The difference between a character's need and a character's goal.

Other writers and teachers may differ, but this how I explain it. A need is an internal, emotional driving force for a character, inherent to who they are. A goal is a short term, outward objective that drives the action, and in best of stories, is linked tightly to the character’s inner need. A character “need” is something that is part of who the character is in life – the thing that defines their purpose. Even when I study my family and friends, I can see how all their decisions are driven by that need, and through that filter. It’s not necessarily the only filter, but as an individual, there is usually a very strong one for each of us. In my last…Read More

5 Tips to Write a More Compelling and Memorable Character Are you wondering why your character is not quite standing on her own or driving the plot forward? Have a look at these quick writing tips to see if you can revitalize a weak character and give him or her something worth fighting for! Give them a human need that they require above all things to be happy in life. This might be something like having a purpose or being completely free to do as they want. Perhaps it’s acceptance, belonging, or knowing they are respected or honored. Sometimes it is to protect, or serve justice, or know the truth. Rarely is someone’s ultimate need to be loved. But it might…Read More

Advice and Thoughts from a Modern Renaissance Woman.

The new cover of Vogue brings us Angelina Jolie Pitt, the internationally renown mom-actor-activist and more. Since I love recognizing creativity and hard work – and especially the efforts of women – here is a quick little blog of my five favorite Angelina quotes. Make bold choices and make mistakes. It’s all those things that add up to the person you become. I have so much in my life. I want to be of value to the world. The great thing about having a bunch of kids is they just remind you that you’re the person who takes them to go poop! That’s who you are! Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take…Read More

What’s not to love about a feisty, red-lipped, red-haired poet sporting a new pair of dancing shoes? Nothing, I say! Especially when she is as financially successful as Edna St. Vincent Millay. I first discovered Edna St. Vincent Millay in a collection of poetry that had her famous poem “Renascence”, a poem she finished when she was 20. It has remained one of my favorites and enticed me to explore more of her work when I was also in my twenties, but I didn’t enjoy her other work quite as much. Edna, called Vincent by her family, was a child of divorce and was raised by her mom. Encouraged to explore the arts, she managed to learn six languages, and study theater and…Read More

When I first read The Color Purple, it pained me emotionally. I didn’t think I would get through it but I could stop reading. The opening, the lives of black women, and the abuse and torture that the characters endured seemed impossible to overcome. Reading it, I understand why Alice Walker once said, “The black woman is one of America’s greatest heroes.” But if ever there was a heroine you cheered for, it was Celie. And when she loved, and hoped, and finally achieved – it was righteous! The reunion at the end of The Color Purple still makes me tear up. In addition to being a writer of poetry, novels, non-fiction, short stories and essays, Alice Walker is known…Read More

When I first purchased these books by Virginia Woolf, it was with the thought that if I’m to be a writer I must read books of other great writers. Thus, Virginia Woolf. A Room of One’s Own and Orlando are more like essays, manifestos or feminist testaments, cleverly written to convey her point with a sharp, satirical and sometime frustrated or angry humor – for which I don’t blame her a bit! I imagine they were greeted with a certain amount of controversy at the time. Virginia was home schooled by her literary father and grew up meeting other literary icons such as Henry James and Julia Margaret Cameron. She later became part of her own literary and artistic circle…Read More

Jocelyn Esperanza Albrecht: Optimistic Orphan, black swan, top secret experiment – she can biotransmit enough energy to kill a person, but would she?   Seth: Social outcast, smooth-talking survivor, and a new experiment at Camp Holliwell   Georgie: High school senior, super sleuth, and crusader for justice   Graeme: Software engineer, softhearted protector, and tenacious truth-seeker   Brittany: Georgie’s best friend, expert in snark, and sustainable fashion designer   Alastair: Georgie’s cousin, former Army Ranger, and general badass   Lena: Computer scientist, passionate cryptologist, and pie connoisseur

It’s the season of good spirits and when throwing a party, you don’t want to be the one to kill the party spirit when little accidents happen. The fabulous hostess never lets anything throw her tiara askew. Don’t panic over spills, expect them and be ready! The Mental Warm-Up The first way to prepare for those little mishaps is to mentally be okay with spills and have the right words available should an accident occur. Some options might be, “Great choice! It makes that carpet look so much better!” or “This old dress has had more spots than a leopard with chicken pox.”  A little out there, but the goal is to distract the guest from their personal horror and possibly yours….Read More

It’s the season to be jolly and this time the party is at your place. You’ve taken care of the music, lighting and décor, so now you can focus on your guests. Sometimes, there is no accounting for chemistry at a party, but there are things you can do to help it along. Set Up for Mixing The food and drinks should be set up, but think about separating them to encourage movement and trafficking of your guests. Keep both away from the patio or fresh air locations as that is usually another bottleneck when more guests arrive, drink, and heat up the place. Be Gracious and Welcoming Inevitably friends or family are going to bring dates or additional friends that you…Read More

When I was asked to write the Story of My Family at a retreat, there were many ways to approach it. For whatever reason on that day, I didn’t think of my country or ethnicity or the many anecdotes that now have become family legend. The two words that popped into my head were Honor and Service. I could likely write a book on each, and I’m sure others have. For me, in that moment, they were the words that immediately made me think of my parents. And when I think heritage, I think of those things that I want to pass on to my children, nieces, nephews, etc. I suspect Honor and Service is the heritage of many families…Read More