PLOTSTORMING

After the new year starts, I'm going to dive into the next book in my USAF PJ series. Over the next week I will brainstorm my plot for that book, a term I refer to as Plotstorming. I'll post this process in case it helps other writers. Each of us have our own methods, and you have to find what works for you, but in the meantime, maybe you'll find something in my method that you can use.

 

Up to this point, I've researched the novel. I always start there. Research is ongoing.

Then I get to know my characters. I usually have to know my characters completely before I can fully engage the plot.

Then I begin to think of the major plot points in the story. I do what is called a scene index. I usually average 15-20 chapters per book, and each chapter usually has 1-4 scenes, three on average. I'll use the story I just turned in to my editor. My scene index looked something like this:

 

C1S1: Manny crashes his parachute. Taken to hospital via helicoptor. Remorse hits him for not telling his buddies he'd given his life to Christ a week prior. He fears for his life.

C1S2: Manny wakes up to find Celia at his side. Surprised she's there because he propositioned her at their best friends' wedding. They talk. She's aloof.

C1S3:Celia leaves the hospital room when Joel returns. Remorseful over being cold to Manny. Amber told her of his conversion but she doubts since her father was a hypocrite.

C1S4: Manny taken to surgery. Celia worries since her husband died in the line of duty as cop. She cares for Manny and doesn't want to because she doesn't want a guy with a dangerous job again, but the draw between them this past year has been strong.

 

C2S1: Manny released to rehab. Gets to know Javier, Celia's son.

C2S2: Celia gets angry because she doesn't want Manny influencing Javier to a dangrous career.

 

C3S1: Bla-bla-bla

C3S2: Bla-bla-bla

C3S3: Bla-bla bla

 

C4S1: Bla-bla bla

 

all the way to C20S3 (or last chapter and scene # when the guy gets the girl and all live happily ever after)

 

Okay so just with that, "C" stands for "Chapter" and "S" stands for "Scene."

 

Sometimes I number is this way, so I can refer to the particular scene:

 

Chapter 1

S1: Manny crashes his parachute. Taken to hospital via helicoptor. Remorse hits him for not telling his buddies he'd given his life to Christ a week prior. He fears for his life.

S2: Manny wakes up to find Celia at his side. Surprised she's there because he propositioned her at their best friends' wedding. They talk. She's aloof.

S3:Celia leaves the hospital room when Joel returns. Remorseful over being cold to Manny. Amber told her of his conversion but she doubts since her father was a hypocrite.

S4: Manny taken to surgery. Celia worries since her husband died in the line of duty as cop. She cares for Manny and doesn't want to because she doesn't want a guy with a dangerous job again, but the draw between them this past year has been strong.

 

Chapter 2

S5: Manny released to rehab. Gets to know Javier, Celia's son.

S6: Celia gets angry because she doesn't want Manny influencing Javier to a dangrous career.

 

Chapter 3

S7: Bla-bla bla

S8: bla-bla bla

 

So there you have it. The way I organize my scenes.

 

Once I have my scenes I decide whose POV it would best be written from, and then I highlight the scenes I plan to put in the hero's POV in blue and the heroine's in pink or some other feminine color.

 

When I'm writing, I also change the color of the font to pink or blue, so I can be sure I'm not headhopping. My publisher likes authors to stick with one POV perscene is possible. With the colors, I know whose head I'm in so to speak. LOL!

 

Okay, I hope this helps someone.

 

As I plotstorm my upcoming novel this next week, I'll post that process. I can't post it right now because I actually have never, ever thought about how I plot since I'm usually a panster. Plotstorming scenes does keep my story from stalling in the middle though.

 

You'll find your way. Until then, maybe my way will kickstart something for you.

 

Happy wriitng!

 

Squirrel

--
~Cheryl Wyatt~ Gal. 2:20 ~Pouring my vial of words over Him.

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008

www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com
www.LoveInspiredAuthors.com
www.SteepleHill.com
www.CherylWyatt.com

RAPID DEPLOYMENT KITS

The holidays are a time when families get together, so for deployed soldiers and their families, the holidays are sometimes the lonliest days.

