Page 31 - October 2020 Voices
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words to the editor, and you’ve written 118,234 submitted to me at lupusgnome@hotmail.com
and still haven’t talked about what happened I will choose the one I think most appealing
to the crazy uncle introduced in chapter three. to our readers and publish the winning entry
Yes, some people hear me say that and think here. I must receive submissions no later than
I’m crazy. How can my characters come up with midnight PDT November 8, 2020. Now go select
things I wouldn’t have thought of? Everything your submission and send it in! (P.S. The concept
my characters think, say and do comes from my of a “contest” where the only prize is bragging
mind. True. But when I put myself in the role rights and publication doesn’t seem to be getting
of my protagonist, or antagonist, or supporting any traction. If this month doesn’t garner at
character, I try to think the way that character least a few submissions, I’ll drop the contest in
would think. The easiest example is “the bad guy.” the future.)
I’ve been called a lot of things, and “accused”
of many things throughout my life, but never
“the bad guy.” Some have said I’m a “good guy,”
a “great guy,” a “nice guy.” I’ve been “accused” I start writing with only
of being too patient, too easy-going, too kind.
Whether those people are biased, right, the vaguest idea about who
wrong, or crazy, I do have a tendency to
think of the good/kind/right thing to do. my characters are and
I don’t harbor murderous thoughts,
I have no desire to take over the what is going to happen,
world, and I don’t secretly plot acts
of chaos and mass destruction. But my and the characters and
antagonist might.
It all comes back to making characters plot come into existence as
relatable. If your “bad guy” doesn’t think
bad thoughts, or do bad things, readers I go. I’ve tried doing it
will have trouble believing the
character. the other way, but for me,
outlining is a waste of time
Here is the writing-related
exercise this month (same as
last month): share 100 words because I never follow the
(or so) about a strong opening
(speech or writing), a solid outline. ~Karen Robards
structure (writing or speech), or a powerful
ending (speech or written piece). From those
VOICES! | OCTOBER 2020 31
