🧠 LEARNING 🧠
I've seen bits of feedback from my beta readers of When Death Is Hiding (book 3 in my series). I already knew my character motivations needed tightening, but I got confirmation that this an area that needs work - starting with my main character, June.
June is going on a risky adventure with the goal of saving herself from the Fates’ curse on her family. So far, her motivation is that she is terrified of death and does NOT want to die (since the Fates might kill her).
But this motivation isn’t enough - it can’t just be that she doesn’t want to die. Why does she want to live?
So I’m digging to get deeper. What makes good character motivation? What type of motivation makes a reader care?
I think one way that we care about a character is when THEY care about something bigger than themselves. So, I have some (possibly good) ideas that I’m brainstorming for how to integrate a shift in her motivation - one that still works with her overall character arc. In October, I’ll work on these edits before another of beta readers!
🎉 CELEBRATING 🎉
What am I doing while not having a book to edit?? Relaxing? Resting??
How about creating a writing collective and challenge to replace NaNoWriMo!! 😂
My friend (@write_as_rain_sullivan on instagram) and I decided to dream up a community replacement for NaNoWriMo due to the… issues with it that we won't discuss here 🤪
The Pathfinders Writing Collective (@pathfinderswritingcollective on instagram) is a safe, free space for writers and creatives of any kind to come together, reach goals, and support one another. We will be hosting fun challenges while also giving back to make the world a better place.
This November, our very first PWC Challenge begins!! It is a “build your own challenge” where you pick your type of project (drafting, editing, plotting, etc), the length of time you want to set for yourself (one month, two months, three months), And what goals you want to reach (word count, time spent writing, consistency, etc).
Writers can join the challenge in our positive and encouraging discord which already has 500+ members and so much good conversation.
Join the discord: discord.com/invite/eu4nE3jSf7
😫 STRUGGLING 😫
With all the excitement of the Pathfinders Writing Collective, my day job, and my writing… I am tired! The PWC has been SO incredible. And it’s also been a LOT of work! Especially figuring out how to manage a discord server (there’s more to it than I expected). I’m learning so much! But also hoping to find a better balance between the work and the rest in the long run.
🧘♀️ RESTING 🧘♀️
Speaking of which… how am I resting these days???
Unfortunately, I’m back in a reading slump :( I did spend some time doing yardwork (woo!) and my husband and I have been watching some good shows.
English Teacher - great and witty new show
Kevin Can F*** Himself - very unique premise and storytelling devices
Girls 5eva - funnier than I expected!!
What are you watching or reading?? Happy Saturday :) Here is my cat
I love hearing how the PWC is taking off!! 😍 character motivation can be so tricky to sort out (I still feel like some of my main characters hide their motivations from me, lol), but I read an interesting book about building characters this year where he talks about motivation a lot! (It’s called The Secrets of Character by Matt Bird) and he has similar advice to yours about personal motivations *and* broader world motivations. I can’t wait to see how June’s story turns out!!