Linda Rodriquez’ book, Plotting the Character Driven Novel Review by Juliana Aragon Fatula
One of the first writers to reach
out to welcome me was the mystery writer, Linda Rodriquez. We met many years
ago, at AWP in Denver, Colorado and she kept in touch via social media. She
invited me to join the Stiletto Gang last year and I began blogging about
being a writer. My excitement after reading her book on writing: Plotting the
Character Driven Novel, grew into a fire that burned bright. I devoured the one
hundred and twenty pages in record time. I returned and highlighted text,
tabbed pages, and took notes. I’m a lifelong learner and enjoy the challenge to
improve my writing by studying master writers like Linda.
Linda
explains in her book how to “use character as a springboard to a strong plot.”
The beginning chapters cover the basics: How to Use This Book, Writing is
Thinking on Paper; To Find Time to Write Your Novel, You Must Take Time to
Write; Motivating Yourself to Write in the Time You’ve Created; Learning to
Read as a Writer; and It All Starts with Character.
explains in her book how to “use character as a springboard to a strong plot.”
The beginning chapters cover the basics: How to Use This Book, Writing is
Thinking on Paper; To Find Time to Write Your Novel, You Must Take Time to
Write; Motivating Yourself to Write in the Time You’ve Created; Learning to
Read as a Writer; and It All Starts with Character.
Her
book provides concise instructions and writing exercises. Linda writes, “What
if? Those two little words are the most valuable tools of the novelist at the
beginning of the book.” Her book offered me a guide and exercises in writing,
and plenty of motivation. She also recommends other books on writing by
master writers. I visited my local library and read the books she suggested.
Many of the books she suggested, recommended the same book, Stephen King’s, On
Writing.
book provides concise instructions and writing exercises. Linda writes, “What
if? Those two little words are the most valuable tools of the novelist at the
beginning of the book.” Her book offered me a guide and exercises in writing,
and plenty of motivation. She also recommends other books on writing by
master writers. I visited my local library and read the books she suggested.
Many of the books she suggested, recommended the same book, Stephen King’s, On
Writing.
I
had just read King’s book and felt jazzed by the influence it made in my
writing. But, I was missing the woman’s voice. King writes about his
experiences as a male writer. Linda helped me face my fears with her female
voice on writing. I can’t help shouting praise for both books; however, I
prefer the format of Linda’s book. She teaches the writer with quick chapters
and gives examples of her first draft notes, journal freewriting plot
documents, scene analysis, chapter outline and character freewriting and
reveals several samples of her own writing from her mystery novels. The samples
from her personal writing notebook makes a great model to follow.
had just read King’s book and felt jazzed by the influence it made in my
writing. But, I was missing the woman’s voice. King writes about his
experiences as a male writer. Linda helped me face my fears with her female
voice on writing. I can’t help shouting praise for both books; however, I
prefer the format of Linda’s book. She teaches the writer with quick chapters
and gives examples of her first draft notes, journal freewriting plot
documents, scene analysis, chapter outline and character freewriting and
reveals several samples of her own writing from her mystery novels. The samples
from her personal writing notebook makes a great model to follow.
Her
chapter, Ending with a Bang, contains five writing exercises that helped me
with my struggles to finish my first draft of my manuscript. I pictured myself
sitting in a classroom with Linda in her writing workshop. Her book speaks
directly to the reader in her unique voice both nurturing and challenging her
readers to finish their novel. I learned valuable writing tips. I recommend her
book on writing because it is brilliant. Trust me, I’m a fiery Aries with a
bright flame of curiosity and hunger for knowledge and Linda’s book gives the
reader power and skills to burn with excitement using “character as a
springboard to a strong plot.
chapter, Ending with a Bang, contains five writing exercises that helped me
with my struggles to finish my first draft of my manuscript. I pictured myself
sitting in a classroom with Linda in her writing workshop. Her book speaks
directly to the reader in her unique voice both nurturing and challenging her
readers to finish their novel. I learned valuable writing tips. I recommend her
book on writing because it is brilliant. Trust me, I’m a fiery Aries with a
bright flame of curiosity and hunger for knowledge and Linda’s book gives the
reader power and skills to burn with excitement using “character as a
springboard to a strong plot.
