tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80052955214533037942024-03-05T12:43:19.435-08:00Write From the HeartFaye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-52129963768006535112013-10-25T17:45:00.000-07:002013-10-25T17:45:17.601-07:00To Beat or Not to Beat<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What is a beat? And what is its purpose? A beat is a
little bit of action that can involve physical gestures. They are used to
remind you of who your characters are and what they are doing. An example of a
beat is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where are you going?” Charlie
grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They can increase the tension where needed or they
can give the reader a bit of relief where the tension is really great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
reasonable balance is necessary or you can interfere with the flow of the
scene. You have a scene where the dialogue is building the tension (example: an
argument that is increasing in tension and building toward a critical moment
such as a murder). Too many beats can interfere or disrupt the tension and make
the murder scene less exciting. This can damage the flow of your scene and keep
your scene from building. In other words, it can slow you pacing. The result
can be the loss of your reader’s interest. So your goal should be a proper
balance between dialogue and beats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Interestingly
beats can be used to vary the rhythm of your dialogue. Remember, good dialogue
has an ebb and flow to it. The areas where the tension is high you need to cut
the beats to a bare minimum. If you have two high-tension scenes in a row, you
should allow your readers to relax in the next scene with some quiet
conversation containing more beats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
you are not sure just where to put a beat, read your scene out loud. Where you
find yourself pausing between two consecutive lines, insert a beat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beats
can be used to define your character. A good example of this is body language. It
can allow breathing room in an emotionally tense scene. To reinforce the point
I’m trying to make, beats can accomplish three things: 1) They can increase
tension; 2) They can allow breathing space for the reader; 3) They can define
your character.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
looking over your scene(s) there are some questions you should ask yourself:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.
How many beats do I have? Try highlighting them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2.
How often am I interrupting the dialogue?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3.
What are the beats describing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4.
How often am I repeating a beat?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>5.
Do the beats help illuminate the character?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>6.
Do the beats fit the rhythm of the dialogue? Read it out loud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Faye M. Tollison<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author of: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming books: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member of: Sisters in Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayemtollison.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-30040958936946498402013-09-24T18:51:00.000-07:002013-09-24T18:51:40.622-07:00Do You Use Readers?<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It used to be that an author created
and wrote his story and then sent it to his editor, after which he did his
rewrites and published his book. But there is one tool I use to help give me
input about my story. This tool is my readers. They have become an important
part of my editing and rewriting process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More and more authors are turning to
readers to give their thoughts and opinions on the authors’ stories. This is a
good idea since most people who buy and read books are ordinary everyday people
and are not writers or editors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Editors are looking at the structure
of your plot, character development, and yes, grammar and spelling among other
things. But readers are looking at it for its intrest and appeal. To use both
readers and an editor gives you a more rounded viewpoint of your story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Readers give you a perspective from
a different angle. Now don’t go firing your editor. On the contrary. I prefer
to get my readers’ input before I send my book to my editor. Readers view your
story from a reader’s viewpoint where your editor look at your story from a
writer’s viewpoint, and it is my opinion that a writer needs both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I do ask my readers to look for spelling/grammar
errors and typos. They do a grand job of finding them, too. But I also like to
get their opinion on specific parts/chapters of my story. Because they are not
as picky as editors are, they can really give you a fresh and honest opinion.
