Plot Grids– Part One

July 31, 2008 on 11:00 am | In Writing Lessons | No Comments

Yes, they're two separate images. The one on the left is the one most commonly used by the e-published in size. The second is for the ambitious full length novel.

You may recognize both use the Vogler system. I do this for a reason. Why re-invent the wheel? The movie industry has done writers a huge favor by researching, testing and refining this simple system. It gives the reader the emotional rollercoaster they want in a logical order that works. Is it the only method? Of course not.

I've also modified this one a bit for the romance writer. There's more here than Vogler put in because he didn't need to include love scenes. We do. I've only marked one as a true love scene. The rest must fit your characters and your vision. Use this chart to make sure you place your love scenes in a balanced manner.

More later!

Lena

Writing Lessons– The Storyboard

July 30, 2008 on 12:13 pm | In Writing Lessons | No Comments HOW TO WRITE: STORYBOARD



Here's how it works. Every book starts out as a nebulous idea. "Hey, what
if..." If you think it through a hair more, it becomes the premise: a character in a situation who wants something, and there stands in the way of that want an antagonist or situation, which will result in some catastrophe if the want is not achieved.

The plot is a mere extension of that. How do you get your characters out of their comfortable mundane existences and give them the conflict so they can arrive at the solution and avoid the catastrophe? That's a plot. Getting them from point A all the way through to point Z.

Somewhere in there, you have a few turning points, a few sex scenes, the infamous Black Moment when all seems lost, the epiphany when they have their revelation, and finally their resolution/HEA.

Lucynda Storey, Lizzie T Leaf and I have been to several classes, some dealing with the Plot W made famous by the movie industry and "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler. We also went to other classes detailing versions of this, including the so-called plot grids. Each, by themselves, helped. Finally, we made an amalgamate of them in our plot grid I use today. (Lucynda's is a little different. We modified to fit our own particular style of doing things.)

Still, it all comes back to the same old thing you were probably taught in school about creating an outline or list of your plan, which is modifiable right up until you typed "The End" on any given book report or term paper.
I'll upload my fancy grid in the files, but here's the simplified list:

1. Inciting incident for the main POV character. What happened that day/minute when life began to change for them?
2. Inciting incident for main love interest. Same thing.
3. Secondary character's emotional hook. Lucynda and I differ here, and that's okay. I may introduce the villain's POV, I may give the reader a taste of what the love interest is feeling/doing. The point is, make this an emotional chapter with a very strong hook at the end. Give this chapter some punch.
4. New Evidence- this is the chapter where the characters, who have been resisting the change in their lives, get their first hard clue that they must change. The information can come from any source, including a mentor (Paging Master Yoda!) or a simple television news show. Whatever. Make 'em think!
5. Main POV Hook, using the evidence for change. This is your first big chance to put the thumbscrews to your main POV character and make them agonize a little. They know they must change, they still don't like it, but dammit, something's got to give and they know it. This hook is driven usually by the outer conflict.
6. Decision to Act. Force the decision. The characters are still squirming like fish on a hook, but they must do something.
7. Easy challenge. Give 'em a chance to fight a little. A chance to do something.
8. Secondary character's hook- Begin to focus on the inner conflict. Give the reader more than a mere taste that this HURTS the characters. Show a little inner agony. I use this to make sure the reader feels sympathy for some poor bastard besides the main POV character. Maybe the love interest. Maybe the villain is not all that evil, or he has plausible reasons for being the antagonist.
9. Have I made a mistake? Make the characters question all that has happened, their choices, their growing feelings for the love interest, and show that inner conflict. Give all the good reasons, pro and con.
10. Main POV Hook to show inner conflict. Put the thumbscrews back on the main POV character and tighten them down. Make them hurt. Have a fight with their love interest, rack of the tension before they hop in the sack, and make them agonize again.
11. The Innermost Cave- They have the major sex scene, the get the big clue, or they think they've caught the criminal, but give 'em a little happiness. Rest the reader with love, joy, and good nookie.
12. Stop and smell the roses- Have a smoke after the sex scene, take a walk in the garden, and let 'em think life is grand for a little bit.
13. Things begin to go sour/Secondary character hook- Start ratcheting up the tension again, by degrees. Wait, is that new evidence you might have the wrong guy? Hey, stupid characters, you still have to bring the treasure back and it won't be easy, you are NOT resolved.
14. The worst turn so far- the criminal they caught is not the right one, the villain has laid a trap, and things are getting ugly. Ratchet up the tension another notch.
15. Main POV Hook to lead up to the Black Moment- Rut-roh...get ready to drop the characters into hell. At the end of this chapter, they have their first ugly glimpse of just how bad things are. Rip out their guts and twist.
16. Black Moment- All seems lost, and make 'em cry. You've ripped out their guts. Now stomp HARD. If you haven't made the reader weep, scream, and cry by now, then here's where you do it. Your goal is to make misery your friend.
17. Get out of the Black Moment- give them some plausible means to heal the hurts, get out of the torture, and get on with things. You can't cry forever, baby, now get mad. Then, get even. Put the spine back in 'em. Make them shake their fist at the sky like Scarlet O'Hara declaring she will never be hungry again.
18. More Challenges or Secondary Characters' Hook- Make sure the reader knows the antagonist is going to get his just desserts, the big mental epiphany is going to happen, something that says the characters are going to win, if only they can
19. Return with the Elixir- vanquish the villain, get the girl back, and good will triumph. Ratchet it up so the reader is cheering for the triumph.
20. Wrap it all up and tie on the Bow- Tie up any remaining loose ends, show the HEA, and make sure the characters are shown to be happy in their new reality.

