Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Good morning fam, I hope you're having a successful day. And for those of you
who might be being challenged by a situation, boss, co-worker or just someone
trying to make your day difficult - never let them see you sweat. Kill them with
kindness or if possible simply�ignore them. Remember anger is only one letter
away from danger.�BE a great day!


�
Rachel Berry�
Author of the upcoming YA novella: 'A Slip In The Right Direction'
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"Putting A Mellow View To All That We Do & Doing It From The Heart & Soul."�
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http://ping.fm/6e2wb
http://ping.fm/PNNDH
http://ping.fm/LmIGe

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Good morning fam. Just wanted you to know that I'll be at The Family Feastival in ABNER CLAY PARK in Richmond VA today from 4pm until 8pm signing books and taking orders for my soon to be released YA novel A SLIP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. If you're in the area come on by so I can meet you. Tell a friend and have a great weekend

Friday, August 20, 2010

Greetings Fam. I hope your day is going well and that you've had a powerful
week. Why not reach out and call someone special today to hear how their week
has been. Call just to listen to them and let them know they are appreciated.
After all true friends are the people that know all about you and still put up
with you and love you. Have a geat weekend

Monday, August 16, 2010

Greetings Fam it's Magnificent Monday. Come join me on my show From The Heart & Soul when I welcome Christian Fiction author Shana Burton and Best-selling author Victoria Christopher Murray. They'll be reading from their lastest books and taking calls from you. The fun starts at 7PM EST. Call in number 347-838-9657. Hope to hear you there

Friday, August 13, 2010

Good morning fam. It's another fantastic Friday and you've made it through the
work week.�Remember to pay yourself first before you pay others. Your wings for
today is: "Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you're up to."
�
�
�
Author & Poet
Rachel Berry aka Lady Serenity
�
"Putting A Mellow View To All That We Do & Doing It From The Heart & Soul."�
�
http://ping.fm/nrUXj
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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Hey fam, a little FYI for those writers or those inspirng to write: I write a
monthly column�for SORMAG called Building Colorful Characters. It's loaded
with�ideas and examples of how you can craft interesting characters for your
stories and books. I'm also always looking for guest writers to contribute to my
column. In return a link to your web site and a picture of your book will be
included. Check me out at SORMAG dot blogspot dot com. On the right hand side
with the links�under Directory�click on Building Colorful Characters. Pens up to
great writing!




Author & Poet
Rachel Berry aka Lady Serenity
�
"Putting A Mellow View To All That We Do & Doing It From The Heart & Soul."�
�
http://ping.fm/iCfSh
http://ping.fm/hVNsh
http://ping.fm/oW0bZ
Greetings Fam, I'm hard at work seeing to the release of my next book: A Slip In
The Right Direction. So much to do, but I can tell you it feels so good when you
finally hold your book baby in your hand.�These past years of being in the
publishing biz has given me a new sense of respect for book publishers. When you
reach for�a book from a retailer shelf or get one in the mail, please know a lot
of time and preparation has gone into that creation.�Write On!
�
Author & Poet
Rachel Berry aka Lady Serenity
�
"Putting A Mellow View To All That We Do & Doing It From The Heart & Soul."�
�
http://ping.fm/LStyy
http://ping.fm/PEGIe
http://ping.fm/1QIm2

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Good morn fam. Here's your wings to start your week: "Life is not
measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath
away." Have a wonderful day!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Building Colorful Characters

Wordsmiths, if asked the following, what would your answer be—Fourth of July or crickets, electrifying sparks or sheer boredom? No, these are not dating questions. Instead, we’re determining which of these impressions your characters are making when they enter the room. The room, in this sense, is your readers’ mind. Your readers’ mind is the entertainment area you have rented for as long as or as short as you engage their attention. Are your characters holding a party—or a funeral? Will your readers allow you to enter their “room” again—or bar you forever?

As we’ve discussed earlier, creating characters that dance to a colorful tune for your readers’ eyes and emotions are an important part of what makes an entertaining story. We’ve also examined many ways in doing this, as there are no limits and many formulas to this tonic of literary pleasure.

Using the element of surprise with a character’s behavior or decision patterns is one way to keep our readers from yawning or hearing subliminal crickets chirp during our creations. Transforming a character with a drab or subservient personality into a feisty or domineering position can liven things up in any saga.

