Getting to Know You: Virtues

Since we talked about vices last week, how about this week we share our best and most noble qualities?

What are your greatest virtues?

Do you strive to be fair and just?










Are you generous in sharing necessities with those in need?










Tell us your greatest virtues. Then tell us what virtues you most value in others!

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

”I see...” said the vampire thoughtfully, and slowly he walked across the room towards the window. For a long time he stood there against the dim light from Divisadero Street and the passing beams of traffic...

What's Happening Now?

Me, oh, my, has another week really gone by? Where does the time go?

Well, I hope you've made room for work and play this week, and I trust that you've seen a little more progress with your current writing projects.

'Cause, whether we like it or not, it's that time again – time for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices. (And I must say, we sure did reveal a lot last week!)

So, let's hear it, characters. It's time to share your joys, your woes, your dreams, or whatever else is on your mind – and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

Getting to Know You: Vices

So...do you have vices? Unhealthy habits? Do you drink, smoke, curse, or eat too many cupcakes?















Are there things you sometimes do that you can only explain away by saying, "The Devil made me do it?"















Today, let's talk about our vices, and what we would do differently if we could. Let it all out, and maybe your friends here can help. Or maybe they'll just offer to join in!

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn...

What's Happening Now?

Goodness gracious, I can't believe two weeks have come and gone since our last “What's Happening Now?” I sure hope that you've made some writing progress since then.

'Cause, yes, it's that time again – time for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

So, let's hear it, characters. It's time to share your pleasures, your pains, your plans, or whatever else is on your mind – and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

Getting to Know You: Winning!

They say winning isn't everything, but come on. Who doesn't like to come in first?















Today, let's talk about a time we won something, whether it was a major award, or just a little contest between friends.

What did you win, and how did it feel? Do you always feel like a winner in life, or do you need tokens of your achievement?

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson – probably not a big surprise since the sentence contained the words “Treasure Island” – haha.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

The day broke gray and dull. The clouds hung heavily, and there was a rawness in the air that suggested snow. A woman servant came into a room in which a child was sleeping and drew the curtains. She glanced mechanically at the house opposite, a stucco house with a portico, and went to the child's bed...

Social Weekday: St. Patrick's Day!

You might not know this, but today is St. Patrick's Day – a day to celebrate all things green, Irish, and alcoholic – from shamrocks to leprechauns to whiskey.

All around the world – this world anyway – people honor March 17th with parades, pub crawls, and other shenanigans. Why, in Chicago, they even dye the river green!

So, how do you celebrate this rowdy holiday? Do you have any favorite memories? And, if you've never honored St. Patrick's Day before – or even heard of it, for that matter – what would you do if you had the day off and could party in any way imaginable?

Authors and characters are all welcome to share their experiences and fantasies.

Oh, and before I forget, HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

You and Your World: Spring!

Well, friends, it's almost here - Spring!

As winter cold and snow gives way to warm breezes and spring flowers, let's talk about what this new season means to us.











What's your favorite thing about Spring? Do you have any plans for outdoor activities and adventures? Do you have happy memories of other Springs?

Tell us what you think about Spring!

First Line Challenge

Last week's “First Line Challenge” enticed only one participant, so perhaps this exercise has run its course. If so, please let me know – and I'll give something else a try.

Still, I'm willing to admit that the lack of participation could just be due to my choice of novel – Eclipse. Who knew people had such distaste for Stephenie Meyer?

Anyway, are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or two of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I take up my pen in the year of...

What's Happening Now?

Holy rusted metal, Batman! Has another week really gone by? Where does the time go?

Well, I hope you've made room for business and pleasure this week, and I trust that you've seen a little more progress with your current writing projects.

'Cause, whether we like it or not, it's that time again – time for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

So, let's hear it, characters. It's time to share your joys, your woes, your dreams, or whatever else is on your mind – and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

Getting to Know You: Idea

We all have good ideas. And bad ones. Our best ideas, though, take us to new places and open up new avenues of creative thought and growth.












So let's discuss our best ideas and their outcomes. Okay, we can talk about our dumb ideas too, but wouldn't it be nicer to share our most brilliant moments of inspiration?

What was your best idea?

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or two of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

All our attempts at subterfuge had been in vain. With ice in my heart, I watched him prepare to defend me. His intense concentration betrayed no hint of doubt, though he was outnumbered...

What's Happening Now?

Wow! Has another week really gone by? Where does the time go? Well, I hope you've made room for work and play this week, and I trust that you've seen a little more progress with your current writing projects.

'Cause, whether we like it or not, it's that time again – time for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

So, let's hear it, characters. It's time to share your joys, your woes, your dreams, or whatever else is on your mind – and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

Getting to Know You: Misunderstandings

It's inevitable that at times we will misunderstand someone's words, meanings, or signals.










Or even misunderstand a language.

















Sometimes these miscommunications are funny, other times quite problematic.

Today, let's share our most amusing or most troublesome instances of miscommunication!

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or two of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted. Hint: This week's starter is from an unauthorized prequel to a classic novel that we've already featured for "First Line Challenge."

(Incidentally, the last opener was from The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

They say when trouble comes close ranks, and so the white people did. But we were not in their ranks. The Jamaican ladies had never approved of my mother...

What's Happening Now?

It's hard to believe that another week has gone by. Time sure does fly when you're working hard and/or having fun. I hope you've had time for both this week, and I trust that you've made a little more progress with your current writing projects.

'Cause, whether we like it or not, it's that time again – time for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current whereabouts and experiences. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

So, let's hear it, characters. It's time to share your joys, your woes, your dreams, or whatever else is on your mind – and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

Getting to Know You: Good Night!

Last week, we talked about our morning routines. Today, let's share what we like to do when the street lights come on and the day is done.










Do you have a particular evening routine? Soft music? Glass of wine or cup of herbal tea?













Perhaps you like to curl up with a good book for a little while, either for inspiration or for a pleasant escape from the cares of the day.










Tell us how you end your day (or how you end your night, if you're nocturnal). Just keep it clean, folks!

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

In the ancient city of London, on a certain autumn day in the second quarter of the sixteenth century, a boy was born to a poor family of the name of Canty, who did not want him...