Writing Character Sketches the Modern Way

I’ve discovered a new way to really get to know a character: write their Facebook profile.

Start with the basics: their job, where they went to school, what languages they speak, where they’re from and when they were born.

Then you can move on to their philosophy, the books and movies they like, their political views and their activities and interests.

Also revealing can be the photos they might post of themselves. And who are their friends? And who are the friends that are pending that your character might reject?

Are there events coming up in their life? What websites does your character link to? And how would they describe themselves in an “about me” summary?

Probably the most fun is their wall. What do they write in their status updates? Do they write their entire life story? Do they just post links to interesting stories? Write a page of status updates and find out.

Answer these questions and more and if your experience is anything like mine, you’ll be well on your way to creating an in-depth character. Now that's a definite Like.

Do you have an interesting method for writing character sketches?

How to become a travel writer

Guest post by James Ullrich

People ask me all the time how I became a travel writer. It reminds me of the story about the guy who stops a stranger on the street and asks, “Excuse me, how do you get to Carnegie Hall?” and the man answers, “Practice.”

My answer is: “travel.”

The full explanation is more involved but also more interesting. I believe there are three keys to being successful: First, find out what you love doing; something you’d do even if no one paid you. Second, become really good at it. Third, figure out a way to monetize it by finding the right audience/market.

My road to becoming a professional freelance travel writer began with an interest for exploring the places I’d seen on PBS travelogues as a child. Images of cathedral spires soaring toward the heavens ignited my interest in history. Gauzy shots of half-timbered villages laced with cobbled alleyways captivated my imagination. I wanted to go there and see it all for myself.

After college I got a passport and went. I never looked back.

The single best thing I did was bring a journal with me. It was the first thing I packed. The clothes came second.

After scouring Europe over many long trips I’d amassed journals full of observations and adventures. More importantly, I tried to make meaningful connections with the cultures I’d come so far to see. I struck up conversations with strangers in trains, busses, bars, and anywhere else I found myself.

It could be frustrating. Sometimes they didn’t speak a word of English. Sometimes they just weren’t interested in talking to a bedraggled traveler. But more often than not I found a new friend and gain some insight into their world. That’s the thing to remember: Everyone has a story you’ve never heard before, and everyone knows something that you don’t—and it’s often worth knowing.

My point: Readers don’t want a travelogue. They want to make an emotional connection to the place. Make them feel it. That’s your job. The essence of a good travel writer is one part anthropologist, one part vagabond and one part journalist.

You’re ready to do this when you realize that the best souvenirs are the discoveries, memories and friendships you make.

Seek them out. They’re worth the trip.

Feel free to contact James Ullrich at james_ullrich@hotmail.com

The European Summer

Hello. I’m an American and I was going to do a lot of things this summer.

I was going to finish one last edit of my memoir.

I was going to make sure my entire novel was outlined.

I was going to pitch additional inflight magazines after finally breaking into one.

I was going to keep up with this blog.

I was going to work full time as a copywriter.

I was going to keep up with my magazine column.

I was going to tell everyone that asked how busy I was.

But the only thing I accomplished on this list over the summer were the last three.

As an American, I feel like a slacker. And I hate this “if I’m not busy then I’m not worthy” thing that still haunts me, even five years after being abroad. So I’m trying to embrace my European status instead. Key word, trying.

A European would feel fine about my accomplishments this summer. After all, many small stores and restaurants in Switzerland close completely in July and August. I think as creative people (and especially as Americans), we can learn from this. So I’m trying not to be too hard on myself for not accomplishing everything I wanted. After all, it is summer. I am in Europe. And with the little free time I have, the pool is calling my name.

Anyone else trying to embrace their European side this summer?

International Writing Round-up

Andrew Richardson, a writer from the UK and an October attendee at the Zurich Writers Workshop, just published his first novel, Innocence Unbound. As one of the co-founders of the workshop, I’m always thrilled to hear about the success of our participants. Congrats to Andrew.

The Society of Women Writers & Journalists has announced its Life Writing competition. Submissions are by email only and the entry fee is £7. The writers retain all copyrights to work. First prize is £3000. However, only the top three winners get prize money, but all shortlisted entries are included in an anthology and there is no mention of payment for this.

Over on the Urban Muse, there’s a nice post on where to find freelance jobs.

