Z is for ZONE

Hey! Follow me this month as I work through the alphabet of great writing tips, from creating ACTION to getting into the ZONE. Then, go here to see who else is taking part in the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge.

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I can’t believe we are at the END of the A-Z Blogging Challenge. What an amazing experience! I hope you’ve had a chance to check out the rest of the blogs on the tour, and have read through my posts on the A-Z of Writing. If not, you can always go back.

I’m ending my posts with Z for ZONE — as in, getting “in” the writing zone. It’s different for everyone, I know, but here are a few ideas to help you find your writing ZEN.

1. Find your ritual. Whether it’s using the same pen every time, or popping a bowl of popcorn before you sit down at your desk, try to remember the last time you wrote well. What was your ritual? Repeat it.
2. Find a creative environment. Maybe it’s your bedroom, or the local library, or the park down the street. Wherever you write best — go there.
3. Clear your head. Words not coming? Try going for a walk or reading a book. I like to go for a run.
4. Write at the right time. Early morning? Late afternoon? Find the time zone your creativity best responds to and aim to write then.
5. Get inspired by awesomeness. Watch a movie, read a book, look at a painting. Find someone who inspires you and spend a little time studying what makes him/her awesome.

That’s it!

Starting next week, I’m back to blogging once a week. Even though it will be a lot less work, I’m going to miss my daily posts.

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

Y is for YAPPING

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Dialogue. One of the most difficult things for me to write.

It’s more than just two (or more) characters YAPPING. Dialogue should move the story forward somehow… Great dialogue can pull a reader in. But bad dialogue? It’s the fastest way for me to give up on a book.

Here are eight tips I’ve learned for creating better dialogue:

1. Listen to how people talk. Yes, eavesdrop. Politely, of course.
2. Not quite the same as real speech. You can lose the “um” and “like” and “er” dialogue…readers can become annoyed with too much “extra” dialogue.
3. Don’t provide too much info at once. Try not to use dialogue to give the reader information that you SHOULD show in the narrative.
4. Use slang sparingly.
5. Don’t overuse dialogue tags. You should only use “said” or “asked” when possible.
6. Break up dialogue with action. Too much dialogue on the page can be daunting.
7. Read widely. But you knew that… <grin>
8. Punctuate dialogue correctly.

What’s some of the best dialogue you’ve ever read?

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

X is for X'ing Out

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Believe me, I know how hard it is to write a few hundred words. Sometimes, it’s like pulling teeth. (Whoops, a cliché...) So, I can imagine you won’t be excited when I say sometimes you need to “X” out some of those words.

After you’ve written your first draft and you go through with your green pen to edit the story, think about some of the ways you can delete some of those extra words.

For instance:

Stand up = stand (unless you really do mean stand down)
Adverbs with “ly” (remember: “crept” is more powerful (and less words) than “walked slowly”) — get rid of as many as you can
X out weak verbs — can you rewrite a sentence to avoid “was”? Or how about “very”?

New York Times Bestselling author Steve Berry says writers should always be conscious of “writing tight” — which is another way of saying, “Keep it simple.”

Gotta jet! It’s time for me to “X” out some words.

— Chase Superman Duffy

W is for WORDS

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WORDS.

You can’t write without them.

But will just any word work?

Sometimes, when I’m stuck for the right word, I use my thesaurus, or even the dictionary to see if something sparks my creativity. I jot down fun words, or words I might want to use in the future in my notebook — you never know when they might come in handy. Like transpiration (I’m told that there will be a Chase book about this in the future) or Xerces which is my sister’s middle name.

No one expects you to know the dictionary inside and out, but there are a couple of ways you can increase your word power.

1. Games: Crossword puzzles and games like Scrabble can be a fast, and fun, way to learn new words.
2. Word apps: Do you have a Smart Phone or a Tablet? There are several free applications that send you an email or text with a “word of the day.”
3. Read: Self explanatory, right? Try keeping a notebook of some of your favourite words from the books you’ve read.

Have fun! I gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

V is for VIEWPOINT

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I admit, I still get a bit confused by Point of View (POV) or the VIEWPOINT of the story. POV is the way an author wants the reader to “see” and “hear” what’s going on.

Essentially, there are three types of POV.

