Category Archives: Natalie Bright

Dr. Pepper & Peanuts

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Dr. Pepper & Peanuts

By N. Bright

My grandfather, Pappy, used to take me to the Grain Coop in Lockney, Texas where he’d buy me a “sodi pop” and a handful of peanuts. You had to take a couple of sips before your peanuts would all fit in the thin necked bottle. I always studied the artwork on the bottle and asked him why couldn’t we have one at 10, 2 and 4 everyday?

The memories of our childhood, the sounds, the experiences and the tastes all influence our stories and add flavor to our writing. These are the details that give your stories voice.

If it has to do with history, I always have to know how and why. Which brings me to the point of this blog: how long has Dr. Pepper been around?

The unique flavor of Dr. Pepper was created and sold beginning in 1885 in Waco, Texas. Dr. Pepper is the oldest manufacturer of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the U.S. It originated at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store by Charles Alderton, a young pharmacist who worked there.

Alderton liked the syrup flavor smells and in his spare time served carbonated drinks at the soda fountain. Keeping a journal, he began experimenting with numerous mixtures until he found the one he liked. Long story short, the store owner loved it, the fountain customers loved it, and its popularity soon spread. Robert S. Lazenby, a young beverage chemist, also tasted the new drink and along with Morrison, formed a new firm, the Artesian Mfg. & Bottling Company, which later became Dr Pepper Company. They introduced Dr Pepper to almost 20 million people attending the 1904 World’s Fair Exposition in St. Louis. At the same Fair, hamburgers and frankfurters were first served on buns, and the ice cream cone was first served.

So now I’m wondering in my fictitious town of Justice, Texas, 1887, if my main character’s grandfather might have bought her a Dr. Pepper? The challenge comes in digging deep for answers, and taking our experiences and applying them to another time and place. That’s the magic of writing.

Did you Know that a total of 23 fruit flavors give Dr Pepper its unique taste?

Ten Best from Enid

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Ten Best from Enid

by Natalie Bright

www.nataliebright.com

 

Enid Writers Club sponsored a one day seminar on The Story, a Craft of Writing seminar. Based on my notes, here’s the best quotes from Saturday’s workshop.

1)    Things will be tough in your life, but when you get to the other side you still gotta write that book. Dusty Richards, Spur Award winning author and President of Western Writers of America

2)    Anybody can be published in 40 days. We all know there are a million opportunities for writers these days. To rise above the others, you must have a kick-butt story that connects with readers in a unique way.  Lucie Smoker, Enid Writers Club

3)    There’s a time, there’s a publisher, there’s a place on the shelf for your story. Never take no for an answer. Work on getting better.  Dusty Richards

4)    Begin with a commitment to write a chapter every day. Stop whispering, “I’m a writer.” Don’t be afraid to declare it—I write! Tara Hudson, best-selling YA author

5)    Kick that story off like you kick a football to start the game. Get ‘em by the shirt front and grab that reader into your book. Your job as the writer is to intrigue people. Dusty Richards

6)    A reader doesn’t give a damn about all the things the writer thinks we need to know. We want to have an adventure. It’s up to you as the writer to take us on one. Dusty Richards

7)    Let your mind run. That’s when you write your best. Create the book. Don’t listen to anyone during this part of the process. When it’s time to edit, then listen to others. Dusty Richards

8)    Write at least one paragraph on the next chapter before you quit for the day. Don’t stop at the end of the chapter. Dusty Richards

9)    Setting is a character. You may not have thought of it in that way.  Tara Hudson

10)  Develop rules of your world, which is particularly helpful if you are writing a series. Don’t ever break them. Tara Hudson

Very inspiring conference and we made it home before the snow storm hit. Thanks Enid Writers Club for a great day!

www.nataliebright.com

Chasing the Creative Impossible

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Chasing the Creative Impossible

by Natalie Bright

www.nataliebright.com

Time.

The elusive part of our lives that all creatives tend to never have enough of, whether you’re firing ceramics, designing jewelry, painting with oils, gluing scrapbook pages or crafting stories with words. There comes a time when chasing your passion is like taking a slow, tortuous swim in a deep, murky pool of self-guilt. The reality is that most of us won’t realize world notoriety.

