Category Archives: Natalie Bright

The Basics

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The Basics

By Natalie Bright

Noun – names a person, place, or thing.

Pronoun – takes the place of a noun, e.g. I, you, they.

Verb – shows action.

Adjective – modifies a noun or pronoun by telling how much, which one, what kind or describing it in other ways.

Adverb – modifies a verb similar to how an adjective it in other ways.

Preposition – shows a relationship between nouns or pronouns and is often used at the beginning descriptive phrase.

Conjunction – connects two words, phrases, clauses. The most common; and, but, or.

Interjection – often just one word injected into the sentence to show emotion, such as yea, uh-oh, or alas.

A Wedge of Writing

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We built a ship upon the stairs

All made of the back-bedroom chairs,

And filled it full of sofa pillows

To go a-sailing on the billows.

                              —Robert Louis Stevenson

 

Here’s to discovering your inner child of fun and writing more stories in the New Year!

One Writer Lifting Others

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One Writer Lifting Others

By Natalie Bright

Towards the end of the year, I attended the funeral of a bestselling author from Amarillo. Guided by an obsession for the written word, she not only wrote novels and short stories, but worked as a school librarian, taught writing at the community college, and edited stories for those blessed to cross her path.

Her desire to help others was immeasurable and boundless. I was fortunate enough to have heard her speak several times, and her ability to inspire others is unforgettable. On occasion, I’d receive an email or note card from this lady with just the right message that propelled me onward. My bulletin board is dotted with her little pearls of kindness. Seeing myself through her eyes, I could reach my dreams. She not only motivated us, she made us braver.

In addition to the usual eulogy and music, a dear friend and critique partner of 35 years shared the story of her writing journey. Following that, her son-in-law spoke, and that’s when I realized there was much that I didn’t know about this woman. This young man told us about his “white mama”. As a black man married to her only daughter, he shared how his mother-in-law’s love for him had no limits. During one of the lowest points in his life, he treasures their talks about life and how her faith and belief in him made him a better man.

This remarkable young man’s mother spoke next. She shared how grateful she was to this family for accepting and loving her son during a troubling time in his life. She spoke of having a special bond with this white family that can never be broken and had no color boundaries.

Both testimonies were heart wrenching. She was living proof that the power of one loving heart can accept and affect others. The resolve of one writer to keep writing can guide others to do the same. Remembering the life of this talented lady makes me proud to be a part of a special writing community, and to have the ability to live and work in the Texas Panhandle.

Rest in Peace dear Dewanna.

In addition to a lengthy career in education, DeWanna Pace also penned twenty books and six anthologies. One of her life-long dreams was to write for HARLEQUIN. At the time of her sudden passing, she was working on a new series for Harlequin Love Inspired.

Update: A book launch will be held in Dewanna’s honor to introduce her most recent book published by Harlequin; THE DADDY LIST. Please join local authors and friends for a life celebration on March 7, 2:00 to 4:00 PM, at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 2415 Soncy Road, Amarillo.

A NEW YEAR OF WRITING

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By Natalie Bright

To start your New Year of writing, I ran across this list of story fundamentals.

  • memorable characters
  • a theme that entertains & enlightens
  • conflict
  • structure – beginning and middle and end
  • point of view
  • plot
  • resolution, great ending, satisfying

During January, WordsmithSix members will meet to work on our goals list for the next year. Hope you have a wonderful and productive 2015!

Natalie Bright

Flittering Sparks

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Flittering Sparks

By Natalie Bright

This one’s a biggey: I wish someone had told me about story sparks. How they come out of nowhere, at the worst possible times, when there’s not a pen and pencil to be found anywhere.

These elusive visions flit into your mind and disappear with a poof, never to return. It might be a character sporting a wide-faced grin taunting “Catch me if you can.” Sometimes it’s a fantastical place, one that’s so vibrant and alive in your mind. You just know it’s filled with fascinating characters. Other times, this new creation comes to you without a moment’s notice in vivid detail. It might be a crucial scene for your work in progress, no matter if you’re ready for that scene or not.

An Orderly World

As an office manager during the day, I like things orderly. Certain things have specific deadlines. This pile of bills must be paid by the 30th, for example. One particular process is done on the 10th of every month; always. In my mind as a newbie, that’s how I thought writing should be. You start with chapter one and you move forward through your masterpiece until you type THE END.

Stop Lying to Yourself

Don’t believe for one second that writing is a logical process. These glorious sparks of genius come at you day and night, with no rhyme or reason. Snatch them up, greedily, without hesitation. Write that ending to your book, no matter if you’re still struggling through chapter one. When that image appears in your mind, stop everything and put it to words.

Idea Notebooks

Do you carry an idea notebook? In addition to the notepads I carry in my car and purse, I’ve written story ideas on restaurant napkins, band concert programs, and bank deposit slips. In the short time someone can ask, “What’s for dinner?” the idea can be gone, and you’ll be left a weeping, pitiful writer of nothing.

