Workshop Transcript
Building Believable Characters
with Miriam Hees
Workshop Transcript
Building Believable Characters
with Miriam Hees
Close Window to Return*** Verla has set the topic on channel #Kidlit to Building Believable Characters
whatie: The workshop starts in 15 minutes!
whatie rushes to get ready
Verla puts out some more chairs...
And adjusts the microphone on the podium
Verla: tap tap tap
Verla: TAP TAP TAP
whatie: verla: oooooooowwwwwwww :)
NOTE: :) = A SMILEY FACE
Verla: Good. It's working.
*** Miriam_ has joined channel #Kidlit
Miriam_: good evening
Dani25: Hi, Miriam. Okay, class settle down
Shirley_D: Hi Miriam.
_Enchanted: Hi, Miriam
Miriam_: this is going to be so much fun!
Verla: The podium is set up and the microphone is turned on, miriam.
Miriam_: thanks
Verla: I set up extra chairs in the back
Verla jumps into the first row and saves a seat for lyra. HERE, lyra. By ME!
whatie: who wants to sit by me? :)
_Lyra: Okay, Verla...I got the seat!
Dani25: I'll sit by you
whatie: yay!
whatie sits next to dani
Verla: get up here, whatie...come on enchanted and dani and shirley
Shirley_D: sure whatie, I'll sit by you.
Dani25: Can I copy your notes?:-)
Verla: lets fill up the front row first!
Verla: You can copy mine, dani. I take lots of notes.
Miriam_: who's sitting next to me?
Verla: NO one, miriam. You are the SPEAKER
whatie moves next to verla and puts dani next to me :)
Miriam_: shake!!!
Verla: No shaking, miriam.
Miriam_: ok
Verla: Are you about ready to start?
Miriam_: ready
Dani25: yes
Verla: We may have latecomers, but they will have to learn to be here on time or miss out on the beginning.
whatie pulls out pen and paper and covers her notes so dani can't see :)
Verla: We start on time. You may copy MY notes dani. This is not a test.
Dani25: Hmmph!:-)
_Lyra: Lyra sneaks a peak at Whatie's notes....How can you SAY that???
whatie: lyra: like this: THAT :)
*** Verla has set the topic on channel #Kidlit to Building Believable Characters Workshop in PROGRESS
Verla: Okay, Miriam. Go ahead and introduce yourself and let's start.
Miriam_: Thank you, Verla.
Miriam_: Hi. My name is Miriam Hees.
Miriam_: I write Middle Grade Fiction and am working on my first YA novel..
Verla: Whistle whistle STOMP STOMP STOMP!
_Lyra: yeah, Miriam!!
Miriam_: I have been writing for almost four years now.
Miriam_: Although I have two individual novels in progress, my main concentration is on two series.
Miriam_: My first series is a sister and brother adventure team (I have completed 5 novels in this series).
Miriam_: My second is a guardian angel series (I have completed 2 novels in this one).
Miriam_: I have an agent and my first series is being considered by 4 major publishing houses right now.
Miriam_: Ok, enough about me, let's jump in.
Miriam_: We are here this evening to build strong, believable characters together.
Miriam_: What I want to do is give you a brief outline of a story.
Verla: okay. then.....?
Miriam_: After that we are going to make it a GREAT story by building strong characters as a group.
Verla: Neat!
_Lyra: good plan, Miriam
Miriam_: If you printed out a copy of my character sheet, get that now, along with a blank sheet of paper.
Miriam_: If not, don't worry about it, just get two blank sheets of paper and a pen or pencil.
Miriam_: Ok, here's the story. Our title is "Hassle High". Put that on the top of your blank sheet.
Miriam_: We have a girl who is 12 about to turn 13.
Dani25: Got it
_Lyra: ok
Miriam_: She has just moved to a new state and a new school in the middle of 7th grade.
Miriam_: The girl notices right way groups, or clicks are already formed in this school.
Miriam_: Two groups catch her interest.
Miriam_: Group I: The Very Cool "in" group.
Miriam_: Unfortunately there is a conflict with the most popular girl in this group.
Miriam_: Group II: The Very Nice, but "not so cool" group.
Miriam_: Our story here is "Fitting In".
Miriam_: You may ask how we can write a whole book on this girl's struggle to fit in.
Miriam_: After listening to my teenager and her friends talk non-stop in the back seat of the car, I know we can.
