"Supporting Characters"

How many should you have? That depends on what you are writing. For a picture book, I would say no more then, two. Your main character needs someone or something to interact with. This pulls your story forward. For longer works, use them as you need them. Just remember: If there are too many characters to keep up with your reader may get very confused.

Happy Writing,
Magdalena

"And & But"

Should you use 'and or but' at the beginning of a sentence? Some writers say, NO. Others say, it depends. I say, use them if they sound natural to your writing. Words like these have been taboo in the past. But, as time moves on things change. And writing styles and rules change.

Best,
Magdalena

"My Story"

Some say writing is lonely. For me, I'm not lonely. My story is my friend and my enemy as I write. My story gives me comfort, relieves my stress and is my escape from the real world. My story let's me be creative, let's me invent mean or loving characters. My story keeps me so focused, I sometimes forget to grab lunch or go to the bathroom. My story gives me grief, too. It refuses to flow, it gets stuck in the mud and looks at me like well . . . . what are you going to do now, dear writer. Pull me out of the mud, delete me or sit there and stare at me. When I write, I don't have time to be lonely. I'm to involved with my character's issues and pulling his/ her ass out of the mud.

I must have silence when I write. I can't have : T.V., radio (Unless it's New Age) crying babies, barking dogs, husband over shoulder, cell phones, facebook, blogger, twitter, kids, grandchildren or God wanting my time. I say NO! TAKE A NUMBER AND GET IN LINE.

"Mayday"

Answer: This comes from the French word m'aidez-meaning 'help me'-and is pronounced

MAYDAY

"Responsibility To Your Reader"

Your reader needs to believe in the world you have created for them. Smell, taste, color, weather, language, clothing, etc. Make your world a place your reader will be lost in.

Happy writing,

Magdalena

"Answer"

Well, guys, how many have the right answer? This sea creature really amazed me when I did research on it.

It's the "Starfish"

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Use sparingly in your writing. Your best use of these !!!!!!!!! is in your dialogue.



Happy Writing,

Magdalena