From Seconds to Eternity: Time and Space in Fictional Writing - Part 1

“When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity.”  -Albert Einstein 

Literature, in its own right, is tied to time like no other art form I know of.  For example, a photograph or a painting is an image of a moment in time and last only as long as it takes to look at it.  Same could be said about music.  A song lasting 2.5 minutes represents the 2.5 minutes it takes to listen to it.  

A book takes time to read as well; however, the reader can be transported through time whether they spend five minutes reading or several hours.  For example, it’s possible to write a story that takes thirty minutes to read and covers thirty minutes of action or the time covered could be stretched out over a lifetime.  There are no requirements when it comes to fictional writing.  

As a writer, the possibilities to capture time and space in a story are infinite; but just like a scientist developing a time machine, there are methods to the madness and I’m not talking about something as complex as a flux capacitor! 

Let’s explore:

Summary and Scene

Summary covers a relatively long period of time in a short amount of distance.  It’s a useful method to help reveal information, explain a character’s background, change the pace or to advance forward or backwards in time.

Scene is to fiction what the five senses are to living.  In other words, they allow your readers to experience the elements of your characters’ lives through sight, sound, scent, taste and touch.

It’s possible to write a short story in a single scene, without any summary at all, but it’s not possible to write a successful story completely in summary.  By summarizing events rather than having them realized as moments of time in your character’s life, you disconnect the reader from putting themselves in your character’s shoes.  

To put it simply, summary allows you to speed up time in your story and fill in the gap of missing information, scene allows you to slow the pace and fill in the gap of missing details; smells, colors, sensations...etc., you get the picture.  

Eventually, a story requires a trigger or a crisis to occur that is crucial to a turning point in your protagonist’s life and cannot be summarized, therefore, all stories require scenes.   

One simple formula I use to help keep on track to bring balance between summary and scene is the following:

Scene elements Summary elements

Goal                Emotion

Conflict             Thought

Disaster            Decision

                       Action

Basically, in a scene, a character has a goal (maybe to fix a cup of coffee, thus allowing smell and taste to be interjected) then a conflict arises (they knock the mug over, spilling hot coffee on their lap, in could come sight and touch) and next a disaster (the phone rings, Aunt Ruby just died, time for sound).  

Moving from scene to summary will now allow the pace to quicken.  The character reacts to the news (they remember when growing up they were the only one Aunt Ruby never sent a birthday or Christmas present to (a long period of time in a short distance)) then they think about what just happened (Aunt Ruby became filthy rich when her husband died) now they make a decision (they will go to the funeral and put on a show of sorrow) then the character takes action based upon their decision (they take their best suit to the cleaners).  

So as we can see, by using the method of summary and scene we are able to transport our readers through time in a matter of a few sentences or several pages.

In Part II, we will explore two more methods for transporting our readers through time; flashback and slow motion.

Until next time,

Keep on thriving, keep on striving and keep on writing!

T.K. Millin

Showing is Believing: Grasp the Principle of Filtering and Never Tell Again

All writers start out as beginners.  Whether they spent years in school or ventured out on their own in search of their dreams, there was an invisible start line etched across the beginning of their pathway to a writer’s life.

Like many beginning authors, I started out writing all my stories in first person (read my post here) and ended every line of dialogue with an attribution of either she said, he said or they cried! (read my post about it here)

Then there was the infamous challenge of overcoming the don’t tell ‘em, show ’em syndrome.  If you ever find yourself wondering how in the world can you show something to the reader without telling them, then you are not alone.    

For example: It’s easy to think if my character has walked into a room and sat in a chair by the window and looked out and saw her neighbor fall to the ground that the only way my readers are going to know they fell is if I write the scene like this:

{Mary made her way to the chair by the window and graciously sat down.  She looked out the window and saw her neighbor, Mr. Pepper, standing in his front yard.  She noticed a strange look on his face and then she saw him clutch his chest and fall to his knees.}

In writing fiction, you will often times be writing through some observing consciousness and when you ask the reader to observe the observer, you start to tell not show and inadvertently get in their line of sight.  