Notice it's an emotional roller coaster as much as a journey? It's just a plan, not the story. Things will change. Nevertheless, this just keeps you on track toward the goal, nothing more. Watch for these in movies and TV shows. (They are very clear in Star Wars and the Wizard of Oz, for example.)

Pantsers, this is your list. If you are ever stuck and beating your head against the wall called "writer's block," this is your checklist out. Use the list or the chart to tick off that you have done all you could to/for your characters. You may discover that you've skipped several steps, have an epiphany, and be able to move on with fresh insight. Or not. Sometimes the missing creative spark is not here, but within the characters themselves. Go back and check their POV's, goals, motivations, and conflicts.

Plot Cards the Cheap Way

July 29, 2008 on 11:00 am | In Writing Lessons | No Comments How to Write: Plot cards the Cheap Way


Yesterday, the post was a plot card for reference. Print one for now, or open a second window so you can look at it.

My cards read as follows on the "printed side":

**********************
Scene description: (My keywords to tell me what the scene was about, ie, "Hero returns", "Loss of Virginity", "Trip to Chicago", etc.)

Objective: (What was the point of this scene in the plot? comic relief? Using Vogler's words "Call to Adventure", whatever...would go here) Alternatively, you may mark here what is the character's objective in this scene. (Convince another character of something? Find something? Do something?)

Omen: (Is it clear to the reader that there's more coming? Make her want to turn the page? Does the scene give a logical next step?) This is a good place to note what you intend to do as a hook at the end, or simply to note a foreshadow of events to come.

Motivation: (Is the motivation of the POV character clear?) Why is the character doing this?

Senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell (I check to make sure I've used at least two, and three is better.)

Day:
Time:
Location/Setting:

POV1:

POV2: (I allow myself only two POV's per scene, otherwise I get confused, and so does the reader.)

For fast reference feel free to use the blank side for notes, keywords, that snazzy bit of dialogue, or whatever notations you may need.

Pantsers: You may use the cards after the scene is written to check yourself and make sure you have achieved the maximum effectiveness and conveyed all the information you wished. Did you make sure you used at least two senses? Did you give the reader that omen (hook) that makes him/her want to turn the page?


********************
Okay, print 15 copies, or 15 pages for each book. Keep one of the copies as a master, and mark it with yellow highlighter so it is easily noted as the master, if you need to use a copier to make more. Cut the rest up into "cards". Don't worry about pretty edges or being all the same size. These are yours, for your notes. They are supposed to be ragged, a bit, so you are guilt-free if you waste one. You now have more than enough to do a full single-title. If you need less, print less. Clip together what you don't need and save for next time or additional scenes you may insert later.

