Lines from Linda

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National Blog Posting Month

For those who may not wish to embark upon the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) journey, where one sets out to write a novel during the month of November, someone has come up with an alternative challenge: National Blog Posting Month.

The blog posting rules are simple--post something on your blog every day, no cheating by using the time/date stamp in case you missed a day. To be eligible for the various prizes and drawings, register at the official site and follow the instructions for submitting your blog. If you've been a blog slacker like I have lately, it might be a good thing to get into the routine of posting regularly.

And for the really insane, I suppose you could commit to both programs! I'm considering it. I mean, for the blog post, I could simply write, "I did not meet my NaNo word count goal today" for 30 days straight!

Actually, I plan to take NaNoWriMo seriously this year. I have a novel plotted and ready to roll, just waiting for November 1.

How about you? Which challenge do you plan to attempt? Both? If nothing else, it can make us more aware of being consistent and work on that word that gives me more goosebumps than a Brandilyn Collins novel: discipline.

A Little Bit of Research…

Research is another way to liven a plot. Take a date, for instance. Many events are likely to have happened on that date, and by snooping back in time, you can find a lot of ideas to liven your plot. For instance, today, October 11. What's the most exciting thing that happened on this day? (And I don't mean the wedding of Bill & Hillary Clinton!)

On this date in 1887, a patent was issued to Dorr Eugene Felt for his invention of the Comptometer, a mechanical device that could perform four mathematical functions quickly and accurately. There are a lot of ways to continue researching at this point. The Comptometer preceded our modern-day computers. So, if the evolution of technology is important to your story, you could research about additional advancements along the path toward today's computers.

Or you could look into the life of the inventor. Did he invent anything else of significance? Yes. In fact, after leaving his family farm in Wisconsin at the age of 14 with 50 cents in his pocket, Felt trained as a machinist and was granted many patents for his inventions. He became a multi-millionaire. So far, this line of investigation seemed more interesting than tracking the history of transitors and microchips, so I read more about Mr. Felt.

He bought a few hundred acres on a lake and built the 17,000 square foot Felt Mansion, complete with a third-floor ballroom. From here, history mingles with legend, and you can place a multitude of tales in a hat and pick one, because apparently no bloggers or web masters are in complete agreement about the fate of the Felt Family. Shortly after the home's completion during the height of the roaring 20s, Mrs. Felt left her bed, climbed the stove pipe, and jumped from the roof to her death. Mr. Felt died from a stroke shortly afterward. Many believe their spirits still roam the rooms, and the home is features on Michigan's ghost tourism web sites.

The children held the property for a few decades after their parents' deaths, but sold it to a Catholic school, which used the outbuildings for classrooms and housed students in the mansion. One site claims a priest committed suicide in the main house. The school sold to the state prison system, which purportedly hung a number of prisoners in one of the property's large trees. I don't remember when public hangings ceased in this country, but I think it was before the 1960s, so this storyteller's claim could be false.

The Felt Mansion sat empty for years and somewhere around 1990, was sold for $1 to a community foundation with the purpose of restoring it to its roaring 20s glory. The restoration process is underway.

Now the anniversary of a patent issue sounds boring at first, but just 30 minutes of web browsing produced a host stories--just from that one lead. Unless you're writing an historical about the Felt Family or home, the facts don't matter--just glean plot ideas from your research, start "what iffing," and adapt those ideas for your own stories. Who would have known that a simple adding machine would be fodder for a great suspense plot?

Twisting the Plot

Today marks the 194th anniversary of Giuseppi Verdi's birth. This Italian composer's operas are still popular today. The Triumphal March from Aida is one of his most famous pieces. Aida's story was first penned by some guy with an unpronounceable name and has an interesting, albeit tragic, plot twist at the end. Verdi adapted the tale to music, and now Elton John and company have developed a modern version of the timeless love story.

A plot twist is an unexpected development in the story, a change of direction. As the members of Monty Python's Flying Circus would say, "And now for something completely different..." Some of the most well-known movie plot twists include:

• Citizen Kane's "Rosebud"


• The ending of the movie "The Sixth Sense"


• Darth Vader reveals his true identity to Luke in "The Empire Strikes Back"


• The moment we meet Norman Bates' mother in "Psycho"

So, how do we come up with those memorable moments that leave the reader riveted? I suppose one could use Serendipity's handy-dandy plot twist generator. I gave it a whirl to see what would happen and here is my list of suggested story contortions:

• At this juncture a domineering police officer arrives, with several children in tow.


• At this point a grumpy businessman arrives, carrying a backpack.


• At this point a sketchy librarian arrives and attacks your protagonist's sidekick.


• At this point a snooty window washer arrives and orders everyone to leave.


• At this point a street vendor arrives and grabs your protagonist by the shirtfront.


