Guest Post: How to Write Fabulous Dialogue in 5 Easy Steps --by Mia Botha

Step 1: Talking Heads

I love dialogue. It is my favourite part of writing. It is also my favourite part of reading. I often skip blocks of description, especially if there is a lot of it. This habit translates into my writing, which isn’t ideal. I love writing that shows. That is full of action and people who do things. This is what I strive for and dialogue is the easiest way for me to do it. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be discussing dialogue in detail.

You will find an example of how I start with dialogue below. I plan as little as possible. If you know your characters well, that won’t be a problem. If you are still getting to know them, dialogue will help you to find out who they are. The first thing you'll notice about the piece is that it is a classic or even extreme example of talking heads. No setting. No body language. No description.

I sort of do that deliberately when I write dialogue, because I want it to be able to stand on its own, and remember what I've said before about being an under-writer? It just comes out that way. I don’t want to rely on the other elements just yet. They are needed - don’t kid yourself. I can get away with this because it is a short piece, but it’ll become irritating for a whole novel. 

In short, don’t plan. Go for it, but remember dialogue has a function. It should:

1. Reveal character
2. Move the story forward
3. Add conflict and tension
4. Give information
5. Create white space. 

This is an example of a very rough first draft:

You’re not serious, are you? 

Actually, I am. 

I don’t believe you. 

You should.  

Why? 

Because, this time, it’s real. 

But you promised. 

No, we promised. You didn’t keep the promise. 

Screw you. 

No darling, not anymore. You’ve lost that privilege. 

How did you find out? 

Pass the bag, won’t you? 

No, I won’t. 

Fine, I’ll get it. 

I asked you a question. 

Does it really matter, how I found out? 

I thought we had a deal. 

I thought we had a marriage. 

Let’s talk about this. 

We just did.  

As you can see, I don’t even bother with dialogue tags. I just want to get it down as quickly as possible. 

Does the piece do the following? 

1. Reveal character? Sort of, I know there is a marriage, two people.
2. Move the story forward? Yes, there is definitely a ‘next scene’. She has to go somewhere after all.
3. Add conflict and tension? Yes, I want to know what is going to happen next and I am asking what happened before.
4. Give information? Yes, but not a whole lot.
5. Create white space? Way too much white space. Yes, there is such a thing. 

EXERCISE: Use the dialogue example above and write your own version of it, with description added, in the comments below. Please keep it under 300 words. It’ll be awesome to see your writing and the variations that you come up with.

Look out for Step 2 next week when I’ll post my version with a checklist for the fixes.

Happy writing!

If you want to learn how to write a book, join our Writers Write course in Johannesburg. Please email news@writerswrite.co.za for more details.

 by Mia Botha Posted on http://writerswrite.co.za/

Writers Write offers the best writing courses in South Africa. Writers Write - Write to communicate

Angels - Part 2: The Very Bad Guys

by Elva Cobb Martin @elvacobbmartin 

Angels played a big part in the Bible and will play an even greater part in the last days of history. I believe in angels, the good and the bad and have seen activities of both.

Right at the start, let me assure you, that Jesus Christ has totally defeated Satan and the bad angels and given us the authority to do the same for the time they have left to operate on earth!



As a review of Part 1, we shared that the Bible reveals two types of angels:

•  Good angels like Gabriel and Michael
•  Bad angels of whom Satan is chief

We briefly covered three types of good angels the Bible describes for which we can be most thankful: 

1. Messenger angels
2. Ministering/protecting angels
3. Warrior angels            

Today we want to explore what the Bible says about Satan and the one third of God's angels that joined him in rebellion against the most High God. We see this story described in the book of Ezekiel 

Ezek. 28:14-16

14 "You were the anointed cherub . . .

You were on the holy mountain of God . . . 

15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. . . And you sinned;

Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; NKJV

Artist rendering of Satan being cast out of heaven

Jesus said he saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning (Luke 10:18).

Satan's Bio                 

• Satan means accuser or adversary.
• He was an anointed cherub ministering at the throne of God but rebelled and was exiled to earth. He took one-third of the angels with him. Jude 1:6 tells us these angels changed their first estate. Most agree, they can now be identified as demons and Satan is their leader.
• He is called the Old Serpent, Prince of the air, and he caused the fall of man.
• His kingdom is an organized empire of evil that was revealed to the Apostle Paul as existing in four ranks against which we wrestle in spiritual warfare: principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. 
• He has authority over all unregenerate humanity and backsliders, and the world system
• He has assigned evil angels over all pagan nations, like Islamic nations, to promote evil and battle against Christians. (like the demon Prince of Persia, Daniel's good angel Gabriel had to battle in Daniel 10)
• Satan is not omni anything like God is (omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent). Satan's activities are delegated to demons.                       

