Saturday Chat in the Chocolate Cafe with DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills has won over fifteen awards for her myriad of books. She's a regular conference speaker and mentor for The Writers Guild. As we take our seats in the Chocolate Cafe, two things I like best about DiAnn: her quick smile and her long Texas accent.

She's visiting with us today to talk about characters and she's has the creds for it. Many of her conference talks are about building strong characters. Pull up a seat, snag a chocolate-drizzled raspberry pastry, and join us.

Who is one of your favorite characters you've written and why?

My character of choice is Kariss Walker, heroine in The Chase and The Survivor. Actually I would have loved a whole lot more stories with her. The reason? She's spunky and she writes romantic suspense novels. 

I love this character because she stepped out of her comfort zone to find the answers to crimes that touched her. Kariss Walker is fearless, compassionate, and able to embrace love. She understood her flaws and had the courage
to face her demons head on. 

Writing characters who leave a lasting impression in the heart of the reader means digging deep into the heart and soul of that character. Although I’m a seat of the pants writer (organic), I have to know everything possible about the character before I begin writing. The process involves a character sketch, personality testing, psychology books, counseling aids, and backstory. For me, it’s impossible to write chapter one, line one without knowing the psychology of my character. 

Fantastic reminders, DiAnn. 

Readers - how do you make sue you've dug deep into the development of your characters?

Quote for Today:

“But, how do you know if an ending is truly good for the characters unless you've traveled with them through every page?” 
― Shannon Hale, Midnight in Austenland

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Highlights from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference-2011

Hello Writers Alley,

It’s me – Pepper, and I’m delighted to share the highlights of my visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference two weeks ago. This was my fourth year at Blue Ridge, where each year I attend as a day guest because the conference is about an hour and a half from my home in TN.

Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, just east of Asheville, Ridgecrest Conference Center might be a bit unexpected for this growing conference, but it’s the perfect place. Beautiful, quiet, with friendly people at every turn.

I was so pleased to recognize lots of faces this year, as well as be recognized by fabulous authors like Deb Raney, DiAnn Mills, and Jim Rubart. Getting to meet new authors like Edie Melson (we’d met last year, briefly, Gina Holmes, and Ramona Richards was another treat. And waving to familiar aspiring authors like Lisa Carter and Lori Roeveld. Oh what a blast. And this year there was even more courses , agents, and editors  than last year.

But I’m rambling (no surprise). I wanted to give you a few of the highlights.

I was only able to attend 2 days – so I tried to pack as much in as possible. I attended DiAnn Mills, Writing Romance That Sells course, Ramona Richards Writing a Lady to Love course, and returned to DiAnn Mills for Writing Dialogue.

From Writing Romance That Sells:

1.       Characters are vital. We remember well-written characters. KNOW THY CHARACTER!!!!

2.       DiAnn suggests filling out a detailed character chart on each character, and filling out the Myers-Briggs personality test for each of your main characters. It gives important information that makes your characters more three-dimensional and complex.

3.       What are some things that make a ‘selling manuscript’?

a.       The triumph of a character through pain to fulfillment

b.      Unusual plots with your unique ‘spin’ on them

c.       Transforming love that makes each main character better people

d.      Witty dialogue

e.      Emotive conflict

f.        Satisfactory ending

4.       Each page in your manuscript must have some type of conflict

5.       Your protagonist should initiate the action rather than be a victim*** (I liked this one. Readers like strong, independent women)

6.       Quick look at 5 Plot Elements

a.       A sympathetic character (make us care)

b.      A problem arises resulting in conflict (make us desire something)

c.       Conflict must have twists and turns, and character must grow (make us have to fight for our desire)

d.      A climax must exist (make us fight to the finish)

e.      Resolution (make us meet our goal, find our treasure, recover our lost item, get the guy, etc.)

A Lady to Love – this class was absolutely awesome. If you get the chance to sit in on it at a conference near you – DO IT! (here are some highlights)

What makes a woman unforgettable? Scarlett O’Hara, Marion Ravenwood, Jo March, Hester Prynne, Vivian (from Pretty Woman)

1.       All of our current movie heroines descend from Cinderella

a.       A young woman struggling against her environment

b.      Breaks free of the conflict because of her personality

c.       Finds her way to break out

d.      End of story resolved well

2.       What type of woman should we write?

a.       One who cares deeply

b.      Independent

c.       Women who face immediate conflict

d.      Smart

3.       Three conflict for your heroine:

a.       Environmental Conflict (something you can ‘see)

b.      Internal Conflict (something within the heroine)

c.       Interpersonal Conflict (with others)

4.       Heroines are one of 7 personalities:

a.       The Boss (ex. Queen Elizabeth I) a ruler

b.      Seductress (ex. Scarlett O’Hara)

c.       Spunky Kid (ex. Meg Ryan in most of her movies) ‘girl next door’

d.      Free Spirit (ex. Lucille Ball) – follow their own path; ultimate hippie

e.      Waif – ‘Ultimate damsel-in-distress’

f.        Librarian – control freak, prim, proper

g.       Crusader – (ex. Marion Ravenwood from Indiana Jones) adventurer

Most heroines have a basic personality of one of these, with another type or two layering over the foundational one.