By removing the filters, you allow your readers to remain inside the character’s stream of consciousness.  

Let’s explore:

The filter is a common error and as a beginning writer, difficult to recognize.  Even experienced writers can still fall prey to the natural urge to tell not show syndrome, but once you grasp the principle of filtering it’s an exciting way to make your writing more vivid.  

Taking our example from above (I’ve highlighted the filters) and then removed them to “show” how our scene can be more vivid.  

With filters:

  {Mary made her way to the chair by the window and graciously sat down.  She looked out the window and saw her neighbor, Mr. Pepper, standing in his front yard.  She noticed a strange look on his face and then she saw him clutch his chest and fall to his knees.}

Filters removed:

{Mary made her way to the chair by the window and graciously sat down. Across the street her neighbor, Mr. Pepper, was standing in his front yard with a strange look on his face. Suddenly, he clutched his chest and fell to his knees.}

Notice how in the revised version with the filters removed, it reads as though you are Mary observing the scene and not someone standing next to you telling you what she was seeing.  

So, the next time you are self-editing your story, make a mental note to watch for filters and experiment by removing them.  You just might be amazed how vivid your scene becomes!

How about you have you learned to spot filters (or perhaps you refer to them as something else)?  If so, I would love to have you share how it has improved your writing.

Until next time,

Keep on thriving, keep on striving and keep on writing!

T.K. Millin 

Defeating Deadlines: How Flash Fiction Improved My Writing Skills

Time is running out and all you can concentrate on is the ticking of the clock.  The more you focus on the mesmerizing sound the harder it becomes for you to concentrate, and the less you concentrate, the only letters that come to mind to type on the keyboard are, D. E. F. E. A. T.  

Sound familiar?  Every author during some point in their writing journey succumbs to the inevitable dreadful deadline.  Sometimes it may be out of our control and other times it may be self inflicted.  No matter the reason, missing a deadline is one of the hardest things to accept, other than rejection, as a writer.  The only difference between the two is at least with a rejection you’ve tried; you made every effort in your control to imagine, create and write a work of art.  With defeat of a deadline, you continually say to yourself, “If only I hadn’t done this or that.” 

When I first started writing I found myself in awe of writers who could write a short story in say, a week, and then edit, revise, edit and revise some more and complete it in two weeks, maybe a month.  At the time, I never saw myself as one of those writers.

Years crept by and holding to my beliefs of one taking responsibility for their own improvements I studied, practiced, studied, practiced some more and then I began to network with authors whom seemed to have mastered the art of writing stories in a flash.  I’m not talking about just putting verbiage down on a screen, but actual stories that tell a tale, stories that are tight as they can be and stories that have been revised and edited all in one week!    

How is that possible?  Let explore:

In June of 2011, I discovered a whole new writing genre called, Flash Fiction.  Having never heard of it before I was very intrigued by the mere name of it and inquired with a new connection of mine, author Blaze McRob, and he took me under his writer wings and introduced me to an exciting fast paced world of talented writers. 

There are many flash fiction writer groups out there, but they all have one thing in common; write a short story usually in a thousand words or less, based upon a weekly theme and then post it on your blog.  Then the group reads and comments on each others stories.  In addition, there are many readers out there that enjoy reading flash fiction and discovering new authors!  

So, how has writing flash fiction improved my writing skills?  For starters, it has challenged me as a writer to jump right in and start a story smack dab in the middle of the action, for you don’t have much time to build up to it.  It has also taught me how to strengthen my word usage.  In other words, are my words specific, clear and simple and are my nouns and verbs strong?  For when you only have a thousand words or less, less is more.  Lastly, the encouragement and recognition I have received from fellow authors and readers of flash fiction has pumped up my self-confidence as if it were on steroids.  

If you’re looking for ways in the new year to challenge yourself as a writer, why not discover the world of flash fiction?  You’ll be amazed at how much you will improve in tightening scenes, making words count, eliminating clutter from your writing and, best of all, keep your creative juices flowing!

