Characterization: Crossing the Male/Female Line

CharacterizationCharacterization: Crossing the Line: Nature vs Nurture

Men and women think differently, yes, and they act differently, but there's often a very thin line between the way a woman thinks and acts versus the way a man thinks and acts. Their thoughts and actions are influenced by the things they've seen, done, and endured(environment=nurture), as well as genetics(nature).
I was in the USAF, and as a female in the military, surrounded by men(9 males to 1 female in Italy in the 80's), I thought and acted differently than most other women. I had to, in order to function in a man's world.
I write stories of intrigue, suspense, and action. Often my heroines are very strong minded, independent and physically tough. I have female FBI agents, CIA assassins, DEA snipers, and women being stalked by serial killers and ex-husbands or fiances. They have to be tough and either act in character or out of character, if they want to survive and/or thrive in their worlds, face their situations, and come out on top.
So, actions may seem out of character for a woman/heroine, but if she doesn't act and think like the strong 'person' she is, she'll die, or worse, her heart will be broken, because even assassins and snipers have feelings. If they didn't, they wouldn't do the jobs they do, especially if they work for the government and serve the people of their respective countries.

Fan Mail vs Not So Fan Mail

What experiences have you had with fan/not fan mail?



I’ve never received any negative comments via email or blogs or anything, and I hope I never do.

I have, on the other hand, received some excellent fan mail. Not a lot, but what I’ve gotten is quality. I have a very supportive fan who lives in England and refers to herself as my number one fan.

If word of mouth is a good thing, then she’s probably my best advertiser. She started reading my books with my very first release, sent me a note that said she’d bought whole trilogy and read it over the weekend, and buys everything I have come out as soon as it’s released.

Plus, she puts my info on all her Twitter and Blogs and anything else she can do to talk me up. I only know her by Suzie, but our fans are important.

Anyway, it’s not like I’m rich and famous, and I don’t have a million people chasing after me and stalking me, but a few loyal fans are very good for our egos, and they keep us going.

We write for ourselves, but we write for them, too, right? I mean, without our readers, where would we be?

Comment back, and tell me about your experiences with fans or otherwise.

ThanksJ

Rebecca Savage

Writers Thoughts

How do you feel about:
1. POV
2. Queries
3. Synopses
4. characterization
5. plotting vs set of the pants writing
6. headhopping
7. dialog
8. GMC
9. passive voice
10. voice
11. the 'rules' :(
12. the competition
13. marketing
14. promotional items and their true value
15. critique parnters

Using Track Changes

Set the Track Changes Preferences
Step1 ~ Open the document in which you want to track changes.
Step2 ~ Go to the Tools menu.
Step3 ~ Select Preferences.
Step4 ~ Click on the Track Changes tab.
Step5 ~ Go to the Inserted Text section and use the drop-down menu to select the mark you want to use to track
changes.
Step6 ~ Use the drop-down menu to select the color you want to use to track changes in the Color Used section.
Step7 ~ Use the drop-down menu to select the mark and color you want to use to track deleted text.
Step8 ~ Use the drop-down menu to select the changed formatting (bold, italic, underline, double underline) and color you
want to use to track format changes.
Step9 ~ Use the drop-down menu to select the changed lines (left border, right border, outside border) you want to use.
Turn on Tracked Changes
Step1 ~ Open the Tools menu and choose Track Changes, then Highlight Changes.
Step2 ~ Select the box marked "Track changes while editing."
Step3 ~ Click OK. Your subsequent changes to the document will be marked with the colors and styles you selected above.

Highlighting Words

Do you use the word ‘was’ a lot? Or how about the dreadful ‘it’? Don’t know? Do a search and find out.
First, lets add the highlighting icon to your tool bar.
1. Go to Tools>Customize
2. Under the Commands tab, under Categories choose Format and under Commands find Highlight
3. Now drag the icon out of this dialogue box and onto your tool bar.
[Space below menu words]
4. Do a Find [control+F] or go to Edit>Find.
5. In the Find what: field, type the word you are searching for.
6. Checkmark ‘Highlight all items found in’
7. Click Find All
8. Go to your highlight option, now located on your toolbar and choose a color.
Now you can easily scroll through your manuscript to see if you are overusing certain words.

Query Letter instructions:

Prepare a Synopsis and Query Letter
Write a one-page synopsis of your book. This should sound a little like what you read on the jacket cover of a book, summarizing the plot. Then write a QUERY letter to accompany the synopsis. The letter should include:
 a brief paragraph about the book, saying that it’s fiction or nonfiction and giving a one or two sentence description
 a paragraph saying who you think the audience for the book will be
 a paragraph or two about you, that is, a short bio, including any writing you’ve published and anything that makes you an expert on the subject
 a paragraph telling the agent just what you have to show, e.g., a completed manuscript, three chapters and an outline, or a proposal
.

Dedication Pages for Books

Dedication Pages for ms’s:
TWRP
Rebecca Savage


1. Fueled By Instinct

Lori & Cindy, for getting me hooked on romance novels
Marilyn, for peer-editing this ms

2. Cloaked In Assassination

G, Steph, Nic, & Carissa
Ally, my brilliant editor
TWRP

3. Destination Ever After

*Acknowledgements Page*





















Dedication Pages for ms’s:
Champagne Books
Rebecca Savage




4. Coincidence

For all my uncles and aunts
Special thanks to
Ralph and Nancy
Joyce and Dorman

5. Combustion

For all my cousins
Special thanks to
Sherri, Diane, Amy, Vicki, Kathy, Dennis, Darryl
Extra special thanks to
Bill and Karen
& Robert and Rosemary

6. Consequences

For my family because Family Matters!
Special thanks to my brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, Mom & Dad
& Grandma
And especially to my Critique Partners