Once you have marked the scenes on them, don't forget to number them. As I stated once before, I use Chapter number, scene number. (Example: C3.1 for Chapter 3, scene 1) I don't care if you use 1, 2, 3...ad infinitum. Number them. If you drop your cards or the wind blows them, you are seriously screwed without this.

By using cheap printouts instead of index cards, you relieve yourself of several guilts. 1) Paper is cheaper than index cards. You can throw one away, knowing you've only wasted less than 1/4 a sheet of paper. 2) You can make more at home in a big hurry if you run out. 3) These can be modified to suit your style as often as necessary, and then printed. No more laboriously labeling each one with the same information is necessary.

Finally, I urge you to keep your cards. Put a binder clip on them, or wrap a rubber band around them, and store them with your hard copy of your manuscript. I have blessed my anal-retentive soul several times when my editor asked for a rewrite of a chapter and I was able to flip through the cards to find out what I needed to know: what was I trying to say, and how does what my editor wants change this?

Also, should you decide that the plot chart I talk about next is not for you, these cards become the basis for your synopsis.

Writing Lessons-The Plot Card

July 28, 2008 on 11:49 am | In Writing Lessons | No Comments You may notice this image is sideways. There's a reason. When you save to your computer for printout, this is how it must print. There are four plot cards to a page.

Some of you may be thinking, "Oh, now this is really anal! A card for each scene?" Yes, and here's why. They are a visual reference, and nothing more. They serve as a reminder what the purpose of the scene is, who's POV you're supposed to be in, and even remind you to include all five senses. I don't care how good you are, you will forget something that could make the reader feel the scene more.

The explanation comes next, so just hang tight. Print just one for now as a reference. If you don't like the idea after it's fully explained, you can delete the picture and I'll never know will I?

Lena

New Reviews for Lena and Tuesday’s “Night Critters” series!

July 25, 2008 on 3:25 pm | In Review | No Comments For Paws to Heal:

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=493 4 Tombstones!

Must Love Dogs:

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=653 4.5 Tombstones!

For Faux Paws:

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=492 4 Tombstones!

Woohoo! I'm proud! Thank you Bitten By Books!

Lena

My Workbook

July 25, 2008 on 11:00 am | In Writing Lessons | No Comments As you may have noticed, I'm a plotter. I keep research, maps, character charts, plot plans, premises, and even a special sex scene plot all in one place--the book binder. For me, it's a visual all-in-one reference manual to the story.

However, I also keep a standardized workbook for all stories. A place where my notes on self-editing, my references as to what formats my publishers like, a list of words to replace lazy verbs like "walked", and even a Kama Sutra of sexual information and a BDSM limits list. This is my all-inclusive reference manual. It's not about any one book, but more about the craft of writing in general, geared to my specific needs.

Stop digging around on your desk. Make yourself a workbook. You'll be glad you did, whether you're a plotter or a pantser.

What’s Lena Up To?

July 24, 2008 on 11:58 am | In FYI | No Comments What I'm Writing Now:

Well, I'm happy to report I'm nearly done with Spaceport: Time Bomb. It's turned out to be more of an action-adventure than my usual works. In fact, the Muse has held me by the throat and refuses to even let me write the sex scenes so integral to a Changeling Press story! They're there, all notated and ready, but the Muse insisted she wanted the action done first, all the way to the conclusion before she'd allow me to write the intimate details. I sniffled and grabbed tissue while I wrote the Black Moment yesterday, and drew a howl of protest from Dante when he gave it a fast read. "Lena!! How dare you! That's just rotten!" (Hehehehe...I love it when he's disturbed by what I write.)

Coming Very Soon:

I have two stories due for release. Both will be from Changeling Press, so stand by!