I’ve listed two sites that specialize in Flash Fiction:

Vamplit Publishing is for writers of horror, and I am honored to say, I am a contributing author to their Friday Flash Fiction.  They are open to new contributors and they and all their authors are encouraging and supportive of one another.

Friday Flash.org host many genre’s of flash fiction and occasionally hold contests.  A great place to meet new connections and grow as a flash fiction writer.  

The Cat Vamp Diaries: All Things Scary is my friday flash blog where I feature my flash stories and more.  Hope to see you around the flash fiction scene!

Until next time,

Keep on thriving, keep on striving and keep on writing!

T.K. Millin

What Fluffy Little Kittens Taught Me About Rejection

A new year has begun.  Twelve whole months of promise and hope just as if each one were a clean, crisp white page waiting to be filled with words that create a colorful new world!  

With hope there comes opportunity, and with opportunity, there comes the possibility of the one dreaded word in all writer’s vocabulary, rejection; the dismissing or refusing of a proposal or idea.  

As writer’s, we’ve all experienced the emotional elements associated with having our ideas and words dismissed or refused.  Although it’s been several years since my first rejection I can still remember as if it were yesterday when my heart and soul felt as though they had been gouged out with a frozen grapefruit spoon.  Was I hurt?  Yes.  Did I die?  No.  Did I give up writing?  Absolutely not, and neither should you!  That is why I want to share with you what fluffy little kittens have taught me about rejection.

Right about now you may be asking, “What does fluffy little kittens have to do with rejection?

Let’s explore:

Often times, you come across an article in a health magazine or listen to an expert being interviewed on t.v. about the importance of balance between work and play.  Some people refer to something outside of work as a hobby, I prefer to refer to it as a passion.  It doesn’t really matter which definition you choose, except for when you’re sitting across from your accountant, but what is important is that you have one.

If you’ve been writing for a while then you most likely know it can become very easy for a writer to isolate themselves inside the make believe worlds they create, particularly when writing is a passion, and sometimes forget about the little things in life that are important.  That is why having a passion outside your writing that you can get away to is very important for maintaining a healthy perspective.

Whether it be about writing or an outside cause, most writers I know are very passionate people and a lot of times it’s their outside passion that is the driving force behind what they write.  If you haven’t already discovered a passion outside your writing, dig deep down inside and remember why you became a writer in the first place.  You may find its been lying there dormant waiting for you to rediscover it.  

For the past twenty years a personal passion of mine has been rescuing and saving abandoned animals and in many cases reuniting lost ones to their beloved homes for a happy ending.  

In total, there have been 32 cats, kittens, dogs and puppies I have helped along in their journey through life.  Why?  The answer to that question is even a mystery to me.  The only thing I can equate it to is the same passion I have about writing.  It’s just something I have to do.  Some may describe it as a calling in life, just as certain people have a calling for missions work, teaching or serving.  How about you, what special passion do you have in life outside writing?

Perhaps this may explain why I never go seeking animals to rescue, they simply show up at my doorstep.  I often wonder if somewhere out there in the lonely world of lost and abandoned animals there is a make shift latrine with words scratched into a tree stump, “For a good home follow your nose to...”

My most recent rescue, and biggest one to date,  happened two days prior to this past Thanksgiving.  A mother kitty and seven adorable fluffy kittens showed up with nowhere to go.  Since I was the one in the family entertaining this year and had only two days left to prepare I had two options; (a) call the local county and have them pick them up and forget about it all or (b) drop everything and set up a makeshift shelter in my garage and still have two days left to prepare for Thanksgiving.  

One decision would have resulted in lack of sleep due to a heavy conscious on the heart and the other decision would have resulted in lack of sleep, putting writing on hold, using money saved for Christmas and a heavy burden on the heart if I couldn’t find them all homes and had to call the county anyway.

Which did I choose? I chose the one that had promise and hope.  The one which its future had not yet been written and then I chose my words carefully as I filled in the clean, crisp white pages and created a new colorful world for fluffy little kittens who only knew rejection, but always had faith in their eyes.  