 

Here's a way you can help bring some joy to our deployed soldiers during what can be some of their most difficult days. If you'd like more info on how to serve those serving us, click the following links.

 

http://give2.ccci.org/featured/rdk-email/

 

http://give2.ccci.org/featured/rdk-email/kit.php

 

Squirrel

--
~Cheryl Wyatt~ Gal. 2:20 ~Pouring my vial of words over Him.

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008

www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com
www.LoveInspiredAuthors.com
www.SteepleHill.com
www.CherylWyatt.com

SIX DAYS LEFT! And Tribute

Only six days left to enter December's Prompt contest!

 

Scroll back a few posts to read the prompt, and send me your scene.

 

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas as we remembered the birth of our Savior.

 

TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE:

 

King Jesus, I love you. Thank you for coming to be like us so we could be with You. Thank You, Father, for sending your precious Son.

 

I love you more than anything, and for the new year in front of everyone, I commit my works to You. It's all for You, Lord. I write as worship.

 

Love,

 

Squirrel

--
~Cheryl Wyatt~ Gal. 2:20 ~Pouring my vial of words over Him.

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008

www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com
www.LoveInspiredAuthors.com
www.SteepleHill.com
www.CherylWyatt.com

LOITERING HIPPY

My mother's helper confessed something to me this week that cracked me up. When she first came to interview for the job of our babysitter, she said she pulled up and became concerned. It seemed there was a hippie guy standing in our driveway. She thought it was terrible that a hippie guy was loitering with a baby in his arms in our driveway.

Turns out, she comes in to meet my family...and Hippie guy was my hubby. ROFL!

Here's my Hippie.

Neighborhood Fiasco

We had some excitement in the neighborhood last night. About thirty police cars from several counties surrounded our block 2/3 of the way. Apparently there was a high-speed pursuit for many, many miles which ended in front of our neighbor's house. You can't tell by the picture but there is a black car surrounded by police cars. The local police officer put his car sideways in the road, stopping the car. The two guys jumped out and fled on foot. They caught one right near the alley beside our home and dragged him across our yard in handcuffs. The other was apprehended less than a mile away. I've never seen so many police cars in one place. Our house was literally strobing blue from all the lights and it's not often that you have cops running through your yard with shotguns. LOL!

Squirrel

WRITING NEWS: NERVES, NERVES AND MORE NERVES

Well, my nerves are up in arms again because my agent and I subbed the second book in my USAF PJ series (Wind Warriors) to my editor www.SteepleHill.com yesterday. EEEEEK! Biting my fingernails over here.

This was my option book. (In Harlequin contracts, they like a first time author to give them first dibs on the next book you write.) I really hope they like it and want to buy it. My faithful Robin, who does my pre-submission edits http://www.robinmillerbooks.com/CritiqueBoutique.html likes this book better than the first, and believe me, if Robin thought it sucked, she'd be the first to let me know. LOLO!

I'm hoping the editorial team at Steeple Hill will love it too. I didn't send it to Caminator www.camytang.com http://storysensei.blogspot.com/ for a structural edit because she's under deadline for her second Asian Chick Lit book with Zondervan but normally I wouldn't sub a book without these two girl's hawk eyes going over it, as well as my other faithful critters. http://michelleswritingspace.blogspot.com/
http://www.pamela-james.com/home.html
http://syndihawkins.blogspot.com

These women are a contant source of encouragement to me, and I'm praying SO hard they sell soon. Pammer writes Inspirational romantic suspense, Syn writes chick lit-women's fiction with a hint of romance, and Michelle writes historicals and women's fiction. I think I will be as excited for them as I was for me as soon as I hear they've sold.

Leigh Bale, also a new author with Steeple Hill and I traded critiques on my second book too. http://www.leighbale.com/ I critted her upcoming suspense submission, and I LOVE THAT BOOK! I'll let you know when it sells, because I'm sure it will. She's a phenominal writer.

Robin just sold to Steeple Hill Suspense and I'm so excited for the three of us!!!! Our books will come out pretty close together. Tiff Miller, my webdesigner just this week sold to Barbour! YEEEE TIFF!!! http://www.ambermiller.com/index.html

Speaking of my agent, www.hartlineliterary.com www.tamelahancockmurray.com she sent me the most beautiful congratulatory basket, to celebrate my first book contract. I put a picture of it up there.