Once you get your readers input, then you can concentrate on the things your
editor finds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How many readers should you have? As
many as you want but definitely more than one. The difference in opinion from
one reader to another can create a dilemma. A third reader’s opinion can give
you the solution to that dilemma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So do you have a reader/s? If not, you’re
missing out on a more well-rounded editing information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author
of:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To
Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming
books:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member
of:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sisters in Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fayemtollison/">www.fayemtollison</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-23358087954286012742013-08-21T16:27:00.000-07:002013-08-21T16:27:31.562-07:00You're An Amateur Writer If<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All writers want to look like experienced,
sophisticated writers. We all rush to get that first draft down on paper, but
then comes the time to self-edit and rewrite our manuscripts. There lies your
opportunity to slow down, have another cup of coffee, and spruce up that first
draft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
following points are things you might want to avoid because they make you
appear like an amateur or a weak writer:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1. Avoid the use of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">-ing</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as</i> constructions. They can sometimes make two<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>actions seem simultaneous when they are
physically impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rushing into the house, I
put on a fresh blouse and skirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Should be written:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rushed into
the house and put on a fresh blouse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and skirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I put the kettle on
the stove, I turned to face him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should be written: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put the kettle on the stove and turned to
face him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you just have to use that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">-ing </i>phrase, try putting it in the middle
of the sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it is less conspicuous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Avoid the use of clichés. I do not even have to explain this one. There
is nothing,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in my opinion, that will make
you look more like a weak or amateur writer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>than this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then there is the adverb, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">-ly</i>
word. This, I have to admit, is one of my<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>biggest downfalls. I love them, so I
struggle with myself to get rid of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now do not get me wrong. An occasional one can be forgiven. When you use<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a weak verb and an adverb, you are using two weak words in place of one
strong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Example: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angrily she shut the
door behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Should be written:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She slammed
the door behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now there can be an exception to the rule for the sake of affect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kissed him--slowly,
longingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Avoid a lot of short sentences. Try stringing some of them together with
a<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>comma. Just do not overdo it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t worry. I’ll take
care of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Should be written:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t worry,
I’ll take care of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Using a lot of italics and exclamation marks should be used only to
convey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>your character is shouting. Otherwise, the writer appears very insecure.
Just<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>let the dialogue and description convey all the emotion needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another stylistic device that can make a writer come across as an
amateur is <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>flowery, poetic figures of speech or metaphors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are your sex scenes too explicit? You may want to leave a certain amount<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>of details left to your readers’ imagination. They do quite well with
this, you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>know. No heavy breathing, please.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Profanity has been so over used that it no longer has any shock value
and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can turn your reader off. Now if it is a
characteristic of your character, then <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>by all means use it. Otherwise, it is simply a sign of a small
vocabulary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author
of:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To
Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Upcoming
books:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">M<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">e</i>mber of:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sisters in Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/">www.fayemtollison.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.writersonthemove.com/">www.writersonthemove.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-86856556232311261122013-07-24T18:44:00.000-07:002013-07-24T18:44:53.980-07:00Understanding Profiling<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To truly understand profiling you must first look at
the basic definition of it. With that in mind, then take and break it down into
the different areas of profiling. The basic definition of profiling, according
to the World English Dictionary, is as follows:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The use of personal characteristics or behavior patterns to make
generalizations about a person, such as gender, unique characteristics (such as
scars), hair color, color of eyes or skin, nationality. The use of these
characteristics is to determine whether or not a person may be engaged in
illegal activity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Racial profiling</i> is considered to be
used by law enforcement in deciding whether to engage in enforcement of the
law, such as making an arrest or a traffic stop. It uses an individual’s race
or ethnicity to make these decisions. It is controversial and in some
jurisdictions illegal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Criminal profiling</i> (or offender
profiling) is described as using numerous factors such as race, dress, and
interactions to determine whether or not a person is involved in criminal
activity. Various aspects of the criminal’s personality makeup are determined
from his/her choices before, during, and after the crime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Predictive profiling</i> attempts to guess
who is likely to commit a crime that has not happened yet. This type of
profiling occurs when a police officer, while patrolling, observes and tries to
spot suspicious behavior that could mean a crime is going to take place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psychological profiling</i> is a method of
suspect identification which seeks to identify a person’s mental, emotional,
and personality characteristics, which are manifested in things done or left at
the crime scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
are four phases of profiling that profilers attempt to collect to determine the
personality of the offender:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Antecedent:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What fantasy, plan,
or both did the murderer have in place<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>before committing the crime?
