Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Guest Blogger, Nancy Stewart Visits Write What Inspires You!


A full month into 2013 Nancy Stewart and I are back into the swing of exchanging monthly guest posts. Nancy visits with today to share her tips and expertise on "Deep Point of View: What is It?" 

Welcome Nancy! 

Deep Point of View:  What is It?

by Nancy Stewart

Deep Point of View?  What is it?  Never heard of it. 

These are the kinds of answers I get many times when I mention this technique of writing. I thought it just may be time to discuss this effective way of truly getting into one's character's head and staying there.  It's time to give the pesky narrator the boot!  Goodbye author intrusion.

Deep Point of View, sometimes called Close Third Person, can be used with First Person as well and is a writing style in great demand these days.

The reader climbs into their protagonist's skin—tasting, feeling, hearing, smelling what they do.  Deep POV is a skill that must be learned, like anything else. But the four tips below are a great place to start.

Tip 1: Delete the phrase "s/he saw.

Obviously not every use of the word saw (observed, noticed, wondered etc.) will be slashed. But go through your manuscript looking for lines like these:

Olivia smiled at her uncle. She saw that he was really into it now. 

And change to:

Olivia smiled at her uncle. He was really into it now. 

State the action only. Saw always distance the reader. Bring the reader up close instantly.

Tip 2: What words would you say in the manuscript?

Use realistic internal dialogue. What you would say to yourself if you were living the scene, then replace the pronouns with "s/he" (unless you're writing in first person, of course.)

The knife’s blade rubbed her throat. The metal felt so cold.  She had to stay still and keep from blinking. She was panicked. 

Deep Point of View:  The knife's blade rubbed her throat.  Why was the metal so cold?  Sweat dripped into her eyes, burning them.  What does it feel like to die?

Tip 3: Don't label emotions

This is classic show vs. tell but is vital to Deep POV. Delete from your mind the name we give to an emotion and force yourself to describe it.  What physical movements would show the emotion without naming it?

Example: Anger 

Olivia was angry.

Becomes:   Olivia's eyes became slits. 

Tip 4: Physiological responses     
                                                            
Once you lay out some strong internal dialogue and remove emotion labels, follow up with physiological responses. Depending on the situation, these might be:  knees buckling, chest tightening, throat clamping, an adrenaline rush, goose bumps, nausea, dizziness, sweating, etc. Describe them! This will really pull the reader deep into the story, particularly in high-intensity moments.

Example:  Excessively hot

Olivia was too hot.

Becomes:  If only Olivia could remove the enormous blanket of heat bearing down on her.  Breathing hard, sweat poured from her body and dried quickly.  "We all have to drink, or we're not gonna make it."  A frog's croak.  Was that her voice?

I hope this post has encouraged you to throw out all the distance-making words in your manuscript.  Let yourself be invisible. Allow your protagonist to shine through those pages. You'll be happy and so will your readers!  

I invite you to visit Nancy at to learn more about her personally and her illustrious writing career - http://nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com/.

Nancy, thank you for visiting with me today and my readers. It is always a true pleasure and wonderful learning experience.

Warmest regards,
Donna

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist









Monday, January 28, 2013

Boys' Quest - Fishing Through a Frozen Lake by Donna McDine


Life is a whirlwind and time goes by so quickly. When I first received the acceptance for my article "Fishing Through a Frozen Lake," by Boys' Quest several years ago I thought Winter 2012 issue would never get here. Well it finally arrived and I'm over the moon to hold the print edition of Boys' Quest Winter issue in my hands!

I know for myself the joy of seeing my story and/or articles in print along with my name is a thrill each and every time!



I'd enjoy hearing about what is going on in your writing life. Please share!

Wishing you all well!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist









Thursday, January 10, 2013

Hockey Agony Galley Proof in my hands - Yippee!


I'm over the moon.... I've received the galley proof to Hockey Agony and I'm enjoying reading through and admiring the incredible illustrations by Julie Hammond. Don't worry Thomas, I'll get moving shortly.

Thanks Julie, you've captured the essence of Hockey Agony!

Now to reality...time to get the wheels moving on book reviews, interviews, etc!


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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist









Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Children's Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Sewing - January 2013 Issue

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Sewing – January 2013 Issue
Publisher, Lynda S. Burch remembers fondly as a young girl how her grandmother, mother, and aunt had a quilting frame suspended from the ceiling in their basement. Burch and her relatives sat around it for hours, busily quilting away on their assigned sections. No TV or other noise, only the quiet sound of the quilter’s voices chatting. Time spent here was not only valuable in honing one’s sewing skills, but intertwined the family bond, much like the precise and tight stitching from each quilter to produce a beautiful quilt to be cherished for generations to come.
Come explore the world of Guardian Angel Kids through the thought provoking short stories and articles and learn sewing tips along the way. A hemming your pants poetry, Fingers Hats share s the history of thimbles, Calico Corners brings family history to life through quilting, Ribbons tests one’s sewing talents, how Hand Sewing teaches a new way of fun beyond video games, and essential tips for Easy Literacy Activities. Surf on over to Guardian Angel Kids today www.guardian-angel-kids.com, enjoy a child safe ad free Ezine and visit the writers and illustrators in the Guardian Angel Kids January 2013 issue and enjoy the inspiring poetry, stories, articles and activities. We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.
Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Donna McDine an email at submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com and let them know what you think of Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to please.
The Guardian Angel Kids Ezine staff and contributors look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Best wishes,Donna M. McDineAward-winning Children's AuthorConnect with The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist









Saturday, January 5, 2013

Guest Blogger at Carolyn Howard Johnson's Sharing with Writers


I'm delighted to be Carolyn Howard Johnson's guest blogger today - January 5, 2013. Come on over and visit while I share my article, Children's Book Award Contests: The Importance of Entering" http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2013/01/chiildrens-award-contests-you-have-to.html.

We are looking forward to your visit!

Wishing you an inspirational day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist