Category Archives: Natalie Bright

For the Love of History

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Middle Grade Mondays

 For the Love of History

by Natalie Bright

If you love history, a fictional story in an historical setting might be something you’d like to tackle. Historical fiction is a time-consuming, massive undertaking. Not only do you need the common elements of story craft, you also need a basic knowledge of the time period. Your details must be accurate or you will get snippy feedback from passionate readers (ask any historical author about the letters and emails they’ve received).

Research-Write Process

Authors confront the research portion of their stories in several different ways. Based on questions to some of my favorite historical writers, here are a few of the processes I’ve learned about.

1) Research the heck out of it first, then power through and write the first draft. Do. Not. Stop. Verification of facts, sensory building, characterization, etc., is done during the editing process.

2) Start with minimal research, character profiles, and develop a basic plot outline. Write, stopping to inquire about specific details as you write. This would be akin to one step forward, three steps back form of world building. By the time you get to the end, you have a fairly polished novel.

3) Total and complete emersion into the time period. You consciously and subconsciously step back into that era.. While you write, you’re developing character profiles, plot elements, intricate details about life, and researching the time period. In your spare time, if not writing, you can rent movies on that time period and read nonfiction books.

Its In the Details

It’s the subtle details about everyday life that brings historical fiction alive for me.  Everything must be true to that time period. For example, in my middle grade western, the heroine’s mother told the town’s sheriff to “give me a call.” When I heard those words as I read them out loud to my critique group, I felt like such an idiot. The only way the Sheriff could have “called” in 1885 is through a mega phone.  Oh wait, were mega phones even invented by 1885? (See what I mean. As if writers aren’t already crazy enough.)

Beware of those every day, subtle details. They’ll sneak up on you. I believe people who lived in other centuries had the same desires, dreams, aggravations that people do today, but their day-to-day realities are not the same as ours.

Timeline

One element that is critical when writing historical fiction regardless of the process you use, is a timeline.  This can be developed on your computer in a spreadsheet fashion, they can be found online on numerous history sites, or you can make your own with dry eraser board or butcher paper to be taped to your wall for easy reference.

1) Time of day and days of the week specific to your characters as your plot progresses.

2) Print a timeline from a credible website with major events. You might want to thread these events through your plot line. Is your character directly a part of that event?

3) A timeline specific to your setting and a plat or map. What’s going on in the fictional town where your character lives and how is it affected by actual events of the time?

Have you discovered a process that I haven’t mentioned?

What process works best for you?

www.nataliebright.com

 

Ignoring the Spark

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Middle Grade Mondays

Ignoring the Spark

By Natalie Bright

How does a spark of a story begin for you? Does it start with a place, an overheard conversation, or a strong plot idea?

Probably the most asked questions to all authors, is where do ideas come from? And the answer is everywhere, anytime, and at the most inconvenient places. For me, it’s usually begins with a larger than life character.

Consider the Story

I’ve been researching the Texas Fort period of 1860’s for several years. The years 1860 has been identified as the “bloodiest year in Texas history.” The western frontier of Texas was a clashing of cultures with the fiercely independent Texans, cattle ranchers, Mexican traders and sheepherders, railroaders, plantation owners and the fiercely proud Comanche.

The two main characters are clear in my mind, their mission and obstacles are in there somewhere, and I even know the ending. Time to lay down the first draft during November for NANO, however there are still so many historical details unanswered. I decided to forge ahead and save fact checking for later.

Brain Overload

And then the most horrible thing ever happened. A new character popped into my brain. A young lady from colonial times sashayed through my head and now, refuses to shut up. To appease her, I went to Amazon and ordered a few books on the time period. Scenes from her story started interrupting the flow during the time I was writing the above mentioned story. Fine. I stopped writing about forts and started a notebook for plot ideas and research notes.

Now What?

My family thinks I’m a total basket case, so I’ve learned to not say much about what’s going on in my head. It’s an absolute mess in there. So now what? Do you power through the work in progress and ignore the new spark? I’m afraid if I do, the colonial girl will be lost from me forever. And consequently, the fort story seems to have faded as well.

