Blog Archives

Journey of a Struggling Writer

July 27, 2011

Do you struggle as a writer?

Putting words on paper that reflect how you feel about a topic or character while maintaining structure and story flow, is a huge challenge.

If you have ever struggled with rewriting that first chapter or scene to make it “perfect,” you know what I’m talking about.

As a writer you know that writing means rewriting

struggling writer

Are you a struggling writer?

So you give your manuscript or screenplay to your best friend or spouse and ask for feedback. Most of the time he or she provides gentle comments, but you’re still not sure if you have a piece of work that will sell. Or in other scenarios, that same friend or loving spouse, not truly understanding the heart of a writer, tells you that your storyline or writing is awful. This is earth-shattering to a writer, believe me.

Maybe you join a critique group, or find a writing partner, or buy more books about writing. You’re always in search of that golden nugget of knowledge that can zing into your heart and convince you that your story is ready to market.

Or perhaps you took a writing class out of desperation to validate that you ARE a writer. Deep in your heart you’ve always wanted the world to read your story.

Every writer needs a writing mentor!

However, through your writing journeys you most likely never had a writing mentor who was there for you throughout the entire writing process–someone who could honestly tell you what was missing or ask you the right questions that would send you back to the keyboard with a renewed passion for your story.

That’s where The Writer’s Mentor comes in. My passion is helping writers achieve their dream of writing and publishing a book, selling an article, or selling a screenplay. I can help you get the words on paper, take out the kinks, encourage your writing muse and help you create a work that sells. I’ve been doing this for over twenty years. I’m good at it, I love it, and you will profit from my hard-learned experiences in the publishing and screenwriting industries.

When you’re ready to begin, please register for one of my personalized coaching packages. Or if you still have concerns about your writing and are wondering if my writing courses or services can help you, contact me. I will respond ASAP.

Are you a struggling writer?

Are you a pivotal character in your own destiny?

June 13, 2011

Pivotal Character. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing a novel, a memoir, a how-to book, a play, or a screenplay, your must first understand the meaning of a pivotal chracter.

A Pivotal Character – Real or Imaginary?

A pivotal character, according to any dictionary or reference source in the writing arena is defined as someone who takes the lead in any movement or cause. Further, a pivotal character is the one person who creates conflict and makes any story or life situation move forward.

Is there a pivotal character in your life?

Do you know anyone in your life who creates conflict? You might not be laughing at that question, but there are two types of people in the real world who are also in the “book” or “movie” world…those who KNOW what they want, and those who don’t know what they want. The pivotal character is definitely someone who knows what he wants, and he will stop at nothing to get it!

In the world of writing, if the author doesn’t introduce a pivotal character, there’s no story!

pivotal character male

Male pivotal character

The goal of a pivotal character…in a book and in true life

Read this next sentence, and then read it again. It contains the secret to publishing success and to success in your own life and destiny. Here it comes. Ready?

Every person (pivotal character) must always want something more than anything else in life. That pivotal character must have something that is extremely vital at stake that he strives to conquer or overcome to get what he wants.

Pivotal Characters Know What They Want and Will Stop at Nothing To Get It

Are you a pivotal character, or do you let others dominate your life? If your fear is greater than your desire, or if you’ve lost your passion somewhere due to a person you allowed to be your dream killer, or your nature doesn’t permit you to oppose anyone who challenges your patience, then you’re most likely not a pivotal character.

A further description of a pivotal character

Even though this next statement of mine could possibly resemble a true-life scenario, in the world of writing, you can always count on a pivotal character being purposefully aggressive, uncompromising, and sometimes ruthless…especially if you stand in the path of that person’s goal or success.

Female pivotal character

Pivotal female character

In college, I remember that we had to read, analyze and dissect the book, A Doll’s House. In that story, Krogstad insisted on his family’s rehabilitation, which almost drove Nora to suicide. Without waving any flags and sounding the trumpets, he, indeed, was the pivotal character in that novel.

In conclusion, you are responsible for your own destiny. When writing a book, you are responsible for creating a pivotal character. In life, a pivotal character is the driving force toward achieving the goal. Push forward andyou will succeed. Do nothing and you will soon become a negative factor in blaming others for your defeat.

My question to you is: What kind of character are you, and what kind of character have you created in your book? Let’s talk about your pivotal character!