1. Night Critters 3: Bad Fur Day -- (Due to release in early August) This was such fun to write! Who'd have thought I could ever make a Foo-Dog into a hero and pair him with one of my quirky were-critter crosses? Well, I did! This wraps the trilogy, but I plan to re-visit this world as soon as I can! It's too much fun!

2. A Peck of Pickles -- Like the title? I loved it. Yes, it's m/m/m. I don't know when this one will be released. It's a Hot Flash, so it's dependent on when M gets a wild hair on and decides she needs to shake things up a bit in the release lineup. It's amazing the secrets people keep in small towns, isn't it? (grin)

What's next?:

I'm on a sexual vacation! Okay, not really. I'm writing a fantasy/paranormal/comedy called The Blue Rose for Aspen Mountain Press. This one has sex a-plenty, but I've wanted to write this novel for years. Yes, I typed years. So, I'm taking a break from pumping out novellas and Hot Flashes to finally get this one done. It's based on "The Inferno" and I'll bet old Dante Alighieri is doing a pinwheel routine in his grave. Not that I blame him. (evil laughter) I can't wait!

World Building Overview

July 24, 2008 on 11:00 am | In Writing Lessons | No Comments World Building Overview

I’ll get more into world building later, but a quick rundown of some of what you should think about may be wise.

Arts and Entertainment
Calendar and Time Keeping
Crime and the Legal System
Daily Life
Diet
Fashion and Dress
Eating customs
Education
Foreign Relations
Gestures
Government
Greeting and Meeting
Language
Magic and Magicians (if any)
Magic vs. Technology (if any)
Manners
Medicine
People and Customs
Physical and Historical Features of the Settings
Climate and Geography
Natural Resources
General History
Politics
Population
Religion and Philosophy
Rules of Magic (if any)

A few words may suffice, such as “Politics—As corrupt as it gets. The justice you get depends on the size of your wallet.”

At other times, you may wish to get elaborate. For my world-building, I’m not above drawing not only a map of the area, but also a map of the town and sometimes even maps of houses, depending on the need. Having a clear frame of reference can only help you convey that vision to the readers.

Occasionally, humor may also play a part. Let’s say the locals have an odd custom of an elaborate handshake the characters can’t follow well. Their attempts could prove humorous. On the other hand, perhaps you could make a joke out of how the local government’s taxes and graft seems remarkably like the IRS.

Take a few moments to flesh out the world in your own mind so you can consistently flesh it out for the reader with ease.

Writing Lesson– Verbs, Verbs, Verbs! (LONG)

July 23, 2008 on 11:00 am | In Writing Lessons | No Comments This was posted in Aspen Mountain Press. Why re-invent the wheel?

1000 Verbs to Write By
Article is site original
© 2004


1000 Verbs to Write By
by Deanna Carlyle




All the writing advice in the world can't replace good tools and lots of practice. This is why I've compiled the following list of over a thousand action verbs. I needed a handy, printable reference tool that didn’t strain my eyes or my wrists. Try it for yourself sometime. It works.

For "walked"
or "ran"
lumbered
plodded
scurried
sidled
slinked/slunk
proceeded
wended
scuttled
went on his way
shuffled
scuffed
scuffled
stumbled
shambled
waddled
wobbled
scooted
slouched
scrambled
scampered
minced
trotted
strolled
sauntered
ambled
marched
stepped
paced
roamed
roved
meandered
shadowed
pursued
trekked
continued on
drifted past/along
strayed
glided along
strode
stalked
stomped
strutted
swished
swaggered
stamped
tramped
trudged
traipsed
trod/treaded/trodden limped
hobbled
lurched
staggered
tripped
crawled
crossed
traversed
inched across
hurtled
galloped
charged
darted
advanced
approached
bushwhacked
chased
climbed
crept along, crept away
sneaked/snuck
tiptoed
stepped lightly
pussyfooted
dashed
danced
pranced
descended
ascended
dodged
edged
eluded
emerged
entered
evacuated
escaped
evaded
fled
flitted
flew
hauled off
groped his way
launched across
scaled
lunged
moved
paraded
passed
patrolled
plowed
prowled
propelled
pursued
raced
sailed
rushed
sidestepped
skidded
skipped
stole
stomped
steered
swerved
veered
listed
trampled
ushered
waded
wandered
hiked
withdrew
ambulated
perambulated
absconded
trailed after
bolted
tore
tore along
made rapid strides
covered ground
sprinted
careered
scudded
hastened
raced
hurried
jogged
cantered
loped
tripped
took flight
decamped
drifted

For "reacted"
reeled back
rocked back
flushed
blanched
blushed
scowled
nodded her consent
nodded his agreement
smiled
grinned
grimaced
fell silent
shrugged and said
admitted with a nod
shook his head
beamed
smirked
simpered
listed
tilted
swayed
keeled over
flinched
shivered
sniffed
blinked
retracted
sighed
exhaled
inhaled
flicked
flung
reclined
shifted
relaxed
swallowed
pouted
looked + adj.
yielded
hesitated
made no attempt to
frowned
made no answer
fell silent
paused
stared
gasped
started
startled
slackened
reclined
drew back
stepped back
stiffened
resisted
retreated
raised an eyebrow
cocked her head to one side
put her head to one side
tilted her head
chuckled
yawned
laughed
snickered
giggled
stifled a yawn
stifled a laugh
took a deep breath
glanced off
glared
shrugged
devoid of emotion
grinned
sneered

For "said"
uttered
mumbled
drawled
parroted
echoed
said half-aloud
snarled
blurted
moaned
muttered
murmured
cooed
whispered
crooned
hollered
shrilled
sassed
prompted
questioned
demanded
queried
replied
suggested
responded
sang out
scoffed
screamed
yelled
yelped
shouted
inquired
chirped
squealed
squeaked
asked herself
asked
assured
commanded
cried out
exclaimed
advised
announced
growled
stuttered
stammered
instructed
told
jeered
scolded
lamented
mocked
objected
questioned
roared
speculated
snapped
spat
stated
whined
jabbered
prated
prattled
gibbered
cackled
gabbled
sputtered
blathered
rambled on
rattled on
maundered
digressed
sermonized
preached
came out with
declaimed
pontificated
harangued
ranted
rhapsodized
gushed
spouted
let slip
enlightened him
pointed out
chatted
revealed
boasted
crowed
vaunted
bragged
disparaged
belittled
notified
addressed
blabbed
nattered
bantered
yakked
whispered
wondered aloud
rejoined
retorted
replied
recited
repeated
remarked
came out with
conveyed
declared
summoned
imparted
mentioned
added
put before
revealed
let out
divulged
disclosed
made known
vented
aired
breathed
betrayed
recited
predicted
advanced
averred
avowed
avouched
assumed
imagined
professed
claimed
purported
insinuated
cited
named
offered
proposed
pleaded
imputed
implied
asserted
expressed
pledged
ascribed
affirmed
professed
admitted
For "jumped"
vaulted
leapt/leaped
pounced
startled
flinched
sprang
lunged
launched
jerked
jolted
erupted
exploded
shot from

For "took"
drew
withdrew
pulled out a
picked
selected
chose
plucked
removed
snatched out
scooped up
rooted out
snatched
trapped
took up
raised
picked up
hoisted
set upright
elevated
seized
prized open
wrenched
wrested
produced
extracted
extricated
accepted
fetched
grabbed
snitched
took hold of
jimmied
gathered
grasped
gripped
fingered
nabbed
packed
ransacked
appropriated
swiped
snared
dragged
acquired
obtained
gained
procured
garnered
gleaned
pilfered
lowered
took down
tore down
swapped

For "pulled"
pulled out
removed
took out
extracted
produced
tugged
extricated
lugged
drew
dragged
yanked

For "pushed"
propelled
ballasted
set in motion
drove
trundled
shoved
thrust
pressed forward
made one's way
squeezed through
roused
prompted
forged ahead