Verla: Ha! You can spend your whole LIFE as a teenager, trying to "fit in"
Miriam_: Ok, that's our sketch of the story. Now let's get some characters going.
_Lyra: ready, set...
Miriam_: I just want to say one thing before we start to write this together.
Miriam_: To me, a writer should know their characters so personally that if they cry, you are sad.
Verla leans forward and plugs in her hearing aide
Verla: ah.....
Miriam_: If they are excited, you are happy for them. You ARE them.
Miriam_: Ok, everyone have their blank sheet of paper?
Dani25: yep
_Lyra: yup
Miriam_: On the very top draw a box and label it "Main Character".
Delta-: Yes.
Miriam_: Now, halfway down the page, and on the left hand side draw two smaller boxes.
Miriam_: Label them "Group I".
Verla: Clarabell Rose
Miriam_: These are your secondary characters.
Miriam_: One is a girl who has an attitude problem.
Miriam_: The other a boy that is nice but shy.
Miriam_: Still in the middle of the page, but on the right hand side draw one small box.
Miriam_: Label it "Group II".
Miriam_: This character is a girl. Very nice and friendly.
Miriam_: Under those boxes we can have minor characters, but we won't go those right now.
Miriam_: Let's start at the top. Our Main Character is a girl (We will name her after we know her).
Verla: I pick Clarabell Rose
Verla: She FEELS like a shy person to me...
Miriam_: Very quickly let's do her superficial traits (Remember to write these down on your character sheet.).
Miriam_: or your other blank piece of paper
hollyj: are we making them up?
Miriam_: yes we are now holly
Verla: Main character is shy
Miriam_: Very quickly let's do her superficial traits (Remember to write these down on your character sheet.).
Verla: she is not pushy
Miriam_: This is your signal to jump in as I call them out.
Miriam_: I'll take the first response on this one so we can move quickly to the more important traits.
Miriam_: Hair someone
Verla: She hates cokes
Suzy-Q: brown, stringy
Dani25: curly
Miriam_: brown
Verla: curly brown...
Miriam_: curly
Dani25: wild
ClaraRose: green eyes
Miriam_: write that down
Verla: yeah. shoulderlength
Suzy-Q: shoulder length
Miriam_: ok green eyes
Miriam_: great keep writing
hollyj: she pulls it back a lot
Suzy-Q: large expressive eyes
Miriam_: good
Miriam_: wonderful
Miriam_: how about her build
Suzy-Q: slight
Verla: freckled nose and cheeks
hollyj: skinny
Miriam_: ok
Miriam_: write write write
Dani25: too thin
zbell: hair she has to keep flipping over her shoulder cause it's so unmanagable
Miriam_: skin tone
Suzy-Q: olive
Miriam_: good descriptions
hollyj: she hates her nose
zbell: slightly hunched shoulders
Suzy-Q: it's too straight
Miriam_: great
Miriam_: Now that we have the superficial details, let's really get to know our girl.
Verla: she's VERY smart
Miriam_: This girl can have any personality, but let's think about the story. New state, new school.
Verla: extremely intelligent
Miriam_: ok smart
hollyj: She wishes she was as pretty as her best friend
Miriam_: nice holly
Verla: embarrassed about being so smart
Dani25: kind of clumsy
ClaraRose: has interest in music and science, but denies it because it doesn't fit in.
Miriam_: clumsey - good
Suzy-Q: awkward
Miriam_: music may be a great thing for later in the story
Verla: tall!
hollyj: She wonders if she will ever get a figure
Miriam_: this is all wonderful
Suzy-Q: she is a swan about to emerge.
Miriam_: Ok, let's create her! She needs a name. This is very important. Suggestions???
Verla: long fingers....plays the piano extremely well
Miriam_: nice verla
Suzy-Q: Tabatha
zbell: not able to interact well with others
Dani25: Amanda
Verla: Clarabelle
ClaraRose: Laura
hollyj: Jane
Suzy-Q: Tabatha Amanda Belle
zbell: Judith
Miriam_: I want everyone to put down the name they like best
Miriam_: but for now I will call her Amanda
hollyj: Amanda is good
hollyj: Not too cutesy
Verla: Amanda is a short plump blond to me! LOL!
Miriam_: now we will get back to her deeper characters.