People Who Inspire You

I just returned from a writing conference where, of course, the topic of making time to write was discussed. Everyone struggles to follow their passion. Spending time with imaginative people helps me bring my ambition into focus. It makes my goals list seem more realistic and achievable, because I meet others who have accomplished what I dream about. Feeling exhausted, rejuvenated, and itching to apply what I’d learned to my waiting manuscript, the drive home took forever. I couldn’t wait to get my fingers on the keyboard again.

What Creative People Do

This weekend at the Enid Writers Group in Oklahoma, Spur Award winning author, Dusty Richards said, “Things will be tough in your life, but when you get to the other side, you still gotta write that book, or do whatever it is that drives you. Just do it.”

Something from Nothing

I think this applies to anyone who chases that elusive need to bring into being what they alone can visualize. People who are driven by an unseen creative muse can’t explain the why. At some point, it’s time to stop providing the excuses, the clarification, or the justification to others. At some point, all that’s left is the doing.

Dig deeper, keep going, just keep writing.

Note: Dusty Richards is author of over 100 books and countless short stories, and currently serves as President of the Western Writers of America. His Brynes Family Ranch Western series is a fan favorite, published by Pinnacle Books. www.dustyrichards.com

The Art of Friendly; Texas Style

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The Art of Friendly; Texas Style

How traditions can become awkward situations for your character.

By Natalie Bright

As a writer, everything I hear can become a spark in my mind for words on paper. An interesting resource has become people’s comments on current events. It’s fascinating to me how people are so very diverse and will interpret the same situation in so many unique ways, which brings me to the point of this blog.

A post on Facebook has stayed in my head these past several weeks. The blogger said,  “Manners and caring are so rare these days that acts of kindness are misunderstood and considered sexual advance in today’s world.”

Do you think that rings true?

Acts of Kindness

A car bumped me this past week in line at Taco Bell.  I got out of my vehicle to check the damage, which wasn’t anything that I could see. The driver of the other car refused to get out. She gripped her steering wheel with both hands and with a half smile, just starred. She could have at least rolled down her window to say, “Sorry, is everything okay?” I wish I had thought to take pictures of my bumper and of her with my iPhone. That might have generated some kind of reaction.

I have to admit that I’ve been the recipient of strange looks sometimes just for saying “Hello, how are you?” I can see it in the store clerks eyes; Beware, Crazy lady approaching. When did a common greeting and kindness become a reason for distrust? And why are people so scarred of engaging others in conversation? Maybe the statement made on Facebook does ring true in today’s world.

Chit-Chat and Hugging

Here in the Texas Panhandle, for the most part, manners and kindness still rule. Men really do hold doors open for ladies. Most of us chit-chat. A lot. We visit with each other while waiting in line at the grocery store. We visit about the weather in passing at the post office and chat to our waitress at lunch.

And we invade each others space. We hug hello, we hug goodbye, we hug not only relatives and close friends, in addition many of the people we have a working relationship with. Yeah, I know that sounds very awkward, but it’s really not, if you grew up that way. The hug I miss the most is a giant-all encircling hug that came from my Grandmother Williams. She really enjoyed talking to people and always welcomed everyone she knew with a sincere hug of warmth and love.

Hugging and chit chat: regional practices that can have the potential of creating huge conflict for your characters, and not just external. Consider the battles going on inside your character as well.

The What If of a Hug

Utilize the simple act of hugging to create conflict and awkwardness for your characters. It’s only one element of your story, but it can offer readers a glimpse into your characters personality. Here are a few story starters for you.

  1. What if a simple act of kindness is considered to be a sexual advance? How can your character explain his/her action and keep their job?
  2. An affectionate, life-loving southern woman dates a man who likes his space. Does her hugging and friendships with everyone in town create jealousy issues between them? How can he ever trust her? How can their relationship survive?
  3. She’s raised by a cold-distant mother, hard-working, absent father, and is sent to spend the summer with affectionate grandparents and a passel of cousins in small-town Texas.  She misinterprets a hug hello from the neighbor’s boy resulting in a first crush. How does that create conflict for them?
  4. What about the character that is accused of being extremely rude, but in her world she’s just extremely shy, detached and scarred of people?

