically her, or the subconscious. I loved the idea of interviewing the Inner Critic....I plan to do that one tonight!
~ Louise Easton
"I didn't realize the depth that could be reached through interviewing...So, I really enjoyed this TeleSeminar and look forward to the next one. I find the TeleSeminars are allowing me to grow as a writer as well as realize that although writing is solitary, I am not alone in the struggle and the fun."
~ Carolyn Rowland
"I thought the TeleSeminar was GREAT, one of the best ones I've ever been involved with. I was caught up in it from the first minute. Excellent job by you and by Janet, and of course by Katie and Carla! I've been interviewing my characters for well over a year now, but this has me eager to jump into it again!"
~ Kari Kilgore
Read more feedback and explore the special offer at:
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/Telesem_Character_Dev_spec_offer.htm
The Art and Technique of Interviewing
Because of the exciting feedback I have been getting on this week's TeleSeminar, I am holding the pre-TeleSeminar prices for audio downloads and CDs for another week, through Friday, January 20. These prices include Janet King's inspiring e-book on Interviewing Characters and more...
Read What Participants Say About the TeleSeminar
"Thank you soooo much for a great TeleSeminar yesterday. It showed me that many of my thoughts and concerns are shared by others. Especially, the difficulty of merging myself, my experiences and those of my characters.
~ Susan Calvert
"I loved the seminar....I'm so busy trying to talk to Mae I haven't time for suggestions (can I talk to more than one at a time?)... I'm still trying to decide for myself whether I'm consciously pushing my character to say what I want or if it is authentically her, or the subconscious. I loved the idea of interviewing the Inner Critic....I plan to do that one tonight!
~ Louise Easton
"I didn't realize the depth that could be reached through interviewing...So, I really enjoyed this TeleSeminar and look forward to the next one. I find the TeleSeminars are allowing me to grow as a writer as well as realize that although writing is solitary, I am not alone in the struggle and the fun."
~ Carolyn Rowland
"I thought the TeleSeminar was GREAT, one of the best ones I've ever been involved with. I was caught up in it from the first minute. Excellent job by you and by Janet, and of course by Katie and Carla! I've been interviewing my characters for well over a year now, but this has me eager to jump into it again!"
~ Kari Kilgore
Read more feedback and explore the special offer at:
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/Telesem_Character_Dev_spec_offer.htm
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
On Finishing a First Novel
Kari Kilgore recently sent this message to her writing friends and it is so inspiring, I asked her if I could post it on the blog... and she said, yes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm writing to share something I wouldn't have believed possible before I attended Emily's workshop in Marblehead last December (2005)-- but ever since then I've been determined and confident this would happen.
Last night, a bit after midnight but before I went to sleep, I finished my first novel! After nearly 140,000 words and never ending stops and starts, it's hard to believe the two simple words "The End" could be so meaningful and profound to me. Rewriting and editing are still to come, but for right now, this part of the journey is complete. All day long today I've thought I was feeling a bit hung over from one too many martinis, but I think it's every bit as much of an emotional hangover. Jason tells me it's just post-partum depression, and that feels right to me!
Being a good Virgo, I of course want to do a read-through to make sure I didn't leave any huge errors, and to adjust things that I figured out at the end, but as soon as that's done, Emily and I are going to dig in. I've even gotten over my nerves about that and realized every time I or someone else goes through it, the story will get sharper and tighter, and the characters will get stronger. I cannot wait to get started! I'm also eager to get started on the second book and see what's next.
I'm sharing this partly because many of you have been encouraging and inspiring along the way, and I couldn't possibly be here without you. I'm also sharing because this story has been with me for over a decade. I've thought it was dead more times than I care to count! But these characters, one in particular, have refused to let me forget about them, the story they wanted to share with me, and the journey they wanted to take with me. So if you've got a character like that, or even if you don't have the character or story (or a different dream) yet but know you will, believe within yourself that it WILL happen. We feel these things for a reason, and when the time is right, it's worth all of the hours and years and struggle and joy and tears and passion. It's all worth it.
So, thank you, and may all that you wish for in this new year come to you easily and abundantly.
Much love,
Kari
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm writing to share something I wouldn't have believed possible before I attended Emily's workshop in Marblehead last December (2005)-- but ever since then I've been determined and confident this would happen.
Last night, a bit after midnight but before I went to sleep, I finished my first novel! After nearly 140,000 words and never ending stops and starts, it's hard to believe the two simple words "The End" could be so meaningful and profound to me. Rewriting and editing are still to come, but for right now, this part of the journey is complete. All day long today I've thought I was feeling a bit hung over from one too many martinis, but I think it's every bit as much of an emotional hangover. Jason tells me it's just post-partum depression, and that feels right to me!
Being a good Virgo, I of course want to do a read-through to make sure I didn't leave any huge errors, and to adjust things that I figured out at the end, but as soon as that's done, Emily and I are going to dig in. I've even gotten over my nerves about that and realized every time I or someone else goes through it, the story will get sharper and tighter, and the characters will get stronger. I cannot wait to get started! I'm also eager to get started on the second book and see what's next.
I'm sharing this partly because many of you have been encouraging and inspiring along the way, and I couldn't possibly be here without you. I'm also sharing because this story has been with me for over a decade. I've thought it was dead more times than I care to count! But these characters, one in particular, have refused to let me forget about them, the story they wanted to share with me, and the journey they wanted to take with me. So if you've got a character like that, or even if you don't have the character or story (or a different dream) yet but know you will, believe within yourself that it WILL happen. We feel these things for a reason, and when the time is right, it's worth all of the hours and years and struggle and joy and tears and passion. It's all worth it.
So, thank you, and may all that you wish for in this new year come to you easily and abundantly.
Much love,
Kari
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