In the words of a Native American saying: Certain things catch your eye, But pursue only those that capture your heart.

Page 1, Chapter 1…

 

For the Love of Horses

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Middle Grade Mondays

For the Love of Horses

by Natalie Bright

I love horses, and they rarely even tolerate me.

Horses are hyper-sensitive to everything and everyone around them. They are super-smart, skittish, mystical, magical, and they like things calm. If they have a job to do, they want to do it. They are not fond of dallying around on something that doesn’t make sense to them.

Eating Dirt

Every summer as a kid, I’d visit my cousins and the first thing my dad would say before he left, “do not get on a horse.” Of course we did on occasion. Just so you know, if you’re riding along and you laugh really loud at something your cousin said, you’re eating dirt quicker than you can spit. It happens that fast.

So I learned early on that I’m loud and hyper and spastic and horses do not roll with that kind of person. I also discovered that horses have personalities.

Personality Plus

Many years ago, a friend gave me a tour of his stable and introduced me to all of his horses. He explained how their names are unique to their personalities and physical traits. I feel in love with those beautiful animals, never imagining that I’d write middle grade books where these animals would need to play an important role in the plot.

As a ranch owner, I’ve discovered that ranch horses are highly trained, cowboys are very passionate about what they do, and they have the ability to talk horse all day long. And although I wished to have a horse more than anything when I was younger, I’ve never really had a special connection with these majestic creatures.

Writing the West

As a western writer, there’s no doubt that horses have to be a part of my stories. The challenge is in giving them a personality. I want them to be more than just livestock or  a part of the setting. I want them to be larger than life characters with humorous traits and behavior habits.  I rely on all of you horse people to tell me why you love these amazing animals so much.

Cheers to horses, and thanks to those of you have shared your experiences.

Keep them coming!

www.nataliebright.com

Steven James Keynote on Characters

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Middle grade Monday 

Steven James Keynote on Characters

OWFI Session, 5 May 2012

by Natalie Bright

The keynote speaker for the Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc 2012 meeting was Steven James.  Following is a list on his observations regarding character development:

*  Your main character is a putty person. They change shape as a result of the struggle of the story, and as the story transforms, the character emerges always different

* One moment can pivot your entire book; heroes don’t back down

* Every verb you choose shows status for your character

* Raising the stakes of the antagonist also raises status of MC

* Develop characterization using internal dialogue, show sarcasm by thoughts, not words, posture, body language.

*Main Characters always have self control.

*Give your main character what he wants the most, then snatch it away.  Or,

dangle what they want the most in front of them and never let them have it.

* Main characters must interact with every sub-character; don’t waste characters. For every minor character in your book, the MC has attitude, history, intention

* Your #1 Goal as a writer:  always give the reader what he wants or something better!

Why do You Write? – Keeping the Big Picture in Sight

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Middle Grade Monday

Why do You Write?

Keeping the Big Picture in Sight

By Natalie Bright

So, why do you write?

I don’t mean the reasons that we hear most people repeat: they want an agent to get a big publisher for a big book deal and a big movie deal so they’ll make major bucks and then retire to their massive beach front property. I honestly don’t believe that’s motivation enough to put oneself through the endless torture of trying to write. It’s the hardest work I’ve ever done in my life.

What about the gutt-wrenching, down in your soul reason you’ve never told anyone, ever. If everything suddenly went to ePublishing and all books were free and there was no way whatsoever that you could ever make money writing, would you still write? I’d like to think that most of you would, because you haven’t lost sight of the big picture.

The Big Picture: Story, Story, Story

Story is the reason. It’s the oldest form of human entertainment. Down through the ages, “tell me a story” has brought countless generations together. From the time we were youngsters, we remember stories that spoke to us and left their imprint in our brains or hearts. Agents, editors, publishers, book packagers, book stores, book buyers  and now the ePublishing world all gravitate around a need for quality work. It’s all about story.

Who Holds the Key

Writers are the key to this process. The successful writers I know are continuously learning and improving upon the craft, and they have a zillion ideas in their head, just not enough hours in the day.