1st Person — This is when the story is narrated by a character with I-me-my-mine in his/her speech. The advantage is that you get to hear the thoughts of the narrator and see the world through his or her eyes.

2nd Person — This is when the author uses “you” or “your” in the narrative, speaking directly to YOU. This is a rare POV type.  My fave is from Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You’ll Go! (Random House, 1990) "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go."
 (Good advice, right?)

3rd Person — This is when the story is told through an “outsider” point of view and when you read the description, it is the author’s voice, not the character’s, you are reading. By describing the characters actions through words, the reader should be able to know what is going on in the character’s head.

I know — still confusing, right? The best way to learn about the different types of POV is to read…but you already knew that. <grin>

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

U is for UNIQUE

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Cat got your tongue?
Laughter is the best medicine.
Fit as a fiddle.
Every cloud has a silver lining.

These are examples of clichés — phrases that have been used so many times that they are no longer UNIQUE.

An author once told me there are no original ideas — most are just twists on similar concepts and stories. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your words unique.

I’m working on getting rid of all of the clichés in my writing, and you know what? It’s forcing me to stretch my imagination, and find new, fun ways of saying things.

What are some of your favourite clichés? What are some ways you could say the same thing, but with a UNIQUE twist?

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

T is for THICK SKIN

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Art is subjective.

Whether someone likes a painting, a poem, or even a sculpture is based on personal opinion — and the most important thing I’ve learned is that you’re never going to make everyone happy.

So when you send your finished work out into the world to be critiqued by the public, you need to develop a THICK SKIN.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s important to have people read and edit your writing if you want to get better, but as long as the criticism is constructive (and not mean), then take advantage of the feedback to learn how you can improve.

Still, I know it’s hard seeing all of those “red edits” all over your writing. When I’m asked to give feedback on some writing, I use a green pen — green for growth. It looks a lot less harsh!

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

S is for SHOW (don't tell)

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One of the most common mistakes writers make is to “tell” the reader the events of a story or how a character is feeling instead of allowing the reader to feel or see what’s going on by SHOWING.

So, instead of saying, “Melissa was sad” (which is telling the reader), you might try something like:

Tears welled in the corners of Melissa’s eyes. Her bottom lip trembled. Taking a deep breath, I reached for a tissue and handed it to her, just as the first teardrop rolled along her cheek.

Even though I know the difference, sometimes it’s hard to determine what parts of my story could use more “showing” vs “telling” — and even, how.

Here are a couple of ways you can let the reader see:

1. Use dialogue
2. Use all the senses — taste, touch, scent, sight, and smell
3. Use great adjectives and strong verbs

Go through your own writing. Are there places you can SHOW the reader what’s happening? How can you expand on them? Want to learn more? There are many writing craft books you can check out, but Show & Tell in a Nutshell by Jessica Bell has exercises so you can learn by...showing. <grin>

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

R is for READING

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I know we’re blogging according to the alphabet this month, but I wish READING started with an “A” because from everything I’ve been taught about writing, the most important thing you can do to improve your craft is —

READ!

Reading widens your skills as a writer, and gives you an appreciation of different writing styles. Books can inspire your writing, and of course can increase your vocabulary and spelling.

In fact, if you want to be a great writer, READ as much as you can.

Some of MY favourite books include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll (I love the Mad Hatter) and of course, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. This year, I’ve challenged myself to read 25 books by the end of 2014.


What are YOU reading?

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

Q is for QUIET SPACE

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Where do you like to write?

It’s true that music is my MUSE, but even before I plug in my headphones or turn on my MP3 player, I need to find a QUIET space to write. That’s when I am my most creative — without the TV in the background, or my little sister asking me questions, or my phone buzzing from texts or Facebook notifications.

I literally have to tune out everything — except my music. And when I’m EDITING, I need absolute quiet. On those days, I lock myself in my bedroom until I’ve finished my work.

When it’s nice outside, I’ll sometimes take my JOURNAL to the park, or sit on the bench in my back yard. I can also go to the library or a coffee shop — though sometimes I am distracted by all of the people. Did you know that one of the best ways to create CHARACTERS is by observing others? People watching can be lots of fun!

Do you need QUIET when you write? Where do you go to get away from the noise?

