Tag: Author

Creating Unforgettable Characters: A Guide for Authors

Creating exceptional characters lies at the heart of every successful story. Whether you’re crafting a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or an epic fantasy, the strength of your characters can make or break your book. In this blog post, we will delve into the art of developing great characters that resonate with readers and keep them hooked from the first page to the last.

  1. Understand Your Characters:

To write great characters, you must first understand them on a deep level. Begin by creating detailed character profiles, including their background, personality traits, motivations, and flaws. Consider their desires, fears, and aspirations, as these will shape their actions and decisions throughout your story. By knowing your characters inside and out, you can make their actions feel authentic and consistent.

  1. Make Them Complex and Multi-Dimensional:

Avoid one-dimensional characters by giving them depth and complexity. Nobody is entirely good or bad, so allow your characters to have a mix of virtues and flaws. Explore their contradictions, vulnerabilities, and inner conflicts. By giving them layers, you create characters that readers can relate to and empathize with.

  1. Show, Don’t Tell:

One of the golden rules of writing is to show, not tell. Instead of explicitly stating your characters’ traits, reveal them through their actions, dialogue, and interactions with others. Let readers experience the characters’ emotions and personalities firsthand. This approach not only engages the readers but also allows them to form their own connections with the characters.

  1. Provide Clear Goals and Motivations:

Compelling characters have clear goals and motivations that drive their actions. What do they want? What obstacles are they willing to overcome? Understanding your characters’ objectives will help you create a compelling narrative arc and keep readers invested in their journeys. Remember that characters who are actively pursuing their goals create tension and drive the plot forward.

  1. Develop Authentic Dialogue:

Dialogue plays a crucial role in character development. Each character should have a distinctive voice and speak in a way that reflects their personality, background, and education level. Consider the rhythm, vocabulary, and tone of their speech. Dialogue can reveal relationships, conflicts, and provide insight into characters’ thoughts and emotions. Avoid excessive exposition in dialogue and strive for natural-sounding conversations.

  1. Introduce Flawed Heroes and Formidable Antagonists:

Heroes and villains are two sides of the same coin. Flawed heroes with internal struggles and personal growth make for compelling protagonists. Equally important are formidable antagonists who challenge the heroes and provide opportunities for character growth and conflict. By creating well-developed adversaries, you elevate the stakes and add tension to your story.

  1. Embrace Diversity and Inclusion:

The world is a diverse place, and your characters should reflect this reality. Embrace diversity by creating characters of different ethnicities, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. Avoid stereotypes and aim for authentic representation. Including diverse characters enriches your storytelling and allows a broader range of readers to connect with your work.

  1. Continuously Evolve Your Characters:

Characters should evolve throughout your story. As they face challenges and overcome obstacles, they should grow, change, and learn from their experiences. Avoid static characters who remain unchanged, as they can feel unengaging and predictable. Give your characters room to develop and surprise both you and your readers.

Remember that characters, like real people, should evolve and grow as they navigate the challenges you throw their way. This evolution keeps your readers invested in their journeys, as they witness their triumphs and failures, their transformations and revelations.

In the end, writing great characters is an art that requires dedication, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to crafting authentic, relatable individuals. As you embark on your writing journey, always keep in mind that it is these characters who will leave an indelible mark on your readers’ hearts and minds. So, embrace the power of character creation, and let your imagination soar as you breathe life into extraordinary beings that will captivate readers for generations to come.

A Guide for Authors to Reignite Creativity and Success

As an author, it’s not uncommon to experience periods of creative stagnation or a loss of motivation. However, with the right mindset and strategies, you can break free from this slump and embark on a journey of rejuvenation and success. In this blog post, we’ll explore effective techniques to help authors start fresh, reignite their creativity, and boost their writing careers. Let’s dive in!

Reflect on Past Achievements

Before moving forward, take a moment to acknowledge your past accomplishments. Celebrate your published works, positive reviews, or any personal milestones you’ve achieved as an author. This reflection will instill confidence and remind you of your potential, serving as a foundation for your fresh start.