For "put"
stashed
placed
posed
posited
plunked down
mounted
positioned
stationed
set before
dropped
crammed
stuffed
stuck
lodged
plopped
plunked
parked
stationed
planted
perched
inserted
lay
set
set upright
stood on end
upended
deposited
consigned
relegated
strapped
tossed
threw
flung
lobbed
hurled
heaved
cast
slapped onto
draped
dunked
eased
shifted
interposed
installed

For "looked, saw"
glared
glanced off
regarded
made out
descried
remarked
had in sight
glowered
squinted
shot him a look
fixed her with a stare
sighted
ogled
cast a glance
his eyes begged her to amplify
gazed
gaped
spotted
surveyed
turned an eye on
looked upon
distinguished
fixed her gaze on
noted
recognized
identified
took a look
took a glance
stared
leered
scowled
scanned
peered
squinted
gaped
noticed
observed
considered
watched
viewed
took in
studied
examined
inspected
scrutinized
perused
sized up
took stock of
skimmed
glanced through
flipped through
perceived
discerned
beheld
watched for
looked on
eyed
detected
contemplated
kept in sight
held in view
stood guard
kept watch
monitored

For "thought, remembered"
wondered
asked herself
pondered
noticed
reflected
struck her as
entertained the notion
held in one's mind
It occurred to her
It came to her
realized
knew
she considered.
she considered this.
he was tempted to
brought to mind
he was taken with the idea that
she reasoned
understood
considered
went over
reviewed
pictured
featured
imagined
pretended
hoped
feared
envisioned
deliberated
envisaged
called up
conjured up
conceived of
fancied
allowed the conceit
judged
suspected
intended
expected
planned
concentrated
mused
ruminated
recalled
mulled over
brooded over
projected
anticipated
concluded
esteemed
took heed
kept in mind
guessed
supposed
formed an image of
conjured
hatched
fabricated
fashioned
formulated
concocted
reasoned that
turned it over in her mind
flirted with the idea
recollected
bore in mind
deduced
inferred
thought back to
put her in mind of
called to mind
reminded her of
acknowledged
weighed
reconsidered
thought better of

For "felt, seemed, showed, looked like"
sensed
had the impression
understood
detected
seemed
appeared
betrayed
indicated
betokened
foretokened
revealed
bespoke
suggested
signified
connoted
hinted at
alluded to
implied
intimated
presaged
portended
forewarned
disclosed
displayed
lay open
made manifest
exposed
bared
struck her as
looked as if
looked like
had the look of
had every appearance of
had the earmarks of
resembled
sounded like
exhibited
evidenced
showed
manifested
emblematic of
For "touched"
clutched
pawed
gripped
grasped
took hold of
adjusted
felt
manipulated
maneuvered
twiddled
palpated
palmed
handled
thumbed
rummaged through
caressed
fondled
stroked
grazed
rubbed
tugged
squeezed
scratched
pinched
patted
tapped
tamped
rapped
brushed
bedaubed
dappled
dabbed
swept across
scraped
glanced
alighted
pressed
wrung
kneaded
shoved
gouged
grazed
prodded
ticked
trapped
jabbed
poked
pressed
probed
goaded
twisted
wedged
pried
prized open
pry/pried
pulled
pushed
primped
preened
rattled
pumped
mangled
massaged
felt
flattened
smoothed
scooped up
flicked
flipped
flogged
fondled
groped
handled
held
knifed
mauled
tapped
drummed
wiggled
worked
stubbed
scoured
scrubbed

For "had, held"
bore
exhibited
showed
displayed
betrayed
wielded
carried
was furnished with
contained
wore
sported
spanned
suspended
grasped
gripped
clutched
contained
toted
possessed
retained
embraced
evinced

For "hit"
beat
socked
bumped
clapped
thumped
lashed
pummeled
punched
rammed
crashed
thwacked
slapped
smacked
pumped
impacted
attacked
hacked
swiped
swung
trounced
tackled

For "was, were"
stood
sat
took up
perched
lay
hung
took place
contained
spanned
loomed
occupied
remained
stayed
persisted
befell (happened)
bechanced
occurred
happened

