Writers Can't Be Afraid of the Dark Side

There is a wonderful quote by the Roman, Seneca. He says, “Nothing human is alien to me.” I think that is such a powerful quote for writers.

If we are to find our true voice as writers, we cannot be afraid of the dark side of the human condition. What is really powerful writing is writing that explores the shadowlands of the human soul. We all have dark and we all have light within us. If you’re afraid to write about sex or you’re afraid to write about violence or you’re afraid to write about homosexuality –– if you’re afraid to write about anything, anything at all, then that’s stopping your creativity.

All aspects of the human condition have to be open to us. You can choose not to write about something, but there’s a big difference between choosing not to write about something and being afraid or actually unable to write about something. As creative writers we need to explore all the primal passions; only then can we make choices in our writing.

Need help in opening to the dark side? Explore Emily's book, The Art of Fiction Writing or How To Fall Down the Rabbit Hole Without Really Trying

Accessing the Writer's Voice

When you begins to access your true voice and write out of that true voice, you often begin to write about topics that you never dreamed you’d be writing about. About experiences, characters and story lines that you never imagined. What you’ve done is open the core of your creativity.

Finding Your Writer's Voice

I believe that as writers we have chosen the gift of
writing as a path for us in this life. As we follow that
path, as we grow and develop with and through our
writing, we grow out of our surface self, out of our
persona and, in the process, come to a greater
understanding and appreciation of who we truly are.
think this is one of the great gifts of being a writer.
we write more honestly and deeply, our true voice is
revealed. This becomes a journey toward our true self.

But this takes passion and dedication and it requires
being a risk taker. For the path of creativity is not for
those of weak spirit. If followed to the untold and
sometimes dark places where writing leads, the voice,
that expression of true self, reveals a self different from
our persona. This is the challenge and the payoff.

For more on Finding Your Writer's Voice, Explore the E-book, only $6.95

Why Do You Write?

One day as I was going through an old journal, I read:

Sit, listen, hear the song of your soul. Always there. Always singing. Always waiting. Patient. Until the end of time. You. You. Only one you. Reach in now, through the channel of your art….”

This was my journal. Clearly I had written these words, but I had no memory of them, and my first thought was “Who wrote this?” Its wisdom filled my heart and its gentle guidance calmed me. I knew the words were a glimpse into the true offerings of the Muse and the gift of my writing. I thought, yes, it’s true, I have reached into myself and found myself in unexpected ways through my writing, found truths about myself and my life that would have remained hidden otherwise. Through my stories and my characters I have heard the song of my soul.

But how to keep the channel open? How not to forget, as I have done time and again, that my writing is a pathway to my truest self, often so different from the busy self that runs my day to day life?

It’s not easy and, I realized, it’s exquisitely easy at the same time. A maddening, mystifying paradox, whose truth brings me to the core of why I write, whose revelations I don’t always understand or, more importantly don’t always want to understand. And yet if I did, if I embraced the song of my soul that I hear through my writing, might my writing and my life flow from a calmer, richer place?

Why do you write?

What is the song of your soul?

Please post your writing here!

Happy Birthday A.A. Milnes

January 2007
Happy Birthday: 1882

British author A.A. Milne, who was born on January 18, 1882, remains beloved for his tales of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh. We can’t speak for either of them, but we think they might approve of some of the words that entered the language that year.

* achoo
* bossy
* dachshund
* graham cracker
* laneway
* nosy
* Our Father
* sticky wicket
* tip-top
* whatsit

From the www.word.com, the Merriam-Webster online Newsletter.

Happy Birthday A.A. Milnes

January 2007
Happy Birthday: 1882

British author A.A. Milne, who was born on January 18, 1882, remains beloved for his tales of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh. We can’t speak for either of them, but we think they might approve of some of the words that entered the language that year.

* achoo
* bossy
* dachshund
* graham cracker
* laneway
* nosy
* Our Father
* sticky wicket
* tip-top
* whatsit

From the Word.com, the Merriam-Webster online Newsletter.