Embrace a Growth Mindset

Cultivating a growth mindset is crucial for authors seeking to reinvent themselves. Embrace the belief that your skills and abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Understand that setbacks are part of the journey and can lead to valuable learning experiences. By adopting a growth mindset, you’ll be open to new ideas, techniques, and opportunities for growth.

Set Clear Goals

Establishing clear goals is vital to provide direction and purpose to your writing journey. These goals can be short-term, such as completing a new manuscript within a specific timeframe, or long-term, such as securing a literary agent or achieving bestseller status. Ensure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals). Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks to maintain focus and track progress.

Engage in Freewriting and Brainstorming

To spark creativity and generate fresh ideas, engage in freewriting and brainstorming exercises. Set aside dedicated time each day to write without restrictions or judgment. Allow your thoughts to flow freely, exploring new concepts, characters, or plotlines. Additionally, collaborate with fellow authors or join writing groups to bounce ideas off one another and gain fresh perspectives.

Explore Different Writing Styles and Genres

Venturing into new writing styles and genres can invigorate your creativity and expand your readership. Experiment with various genres, whether it’s romance, mystery, sci-fi, or historical fiction. Each genre has its unique elements and audience, and exploring different styles will challenge you to hone your skills, think outside the box, and reach new readers.

Research and Stay Updated

Keeping up with the latest trends, market demands, and reader preferences is crucial for authors aiming to make a fresh start. Regularly research industry news, popular books, and emerging genres. Analyze successful authors in your niche and identify what makes their work resonate with readers. Stay active on social media platforms to connect with your target audience and gain valuable insights.

Cultivate a Consistent Writing Routine

Establishing a consistent writing routine is key to maintaining momentum and making progress. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for writing. Create a comfortable and inspiring writing environment that promotes focus and creativity. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, find the time that works best for you and make it a priority to sit down and write.

Seek Feedback and Professional Editing

To improve your writing and ensure your work resonates with readers, seek feedback from trusted peers, beta readers, or writing groups. Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and provide valuable insights. Additionally, consider hiring a professional editor to polish your manuscript and elevate the quality of your work.

Embarking on a fresh start as an author is an exhilarating journey that holds the promise of renewed creativity and success. By reflecting on past achievements, setting clear goals, and embracing a growth mindset, you can lay a solid foundation for your writing endeavors. Engaging in freewriting and brainstorming exercises, exploring different genres, and staying updated with industry trends will invigorate your creative process and expand your reach. Cultivating a consistent writing routine, seeking feedback, and investing in professional editing will elevate the quality of your work and resonate with your readers. Remember, starting fresh is an opportunity to evolve, grow, and unlock your full potential as an author. Embrace this exciting chapter, and let your words shape a remarkable future filled with literary achievements and fulfillment.

Interview: Sakshi Sharma- Fiction and Children’s Books Author

We caught up with Sakshi Sharma, the author of two books at the Pothi Store: Maya Wants to be a Baker and Kismat and Karma.

Sakshi Sharma is a finance professional with past experience in companies including Johnson & Johnson, Penguin Random House and Columbia University Press in New York City. She is passionate about writing and reading and has a 8k+ subscriber base across her media platforms (@mere_meer on Instagram). As a mother of a three-year-old, Sakshi was very keen to enter the children’s book space. Maya Wants to Be a Baker is her first children’s book.

Pothi.com: Tell about how you zeroed in on such a unique topic for your children’s book ‘Maya wants to be a baker’.

Sakshi Sharma: During the pandemic, my husband did a lot of baking and I saw my three-year-old daughter taking great interest in baking donuts and chocolate cakes with her father. She really enjoyed being his sous chef.
This inspired me to write a book to introduce young minds like my daughter to unique career paths. Through this book, I wanted kids to feel that they have the freedom to become what their heart so desires, even if it is something non-traditional like a baker.

Pothi.com: You’ve written an adult fiction called Kismat and Karma. Tell us about the transition from writing books for adults to writing for kids. Why did you make this transition?

Sakshi Sharma: My daughter, Meera, loves reading new books and I’ve always wanted to pen a book for kids. Though my overall passion is writing fiction and creating new stories centered around women, I was also very keen to pen a story with a little girl as the protagonist.

