Tag Archives: Plot

Friends can be stumbling blocks to your writing:  interruptions, temptations & invitations, not to mention occasional put-downs and other negatives.  But your friends can also further your writing, whether they know it or not! 1.  Borrow your friend’s mannerisms or quirks to make a character come to life. Does she wear heavy jewelry or too much make-up?  Finger a locket when she thinks of an old boyfriend?  Does he have a horse laugh?  Tell hilarious stories that begin with, “but that’s not really how it was?”  Does she jump high, punch the air, or do the hokey-pokey when she’s excited?  Use judiciously, though – you want to add characterization, not make your friend the character. 2.  Tell him or her what you really think.  Admit it, there’s that one thing you’d love to say, but you value your friendship too much to really let loose.  So give your characters the … Continue reading →