• At this point a wild-eyed wizard throws a tantrum.


• Clearly, it is time for a blizzard.


• Clearly, it is time for the Loch Ness Monster.


• Just then a aviator arrives and pulls a gun.


• Just then a domineering bartender arrives, in hysterics.


• Just then a undertaker arrives, disguised.


• Just then your protagonist's spouse turns on the television.


• Only a tornado can save this story.


• Suddenly a melodramatic dwarf arrives and pulls the plug.


• What you need now is flying monkeys.

Nessie and flying monkeys aside, with a bit of brainstorming, some of these actually have potential. One of the best tools for developing a great twist in your plot is the use of two words: What If?

• What if, when the spouse turns on the television, the president is addressing the country about an imminent enemy invasion?


• What if the street vendor is a secret agent and wants to warn your hero that the RBG (really bad guys) are after him? (Come on, stuff like that happened to Maxwell Smart all the time!)


• What if the grumpy businessman's backpack contains a bomb?


• What if the children brought in by the policeman are from your H/H's love interest's previous (and up to this point, unknown to your H/H) marriage?

You can "what if" some more thoughts on your story, with or without the plot generator, but for the best way to write an effective plot twist is to consider what would be "expected" at this point in your story and write something "completely different."

Stranger than Fiction

As fiction writers, we're taught to make every premise, every scene, every character plausible. None of this "it could happen" stuff, like the little boy in "Angels in the Outfield" stated throughout the film. We have to remember, though, that child was talking about a sporting event where, literally, anything can happen. But even if something really does happen, that doesn't mean it's plausible for fiction.

For instance, you could write a story and make the protagonist be a football team. A professional football team. An undefeated team whose quarterback throws five interceptions, two of which are brought in for touchdowns. Not likely.

Or have your team face an injury-riddled team, located so far off the beaten path that they haven't been featured on Monday Night Football in 13 years, and have that "has-been" team beat the undefeated team to a pulp during the first three and a half-quarters of the game. Sideline the quarterback of the opposing team with an early season knee injury and start a rookie QB. Have him toss passes against your team with 75 percent accuracy if you want, but no one will believe it. Readers are shaking their heads now. That is, if they're still reading.

Go ahead and let your team score a few times. In fact, let them bring the point-spread within a touchdown, but then have one of the opponents run back the kick-off 103 yards into the opposite end zone, just to make things exciting. Tell your readers that not one ticket holder will leave the stadium before the final buzzer. Not one. Yeah, you may publish this story, but don't quit your day job.

You could write that your shaken quarterback suddenly gains his poise and leads his team to a sustained 80-yard drive in the final minutes of the game by completing 9 of 11 passes. That touchdown brings the score within 2 points of the opponent. A 2-point conversion would tie the game. No one would believe that either. Pro teams rarely attempt conversions, and even so, the odds are only 50-50. You've lost reader trust. Your career as a novelist is iffy at best.

Take your same scenario, and, if readers haven't already thrown your book, go ahead and have the officials take some time off the clock due to a discrepancy. And now, with 17 seconds to go, have your team, which just scored on their long drive, recover an onside kick. Have your now confident quarterback throw a pass and allow the receiver to get out of bounds and stop the clock because your team used its last time out on the long drive. Twice. Between those plays would be a great time to have the officials put a few seconds back on the clock. The second completion leaves two seconds to play.

Your team is at mid-field and your reader is thinking, "No one can kick a field goal that far under that much pressure." You're right. So, just for fun, make the kicker a rookie with a career high upright-splitter of 47 yards. Make this attempt be, say, 53 yards, just to make the scene exciting. Make the kick perfect--equal distance on either side with ample room on the other side of the post.

So, the clock now shows 0:00. The game is over, right? Your team won! No. That would be too easy for your team. Have something happen off-stage, that no one noticed except the head official. Your opponent's coach called a time-out before the snap. What? He can do that? Yep. It's a cheesy rule, but it's legal. And in this case, good strategy on the part of your opponent, don't you think? Bring out your rookie kicker again. See if he can pump another one just like the first. Your reader is thinking, "Surely not." But your reader is wrong. The rookie pops another one through.

Half of the crowd is cheering. The other half is stunned. Show their faces. Show their disbelief. Maybe if you do an outstanding job of describing the crowd's doubt, your reader will be more sympathetic about your next release.

Yes, this game was real. Yes, the Cowboys beat the Bills. Yes, you've heard me say many times I'm not a pro-sports fan, but yes, I watched the game. I figure Dallas will likely recruit the Razorbacks' D-Mac (the number one running back in the NCAA and this year's Heisman Trophy favorite), and I decided I might as well watch a game or two to familiarize myself with the team. I may have to watch them again, because I'm still not believing that game. Neither are the folks in Buffalo.