For "sat"
slumped
eased into
lowered himself
sank into
sat himself
was seated
plopped down
crouched
squatted
hunkered down
roosted
perched
settled
straddled
sat astride
sat bestride
reposed
leaned
reclined
lolled
lounged
sprawled
lodged

For "stood"
got to his feet
jumped up
rose
rose to his feet
got up
remained upright
held herself erect
stationed herself

For "smelled"
got scent of
sensed
sniffed
detected
snuffled
snorted
inhaled
scented
snuffed
breathed in
savored
perceived
discerned
reeked
stunk
assaulted the nostrils

For "tasted, drank"
savored
relished
nibbled at
tried
sipped
gulped
took a deep swallow
chewed
ingested
ruminated
sampled
sank his teeth into
bit into
crunched
melted
licked
slurped
chugged
smacked
suckled
sucked
swigged
swilled
chomped
ground
munched
gnawed
rended
quaffed
imbibed
tippled
nipped
supped
drained
washed down
swilled down
guzzled down
lapped up
soused
quenched

For "heard"
overheard
caught
detected
picked up
perceived
apprehended
eavesdropped
listened
listened in
gathered
heard tell of
strained her ears
harked
harkened
attended to
took heed of
took in
gave audience to
gave an ear to
lent an ear to
heard him out
within earshot
out of earshot

For "lie down, lay"
reclined
eased onto
flopped onto
lay prone
lolled
luxuriated
lay prostrate
lay recumbent
lay back
rested
reposed
lazed
sprawled
lounged
slouched
slumped

For "entered"
stepped inside
went in
came in
sailed in
burst in
set foot in/on
broke in
forced her way in
intruded
penetrated
passed into

For "left, exited"
ran off
walked off
went out
departed
retreated
decamped
deserted
repaired
retired
withdrew
quit
took off
fled
sallied forth
bowed her way out

For "turned"
wheeled around
twisted to one side
whirled about
rotated
spun on her heels
pivoted
revolved
swiveled
reeled
trundled
circled
eddied
swirled
sheered
veered
shifted
divagated
angled off
shunted


Essential Tools for the Wordsmith

The Describer's Dictionary by David Grambs. What my list does for verbs, Grambs' does for adjectives. And how! 400 pages’ worth.

The Oxford-Duden Pictorial English Dictionary. Do you know what it looks like but not what it's called? Nearly 1000 pages organized by domain. Includes extensive index.

The Facts on File Visual Dictionary, by Jean-Claude Corbeil. Similar to the Oxford-Duden but with fewer, more detailed entries.

The Macmillan Visual Dictionary. Similar to the Oxford-Duden but with fewer, more detailed entries. In color.

Copyright 2004 by Deanna Carlyle at deannacarlyle.com

Feel free to share 1000 Verbs to Write By, but please include credit where credit is due. Thanks.
http://www.deannacarlyle.com/articles/verb.html