Old Testament saints did not have much power over these demon angels. Daniel had to pray 21 days before Gabriel was able to get through to him.

BUT WHEN JESUS CAME--HE OVERCAME SATAN through his death on the cross and resurrection(Colossians 2:15) AND HE GAVE US POWER TO DO THE SAME!

Luke 10:19 "Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy."

Jesus went about preaching the gospel,healing the sick and casting out devils. That's the same ministry He has called us to do.

Demons can cause oppression, strife, some physical and mental illnesses, accidents, murder, violence and immorality. Demons are the power behind all false religions like Islam. Who do you think is driving ISIS and all terrorism?

You and I as Christians have to KNOW and EXERCISE our authority over Satan and his demons or he'll overcome us and get away with his stealing, killing and destroying.

By all means check out the great movie, "War Room," which gives a real family life example of warring in the spirit against the wiles of the devil trying destroy a marriage and family.

For a brief Bible study of how to battle Satan and his demon assignments against you and your family, I encourage you to check out my own mini-book, Power Over Satan, which you can find on Amazon on this link: buff.ly/1NUkfYD

At this time Satan is still loosed to work evil in the world system, but we Christians have authority over him, if we'll just learn how to use it, and get busy in our own "war rooms."

A day is coming when Satan and all his evil angels will be cast into the lake of fire by God's angel as described in Revelation 20. Isn't that going to be a great day?

Hope you've enjoyed my blogs on good and bad angels that I've blogged on for the holiday season. 

Do you believe in angels, the good and the bad? Have you had an experience you'd like to share?

Please join the conversation and feel free to share this blog on Twitter and Face book.

Have a blessed New Year! Learn about and use all your authority in your own personal War Room! It is my special prayer for 2016 that God will raise up an army of War Room intercessors for America. We can see true victory come!

Elva Martin

Angels - The Good and the Bad (Part 1)

by Elva Cobb Martin @elvacobbmartin

Angels played a big part in that first Christmas and actually play a big part in the entire Bible.

Do you believe in angels? 

Gabriel visits Mary

I don't mean the feminine, white satin skirted, golden-haired doll angels we use in our decorating.

Do you believe in the biblical supernatural mighty beings the Bible calls angels? Although we are not to worship angels, do you think we might benefit from understanding more about them in the critical times in which we live?

I started thinking about this subject after reading about a man, Ralph Harlow, and his wife in the Guideposts Christmas issue who reportedly saw and heard a group of angelic beings fly over their heads while the two of them walked on a woodland path. One might easily dismiss this report, except the man gave some impressive credentials: He was a sought after witness in court cases, he had an A.B. from Harvard, an M.A. from Columbia, a Ph.D from Harvard Theological Seminary.

I was reminded of my own personal experience of seeing an angel after going through a deliverance ministry with a young man oppressed by demons. That is a story for another time, but the angel I saw who came to protect me looked like the TV ad's Mr. Clean. No satin, frills or femininity at all. 

The Bible reveals two types of angels:

• Good angels - like Gabriel and Michael
• Bad angels - of whom Satan is chief 

Part 1 - Good Angels

Some have typed good angels by their activities in the Bible: messenger angels, ministering angels and warrior angels.

1) Messenger Angels

The word angel literally means messenger.

Gabriel appeared to Daniel, Zacharias and Mary with messages from God. He is possibly the same one who appeared to Joseph. 

The most glorious angelic message of the NT was spoken to the two Marys who came early to the tomb: He is not here, for He has risen.
    
At the rapture all believers will hear the voice of an archangel with the trumpet of God.

2) Ministering/Protecting Angels

Several texts refer to these angels:

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? NKJV

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. NKJV

Jacob saw a ladder of these angels coming to and going from earth.

One of these beings went before Israel to lead them to the Promised Land.

Daniel and Elijah were strengthened by the touch of an angel
An angel shut the mouths of lions for Daniel's protection.

These type angels knocked chains off Peter and Paul and opened prison doors.

In Hebrews 12:1 we are told we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who cheer us on and I believe this includes angels, Bible heroes and our departed loved ones in heaven.

The Bible tells us a way we can activate these helpful angels. 

Psalm 103:20

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

When you pray and speak the Word of God and God's promises, you can activate angels to go to work. I also believe you can fight against your angelic assistance by speaking doubt, fear and unbelief. Or by getting into anger, strife or disobedience. Check out Ecclesiastes 5:6

3) Warrior Angels

Who can ever doubt the tremendous power of God's warrior angels when we read texts like in 2 Kings 19:35?