Miriam_: but first lets get the other characters
Suzy-Q: You are describing my daughter now Verla
_Lyra: The Amanda I know is a tall hefty blond
Miriam_: now from group I
Miriam_: the girl that has a problem
Miriam_: group I is the popular group in school
Miriam_: we have a main girl and a main boy
Miriam_: the girl has a problem with other girls
Miriam_: why?
ClaraRose: insecure
hollyj: The one with the attitude
_Enchanted: Jet black hair , like satin!! --- blond bimbos are not believeable, not powerful!
zbell: She is tomboyish
hollyj: who are we describing now
Miriam_: now this girls is very popular
Miriam_: let's give her a name
ClaraRose: Shawna
Miriam_: ok shawna
zbell: I still like Judith
Verla: She is INSECURE and has to put other people "down" to make herself feel big/important
Dani25: I like Shawna
Miriam_: good verla
Miriam_: how does she look
Miriam_: character sheet please
Miriam_: hair
Verla: She is the dark haired pretty one
Miriam_: ok
Verla: dark eyes that flash fire when angry
Miriam_: body type?
Dani25: silky hair
Miriam_: good
_Enchanted: Yes!
Miriam_: write write
Verla: straight silky hair
Verla: moderate build...busty
hollyj: All the boys like her cause she is thin and is already has a nice shape
zbell: beautiful blue eyes that light up when happy
Verla: not thin, but shapely
Verla: dark eyes, zbell
Miriam_: ok shawna is the secondary character
ClaraRose: maybe grey eyes...
Miriam_: now the secondary boy. Remember he is nice
ClaraRose: sandy blond hair
Miriam_: how does he look
zbell: tall
Miriam_: ok blond
Dani25: blond hair
Miriam_: yes tall
Verla: muscular
zbell: What does he do to get muscles?
ClaraRose: he lives on a farm... has to work it .?
hollyj: He has too-curly hair, that he tries to comb down all the time
Miriam_: good holly
Verla: Oh, I like that, holly
Dani25: green eyes
Miriam_: love green
Verla: no...blue eyes.
zbell: impish grin
Verla: we already have green eyes
Miriam_: write write
Dani25: okay, blue
hollyj: He worrys about the acne he is getting
zbell: glasses?
Miriam_: could be zbell
Miriam_: we need a name
hollyj: Timmy
zbell: chad
_Enchanted: Rick
ragtimemar: Zach
Miriam_: ok I'll take the first for me
Miriam_: tim
Verla: chad! Yes! Oh. Tim...
Dani25: He can't talk to girls easily
Miriam_: good dani25
zbell: slight stutter
ClaraRose: he loves his dogs
hollyj: His face turns red really easy when he gets embarrassed
Dani25: He bites his bottom lip
Miriam_: very nice
Miriam_: now let's quickly go to group II the not so cool group
Miriam_: We have one character she is a girl.
Miriam_: how does she look
Verla: A tiny bit overweight
Miriam_: good
Verla: mousy brown hair
Miriam_: the character is a girl
Miriam_: very nice
Verla: she has brown eyes also
Miriam_: remember not so cool group
Verla: All you have to do is make her look like I did in high school, miriam!
Miriam_: brown
Miriam_: what else
ClaraRose: long straight platinum hair
Miriam_: nice clara
Verla: dresses a little bit "out of style" skirt too long
hollyj: Verla, the style is the skirts can't get longer
Verla: fine, then. A little TOO SHORT, holly!
Verla: hmphp
hollyj: braces
Miriam_: good holly
ClaraRose: large blue eyes.... almost too big.
zbell: brown eyes, brown hair, brown skin, blends in with the woodwork
Miriam_: what is her build?
Verla: stocky, miriam
Miriam_: good stocky
Miriam_: love the braces
hollyj: She wears her jeans too tight
hollyj: You know the baggie jeans are in
Miriam_: you guys are sooo good
Verla: VERY frumpy
hollyj: Thats why I gave her tight ones
zbell: She's frumpy
Verla: frumpy! Yes!
Dani25: bangs get in her eyes
Miriam_: ok, now a name
zbell: Dora
Verla: Patricia
Verla: Pricilla
Miriam_: ok, we'll use dora
Miriam_: all right now that we have the basics, let get to what drives them.