I’m not a big short story reader, but “The Accident”, by Andrew Roe, in The Sun this month was simply stunning. What a fantastic writer. I highly recommend it.

In other news, the dollar has reached a new all time low against the Swiss Franc at 1 USD only being worth CHF .79, which means I’m not exactly motivated to write for U.S. publications right now. Has the currency situation where you live affected your writing from abroad?

The importance of planning

How many times have you started a novel or memoir, gotten about 20K words in, and then realized you had no idea where the story was going?

Hopefully only once.

However. Speaking from experience and from talking to other writers, it’s all too easy to do multiple times. Sometimes I get so caught up in making sure I’m writing a certain number of words every day that I fail to realize I should check that it’s all going to lead to an ending that makes sense.

This happened to me with the memoir. I had about 30K words and then decided to outline, the result being a complete redo.

Then I started a novel, this time writing the synopsis first. It was a valiant effort, but alas, the novel is now 20K words and I’m realizing I really need to reevaluate where the story is going and how it is going to get resolved. However, at least this time the realization is more about the fact that I need to do a lot more research on some of the topics relating to the novel to ensure that the ending makes sense and is probable. But at least there is an ending.

So now, instead of writing, I’m reading, watching documentaries, and outlining. And I know it’s still writing work, but without the word count ticking upwards, it often feels like I’m barely accomplishing anything.

Anyone else have a word count obsession too? Or participate in NaNoWriMo only to realize everything you wrote during that time had to be redone?

Workshops, Decently priced magazine subscriptions, and more

Writer Abroad has been busy. So she'll quickly apologize for the lack of posts over the last month by saying "sorry", since that is a very American thing to do. (And talking about being busy is too!)

So sorry. She can't help it. Even though today is her five year anniversary of living in Switzerland, she'll always be an American.

Anyhow, without further apologies, here are a few things that might interest some of you internationally-minded writers:

On October 1-2, 2011, Zurich will once again be a prime location for writers of fiction and non-fiction. Nuance Words will be bringing expat author Amanda Hodgkinson as well as ghostwriter Andrew Crofts to Zurich for an intensive writing workshop.

For several months now, Writer Abroad has been enjoying her international subscription to The Sun, a literary magazine based out of Chapel Hill, NC, which is one of the few publications she knows of that actually doesn't make it financially insane to subscribe from overseas. Just $59 will get you an international year's subscription.

If you couldn't attend the Zurich Writers Workshop in May, a fellow attendee blogged about the ten things she learned at the Zurich Writers Workshop.

Lesley Lawson, a Geneva-based writer is seeking submissions for an anthology about "falling in love over forty." Interested writers can reach Lesley at lesley@2relationshipsuccess.com for more information.

Finally, Writer Abroad just wrote for her first inflight magazine. Her article on Zurich was published in the June issue of Serendib, the magazine of Sri Lankan Airlines.

Any news or links of your own that might interest other writers? Writer Abroad wants to know!

5 Ways to Get the Most out of a Writing Conference

When you attend a writing conference, will you get your money's worth? Sure, a lot depends on the instructor, the topic, and the students. But a lot also depends on you. As both a seasoned conference planner and attendee, I've noticed several ways to get the most out of a writing conference:

1. Research your instructor or speaker. Read their book(s). Read their blog. Find out everything you can about them. This way, you'll have relevant questions but also understand where they are coming from when they present a topic.

2. Do the assigned readings. How are you going to participate in a workshop, especially one that critiques student work, if you don't actually read the work and think about it ahead of time? Learning to write is as much about learning to read. If you're going to put in the money, why wouldn't you put in the time?

3. Bring business cards. Lawyers have business cards and they feel important. You can too. Not to mention, they are important for maintaining contacts with the fellow writers you meet. A big part of going to conferences is networking. And cards make it that much easier. And they make you look professional.

4. Follow up. If you've met people you clicked with, including the speaker or instructor, make sure you send them an email or connect in some way afterwards to seal your bond. Maybe you interview them for your blog. Maybe you follow them on Twitter. Like every business, publishing is one too. And who you know counts.

5. Write. After you attend a conference, ideas and critiques are fresh in your head. There's never been a better time to sit down and experiment with your writing.

How do you make the most of the writing conferences you attend?