35 And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses — all dead. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, NKJV

Warrior angels are also God's sword-wielding avengers like the angel David saw at the threshing floor of Ornan after David wrongfully numbered Israel.

In Daniel 10 Israel's guardian/warrior angel, Michael, came to aid Gabriel in Babylon battling the demon Prince of Persia.We'll talk in Part 2 about demon angels Satan has assigned to all pagan nations.

An artist rendering of Michael, Israel's guardian angel.

In Revelation 20:1-3 A single warrior angel lays hold on Satan, chains him and casts him into the bottomless pit.

Evil may seem dominant but God's Word and His Church will prevail.


Isn't it exciting to know we STILL have angelic assistance in the earth today?

I love the message the angels gave to the shepherds on that hillside so long ago. It's a great one to meditate on this Christmas season:  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men."

Do you have an angel story? Please share it. And don't miss Part 2 of this series as we blog about bad or evil angels and how we can discern their activities and gain victory over anything they might attempt to do against us.

Merry Christmas,

Elva Martin

A Carolinian Brought Us the Poinsettia

by Elva Cobb Martin

Did you know the man who brought the poinsettia to America was a Secretary of War under President Van Buren, an ambassador to Mexico, and a South Carolina doctor?

He was also an enthusiastic gardener.

During his service as ambassador to Mexico, he often marveled at the beautiful wild plant that mantled the Mexican hillsides and gardens with flame and scarlet hues.

When he returned home to South Carolina, he brought the plant with him. The transplantation was successful,and soon neighbors were asking him for shoots.  Since the brilliant vermilion coloring reached the height of its glory at Christmas, it was soon combined with smilax and other greens to enrich the holiday festivities.

The custom spread and today it is as popular a symbol of Christmas as holly and mistletoe.

A little known fact about the poinsettia is that the vermilion rosettes of the top are leaves not flower petals. The actual "flower" is the small cup of green segments tipped with yellow and red surrounded by the scarlet whorl of leaves.

The actual "flower" of the poinsettia.

Forgotten now is the Carolina garden where the poinsettia first grew in America. Forgotten, too, is the statesman and botanist who brought us this touch of wild beauty from Mexico. But, though most us do it unknowingly, we do honor the man--for the poinsettia plant was named for him--Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett.

Hope you enjoyed this Christmas trivia. It's great to remember those who've blessed us in various ways during this holy season. Do you have a Christmas blessing or story to share? Be sure to leave a comment.

Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to share this blog on your social media.

Merry, Blessed Christmas to you and yours is my prayer,

Elva Cobb Martin

Downton Abbey's Success Model

By Elva Cobb Martin

Who hasn't enjoyed five seasons of Downton and isn't deliciously awaiting Season Six and the series finale? I certainly am. If we had the new streaming type TV (which is on my Santa wish list) I could ALREADY be enjoying the last of this great series. It has already shown in England.

Today I listened to a Downton Special to get America ready for the finale coming in January on PBS. I made some notes from the remarks of the producer, Gareth Neame, and the writer of the series, Julian Fellowes, that I think you are going to LOVE. I believe they shared major SECRETS of the success of this series that can work for our novels, too!

Julian Fellowes: The spice of the series is love. There's not doubt about that.  All the characters are given an opportunity to feel love, to turn love down, to love the wrong person, to make a mess of it, to make a good thing of it. But, I think, on the whole, love is a very key ingredient to all our lies, even if or because we haven't got any.

How's that for a plot outline for your romance characters?

Downton Writer Julian Fellowes and Producer Gareth Neame

Gareth Neame: This show is about a time when relationships are much more straightforward. There's no strange texting going on. I think audiences have loved the simplicity of the relationships. The fact that they are not really about sexual love, but romantic love, and deeply unfashionable for TV producers to be doing--and yet it seems to be a formula that is working around the world.

Don't you love that statement?  Gives new impetus to our writing of inspirational novels versus various shades of gray!

"Lord Grantham" who was the spokesman for the special, had some great stuff to say about love. He said: Love is all around Downton Abbey. Upstairs and downstairs. There's the seasoned love of Robert and Cora.
The scandalous and passionate love of Lady Sybil and Branson.
The long-simmering love of the butler Carson and the housekeeper Mrs. Hughes.
 But perhaps the truest, noblest love at Downton is Anna's for Mr. Bates. But their quest for simple love and happiness is plagued by misfortune.

Julian Fellowes on Anna and Mr. Bates:
By creating a happy, contented couple but where there is always a grenade with its pin half out in the pocket of one of them--you don't ever have to search for the tension you need.

