Rick Incorvia's Blog

Can’t remember where I heard this acronym but it stands for Butt In The Chair, Hands On Keyboard.

I like to remind myself that writing is a pleasure, not a chore. I always greet my chair as if a good friend. “Hello writing chair. Is this a good time? I have some great ideas that I would like to run past you.” I try to anticipate my needs for the next two hours. Use the bathroom, get a fresh cup of coffee, close the door to distractions or put on some mood appropriate music. Quickly decide on the area of your book that you want to develop and just let it flow. Don’t look back, don’t get up. Write whatever comes to mind. You can edit later. Don’t even worry about spelling.

Let me give you an example.

Scene that I need to develop: Eddie and Gwin are about to get arrested and they both tell very different stories to the cops during their interrogation. The corrections and (parenthesis) represent edits that would have been be done at a later sitting.

They busted in the front door screaming for us to lie on the ground. I had my hands in the air, my eyes as wide as and round as doughnuts. Police in bulletproof vests just kept coming in the front door screaming and pointing guns at us. We were thrown to the ground and held down while another officer cuffed us. We were read our rights and brought to the station in separate cop cars. (Elaborate more leading up to interrogation room) I was left in a hot room with a mirrored wall. No doubt a two-way mirror.

My name is Eddie Apollo and my wife is Gwin. (consider another name for main character) I knew this day was coming. Gwin was officially and completely, out of control. It’s just the two of us now. Our two daughters are grown and off on their own. Oh God, what will the kids think? When she first retired, she would fill her time volunteering at various animal shelters. Bless her heart. She was always trying to help someone. I think she just got bored. I’m retired now too and spend too much time in the garage grinding chess pieces out of (add a specific type of wood) wood. Retirement snuck up on us. My fingers were starting to stiffen up and repairing big rigs was a younger man’s job. Gwin had spent the last twelve years as a research assistant analysis for an aggressive legal firm. She was good excellent at her job. She was so curious. God forbid you share a story that isn’t grounded in truth, because she will Google that shit research it until she is the expert. When the firm moved 40 miles south to accommodate a new partner, the drive became a pain in the ass. Two months later, when Gwin turned 60, she decided to retire. At first we did a good job entertaining one another.

“Mr. Apollo, or can I call you Eddie?” Eddie leaned forward setting his elbows on the table and folding his fingers together as if praying. “You can call me Eddie.” Officer Ferguson was a tall, solid man with dark hair cropped tight to his head. He wasn’t dressed like the other cops. He didn’t have the big belt with all the gadgets, no gun, no mace, not even a walkie-talkie. He responded in a monotone voice. “We are going to tape this session to make sure we get everything.” Eddie responded with a silent head nod. “Is there anything you want to tell me before I start asking the questions?” Eddie’s head dropped and he was silent except for the tapping of his foot on the floor. When he lifted his head to meet the gaze of officer Ferguson, he had sad, water filled eyes. His cheeks sagged with sorrow.

“She’s a good woman. I mean a really good woman.”

                                                                          * * *

Gwin’s interrogation was simultaneously taking place two rooms over. However, Gwin’s story was quite different. “He was always in the garage listening to that CB Radio. He would monitor the police, fire, EMS, you name it, and he monitored it. He said he was carving chess pieces but I know what he was doing out there.” Officer Reffico was a tall, well-built Hispanic man with big arms and a bald head. His deep voice and muscular stature usually intimidated. Gwin seemed immune to his size and more interested in the other officer. Officer Reffico would ask the questions, but Gwin would often direct her answers to the cop female officer in the corner.

Officer Anderson was a small, but very fit, blond woman. She sat quietly in the corner of the room. She was dressed in police blues and had her hair tied tightly in a ponytail. It was the stations protocol to have a woman in the interrogation room whenever they were questioning a female. Reffico continued. “Exactly what was he doing in the garage Mrs. Apollo?” Gwin leaned in and spoke loud and clear almost eager to make sure her damning story was heard. “Well, you know, he followed crime stuff.” Her vague answer had the two officers exchanging that look cops give each other when they’re not buying what someone is selling. She continued, struggling at first. Once she got rolling, it was hard to interrupt her. “Well, for starters, he’s a womanizer.” She looked at Officer Reffico and then tipped her head at Officer Anderson. “He would have liked you.” Anderson straightened up but remained quiet. Officer Reffico tried to keep Gwin on track. “Ma’am, can we get back to the garage? Exactly what do you think he was up to in the garage?”