What triggered the murderer to act some<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>days and not others?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Method and manner:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What type of victim/s did the murderer select,
and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what method and manner of
murder did he/she use? Shooting, stabbing, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>strangulation, or something
else?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Body disposal:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did the murder and
body disposal take place at one<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>location or multiple
locations?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Post-offence behavior:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is the
perpetrator trying to inject himself into the <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>investigation by reacting to
media reports or contacting investigators?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the case of serial killers a
phase of criminal profiling is case linkage, which is the process of
determining if there are connections between two or more unrelated cases.
Involved is the establishment and comparison of physical evidence, victimology,
crime scene characteristics, modus operandi, and signature behaviors between
each of the cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As you can see there are numerous
categories of profiling. As a writer, knowledge is imperative to making our
story sound convincing. Do not just write, but know what you are writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author
of:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To
Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Upcoming
books:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Member
of: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sisters in Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/">www.fayemtollison.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-7440359111165604722013-06-24T14:29:00.000-07:002013-06-24T14:29:51.819-07:00DEATH BY POISON<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
earlier time poisoning was a very common way to commit murder by both men and
women, though probably more often by women. Then as time moved on it became
mainly a woman’s murder weapon. But now, with such advances in technology,
weapons, and the advancement of women in this modern world, it is rather rare
to see poisoning as a murder weapon. We do see ricin used by terrorist/mentally
ill to send via mail, but it is not your everyday poison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However, we, as writers, can still
use poisons as a murder weapon, especially if we can come up with a unique
murder plot. It never hurts to have the information on hand just in case. Also,
those of you who like to write mysteries set in Victorian days or even into the
early 1900, it would be most appropriate to use a poison. Five poisons you
might want to keep in mind are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Arsenic -- used since the Roman times in ancient history. It is
tasteless, making it easily administered in a drink. In the 1800’s it was put
in weed killer, fly papers, and rat poisons. It was used frequently in domestic
murders and cited in many murder cases. Used as a yellow oxide or a white oxide
or vapor, which smells of garlic. White oxide is virtually tasteless and easily
masked by food or drink. It can be given accumulatively. The fatal dose builds
up over time slowly. Symptoms can resemble food poisoning. The symptoms of
white oxide starts with throat irritation, nausea, faintness, and depression.
Then you have vomiting, tinged with blood and mucus, severe abdominal pain
exacerbated by touch tongue is white and furry, throat is constricted. Diarrhea
comes after 12-18 hours, cramps in leg, weak pulse, rapid but regular. Cyanosis
(blue color) of extremities. Death comes when victim is conscious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2. Strychnine -- Used to poison rats
and other small animals, giving it easy accessibility. It has been cited in
only a few domestic murders, and its availability suggests it could be used in
many undiscovered murders. It is a colorless solution with a very bitter taste
that is noticeable even in a very weak solution. Symptoms come on within 2-3
hours, sometimes faster. The symptoms are: restlessness, feeling of
suffocation, contraction of facial muscles (victim looks as if he is grinning),
violent and distorting contractions followed by a period of rest, then an
attack of even more violent contractions. The victim is conscious, in agony and
unable to speak. Pulse is very high, and death occurs during a convulsion from
paralysis of the respiratory system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3. Atropine -- (aka belladonna) In
small doses it causes hallucinations. It has been used since ancient Greece. In
larger doses it was one of the favorite poisons of would-be murderers in
medieval Europe. The juice of only a few berries would be fatal. It can be
absorbed through the skin as well as ingested. Symptoms are dry mouth and
tongue, difficulty swallowing, flushed skin leading to rash on upper body,
headache, giddiness, hallucinations, delirium, fast respiration and pulse,
dilated pupils (most distinctive feature as the victim appears to have black
eyes). Later there is paralysis, coma, and then death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cyanide -- Sodium cyanide is used in industrial chemicals and in mining.
