Blog: Mel's Muse :: Mel Menzies

Understanding The Drama Triangle In Personal Relationships & Fictional Characters

Posted: Wednesday, 25th August 2010

The theory of transactional analysis is a subject of never-ending fascination - both to those who find themselves participating in the Drama Triangle, and to aspiring authors involved in writing and publishing a book! Last week I met up with the friend of a friend and, during the course of the afternoon, she began to talk about one of her relations – someone I knew well. “He was so generous,” she said, admiringly, of him, knowing full well that he was also a serial adulterer and had caused his ex-wife and children decades of heartache and pain.

Articles on related themes: Personal Growth; Relationships; Character; Creative Writing

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One Stop Shop For Aspiring Authors & Published Writers?

Posted: Tuesday, 17th August 2010

Whether you are an aspiring author or an established, published writer, you will need to undertake research, from time to time, in order to provide material for the books or articles you are writing. Sometimes the research material you need may be factual; sometimes you may want to understand the emotional response to a given set of circumstances.

PROVIDING YOU WITH MORE RESOURCES TO INFORM, INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE

My aim is to provide you, not simply with help with your creative writing techniques, and a better understanding of the mechanics of writing and publishing a book, but also with the vital research you may need in respect of your book or article.

Articles on related themes: Writing & Publishing A Book; Creative Writing

Misery Memoir Genre: Do Grim Novels Dominate Book Market?

Posted: Wednesday, 14th July 2010

As an author I am, naturally, interested in the book market. Consequently, when I was shown a newspaper article a few months ago by a friend, about the continuing proliferation of misery memoir metamorphosing into a novel, I read it, avidly.

MISERY MEMOIR: WHAT IS IT?

The misery memoir genre came to prominence in the late 1990’s, with books like Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes – a literary masterpiece about the author’s grim childhood in Ireland – and the more controversial, A Child Called It by David Pelzer. Describing the abuse suffered at the hand of his alcoholic mother, Pelzer’s account was later refuted by his brothers and grandmother.

Articles on related themes: Creative Writing; Writing & Publishing A Book; Books, Reading & Words

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

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

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

Creative Writing Courses versus Writers' Groups And Writing Magazines

Posted: Thursday, 11th March 2010

Hi,

I have enjoyed reading your articles and blogs/posts. Would really love to communicate more with you cos I think I really appreciate your train of thought. It appeals to me a lot. I am also an avid writer and have written many articles.

Can you recommend a good creative writing course for me to attend close to Plymouth, Devon. I am more than half way past writing my first novel but i think i need a professional to look at my work so far.

Articles on related themes: Writing & Publishing A Book; Creative Writing

If You Can (Write) Do; If You Can't, Teach!

Posted: Tuesday, 9th March 2010

I came across an article, recently, which stated that creative writing courses for aspiring authors are a ‘racket’ - and I wondered what you think?

IS THIS THE TRUTH ABOUT CREATIVE WRITING COURSES?

The author of the post pointed out that among hundreds of writing tips offered by dozens of authors, not one suggested taking a creative writing course. The implication was that if you need to sit around being taught about writing, you’re never going to make it as a great writer or novelist.

Articles on related themes: Self Help; Creative Writing

Creating Character Led Conflict In Your Novel

Posted: Monday, 8th February 2010

Last month I began what turned out to be a series about Transactional Analysis. It was what I call a combi-article: one designed to help real people with real needs, but also to inform the creative writing of authors of fiction. Titled Conflict Resolution: Relationship Psychology – And Creating Fictional Characters, my intention was to show that there are a number of ways to heighten the suspense in your novel.

Articles on related themes: Creative Writing; Character; Plot

The Drama Triangle & The Games People Play

Posted: Monday, 11th January 2010

I looked, a couple of days ago, at Transactional Analysis – the Drama Triangle in particular:

First as a means of conflict resolution for those experiencing problems with their personal relationships.
And second – for writers and aspiring authors – as an innovative way of creating fictional characters.

THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

The theory of transactional analysis is that in our normal, everyday, relationships, we are all involved in playing one of three roles: Parent, Adult, Child. I’ve explained this in my article titled: Conflict Resolution: Relationship Psychology - And Creating Fictional Characters and I would suggest that you read this before continuing with the article below.

Articles on related themes: Creative Writing; Character; Relationships; Personal Growth; Marriage