Blog: Mel's Muse - Archive for June 2010

Creative Writing Techniques: Show & Tell To Develop Plot Ideas & Character

Posted: Friday, 25th June 2010

For aspiring authors, creative writing techniques may appear to be difficult to master. The main thing to remember is that the structure of a novel demands the creation of three dimensional characters, and that it is their actions and reactions which shape the plot ideas of the book. Analysis of a Bible story like that of Samson & Delilah demonstrates this admirably.

When you’re thinking about characterisation for your book, it’s tempting for the aspiring author to think in two dimensional forms: appearance and whether they are goodies or baddies. Yes, the physical attributes are important – even though they may not, necessarily, be stated.

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World Cup? What World Cup?

Posted: Wednesday, 23rd June 2010

Five to three this afternoon, and my local Sainsbury's carpark was virtually empty. Did someone say something about England playing in the World Cup ?

Develop Plot Ideas: A Combination of Negative Personality Traits

Posted: Monday, 21st June 2010

My posts, in the last few days, have covered the way in which an aspiring author can use a combination of plot ideas to develop characterisation. For the purposes of demonstrating this aspect of creative writing, I’ve used a classical story taken from the Bible: the tale of Samson and Delilah. Since the entire purpose of this book is to portray the relationship between God and mankind, it is virtually unparalleled when it comes to studying the positive personality traits of a character, and how they may be used to highlight the negative personality traits of another.

This is a particularly useful ploy for aspiring authors.

Articles on related themes: Plot; Character; Creative Writing

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Developing Plot Ideas To Show Characterisation

Posted: Wednesday, 16th June 2010

I suggested, last week, that creative writing - that is writing a novel – requires an understanding of human nature. So where is an author to turn for such material? How can your book have that ring of authenticity whilst maintaining a page turning quality?

Any well-known, classical, story may be used as the basis of a modern-day novel. Reading and analysing the plot ideas behind a Bible story, for instance, can suggest the outline for a contemporary tale, and reveal the creative writing techniques that will make it a winner.

Articles on related themes: Plot; Character; Creative Writing

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Creative Writing Plot Ideas: Dealing With Manipulative People

Posted: Friday, 11th June 2010

Whether you’re looking for new creative writing plot ideas, characters for your novel, or how to deal with negative personality traits in real life, there’s plenty of material to be found in this old story about Samson and Delilah. Tom Jones song must, surely, have made her one of the best known bad girls of the Bible. But the song lyrics are wrong, because it wasn’t Samson who stabbed Delilah with a knife, but she who brought about his downfall.

DEALING WITH MANIPULATIVE PEOPLE

The structure of a novel depends as much upon understanding human behaviour as it does learning creative writing techniques.

Articles on related themes: Plot; Character; Creative Writing

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Empowering Solutions: Lift Up Your Eyes; Enlarge Your Vision!

Posted: Tuesday, 8th June 2010

Have you ever felt weighed down in an emotionally draining situation – as if someone had thrown a heavy, wet, cape around your shoulders; as if the effort of having to drag it around drained you of energy for anything else? Especially anything inspirational, like creative writing.

Of course you have! Most of us have at some time or other.

EMOTIONALLY DRAINING: A CREATIVE VACCUUM

I’m not talking about the wild turbulence of anger, disappointment, or self-pity, but of an unidentifiable load. Something you can’t quite put your finger on; something emotionally draining.

Quite literally, you become downcast as your shoulders slump, your head drops forwards, and your eyes are lowered.

Articles on related themes: Life, Faith & Other Stuff; Personal Growth; Inspirational

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Blogging Simplified: The What, Who, Why & How?

Posted: Saturday, 5th June 2010

What follows is based on a talk I gave to my Writers' Group, to encourage them to be brave and try a new form of writing. ;)

WHAT is a blog?

The word comes from an abbreviation of weblog, and began as a form of online journaling.

WHO can blog?

Well, anyone, of course! Social media such as Twitter, Facebook or even LinkedIn may be better suited to the Extrovert (quick, short, to the point, and instant connection with others). For the Introvert, gratification may come through blogging, where the solitary pursuit of toying with ideas and producing persuasive arguments, might be an end in itself.

Articles on related themes: Brand; Blogging; Article Writing & Blogging

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Does Your Creative Writing Style Encourage A Relationship With Your Readers?

Posted: Thursday, 3rd June 2010

Is it ever a good idea, as a book author, to stop writing? This isn’t a trick question: I have a genuine interest in your views – especially those of you who subscribe to my blog and are regular readers of my articles – plus it may be something you should be asking yourselves. I’d like to know what you think because . . . well, I’ll tell you as I go along.

DOES THE ACT OF WRITING STIMULATE AUTHOR CREATIVITY?

My husband and I have spent the last eight days with my daughter, in a very rural part of North Wales.

Articles on related themes: Personal Growth; Inspirational; Writing & Publishing A Book; Article Writing & Blogging

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