It has been used in mass murders, the 1980’s contamination of Tylenol capsules
in the Chicago area being one of the most famous. It has been used in some
domestic murders also. It causes death within minutes and is the fastest acting
of all poisons. For this reason, it is the poison of suicide pills, such as the
type carried by secret agents. It has also been used in executions. Cyanide (or
Prussic Acid) interferes with the blood’s ability to absorb oxygen and has a
faint smell of bitter almonds, though less than mystery writers indicate in
their writings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thallium -- discovered in the 1860’s, it has been used in some domestic
murders. In some countries it is used in rat poison, but it has been more
widely used in assassinations. It is water soluble and tasteless. It takes
several days for symptoms to develop and are generally attributed to other
illnesses. This poison was used by Sadam Hussein and Russia’s KGB. Symptoms can
easily be confused with the flu. The most distinctive symptom is hair loss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These five are only a few of the
poisons out there. The list is long. A writer can be quite creative with these
resources at their hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author
of: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming
books: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member
of: Sisters In Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayemtollison.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-53467707531968718232013-05-25T17:41:00.000-07:002013-05-31T08:48:42.815-07:00SHOW ME!<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Experienced writers have learned
this lesson well, but less experienced writers are still learning it or have it
yet to learn. Even for experienced writers it is good to review it every so
often. What am I talking about? The “show, don’t tell” rule of writing. It
sounds so simple, and yet it is one of the hardest to learn for some of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Telling is what you see with
narratives, and it is okay in the proper prospective. But you do not want to
fill your book with telling your story. Your readers like action, dialog,
descriptions, emotions, all the things that your readers can take and create a
picture in their minds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Show your story. Give it characters
your reader can fall in love with and want more of them. Give them a setting or
location that their mind can grab hold of and feel they are right there with
the characters. Make the characters speak to them and create action that keeps
the story moving. Give descriptions of the setting and characters through narrative
and some through dialog, but do not insult your readers by giving them every
little detail. Readers like to be a bit creative themselves so give just enough
to stimulate their own imaginations, and let them run with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When you have fast-paced scenes, it
is good to slow things down and give your reader a chance to breathe. Your
story should run in waves of fast pace and slow pace. That is where the
narrative comes in. You can use it to slow down the pace of the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Someone once told me to read through
my story; and if there are areas where I am telling, ask myself if there is a
way I can <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">show </i>it rather than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tell </i>it. If there are, then I need to
change it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Narratives do serve a purpose, so
remember not to change <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all </i>of them.
Also remember, it is the author’s responsibility to create a world in which
his/her readers can get lost and want more of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Following are some points to
remember when self-editing your work:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1)
How often do you use narrative summary? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2) Which sections do you want to convert into
scenes (action)? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3)
Do you have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i> narrative summary? (You
do need some.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4) Are you describing your
characters’ feelings or are you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">showing</i>
them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author
of:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To
Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming
books:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member
of:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sisters In Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/">www.fayemtollison.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-91108229334166300952013-04-23T17:15:00.000-07:002013-04-23T17:15:16.720-07:00The Law of Confessions<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
confession to a crime is considered a direct evidence of guilt, not a
presumption of guilt. It is the main thing most often used and relied upon for
a conviction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The law of confessions is
rather involved and is a conglomeration of Constitutional law, Federal and
State statues (legislative law), and Anglo-American tradition. There are five
hurdles a confession must pass in order to be considered valid:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4<sup>th</sup> Amendment exclusionary rule --
this rule forces a suppression hearing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anytime someone claims a
confession is not valid. In a nutshell, a <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>confession is not
acceptable if obtained illegally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5<sup>th</sup> Amendment self-incrimination
right -- <u>no person shall be compelled in </u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>any criminal case to
be a witness against himself.</u> This entails testimony,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not physical evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6<sup>th</sup> Amendment right to counsel --
this is extended to all “critical” pretrial<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>phases of criminal
procedure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5<sup>th</sup> Amendment due process clause
-- this rule is combined with the 14<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amendment due process
clause. Together they make up the basis for the <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>free and voluntary
rule</u> and is the major test in the law of confessions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McNabb-Mallory rule -- a legislative law
which prohibits any “undue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>delay” in arraignment
and holds null and void any confession, no matter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how voluntary, if derived from lengthy delays
in bringing the suspect to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to justice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The free and voluntary rule is
a two-part test involving subjective and objective factors. One part focuses on
the susceptibility of the suspect which includes: background of the suspect,
intelligence of the suspect, education of the suspect, prior experience with
the system, physical condition of the suspect, mental condition of the suspect,
and coping skills. The other part deals with the environment and methods used:
location of the setting, length of the questioning, intensity of the
questioning, frequency of the questioning, food and sleep deprivation, and
intimidating presence of officers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Anglo-American tradition
says that confessions must be a product of free will and voluntary choice. Free
will should not be “overcome,” and voluntary choice should not be “coerced.” In
other words, there must be a positive freedom of choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Suppression hearings generally
occur when the accused’s lawyer determines the confession was obtained
illegally. The motion for suppression must be made prior to trial, and the
burden of proof is on the defense lawyer that a search was illegal or a
confession was coerced. A motion for suppression is generally looked upon with
skepticism by the prosecutor and the judge as a delay tactic by the defense
lawyer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As you can see, there is a lot
involved in the acceptance of a confession. As writers we cannot always go
through these steps in our story as it could be rather boring to our readers.
