Disclaimer

Dr. Kenyon will *once again* be traveling on business this week, working on technical writing. Posts may be sporadic. Keep writing!

Do your worst to your character in your WIP to get the plot going

What is the worst thing that could happen to your character? Worse than that. No, really really bad. Worse. Yeah, that one. Do that to them. Have them lose the mentor or the reason to go on. Force them to make the choice that they desperately are avoiding. That's what makes a good story.

The Chronology of Your Fiction: What Day Is It? It matters.

 In your WIP, consider what day of the week it is and what day of the year it is. Is there an upcoming holiday that may throw a kink into your character's plans?

What if it's Memorial Day or Turkey Day weekend coming up, and they need to book a flight?

Or Tax Day is 3 days away and they haven't filed yet, in addition to the plot?

Or if New Year's Eve is in 1 day and there are going to be police roadblocks all over, looking for DUIs but also running plates?

Or Mother's Day, and they need to make that phone call or are hoping for that phone call from a disappeared child?

Or Diwali (early November-ish), and they're in India, where the street crowds set off fireworks and your character has 'Nam/Riyadh flashbacks? 

Or Christamas, and no one wants them, or two sets of divorced/remarried parents want them and there's a blowup every year, no matter where they go? 

Daily Plotting Help

Happy Friday! What day of the week does your work-in-progress begin on? Weekday? Weekend? What does that mean for your characters as far as being able to buy something they need (stores close when?), eat (restaurants close at different times on weekdays vs. weekends,) go to a doctor vs. an ER or a dentist, get help from tech support, call their office, or call friends for help (during office hours, they might be unavailable, on weekends, they might be gone or drunk.) 

How's that 5000 words coming?

How's that 5000 words coming? You halfway yet?

Just Desserts

What is your character's favorite dessert? Lemon or chocolate? Vanilla or butterscotch? Baskin Robbins Rum Raisin or Junior's cheesecake or Le Cirque's vanilla panna cotta with lavender-rhubarb sorbet or Grandma's Baptist Butternut Squash Pie? How often do they eat this dessert? What effect does that have on their wallet, their waistline, and their perception of this favorite?

Dr. Kenyon's Writing Apple

This author blog, while still authory, will also be converted to Dr. Kenyon's Writing Apple,  a daily writing prompt to help you with your current WIP, not an exercise in creative futility.

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