The goal with this exercise is to start writing. Don’t worry about the details. Get the fingers typing, get your head into your story … develop your characters. Developing a scene exposes issues and challenges. Your character may figure out something that only a trained doctor or engineer would know. You may have to go back into the storyline to give your character this knowledge or experience to keep the integrity of your story. If you find yourself getting frustrated, get up for a cup of coffee … a stretch … a shower. I like to take a walk with my finger on the record button. Every time I get an idea, I press record. Later I listen and write down the good ideas and laugh at the bad ones. Even if every idea is bad, at least you took a healthy walk.

If you get real frustrated, it OK to BITCH . . . or should I say BITCH OK

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It’s a fine line … How do you know when you write too much versus not enough?

Many authors feel the need or obligation to drone on about every detail, with characters that have very little to do with the story. We love when they help us to see, to hear and even to smell the main characters. However, if Mary’s mother’s aunt isn’t a main character, we don’t need to know that she had long twisted fingernails and was an avid reader of 14th century literature or that her manicurist only worked on Saturdays blah, blah, blah,” Others skim over an interesting or important topic much too fast. “She was pretty” or “My kids are my world.” Without additional elaboration, this was hardly worth stating. If this is relevant to the story, if it’s worth mentioning at all, we need more. Why are your kids so important to you? My suggestion is to first tell the story. Then, when you go back to read it, ask yourself if you brought your audience into the story. Did you help them visualize the character, the scene, the smells, the sounds? On the other hand, did you add so much detail that you are training your readers to skip to the next paragraph or worse . . . close the book?

I love when someone tells me that they felt like they were “watching a movie” and then they beautifully describe a scene from my book stating that “it was my favorite part.” If their description is the picture that I was trying to paint, then I got through.

On the other hand, I hate when I read a review that states that “The author went on and on in chapter two and I found myself skipping a few paragraphs.”

As you read or have others read, ask the question … Do I need to elaborate or did I go on too long anywhere? I often hear people say “I wanted to hear more about …” And I never want to hear “I skipped over that part, it was too long and lost me.” It’s not easy to get someone to read your book cover to cover. Their time is valuable, it is your job to entertain them, teach them or take them to another place and time.

I find that I skim past important details when I’m tired or just not in the mood to elaborate. That’s a sure sign that it’s time for break, a stretch or a cup of coffee. Maybe you underestimate the value of the character. In my latest book, The Traveler’s, I found that people wanted to know more about Ann Trans. When I went back to read the sections that she appeared, I saw opportunities to develop her into a more interesting character.

Encourage your editor(s) and most trusted “sneak peek” readers to share with you, exactly where “for them” you went on too long about a scene or a character. Ask them to point out sentences that they had to read 2 or 3 times to understand. Maybe you can reword it for a smoother read. Ask them to describe each character. If they aren’t describing the person you thought that you created, you may have more work to do.

Some tricks I use: When I reread something that I wrote and I notice that I jumped too quickly to the next sentence, or the next topic, I simply add (elaborate more) and move on until I’m “in the mood” or “feeling the magic.” Sometimes I feel like I did such good work until I put the story away for a while and then reread. If I struggle to read my own story, I can only imagine the difficulties others might have.

If I find a sentence or a paragraph that I struggle to compose, I will ask one of my “samplers” to read the paragraph out loud. If they struggle and have to start a sentence over, there is likely room for better sentence structure.

Your trusted pre-readers are your lifeline. You must give them the space to be honest, even bold critics. If their honesty or opinion is too hard to take, you best get out of the business. Ask them to find something that doesn’t feel right or was hard to understand. Let them know that you count on them to make your book better. Nothing … I repeat, nothing is worse than someone having a comment that would help your craft but repressing that comment in order to protect your precious little ego.