A Question on Interviewing Characters

I received this email this morning and thought it was a very good question:


"I have been reading the Partial Listing of Questions and I have a query...When I got to question 13 Describe something really bad you once did... How would one answer that from a psychopathic personality point of view? Since guilt is not in their make-up. What would be another way to draw this out?"
Diana


My response:
Hi Diana,
Interesting question... I think what I would do in interviewing such a person would be to first show interest in his/her activities, crimes... get him/her talking about them, really opening up, and all the time you, as the interviewer, must show sympathy and support. Look for openings that could lead to memories that reveal how the person was treated as a child...

I think the key is for you to be a really good empathizer and, at the same time, read between the lines. As soon as you sense some emotional hurt coming through... perhaps through an outburst of anger, show a lot of sympathy and say, "Yes, that must have been very difficult for you." Or "Wow, I can understand how that could have made you really really mad... Do you remember how you felt when that bad person did that to you..."

In effect, you are leading the witness... trying to find a way through a mirror of the character's emotions, even if the character doesn't consciously feel what is going on...

Also, the character most likely wasn't born a psychopath... so lead them back and back to earlier times until you get to a point where the wounding was felt.

Hope this is helpful.
Good luck!
Emily


You can get this list of interviewing questions when you purchase the audio of the TeleSeminar on Interviewing characters. It is a package that includes the audio download as well as two e-books. Explore the TeleSeminar Package.


"I thought the TeleSeminar was GREAT, one of the best ones I've ever been involved with. I was caught up in it from the first minute. Excellent job by you and by Janet, and of course by Katie and Carla! I've been interviewing my characters for well over a year now, but this has me eager to jump into it again!"

Kari Kilgore

Character Interviewing TeleSeminar Was a Great Success!

Character Development in Fiction Writing:
The Art and Technique of Interviewing

Because of the exciting feedback I have been getting on this week's TeleSeminar, I am holding the pre-TeleSeminar prices for audio downloads and CDs for another week, through Friday, January 20. These prices include Janet King's inspiring e-book on Interviewing Characters and more...


Read What Participants Say About the TeleSeminar

"Thank you soooo much for a great TeleSeminar yesterday. It showed me that many of my thoughts and concerns are shared by others. Especially, the difficulty of merging myself, my experiences and those of my characters.


~ Susan Calvert



"I loved the seminar....I'm so busy trying to talk to Mae I haven't time for suggestions (can I talk to more than one at a time?)... I'm still trying to decide for myself whether I'm consciously pushing my character to say what I want or if it is authentically her, or the subconscious. I loved the idea of interviewing the Inner Critic....I plan to do that one tonight!

~ Louise Easton



"I didn't realize the depth that could be reached through interviewing...So, I really enjoyed this TeleSeminar and look forward to the next one. I find the TeleSeminars are allowing me to grow as a writer as well as realize that although writing is solitary, I am not alone in the struggle and the fun."

~ Carolyn Rowland


"I thought the TeleSeminar was GREAT, one of the best ones I've ever been involved with. I was caught up in it from the first minute. Excellent job by you and by Janet, and of course by Katie and Carla! I've been interviewing my characters for well over a year now, but this has me eager to jump into it again!"


~ Kari Kilgore


Read more feedback and explore the special offer at:
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/Telesem_Character_Dev_spec_offer.htm

I received this email but do not know this organization personally. I researched IPPY Awards on the internet and found both pros and cons. Explore for yourself before jumping in! I am only passing this along. If anyone has had negative experience with these people, please leave on the comments of this entry...
Emily

** Greetings Independent Authors and Publishers **

Here's hoping you're having a great New Year, and all your resolutions are on track.

I'm here to help you with an important one: Sell More Books in 2007

Enter your 2006 releases in the eleventh annual Independent Publisher Book Awards, the largest and best-known unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry. That means no membership fees or extra charges, and at $75 per title, entering the IPPY Awards is a great book marketing value.

