So I just spent 5 days at the beach.
I never actually made it to the beach. But there was all that driving to get down there, and the fixing of the flat tire once we got there, and the flowers to pick out and buy and plant and deliver and the great seafood to eat and the bands to give a listen and so today–today–I just wanted to pull a Libby:
(Libby goes to stay with Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Cappy and their four dogs whenever we take a trip. And when we get her back home, she lays about, pretty much like the above for…oh, a week or so.)
But I’ve got a revision that ain’t gonna write itself. Still, I needed a little more motivation than a dog picture. So I decided to review Pixar’s Practically Perfect 22 Rules of Storytelling to just, you know, get the old gray cells working again.
And right off the bat–
Rule #1: You admire a character for trying more than for their successes.
I was like, yes. This. This is what I need to keep in mind as I tackle the revision, as I strive to keep this 12-year-old protagonist…well, twelve. So how about you? If you have a minute, read the 22 Rules and let me know which one resonates with you.
And if you’d rather just pull a Libby, well, maybe keep that to yourself.
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
Fun post. I feel like doing a Libby and sleeping. I received my critiques back from my beta readers and am in the middle of revising as well.
No rest for the weary yet, Tina! (After you finish the revision, you can pull a Libby. In fact, I’ll join you.) š
Cathy–Thanks for the link. 13 is the one that resonates with me right now. In fact, it hit me like a ballpeen (is that one word?) hammer.
Oh, that’s a GOOD ‘un, Sioux. Now put down the hammer and get to the heart. š
LOVE that pic of Libby. lol Dachshunds always crack me up, and the little boogers are adorable no matter what they’re doing (well, almost). And now I’m off to read at the link provided. Have a great day, Master Y!
I thought of you when I saw her, Lisa–I tiptoed upstairs to fetch the camera, worried that she might wake suddenly and Mister Man was like, “She hasn’t MOVED in an hour.” Hahahahhaaa!
So, is it a bad thing if I want to pull a Libby every day? I seriously think she’s on to something! I doubt I would look quite as cute though. Thanks for the link. I have a feeling it’s going to be just the thing I need!
Had to come back and tell you my favorite, laugh out loud story telling tip from the pixar list: Number 19 – “Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great. Coincidences to get them out of it are cheating.” Might as well have said, “Coincidences to get them out of it are cheating, DEBRA.” š
Hahahhahaaa! Well, here’s what you can add to that one, Deb: If you are a Very Famous Author, you can have coincidences coming out of the wazoo. But if you are not–if you are DEBRA or CATHY C. HALL, you better have something MUCH better coming out of your wazoo.
(Feel better? I know I do!) š
Libby looks so cute and just how I want to be at the moment! Love your pics of your mom and daughter and also the one of you in the plants.