Miriam_: Amanda our main character, why does she want to fit in, why is she shy, what has happened to her
Miriam_: let's get into her head
Verla: she was teased a lot at her old school for being so smart
Miriam_: good
Verla: It made her draw into herself
hollyj: She is an army brat and is relocated a lot. She never feels she fits in anywhere
Miriam_: good holly
Verla: oh, GOOD, Holly!
hollyj: Because she moves so much
Miriam_: write write write
Miriam_: what else
hollyj: She feels that no one knows her true self
ClaraRose: her parents are enlisted... not officers...
hollyj: Or if they got to know her, they probably wouldn't like her
ragtimemar: Because she moves so much, it's hard for her to form relationships
zbell: She wants to have a confidante because her awareness of the opposite sex is just emerging
Miriam_: nice zbell
Miriam_: do you feel like you know her yet? If not let's keep going.
Verla: There was a big scandal at the last place they lived...and her family was in the news
Miriam_: nice verla
tinaeva1: Where does her piano plying fit in?
Miriam_: are you sad for her yet? Do you see a new beginning for her?
Miriam_: can you relate to her?
hollyj: The only one steady thing her mother has done for her is too always see to it that she has piano lessons
Verla: there was a concert/competition...and someone cheated - making it look like SHE cheated?
Dani25: she finds comfort in the piano
_Lyra: She could pour her feelings into the piano
Miriam_: you guys are great writers
Miriam_: I already feel as if I know Amanda
zbell: She's broken because her dreams of playing piano are ruined because of an accident to her hands
ClaraRose: her best friend was the daughter of a band officer -- she hung around the band barracks with her girlfriend?
Miriam_: like I have met her before
hollyj: Because her mother would have been a famous pianist, if she didn't get married so young
Miriam_: what are her dreams!!!
hollyj: So she wanted her to be as good as she should have been
hollyj: She is good at playing piano, but really loves to write
Dani25: she wants to be a journalist
Verla: she wants to be a doctor
hollyj: Her journals have been her best friend
Miriam_: ok, now that we have a piano player we will store that away for a part of the story
Miriam_: ok, let get to our lovely Shawna
Miriam_: what is her problem!
hollyj: She is the head of the tennis club
Miriam_: what has happened to her
tinaeva1: How old are these girls and boys?
ClaraRose: A big sister to live up to
Verla: 12/13
Miriam_: 12 or 13
Miriam_: nice clara
Dani25: her dad walked out on the family
zbell: Everything has been handed to her and she hasn't learned to appreciate her friends and belongings
Miriam_: good dani
ClaraRose: Perfect in her eyes.
Miriam_: very nice
Verla: I like zbell's answer
hollyj: Her parents are in a bitter divorce and are both trying to win her over
hollyj: They give her everything
Verla: she EXPECTS everything to be handed to her on a silver platter
zbell: Attitude problem with empasis on ATTITUDE
ClaraRose: that would fit with a divorce... 'play the parents'....
hollyj: She is an only child
Miriam_: from all of this, can Amanda teach her something? This is where you get to decide if she turns out good in the end.
Verla: She feels like she has two parents to me...
Miriam_: maybe a best friend
Miriam_: maybe only tolerated
Miriam_: ok, next is Tim
Miriam_: what is his life like
Verla: It's the girl in the "not in" group that feels like she's from a broken home. She can't keep up with styles etc, because they are short of money
ClaraRose: only child...
Miriam_: ok
hollyj: he's nice right
Miriam_: right
Miriam_: maybe kind of likes amanda
Dani25: good at math
Miriam_: good dani
hollyj: His big brother was head quarterback
Miriam_: nice holly
hollyj: He works really hard to keep up with him
Miriam_: I need you guys to help me with these characters
hollyj: His parents expect him to be just like him
Miriam_: is that why he is shy
Miriam_: a big brother
Dani25: he feels geeky compared to his brother
hollyj: He never feels as good as his brother. He feels things just come easier to his big brother
tinaeva1: No, he has a more introverted personality than his brother.
hollyj: He has to work harder
Verla: Yeah. His big brother was the STAR of the school....and he is wallowing in his brother's famous shadow
Miriam_: what has he got that amanda will finally notice????
ragtimemar: His brother is smarter, so everyone thinks
tinaeva1: He doesn't want to play football--kind of likes music.
Verla: No, HE is smarter, rag...
ragtimemar: ok
Verla: and he thinks music is "sissy?"
hollyj: She went for a walk and found him sitting beside a tree writing in his journal
Miriam_: what is going to impress Amamada
Miriam_: about tim
Verla: His honesty!
Miriam_: good!!!