Brilliant writers have bold editors and trusted people that challenge them to better define a character. A good editor will not be easy to like. A good editor will ask you to delete a section of your book that you believe is wonderful and necessary to the story. A good editor will tell you to add another chapter between chapter 4 and chapter 5. A good editor will ask you questions like “I don’t think this paragraph makes sense to anyone other than you?” or “What on earth are you trying to say?” Comments from a good editor are likely the cause of many an unfinished potential masterpiece. You won’t keep your sanity in this business if criticism keeps you from finishing.

Trust me, your paying readers will be very bold and honest from behind their hidden keyboard. Once they read your book, they become instant critics and like it or not, everything they say is important to you. We need their reviews. If they loved your book, you hope they also know how to compose a review and elaborate about your wonderful book. If they didn’t like it, their words will bite you like a dog. But, best bite your own tongue, listen to the critique and either brush it off or take it to heart.

I can find areas in all five of my books that I wish I did differently, better, longer and with more finesse. I see characters that I could have or should have developed better. I see sentences that I wish I’d left out or taken the time to rewrite.

All we can do is listen and learn to figure out who we appeal to. We need to figure out who our audience is and what it is about us that they like and then communicate with them until they feel like we are their voice.

Take your time, write the book. Just realize that getting to THE END … is just the beginning.

Don’t rush it. So many first time writers (including me) think the process is over when we write the words THE END. Not true. If you are prepared to accept criticism and make changes, your book will continue to blossom. I am going to take my own advice here and not beat this dead horse. Be patient … and tell your story. Feel free to contact me with your questions, comments or concerns at Rick@AuthorRickIncorvia.com I’m listening.

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Character Development

Today’s blog is about character development. This is one of my favorite topics. Some people can pick up an instrument, and in 30 minutes, they can play it. Others learn a new language as easy as I learn a new card game. Some authors’ strength is developing a great story or a brilliant use of the language. For me, it’s character development. I can see them, I can smell them, I can feel them and hear their thoughts. In one of my books “When I’m Gone” it wasn’t discovered until editing that I never gave the main character a name. Who writes a book and doesn’t give the main character a name? Apparently me. As the main character attempts to communicate with his grieving wife from the afterlife, he stumbles upon the ability to enter the body of Murphy, their 8-year-old family boxer. The experience is overwhelming, but the challenge to communicate with Maria proves to be more difficult than expected. When he learns that he can change into almost anything, he is torn between his transformational experiences, and being a loyal guardian to his wife. The challenge here was staying true to the character as he morphed into a dog, a dragonfly, a fish …etc. This is a love story and an Alice in Wonderland adventure. Not all the transformations worked out like he thought they would. Some were wonderful experiences, others were nightmares. Apparently, I got so involved in developing the character as an anamorphism that I forgot to name him. It was later decided that a name added nothing to the story.

In my first book, Reckless Ambition, my character was Schizophrenic. So, he had four names and four distinct personalities. That was a challenge! Then there was book number two, In Your Dreams. This character spent two months in a coma. In his deep state of unconsciousness, he dreamt up a whole new life – new friends, new clients, and a hot new girlfriend. Imagine his confusion back in “the real world.”

Character development is the heart and soul of a good story. Notice people in your life that pique your interest … or piss you off. Pay special attention to the ones that invoke emotion. Maybe it’s the co-worker that doesn’t understand boundaries. Maybe it’s the boss that always has to strut his or her superiority. Maybe it’s the guy living on the streets that knows things about the community that you haven’t a clue exist. Characters are everywhere and so are compelling stories. Talk to people and really listen. When the right story comes along, it will take over your soul. Your fingers will struggle to keep up with your mind. That’s when the magic happens for an author.