deannacarlyle.com

Writing Lessons- Villains and Villainesses

July 22, 2008 on 11:00 am | In Writing Lessons | No Comments Male Villains

1. The Tyrant- in it for the power. May not have a personal relationship with the protagonists. Often has minions to do his dirty work. Examples: Voldemort from Harry Potter, Khan from Mulan, Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. Evil version of the Chief Hero Archetype.
2. The Bastard- dispossessed in some way from what he feels he deserves. Likely to have a personal relationship with protagonists. Bad Boy Hero gone to the dark side. He proudly announces his intentions. He wants something specific. Examples: Commodus from “Gladiator”, Lore from Star Trek NG, and the twins in “The Man in the Iron Mask”
3. The Devil- the charming fiend and master manipulator who uses people’s weaknesses. Persuades to get the goodies. Examples: Dracula, Tom Ripley- The Talented Mr. Ripley, Jack Nicholson’s character in “Witches of Eastwick”, JR Ewing
4. The Traitor- The double agent, the betrayer. He plots secretly. Has a personal relationship with the protagonists. Examples: hero’s best friend in “Ghost”, the Dr. in “The Fugitive”, Ned Beatty’s character in “The Big Easy”.
5. The Outcast- very similar to Lost Soul Hero Archetype. Often used to set up the reader to believe he is the villain, when he may or may not be the true villain. He wants desperately to belong, and is willing to sacrifice anything to be accepted and acceptable. Often portrayed as freakish, deformed, or socially unacceptable. This character is the most redeemable of the villains. Examples include Phantom of the Opera, the Grinch, Scrooge, the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, Columbine killers, Kent in “Real Genius”, vampire Lestat, Hitler
6. The Evil Genius- motivation is always to prove himself smarter. Will tell his elaborate plans. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible. Rigs the game in his favor. Opposite of the Professor Hero. Examples: Dr. Lovelace in “Wild, Wild West”, Dogbert, Pinky and the Brain, Hannibal Lechter.
7. The Sadist- Predator, in it for the thrill and his own pleasure. Dark version of Swashbuckler hero. Can be in lesser form the man who never grew up, blows the rent, stays out with the boys, and can’t keep a job. Puts pleasure before responsibility. Examples: “Natural Born Killers”, Caligula, Hugh Grant’s character in “Bridget Jones Diary”, Biff in “Back to the Future”.
8. The Terrorist- most convinced of his own righteousness, following a dark code of honor. Believes in his own virtue, but judges others. The ends always justify the means. Dark version of Warrior Hero. Examples include any Mr. By-the-Book, the minister in “Footloose”.









Female Villains

1. The Bitch- Dark side of The Boss. Female version of the Tyrant. Wants power, and leaves heel marks on the backs of others in her climb to the top. The evil Queen who wants power for its own sake. Examples: Maleficent in “Sleeping Beauty”, Leona Helmsley
2. The Black Widow- She mates, then she kills. Uses sex often. Her motivation is her vanity. She is the Seductress Heroine gone bad. She can be what any man wants her to be, and is an expert in seduction of all varieties. Examples: “Body Heat”, Becky Sharpe, Delilah, and Salome. Catwoman. The old girlfriend trying anything to get the hero back.
3. The Backstabber- The female traitor, the two-faced friend. She loves secrets to feather her nest. May not be truly evil, but a team player determined to maintain the status quo or loyal to the group at all costs. Motivation: achieve the plan. Examples: Mimi- “Drew Carey show”, the wife in “Total Recall”, Victoria Tenant- “All of Me”
4. The Lunatic- often used in comedy situations. Dark version of the Free Spirit Heroine. Whatever fits her world, marches to a different drum that is missing a few beats. Can be truly insane, or obsessed. Lesser version includes the perpetual screw-up, interrupts, and is obstructive without intent to harm. Examples: Aunt Clara- “Bewitched”, the German companion in “Men in Tights”.
5. The Parasite- She collaborates for her own comfort. She sees herself as a victim with no choice and blames others for her crimes. She is the Waif Heroine gone dark. The moll, the arm candy who doesn’t want to lose her meal ticket and will do anything to protect her meal ticket. Goes along to get along. Examples: Hamlet’s mother, Bonnie Parker, Eva Braun, Harlequin-“Batman”.
6. The Schemer- Female version of the Evil Genius, and dark version of Librarian Heroine. Motivation is to demonstrate her smarts and get validation. Always has complex plans. Examples: Morgana Le Fey, “Dangerous Liaisons”, the Borg Queen-STNG.
7. The Fanatic- Dark version of Crusader Heroine, and the female Terrorist. Vengeful, and sees the need for Justice. The uncompromising extremist, she does wrong in the name of good, and shrugs at collateral damage. Examples: The Church Lady, “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle”.
8. The Matriarch- the motherly oppressor, she smothers with love. Dark side of the Nurturer Heroine. She knows what is best, and will do all in her power for their own good. A classing enabler, she sees no fault with whatever she loves. Will do anything to protect what she loves. The classic mother-in-law, the “Texas Cheerleader Mom”, “Serial Mom”, Cinderella’s stepmother, “Ordinary People”, “Misery”.

Tami herself stated that she believes that the villain archetypes are best using but one type at a time. After all, most villains aren't supposed to have too many layers or have an epiphany of change. I've always wondered why not.