_Lyra: that he likes music
Miriam_: nice
hollyj: She likes that he can express his feelings to her
_Lyra: and perhaps he seems to understand her
Verla: When Shawna starts playing "games" he won't play....
Miriam_: because she likes music!!
hollyj: He isn't just another jock
Miriam_: nice verla
Miriam_: write write
hollyj: And Shawna is "after him" because she thinks he is going to be the jock his brother is
Miriam_: nice holly
Dani25: lives on the poor side of town
hollyj: Only, Amanda gets to know the real him
Miriam_: good dani
Miriam_: what else
hollyj: Shawna is in love with his image, not him
Miriam_: ok lastly - Dora
Miriam_: she is in the not so cool group
Miriam_: what is she like
Miriam_: do you see Dora and Amanda being close??
Dani25: has 2 little sisters and has to spend all her time taking care of them
_Lyra: yes
Miriam_: good dani
zbell: Dumpy Dora plays off Amanda and makes Amanda look good
Dani25: eventually
hollyj: Not at first. Amanda doesn't want to be her friend
Miriam_: nice zbell
tinaeva1: In grade school, when Shawna was chubby, she and Dora were friends
hollyj: because she is too much of a geek
Miriam_: nice twist holly
hollyj: Amanda tries to keep her distance
Miriam_: Ok question!
hollyj: But realizes that by doing that she is no better than Shawna
Miriam_: can anyone see a story coming out of this character building??
Verla: Dora's parents divorced and she lost her social "status"....no more money for fancy clothes, etc
hollyj: yeah, this is fun
Miriam_: Lots of FUN!!!!
tinaeva1: Dora still wants to be friends with shawna, but Shawna ridicules her and is ashamed that they were friends.
hollyj: Good one Verla
Verla: yes, I can, miriam.
Dani25: Mother works all the time
Miriam_: good
zbell: Dora looks up to Amanda, Amanda doesn't want to play with Dora anymore, she want's to be accepted by Shawna
Verla: wait a minute!
Verla: Amanda just moved here!
Miriam_: true
Verla: and so does dora...with the younger kids
Verla: housework, etc for her mom
hollyj: Mine thoughts exactly zbell
Dani25: I'm starting to see more possibilities in Dora
Miriam_: if you wnat to go further you can say how they will react to friendship or betrayal
zbell: I identify with Dumpy Dora!!
hollyj: Doras family just can't afford to buy her the cool clothes
tinaeva1: Dora knows alot of things about Shawna
hollyj: Dora has a secret about Shawna that no one knows
Miriam_: now, who is everyones favorite character so far?
Dani25: Dora
Verla: hmmmm. could dora get jealous when Shawna begins to be friends with Amanda?
Miriam_: yes verla
hollyj: Amanda, but Shawna would be fun to work with
zbell: Dora is the key to Amanda and Shawna's relationship, since Dora and Shawna are neighbors and used to play together
Verla: And then Dora starts rumors about Shawna?
Dani25: No, she's not like that
Verla: the rumors take off and dora is horrified...
_Lyra: Amanda -- I can see possibilities in her "scandal" past, that could be an important plot
Miriam_: good lyra
Dani25: Shawna would start rumors
zbell: Things got out of hand
hollyj: Shawna can't stand Dora, but their parents have some connection and she is supposed to be nice to her
Verla: shawna sees the rumors as the hurtful things they are because of HER problems at the last place they were stationed....
hollyj: and it bugs her
Miriam_: I hope someone is writing all this down
Miriam_: it's GREAT!
hollyj: She hates Shawna for starting rumors, and sides with Dora
Verla: (my computer is logging it all, miriam....)
hollyj: even though she didn't want to be her friend at first
Delta-: I'm copying it to the notepad, every word.....
Dani25: I'm trying
Verla: And shawna tries to STOP the rumors...only...they get Worse instead of BETTER
zbell: The snowball effect
_Lyra: that's good, V
tinaeva1: We better get a football dance in here
Miriam_: good tina
hollyj: Then Tim really like Shawna, but he wonders if the rumors are true
Miriam_: I don't know about you, but I think we are ready to write a novel
Miriam_: do you feel it????
Dani25: Yes
Miriam_: we can go back and add more as we go
Miriam_: as our characters come to life we will build them high and higher
Miriam_: ok, let's stop a minute for questions about characters. These or your own. I would like everyone to help answer these questions.