Pothi.com: Tell us a little about Kismat and Karma.

Sakshi Sharma: Kismat and Karma is a modern take on the Bhagavad Gita. It is about two women, Kismat and Karma, who attempt to answer an intriguing question: “Are we resigned to our fate, or can we change it through our noble actions?”

Kismat and Karma hail from opposite sides of India. They have varied, yet almost parallel experiences of immigrating abroad (New York/London), finding love (arranged and unrequited) and facing loss and trauma. Destiny brings them together in New Delhi.

Essentially, Kismat and Karma is a women’s take on Krishna and Arjuna, wherein one woman mentors the other, but both play an essential role in shaping each other’s life.

Pothi.com: You’ve spent a larger part of your work life in the corporate space. What made you migrate to writing?

Sakshi Sharma: I’ve always wanted to be writer. I studied finance and worked as an Analyst and Accountant for several years in New Jersey and New York City.

But writing is for the soul. Some of my poems have been published in Hindustan Times and I also wrote poetry for my University magazine.
Ms. Catherine Sameh, one of my University Professors at Rutgers New Brunswick, awarded me the only “A” in her Writing class. She confided that she typically did not award A’s but that I merited the grade with the final paper I submitted to her. I still have that essay with her notes and markings. That set the foundation for me to actually think I could be a writer someday.
In 2013, I started my own blog/website when I was still working in the corporate space in the States; penning short stories, poems, and humour pieces about love, marriage and motherhood. Today, I have two published books and I am working on a thriller next!

Pothi.com: What has your experience of writing and collaborating with an illustrator been like? As a writer, how do you best advise children’s writers to collaborate with illustrators?

Sakshi Sharma: My husband connected me to Supriya, who is an extremely talented illustrator. She created sample illustrations of Maya and her baking adventures. The pictures came out better than I could ever imagine.

Writers can connect with illustrators on platforms like Reedsy, Upwork and Pothi. Another great source is to directly connect with budding illustrators on Instagram. You can see their work and engage with them directly. Look under appropriate tags like #childrensbook and #illustratorsofinstagram etc.

I was able to find a wonderful illustrator for my fiction book Kismat and Karma. He was able to create the cover for my book exactly to the specifications I wanted. He created the silhouettes of two women, one in modern and the other in traditional attire; highlighting my two female protagonists. In addition, he hid the word ‘Krishna’ in Hindi in nine different places in the front cover. The number “nine” is quite symbolic in my novel as well as the significance of Krishna as my book pays homage to the Gita.

Overall, it is important to effectively communicate your expectations with your illustrator and understand the kind of output you will be getting for the price quoted by the illustrator.

Pothi.com: What is your advice to every aspiring writer who is hesitant to self-publish?

Traditional publishing is a dream avenue for many, but there are many roadblocks to it. For example, it can take months, or even years to get a solid response from a literary agent who can then pitch you to a leading publishing house. The turnaround is slow and you may lose out on the freshness of your story.

I would advise aspiring authors to develop their own brand by creating a blog/website/media page and posting engaging and quality content regularly to build an audience base. When their manuscript is ready, I would encourage them to hire a quality editor to refine their story. Once it is edited and ready for publishing, they can easily self-publish and market their book in their circle and social media handles. There are plenty of authors who have been picked up by traditional houses because of the success of their published work!

Many years ago, authors did not have such opportunities and they suppressed their dreams of becoming published authors. I would encourage every author to self-publish. The feeling of seeing my daughter reading my own book is priceless.

Pothi.com: What has your experience with Pothi.com been like?

Sakshi Sharma: The Pothi team have been instrumental in helping my fiction novel and children’s book become available for paperback printing in India. The Pothi website is extremely user-friendly and has easy-to-follow instructions. Whenever I had any queries and issues in uploading my files, the team responded quickly and addressed my concerns. They have a cool Cover Creator which helps any novice create/edit their own book cover. During this pandemic, I really wanted to launch Kismat and Karma and Maya Wants to Be a Baker for everyone to read and Pothi made that dream a reality for me. Highly recommend Pothi to all aspiring authors!