UGH...BUG...

My children often come up to me with bright eyes and grinning faces and say, "Close your eyes and open your mouth, Mom! We have a surprise for you!"

So I do as told because they usually set a cheese and peanut butter cracker or a candy kiss, or something really yummy in my mouth. Often I do this little game with them, too, where I'm the one putting the treat in their mouth.

Sometimes the game turns silly.

For example, as I sit awaiting my "treat" with closed eyes and open mouth, I'll often pop my eyes open when I sense them getting near with my treat and say, "Wait, you're not getting ready to feed me a bug, are ya?"

Boisterous giggles follow. This goes on and on as their hands get close to my mouth, until finally I let them stick whatever they have in my open mouth. Of course I bide by the rules and keep my eyes shut.

Especially today, when my toddler tells me, "Close your eyes and open your mouth, Mama! Gotta special treat for ya!"

I proceed to do as asked, and lo and behold I feel something really gross and prickly touch my tongue. My eyes fly open, my hand flies up to my mouth where I've spat.....

something that I think must have been a cricket.

Sigh.

The joys of motherhood....and I wouldn't trade these moments for anything.

The cricket on the other hand...I'd definitely trade for a cracker.

Squirrel

MORE MHC PARTY PICS

Enjoy!

Squirrel

MHC Christmas Party Pics

When you're used to seeing your coworkers in nursing and surgical scrubs, it's really neat to see them all gussied up.

I actually tried froglegs at the party and ya know what? They were GOOD!

Hope you enjoy the pics.

Cheryl

GOOD TIMES WITH OLD FRIENDS

With Christmas drawing near, nostalgia sets in, at least for me. A dear friend (waving to Debby) invited me to attend an annual Christmas party for the hospital I worked at for many years.

Hope you enjoy your holiday season, and remember the little baby whose birth offered the free gifts of hope, peace, and salvation to all who believe in Him.

Have a blessed Holiday season!

My favorite Christmas memory is when my aunt and cousins came to visit from out of state unexpectedly. I'll never, ever forget opening the door and seeing them on the landing. That memory is etched forever in my heart and mind, and echoes of our precious (and uncexpected) time together still make me smile to this day.

I'd love to know what your favorite Christmas memory is. I will draw names of all who post a comment, then one person will receive an ornament from me.

Squirrel

DECEMBER PROMPT CONTEST-SQUIRREL'S STORY STARTER

Well here it is....the moment you've all (fourteen) been waiting for: (LOL!)

DECEMBER'S PROMPT:

To reiterate the rules, write a 500 word scene beginning with one of the following hook lines, and try to use at least five of the ten prompt words.

As always, you retain rights to everything you send and it will not be posted anywhere.

Deadline for entry of December's prompt is December 31 since I'm late getting this month's prompt out.

Winner will be notified the first week in January, and will receive their choice of a new release Steeple Hill book.

It's not too late to jump on the Story Starter bandwagon for the overall contest...where the overall annual Story Starter winner will receive a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice paid for by me to the book club. This mother contest in only a few months in and there's room in the race for you. Remember, you don't have to have won to be included in the mother contest, you just have to consistantly enter. The person who's entered the most number of times in a twelve month span will win. So come on guys, that's only twelve total times. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Now, let's move on to the good stuff.

DECEMBER'S PROMPT:

Write a 500 word scene beginning with one of these lines:

Of all days, why did this have to happen today?

"I got your message and came as fast as I could. Sit down, tell me what's wrong?"

"You'll never believe who I ran into at the doctor's office."


Diagnosis
Plan
Support
Tabloid
Train
Motocross
Eggs
Collision
Turkeys
Flee

Happy Writing!

Oh, and as always, send submissions or questions to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt.com (remove spaces before and after the @ sign)

Squirrel

A TITLE IS BORN!!!

Well,

you may have noticed I've been MIA much the month of November. That's because I participated in National Novel Writing Month www.Nanowrimo.org where I dove into a writing cave completing a 65, 000 word manuscript.

I'm back with another completed manuscript in my USAF PJ (Pararescue Jumper) series and GREAT NEWS!!!!