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

P is for PRACTICE

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It’s no secret I love to run — I’m on the school track and field team, and I’d love to be a professional athlete someday. But running fast or for long periods of time takes PRACTICE. 

I train for track and field almost every day. In the winter, I hit the treadmill, and as soon as the snow is gone and the ground has thawed, I start outdoor training by running around my Grandpa’s canola field. Without practice, I could never get better.

The same goes for writing.

I love to write almost as much as I love running. But if I want to write better, I need to practice. And that means putting pen to paper (or typing on a keyboard) — as often as possible.

Some authors say you should write every day, even if it’s just in your Journal (link to J post). I admit, I don’t write every day, but I DO try and practice writing a couple of times a week, even if it means trying new forms of writing. Once I even tried writing a song!

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

P.S. – P is also for PLOT, one of the most important parts of storytelling. The plot is what happens in the story. Whether you OUTLINE (link to outline post) or just write the story as it happens, the plot explains how all of the events in the story go together.

O is for OUTLINE

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To OUTLINE, or not to outline. That is ALWAYS my question whenever I start a new story.

I love the idea of just writing free-flow — putting pen to paper and letting the ideas come out fast and furious. Giving my characters free reign to take over the story, or never knowing what comes next.

The problem is, when the plot is TOO loose, I can get writer’s block.

I know that outlining your story gives you a roadmap of what will happen at key points of the plot. It helps you organize your thoughts, and of course, provides some structure.

But…

I’m not the type that wants to be confined to an outline.

Here’s the great news, though! My Language Arts teacher told me that you can write a BASIC outline, just jotting down some key plot points, and then when you’re writing, it can CHANGE. She says I don’t even have to FOLLOW the outline…but if I get stuck on “what comes next” then there’s a back-up plan, or a way to reign in my characters when they try to go all AWOL on me.

Sounds logical. What do you think? To outline or not to outline…?

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

N is for Non-Fiction

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Ugh. We have to write an essay in class. I know I always talk about writing, but aside from my Journal and this blog, I’m more of a fiction kind of kid. You know, the stories that transport readers to an imaginary world…?

Essays are a type of NON-FICTION.

Non-fiction writing focuses on the real world and real people — like biographies, autobiographies, memoirs and documentaries. And then there’s the really boring stuff, like manuals, text books and…essays.

Don’t get me wrong, I do read non-fiction — especially biographies on some of my favourite sports heroes. But writing it? That’s going to take some practice.

Which means I should get started now!

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

M is for MUSE

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Music is my MUSE.

Maybe that sounds funny, but I don’t fully understand the idea of making someone specific (or even made up) responsible for my creativity.

I don’t believe in waiting for “the muse to strike” (whatever THAT means…) because you should be able to write at any time. Right?

But if we’re talking about straight up inspiration, or the kinds of things that inspire my creativity, then music is absolutely my muse.

In fact, whenever I start writing a short story, an essay, a poem, or even in my journal (link to journal post), I create a new playlist on my MP3 player. It’s a combination of songs that speaks to whatever “mood” the piece I’m writing should reflect. Like, when I’m writing action, the songs are more upbeat. Sometimes, I try to find songs without lyrics, so the music just fades into the background. But I almost ALWAYS have music playing when I write. It inspires/energizes/grounds me!

My friend Sophie told me about Soundcloud. It’s a place you can go to follow other musicians — many who don’t have songs on the radio or albums to buy. This weekend, I’m creating a new playlist for the next scene in my short story. I think I’m going to check out Soundcloud.

Do you have a muse?

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

L is for LANGUAGE

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I was about five years old when my Grandpa taught me how to speak Pig Latin. You know, the LANGUAGE where you take the first letter off a word, stick it on the end, and then add on the letters “ay” — so, for example, “hand” becomes “andhay.”

By the time I was ten, I’d become so fluent in Pig Latin, Grandpa could hardly keep up. I taught a couple of my friends, and now my little sister, Amelia, is catching on too. (Which means it’s harder to keep things “secret” from her.)

I’m not sure who made up Pig Latin, but it’s not the only “made up” language used by authors. J.R.R. Tolkien, for example, created his own language for the Lord of the Rings series, and of course there’s “Vulcan” in Star Trek, and so on. Made up languages are more common in science fiction or fantasy books, I guess, but it sure sounds like fun. Language — made up or otherwise — is an important part of writing.

