Category: learning about writing

Posted in character, character development, characterization, how to write, inspiration, inspirational, learning about writing, The Writer's Toolbox, writing, writing advice

A Study of Character: At the Park

Posted on by Cynthia D. Griffin

MP900202010As a mother of a five year old boy, I find that I frequent the local parks quite a bit. In fact, it is probably my most visited location besides the grocery store since my son’s birth. In spending a lot of time at playgrounds, I’ve discovered a true writing treasure- the ability to study a wide variety of characters and the basic human condition in just an hour or two of doing my most important job of all- “being mom”.

Want to get a good glance at an array of human behaviors from antagonistic, insecure, mischievous to friendly, confident, and intuitive? Just take a trip to the park, and let this small playground world give a glimpse into the bigger world. It’s a cast of characters waiting to be plucked for a story or novel, or just to be studied to understand reactions to certain situations. It’s humanity raw with all the complexities of adulthood stripped away. It’s the simplicity of behaviors at the most infant stage. Friendships are forged in a matter of one slide down the big red twisty slide. Or witness that awkward moment when no one can agree on what to play, or personalities clash like a display of colorful fireworks. It’s all there to see for anyone willing to watch. It’s where priceless moments are created and children learn to belong, or just find out how annoying some kids can really be. But the kids aren’t the only illuminating presences at the park. Some of the most interesting playground lurkers are the parents themselves.

Continue reading “A Study of Character: At the Park” →

Posted in descriptive, good description, good writing, learning about writing, learning to write, point of view, writing, writing advice

What is Deep Third or Deep POV?

Posted on by Cynthia D. Griffin

You may have heard the term Deep Third or Deep Point Of View, but what does it really mean?

“Deep POV is to the writer what method acting is to the actor. It requires the writer to submerge herself in the character from whose point of view a scene is being seen. It requires a casting off of all inhibitions. The writer becomes the character.” (Exert from an article by Maeve Maddox at www.dailywritingtips.com).

Deep Third is writing in the Third Person but taking it further by slowing down time and showing the reader what’s going on from the character’s point of view. It uses the surroundings, thoughts, feelings, or anything else to steep the reader with what’s going on in the characters head. Sensory detail (the use of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste) can play a role in this as well. But it’s the thought process of the character that the reader needs to be plugged into. It’s about giving the reader an opportunity to “step into” the character’s head and be the character without even realizing it (if the Deep POV is done right).

“What makes a point of view “deep” is how “close” we are to the viewpoint character’s thoughts.” (Exert from a blog by Jordon Mccullum) 

The closer a writer can get to the character the more deep the point of view will be. In fact, it can take the reader from watching the character walk across the street to the reader actually feeling like they are the one crossing the street.

EXAMPLE:

Third Person: 
It was a rainy morning as Janelle reached the cross walk with umbrella in hand. She waited for a lull in the traffic and walked across the busy street, not bothering to wait for the Don’t Walk sign to change. Janelle raced to the other sidewalk determined not to be late for work again.

“Get out of the road!” a driver yell as he honked the horn of black sedan, spraying mud in all directions.

Janelle stumbled to a stop almost losing her balance on the slick asphalt. Mud soaked her slacks, coat, and even her face. She groaned as she continued to the sidewalk. Janelle spat onto the ground to get the taste of dirt out of her mouth. She looked up to see a young mother pushing a stroller, giving Janelle an astonished look.

Deep Third:
A light drizzle splattered on her open umbrella as Janelle reached the cross walk. A Don’t Walk sign flashed a harsh warning. Janelle gave her watch a nervous glance. The digital numbers declared it 8:57. Late again. Mr. Roberts would be furious. She’d been making it a habit of being late for work, because of Sophie’s appetite for trouble. That damn dog! She should have known better than to take on a new puppy right now. It would probably cost her that promotion she’d had her eye on. Janelle could already feel the heat of Mr. Mr. Robert’s wrath, sending a shiver through her despite the heavy wool coat. Robert’s wrath, sending a shiver through her despite the heavy wool coat.

Janelle peered through the mist to the sidewalk across the street. She still had three minutes. Janelle noticed a lull in the busy traffic. What the hell! She might make it if she hustled. Her building was less than a block away. Janelle sucked in her breath and stepped onto the slick asphalt, ignoring the orange words that blinked in silent rebuke. The thick musk of motor oil filled her nostrils as she raced forward.

 A jolt of excitement coursed through her realizing she just might make it. The sidewalk was only a handful of steps away! A blaring horn shattered her short-lived enthusiasm. Janelle skidded to a stop only to slip in the oily blacktop. She just managed to catch her balance and jump out of the way as a black beast thundered past.

“Get out of the road!” a man’s voice screamed, matching the pitch of a bellowing horn.

Black mud spurted into the air and rained down on her. She could feel the liquid goo on her face and in her mouth. She looked down to find her gray slacks and coat covered. Just great! Her new outfit was ruined. Janelle shot a heated glare at the taillights of the speeding sedan. Jerk!

 She continued her interrupted dash to the sidewalk with a hurried limp, the bitter tang of dirt choking her. Ugh! At last, she reached the safety of the sidewalk and spat onto the concrete to expel the foulness from her mouth. Janelle looked up to meet the astonished look of a young mother with a stroller. Yeah, this was shaping up to be one hell of a day.