P.S. Turning Sixty this Spring
April 2, 1957 the year of the big
spring blizzard. Colorado Highway 115 between Fort Carson and Canon
City closed due to hazardous roads. I was born in to a storm. How cool is
that? My father explained to the State Trooper that his wife was having a
baby thirty miles south in Fremont County and begged to be allowed to drive
through the storm to rescue his wife and baby girl. Born under the fires sign,
Aries, I burst into the world from my Mother’s womb like the Aztec god,
Huitzilopochtli, the warrior who saved his mother from being murdered by his
sister Coyolxauhqui the moon, and the four-hundred Centzon
Huitznahuac, who were thrown into the sky and became the stars. I’m a
fiery-being from Aztec mythology. I was born into the blizzard and fought the
elements to survive. I’m fire, stone, heat. I came into the world to save my
mother from the blizzard; I warmed her body with my blazing aura. I’m a force like
the wind, snow, and ice that closed the highway and stranded travelers on
Highway 115.
spring blizzard. Colorado Highway 115 between Fort Carson and Canon
City closed due to hazardous roads. I was born in to a storm. How cool is
that? My father explained to the State Trooper that his wife was having a
baby thirty miles south in Fremont County and begged to be allowed to drive
through the storm to rescue his wife and baby girl. Born under the fires sign,
Aries, I burst into the world from my Mother’s womb like the Aztec god,
Huitzilopochtli, the warrior who saved his mother from being murdered by his
sister Coyolxauhqui the moon, and the four-hundred Centzon
Huitznahuac, who were thrown into the sky and became the stars. I’m a
fiery-being from Aztec mythology. I was born into the blizzard and fought the
elements to survive. I’m fire, stone, heat. I came into the world to save my
mother from the blizzard; I warmed her body with my blazing aura. I’m a force like
the wind, snow, and ice that closed the highway and stranded travelers on
Highway 115.
Sixty
years ago, I entered el mundo with ice melting flames. Named after my
great-grandmother, Julianita. The stars lined up and created my destiny. Not
everyone understands my loud, gregarious, bombastic personality; but the few
who do, get a passionate, loyal and protective friend. I want to thank Linda
Rodriquez for being a positive role model for me and I aim to make her proud of
me and to be a positive role model for young women aspiring to be writers. This
is my birthday gift to myself. I’m going to finish my novel and dedicate it to
all of the women who struggle to make sense of the world and who retain their sanity with
writing, mystery, humor, romance, and high heels. Thanks Linda for everything. You are an inspiration to all of us women writers. Viva las mujeres!
years ago, I entered el mundo with ice melting flames. Named after my
great-grandmother, Julianita. The stars lined up and created my destiny. Not
everyone understands my loud, gregarious, bombastic personality; but the few
who do, get a passionate, loyal and protective friend. I want to thank Linda
Rodriquez for being a positive role model for me and I aim to make her proud of
me and to be a positive role model for young women aspiring to be writers. This
is my birthday gift to myself. I’m going to finish my novel and dedicate it to
all of the women who struggle to make sense of the world and who retain their sanity with
writing, mystery, humor, romance, and high heels. Thanks Linda for everything. You are an inspiration to all of us women writers. Viva las mujeres!
Such a great review! I already have this book on my to-get list, but need to go ahead and get it! Congrats again, Linda–on so many counts.
I read it from cover to cover and then read it again, real slow. lol. It helped me with my writing. I never wrote anything but poetry, short stories, and children's plays. Now I am tackling my first mystery novel and Linda's book is like taking a master writing class.
Wow! Spent the morning at the doctor's and getting some test run. This was really something lovely to come home to this afternoon, Juliana! Thank you so much! I'm glad the book is helping you. I can't wait to read your novel. I know you'll work hard an make it wonderful.
A great resource book! Very well done, Linda, and such an important topic. Great post, Juliana.
Thank you, Mary Lee!
Thanks for sharing Juliana!