Right now, I’m writing a short story that has a few “fantasy” elements. I think I’m going to try my hand at creating my own language. Maybe it will catch on like Pig Latin!

Ottagay etjay!

— Chase Superman Duffy

K is for KEEP IT SIMPLE

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The writing process can seem very complicated. Creating characters, outlining a story, figuring out how it ends—it’s a lot of work.

But when it comes to writing, at least when you’re just starting out, the best advice I’ve ever received is this: KEEP IT SIMPLE.

It sounds easy, but believe me, sometimes “simple” is anything but! You want to be able to get right to the point, which means you don’t need excessive adjectives and adverbs. The description, the action, the plot should all “move the story forward.”

Here are three “Keep It Simple” hints:

Keep your list of characters short. Too many characters can be hard to keep track of.

Keep your story to one plot. Too many side plots can confuse readers.

Keep your personal goals manageable. Trying to write too much, too soon can be overwhelming. Promise yourself you will write “a little” every day, even if it’s just one sentence.

That’s it! Now, get writing. <grin>

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

J is for JOURNAL

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Okay, I confess. I keep a JOURNAL.

I actually started writing in it as soon as I learned to hold a pen—though most of what I wrote back then is probably gibberish.

In the beginning, my journal was just a place to record “stuff.” Like, what I did during the day, how I felt after a race, or even, a place to save a favourite recipe. (I do cook, sometimes…)

But later, my journal became a place to write story ideas, and sometimes, a place to begin writing something, like a poem, short story, and the first few chapters of my novel.

I use my blog more like a journal now, which is great for sharing. But if you want to keep your thoughts private, a writing journal is one the greatest things you can start. You don’t have to write it in everyday — but it sure is fun (and embarrassing) to read some of those old entries.

If you’re going to start a journal, my best advice is to look for a notebook and a pen that you are proud to own. Book stores and stationary shops have great selections—everything from plain to out of this world. Find the journal that reflects YOU and then…

Start writing!

Okay — Gotta jet.

— Chase Superman Duffy

I is for Imagination

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Imagination is more important than knowledge. — Albert Einstein

My mom always tells me that I have a very active IMAGINATION. I think she’s trying to tease me a little, but I’m not insulted at all. In fact, I’m thrilled. Because like Albert Einstein says, imagination is important.

Of course, imagination is important for writing. Unless you’re writing “true stories” (i.e.: non-fiction), your characters, the world they live in, and the adventures they go are INSPIRED by your imagination.

But having an active imagination isn’t just important for fairy tales. Imagination makes you think stretch beyond the everyday thinking and find creative solutions for everyday problems. It challenges you to look at things in a different way.
You probably already have a great imagination, but there are definitely ways you can boost it.

1. READ.
2. Take up a hobby.
3. Change your routine.
4. Play games.
5. Start a journal.

I do all of those things—but number five is a big one. In fact, that’s my letter J, tomorrow—JOURNALLING.

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

H is for Hooking the Reader

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Every time I go into a bookstore, I’m in awe of how many books are on the shelves—hundreds of thousands of them. And that’s not even a fraction of the number of books published every year.

So, how do you choose which book to read?


My tactic is always to read the first page. If the author makes me want keep going, there’s a good chance I’ll buy the book. I know what I don’t like in the first few paragraphs — too much dialogue, too many characters, too much description and too much information.

So what does make me turn the page? Here’s are three writing tips for HOOKING THE READER from the very first page:

Introduce with an intriguing character.
No matter what genre you’re writing—fantasy, science fiction, mystery, etc.—your story should begin with the character. Tell who he/she is in the first line, if you can, but for sure, by the end of the first page. Readers want to know whom they are investing time in.

Begin at a pivotal moment.
Start your story with something your character wants, whether it’s a glass of water or to cross a crumbling bridge. The situation should be unusual. After finishing the first page, your reader should wonder what happens next.

Create an interesting picture.
Describe the setting—but not too much. Your reader should get a sense of place, even by the end of the first page. Don’t just say the character is in “Alberta” — give one or two sentences that show where in Alberta.