But there may be some of you who can use some part of this to enhance your
story or to even add suspense to a courtroom scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author
of: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To
Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming
books:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bible Murders</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sarah’s Secret</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member
of:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sisters in Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayemtollison.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .75in;">
<a href="http://www.booksinsyn.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.booksinsyn.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-90634123197097373372013-03-25T18:01:00.000-07:002013-03-25T18:01:21.692-07:00Hearing Voices<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Do you hear voices? You
should. It is important to hear the voice of each and every character in your
story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Each character is an individual, and as an individual
speaks, thinks, and acts differently from the other characters. After all, that
is what gives them individuality, makes them their own person. Otherwise, they
would all sound alike, flat and boring. It is up to you as the author and their
creator to bring your characters to live and give them substance. In other
words, you have the duty to your readers to make your characters sound like
real people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How do you breathe life into a character? First I would
suggest taking note of the people around you, the ones you know and don’t know.
Watch them for gestures, facial expressions, favorite words they use
frequently. Do they sigh frequently as they talk? Do they have a habit of
laughing at times that do not call for laughter? Do they frown a lot or have a
twitch? Is there a favorite word or phrase they interject often such as “oh,gosh”
or “good gosh a mighty?” Does the person have a quick temper or is he/she a
mouse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next get your character profiles for each character and
study them. Once you have an idea of your character’s personality and
background, you need to figure out how you can reflect the character’s
personality, education, social background, birth place, gender, and even
job-related way of talking. Have their grammar match education and slang match
age and lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Don’t forget dialect. This could reflect the area of the country
from which the character comes. Foods they eat can show where they were raised
or simply show an idiosyncrasy. Be careful, though, not to overdo dialect. It
could cause your reader to stop reading your book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be sure to match all the elements to your character. Body
language (yes, it is an unspoken voice), thoughts, and speech should all match.
Otherwise you could give your reader the impression your character has multiple
personalities!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author
of: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming
books:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member
of: Sisters in Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/">www.fayemtollison.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.booksinsync.com/">www.booksinsync.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-42731713975225417332013-01-23T18:42:00.000-08:002013-01-23T18:42:22.624-08:00Writing Monologues<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A number of years ago I attended a
workshop given by David Page. It was one of the most inspiring workshops I have
ever attended. I realize now how important that workshop was to the improvement
of my writing, and I highly recommend all new writers (actually all writers new
and experienced) to practice writing monologues. The following is just a list
of points he gave in that workshop. As I read over them, it occurred to me that
they can apply to all writings in the fiction genre. I thought I would share
them with you. The list is not long. I hope everyone can find at least one
point that will help them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 1. If
you don’t develop a good character, you cannot have a good monologue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 2.
Don’t sit in the easy seat when you want to write monologue. Write about<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> something you don’t know
about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Note: This is certainly
different from what I’ve been told, but you have to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> admit it would challenge you,
and I love a challenge.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 3.