National Newspaper Week

Our family has always been populated with word people. Book people. Newspaper people. But until this morning, I didn't realize the exact impact of those words, books, and newspapers on my life. And in my writing.

It's National Newspaper Week. I don't really know the significance of that proclamation, but newspapers have played a significant role in my life. I sat near the feet of my grandfather during our visits there, and the crinkling of pages backdropped whatever activity I was engaged in as he read daily the now defunct Los Angeles Herald-Examiner.

A few years later, after we moved to Arkansas, I worked a newspaper route, collecting dozens of dimes from the weekly readers of Grit. The day my bundle of papers arrived highlighted my week, and I anxiously flipped through my copy to see what wonders the newest issue contained.

One of my first jobs was at a newspaper. A small-town publishing man owned papers in five communities. I sold ads. Well, at least I tried. I moved across the state and once again worked for a paper. Only this time I worked in the office in the midst of clicking typewriters, ringing phones, blaring police scanners, and the faint smell of chemicals seeping from the dark room. I was the "classified girl" at a small-town weekly and learned everything from typesetting to paste-up and layout.

When that paper went belly-up, my career path ventured through a number of other vocations, including a nine-year stint in the USMC. But the lure of newspaper work lurked in my mind, and I soon found myself once again setting type and editing copy, pasting up pages, and writing headlines at 3 a.m. so we could make our press appointment.

My relationship with newspapers changed the day I made the leap across the desk into the writer's chair. After months of typing words written by others, it struck me--I could do this. I could write. The editor let me give it a shot. Soon I was covering a few stories. Nothing frontpage, mind you, and no bylines. Yet. That evolved into sports writing and eventually, a column. Short news pieces paved the way to magazine articles, which in turn led me to believe I could write a book.

And I did.

During the book marketing phase of my life, my writing world expanded exponentially when a friend introduced me to a realm of the written word I'd never dreamed of entering: fiction. Soon I crossed the threshold into the land of make-believe and began chasing my next writing dream--novelist. That dream is a work in progress, but thanks to my friends at American Christian Fiction Writers, I hope and pray that it will soon become a reality.

A Chat with Robin Miller

Robin Miller, writing as Robin Caroll, writes deep South mysteries of riveting suspense to inspire your heart. Louisiana born and raised, Robin is a Southerner right down to her “hey, y’all.” Her mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who has instilled in Robin the love of heritage and family bonds. Robin draws on these important factors when weaving her stories. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of eighteen years and three daughters. She enjoys hearing from her readers–visit her at www.robincaroll.com to find out more about this new Southern fiction writer.

Tell us about your new book. What's your favorite part or character? Was any scene harder to write or character harder to develop than the others? How so and how did you handle that?

The theme for Bayou Justice is pretty basic—everything in God’s timing, not our own. This was a personal issue for me as I had a struggle learning the lesson. My favorite character from this book is definitely the heroine, CoCo LeBlanc. So much of my personality lurks under CoCo’s more beautiful shadows! LOL I’d brainstormed this book exhaustively, so writing it wasn’t really hard. I had 20 pages of brainstorming notes. I “interviewed” my characters and filled out the character synopses and the book developed from there.

Bayou Justice has a beautiful cover. Tell me about the moment you saw it for the first time.

Oh, I bawled! My editor sent it to me and I didn’t really know what to expect. But when I saw it, I knew it was perfect for the story. I’ve seen the covers for the next two in the series and have been equally pleased with what the art department came up with.

You're a natural at writing suspense! You've mentioned reading Trixie Beldon books when you were younger. I, too, devoured those books as well as The Hardy Boys. In addition to early reading of mystery/suspense, and growing up in the Louisiana bayou country, has anything else influenced your choice of genre?

Long ago, my mentor, Colleen Coble, told me to write what I’m passionate about…what I love to read. That’s mystery/suspense, hands down. Besides, I think in terms of mystery/suspense whenever I read any book. Sad, aren’t I? LOL

What do you think makes a great story?

Hmmm…..I think you have to have really strong characters, and not just the hero and heroine. I think you must have a strong villain and your secondary characters must really add something to the story as well. Also, I believe a great plot with twists is essential.

Does your family help with brainstorming, critiquing, research, etc.?

I normally get a “germ” of an idea and hash it around with my hubby. Then I work with my cps (crit partners) and mentor in the actual brainstorming. My husband doesn’t read a word of it until it’s out in book form!

What are you reading now?

The calendar to watch my deadline fast approaching for book 4 in the series! LOL I just finished reading Colleen’s Anathema, which comes out next year. I’m always reading a craft book, so the one I recently started is from the Howdunit series, Police Procedure and Investigation.

What was the most surprising thing you learned while writing your books?

