Exploring Character Weaknesses
The crux of good writing depends on character development. Characters who always say the right thing and who never fail are frankly, quite boring. We all have times when we fall off the bandwagon or take a wrong turn. It’s human.
I’ve been exploring the possibility of including a character that has been through alcohol rehab. Unfortunately, I have witnessed alcoholism and the effects and trauma it causes loved ones.
Alcohol treatment and the healing make for a long journey. These emotions can fuel a character’s backstory with many interesting elements. Even if the character himself has not experienced it, his proximity to the issue is vital. The insight of the people around are just as valuable. It’s only a weakness if you cannot rise above it.
Whether it is private alcohol rehab or public, the experience has much to teach us about people and how they behave. This is the fodder for good writing–taking the time to understand people for both their virtues and their sins. As writers, it is our job to tell our stories with real people and their struggle with this thing we call life.
The issues is not an uncommon one as the statistics will bear out. We all have our main struggle in life. It’s up to us to find a way to prevail.
Tech Tip: New Isn’t Always Better
It was bound to happen. I had to replace my Blackberry Curve 8330 when it stopped charging. It turns out the USB port was damaged. I could either dish out $119 to repair it or upgrade for $50 after a mail-in rebate. Guess which I chose?
Upgrading is always a hassle. Moving programs and data sucks. My move wasn’t horribly painful, but I encountered two glitches that made it unpleasant.
First, there was the operating system. I followed the OS updates regularly, wanting to take advantage of updates and new features. Well, the updates carry issues. My new 5.0 OS has this annoying tendency to switch to the Media app with no means of closing the application. A flaw that RIM is aware of, I’m told. Crap. It’s an extreme inconvenience with no upgrade in sight.
Then my Aerize Card Loader ceased to work. Lame excuses by the developer did nothing to soften the blow. I paid for an app that would save apps to a memory card rather than internal memory. Wasted money until the app is upgraded. No word on when that will happen. Word to the wise: don’t waste your money on this application until you can be sure the product will deliver what it promises. Duh!
It’s not a fault with the Curve 8530, I realize. Yet, the upgrade caused these frustrations. Maybe I can review this smartphone more objectively when everything works like it is supposed to do.
Tech Tip–Find Alternative Ways to Stay Online
Today’s tech tip discusses a lesson that I learned, trial by fire over the weekend. Heaven forbid, our cable went out. No Internet for two entire days. Thank you, MediaCom–NOT.
If you have a smartphone, you have options. With my Blackberry Curve, I was able to tether and get online. Emails were answered, blogs read. All was not lost.
It behooves freelancers to have this option. Not to, demonstrates your lack of preparation. While a client my sympathize, they don’t really care why you didn’t complete your assignment on time. Time is money.
There is another reason to investigate alternatives. Sure, you can head to the nearest Caribou Coffee or Panera, but remember, you are signing onto an unsecured network. When you’re dealing with someone else’s data, you can’t take any chances. Instead, use your phone for Internet access. Don’t risk a security breach, however slight the risk. Respect your client’s data as if it was your own.
Before attempting to tether, research your carrier’s policy on the practice. I found that out the hard way with Sprint. You may need to purchase a third-party software. TetherBerry is a good choice.
The loss of your Internet doesn’t have to be a crisis. Prepare for the inconvenience that will inevitably occur at some point. Remember Murphy’s law? Plan your options before you have to scramble to retrieve them.
Learning New Skills
In my yet-to-be-published mystery, I drew a great deal o n my own experience. The setting is a supper club. I worked in one as my first job. Now, my protagonist is working in one.
It’s been a bit of a challenge. It wasn’t just about learning the restaurant business. I had to go through the process as a new owner, having to buy bar stools and tables as well as kitchen equipment. To do so, I relied on my woman’s instincts.
As a woman, I have my own idea of what would be best whether it be swivel stools or not. I had my own idea of what the place should look like and how it would be decorated. My book is set in the recent past and in a rural area, so there isn’t the convenience of the local Sam’s Club. My protagonist was on his own.
Of course, I wanted to do my own research. I wanted to understand what my protagonist might think while learning how to equip his kitchen and kitchen stools. That’s an important aspect of writing–experiencing. That way, you can bring real experience to your work. That is key to making your work memorable–tell if from the perspective of one who knows.
Building Your Online Presence
As a writer, you’re probably well aware of the fact that you need to be online, whether it be a website or a blog. It’s an important move you can make that demonstrates that you are serious about marketing yourself. How you market can be just as important as how you write.
There a few steps involved with setting up your website and web hosting. First, there is your domain name. You want to choose something relevant and easy to remember. If you have a long last name, consider abbreviating it.
Shop around for a good provider. The sites offering hosting for $2.99 a month are offering $2.99 a month hosting. Since your website is your marketing tool, make sure and choose a site that has a history of good up-time and positive feedback for tech support.
For your actual site, consider using a content management system (CMS). A CMS has a user-friendly interface that will make updating easy. That is important since your site will do best with the search engines if the content is kept fresh. Try a couple to see which is most intuitive for you.
Once your site is up, take the time to learn a little search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is an ongoing process where you create content that again, will please those search engines.
Your online presence adds more value to your writing than you may think. Taking the time to get your name out there will make you and your work more attractive to agents and publishers.
January 11: National Clean Off Your Desk Day
Today marks a helpful reminder that maybe all need now and again. Welcome to National Clean Off Your Desk Day. Maybe it doesn’t have the glamor of Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, but it certainly a good way for you to increase your efficiency.
I thoroughly clean my desk weekly. If you have a pet in the home, you know why. Cat hair gravitates toward my computer and monitor. To keep it from getting inside my computer, I frequently take a damp cloth around my work area.
A clean desk reduces stress. You don’t waste time looking for things. You are comfortable because you have room in which to work. You can stay focused on the task at hand. For a freelancer, I think it help create that sense of space for your work area. Keeping the area tidy demonstrates your own respect for your work. Besides, it’s such a simple thing to do.
Do yourself a favor today. Tidy up and improve your work flow.
Mourning the Loss of a Character
Tears are streaming down my face as I write this. This is the curse of being a writer. You love your characters. They’re like family and friends. It is horrible when you lose one. Today. I know how it feels.
I loosely based one of my characters on a local institution. Everyone loved him. He was quite the character, a real ladies man. He reached out to everyone, young and old. Today we learned that he died this past Monday.
We knew him as a regular at the local watering hole. We talked to him occasionally, but didn’t know him per se. We know that he was a vet. Around Veteran’s Day, he was the guy with the poppy in his hat. He was the one who sat quietly reading, with an American flag at his table.
The bar set up a memorial for him with his obituary with flowers and tributes. I couldn’t help but feel sad. I mourned for his friends and the people who loved him and for the man that inspired me to create a delightful character.
Rest in peace, Patrick. You will be sorely missed.
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