Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Err on the side of audacity.

Right now, I'm celebrating my love and appreciation for Sue Monk Kidd. The Secret Life of Bees is available on cable right now, and I think I've watched it five times. I think they did a great job with the movie, but Kidd's writing is so much richer. Her books are so layered with wonderful symbols that trickle down into the folds and secret places of women. I just can't get enough of her right now.

So, I went to her web page, and she has some great stuff for writers.

http://www.suemonkkidd.com/Reflections.aspx?t=w&i=1

Err on the side of audacity is one of the tips she has on her list of The Ten Most Helpful Things I Could Ever Tell Anyone About Writing

Now that I'm on a role with my 2nd YA novel (I just can't stop writing), she has reminded me of the most important question I need to ask:

What does my character want?

I think I know. Now that she's been ripped away from home and her best friend, she wants to find someone she can trust and feel safe with. Emily will find such people in her new town, but the ultimate journey will be in learning how to trust herself.