For example one, let’s create a familiar scenario but put a twist to it. Let’s use a mid-fiftyish Hispanic male with bad skin, cheap office attire, toting geeklike expressions. This meek, humble, and dedicated employee has been working at his job for twenty-nine years. As a family-man, he’s looking forward to retiring in a year and enjoying the benefits he’s loyally worked for all these years. One morning, right after a company meeting, unexpectantly, he’s given notice that the company is downsizing and he will be let go immediately with only severance pay. His immediate supervisor is given the unpleasant task of making this delivery to him as the company’s haughty CEO looks on and a few other sympathetic employees and coworkers silently pepper the room. Rightfully so, and certainly in this hurting economy, the employee grimaces inside, thinking of his home, car, family, and other obligations that have just been adversely affected.

As his silent internal inferno erupts, his attention aborts from listening to the lengthy explanation dripping from the lips of his soon-to-be ex-employer. The employee makes the decision to take matters into his own hand. No longer thinking rationally, he bum-rushes the exit doors to the conference room, taking everyone hostage but outwardly remains very calm while making his demands for a changed and upgraded decision. Coworkers and his immediate supervisor are shocked by his behavior, yet don’t feel endangered, knowing him to have always been a peaceful man and a team player. They can understand his feelings and have always respected him as a person, so they all sit as ordered in silence, hoping that he will change his mind and return to reason.

The CEO, however, not really knowing the employee other than occasionally seeing him meekly work in his tiny cubicle, doesn’t take him seriously and begins to taunt him with a cocky tone. With the passing of time, some coworkers ask for bathroom privileges and are granted them. The employee makes it known to everyone that he wants them to be comfortable until this “thing” is played out to his liking. Outside the company’s building, the police and crowd intensify. Daylight decreases, the CEO’s annoying words increase, and the telephone rings continuously in the conference room as the police hope to negotiate a life-saving deal. The situation begins to wear on the employee’s nerves, and he begins to realize that his circumstance needs a drastic change in order to get better, quicker results.

The employee politely grants a third bathroom break to a male employee who he has worked side by side with for many years. In fact, he also allows him to answer the telephone and request the police bring food and drinks for the hostages. But when the police ignore the request and only ask the coworker if everyone is safe, the coworker confidently answers yes—but is then stopped short by a barrage of bullets ripping through his back at the hand of the frustrated employee. The atmosphere has now changed, the CEO is shocked into silence, the respect from the employee’s coworkers vanish, and fear tightly clutches everyone’s heart now. The coworker lays dead with bright red blood pooling around his convulsing body, the police hear screams, then silence reigns as the phone conversation is abruptly disconnected, and the character’s personality and perception has been changed for all to see.

Do you think everyone, including the reader, views this character differently now? No longer is he a drab or background character. He is now in charge, very colorful, and at the front of the reader’s room, who waits to see what door the disgruntled employee steps through next.

For example two, imagine a serial killer who relentlessly and brutally murders prostitutes and pimps, yet he religiously wears all white and an expensive cross hangs around his neck. He also enjoys visiting a Catholic church whenever he can, to kneel and pray for the absolution of his sins. Does not this contrast in behavior and personality pluck a unique type of character from the literary tree? While this scenario could be considered strange and not the usual type of situation or story line, it does fall into the category of “it-could-happen.” Therefore, not only is the character colorful in its right, but also the story line as well. Surely there’s enough footage here to have fun with and keep the “room” of our reader very occupied with nail-biting attention.

In this example, I’ve said very little about this character or his background. But I’ve given you enough information so you can use your own imagination to take this character and story line to colorful heights.

Sometimes in our creations, less is more, yet, the intensity and possibilities are largely seen and felt. Too, a writer must also remember that the road must be paved with some reason or rhyme of why a character has crossed over into a different personality behavior or pattern. Otherwise, the change will come off unrealistic and unbelievable. An intriguing story’s plot or twist can get lost if the character delivering the blow is not wielding the sword of “it-could-happen” effectively.

So, while working on that next piece intended on keeping your readers turning pages for hours on end, remember: Fourth of July or crickets, party or funeral? This type of concentration will surely get you booked back into those rooms of your fans every time without reservations.

Pens up! to building colorful characters the write way.


To arrange speaking engagements e-mail Rachel at: admin@blackpearlsunited.org.
For book signings please e-mail her at: rachelwrites2@yahoo.com.
To preview and buy her books please visit her web site at: http://www.rachelberry.webs.com/