Each and every morning I would rise early to tend to my own that I have rescued through the years and then would set out on my new daily ritual of carefully transferring  the kittens (with a hug or two) to a clean cage to eat while I cleaned and washed their carriers so I could start over again the next day.  Every hour on the hour I would tend to them again due to the small confined spaces they were in.  They never seemed to mind, they only seemed to care someone took the time. 

Then each and every day I would put calls out to every rescue organization in the area, but none could help, or were willing.  With time running out (I had a deadline for I was going away for Christmas) I placed an ad on an online source and since being a writer I decided why not create one that would touch the heart.  

The responses were overwhelming!  My email became full over night.  Now having rescued through the years, I knew enough not to just randomly pass out kittens.  I contacted and interviewed each person wanting to adopt and after two weeks of visiting and meeting the perspective new families, each and every fluffy little kitten, including Mom, had a new loving forever home!  And, for all my animal loving followers, be assured they were delivered spayed or neutered and properly vaccinated.

What did fluffy little kittens teach me about rejection?  That sometimes the easy road out is the hard way out.  That if you want to persevere and overcome you must take the road that has yet to be traveled, the one that is wide open with promise and hope, waiting to be filled with words that create a colorful world.  For behind every slammed door, there is one that’s heart is always open willing to believe.    

Maybe after all there isn’t  a make shift latrine with words scratched into a tree stump leading lost and abandoned animals to my doorstep.  Maybe they too have learned to choose the hard road out and travel the one filled with promise and hope.  

Happy New Year and may this be the year that you never give up.

Until next time,   

Keep on thriving, keep on striving and keep on writing!

T.K. Millin

The Unknown Author

May I Have The Envelope Please?

When I started writing The Unknown Author blog on September 27, 2010, I had one main goal in mind; share with other aspiring writers the techniques I had learned and the resources I had discovered when starting out.

Never did I imagine that little over a year later I would have befriended some of the best rising talent in the business, become published or be recognized with a blogger award!

The Versatile Blogger award was given to me by Cindy Keen Reynders, author of The Saucy Lucy Murders and Paws-itively Guilty and the soon to be published, The Seven-Year Witch and A Killer Slice; the newest in her Saucy Lucy series.   

Saucy Lucy Wisdom, is Cindy’s new blog where she and her character, Aunt Gladys, talk about the writing world and other humorous topics life can throw at you. Cindy provides sound advice ranging from overcoming rejection to her seven ingredient recipe for writing story.  You can discover Cindy (here).  Cindy can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.  Thank you Cindy for the award!

Having been bestowed this honor, it is now my turn to engage the rules for receiving this award.  They are, thank and recognize the presenter of the award, reveal seven facts about yourself and, then, pass the award on up to fifteen other bloggers whom you would like to recognize.

And now for seven things you’ve always wanted to know about T.K. Millin and her feline ghostwriter, Efi Loo.

• Efi Loo’s nickname is Loo Loo and she even has her very own theme song.  It goes:  “Loo Loo, so black she’s blue, is she black or blue?  She’s blue Loo Loo!”  (Except in October, she’s black!)
• When growing up I used to tell people I was a cherry-blonde instead of a strawberry-blonde. 
• Efi Loo’s favorite thing to do is drink from the bathroom faucet.  Not wanting to destroy her ego, I continue to let her think that is my only purpose for entering the room.
• Prior to being a writer I enjoyed many other professions.  They included being a tap dancer and instructor, a claims manager and owning my own interior decorating business.  My favorite over all is being a writer!
• Things I found scary as a child, and some still to this day, that you will often find in my stories:  Clowns, dolls, ice cream trucks, carnivals, jack in the boxes, ventriloquist, mimes and cemeteries.  
•  The things I’m most passionate about are my husband, my pets, my family and friends and living in a country in which you have the freedom to pursue your dreams, thanks to individuals who voluntarily sacrifice theirs.

May I have the envelope please?

Before I present the awards I would like to point out two people whom Cindy recognized that I would have and they are Blaze McRob and Stacey Turner.  

