Sneak Peek Sunday-TRUCK STOP PARADISE

TRUCK STOP PARADISE-a Texas Contemporary Novel

Chad stood very still near the counter and stared at Leigh as she laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks. Rubbing her hands down her face, she hiccupped and sobbed. Now she was crying instead of laughing hysterically. He had no idea what to do. What had Crissy said? Obviously, she was talking about him, probably called him a name, and now Leigh had gone off the deep end.

He moved away from the counter. "Leigh…"

 

Suddenly, she jumped to her feet and began swiping at her eyes. "Don’t touch me, Chad."

 

Turning away from him, she rushed to the stairs and ran up. He took off after her, taking the stairs two at a time, so that by the time she'd reached the landing, he grabbed her arm and held on. She pushed and shoved at his hand.

"Let me go. Stop touching me!"

He loosened his grip but did not let her go. Instead, he pulled her slowly to him, and he wrapped his other arm around her waist.
~~*~~*~~
TRUCK STOP PARADISE on Amazon--99cent novella:
http://www.amazon.com/Truck-Stop-Paradise-ebook/dp/B00CD38BEO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366115197&sr=1-1&keywords=celia+yeary   

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Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary
My Website
My Blog
Sweethearts of the West-Blog
My Facebook Page 
 

Are You a Writer, an Author, or a Storyteller?

WRITER-JOHN

The question might seem obvious, but a subtle distinction exists between the three. Of course, we are writers. Practically everyone is a writer--"a person who uses written words to communicate ideas." Another way to describe a writer is: "the word refers to the creation of human language."

I once saw a cartoon of the inside of a large cave. Figures and symbols covered every available space on the ceiling and walls. A caveman stood with his hand to his chin, looking up, contemplating...something. Two cavewomen sat together on a stone. One said, "We're going to have to move again. George has just finished another novel."

We've grown up writing. At age three, we used crayons to draw a picture and add a crooked letter here and there, "writing a letter to Grandmother."

As we grow up, we write notes to friends, essays for a class, or a love letter to someone we love. We write something every day, some way. We might even keep a diary.

A professional writer uses words to produce creative pieces such as literary art, novels, short stories, poetry, plays, news articles, essays, or songs. Writers often write about how to write, or why they write, or write critical articles about someone else's writing. Often a professional writer gets paid when a piece is published.

 Authors:

Dickens, Collins, Gaskell, and Proctor

 

An author is one who originates any written work. An author can claim responsibility for creating the writing.

THE STORYTELLER-Eugene, Oregon

 

A storyteller is one who conveys events in words, images, and sounds, often by embellishing and improvising the tale. The storyteller educates, preserves cultural phenomenon, instills moral values, and entertains. The narration, then, includes a plot and characters, complete with a point of view.

When I began writing, I did not refer to myself as anything other than "someone who wrote stories." Calling myself an author didn't sound right. All my stories were stored in files and folders in my computer. But with my first contract, I felt perfectly at ease referring to myself as an author. I became...Celia Yeary, Author.

With published stories came reviews. I will never forget the day when one reviewer called me a true "storyteller." Wow. That somehow made an impression, as though I had reached some pinnacle of success. I held that thought close and still do. For someone to refer to me as a storyteller still makes me proud.

Today, my local readers are very generous is telling me what they think of my newest book. Often the person will say something similar: "How do you think of all these stories? They're so good."

I'm actually hearing, "You're such a good storyteller." No one uses "author," and I take their words to mean, "storyteller."

What do you think about this idea? Which are you? Have you been called a storyteller? Is it really the best compliment?

I like all three terms--writer, author, storyteller. Me...You...all wrapped up in one package.

Do Your Readers Love Your Characters?

WOULD YOU LIKE THIS
WOMAN AS THE
MAIN CHARACTER?