It all starts with a hug. Happy writing!

Dialogue that Rings True

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Dialogue that Rings True

By Natalie Bright

 

I’m reading an excellent novel this week, however I find myself distracted from the story line because the dialogue between the male characters doesn’t ring true for me.

With two teenage boys and a husband, I know all about guy talk. Let me take that back, I try to understand the chatter around me but honestly, half the time I have no idea what’s so funny. Men don’t chit-chat the same way as women. In addition, teenagers have a whole lingo going that’s all of their own, which is very different from middle graders, for example.

Dialogue is important in moving your plot and story along, but it has to ring true for your character. It’s a distinct part of the character profile, as much as their motivation and personality.

Self-editing check list for dialogue:

1)   Read your work out loud, from beginning to end in one sitting, if possible (as recommended by Stephen King, ON WRITING). This really makes a difference in how you perceive the plot, character motivation, and if the dialogue stays true to moving the story along.

2)   Don’t take away the intensity of the scene on pleasantries: Hello, How are you? I’m doing fine today. What’s new? Get right to the heart of the matter between these characters. In business this is good manners. In fiction it’s just boring.

3)   Be careful about dating your manuscript with trendy jargon.

4)   “Writers who use tag lines other than “he said” or “she said” most often are young in the craft and are trying to spice up the text…the reader hardly notices the tag line at all; he quickly checks with a sidelong glance to determine, almost subliminally, which character is speaking and then leaps back into the story.” Writing Realistic Dialogue & Flash Fiction by Harvey Stanbrough. (This book would be an excellent addition to your writing reference library.)

Happy writing!

THE END. SO NOW WHAT?

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THE END.  SO NOW WHAT?

By Natalie Bright

 

That moment you type THE END. That point in time you push aside the story that’s been haunting your brain for months, even years. Breathe. Relax. Now what? How do you decide what to work on next?

Do you follow trends and start something new based on today’s markets? Do you rifle through the pages of your idea journal, hoping something will spark? (You DO have an idea journal, right?) Maybe you have more than one thing going at once, and you switch back and forth between several WIPs: novel, a short story, or a freelance nonfiction piece.

It’s a Weird Process: Let’s Move On

This past year is the first time I truly accepted the weirdness of having a writer’s brain. I jotted notes on everything that came to me right at that very moment. Blog topic, articles, short stories, a character, an unusual setting, a remarkable piece of history, even flashes of scenes in my current WIP – whatever it might become at a later point in time didn’t matter. I didn’t question the sparks. I jotted quick notes before the idea left my brain. Even as I write this, I’m realizing what an absolutely idiotic process this has become.

Ideas, character sparks, bits of dialogue, unique settings invade my brain at the worst possible times it seems. Does this happen to you?

Self-Doubt

Every single time, whether it’s an assigned article for an editor or a full-length novel, the moment I type THE END and tap send that horrible self-doubt and ugly self-editor raises a ruckus. This one piece of work may end my whole writing career, but never the less the only solution for me is to push aside the doubt, let the finished narrative sink or swim so that I can leap in to something new.

Regrets

Here’s the thing about ideas; I wish I had the ones back that I ignored. They’re gone. I can’t remember them no matter how many times I’ve thought to myself, “That’s a good idea. I’ll remember that.” I didn’t. You won’t either.

Don’t be afraid to accept the weirdness that is writing. Value it. Emmerse yourself whole-heartedly into the process. I share this because I know many writers who don’t. They talk endlessly about the stories in their head, but to actually put those visions into words takes courage beyond their grasp.

Give yourself permission to write. Compose whatever burns a hole in your gut, even if it makes no sense as to the WHY. Stop ignoring your sparks of genius. And write.

I want to be a Writer. What Does it Take?

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I want to be a Writer. What Does it Take?

By Natalie Bright

Being a successful writer takes:

1)    Talent

2)    Perseverance

3)    Luck

And if you have any two of those three things, you’ll make it. Having all three at some point in your career is even better.  JODI THOMAS

This industry moves too slow. I want my books out there NOW so everyone can read them and then I’ll make a lot of money selling e-Books.

