WRITE TIME AND AGAIN

Story Tracks

Posted on May 23, 2022May 23, 2022 by L. M. Montes

Keeping track of your story as you’re writing it can be daunting the lengthier it gets. You have to remember from one chapter and scene to the next what happens where. How does a writer track their stories information so that they can refer back? Story tracks, or at least that’s what I call them. In other words, note cards.

For each chapter take a few note cards and jot down a brief summary of the chapter or scene, or jot down the main ideas about what is going on. By doing this, if you need to refer back to a previous scene or chapter in your manuscript, you can refer to your note cards for each chapter first before scrolling back through all those pages worth of text in your manuscript. Trust me, it will save you lots of time.

Poetry

The Weed by L. M. Montes

Posted on May 23, 2022 by L. M. Montes

In walked a woman who sat with the rest,
her clothes of silk and makeup smooth,
she had to look her best,
smile she did
and greetings pure,
who would have guessed that underneath
she seethed with vengeance sure.
The others were impressed
as they spoke with her aright,
and never did they see her
in any such different light,
it wasn’t till she dropped a word
with innocence so bright,
that shuttered and shook the others
against themselves with all their might.
Now, she was truly happy
with malice that brought delight
of having caused a killing ruckus
so scathing and impolite.

Characterization

List of Character Flaws

Posted on May 22, 2022May 22, 2022 by L. M. Montes

Below is a list of character flaws you might find helpful when creating characters for your story. It always helps to consult a reference when the mind goes blank and you can’t think of enough possible ideas. My article I published on January 18, 2021 called Character Flaws goes into more detail about this topic.

stubborn
vain
lazy
headstrong
cowardice
cruelty
selfishness
manipulative
dishonest
unfair
paranoid
hypocrisy
negative
entitlement
cynical
petty
assertive
wrathful
violent
player
user of others
superstitious
shy
sensitive
jealous

Poetry

Courage by L. M. Montes

Posted on May 22, 2022 by L. M. Montes

The door to courage is not locked
but fear stands in the way
of any who must walk through now,
not wait for another day.

Then you take a second glance
and see a gateway open
to anyone who sidesteps fear
with courage and now hoping.

Emotions

The Tension Factor

Posted on May 21, 2022 by L. M. Montes

Components of creating tension:

An opposing force
Unanswered question or questions created by the situation or by other characters within the story and keeps readers asking more questions thereby raising their curiosity
Danger, fear, or conflict
Increased danger, fear, or conflict that ebbs and flows as the story moves along
Engaging characters with opposing goals

If you’re having difficulty coming up with specific ideas that will create tension/suspense, think of it this way, play on your main character’s fears. Make them as uncomfortable and fearful as possible. Throw the works at them. Just don’t forget to give them the courage to work through that fear and accomplish the story’s goals.

Poetry

Vacillation by L. M. Montes

Posted on May 19, 2022May 21, 2022 by L. M. Montes

Where is goodness anymore–
around the corner–
alas, no–
such dread and sorrow–
push them back–
open the door of your heart–
joy enters in–
yanked back out–
dwell on peace–
if only for a little while–
life droops–
and picks up speed–
joy and peace–
or knocked to your knees.

Poetry

A Flower’s Scent by L. M. Montes

Posted on May 18, 2022August 4, 2022 by L. M. Montes

As I walked past the garden,
a scent had grown therein,
gliding over plant and earth
and said, “I beg your pardon.”

The sweetest scent so aromatic,
turned my head to see,
the flowers lifting up their heads,
and struck so automatic.

In their garden hidden,
so many different kinds,
whose scents arise to float
on air as they have often ridden.

Poetry

A Scent of Love by L. M. Montes

Posted on May 17, 2022 by L. M. Montes

A newness sparks a sensory influx
from the winds of change
sailing in my direction
with scents of wisdom
and feelings of joy encompassing,
ever enveloping around my eyes,
songs, tinkling melodies, fill my ears,
and tasting the freedom of God’s love.