When I read a negative review—my own, a friend's, a best-selling author's—and learn why the reviewer did not like the book, often the reason is:

"I did not care for the main character."
"The Heroine was not very likeable."
"The Heroine is Too Stupid To Live."
"The plot was thin because the Heroine had nothing to make the story work."
"The Heroine acted like a sixteen-year-old."
"The Heroine was a whiner and a loser."

DO YOU LIKE THIS MAN?

THIS WOMAN?

WHY?

Think about that. More often than not, the low rating concerns the likeability of the main characters. So, what characteristics make a protagonist empathetic? Why does one character resonate with the reader, but another turns her off?

The Main Character has been treated unjustly. She loses her job because of a jealous co-worker; she was jilted at the altar; she was cut out of her father's will; she was physically abandoned, left alone to fend for herself; she is lied to but doesn't know it before it's too late.
This approach can work if we do not see her as a martyr. She must carry on with a brave face.

"Sharon's husband goes through a mid-life crisis, asks for a divorce, and wants to sell the house they've had for 25 years. Although she agrees—what else can she do?—she is angry and heartbroken. Stiffening her spine and lifting her chin, she seeks out a new life…with anger and resentment still burning her heart."

The Protagonist displays a valued trait. She may be very loyal, loving, or courageous. This especially works if she makes or has made a bad choice. We forgive her, if we first see her tending a sick loved one, helping a child, or standing up to a bully for a friend.

"Jeanine dusts off her counseling certificate and works with battered wives. Knowing she made a fatal error by marrying Joel, she tries to settle her life by helping others."

The Protagonist is burdened with inner struggles. She may suffer depression, bitterness, jealousy, resentment, or hate. Perhaps she has shut down her emotions because of one of these reasons, but does not recognize her problem.

"Millie works 24/7, exhausting herself and threatening her health. If only her friend James would leave her alone and stop trying to help. She does not need help from anyone. Her life is under control. If only she could sleep…"  

The Protagonist wishes for some basic human need. Perhaps she needs someone to love her, a purpose in life, or acceptance. This works well if we first see her as caring or unselfish.

"Marcia cares for her dying mother for years, laying her own hopes and dreams aside. Now that he mother is gone, Marcia reaches out for acceptance in a world she doesn't understand."

The Protagonist grieves. She has lost a child, a beloved spouse, or her last living relative. A reader won't know why she grieves, but we don't want a bunch of back-story to explain her actions. Instead, we should learn more through the action and plot of the story.

"Jackie lost her baby and husband in one car accident…and she was driving. She meets Hal, and he wants her to live again…but webs of emotions keep her trapped, and even he might not be able to break through."
~*~*~

IS THIS WOMAN LIKEABLE?

 

This is the short list of ideas to make the protagonist likeable. We want to cheer for her, but can't if she acts in a negative manner we don't like.
 
I had entered the first chapter of a complete manuscript in a contest, and got shot down. My critique partners did not like my heroine. I liked her…but others read something that made them feel negative toward her. What was wrong with her?

I sent the first chapter to a young woman with a degree in journalism and creative writing. What's wrong with my heroine, my protagonist? What is she doing that turns off readers?

Here's her answer:
Five year-old Nicky tugs at Katherine's jeans leg to get his aunt's attention. Katherine pushes his hand away and says, "Don't do that, Nicky. Wait until I'm finished here."
This is one example of several in which I had Kate speaking to sad little Nicky a little harshly.

My friend said, "Instead of pushing his hand away and scolding, have Kate reach for his hand, hold it, rub her thumb over his, saying, 'Just a minute, Sweetie. I promise we'll get a room with a television.'

I am happy to report I "fixed" Kate, and even though she is insecure about taking Nicky to raise, she is kind and sweet to him. She shows that she loves the little boy very much.

The Stars at Night..a contemporary romance--SOON to be re-released with Publishing by Rebecca J. Vickery.
 
Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary
My Website
My Blog
Sweethearts of the West-Blog
My Facebook Page