I thought I’d start posting writing tips. I’m going to try to make it once a week, though in the Future it’ll probably be on Thursdays. Sometimes it’ll be something I’ve written. Other times it’ll be an awesome tip I found while surfing the web. Whether you’re an aspiring author or a reader curious how I approach writing, I hope you enjoy them!

It has been a while since I’ve written one of my “visual” writing posts. I’ve written several under my other writing name so I’ll be bringing them over to this blog and adding new ones as time permits. Why do I focus on the visual? For me, I learn and retain lessons best when I have a visual representation. So I thought I’d incorporate those in my blog.

COLORING IN THE DETAILS!

Today’s post is about bringing your writing to life, coloring in those details in such a way so that readers can “picture” or “feel” the scene.

Check out this picture below (yes, this does relate to writing, promise. 😉 )

It’s a neat picture, right? Nice color. It has cool composition with the sun only hitting the tops of the trees, lighting them on fire while the tree trunks remain shrouded in dark shadows. Like it? Yeah, me too…LOL…since I took it. :wink:

But ya know, once I downloaded this picture to my computer screen, I was disappointed. Why? Because the colors looked washed out and dull compared to what I had seen while I was happily snapping away with my digital camera. What I saw was flashes of fire in the leaves, like nature had lit them ablaze. I loved the vivid stormy blue sky behind those fiery leaves and how it set such a stark and breathtaking contrast!

So what did I do once I downloaded it to my computer?

I went in and put the color back in…the way I’d “seen” in through the camera’s viewfinder.

And here is the result.

And what in the WORLD does ALL this have to do with writing, you ask…

Okay, here’s how you can apply this to writing.

Once you’ve written your scene, step back and read it. Think about the two pictures above. Think about how you reacted to each one. Consider how the first one was a fairly good picture all on its own, well, until you saw the next one. LOL!

The point is…you wrote a good scene. Now go back and make it better. Make it POP!

How do you do that?

If it’s an emotional scene, then take your characters’ emotions deeper. Really dig into your main characters’ internal conflicts and how that particular scene effects or changes the character’s perspective on things. Get in there and make the reader “feel” what the character does. Use those five senses, too!

If it’s a fight scene or an action scene, beyond the actual hand to hand “fight” actions or playing out of the action scene, make sure that you’ve done a thorough job employing the five senses here as well. I’m sure you’ve already shown us what your character sees, but what does your character hear? What does he/she smell? What does he/she feel?

Going back and adding in these additional layers will help make your scenes come alive, giving them that “extra” memorable impact and painting a vivid picture for your readers.

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MORE AWESOME REVIEWS for BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS!

5 Stars! “… Brightest Kind of Darkness is a fresh, thrilling and compelling read. It’s almost got a Final Destination feel to the book but P.T does make this book her own. I can’t help but ask myself, why isn’t this book been picked up by a publisher? Publishers…..seriously you’re missing out. I so want this book sitting on my shelf and I for one am thankful this book was bought to my attention because like I said, it’s not one you want to miss out on…” Donna, Book Passion for Life (Click here to read the entire review)

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5 Stars! “… Exciting, atmospheric, action-packed, and intensely mysterious BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS is the best self-published work I have read to date. Michelle’s writing is so good it was easy to lose myself in the pages and forget the time, something few books can do. I can hardly wait for the next book to be released and will definitely be adding Michelle (and her alter ego Patrice Michelle) to my list of authors to watch. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy Stacey Jay or Richelle Mead’s writing styles and for fans of Jordan Dane’s intensity.” Rhianna, RhiReading (Click here to read the entire review)

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5 Stars! “… The chemistry between Nara and Ethan could have set my Kindle on fire! With very few words or actions they were able to speak volumes. They had that type of connection where each little touch gives you goose bumps. Sometimes Ethan would just speak a few words and I would blush like mad.

Brightest Kind of Darkness brings up an interesting idea–can you run from fate? This book is full of twists and turns and it is impossible to not care about these characters. If you want a spooky paranormal tale with a sizzling romance inside, grab this book! I am already stalking P.T. to see when the next book in this series is coming out! ” Jessica, Confessions of a Bookaholic (Click here to read the entire review)

HUGE thank yous to Donna, Rhi and Jessica for such wonderful reviews of BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS and being so supportive!

Understanding your Voice

For a writer first staring out, I think understanding one’s own voice is kind of a strange concept to grasp. You’re trying so hard to wade your way through the mechanics of writing, your focus isn’t on what the heck your voice IS at that point in time. The reality of your voice is…it becomes more defined and distinctive the more you write.

I’ve read authors’ books where I really appreciated their writing style, it was so lyrical. But “voice” is more than just style of writing. It’s the whole package. The best way I can describe “voice” in all its intangible glory is as follows; Voice is what gives your dialogue its unique rhythm, your characters their distinctive pop, and your plot its layered depth.

Does having a specific “voice” mean you can only have one type of writing? I hope not! I’ve written serious tear-jerkers, humorous romps, and intense action-adventures. But I’ll bet one thing is true in all of these stories…my voice comes through, regardless. In other words, no matter the genre or focus of your story, your voice will circle back to that “unique rhythm, distinctive pop and layered depth” thing every time. At least, that’s how I see it.

I believe learning to love your voice and embrace it with all its quirks is what will make you a better writer in the end.