Having said that, I would like to present The Versatile Blogger award to:   

Carole Gill - Author of gothic romance such as The House on Blackstone Moor an its upcoming sequel, Unholy Testament.  Carole highlights her stories along with other authors who write scary good books.     

Bessie Mac - Author of Holly’s Story and The Chronicles of Little Bear, Bessie shares heart warming stories about the world of fostering animals and events you can become active in to help our furry friends.

  

Bobbie Pyron - Author of A Dog’s Way Home (click here for Efi Loo's exclusive interview with Bobbie!) and The Ring. Bobbie highlights other authors and their furry muses through her post, Fido and Friends.   

Joseph Pinto - Author of Flowers For Evelene and Dusk and Summer, Joe shares heartwarming and sometimes an occasional scary good read on his blog.  This month, for National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, he has a touching series about his father’s battle with cancer.  

In closing, I personally would like to thank each of the authors highlighted here for their connections and I wish each and every one of you a future filled with fulfilled dreams.  

Until next time,

Keep on thriving, keep on striving and keep on writing!

T.K. Millin

The Unknown Author

From Dreams to Reality: Why The Foundation of Your Platform Matters

If you Google the word “collaboration” you’ll find several different sources defining “working together” in different ways.  What you won’t find is this image . . . 

Image courtesy of Angelic Knight Press

Back in July of this year when the newly formed publisher, Angelic Knight Press, announced they were accepting submissions for their first anthology many writers whom had met by way of Facebook, Twitter, Blog connections and other social media outlets were enthusiastic at collaborating together to work with the brand new publisher.   Why?

If you Google the word “integrity” you’ll again find several different sources defining “adherence to moral and ethical principles” in different ways, but the one common ground they all have in their definition is, honesty.

Let’s explore:

Several years ago I had the unique opportunity to collaborate with two very special people who lived and breathed the word integrity.  One was a decorated General who had not only served in Vietnam, but had led a very successful operation during Desert Storm and the other was a Colonel who had turned several military bases into highly productive operations; thus, keeping them from being shut down.

What does this have to do with the foundation of your platform?  One word; integrity, and the foundation it is built on, honesty.  

I first met author, Blaze McRob, through my connection with author, Carole Gill.  It started out in the usual social media connection way; “Hi, I’m so and so and I write so and so, what do you write?”  Then they respond with links to check out and you respond accordingly.  

Now, back to my collaborating with the General and the Colonel. They taught me to recognize integrity through their every day actions.  Blaze McRob proved his integrity to me through his everyday actions of his words.  

How did I know to trust his words?  Because he always followed through on what he said he was going to do and everything he said he would do he did with conviction.  In other words, he proved he was honest.

As the world becomes smaller, it brings opportunities that never existed before in publishing; both good and bad. That is why the foundation of your platform matters.

If you’re out to make a quick buck and deceive authors out of their hard earned creative work it will not take long for you to be discovered as a fraud and a fake.  But if your foundation is built upon your integrity and willingness to help others succeed so that you may also, then the future in limitless.  How exciting is that!

As the publishing world ventures into new and exciting territories yet to be discovered, it will be publisher’s like Angelic Knight Press who will lead the way in opening up new and exciting opportunities for authors.  Keep your sunglasses handy everyone, the future looks very bright!

In closing, is it any surprise that Blaze McRob is also a veteran who served our great country?  As Veteran’s day fast approaches, don’t forget to thank a Veteran.  

Thank you Blaze McRob, and, thank you General Draude and Colonel Maciewicz.

Until next time,

Keep on thriving, keep on striving  and keep on writing!

T.K. Millin

The Unknown Author

Countdown to NaNoWrimo: Helpful Do’s and Don'ts For Your Success

It’s finally here, tomorrow is the start of NaNoWrimo!

Most writers by now are familiar with this month long challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in thirty days.  But, if perhaps you are new to hearing about this strange acronym, which stands for National Novel Writing Month, click here to discover a whole new level of writing.

Last year was my first year as a Wrimo (that’s what the writer’s who participate in the challenge are nicknamed. I did not misspell Wino!) and I wanted to share with those of you who may be returning to the challenge or attempting it for the first time, things I learned from my experience.  