While writing I learned that knowing ALL your characters is essential. Otherwise, there’d be a lot of stops to delve into their personalities to write a particular scene.

During the publishing process?

That the book isn’t my “baby” anymore…it’s a product to sell.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

LOL…you want me to tell all my secrets, huh? LOL I don’t know how interesting my quirk is but I “reward” myself scene by scene. If I finish the scene, I can get another cup of coffee, Dr. Pepper, whatever. In essence, I bribe myself mentally! LOL

Do you ever get "writer's block"? If so, what do you do?

I think everyone has a case of WB every now and again. There’s not much you can do but just push through it. Sometimes, that means you’ll delete a lot of pages. But at least you’re getting something down. You can’t edit what you haven’t written! :D

I've heard you mention arguing with your characters. What do y'all argue about? Who wins?

For example, I had a secondary character in book 3 just keep bugging me for center stage. Literally, I rewrote a particular scene FIVE times, but each time I read it, something was “off.” Ready to pull my hair out, I sent the scene to my agent & mentor and they both pinpointed what was wrong immediately—a secondary character kept stealing the limelight. So, after arguing with the character, she won. I’m going to submit a proposal to tell her story after I finish book 4. :D

You've sold four books in a matter of months. So, just how long did it take for you to become an "overnight success"?

LOL….that makes me laugh! I started being “serious” about writing for the CBA about 4 years ago. I have 6 other complete manuscripts, but it wasn’t until I realized what made ME the writer able to write something unique (Cajun characters) did I set out to deliberately market the unusual “hook.” I pitched this book to my editor in July of last year, had my agent submit the full to her in August, and it was contracted in October.

You've helped me and so many others with your critique service. You have a great feel for story elements and character issues. What advice can you offer to help aspiring novelists become better at critiquing their own work?

Pay attention to what the craft books tell you…plot and structure…good characterization…and LISTEN when someone who knows tells you something to improve your writing. I’ve seen countless writers disregard what a multi-pubbed author or even an agent said about their work.

You initially geared your writing toward the ABA and switched to focus on the CBA. Anne Rice has made a similar move. What suggestions do you have for writers who are considering a moving to a spiritual or Christian theme for their work?

Prayer for guidance. Seriously. And dedicate your writing to Him. He gives you the story and we have to trust He’ll put it where He wants it to do His will.

What is the one interview question you're dying for someone to ask, but no one has?

Wow, I really don’t know. I’m blessed. I have the most supporting and encouraging family. The best cps in the world (hi Ronie, Dineen, Heather), awesome friends to help me when I’m done or in revisions (hey Cheryl, Camy, Pammer) and of course, an awesome mentor (hey, Colleen), and it goes without saying the best agent (Kelly Mortimer) and editor (Krista Stroever) ever! Truly, I’m living the dream and I know how blessed I am!

Thanks, Linda, for having me. It’s been a blast!

Robin’s Blog Tour

My friend Robin Miller (writing as Robin Caroll) is launching a Blog Tour to celebrate the release of her first novel this month, Bayou Justice published by Steeple Hill.

Here are the stops--be sure to stop by as many as you can. Robin is a great storyteller & Bayou Justice is an awesome book!

Oct 1 Ronie Kendig will be reviewing Bayou Justice on her blog http://supernaturalcraving.blogspot.com/

Oct 2 Heather Diane Tipton will host Robin on her blog as she discusses her spiritual journey http://heatherdianetipton.blogspot.com

Oct 3 Camy Tang hosts Robin as she discusses southern cooking and how Robin used that to “flavor” the setting of Bayou Justice http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/

Oct 4 Linda Fulkerson will interview Robin on her blogs http://linesfromlinda.com and http://fictionfundamentals.com

Oct 5 Girls Write Out is hosting Robin and allowing her to gab with the girls on their blog http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com

Oct 6 Cara Putnam is featuring Robin on her blog http://carasmusings.blogspot.com

Oct 7 Ane Mulligan will host Robin on her blog www.anemulligan.blogspot.com

Oct 8 Cynthia Hickey is featuring Robin on her blog http://cynthiahickey.blogspot.com/

Oct 9 Dineen Miller hosts Robin on her blog http://dineenmiller.blogspot.com/

Oct 10 Novel Journey is interviewing Robin www.noveljourney.blogspot.com

Oct 11 Pam Meyers will feature Robin on her blog http://pammeyerswrites.blogspot.com/

Oct 12 Tracey Aaron (Robin's best bud extraordinaire) will feature Robin on her space! http://blog.myspace.com/traceygayle

Oct 13 Sabrina Fox-Butcher is hosting Robin on her blog www.sabrinalfox.blogspot.com

Oct 14 Pammer James is featuring Robin on her blog http://pammer.blogspot.com/