The key to unlocking a great plot

Thanks to the sidebar on Jody Hedlund's blog, I've started reading Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell. In simple terms, Bell sums up plot by using the LOCK system:

L = Lead

"...a strong plot starts with an interesting Lead character. In the best plots, that Lead is compelling, someone we have to watch throughout the course of the novel."

O = Objective

"Objective is the driving force of fiction. It generates forward motion and keeps the Lead from just sitting around." Bell adds that "...objective can take either of two forms: to get something or to get away from something."

C = Confrontation

"Opposition from characters and outside forces brings your story fully to life." Bell quotes another writer who once said, "Get your protagonist up a tree. Throw rocks at him. Then get him down."

K = Knockout

In his book, Bell compares a strong ending to a knockout punch in a boxing match. His suggestion? "...take your Lead through the journey toward her objective, and then send the opposition to the mat."

I can relate to this easy-to-follow language. How about you? What techniques do you use when plotting fiction?

A Carnival, Clever Bloggers, and Summer Schedules

Lee Wind is hosting the June, 2010 "Carnival of Children's Literature." He was kind enough to include one of my blog posts. Head on over there to check out some fun posts by a variety of kid lit bloggers.

If you haven't already seen these, be sure to check out the following creative posts:

• A must see (and hear) is Creepy Query Girl's search for an agent - Mary Poppins Style. Not only can our Creepy Query friend write, but she also has an awesome voice. If she can dance too, I'm locking myself in a room.

• Lydia Kang has a special Writer's Magic 8 Ball up at her blog. I want one of these for Christmas *wink, wink*.

• J. Kaye shares with us a poster that lists the only 12 1/2 writing rules you'll ever need.

Now that it's summer, I let my sons' daily swims in the pool replace their nightly showers (eewww!). Plus, we've eaten Kraft Macaroni and Cheese for lunch about 4 times this week (double eewww!). With kids running around during the day, my goals and writing schedule have changed a bit. Thankfully, I'm still managing to get a lot done.

How about you? How does summer alter your writing schedule?

Awards to some great bloggers!

I was fortunate enough to receive three blogger awards recently, so it's time to pay it forward.

I received the Versatile Blogger award from Jessie Harrell, Melissa, J. Kaye, and James Garcia Jr. Thank you!

In keeping with the rules of this award, here are 7 random (nutty) facts about me:

1. I'm strangely concerned about chairs at the kitchen table. They must be pushed in.
2. I love hard, fruity candy and jawbreakers. A bag of Lifesavers sits near my computer, and I crunch them while I write. "Hello, Dentist? It's me again."
3. I met my husband when I was 12 years old, while standing in the snack line in 7th grade.
4. I won't eat chicken off the bone.
5. I believe Hershey's Kisses taste best at Christmas time, when they're wrapped in red and green foil.
6. I'm a homebody, and like to be settled in by 8 p.m.
7. At a whopping 5' 1", I'm the tallest woman in my family.

I'm passing this award on to the following cool people:

1. Bekah
2. Leigh D'Ansey
3. Janet Sumner Johnson
4. Kay Evans
5. Perry Block
6. Emma Michaels
7. Janel's Jumble
8. Hannah Stoneham
9. Mary Mc Donald
10. Kerrin Hearfield

I received this Who's Awesome? award from Karen Gowan. How cute is this little doggie? He looks like he's winking at us.

Here's three blogs I think are awesome:

1. Jennifer Shirk
2. Shannon O'Donnell
3. Angela Ackerman's The Bookshelf Muse

And finally, this Honest Scrap award was given to me by Kerrin Hearfield. Thanks, Kerrin! I'm passing this one along to these honestly great bloggers:

1. Beverley BevenFlorez
2. Cynthia Reese
3. Creepy Query Girl

If you don't already follow these bloggers, check them out!

Your Funny Father's Day Story

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty"

-unknown

My dad died five years ago, but here are some funny things I remember about him:

When he took his black dress socks off, he rubbed them between his toes.

He wore this horrible apple tie to church. Decorated with partially eaten apples, it was the worst tie ever made.

Telling us "Pull my finger" never got old (at least for him).

To all those wonderful dads out there who are creating fond memories with their kids, I wish you a happy Father's Day.

Do you have a funny dad story? I'd love to hear it!

My Geocaching Article is Up!

My article for kids, "The Modern Day Treasure Hunt," is up on Viatouch!

If you haven't tried geocaching yet, I hope you'll give it a try after reading this article. It's so much fun for kids, parents, hikers, grandparents...anyone! Truly, it's a blast.

The family photos in the article were taken last summer during our trip to Lake Powell. The geocache was a Gatorade bottle hidden under a bush. Anyone who visits that geocache will see our names written on the log.

So tell me, do you have a GPS? And have you ever tried geocaching?

Miscellaneous Good Stuff

"The daily grind of hard work gets a person polished"

-unknown

At first, I thought the above quote said "published." I'm beginning to think I have a one-track mind.

Anyway...

Here is some miscellaneous good stuff plucked from the internet:

Another free online writer’s conference is taking place at The Muse Online Writer’s Conference. The conference dates are October 11-17, 2010, and the deadline to register is August 15, 2010.

Over at Rants and Ramblings, agent Rachelle Gardner teaches writers how to deal with contradictory feedback.

Query Tracker had some great stuff, such as giving yourself permission, when you're weary, and grabbing an agent's attention with your query.

Author Magazine dishes about the Top 10 Publishing Myths.

And another quote, just for the fun of it:

"Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work."

-Rita Mae Brown

WriteOnCon!

A free writer's conference? No way!

Yep, some amazing gals are putting together an epic writer's conference for free. Check out their blogs for fun giveaways, and visit WriteOnCon for more details.

And the pay it forward gurus are... *drumroll please*

Jamie Harrington

Lisa and Laura Roecker

Elana Johnson

Casey McCormick

Shannon Messenger

Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!

(temporarily abandoning the don't use too many exclamation points rule!!!!)