X-Men Family Tree

I recently found this handy-dandy X-Men family tree. Yeah. Probably not as handy as it is dandy... But I bet the writer knows it backwards :) http://www.joe-stone.co.uk/marvelfamilytree.html

I use poster paper and colored markers to map out my books. It's great to see the big picture (even if it is a mass of arrows and ink squiggles!)

How do you keep your characters and plots under control?

Everything is possible!

Maleficent

One of my favorite cinematic baddies.

Oh yes. And all because she missed out on an invite to Aurora's christening. (You'd think someone who loved babies that much would be a little less Mistress-of-All-Evil...)

Have you ever forgotten an invitation?
Turned someone evil?
Or have a favorite character that happens to be bad?

Here's hoping the 2013 Maleficent movie does her justice!

Keep kicking ass!

Elmore Leonard

Fly head first into rapid-fire dialogue, twisty plots, gritty guys and vivid girls. Crime fiction writer Elmore Leonard commands an action-packed world with both edge-of-your-seat and laugh-out-loud moments.

And Elmore Leonard's advice for writers?
"Try to leave out the parts that readers skip."

As a reader, what parts do you skip?

Check out the trailer for the '98 film version of Elmore Leonard's book Out of Sight :)

Got to love a strong female MC - Karen Sisco rocks!

Keep kicking ass!

What did you call me??!

Do your characters come to you in vivid multi-color: likes, looks and intentions at the ready? Or do you create a bio? Hack away bit by bit until personalities and peculiarities reveal themselves? And what about the name?

It’s like naming a baby. Only harder. Because if your baby hates their name they can always grow up and change it. A child can use something else, abbreviate, or get a fake ID. Eventually, they might forgive you. But if you give your character the wrong name? It will stare out at you from the pages of your book forever (no pressure :)).

One of my MCs is named after the 18 year old entrepreneur, Poppy King. I played with other names, but this one just “fit”. I like the idea of names being special or meaningful, but sometimes it really is like the character exists without you.

Do you name your characters after favorite people, pets, songs or items? Do you start looking for people to punish, or to pay back? (Your school bully becomes an extra, your favorite teacher? A heroine...)

So, what are some of your character’s names, and how did you pick them? 

Keep kicking ass!