Think about some of your favourite books. What is the first line? What was the last line of the first page? Why did you keep reading?

Gotta jet — I’ve got a great “first page” to write!

— Chase Superman Duffy

G is for Grammar

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I get it — GRAMMAR can be boring.

Even though you’ve been learning about grammar since kindergarten, it’s easy to forget some of the rules when you start writing in the world of social media. I don’t know about you, but before I make a Facebook post, I don’t always think about GRAMMAR rules — actually, sometimes I’m not even great with my spelling! I need to work on that.

But if you’re going to write fiction, there are a few key things you have to keep in mind. If you already know all of this, great! For some, it might be a fairly painless refresher.

Capitalization: Capitalize the first word of every sentence, proper names, and the pronoun, “I.” Also capitalize countries, states and cities. You should also capitalize specifics. For instance, “canola” doesn’t need to be capitalized, but the specific organization does — Alberta Canola Producers Commission.

Punctuation: Every sentence should end with a period, and every question requires a question mark. You can use exclamation marks, but only in cases of extreme excitement, otherwise, it loses its emphasis. Semi-colons and colons are tricky. My language arts teacher says, “If you don’t know how to use them, leave them out.”

Apostrophes: Apostrophes are generally used to show possession — i.e.: Sam’s car. But of course there are always exceptions — like, its. If you’re not sure when to use “it’s” or “its”, sound it out. If you mean “it is” then use the apostrophe.

Grammar Pet Peeves: Okay, so I’m not a grammar expert, but here are the most common mistakes I see on Facebook, Tumblr or Instagram. Even when my spelling isn’t great, I pay attention to these:

You’re = you are (You’re fast!)
Your = possessive (Are those your nano kicks?)

They’re = they are (They’re always here.)
Their = possessive (Is that their house?)
There = a place (I’m excited to go there.)

Of course, this is just the basics, and you’re going to be learning about grammar all through school. But for fiction writers—which you all are, right?—it’s a good start.

See. Not THAT painfull!

Gotta jet! See you tomorrow when we talk about HOOKING THE READER from the very first page.

— Chase Superman Duffy

F is for Fiction

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I’ve written all kinds of things, from haikus and songs to essays and short stories, but by far my favourite thing to write (and read) is FICTION.

Fiction is a story from the writer’s mind. It’s when you use your imagination to think of the characters, plot and setting of a story. Fiction is “not true” — the opposite of non-fiction, which is based on fact.

My favourite fiction stories are the ones where I get to explore new worlds. Like, in IT’S A BLAST, my character (me!) goes up in a space ship and explores three new planets. I even meet aliens!

There are two main kinds of fiction. Short stories. And novels.

I’m a long ways away from writing a novel, but I am working on a bunch of short stories, not just for class. I'm having all kinds of fun creating new characters and sending them on exciting adventures.

So...What are YOU writing?

Gotta Jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

E is for EDITING

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Ugh. EDITING. I know it’s an “E” word, and it’s a necessary part of the writing process. But sometimes, it’s not easy going back over what you’ve written and trying to fix the mistakes, or even just make the story better.

But here’s the thing. There are no writers — not even J.K. Rowling or Kenneth Oppel — who have written a perfect first draft. Every story needs to be edited, sometimes more than once.

I know, you can’t really edit your own work, but before you pass it over to your teacher or your friends and family to read, here’s some EDITING tips that will help you polish your piece.

1. Check for the obvious typos. Spellcheck is amazing, but it doesn’t catch everything. You might mean to say “bare” but you spelled it “bar” or “bear” — read every line and make sure your grammar and spelling is as good as you can get it. Don’t worry if you miss the odd typo, that’s what your actual editor (aka: teacher) will pick up on.

2. Read it out loud. It sounds silly, but if you read your story out loud, you’ll catch when sentences sound funny or maybe you’ve missed a word. You can also pick up on the dialogue and make sure everyone sounds natural. You never know when you’re going to have to read your work out loud anyway, so practice is always good!

3. Flush out the details. If you haven’t used much “sensory detail” (link to D post), then this is the place. Go through and see where you need more description. But not too much because you also need to…

4. Cut unnecessary words. You don’t need to write thousands of words to write a great story. Did you know there is a type of fiction that uses only SIX words? Seems impossible, but sometimes, you need to go through your words and cut out anything that seems repetitive. Write tight!