Falling in Love with Your Work

It saddens me to meet writers who have lost sight of the big picture. They have talent, amazing ideas that I’d be thrilled to see as a book, and they are very capable, yet they’ve very much attached to their work and remain steadfast to argue and justify instead of moving forward.

I understand that you may not agree with others opinions. That’s okay. In the end, remember that it’s your work and you can write it however you want. I’ve discovered that most writers and editors and agents tend to be very generous people. They enjoy helping others reach their dreams.

When someone says “I have this story”, my first instinct is elation. I want to grab it up, I want to read your story, I want to love your work, and I want to help you make it better. People who work in publishing have never lost sight of the big picture and know that there’s always a better word or phrase. There’s always a better way to tell the tale.

So Why Be Snarky?

Here’s a thought; don’t submit your story to a critique group, editors or agents if you don’t want to know what’s wrong. Don’t waste other people’s time by asking for advice that you never have any intention of following. It’s okay to be completely and absolutely in love with your work. Treasure it, keep it safe in a beautifully padded box, but don’t make copies and don’t ask me to read it.

Honest opinions are golden in this business, so why do writers waste their creative energy fuming and fussing over opinions when they’ve solicited said opinions? Let me repeat, in the end, it’s your work and you can write it however you want.

Listen, Learn, Find the Magic

For me, once I was able to really hear the feedback without argument and move past the fear of chopping off the fish head or rewriting parts that didn’t fit, then I understood even more about the writing process.

The story will take over and empower you and you’ll know why you write.

My hope is that you’ll realize you write because you want your story to be the best that it can be, and it will entertain, teach, touch a heart, or make a life-long impression on a reader. And you’ll know when it’s ready.

In short, the big picture of this maddening process:  you write because there’s a story burning deep in the core of your being, and no one can tell it like you.

www.nataliebright.com

A Writer Writes

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Middle Grade Mondays

A Writer Writes

Burn the Candle at Both Ends if You Have To

By Natalie Bright

NYTimes and USA Today bestselling novelist and author of 37 books spoke at the Frontiers in Writing dinner in Amarillo this past summer, an event sponsored by Panhandle Professional Writers.

Jodi Thomas [www.jodithomas.com] talked about the changing landscape of writing. “I started a career as a home economics teacher, thinking that there would always be a need for Home Ec Teachers. Then I turned to writing. The first book I tackled was an historical novel, thinking that there would always be a fan base for that genre.”

Today she finds herself in the middle of fulfilling a contract for a contemporary series taking place in her fictitious Texas town of Harmony.  What started out as a trilogy has turned into at least a seven book series, and possibly eleven.

Today’s changing landscape of the publishing industry offers many opportunities for writers and it all boils down to a writer writes. She encouraged us to treat writing like we would any other job. Set a schedule, make and meet daily writing goals, don’t complain that your family doesn’t understand. Jodi said, “If it’s important to you, then it’s your job to make them understand.”

Today’s changing marketplace is one of the best times to be a writer. The markets are exploding and the demand for creative people has never been greater. “Set your own time to write and burn the candle at both ends.” Jodi told us.  “For some of us we’re not running away from life by writing—we’re running towards it. Do what you love even if it’s not going to be easy.”

She left us with a verse from a poem by Edna Vincent Millay:

My candle burns at both ends

It will not last the night

But oh my foes and oh my friends

It gives a lovely light

 Natalie Bright

www.nataliebright.com

MORE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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Middle Grade Mondays

MORE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

By Natalie Bright

At this year’s Oklahoma Writer’s Federation conference in Oklahoma City, I attended a very informative session by C.Hope Clark, blogger and author.

RECOGNIZING OPPORTUNITY

C. Hope Clark [fundsforwriters.com] encouraged us to take advantage of all opportunities. As a writer, you may want to establish brands in various venues. She said, “Become a person who is reachable; become a personality.” Her fundsforwriters blog has around 43,000 weekly visitors, which was not her first goal. She began with the idea of writing mystery novels, and by being receptive to the opportunities around her, she successfully developed an invaluable and popular resource for writers.