1)    A good writer can’t be just writing for money and expect to make it. You gotta be a writer first.

2)    And, knowing what business you’re in.

These two things go together. You gotta put those two things together, if you have any hope at having success at this thing.  JAMES SCOTT BELL via YouTube

The publishing business is too confusing. I just want to write my stories.

There’s no mystique about the writing business, although many people consider me blasphemous when I say that. …to create something you want to sell, you first study and research the market, then you develop the product to the best of your ability.  CLIVE CUSSLER

I don’t have time to learn the business and write and promote my book too because of my job and my family. There’s not enough hours in the day.

“Being goal-oriented instead of self-oriented is crucial. I know so many people who want to be writers. But let me tell you, they really don’t want to be writers. They want to have been writers. They wish they had a book in print. They don’t want to go through the work of getting the damn book out. There is a huge difference.”  JAMES MICHENER

I want to be a successful, published author. It’s a dream of mine. I’ll finish my book someday, when I have more time.

“If it’s important to you, and it’s something you really want, you’ll find the time and it’s up to you to make them understand.”  JODI THOMAS

Happy Writing!

PINTEREST Inspired

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PINTEREST Inspired

By Natalie Bright

 

Have you discovered Pinterest.com?

It began as a sight to assist brides-to-be with wedding planning, evolving into so much more. Boards, which can be described as your own personal bulletin board or scrapbook,  are set-up by you, and these boards can be used to store images of anything that interests or inspires you. Your pins can be shared on your Twitter or Facebook page as well, or you can opt out of that tool.

Estimated to have around 11 millions unique visitors every month, it has quickly become an influence in eCommerce.

Authors on Pinterest 

Pinterest is a useful tool for authors to promote, organize and find inspiration for stories. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Your booklist: pin covers of your books.
  2. Your inspiration: pin the inspiration, faces, places, research for each of your books. Have a separate board for each of your book titles. Give your readers a glimpse into the creative process.
  3. Faces: celebrities, ordinary people, whatever inspires images of your characters.
  4. Research: categorize by time period or topic
  5. Rooms: can’t visualize a scene in your novel? Find the house or room and pin it.
  6. Places: find pictures of settings in your book.
  7. Contests
  8. Favorite Books: what are you reading now? Let your fans know.
  9. Clothing: wardrobes for your characters.
  10. Profile your character: personal articles, hobbies, treasured mementoes.Secret Boards

Okay I admit, Pinterest has become another fun way of wasting time instead of writing, and I admit I’m hooked, but now I really, really love Pinterest even more because of secret boards! You are the only one that can see the content of your Secret Boards. In addition, you can invite anyone you want to view these boards. One of my favorite authors mentioned in an interview that she added her agent and editor to her Secret Boards as she developed a new series and as they worked on edits. They were able to exchange inspiration, ideas and work through plot issues without exchanging a zillion emails.

Two stories are floating around in my head right now set in completely different time periods. I’ve got secret boards for each containing clothing, household items, rooms, settings, hairstyles of the time period, research links to websites, music recordings, videos, and book covers of potential research material. I’m not ready to share my ideas to the world yet. The characters and their stories are really coming alive in my mind’s eye as I research the time period. Another bonus I recently discovered is that viewing the WIP Pinterest Secret board allows me to leave the present world behind more quickly and disappear into that time period. It energizes me and puts me in the mood to write.

One More Thing

Have you found your favorite authors on Pinterest yet? Type their name into the Search bar and look for the name next to their picture. Then you know you’ve found their Home Page rather than something someone else has pinned about them.

Pin Away and Happy Writing!

Book Promotion Analysis

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Book Promotion Analysis

By Natalie Bright

If you don’t tell anyone about your book, there’s no way they can read it. It’s a basic concept, yet crucial, and with social media at your fingertips the opportunity to tell everyone about your story is endless.

