Dancing Word Writers Workshop

with Susan May Warren

 December 2, 2005

 

Hosted by: Anne McDonald

Dancing Word Publisher/Editor

Anne McDonald: I'll open up in prayer, go over protocol, then introduce tonight's special guest.

Lord, thank You for your wonderous love for us, and for Your incredible gift of Love that we remember especially during this season. Thank You also for giving us the fire to write. Please help us hone our skills and give You glory through our writing. Please bless each of our participants tonight, and especially our guest. Please also be with those who want to be here, but are unable to come. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Protocol reminder: When the floor is open to questions, please type ? for questions, ! for comments, and ga when you are through. For those who are new, ga = go ahead and keeps us from stepping on each others' toes.

Tonight, I'm delighted to introduce a long-time friend. Suzie Warren has burst into the publishing realm with terrific stories that warm the heart, soul, and mind. Welcome, Suzie.

* AZAnnie leads the applause

* EllieSchroder wolf-whistles

Susan May Warren: Wow, thanks for having me Annie!

* AZAnnie turns the floor over to Suzie

Susan May Warren: This is so fun to be here -- I have such fond memories of Dancing Word chats back when I lived in Siberia.  I looked forward to getting together with everyone...so It's great to be back. God has done amazing things over the past four years in my writing life. And while I am continually learning more, I have come up with some plotting tricks that have helped me.

Today I’m going to share with you a technique that will help you create three-dimensional characters, and build plots that will touch readers hearts and souls.  If you attended my seminar in uh, Nashville, some of this will be repeat, but we can talk about it, and maybe go deeper. Hope that is ok?

Anne McDonald: (works for me!)

Ellie Schroder: (sounds awesome!)

Susan May Warren: Ok, here goes. There you are, you’ve got a blank computer screen, and the smallest tickle of an idea, something you’ve read, or seen, some question you think might be interesting tackled in a book.  But where do you go from there?  How do you turn a blip of an idea into a full novel, one that will resonate with readers?

Christian books should reach beyond our hearts to touch our souls, give us that glimpse of the divine in our lives.  Regardless of whether it’s a suspense, or a romance, or a historical, or chick lit, stories can touch our lives and stay with us, change us. 

And I believe that the place to start is with characters.  Yes, plot lines are important…but when we think of the "Hunt for Red October", we think of Jack Ryan.  When we think of  the "Fugitive", we think of Dr. Richard Kimball, when we think of "Alias" we think of Sydney Bristow.  Characters drive the plot, and it’s with Character that we’ll start crafting our plot. 

Susan May Warren: How did this method start?  Well, when I first started writing, I looked at all the character lists. They felt one-dimensional to me.  So I looked that the five areas of self-esteem, those five components that make up real people, and thereby create lasting impressions.

I got these five components by reading Child development books. I figured if these are all elements of REAL people, then certainly they could work for my "imaginary" people.

Okay, so let's start with the first trait. By the way, I wanted to add that my characters don't feel that "imaginary" to me. *g* Anyway, here goes...first character trait:

1.  Identity:  How do we define ourselves?  When we introduce ourselves to people, what is the first thing we say?  Sometimes it depends on the group we’re in, but even that shows the identity we’re most comfortable with. Our identity tells people quickly who we are, and what we believe in. What are some of your identities?

Anne McDonald: Mother, teacher, writer. (sanity doesn't even make the list)

Susan May Warren: Thank you! Anyone else?

Lisa Jordan:  Mother, child care provider, writer

Beverly: Missionary kid, pastor's wife, mother, writer

Ellie Schroder: Wife, valued customer sales rep; singer, web-author, writer

Deborah Piccurelli: Mom, wife,  writer

Limey: accountant, grandfather

Camy Tang:  Wife, volleyball player, writer, youth staff worker

Susan May Warren: Good.  And do you ever find yourself changing the way you introduce yourself according to the audience you're speaking to?

Ellie Schroder: yes!!

Anne McDonald: yes!

Lisa Jordan: yes

Beverly: yes

Deborah Piccurelli:Yep!

Susan May Warren: Great!  That's exactly what your character will do, too, according to their values and beliefs about themselves. (we'll get to that in a second.  *g*)

Knowing how our character defines him or herself will help us understand his/her motivations.  It will help us figure out what their greatest fear and dream are, and give us insight into crafting that black moment. 

Let’s take the three characters I mentioned above: Jack Ryan – a CIA analyst, rising in the ranks who hasn’t had much field action. He’s a family man who wants to keep the world safe and out of  WW3.  His greatest fear in this movie is misinterpreting the actions of a Russian sub that has gone AWOL and accidentally igniting WW3.  His greatest dream is to be right…and gain access to this sub.  His motivation is his family…keeping them safe.