POLITCIS AND RELIGION

Social media reaches a world wide audience. If you’re an active blogger and tweeter, most likely you have followers from all socio backgrounds and everyone these days has a political opinion. Besides political leanings, more than likely, you have readers who are atheists, wiccans, Baptists, Methodists, and Catholics. As a personality, trying to sell your book to as many readers as possible, why would you want to offend anyone?

Clark does not want to offend anyone, politics and religion are prohibited topics on her blogs, and any controversial comments are deleted.

BIG, BAD and BOLD

On the other side of the issues, you may want the attention. Clark noted that if you do want to be deluged with controversial comments and the arguments don’t bother you, then you should declare your position loudly. If you’re going to say it, say it loud, say it bad, and say it bold. And don’t be offended at the results.

PASSIONATE ABOUT PLATFORM

Clark reiterated the need for consistency when using social media. The most important place to start is:

  1. blog
  2. twitter

The second next most important thing you can do is to include your full name in comments on other people’s blog. Remember why we’re doing this in the first place; “don’t rush the book”, she said. As we’re writing the best possible book ever, we can be quietly and consistently building our platform.

Ms. Clark said, “Don’t just be a writer like every other person that’s out there. Recognize opportunity when it knocks on the door.”

Natalie Bright

www.nataliebright.com

GOOD NEWS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA

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Middle Grade Mondays

GOOD NEWS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA

By Natalie Bright

The Oklahoma Writer’s Federation Inc [owfi.org] sponsors a conference the first weekend of May every year, offering informative sessions for writers of all levels. Around 300+ people attended the conference in Oklahoma City this year. They also offered a contest with opportunity for cash prizes and helpful critiques.

My middle grade western took 2nd Place in this year’s OWFI Contest! The aggravating news is that I had a typo. On my manuscript I had the date 1887 and on my synopsis I had 1897. How many times did I read over that submission? It doesn’t matter how many times, obviously it wasn’t enough times.

The sessions were excellent and as always, I come back home armed with something new about story craft and inspired to work.

Update on SOCIAL MEDIA

The social media panel at OWFI 2012 this year included C. Hope Clark, Jan Nipps, Lela Davidson, and Adrian Carenza with a wonderful job moderating done by Amy Shojai.  Each of these writers have impressive numbers of blog fans and they shared some interesting, insightful facts about social media.

The most amazing aspect about social media, as pointed out by Clark, is that ten years ago authors didn’t have this medium to promote their work.  All agreed that it’s an exciting time to be a writer.

General Rule

The main misconception is clarified; it’s not about “me, me, me”.

The general rule is to use 1/3 of your posts on links to interesting articles, blogs, or things you’ve discovered (these can be automated), 1/3 can be retweets, as in do unto others and help them with promotion of their books or blogs, and 1/3 should be real-time conversation. Sprinkled within that mix would be posts about you and your work. The reader wants a “take-away”. Don’t waste a reader’s time with what’s in your crock-pot unless you include the recipe.

Sure, social media offers amazing and low cost opportunities to promote yourself and your work, but you don’t want to bash in everyone’s head with a hard sell of you. Be gentle, be kind, be aware of what you’re putting out there for potentially millions of people to see, FOREVER.

How to Offend

Each of the panelists were adamant on one point: they do not talk politics or religion. Everyone has an opinion today, and some topics definitely push people’s buttons and emotions run very high.

As authors, we’re trying to sell a body of work and create a fan base. We hope that people will buy our books or read our articles again and again for many years to come. In the world wide access of social media, you might have followers that are atheists, Wiccans, Baptists and you probably have followers that side with the Left, or the Right, or feel neutral on anything relating to politics.  Why would you want to create negative or hurtful feelings in your potential readers? Why would you want to offend anyone?

The exception would be if you have a political or religious blog. Then yes, you want to push buttons. You want to have those heated discussions with people who feel strongly enough to post comments.  Use your best judgment and consider that the ideal place to air your opinions for sensitive topics may not be your blog or Facebook or through snarky Tweets.

Design It for Your Target Audience

Design your social media promotion efforts based on your interests. Of note, Pinterest has become the second highest referral after Google and topped Twitter for outgoing links. All panelists agreed that at the very minimum you should start with a blog and twitter, but be consistent. The second best way to get involved is to leave intelligent comments on other people’s blog and leave your name in the comments.