Learn to do interviews.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 4. Go
to where people tell you not to go -- <b>Taboo
Land.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 5. Find
your hook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 6. In
order to be somebody, you have to see/be everybody.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 7. Got
to feel your character’s heartbeat in their monologue. <b>Should have attitude.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 8.
Monologue does not have to have just one emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 9. If
you write something phony, it brings your work to a standstill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 10.
Do not write about something you do not have feelings about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 11.
To make it real-- it has to have connections to other things: place, personalities <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> that are insinuated, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 12.
Need a tone to your dialogue. Needs to sound individual. Imbed the tone
into <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> the monologue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 13.
When writing a monologue, remember what it is-- don’t make it its own
novel <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> within your novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 14.
You have to know who you are in order to write good dialogue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> A monologue has one main character,
and the monologue is written from that character’s POV. You can use either or
both exterior dialogue or interior dialogue. The monologue must be more
creative and more personal than a manuscript that has more than one character.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Everyone is different, and we all
have our own methods, but I like to sit down and write a monologue just for the
practice. I have found that it can also help me when I get a bad case of writer’s
block. It seems to stimulate my creativity. At any rate, it is good practice
for improving your writing skills, especially if you are a young writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author
of: <i>To
Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming
books: <i>The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member
of: Sisters In Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/">www.fayemtollison.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.booksinsync.com/">www.booksinsync.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-78458982233916551212012-11-23T19:01:00.000-08:002012-11-23T19:01:44.734-08:00Lie Detectors<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even though scientists question the accuracy of lie
detectors, the CIA, FBI, and other federal agencies use polygraph machines to
screen applicants and to hunt for lawbreakers. There are many researchers and
defense attorneys who say polygraph is prone to a higher number of false
results. Despite this it has emerged as a tool in the CIA’s effort to identify
suspected leakers of government anti-terrorism tactics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The polygraph machine measures various physiological
changes such as blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, and
electro-dermal activity (sweat). The point is to determine when subjects are
getting anxious. The idea is that deception involves an element of anxiety. The
clincher is that an emotion (anxiety) can be triggered by many factors other
than not telling the truth. As a result the experts feel that the tests can
overlook smooth-talking liars while indicating innocent people who are simply
rattled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Polygraph tests results are generally inadmissible
in federal courts and most state courts. On the other hand, statements or
admissions made during the course of the test can be used in court. Some people
seem to feel some of the polygraph’s value is in prompting people to tell the
truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Questions which focus on whether people have memory
of a certain event give far more reliable results than screening tests which
rely on emotions triggered by a wide range of factors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Polygraph examinations are designed to observe
significant involuntary responses going on in the person’s body when that
person is subjected to stress, such as the stress associated with deception.
The exams are not capable of detecting if the person is lying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How do liars beat the test? The exam is started out
with baseline questions which provide the examiner with baseline physiologic
responses. The liars simply increase their physiologic responses with exciting
thoughts, altering one’s breathing pattern, or biting the side of their tongue.
All these measures increase all the physiologic parameters that are being
measured, thus providing these false numbers as their baseline. When later in
the exam they tell a lie, these increased parameters are compared to the false
baseline parameters and are viewed to be normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you use the lie detector in your story, you may
want to keep in mind how it is viewed, how it works, and how it can be beat.