In Your Face

In my opinion, it’s not an opportunity for you to hammer Facebook friends and Twitter followers with constant barrage of “buy my book”. I’ve had to unfollow several authors who take this to the excess. I’m following you as a novelist because I’m interested in YOU as well as your books. Where did your idea come from, your writing process, your hobbies, the weather where you live, places you’ve been to research stories? However, a pic of your recent surgical procedure and wound is definitely TMI. Please don’t over share. What information do you think crosses the boundaries?

Some authors feel more comfortable in keeping a low profile online. I’m always surprised when I discover a great book, but can’t find a website for the author. On the other hand, one author explained that she feels her readers are interested in not only her books, but her personal world as a writer and person. She friends and follows everyone. Two schools of thought; which one do you prefer?

Analytics

Several weeks ago, I blogged about target markets. There are so many amazing tools and apps through a multitude of social media sights enabling you to pinpoint people based on their interests, purchases, careers, etc. I receive several eNewsletters every week on the subject. It truly is mind boggling. Rather than spend a lot of time analyzing and targeting, much the same way that I feel about learning WordPress, I’ve taken a different route. I don’t want to learn how to build a website or graph a bar chart or profile my facebook friends based on their socio economic status. I just want to write. For me, promotion is an ongoing process via a myriad of social media outlets.

Keeping it Simple

One piece of advice about promotion came from Debbie Macomber, and has stuck in my mind for many years. When speaking at a writing conference in Amarillo, she highly recommended that every author add this book to their reference library, 1001 Ways to Market Your Books by John Kremer. Ms. Macomber also advised us to take one piece of advice from this book to heart and never forget: do one thing every day to promote yourself as a professional author, your work, or the industry of books and reading.

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Just One Thing

Writing this blog is my one thing, along with promoting another author’s book about marketing in said blog. That’s two things. I guess I’m done for the day. Now back to writing!

What are you using to target readers for your books? How are you spreading the word? Do you think some authors go overboard with the sales pitching?

Happy writing!

nataliebright.com

Fictional Characters with Family Traditions

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Fictional Characters  with Family Traditions

By Natalie Bright

As you develop your characters and identify their quirks and traits, consider their past family experiences and traditions. These incidents shape their personality and can add depth to your story.

Holiday traditions can leave heartfelt memories or tormenting heartache. Is this something that can play into your characters motivations, or become a component of your plot?

Dig Deep and Draw From the Things You Know

Holidays always make me think of my grandparents. I never realized how much I would treasure those memories. For my mother’s family, it was a bustling affaire of preparing the meal, watching football, and opening gifts with cousins. My grandmother planned the menu months in advance, and my aunts and mom arrived early to help.

My in-laws, on the other hand, arrive right at the appointed meal time and leave shortly thereafter. Plans are made at the last minute. The holiday with them seems strange and awkward, leaving me feeling that something is missing. After 28 years of marriage I’m still not used to their way of doing things. The experience only makes me miss the holidays of my childhood even more. So does that past memory affect my attitude? Of course, it does.

What about you and your memories? How can past experiences create tension, either external or internal, for your characters? These past memories might cause resentment, deep depression, intense joy, or a myriad of emotion.

A Past Life

Think about creating a past for your character. Where did their parents come from? How did their parents meet? Where did their grandparents live? Did they even know their grandparents? If not, why?  Maybe the main characters’ mother wasn’t welcome in her family home, and what if your character has to know why. This might not be your primary plot, but it could be a component of your character’s make-up and motivation as to why he/she acts they way they do. You see where I’m going. The possibilities are endless. You may not use even a fourth of this information in your story, but you need to know these details about your main characters and major villain.

You’re on a roll now, so keep going. Childhood experiences? Most frightening time? Most embarrassing time? Childhood friends? Worst enemy? Favorite uncle? Hated aunt? What about that evil sister-in-law who joins a cult and becomes dependent on pain killers? Self-centered brother-in-law? Famous cousin? Wealthy grandfather? How do these people influence your character’s moral fiber?

Write On My Friends!

2013 was a great year. Goals were realized, I garnered a few thrilling publishing credits, and received several devastating rejection notices which means my work is getting out there. I leave you with the most inspiring message for me, one that I heard repeated many times during 2013: keep writing. Finish. Submit.

Thanks for following Wordsmith Six.

nataliebright.com