5. Let it sit. I know, this one is hard, especially if you’re writing close to a deadline. But sometimes, if I finish a story and then let it sit a few days, any problems stand out. If you can, give it a couple of days or even weeks to simmer.

Once you’ve EDITED your work, you come to one of my other favourite “E” words — the END. Just like your BEGINNING, your end must be well thought out. You want to make sure you tie up any loose ends, unless of course you’re closing off with a CLIFFHANGER.

The ending should give your reader some sense of satisfaction. It doesn’t have to be a Happily Ever After, though those are great, but it does have to “close” the story.

I love the ending to FIELDS OF HOME, the first comic in the Chase Superman Duffy adventure series — even though there isn’t a definitive answer to the question my grandpa asks, there is closure to the story, and in MY opinion, it’s magical.

Tomorrow is Sunday, but check back Monday for “F” where we explore FICTION. If you missed some of my posts this week, feel free to browse the archives.

And don’t forget to check out some of the other blogs in the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

— Chase Superman Duffy

D is for DESCRIPTION

Hey! Follow me this month as I work through the alphabet of great writing tips, from creating ACTION to getting into the ZONE. Then, go here to see who else is taking part in the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge.

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The stars were strung together like poetry, punctuated with the face of the full moon.

Now that’s some great DESCRIPTION, right?  (Not bad if I do say so myself…) Anyway, obviously “D” is for description, an important part to any book.

If you’re following the other rules, like avoiding ADVERBS and creating great CHARACTERS, the description part can be fun.

The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to describe everything. You just want to paint a picture of the scene using a few key words. There are a couple of tricks to this.

1.    DETAIL (Look, another “D” word.) Try and be specific, where possible. That’s what will bring the scene to life. Don’t just say the ground was littered with garbage. Tell the reader what the garbage is. For example: Crumpled paper, faded candy wrappers and rusted tin cans littered the ground. I bet you get a good sense of what the scene looks like.

2.     Use the 5 senses. You know what I mean – taste, smell, touch, sound, and sight. You don’t have to use ALL of them in one scene, but it’s a good idea to use at least one. But don’t always rely on sight. That one’s easy.

Okay, let’s look at this description for a fall scene.

Mindy and Samuel crept through the dark forest. Their feet crackled on the dry leaves, as noisy as fire crackers in the otherwise quiet. Mindy rubbed her arms and shivered but she couldn’t decide if it was from the cool breeze that blew through the trees or the fear lodged in her throat.

So…what senses did I use? Can you pick out the specific details that make the paragraph come to life?

Your turn! I gotta jet.

Tune in tomorrow for “E” — it’s EXCITING!

— Chase Superman Duffy

C is for Characters

Hey! Follow me this month as I work through the alphabet of great writing tips, from creating ACTION to getting into the ZONE. Then, go here to see who else is taking part in the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge.

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Sure, I love books with a lot of action, but it’s the CHARACTERS that make the difference in whether I’ll remember the story after “The End.”

Think of some of your favourite characters from fiction. What makes them memorable?

Remember the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland and how he was always late even though he carried a stop watch? Or, what about the Mad Hatter and his many, many hats. Harry Potter has a lightning scar on his forehead. Superman wears a cape and can leap tall buildings in a single bound. And, don’t even get me started about The Hulk or Spiderman! These are some of MY favourite characters.

But what about creating some for my stories? How much should I know about them? What details are important besides eye colour and age? A writer once gave me a template to work from.

Here are 10 questions to get you started:

1. What is your character’s name?
2. What colour is your character’s hair?
3. What colour are your character’s eyes?
4. Where is your character from?
5. What is the most unique characteristic of your character?
6. Does your character have brothers and sisters? How many?
7. What is the one thing your character wants the most?
8. What is your character’s favourite food?
9. What kinds of hobbies does your character have?
10. What is the last book your character read?

Once you start asking your character these questions, you’ll just keep going! It’s amazing how much you can imagine when you’re creating a new character. Good luck!