Houston! We have a title!!!

My sold manuscript, A SOLDIER'S PROMISE will release from Steeple Hill Publishers in January of 2008.

www.Steeplehill.com
www.LoveInspiredAuthors.com


A SOLDIER'S PROMISE is book one in the PJ series. (Wind Warriors.)

YEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Don't you just LOVE the title? I do! I can't take credit for thinking it up though. Someone on my book's vision team did. It's perfect though to the story, both metaphorically and literally.

Pass the word along to your friends!

I'm going to change the name of the second and third books in this Wind Warrior series to match the first.

I'd like it to be

A Soldier's (something).

So any and all ideas for that are welcome. If the book sells and we use your title idea, you WILL receive a free autographed copy from me as well as your name acknowledged in the front of the book.

Ones I've thought of so far are:

A SOLDIER'S QUEST
A SOLDIER'S HEALING
A SOLDIER'S HEART
A SOLDIER'S PURPOSE
A SOLDIER'S SONNET
A SOLDIER'S SHELTER

Come on! Send me your title ideas! There are five other books in this series.

Squirrel

Interview with LOST IN NASHVEGAS author, Rachel Hauck

Welcome to the Treehouse branch of author Rachel Hauck's 's blog tour.

Today we're going to be blessed with some insights from Rachel on writing as well as her newly released book, LOST IN NASHVEGAS by Westbow Press Publishers.


About the book:

Cheryl Wyatt: 1. What a totally awesome title. Who came up with it?

Rachel Hauck: I can take no credit for the title. WestBowdecided during one of their meetings. But I love it.

CW: 2. What gave you the idea for this book? Can you talk about what sparked it?

RH: My agent deserves credit for starting this book.She called me with an idea and ta-da, here it is.

CW: 3. What do you hope readers will take away from the book?

RH: I hope people feel encouraged to go for theirdreams. God loves dreamers.

CW: 4. What was your favorite scene to write? The most> challenging? The funnest?

RH: My favorite scene is when she finally decides tomove to Nashville. The funnest were the scenes withLee. The most challenging? Getting all the Music Rowlingo and details correct.

CW: 5. Did you know your plot or your characters first? Can you expound a bit?

RH: I have to know my characters. I also have to knowt he story points and where this character is going.They have to go hand in hand for me.

CW: 6. Ahh. Interesting. Will there be a sequel?

RH: There is not a sequel to Robin's story, but there is a second NashVegas book, Diva NashVegas that comesout in the spring. This is a story about a country superstar.

CW: 7. I'll be looking forward to Diva NashVegas as I'm sure many readers will too. Who was your favorite character to write in Lost in NashVegas and why?

RH: Robin was my favorite character. I suppose she's alittle like me... :)


About the Author:

CW: 1. Did this story or the writing of it change or challenge you in any way? If so, how so?

RH: This story challenged me to go deeper as a writer. And, I had more research to do that I have in the pastand a tight deadline. But it was fun and God enabled me to do it.

CW: 2. I love how you give Him the credit, and how you depend on Him as a writer as evidenced by this interview, and how great your writing is. What are you working on now?

RH: I'm working on a book set in South Carolina's lowcountry.

CW: 3. Oooh Cool! When can we look for another book from you? Next release date? What\'s that book about...can you> give us a teaser?

RH: Spring 2007 and Fall 2007. No teasers. Have to buythe book.

4. LOL! Well then, can you share what your most favorite reader letter has been?

RH: For Georgia On Her Mind, I had several emails frompeople who started out with, "I don\'t normally like to read, but..." I loved the idea that something I wrote encouraged someone to read.

CW: 5. That's awesome. Can you talk about the process of making a memorable character?

RH: Get inside the character's head and heart. Spend time with them. Let them become real people. Don'tlimit characters to your own understanding, habits or beliefs. Don't create characters to carry your"message" forward. Create people with good hearts as well as flaws.

CW: 6. I'm sure many writers will find that helpful. What about a plot? Do you do it?

RH: I'm not a plotter-outliner, but I do have to know where the story is going - the conflicts, the darkmoments. this inciting incident.