Here are some tips for developing captivating and believable characters

Watch people, notice what they do with their facial expressions, their hands, and their body language. Notice that slight head shake back and forth when someone is totally disagreeing or disgusted with everything being said. Notice the squinted eyes or the tight lips just before retaliation. Capture the folding of the arms and the nervous sniff the boss makes after he just put you in your place in front of peers.

We all know someone with a nervous twitch, a nose pinch with a thumb and a first knuckle. One eye opened wider than the other, a shoulder roll as if plagued by an injury. Wiry hair, bull legged, feminine, stocky, old, youthful, a head that seems too small or too big for a body. These descriptions help to develop your characters. Nervously pacing the room, strung out on coffee, eyes darting from one person to the next. Help the reader to visualize and relate to your character, even if they hate him or her.  I steal characters from my everyday life. Sometimes I mesh two or three people to create one more interesting character. Have fun painting the picture. If you have written a story and cannot describe the character, go back and give him or her more personality. Remember to dress them: an old stained tie-dye t-shirt with a hole under the right armpit and perspiration stains under both.

Have you ever asked a woman to describe exactly what it was about her new shoes that “made” her buy them? Listen up. Explain why the character took action. “Flats, heels, boots, ballets, sandals, clogs, platforms, wedges, strappy, buckled, lace-ups, peep-toes, I love shoes, desire, and lust after them. I feel my heart race when I look at shoes I am considering buying, feel a jolt of joy when I wear them the first time. I know that I need to have shoes like I know that I need to eat and breathe.”

Close your eyes and put your character into a mental movie. Are they nervously pinching their bottom lip, contemplating what was just said? Maybe they are pushing their chin up and out with skeptical eyes implying they are not buying your story. Maybe they just found their next pair of shoes. Have fun with your cast. They must be believable. Steal these traits from everyday life. There certainly isn’t a shortage of strange and diverse characters.

I would love to hear you describe one of your characters. You should be able to initially capture him or her in 50 to 100 words, to paint the initial picture. Just like real life, you learn more about the character as you get to know them. Don’t give it all away in one long paragraph. I like to put my characters in circumstances that are out of their comfort zone. Nothing reveals emotions, and the quirks that follow, like being put into an unfamiliar or uncomfortable circumstance. Start collecting your interesting quirks today at work, at home, watching TV or at the park. Have fun creating your own personal masterpiece.

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Too often my writing had to be postponed due to a lack of time. Work is busy, the house needs repairs and I really could use a haircut. If there was time left at the end of the day, I would sneak in a few lines. It’s hard to get a groove going a few lines at a time. I had to decide that my writing was important, that it was worthy of claiming a spot on my calendar. I had to consider it a meeting with myself. So often we keep our word when we promise things to others. I find that I struggle with the promises that I make to myself. Diet, exercise, writing, reading. I literally stepped up to the mirror and said “How about a little respect” to my reflection. “How about you and I get to know each other just a bit better.”  Staring at that guy in the mirror was weird. He has let me down so many times. He is often weak and he lies to me more than anyone else in my life. AND, I spend ALL my time with this guy. I think I’m a good judge of character. I’m going to keep my eye on this guy. He needs to step up his game if he wants to continue hangin’ with me.

Email me at: Rick@AuthorRickIncorvia.com or visit me on Amazon http://bit.ly/Rick-Incorvia-on-Amazon

 

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A good editor will not be easy to like. A good editor will ask you to delete a section of your book that you believe is wonderful and necessary to the story. A good editor will tell you to add another chapter between chapter 4 and chapter 5. A good editor will ask you questions like “Did you even bother with spell check” and “Do you think this paragraph makes sense to anyone other than you?” or “What on earth are you trying to say?” Comments from a good editor are likely the cause of many an unfinished potential masterpiece. Take your time, write the book. Just realize that getting to THE END … is just the beginning.

Email me at: Rick@AuthorRickIncorvia.com or visit me on Amazon http://bit.ly/Rick-Incorvia-on-Amazon

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BITCH OK –

Can’t remember where I heard this acronym but it stands for Butt In The Chair, Hands On Keyboard.