Okay, I’m going to stop for now. I have so much information – so many notes, but I’ll just have to save those for next time. What would you like to hear more about? Writing romance? Writing Dialogue? Writing heroines? The dance of character and plot?

Or would you like to learn more of the basics? What are conferences like, or specifically the BRMCWC?

TOP conference tips

Okay everybody – I don’t know how many of you are planning on attending a writers conference anytime soon, but I want to take a few tips from The Writer’s Digest, as well as personal experience, and help us all get ready for our next conference.

I’m attending ACFW in Indianapolis in September (YIPEEEEEE!!) and I’ve been doing some research on how to get ready. Since ‘elevator pitches’ seem to be a hot topic on the First Time Orientation loop, I think I might try to talk about them next Monday. Or what about one-sheets? What do you guys think? I’ve learned so much from the discussion. Would you like to hear about it?

So – who’s going to ACFW? Or some other writers conference soon? Since you’ve taken time out of your busy schedule, paid money (lots of money), booked tickets, and blackmaile…er…found a roommate, the very least you can do is be prepared.

One of the BEST morsels of advice I’ve discovered in all my research is…

BALANCE - Yeah, yeah, I know. Writing is serious business. BE PREPARED. But also, it’s just a conference full of people who are just like you and me – or they used to be. ;-) In the middle of all the lecture notes, schedules, book signings, author visits, and editor pitches – stop and enjoy. Laugh. BREATHE. It’s so easy to become so overwhelmed that we miss the small opportunities to make more than just ‘paper’ memories, but friendships. One of my all-time-favorite things about conferences is being with people who talk and think like me. It’s awesome…kind of scary, I know, but amazing. It’s the fine line between business and pleasure – so make room for both.

PREPARE- What does this mean? Do your research. Know some of the editors and some of their titles. What types of ms are they looking for? (You can find this out under their descriptions). And you won’t need your entire manuscript. I’m taking the first chapter of each of my projects with me, but that’s it. One sheets and one-pagers are great opportunities to present your novel ideas without having to carry around bulk – they are also good ‘cheat sheets’ for your pitch too :-)

PRESENTATION – preparation is just the iceberg of presentation. Professionalism is another foundation for making a good impression. Appropriate attire, usually business casual, and professional courtesy will be more impressive than the slickest pitch. Remember your manners. Don’t pressure or be rude about how they MUST publish your book because it was given to you by God. Who likes telemarketers here? Any hands? Nope, I didn’t think so. :-)

PITCH –You may come in relaxed, but that’s not to say you don’t work on your pitch. Who knows what editor you might run into – or sit down with at lunch. I’m a firm believer in Providential circumstances, and being prepared for that ‘divine opportunity’ is one of the perks of being at a conference. Next week (maybe) I’ll try to go over a few tips to writing a pitch. I’m still learning about it myself –so we’ll see how I do. Basically, it’s your hook & book in less than fifty words.

PALS – Take time to make friends, exchange business cards, and make connections. Some of these may last a lifetime. One of the MOST exciting things about attending ACFW is getting the opportunity to meet some of my cyber-heroes in person. The Seeker gals like Julie Lessman, Mary Connealy, Audra Harders, Janet Dean, and even Cara Lynn James who will be with us this Saturday. Other fabulous authors who have been so encouraging to me, like Laura Frantz, Kaye Dacus, Liz Curtis Higgs, Cathy Marie Hake, and Deeanne Gist. And authors I’ve met in the past, like James Scott Bell, Steven James, DiAnn Mills, and Deb Raney.

PERSPECTIVE – Make sure you’ve set realistic goals for yourself. People usually don’t leave from a conference with a contract. What’s your focus for the conference? If you don’t have a manuscript finished, maybe your goal will be to learn and create a network. If you have several manuscripts finished, maybe you want to perfect those pitches to meet with editors, or focus on advanced courses.

Whatever your focus, remember in the middle of it all, God has you there for a reason. For HIS glory. Isn’t that the heart of why we write? He’s given us the desire, the talent, the joy – and we give our creations back to Him to do with as he will. (ooh, scary. I think FAITH has a lot to do with it ;-)

Get ready, get set, and enjoy a wonderful opportunity to grow as a writer and a person. The meet others of like-mindedness, and to laugh together with people who ‘get’ you.

So – if you’re getting ready to attend a writing conference for the first time, what are you looking forward to the most? What has been some of the best conference advice you’ve ever heard?