He's got that right!

Producer Gareth Neame on Anna and Mr. Bates:
Unlike the other love relationships which are plagued with difficulties, what Anna and Bates have is this extraordinary relationship of the heart, this incredible bond. They are the couple that all of us know somewhere in our lives, that have this amazing partnership and it's the only way they can deal with all the hurdles that are put in front of them.

Don't you love this guy's thoughts? No wonder he is the producer of an award-winning series like Downton.

I will close with a description of the butler Carson and his pursuit of love from Producer Gareth.  "He (Carson) moves slowly like the speed of a glacier."

Have you watched Downton Abbey?  Please share your thoughts and any gleanings you've found that can help us write winning stories.

Thanks for stopping by.
Elva

My tribute (To God be the glory) by Crystal Lewis on Thanksgiving Day 2015

Guest Blog: 10 Ways to Jump-start Your Writing

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015

10 Ways to Jump-start Your Writing

by +AneMulligan  @AneMulligan   Guest blogger from Novel Rocket!

10. If the seat in which you park your behind is a good one, you'll park it more often. A while ago, someone told me about her office chair. It has an exercise ball in it. It's actually part of the chair. If you use an exercise ball to sit on but are balance-challenged, this is for you. Then, you can be to be a balanced writer.

9. Have your muse readily available...capture it in a jar. If James Scott Bell can keep "the boys in the basement," I can keep my muse is a jar. In fact, my critique partner Jessica Dotta made it for me. It's amusing to look at (yes, the pun was intended) and will remind me to start creating.

8. Keep chocolate handy. Okay, it's not that new of an idea, but my new take on it works. Allow yourself one M&M for every forty words written. That way you get twenty-five M&Ms for every 1000 words. It's not enough to get fat, unless you're like Karen Kingsbury, who writes 10,000 words a day.

7. Start the week off right with a clean desk. I try to pretend I'm neat. I like to be neat. I write better with a clean desk. But at night, while I'm asleep, the dust bunnies come out to play. They leave an awful mess, stacks of books, notes and scraps of paper, empty M&Ms bags. There's nothing I can do. They're an endangered species.

6. Stacks of colorful sticky notes help keep you organized. I attended my local ACFW chapter meeting (go ACFW North Georgia!), where an author told us about her method of editing. It involved different colors, sizes, and shapes of sticky notes. It worked for her, so I figured it would for me, too. The next day, I hurried to the store and $90 later came home with a bag full of every color and size imaginable. The next day I tried it. I discovered this method of editing doesn't work for me, but I'm good for sticky notes for the next five years.

5. Hang inspirational pictures & sayings around your desk for those times when you are not creative. Am I the only one who stares blankly at a screen for eons? I thought my brain had turned to grits. So I hung pictures of my characters, quotations in a pretty frame, anything to fire those synapses in my head.

4. Writers' accoutrements. I have a clock, made by one of my writer friends, Linda Rorbaugh. It makes me smile and reminds me that tossing and retrieving are all part of the process of writing. But at nine o'clock there's the submit part that leads to publishing. However, last year, I made it to 12 o'clock. That's PUBLISH!

3. A getaway, no matter how small, is good for writers. It tricks you into thinking you're like Steinbeck or Hemingway. Okay, maybe not, but Starbucks does not have a telephone that rings for you. Nor does it have washing machines or vacuum cleaners that know your name. So, do yourself a favor and break the dull routine you've gotten into.

2. Hang a laminated "Do not disturb ~ writer working" doorknob sign for the office door. Oh, and be sure you shut the door and hang it on the outside. I got a really nice one from My Book Therapy. Of course, it didn't come with a guarantee that the hubs wouldn't open the door and ask if I'm busy. And our mastiffs, Shadrach and Oliver, can't read, so they woof outside until I can't ignore them a minute longer. They have a doggy door a linebacker could fit through, but no, they want personal service. Maybe I should write a manual for authors: How to Train Husbands, Children, and Dogs. Hmm, I could make a fortune...if it worked. Somehow I have my doubts, though. Which leads to... 

1. Turn a blind eye to dust and clutter. Remember #7? Dust bunnies are an endangered species, so do your part. Give them undisturbed breeding grounds (they breed best amidst clutter). That frees you up to write. It all makes sense if you look at it the right way. 

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS GUEST BLOG BY ANE MULLIGAN ON NOVEL ROCKET! How to you jump start your writing when it lags? Please do leave a comment and share this good blog on your social media.

Thanksgiving Blessings to you and yours,
Elva Cobb Martin