Complete info and secure online entry form at:
http://www.independentpublisher.com/ipland/IPAwards.php

Sponsored by Independent Publisher Online and Jenkins Group, Inc. and accepting entries in 65 national and 20 regional categories, the IPPYs are open to all independent, university, small press, and self-publishers who have books published with a 2006 copyright or were released in 2006, and are intended for sale in the North American market. Final entry deadline is April 1, 2007 and results will be announced at BookExpo America in New York on June 1st.

65 Category Awards - 20 Regional Awards - Ten Outstanding Books of the Year

If you have 2006 book releases and haven't yet entered the 2007 IPPY Awards, here's a reminder about the January 15 Early Bird fee deadline. To save $5 per category entry, mail in your entry by midnight on the 15th, or if you're running late, enter online by the 15th; books can arrive later. Don't miss this affordable and effective promotional opportunity! Visit the IPPY Awards page to enter online or download a printable entry form at:

http://www.independentpublisher.com/ipland/IPAwards.php

Let me know if I can answer any questions or help in any way: jimb@bookpublishing.com or 1-800-644-0133 x1011


Also, don't forget, **THE NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS ARE BACK **

We proudly announce the return of the Nautilus Book Awards for literary contributions to spiritual growth, conscious living, and positive social change. This prestigious awards contest was suspended in 2005, but thanks to a sponsoring partnership between Marilyn McGuire & Associates and Independent Publisher Online, the Nautilus Awards contest is back, with its mission to recognize and promote books that change people's lives and help heal our planet. Nautilus 2007 will accept books copyrighted or released in
2005 or 2006, in 20 adult and children's categories, including three children's book categories, and both adult and children's Visionary Fiction.

Final Deadline: February 15, 2007.

Visit the Nautilus Book Awards website at ; for background information, or contact Awards Producer Marilyn McGuire at marilyn@marilynmcguire.com with any questions. A downloadable, four-page PDF with complete guidelines and entry form, and online, secure entry are both available at ;.

Again, if I can help in any way, email or call me at 1-800-644-0133 x.1011.

Thanks, Happy New Year, and Best of Luck!

Jim Barnes, Awards Director
jimb@bookpublishing.com
Independent Publisher Book Awards
Jenkins Group Inc.

On Finishing a First Novel...

Kari Kilgore recently sent this message to her writing friends and it is so inspiring, I asked her if I could post it on the blog... and she said, yes!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm writing to share something I wouldn't have believed possible before I attended Emily's workshop in Marblehead last December (2005)-- but ever since then I've been determined and confident this would happen.

Last night, a bit after midnight but before I went to sleep, I finished my first novel! After nearly 140,000 words and never ending stops and starts, it's hard to believe the two simple words "The End" could be so meaningful and profound to me. Rewriting and editing are still to come, but for right now, this part of the journey is complete. All day long today I've thought I was feeling a bit hung over from one too many martinis, but I think it's every bit as much of an emotional hangover. Jason tells me it's just post-partum depression, and that feels right to me!

Being a good Virgo, I of course want to do a read-through to make sure I didn't leave any huge errors, and to adjust things that I figured out at the end, but as soon as that's done, Emily and I are going to dig in. I've even gotten over my nerves about that and realized every time I or someone else goes through it, the story will get sharper and tighter, and the characters will get stronger. I cannot wait to get started! I'm also eager to get started on the second book and see what's next.

I'm sharing this partly because many of you have been encouraging and inspiring along the way, and I couldn't possibly be here without you. I'm also sharing because this story has been with me for over a decade. I've thought it was dead more times than I care to count! But these characters, one in particular, have refused to let me forget about them, the story they wanted to share with me, and the journey they wanted to take with me. So if you've got a character like that, or even if you don't have the character or story (or a different dream) yet but know you will, believe within yourself that it WILL happen. We feel these things for a reason, and when the time is right, it's worth all of the hours and years and struggle and joy and tears and passion. It's all worth it.

So, thank you, and may all that you wish for in this new year come to you easily and abundantly.

Much love,
Kari