I’ve put together a list of my top do and don’t tips that helped me push through the challenge, and when November 30, 2010 arrived, I had completed the first rough draft of the second novel in my middle-grade series, The Clara Jeane Mysteries.  

Let’s explore:

The Unknown Author’s Top Four Do’s

Do set a writing goal each and every day: 

There are thirty days in November and when equally divided they equate to approximately 1,666.7 words a day.  Does that mean you have to write that many words a day?  

Absolutely not.  

In fact, in my first day, I wrote over 5,000 words.  But by setting a numerical goal you commit yourself to at least achieving, and in some cases, exceeding your daily goal.  I found there were some days I far exceeded my goal, which helped me on days when perhaps something arose or I just couldn’t muster the motivation (yes, unfortunately, you will have days like that).  

Go for it, you just may surprise yourself!      

Do allow yourself to freewrite:  

Recently, I wrote an article about the art of freewriting click here.  Basically, freewriting is a skill writers use to let their creative side have full reign when it comes to putting words to paper/screen; without allowing their critical side to interrupt and point out errors.   

So go ahead, ignore those misspelled words, incorrect commas and awkward sentences!  Remember the end goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in thirty days.  

Time for a did you know moment!  When Stephen King writes a new story he does so at full speed ahead, puts it away for six weeks, and then begins the rewriting process.   

Do take a break:

It’s vitally important for your mental health, and your physical health, to take a break.  Take a walk around the block, spend an hour a day at the gym or take time to find out how your loved one’s day went.  Whatever works for you to relieve stress or recharge your creative juices, do it! The writer’s life can tend to be a secluded one, but only if you allow it to!  

Do allow yourself to extend your word count by spelling out contractions!:

This tip is a fun one.  In fact, I discovered it through connecting with other Wrimo’s last year.  It was an eye opening experience for me to write out contractions.  I never realized how often they are used.  

Go ahead try it, it’s fun!

The Unknown Author’s Top Four Don’ts 

Don’t stop to edit along the way:

This tip goes hand in hand with allowing yourself to freewrite.  Don’t allow your self-editor to join in the NaNoWrimo fun.  They have plenty of work to do when it’s finished.  In fact, many months worth!  So let them go on vacation, they’ll need it! 

Don’t be afraid to write the end first or the beginning last:

Many writers, I for one, sometimes have the ending in mind before they even start to write a story.  If this happens to you, create a file folder with the title of your novel and within that folder have individual files of scenes that come to you as you write.  Then when it’s time to put it all together, it’s simply a matter of cutting and pasting.  I have written several novels this way and it is a time saving skill.  

Don’t get distracted by Twitter, Facebook or surfing the Net:

Actually, this tip works with or without NaNoWrimo.  Social networking has become a very important tool for writers to gain recognition, but at the same time, it has become a deterrence and often times an excuse not to write. 

Making the decision to write a novel in a month is a big decision for any writer, and even though there are no repercussions other than you fail the challenge if you don’t succeed, a lot can be said for self pride.

My mother was right when she used to say, “‘spend your time wisely.’” 

Don’t forget to thank family and friends for their support and understanding and most importantly don’t forget to eat turkey come the 24th! 

Unless you live in a household of writers, chances are the one’s closest to you, although they support your efforts, may not completely understand your deep seeded desire to write a novel in thirty days or what it takes to make your desire a reality.  

It does mean missing a dinner once in a while and many days turned to night and nights turned to day; holed up in a room creating a new world and bringing people to life through the strike of a keyboard or the stroke of a pen.  

But when all is said and done, no matter what, when November 24th arrives, sit down to a table surrounded by your family and friends and give thanks to them and their support.  And if you’re like me, you’ll give an extra thanks for the opportunity to live in a country where you have the freedom to seek your dreams and make them a reality.

Good luck fellow Wrimos, and if this year is not the year for you, hopefully, some of these tips will help you in your everyday writing.

Until next time,

Keep on thriving, keep on striving and keep on writing!

T.K. Millin

The Unknown Author