Miriam_: what do you want to know about building charcters
Verla: Yeah, Tim doesn't play much of a part so far.
Miriam_: we can keep writing this story but I wnat a chance for questions too.
zbell: How do you integrate the guys with the gals?
ClaraRose: some classes..
Miriam_: I bring out the differences first
_Lyra: an example, Miriam?
Miriam_: then slide in the comparisons until they realize they are not so different after all.
Miriam_: amanda thinks tim is dumb
Dani25: Like Dora being from the wrong side of the tracks? (I'm taking Dora, btw)
zbell: Miriam, do you ever get a picture out of a magazine so you can see who you are describing?
Miriam_: yes zbell
Verla: I did that. Cut pictures out of catalogues and magazines of my main character...pictures of her at 8 & 9 and when she was older, 16 & 17. (It was a YA. She became VERY real to me.)
Verla: Hmmmm. So you show the reader first how DIFFERENT each character is...then show them what is the same about them?
Miriam_: but slowly she notices the music he is listening to on his hed phones
zbell: I like to set scene's that way
Miriam_: it's the same music she lives for
Verla: ah....
Miriam_: a conversation is started
Miriam_: a couple begins
_Lyra: IF you are headed for a romantic plot...
Dani25: Do you do characters before you think of plot?
Verla: and they find something they enjoy doing together.
Miriam_: yes
zbell: Is Dora a passive rebel?
Miriam_: I would think so
Miriam_: she has hidden strength
_Enchanted: Tim provides the reader with a male viewpoint. Also, reader gets to go some places that the girls couldn't take him/her because of Tim.
Miriam_: wonderful enchanted
Verla: hmm. I can do JUST fine without the men's room, thank you very much anyway, enchanted!
Miriam_: but then there are characters who will never become firends
Miriam_: and that's ok
Dani25: She's grown up faster, because of the responsibily
Miriam_: you can still show both their strengths
zbell: they can agree to disagree
Miriam_: good
Miriam_: you never know who will relate to who
Miriam_: readers that is
Verla: good point, miriam!
Miriam_: what else
Dani25: YEah, I thought I'd like Amanda best
Miriam_: share your experiences
Miriam_: do you have a character you would like us to help you with
zbell: Did we do physical gestures, such as nail biting, hair twisting, etc.?
Miriam_: good point zbell
Miriam_: that tells a lot
Verla: I find it helpful to stop and ask my character...what WOULD you do if this happened to you? Knowing the character's background...how old, what happened in the past, etc. helps me to find out how THIS character would react to THIS situation.....
Dani25: No, I've been avoiding novels, because I thought characters were too hard.
Miriam_: wonderful verla
Miriam_: not for you dani
Dani25: Picture books are a little easier
Miriam_: you have given great imput
Miriam_: I sometimes remember how I felt at this awkward age to build a character
Dani25: I have a hard time with dialogue
hollyj: Characters are fun. I take a noteook with me sometimes like in a hospital waiting room and listen and pay attention to a person. Then jot down things I assume about them, and make them into a character
zbell: I still feel awkward
Miriam_: or cut out a picture as someone suggested
_Lyra: A part of me stayed in teenage-mind-set when I'm writing
Miriam_: good holly
Verla: Does anyone else have any questions about how to build characters before we end the workshop? Or have a character they need help with?
Miriam_: why zbell?
Verla: Dialogue is a good idea for a future workshop, dani!
Miriam_: ok I understand
Dani25: I'm stealing Dora and writng spmething about her
ClaraRose: What do you do if you want to add a foriegn element...? ie, someone from another country?
Miriam_: clara rose I have only done accents
Miriam_: can anyone answer for clara
Verla: You would need to know a lot about the foriegn country, clara
IKeeper: I show the charactor in different ways. Maybe stilted English, mannerisms.
Dani25: their language could be formal. Not a lot of contractions
ragtimemar: I might read Nazi-associated books like L. Lowry's Number the Stars to get a foreign accent, Clara Rose.
_Lyra: I only do contemporary mid-grade books now...never tried dialects or even historical
Miriam_: me either lyra
Dani25: Will the foriegn characters be in their own country or someone elses?
ClaraRose: It is the character building of someone from another culture that seems like it would be difficult to me....
IKeeper: Historical is my favorite
Verla: If it feels too hard, clara, you should probably try something else for now.