Gotta jet! But stick around — tomorrow will be D-elightful. <teehee>

— Chase Superman Duffy


P.S. – “C” is also for CLIFFHANGER…you know, something that happens in the story that MAKES you turn the page? On page 18 of IT’S A BLAST!, the third book in the Chase “Superman” Duffy comic books, I find a CROP CIRCLE near my Grandpa’s CANOLA field (look at all the “C” words) and you have to turn the page to find out why…it’s a CLIFFHANGER. You can get a copy by contacting www.learncanola.com.

B is for Brainstorming

Hey! Follow me this month as I work through the alphabet of great writing tips, from creating ACTION to getting into the ZONE. Then, go here to see who else is taking part in the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge.

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Where do ideas come from?

Well, I don’t know about you, but I do a lot of BRAINSTORMING—and for better or worse, I’m pretty much an idea factory. I’ve jotted down so many ideas in my journal that I don’t think I’ll ever write them all.

My Language Arts teacher says you can never have enough ideas, so I thought I’d share where some of mine come from. How many of these can YOU relate to?

1. Magazines. I love to read magazines like Ranger Rick, Odyssey and Faces. Often they have little facts in them that can be turned into story sparks. Did you know that Jurassic Park was written after Michael Crichton read an article about cell cloning?

2. Newspapers. I admit, I don’t read the newspaper very much anymore, but when I do, I skim the headlines. You’d be surprised at what you can come up with by twisting an unusual headline into something crazy and fun. You know what they say, sometimes the truth IS stranger than fiction.

3. Story Starters. There are several websites that you can go to for “story starters” — it’s the first paragraph of a story giving you the character, the setting and a problem. You write the rest! Check out Scholastic for some fun story starters. www.scholastic.com

4. Fairy Tales and Folk Stories. What if the wolf in Red Riding Hood was a werewolf, or Cinderella’s glass slipper was actually a mechanical replacement foot? Fairy tales and folk tales can provide awesome inspiration for new stories!

5. Alternate Endings. Take your favourite story and rewrite the ending. Or, find books that have “unfinished” endings, like GOTTA JET, the second book in the Chase Superman Duffy adventure series. You can decide WHO wins the race and what obstacles are faced along the way.

Have I missed anything? Once the ideas start flowing, you can get onto my other favourite “B” word — the BEGINNING of your story.

Gotta jet! “C” you tomorrow.

— Chase Superman Duffy

PS – Want to write another ending to GOTTA JET? Contact www.learncanola.com to learn how to get a copy.

A is for Action and Adventure

Hey! Follow me this month as I work through the alphabet of great writing tips, from creating ACTION to getting into the ZONE. Then, go here to see who else is taking part in the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge.

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“A” is for ACTION and ADVENTURE—my favourite kinds of movies and books. Whether it’s Superman or Harry Potter, I like stories that MOVE!

But, sometimes I have trouble writing my own action adventures.

It’s not the plot that gives me the most trouble, though. It’s the actions sequencing — how to move the characters during a fight or chase scene.

Here are some tips I’ve learned:

1. Act out the scene where possible. I’m not saying you should challenge your little sister to a sword dual, but you could act that out with pool noodles. Pay attention to body movements and reactions so you can describe them later.
2. Keep descriptions short. Action scenes are not the place for long drawn-out descriptions of the characters and the setting. Save that for the rest of the story and use this scene to focus on the action. Use short, choppy sentences.
3. Use active verbs. Find the words that convey energy and focus — slammed, crashed, burst, careened, wheeled, sped, etc. 
4. No monologues, please. Unless you’re aiming for humour and not action, keep the dialogue short. It’s hard for most people to talk when they’re running from the bad guys or fending off the enemy. 
5. Learn from other writers. When you read action adventure books, pay attention to how sentences are constructed, the kinds of words used, and the descriptions of people, places and things. 

AMELIA XERCES DUFFY, the fifth book in the Chase Superman Duffy adventure series is an action adventure about a young entomologist who finds herself outrunning insects of unusual sizes. You can contact the Alberta Canola Producers Commission at www.learncanola.com to find out how to order YOUR copy.

Gotta jet! See you on the “B” side tomorrow.

— Chase Superman Duffy

P.S. – A is also for ADVERBS. Try to avoid them in your writing, especially the ones that end on “ly.” Often a strong verb will do. For example, it’s fine for your character to walk softly…but it’s more powerful if he CREPT.