CW: 7. Wow. And a whole book comes from that springlboard. Very cool. What\'s a typical day like for the life of> Author Rachel Hauck starting from the moment you> wake up to the time your head hits the pillow?

RH: It varies. Some mornings I go to Spinning, thenprayer at church. Others, I work right away. But, I'mabout to change my schedule so I'm more focused andtime is used more wisely.

Rachel, thank you for your time and a really fun interview!!!

To my blog readers, I hope each of you will pick up a copy of Lost in Nashvegas. ISBN: 9781595541901



Thanks for having me, Cheryl!!

Rachel*****************


For web site, blog and book news go to:www.rachelhauck.com

For information on blog tours, check out http://www.heatherdianetipton.blogspot.com

NOVEMBER PROMPT CONTEST OPENS

Squirrel's Story Starter for November is here!

Remember...your retain all rights to your work and I do not print it anywhere.

Contest will end November 25, 2006.

Winner will be notified by December 1, 2006

New prompt will be posted by Dec 5, 2006. Previous month's winner will receive their prize by this date as well. (Prize consists of a new Steeple Hill release as well as another notch added in the chance to win a 6 month subscription to the Steeple Hill line of their choice.)


Submit a 500 word scene to Cheryl @ Cheryl Wyatt.com (close spaces on either side of @) using the following prompt:


Begin your scene with one of the following sentences, and use 5 of the ten prompt words in the body of your scene. Give it any tone you wish, but I'm going to be looking for strong beats (action gestures the character performs) to ramp the tension in this scene as well as compliment each of your dialogue lines. I want to be able to picture this scene as if I'm in the audience and your characters are on stage.

Scene Starters:

"They found it by the river."

"I'm afraid I have to pass."

"I thought she was with you?"


Prompt words: (You may use any variation of each word, ie plural, etc.)

Gripped
Clenched
Panic
Pound
Waver
Missing
Funnel
Trust
Convey
Snicker


Happy Writing!!!!


Squirrel

WHERE THE STORIES HAPPEN

I'm always curious when I read a book about where the book was written. If the setting of the book is Winterish, with characters frolicking through snow, I often imagine the author sitting by the fireplace. Maybe there is a steaming cup of hot chocolate on the small table beside her. A notebook rests on her knee as her stockinged foot rests on a victorian chair. Her hand cradles her favorite pen as sleep cradles the rest of her family and the house and neighborhood sleeps. For her inspiration maybe she watches flecks of white dust the windows, mesmerizing her as she creates a fictional world which will touch and entertain readers. Maybe she smiles at the snowflakes who've danced their way down to glimpse through the window into the warm house as a novel whose characters will outlive their creator come to life on the page.

Same thing if the setting of a book is in the city. Makes me want to go visit that place and eat the food mentioned in the book.

Just in case you happen by one of my books in the store in the future and wonder where the stories happened, here is a glimpse into the life of one author. Ingore my messy desk now because there is chaos in every corner of my house. I usually like things to be more orderly but hey....sometimes life happens. My house may not be clean but my family knows they're loved.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Please leave a comment letting me know what your favorite setting in a book and why. Or if you'd love to see a particular setting in a book and haven't or haven't lately.

Don't be shy! Talk away!

Squirrel

PROMPT CONTEST DEADLINE LOOMS

One more day to get your monthly entry in guys!

Remember....those of you who enter consistantly over the next twelve months will be eligible to win a six month subscription to the Steeple Hill line of your choice.

Hurry! Get those entries in!

Squirrel

Surprise Party-Friends and Family attending

Two tables of people and we took up one entire room at Changing Seasons

Renee's SCRUMPTIOUS cake! It amazes me how someone can make a glop of icing turn into a sage rose. Incredible.

The CUTE tea cups and LOOK at the little dainty spoon!

Those of you who subscribe to my blog, I hope you don't hate me for all the influx of pics in your blog. LOL! It just occurred to me. Blogger wouldn't let me upload more than one pic at a time for some reason. Something about my cookies being disabled. Hmm. Disabled cookies? Don't know about that but I'll tell you, that CAKE was DE--E--E-LICOUS!

Squirrel

Spring Room at Changing Seasons

Book Deal Surprise Party Pics

The Spring Room at Changing Seasons