IWSG, Shaking in My Boots

Its my first confession via the Insecure Writer's Support Group conceived by illustrious Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh!

Okay, so I have been visiting and reading these Wednesday posts for months. I have to say I really did like feeling like I was not the only one who struggled with freak outs and worries.  I never really thought I had any reason to post myself...I have it all handled, right?

Uh...not so much. 

Right now I am struggling so much with confidence. I had no idea that writing a true trilogy...books with a continuing story line and ever growing characters could be so intimidating. Can I I do it? Am I smart enough? Organized enough? Will my brain explode before this is over? Ahhhh!

All that angst translates into me hiding and not reaching out and blogging or commenting. I know...I KNOW that keeping in touch with other writers is so important. So I decided to take the plunge and join the IWSG.  

So..."Hi, y'all." *waves nervously*

Writing Helps Series: Useful Books

I've decided to do a series on different types of tools that authors can use to hone their craft, better their writing, ease their frustrations, or are just cool.

The first in the series of Writing Helps is BOOKS.  There are so many out there on the writing craft. From outlining to character development, ect. That's not what I am focusing on.

These books are practical research or information type of books that really help to sharpen the edges of your work. 

My recent favorite is The Emotion Thesaurus by Ackerman. I follow the Facebook feed for Writers Helping Writers which is where I stumbled across this gem. I started using the blog post at first, which had links to pages of what would eventually become this book.

It lists emotions in alphabetical order, then gives a list of physical signs, internal sensations, mental responses, and symptoms if this emotion is long term. 

Very cool, right? Talk about spiced up action beats! No more simple "clenched fists" or "furrowed brows" to show anger. This book really helps you narrow what you mean to clean physical and emotional images that drive home your character's inner struggle. 

The series also offers Positive and Negative Trait Thesaurus as well as Emotion Amplifiers to help with character motivation. And at less than $5 for the Kindle version...who can beat that?

The next useful little tool in my author box is The Daredevil's Manual by Ikenson. Another book that is similar to this that I also use often is The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Piven. 

Both books have step-by-step instructions on everything from hot-wiring a car to jumping from a bridge into a river. 

I have not tested the "Doing a Stoppie on a Motorcycle" or the "Sword Swallowing" but I did use a version of the "Escaping Plastic Wrap Mummification" in a recent WIP...so there's that.

As a reader, nothing throws me from the fictional dream faster than a ill informed scene. Take the time to research lock-picking or how your heroine should really jump from that high rise.  Your story will be all the better for it.

What are some books you find indispensable while writing? Share them with us so we can check them out.

 

Until next time...Go Write!

+Raquel Byrnes 

With Heaviness in My Heart

Those of you who know me personally, are aware that I lost my mother this week. She went in her slumber which is the most mercy I could have hoped for. 

For months, I had been traveling to my parents house to help my father care for her as she was in hospice at home. It was both hard and extremely helpful in helping me to say goodbye to the most dynamic and amazing woman I've ever known. 

We talked and grew closer during those difficult days. I shared with her my imaginary worlds in the books I was writing. And she cheered me on, as she always had, to do what I love.

Now as I struggle to help my father and brothers cope with the enormous loss of such a light in our lives, I hope to scrape together some semblance of continuity or routine in my own life.

I am striving to write despite the whirlwind of emotions I seem to be fighting to corral. As it always has been, my imagination is a welcome escape from what ails.

I wanted to say thank you to those who sent me messages and cards and just helped me feel like I wasn't alone in this. You are so wonderful!