Dani25: Because if you want them to have a foriegn feel, you should read books where they're not in their natural habitat
zbell: I think sometimes those feelings in adolesence are never resolved
hollyj: Dani, you liked Dora
Miriam_: I want all of you to feel free to take this story and GO!
Miriam_: write it and then let me read it!
Dani25: Yeah, I can see her right now
Delta-: Actually, there's the basis of two books here...group I and group II.
Miriam_: lyra
Miriam_: true delta
IKeeper: It's very hard to carry off an accent.
ragtimemar: The beauty of this, Miriam, is we would all end up with different books completely.
Miriam_: exactly rag!!!!!
_Enchanted: I think group 1 is a book all by itself!
zbell: I have a story I have written but the secondary people in it are more real to me than the main character
Dani25: Especially since we all identify with a different character
Miriam_: do you assocate with them more zbell
zbell: I think so Miriam, it's easier to put myself in their place
Miriam_: I always try and find a real person like the one I can't quite understand to help me out.
Verla: Get to know your main character, zbell. Find out what is making him/her "tick" and what that person's big problem is. Maybe you have TWO books and not one.
zbell: How do you get around the "trendy" element?
IKeeper: Dani, it depends on what you're writing.
Dani25: No, I meant for zbell
Miriam_: I try never to DATE myself zbell. I was told that was bad.
_Lyra: If you are writing current paperbacks, you can put in trends, but for heavier books, avoid slang, etc.
hollyj: You can hang around with kids the age your readers would be. See how they talk
hollyj: what their interest are
ClaraRose: I agree... I just have a plot simmering on a way, way,way back burner...
Miriam_: please feel free to bounce any of your characters off me anytime.
_Lyra: I mostly stick to words that are ageless like cool, etc.
Verla: Yeah. Like I had Freddy Cruger in my story. I'm changing it to Dracula. HE is timeless.
Miriam_: my email address ins hees@io.com
Miriam_: and you can get my character sheets from my webpage
Miriam_: http://www.io.com/~hees
Dani25: I think Silver Days by Sonia Levitin is a good book for that
Miriam_: maybe we can continue our story
ClaraRose: excellent job
Miriam_: thanks again
Verla: We need to do the next one like this on Dialogue
Miriam_: and thank you Verla for having me!
whatie: yay miriam!
_Enchanted: Thank you Miriam.
hollyj: That would be good Verla
Miriam_: I think it's a great idea verla
hollyj: Thats where I get scared. Dialogue
Dani25: Hooray for Miriam!!
Miriam_ is so honored by all the praise
Dani25: Me too. Dialogue terrifies me
Verla: Next week's workshop will be....
Verla: Lyras!!!!!
Miriam_: Yeah Lyra!!!!
Dani25: Woo-hoo, Lyra!
hollyj: Whats Lyras about?
hollyj: What's it about?
Verla: Next week Lyra will do: How to approach editors/authors and agents
ragtimemar: And the workshop after dialogue could be arcing the story, my big problem! Any votes???
whatie: I vote for that
Verla: arcing the story?
zbell: what's arcing?
ragtimemar: Development of the beginning, middle, end, like an arc or arch.
zbell: ok
Miriam_: I have a section on my webpage rag about Beginnings Middles and Ends
_Lyra: Miriams website is very nice
Miriam_: thank you lyra
Verla: Ah...okay, rag.
ragtimemar: I'll check it out, Miriam.
Miriam_: let me know if it helps rag
ragtimemar: I will, Miriam.
Verla: Miriam, this was a GREAT workshop! Thank you SO MUCH!
ragtimemar: I got your sheet in front of me, Miriam. Very helpful tonight!
Miriam_: I had a wonderful time!!!!
_Lyra: applause for Miriam!!!
Miriam_: thanks rag
hollyj: thanks Miriam. THis was fun
Dani25: This was cool
Miriam_ blushes
_Lyra: I can't wait to read your books (someday) Miriam
Verla: Whistle Whistle....STOMP STOMP STOMP! HOOORAY for MIRIAM!
tinaeva1: Thanks Miriam
zbell: Yeah Miriam, this was VERY helpful to me!!!
ragtimemar: Yeah, Miriam, and on such short notice, too! (:)
Miriam_: ya'll were GREAT!
hollyj: Cheers to Miriam
Miriam_: I hope we can do it again sometime
zbell hollers, "Way to Go Miriam!!"
Verla: Hey...where's sq with the silly string and water balloons?
ragtimemar: Hip, hip, hurray!
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