As you can see, writing in deep third increases the word count, but the picture in the reader’s head is much clearer because of it. Even though deep third is a wonderful tool, a story shouldn’t be written completely this way because it does slow down the momentum of the story. A sprinkle of deep third in just the right places should be enough to get the job done, so sprinkle away!

Want to write in Deep Third yourself? Try this exercise. Write a scene in First Person and then change all the nouns and pronouns to Third Person.

Posted in A Writer's Life, beginning writer, better writing, good writing, great writing, how to write, learning about writing, learning to write, learning your writing style, learning your writing voice, lots of writing, read, rewrite, The Writer's Toolbox, the writing journey, the writing process, writing, writing advice, writing better

Beginning Writers: What You Should Know

Posted on by Cynthia D. Griffin

You’ve decided that you have a love of writing and would like to pursue it further whether as a hobby or a career, but you just don’t know where to start. As someone who has “been there and done that”, I can sympathize with your predicament, so decided to compile some basic information that will help on your journey to discovering the imagination inside, and then putting it down in story form.

Take it slow
The very first thing you need to remember is to take it slow. Don’t become too overwhelmed by all the possibilities, story ideas, or writing information. I know it’s easier said than done, but the last thing you want to do is to become so bogged down that you just don’t write at all. Also, a lot of pressure can have a negative effect to your creativity, so try to keep it positive and fun!

Get the story out of your head
If you have a great story idea then don’t let it disappear in the chaos of your head, get it down on paper! Even just a few short sentences to get the gist of what you want is fine. You can always go back and write it out later.

Keep a journal or notebook
Where do you put all those story ideas? If you haven’t already, then you need to keep a journal or notebook. It can be a paper notebook or files on a computer. Whatever works for you. Just make sure you put it somewhere you remember, so it won’t get lost, and it’s easily accessible.

Just write
If you feel the urge to write then do it, even if it’s for a few minutes. In fact, writing EVERYDAY is the best way to go. It keeps you in the habit of writing and the more you write the better you will get at it. So just let your thoughts pour onto the page (even if it doesn’t make sense). You have to get the junk out of your head before the real gold nuggets can be found.

Read
Reading is very important. It can inspire new ideas for stories, but it can also teach you how to write. The best way to learn the craft is to study what other writers have done. So read and read often. Read about how to be a better writer, read the area you want to write in, read areas that interest you, read things that don’t interest you (even areas that may not interest you still have great writing, the point is to be open to new ideas no matter where they might come from).

Reading a variety of books, magazines, blogs, and more will give you a bigger toolbox to pull from and will widen your reading experience. That being said, keep in mind if you read bad writing then you may produce bad writing. Reading a badly formed novel or story every once in a while isn’t going to kill your writing abilities, in fact, it will show you what NOT to do. Just don’t steep yourself in it.

Rewrite
Another way to be a good writer is to practice, but more important that that is to rewrite pieces you’ve worked on. Don’t just write it and put it away. Keep writing and rewriting until you find something you like, then put it away and come back to it a few weeks later. This will allow you to learn to rework a piece until it becomes better and also it will eventually help you find your voice.

Voice is the unique tone in a story that makes it special and to stand out. This only comes with lots and lots and lots of practice. It also usually comes when you least expect it. Read my blog on Finding Your Writing Style and Voice for more information on Voice.

Get Feedback
Getting feedback on writing is essential to any writer, but most especially in the beginning. It is how you will find out what areas of your writing need work and what areas you excel at. It is important though that you don’t rely on just anyone to give you that feedback. The best kind usually comes from fellow writers, but not always. I have read critiques from writers that were not very helpful at all.

They key is to look for someone who can give you constructive criticism that helps and doesn’t tear you down. If you find a person who gives you constructive criticism that resonates with you (and a part of you already knew that to be true), then that person is giving you the real help you need as a writer.

Join a Writing Group
This is the best way to find fellow writers whether you join a local writing group or find one online. It is important to be surrounded by people who think the same way you do. They will be instrumental in providing the support you need and will also be there to give you the feedback to make your work better. I found my writing group through www.meetup.com. Check them out and see if there is a writer’s group near you!

Discover Your Weakness and Strengths
When you first start out writing, you might feel like you have no strengths and all weaknesses. Believe it or not, this isn’t true. We all have areas that we are better at than others, even in the beginning. Yes, all of your writing will probably need help at some point in time, but there will be some things that you are naturally better at, and some you will need lots and lots of help to get right.

What I do, even now, is to I pick an area I feel I need the most help with and focus on that area only. Once I feel like my skills have improved enough, I go to the next area I want to work on, and so on. This keeps me from being too overwhelmed with what I don’t know and helps give me goals to shoot for. It’s also a lot easier to see progress if you focus on one area instead of jumping all over the place.

Have Goals
If you want to be a good writer than you need to set goals for yourself. This will keep you motivated to write and will keep it interesting. Set some short term and long term goals of what you want to accomplish in your writing and it will keep you moving forward. Also realize that life happens and that sometimes you’ll have to adjust those goals every once in a while.

Good luck with your writing experience and feel free to post comments with any questions you might have!