Just let it flow. Don’t look back, don’t get up. Write whatever comes to mind. You can edit later. But sometimes sitting in a chair typing for too long gets old. That’s when I like to take a walk with my finger on the record button. Every time I get an idea, I press record. Later I listen and write down the good ideas and laugh at the bad ones. Even if every idea is bad, at least you took a healthy walk.

The post BITCH OK (It’s not what you think) appeared first on Author Rick Incorvia.

Watch people, notice what they do with their facial expressions, their hands, and their body language. Notice that slight head shake back and forth when someone is totally disagreeing or disgusted with everything being said. Notice the squinted eyes, tight lips just before retaliation. Capture the folding of the arms and the nervous sniff the boss makes after he just put you in your place in front of peers.

We all know someone with a nervous twitch, a nose pinch with a thumb and a first knuckle. One eye opened wider than the other, a shoulder roll as if injured. Wiry hair, bull legged, feminine, stocky, old, youthful, a head that seems too small or too big for a body. Nervously pacing the room, strung out on coffee, eyes darting from one person to the next. These types of descriptions help the reader to visualize your character. I steal characters from my everyday life. Sometimes I mesh two or three people to create one more interesting character. Have fun painting the picture. If you have written a story and cannot describe the character, go back and give him or her more personality.

The post How to Build Interesting Characters appeared first on Author Rick Incorvia.

I imagine that many authors write the chapters like an outline and then write their book according to the outline. For those of us that are not so organized with our thoughts and write on the fly, it won’t be clear when to go to the next chapter, let alone what to call it. Too often my chapters are called NEXT CHAPTER until the rough draft is finished. Only then can I read the book and label the chapters. Is there a right way? Who frickin cares. Write on …

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So, you have an idea for a book. You’ve heard yourself say it a dozen times, “I have an idea for a book” soon to follow is the word “someday”

It’s the opposite of smoking. Instead of stopping “cold turkey” you have to start “cold turkey”

You don’t even need to start at the beginning. Start at your favorite place. “The train was now up to 80 mph and passengers could be seen praying. A woman rocked her sleeping infant, you could see in her eyes that she had already accepted death. The curve ahead was closing fast and there wasn’t even a remote chance that the train would stay on the rails.”

Boom … now you’ve started your book. If anything, this paragraph entitled you to a new set of words. “I am writing a book!” Say it out loud, you’ll like the way it sounds. Now, you have to carve out time slots. Some can do it a half hour at a time. Others have a half hour ritual just to get in the mood. The right music, a pot of coffee, a rain storm, a park bench. I find that I have to give myself at least two hours or I spend most of my writing time just reading what I wrote the last time to try to capture the mood, the feeling… recreate the mental atmosphere. Just make the time and tell your story. When your done writing for the day, don’t read what you wrote … let it set until next time. It will make you excited to return to your author chair.

Finally, repeat your name with the word author in front of it. If you like the way it sounds, dream on, and join me as I share tips and tricks to get you from starting your book, all the way to “the end” and on to the exciting steps that follow.

The post How to REALLY Start Writing a Book (Hint: You Don’t Have to Start at the Beginning!) appeared first on Author Rick Incorvia.

It’s a fine line … Many authors feel the need or obligation to drone on about everything even if it has little or nothing to do with the story  … “Mary’s mother’s aunt had long twisted fingernails. Her manicurist only worked on Saturday’s blah, blah, blah,” Others skim over an interesting or important topic too fast. “She was pretty” How do you know when it is too much versus not enough?

 My suggestion is to first tell the story. Then, when you go back to read it, ask yourself if you brought your audience into the story. Did you help them visualize the character, the scene, the smells, the sounds? On the other hand, did you add so much detail that you are training your readers to skip to the next paragraph?

 As you read or have others read, ask the question … Do I need to elaborate or did I go on too long anywhere? I often hear people say “I wanted to hear more about …” And I never want to hear “I skipped over that part, it was too long and lost me.” It’s not easy to get someone to read your book cover to cover. Their time is valuable, it is your job to entertain them, teach them or take them to another place and time.

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