Friday, February 28, 2014

Plotting, Pantsing and Motivation by Laurie Schnebly Campbell


 

We all know the risks of being TOO much of a plotter, or TOO much of a pantser. Writers who spend all their time drafting outlines can miss the joy of creative inspiration, and writers who spend all their time freewheeling can miss the joy of finishing a cohesive book.

 
But nobody is all one or the other. Sometimes we might think “I wish I were better at
following wherever the muse leads me” or “I wish I were better at coming up with a credible plot,” but finding the middle ground can be tough.

That’s where motivation comes in. Not our own motivation for writing, but our characters’ motivation for doing whatever they do.

 

What Motivates Your Characters?

It can be tempting to skate right past that question, just grabbing any old thing that sounds plausible. "Oh, my detective is motivated by wanting revenge on the criminal who killed his wife." "Oh, my lab researcher is motivated by the dream of finding a lost asteroid." "Oh, my diner waitress is motivated by her desire to become a celebrity chef."
 

But you notice what's missing from those statements?

They're giving us the characters' goal, not their motivation.

Revenge is a goal. Becoming a celebrity chef is a goal. Finding a lost asteroid is a goal.

 

 

Yet what's driving them to achieve this goal? THAT's where we get into motivation.

What should theirs be?

Sometimes it's tempting to give our characters a motivation that's one-hundred percent kind, honest, charitable, grateful, noble, responsible, loving and good.

The only problem with that is: how can such a person possibly change for the better?

If they're starring in an action-adventure story where readers don't especially care about character development, then we don't need to worry about showing how they grow & learn & change between Chapter One and The End. (James Bond, for instance, has never possessed a whole lot of inner depth, and nobody cares!)

 
But suppose we want our characters to have room for overcoming something inside them? Something that's keeping them from being as kind-honest-charitable-etc as they COULD be? 

Now we've got something to work with. 

Any story is more interesting when the characters have to struggle with not only the external obstacles that keep 'em from achieving their goals, but also the internal obstacles that keep 'em from achieving perfect happiness until the end of the book.

Even if they don't yet realize it, there's something -- aside from wanting revenge, a chef's toque, or a lost asteroid -- which gets 'em up in the morning ready to start the day.


Whatever that is, that motivation will give your readers something to root for. Because, no matter how much they care about the goal, they'll care even more if they know what's driving this person. 

It's okay if your character doesn't yet KNOW what's driving 'em. In fact, plenty of books start with the character thinking their life will be perfect once they've achieved the external goal…only to discover there's really something else they wanted (and needed) even more. 

Which leads to a question:
 

 
What goals have you seen characters striving to achieve, whether or not their motivation was clear up front?

If you can think of an example, please share it.
(And if we get at least 20 people sharing *
somebody will win a prize of free registration to my
Plotting Via Motivation class
starting March 3 at WriterUniv.com.) 

*In the comment section, please leave your contact info
so Nancy can chose a winner. Emails will NOT be shared

I can't wait to see what people come up with! 
 

BIO: Laurie Schnebly Campbell (BookLaurie.com) grew up in a family that discussed psychology around the dinner table, handy for getting her romance-novel couples to a happy ending…which might be what helped her win “Best Special Edition of the Year” over Nora Roberts. The only thing she loves more than writing romance is working with other writers, which is why she now teaches at WriterUniv.com and has written a book for novelists who want to create believable characters with built-in fatal (or not quite fatal) flaws.

 

Friday, February 21, 2014

NC's Loch Norman Highland Games Video

For those of you who love my Scottish-themed books, I suggest you visit a Highland games or festival this year. Nearly every state in America, and province in Canada, hold some type of Scottish heritage celebration. 

To give you a better idea of what you can see and do at various celebrations, please check out this informational video for the Loch Norman Highland Games which take place April 11-13 at Historic Rural Hills, in Huntersville, North Carolina.





For more information concerning tickets, click HERE

If North Carolina is too far, simply GOOGLE Highland Games along with your location. In the meantime, read my Highland Games Through Time series!