Pothi.com: Thanks so much Sakshi Sharma! We wish you luck on your publishing journey!

Catch us chatting with Sakshi Sharma on IG Live on Nov 25 at 4 pm IST! Our insta handle is pothidotcom.

Beatrix Potter- The Writer-Illustrator of the Natural World

Helen Beatrix Potter was born on this day in 1866. We all remember her for her remarkable children’s books featuring animals such as Peter Rabbit, Jeremy Fisher, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle but she was also a natural scientist, mycologist, prize-winning breeder of Herdwick sheep, farmer and conservationist. Her family had inherited the wealth that came from the Lancashire cotton mills, the infamous industry that crippled India’s textile economy. The Potters preferred to ignore their past and live a life of upper-middle-class comfort.

Beatrix Potter and her brother Bertram led a life where art and imagination held sway. They were deeply connected with animals and owned several rabbits, squirrels, bats, birds and insects. Potter’s early sketches paved the way for her future as illustrator with no rival. From a young age, she journaled and was privately tutored in astronomy, botany, entomology, etc.

She had a scientific bent of mind and her detailed drawings of fungi reveal her keen interest in pursuing her scientific passion but it was not to be.

Her keen interest in fairytales and fantasy and her wide reading enabled her to start her career as author-illustrator. She was fiercely independent and was enterprising enough to design Christmas cards and sell them.

She also wrote detailed letters filled with the germ of her future stories. One such letter to a sick child featured the famous bunnies Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter – this letter was self-published as The Tale of Peter Rabbit. After multiple rejections by publishers, her book was later acquired by Frederick Warne & Company.

She even patented the Peter Rabbit doll and introduced the idea of character-based merchandise such as wallpaper, games and toys. She authored 30 books and her books continue to sell throughout the world in different languages and were adapted in songs, films and even ballet.

Later in her life, her interests were aligned with the conservation of the Lake District where she lived with her husband.

How to Write a Good Sentence

Many times those of you are in the business of writing worry about making that word count. ‘How will I write 80,000 words?’ is a question you ask yourself.

What you really ought to worry about though is how you will write a good sentence.

A sentence is made up of words and words don’t just come one after the other. They indicate a particular situation or action. These sentences make up a paragraph. So they are the building blocks of your novel and for that reason ought to be well thought out and well-connected to each other and the overall story.

There are so many aspects to sentence making. This is where the grammar of the sentence comes in.  There are simple, compound and complex sentences. Then there are clauses, prepositions and phrases.  Even the seasoned writer can have grammatical doubts. Always carry a copy of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style.

And be in doubt; this is very important. Just because something is in print doesn’t mean it is correct. You should double check to see if your sentences are correct. Also if you are reading a copy of popular books in the market today, keep your eyes open for any obvious errors! You can learn from the mistakes of others.

 

sentence

What should you keep in mind when you write a sentence?

Besides grammar like sticking more to active than passive voice, a great deal goes into a sentence. Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

  • What do you really want to say?
  • Is it best to use the vocabulary you have at your fingertips or do you need to visit the thesaurus?
  • Has someone else been able to express the sentiment you have better than you have? Read it.
  • Is a long sentence going to help you describe better?
  • Is a short sentence sufficient to express a strong emotion like a mother’s grief at losing her child?
  • Does this sentence deserve to stand alone, separate from the rest of the paragraph?
  • Is this sentence good enough to start your essay or novel or is it a better ending?

Being conscientious about every sentence that you write will make the prose flow and whether your book is a commercial or literary one, it should be readable. For this, the sentences should flow.

Some links to help you write good sentences:

http://www.newstatesman.com/books/2011/02/write-sentence-comes

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/25/133214521/stanley-fish-demystifies-how-to-write-a-sentence

http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/business-legal-matters/sentence-sleuth-0608

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/how-to-write-clear-sentences

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/write-sentence

PS: Check out this Twitter post that explains the difference between short, medium and long sentences: https://twitter.com/lfoulkesy/status/715077404700631041