I attended a workshop at my local RWA chapter, Southern Magic. The workshop was Empowering Characters Emotions by Margie Lawson (www.margielawson.com). This workshop was an eye-opener for me. Helping me to see where my MS needed more work. Using the Margie Lawson Edit System, I am now able to look at all my WIPS and see where changes need to me made. My stories will be more energized. This edit system will help me to display fresher characters that can express enhanced emotional responses, better action, more tension and more developed conflict/plot issues. Truly awesome workshop! I was so encouraged, I purchased some of Margie’s Lecture Packets to further help me with description and write fresh. What about you, what type of edit systems are you using to make your works better?
Category: writing
Fear and Writing by Alicia Coleman
In an earlier blog post I mentioned I am in a workshop on Plotting. With each new area we cover, I freeze initially when it comes to completing assignments. Before the assignment, the story is clear in my mind and I know how it should be written. When it’s time to write, my mind goes blank and I can’t think of a single thing to say.
I realize now, that it’s fear. Fear that I have no idea who to plot (since I’m a pantser). Fear that I will get it wrong and my story will be rejected. Fear that I am exposing myself as a wannabe and not a writer. Fear that I just don’t know what I’m doing.
Roseann Cash said, “The Key to change…is to let go of fear.” That’s it. That’s me. I realize I have to stand up to my fears and reaffirm my convictions. I am learning how to plot. I may be wrong, but it can be corrected. I need to affirm that I am a writer and am following the steps necessary to learn my craft.
Now fear, take that! You don’t scare me…much.
What about you, what do you fear?
Plotting by Alicia Coleman
I’m what’s called a Pantser. I just write and worry about plot and conflict later. So…I’m changing that! I’ve enrolled in a workshop that deals with plotting. Here’s hoping I’ll be able to get the story written without getting lost.
Alicia Coleman 