JUST BE during this holiday season. Listen, taste, take a deep breathe–LIVE and fill up your idea notebooks. Merry Christmas everybody!

http://www.nataliebright.com

 


Story-In-A-Sentence

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Story-In-A-Sentence

By Natalie Bright

#1 A kind-hearted girl is tricked by an evil, hungry wolf

#2 A lovable beagle who doesn’t talk, but conveys philosophy on life with flamboyant imagination through thought bubbles in a comic strip.

What’s your story in one sentence?

The idea is that your story is so compelling and your characters so unique, that you can convey your brilliant plot in one sentence.

The situation becomes your one sentence story description. The problem becomes the questions that arise from your characters motivation and difficulties.

Situation: A kind-hearted girl is tricked by an evil, hungry wolf.

Problem: Should she trust her instincts?

Solution: Little Red Riding Hood outsmarts the wolf.

Natalie Bright

STORY STARTERS

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STORY STARTERS

 By Natalie Bright

Empty page = empty mind?

Starting a story is one of the hardest things for me. Ideas are everywhere. I’ve got ideas jotted on sticky notes and outlined in several idea notebooks. Now where to begin?

Here’s a list of several ideas to jump start your word count (hopefully):

Personal Vignette

 Humor

 Surprising Fact

 Unusual Idea

 Question

 Quote

 Dialogue

 Smack in the Middle of the Action

(skip that boring intro)

 Now Get to work!

Natalie Bright

THE PERFECT TRACTOR BOOK

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THE PERFECT TRACTOR BOOK

By Natalie Bright

It started with a tractor book.  After an endless search I thought I had purchased the perfect one, but my five-year-old son informed me the book had flaws.

“A tractor would never park in a garage,” he said.  My description of a giant, garage-like-barn-like-shed did not fly.  I asked his opinion of what might be in the ideal tractor book.  He told me and then suggested, “You should just write it.”

The spark of desire to write something besides work related pieces was flamed by my son. Armed with a purple gel pen and a blue spiral notebook I found myself sitting in a creative writing class taught by university Writer-in-Residence and New York Times bestselling author, Jodi Thomas. Her comment on the first night of class shocked me to the core. “You are all writers, or you wouldn’t be here,” she said.

A writer!  Me? Personnel policies, ad copy, business correspondence and scrapbook journaling doesn’t make a person a writer, or maybe it does.

That six week, intensive course changed my life, as have all of the writer’s conferences I’ve attended since.  And Jodi’s one piece of advice on the last night of her class still remains; “Always write from the heart.”

Beginning with a search for the perfect book for my son and ending with a passion to learn everything I can about the craft of writing, I realized this journey has just begun.

All the best to you on your writing journey, and thanks for following us on WordsmithSix!

Natalie Bright

A Perfect Writing Space

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A Perfect Writing Space 

By Natalie Bright

We have a lovely home office. Oak bookcases span one entire wall from floor to ceiling and a leafy plant engulfs a huge picture window, with two comfy chairs – one for typing at the desk and one for reading. It is the perfect place to dream, imagine, explore words, and create. When it came to the work in progress, I couldn’t write a darn thing in that room.

Instead, the kitchen table called out to me. Smack in the middle of an open floor plan, I watched television, the kids, the dogs in the backyard, and the pot bubbling on the stove. Kitty watches the world from the window sill, and even though my mother has been gone eight years now, I have her aloe vera just behind me and the lively family of chickens she painted. I feel like I can create in this spot.

The topic of my story was a difficult one. For fifteen years the story of our first son has been on my heart and mind. Finally, in the middle of today’s chaos notes on loose papers, partial outlines, and journal entries came together. GONE NEVER FORGOTTEN is an eBook about hope and healing for families who have suffered the loss of a baby.

What surprised me was that my productive home office had abandoned me. So beware, fellow writers, the perfect writing space may relocate without giving notice.

What about you – have you found your perfect writing space?

Natalie Bright

THE WRITING PROCESS

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THE WRITING PROCESS

            Head Games minus the Publishing Part

 

By N. Bright

 

It’s true that there are as many different writing processes and ways to craft a book as there are writers. However, based on what I’ve learned, all writers go through similar angst before they type THE END. Whether it’s your first book or 49th, I’m guessing you’ve probably experienced a few of these head games yourself.

 

  • You’re hit with an absolutely brilliant idea set in an amazing world. You are certain it will be a #1 NYT bestseller and a movie.
  • Realizing that you will never completely understand the time period, character profiles, theme, setting, plot—whatever it may be—to effectively write an entertaining story. Why are you torturing yourself?
  • First Draft. There is no possible way this can ever be a cohesive novel worthy of any reader. You should just watch television.
  • This isn’t that bad. Maybe your critique group will like it, and it might show promise after you tweak it based on their input.
  • Return to your life. The novel disappears under a stack of short stories waiting to be submitted and rough drafts of magazine articles.
  • Final Read. Outloud. To yourself. You discover it has some brilliant parts, but in your mind no one will ever read it. YOU like it and it’s done. Now what?
  • Spark…. See No. 1 above.

 

Happy NaNoWritMo everyone!