Mixed not Shaken

Most writers have a little different slant on things. What does that mean, well, almost all of us write about issues that are close to our hearts and minds. And we seem to all see things a bit differently.



I wrote a children's book and a reviewer thought it was too violent, because it centered around a tornado hitting a small farm. That's when I realized that I am very much a realist. My German Shepard in one book was too scary for children. Pardon me, how do you make a German Shepard not look a little mean when he's barking? Besides, I didn't draw the illustration, an artist did. So me and the artist were on the same wave-length I guess.

The truth is I use 85% reality issues with 15% fantasy solutions some time. In that the story works out well no matter what. Which in real life it doesn't always happen that way. And that's what makes it fiction.

Fiction is a mixture of reality and fantasy to make a story.

A reader once asked me if I write about real people I know. The answer to that is no. Most characters are a combination of people all rolled into one. A tic here, a mannerism there, and flaw that is obvious, combined with super morals and good character, makes a hero, or a heroine.

I also believe that most people want to believe a story. They need to relate to that story, so realism is important.



In Jodi's Journey I deal with real issues, abortion and cowardice. I put myself in the shoes of the character and I relate to their feelings when I'm writing. If you know your characters well, those feelings will come out on paper. The fantasy about the entire book is how we work things out, because in reality the outcome is not a happy one every time. In a book we can conclude the problem happily. Life isn't that way. So I write with realism and a dash of fantasy.

As a reader you might come to notice this in certain writers, how some might handle one situation, and another might handle the same situation in an entirely different way. It's one way readers chose who they like to read. The only difference is which one the reader enjoys the most. Neither writer is right or wrong, just different.



In Ask No Tomorrows, Sam Tanner knew that helping a white girl in 1870's was not a wise thing to do. He knew he could be hung for being with a white woman, even if it was innocent. He knew what he was doing to help her wasn't very smart, but Sam had character. He was a good guy, and he couldn't not help her. It's part of what made him special. Part of what endears him to the reader. Reality and fantasy mixed makes for an interesting story.

A good book has a mixture of reality and fantasy, all centered around a hero and heroine that have mostly good traits, and an endearing personality. Mix not shaken, a good combination for any fiction book.


Rita Hestand



http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Redameter
http://www.ritaphestand.com
http://www.rhestand.com

http://www.twitter.com/ritahestand

Guilty as Charged, I'm sick!

Ever felt this way when you aren't writing and you feel terrible? Well, stop the guilt trip. I've been sick, with a kidney infection. So that's why I've decided to talk about it. No, not the kidney infection, what I do when I'm sick about writing. Nobody talks about what writers do when they are sick. I thought I would give you some insight into what I do and I'm sure some of you do too. When I am feeling poorly and I have a manuscript I'm working on my mind still functions except when I'm sleeping, so although I might not sit at the computer, my mind is spinning on what I should be doing. Sometimes I even feel guilty that I'm not sitting at the computer. Until I realize that this time is the best time to do other little things to my manuscript.


It's a wonderful time to do research, because you don't have to spend all that time working on it. You can look things up quickly, read about it and decide how you will use it on your manuscript. You jot down notes for later. You can check on things that you really aren't sure about. In other words, you can use this time as patching all the holes in the manuscript that you tell yourself you will check on later.

You can also spend your time in bed thinking about your plot and why it is or isn't working. How you can make a character more colorful. How you can dress up a setting to make it irresistible. Sometimes thinking out the plot and reworking it in your mind can deliver the answer to things that have been blocking you from finishing the manuscript.

You can edit what you have already written and fill in places that need more or less.

So just because we are are sick doesn't mean that we are not being productive. It means it gives you some time to really look at your manuscript and work on things that you always feel like putting off until later.

Also, it is a great time to read other works by other authors. Or watch a TV program that you feel is well written and would like to learn from.

Just wanted to share some of the things I tend to do when I'm under par. It also has another positive effect or is that affect on the author, it gets you to thinking of something other than being sick. So sick time can be reflective time for your manuscript. Actually it can be just as productive as your active time.

Don't feel guilty any more about taking your medicine and not writing, because this can be one of the best times for your creative spirit to come out. You can find ways to write a new sentence for one that lacks luster, or research a setting for the next book.

So the next time you are sick, don't feel too bad about not staying at the computer. Allow yourself some thinking time, allow yourself some research time to better clarify your manuscript.

Invent new ideas for tidbits of work that make you feel productive.

And by all means get well.



New Releases from Rita Hestand!

“Jodi’s Journey” just re-released from Secret Cravings Publishing, and it’s better than ever. Although it is a sweet romance, it has much to offer in the way of issues. I tackle 1800’s abortions, and the KKK and the effects of a fallen South.  Not to mention a romance that is built on true love through learning to understand.

I also released a short novella, “Distracted”. It started as a romance, but developed into a short Mystery I hope you all enjoy. What’s a girl to do when a snake crawls up her bathtub while she’s in it? She latched the back gate, she was sure of it, so where are the mud footprints coming from.

What is going on. It’s up to the handsome deputy Sheriff Jake Quinton to find out, while trying to concentrate his interests away from the beautiful Tara Simmons.

Next on my agenda of releases is “Just One Kiss”. My sixth historical western and self published on Smashwords.com.This is truly a romance for the heart. Just One Kiss centers around Lee Nelson a young man about to join the army in Texas, and a young Negro girl, Hattie Tanner who challenges Lee to treat her like a white girl. Sometimes you just know, it’s meant to be. Can one kiss change their lives? And eight years later, can they take up where they left off? Even though this is set against the backdrop of the civil war, it’s not a war story, it’s a love story that builds in your heart. Two people, destined to be together, despite the odds. If you like romance you’ll find plenty of it in this majestic story of love and triumph. Interestingly enough, this is a sequel to Beyond the Dream Catcher, I hope you enjoy it.

I hope you’ll check out all my books on Smashwords.com and at my two publishing houses, Secret Cravings Publishing and Decadent Publishing.