Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Self Lovin' Bloghop

The lovely Tara Watson over at Feel of Something New is hosting The Self Lovin' Bloghop all this week (so there's still time to sign up if you'd like to join in!).

Tara's asking us to share something we're good at. It's SO easy to focus on the negatives and Tara wants us to do the opposite and give ourselves a little boost. Great idea!

So, what am I good at? ACK!

Okay. I think one of my strengths is creating likable (but not perfect!) characters people enjoy reading about. I've received good feedback from crit buddies and agents on my characters and I like spending time with them so that's got to be worth something!

Now just to work on increasing that conflict...

How about you? What's one of your strengths as a writer?

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

My critique group says it's the voice in my manuscripts.

What a great idea for a hop. I would've participated, except my blog schedule is full.

JeffO said...

Maybe you like your characters too much to want to give them conflict, hah ha! I believe I'm pretty good with dialogue.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great idea to focus on the positives for a change. My strength is dialogue.

Dianne K. Salerni said...

I would say mine is also characters, judging by the reader reviews for my books.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Likable characters are so important! That's great that you've got that down-pat. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Medeia - your voice is excellent! :)

Jeff - I actually think that's one of my problems! They're always rescuing themselves!! :)

Natalie - I love writing dialogue too!

Dianne - yay for characters!!

Elizabeth - thanks! I'm happy with them :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'm good at creating the external conflict between characters but I have to dig deep to get that internal conflict right.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's a great strength, as it can carry the book.
Now I feel really bad. Completely forgot about her bloghop. Wonder if she'd be all right with me posting next Monday...?

Laura S. said...

I'm really good at eating food. Oh, wait, you meant a strength in my writing? My grammar is pretty good! Other than that, I have no idea what my strengths are. So I reiterate: I'm good at eating! :)

Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

Kristin Smith said...

Dang it! I signed up too for the blog hop and then forgot about it.

Hmm, what am I good at? I would have to say dialogue. I had one beta tell me she liked the "playful banter" between the male and female lead characters.

Talli Roland said...

What a great idea for a blog hop!

Hmm... I'm good at burning toast! No slice of bread left un-singed. :)

Crystal Collier said...

Yes! Likeable characters are super important. I'm great at creating likeable villains, but I think some of the good guys fall flat. *sigh* Time to infuse some villain personality into my do-gooders, eh?

A said...

Likeable characters are everything Jemi.

Jemi Fraser said...

Susan - I've gotten better at my conflict but it still needs work!!

Alex - I'm absolutely sure that would be more than fine with Tara!

Laura - love it! I can join you on that list - especially if it involves chocolate! :)

Kristin - I love reading great banter! :)

Talli - I've done that quite well myself - although I tend to burn myself more than the toast :)

Crystal - sometimes it's more fun to write the villain though!

Agnes - thanks! I hope it'll be enough :)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Likable characters is such an important aspect of a good story. If the reader enjoys their company they're sure to stick with them, right? Good for you to tackle this. Sometimes it's hard to give ourselves credit.

Jemi Fraser said...

Tricia - it is REALLY hard - yet so easy to find fault! :)

TL said...

Oooh, I am totally a character driven reader (and writer). That is a great strength! And I can't wait to read your novels one day. :)

Thank you for the kind words and for playing!

LD Masterson said...

I've been told mine is dialogue. Personally, I'd rather be better at writing likable characters.

Jemi Fraser said...

Tara - thank you! I hope they'll be out and about one of these days! :)

Linda - I love great dialogue! And I know you do both well! :)

klahanie said...

Hey Jemi,

Yikes, blog hop alert! :)

I think you're a perfectly likeable character that no doubt reflects your perfectly likeable characters. Not perfect, but what the heck, eh.

My strength as a writer is not me, but actually, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! A great writer and acclaimed "pawblisher!"

Take care, eh,

Gary :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Gary - why thank you kind sir! Penny is a wonderful strength to have!! :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Gotta make those characters squirm. Sometimes it's easier than other times. Or it is for me, anyway.

Jemi Fraser said...

Carol - I'm working on keeping them IN trouble - they keep rescuing themselves! :P

SC Author said...

That's one of the best strengths to have!

Jemi Fraser said...

SC - thanks! I'm hoping so!!! :)

DEZMOND said...

We do like likeable characters :) And lickable ones too :)
If I ever write a book I imagine characterisation and psychological aspect would be my biggest strengths :) And descriptions too

Jemi Fraser said...

Dezzy - LOL! And I think you would totally rock the psychological aspects too!

Stephanie Faris said...

Great characters are the lifeblood of a book! I think voice is my strength...I seem to be able to capture the voice of whatever age group I'm targeting with my books!

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephanie - that's an awesome strength - appropriate voice is SO important! :)

Nas said...

Sounds like you are doing great Jemi!

Jemi Fraser said...

Nas - not sure about that, but I think I'm on the right path! :)

Deniz Bevan said...

I hear you - I'm always having a hard time creating conflict and raising the stakes.
But having likeable characters is really important - go you!

Jemi Fraser said...

Deniz - thanks! I have such a hard time Keeping my characters in trouble - they keep rescuing themselves!