Think about using Goodreads to connect with readers who enjoy the same genre you do. As an author, you can set-up boards on Pinterest to showcase your book covers, pictures of hobbies, and locations of settings relating to scenes in  your book.

THE BOOK OF THE FUTURE

I think the best comment came from Lela Davidson [leladavisdon.com], who reminded us that in today’s publishing environment having a book is not the be all, end all of a writing career, because who knows what the “book” is going to be in the future. A writing career today encompasses so much more. She encouraged us to be receptive to all forms of social media and pointed out that a directed, planned approach is the most effective in the long term.

It’s All Good

Authors were never able to reach the numbers of people we can today. Take advantage of all opportunities and become a person who is reachable. Know your target audience and connect with the people who will want to buy your books.

Natalie Bright

http://www.nataliebright.com

Brainstorm for Critique Groups

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Middle Grade Mondays

Brainstorm for Critique Groups

By Natalie Bright

Are you stuck in the middle of your story and can’t decide where to go next? Unsure about your character’s motivation? Maybe you need some spin off ideas from your finished novel to move on to your next WIP.

Organize a brainstorming session at your next writers critique group.

This is a tool often used by business managers. When I worked as a human resources director, part of my job was to plan employee events. I’d invite a few people from each department and we’d brainstorm ideas for the coming year. Everyone could speak out and make suggestions based on the first thing that came to mind and I’d take notes. In no time I had a list of ideas for places, events, and possible dates. Writers can utilize this tool as well.

A list of edits from my super agent included the need for one more episode before the climatic scene near the end. I had a solid story arc, but it needed work and I needed one more intense scene for the main character. My writers group was very familiar with the story and characters, which by the way, is reason to find compatible critique partners and stay with them. Their input is so much more intuitive when they’re familiar with your complete body of work.

I prepared a chapter grid for my group as follows, which I’ve listed headings and one example.

Chapter # and  Locations  Day # and time of day Main event or scene(s)
Chapter 1, Main StreetHotel lobby June 20, 1887 / high noon TrialVerdict is guilty

With a red dry erase marker in hand, I listed the two ideas from my agent first. This gets the creative juices flowing in the group. I asked for ideas of a scene before the climatic scene, and told them to speak out no matter how crazy. The thing about brainstorming is that creativity begets creativity. One person’s idea will trigger an idea for you, and so on. In a short time, I had a white board full of possibilities which seemed amazing since I’d spent an entire week worrying and pondering over what to do.

When I started writing, I discovered several of their ideas combined into one scene. I had to add a few elements early on in the story to tie it all together. The whole process turned out to be fairly painless.

My current work in progress is set in 1887 Texas featuring a wonderfully spirited eleven year old named Silver Belle. I’m so excited to think that she might be on the bookstore shelves one day.

And thank you awesome wordsmithsix partners. Lucky me for being a part of such a creative and inspirational group!

http://www.nataliebright.com

Libraries and Librarians

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Libraries and Librarians

By Natalie Bright

The local library in my small hometown will always be a special place for me. Located on the same block, and just around the corner from the laundry mat, I spent most Saturdays there. While my mother did our weekly wash, I hung out with crazy characters and visited places I’ll never forget.

Just inside the door and to the left were several comfy chairs and a low coffee table. It was in this spot I studied the cover of the newest Highlights for Children magazine, always the first order of business. I loved the detailed, busy covers of the colorful artwork. Then I read a new story each week until the next month.

The librarian usually had a stack of books ready and waiting for me. Even though I was very young, our hometown librarian never limited me to a certain section. I could check out anything I wanted. With a simple smile and a cheerful “Good morning. I think you’ll enjoy this.” she handed me something new. The feel, the smell of the pages, filled me with anticipation, and I couldn’t wait until I could hide into the new story.

One of the happiest days for my mother, when she got a new washer and dryer, was one of the saddest for me. I realized we wouldn’t be going to laundry mat on Saturday.

www.nataliebright.com

Natalie Bright