Check out all my titles on my WEBSITE

Saturday, February 15, 2014

And the FIVE Winners Are...

Please congratulate the five winners that were kind enough to read my blog articles during the SHARE THE LOVE Valentine Day celebration.

These winners will receive
their choice of either:


 
or





Congratulations to:
 
Donna Newman *** Debra Guyette
 
H. B. *** Amy Bowens *** Gabrielle Lee

Friday, February 14, 2014

Nancy Lee Badger SHARES The LOVE with...Sarra Cannon




SHARE THE LOVE
Blog Giveaway
resumes with the spotlight
ON ONE OF THE
5 BLOGS I LOVE!

TODAY: Sarra Cannon
What can I say about author Sarra Cannon? That she was one of the first of our local chapter of RWA to try self-publishing? That she sold thousands of books in a short amount of time, then took the time to teach the ins and outs of self-publishing to others? Yep, she's the one. On her blog you can see that she gives workshops and shares the knowledge she learned about this self-publishing process, and shares it so we can do it too! She is the reason I tried my hand at it by self-publishing Dragon in the Mist. Guess what? It sold AND won an award! I cannot thank here enough for giving me help, ideas, and a boot in the a** to try it. Learn more when you

 Also, her Peachtree High Young Adult Series was a total pleasure to read. She takes the angst of high school and twists the paranormal throughout the novels, and reels you in!
I am sure she would love to hear comments about what YOU like about the books, her covers, or her blog. To win a prize (one of my e-books) you simply have to leave a comment. No requirements; no questions; no puzzles to solve. I am simply 
SHARING THE LOVE!
ALL WINNERS (there will be 5)
Will be Chosen February 14th
which just happens to be
VALENTINE'S DAY

See what a mean about LOVE? It's addictive, and I fill my stories with romance, sensuality, relationships, and a little twisted paranormal so prepare to suspend belief! You can see all my books by clicking the BOOKS tab above.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Nancy Lee Badger SHARES The LOVE with...Elena Dillon



SHARE THE LOVE
Blog Giveaway
resumes with the spotlight on
Elena Dillon
ONE OF THE
5 BLOGS I LOVE!

I met this 'California Girl' at an east coast writer's conference. Yep, she flew clear across the country to experience her first conference, and we hit it off. Since that meeting, we have kept up with our writing goals, and when she published her first two YA (young adult) novels, I fell in love with her writing. 

Elena Dillon doesn't really have a blog but her website is beautiful and her young adult novels are fantastic.
to see what I love about this author's blog. Some of her BOOK TITLES are fantastic.. Her first book, BREATHE, is an award winning novel! I am sure she would love to hear comments about
what YOU like about the book, the cover, or her site.

Also, a little birdy told me that besides this book being available in ebook and print, it is also out as an AUDIO BOOK!





To win a prize (one of my e-books) you simply have to leave a comment. No requirements; no questions; no puzzles to solve. I am simply by
SHARING THE LOVE!

ALL WINNERS (there will be 5)

Will be Chosen February 14th

which just happens to be

VALENTINE'S DAY

See what a mean about LOVE? It's addictive, and I fill my stories with romance, sensuality, relationships, and a little twisted paranormal so prepare to suspend belief! You can see all my books by clicking the BOOKS tab above. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, February 10, 2014

Nancy Lee Badger SHARES the LOVE with...Vonda Sinclair


SHARE THE LOVE
Blog Giveaway
resumes with the spotlight
ON ONE OF THE
5 BLOGS I LOVE!

TODAY: Vonda Sinclair

Vonda and I write about hunky, sexy, plaid-wrapped Highlanders that battle, and love, in the Scottish Highlands. My books add a bit of Time Travel. Hers are deep into historical facts, which I LOVE! Enjoying similar subject matter naturally brings two authors closer, and we are also members of RWA. We discuss titles, and character names, and she is always courteous and quick to respond. She is a member of another blog, Fierce Romance

Also, her latest release, in her series, MY NOTORIOUS HIGHLANDER, is available and she would love to hear comments about what YOU like about the book, the cover, or her blog. Please take a moment to check out: 
To win a prize (one of my e-books) you simply have to leave a comment. No requirements; no questions; no puzzles to solve. I am simply 
SHARING THE LOVE!
ALL WINNERS (there will be 5)
Will be Chosen February 14th
which just happens to be
VALENTINE'S DAY

See what a mean about LOVE? It's addictive, and I fill my stories with romance, sensuality, relationships, and a little twisted paranormal so prepare to suspend belief! You can see all my books by clicking the BOOKS tab above.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 7, 2014

Nancy Lee Badger SHARES the LOVE with...Terry Spear

Add caption
SHARE THE LOVE Blog Giveaway
resumes with the spotlight
ON ONE OF THE
5 BLOGS I LOVE!

TODAY: Terry Spear Shifters

Terry has been a Godsend when it comes to understanding this whole writing process. She runs a Yahoo group called
She will answer my questions promptly and in a way that gives me hope that my books will sell better and better. She is a fellow author and a member of RWA. I grew to know her through her wolf-shifter series, but we really hit it off when she combined Highlanders and wolves. She is currently working on Vikings! Yum!
Also, her next release, SILENCE OF THE WOLF, is available for pre-order and she would love to hear comments about what YOU like about the cover or her blog. Please take a moment to check out her blog: 



To win a prize (one of my e-books) you simply have to leave a comment. No requirements; no questions; no puzzles to solve. I am simply 
SHARING THE LOVE!
ALL WINNERS (there will be 5)
Will be Chosen February 14th
which just happens to be
VALENTINE'S DAY

See what a mean about LOVE? It's addictive, and I fill my stories with romance, sensuality, relationships, and a little twisted paranormal so prepare to suspend belief! You can see all my books by clicking the BOOKS tab above.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Nancy Lee Badger SHARES the LOVE with...Donna Steele


SHARE THE LOVE
Blog Giveaway
resumes with the spotlight
ON ONE OF THE
5 BLOGS I LOVE!

TODAY: Donna Steele Stories Blog

Donna is a Southern Belle, and a fellow author. I am in her fan club! She is a member of my local chapter of RWA, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, so even though we live hours from each other, I look forward to seeing her monthly. We have also suffered quietly as roommates at both the Romance Writers of America National Conference, and the GRW Moonlight and Magnolias Conference.

Donna Steele Stories Blog
Click HERE

to see what I love about this author's blog. Some of her BOOK TITLES are fantastic and one lucky commenter might WIN something!

Also, her latest release, DANCE PARTNER, is out and she would love to hear comments about what YOU like about the book, the cover, or her blog.

To win a prize (one of my e-books) you simply have to leave a comment. No requirements; no questions; no puzzles to solve. I am simply 
SHARING THE LOVE!
ALL WINNERS (there will be 5)
Will be Chosen February 14th
which just happens to be
VALENTINE'S DAY

See what I mean about LOVE? It's addictive, and I fill my stories with romance, sensuality, relationships, and a little twisted paranormal so prepare to suspend belief! You can see all my books by clicking the BOOKS tab above.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Share The Love Valentine Giveaway


Share The Love is not your typical Blog hop...yes there are prizes (from me) but the idea is for ME to SHARE THE LOVE of some of the Blogs I follow.

There are several, and every few days I will tell y'all a tidbit about their blog, because I really want you to go visit them and say 'Hi'

To win a prize (an e-book) you simply have to leave a comment.
No requirements; no questions; no puzzles to solve. I am simply 
SHARING THE LOVE!

ALL WINNERS (there will be 5)
Will be Chosen February 14th
which just happens to be
VALENTINE'S DAY

See what a mean about LOVE? It's addictive, and I fill my stories with romance, sensuality, relationships, and a little twisted paranormal so prepare to suspend belief!

Here are the five blogs I want y'all to look at. Check back for my questions, and a chance TO WIN!

Follow me on twitter @NLBadger for announcements saying 'It is time to comment' so you don't miss out.





Please visit them, and check back to see what other interesting tidbits I will share about them!Also, check out my latest releases:


















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