Lie detector results are not considered as valid by some and are not allowed in
most courts. Remember that it cannot detect a lie, only if there is possible
deception. And most of all, that the lie detector can be beat by someone who
knows how.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author
of: <i>To Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Upcoming
books: <i>The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Member
of: Sisters in Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.fayemtollison.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.booksinsync.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-2620499861944730782012-10-31T17:02:00.001-07:002012-10-31T17:02:46.954-07:00A Sophisticated Writer<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are a few tricks to not appearing
as an amateur writer, and it is the desire of every writer to sound like they
have been writing for many years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">One
of the most mistakes a young writer makes is using -</span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ing</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> words and </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">as. </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now
don’t get me wrong. An occasional use of these is not a bad thing, and
sometimes it is necessary. However, most of the time the </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ing </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">words and </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">as </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">can be
dropped or moved to elsewhere in the sentence. It can be placed in the middle
or at the end of the sentence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Example:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Pulling the books off the top shelf,
Meg knocked the vase over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Meg
pulled the books off the top shelf and knocked over the vase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> As
Cassie picked the bag of groceries up, the bottle of juice fell and broke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Cassie
picked up the bag of groceries. the bottle of juice fell out and broke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Another
way to avoid appearing like an amateur is to eliminate as many <i>-ly </i>words as possible, even those in
dialogue. Where there is an adverb, there is a weak verb. Drop the adverb and
replace the weak verb with a strong one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Example:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Angrily
she put the file on the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> She
slammed the file on the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> There
are exceptions to this rule. Though not a perfect solution, it does provide
effect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Example:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Eyes
cold as steel, she lifted gun--slowly, deliberately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Clichés.
What can I say but no, no way, and forget it. If you use a cliché to describe a
character, you run the risk of making him appear like a cartoon character or,
at the least, unreal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
are some other small items you need to consider. Commas, for instance. If
you’ve ever listened to people around you, you will notice they don’t always
talk in sentences. They often string their sentences together. Doing this in
dialogue could make your character sound more real, though it doesn’t have to
be just in dialogue. How do you string sentences together? With a comma instead
of a period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Example:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “Come
on, I’m in a hurry, we need to leave now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Some
small things which make a writer sound amateurish are: emphasis quotes,
exclamation marks, and overuse of italics. Need I say more?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> And
my favorite the flowery, poetic figures of speech. Use this method of writing
very sparingly or chance losing your reader (he’s probably dying of laughter).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Metaphors
and any phrase that draws attention to itself rather than what is actually
being said is <u>not</u> sophisticated at all. The more subtle approach can
convey the idea and allow the reader to use his/her imagination, and your
reader does like to do this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Profanity
is acceptable only if it is appropriate to your character. Otherwise leave it
out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing
is an art, and it takes a lot of hard work to perfect it. However, it is not
impossible to be a sophisticated writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author of: <i>To Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming books: <i>The
Bible Murders </i>and <i>Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member of: Sisters In Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayemtollison.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-66814844735327533912012-09-27T17:59:00.000-07:002012-09-27T17:59:15.126-07:00The History of Fingerprinting<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> As
I dug into the history of fingerprinting, I was amazed at how old the art was.
Now as writers we are generally more interested in how fingerprinting is used
in crime situations, but how it all came about should give you an appreciation
of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> It surprised me to learn that the
art of fingerprinting came into being back in 1000-2000 B.C. and was used an
clay tablets for business transactions. My guess is this was their form of a
signature. It was in 14<sup>th</sup> Century A.D. that a physician notices that
no two fingerprints were alike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> In the 1600’s the microscope was
invented, and in 1686 at the University of Bologna in Italy a professor takes
note of the spirals, loops, and ridges in fingerprints. It was not until 1823
that Johannes Evengelista Purkinje, a professor of anatomy with the University
of Breslau in Prussia, wrote a thesis detailing a full nine different
fingerprint patterns. Fingerprinting was a standard use for identification,
especially on documents and contracts. In 1882 Gilbert Thompson, employed by
the U.S. Geological Survey in New Mexico, uses his fingerprints on a document
to guard against forgery. In the 1800’s Sir Francis Galton started studying
fingerprints and in 1892 published a book, <i>Fingerprints</i>.
It was the first of this type book which detailed the first classification
system called Galton’s Details for fingerprints. This system is still to an
extent used today. This same year Juan Vucetich, an Argentine police official,
started the first fingerprint files based on Galton’s Details. He made history
that year by making the first criminal fingerprint identification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> In 1896 Sir Edward Richard Henry, a
British official instituted a fingerprinting program for all prisoners. In 1902
the Director of the Bureau of Identification of the Paris Police made use of
the first criminal identification of a fingerprint without a known suspect. In
the meantime the testing of the first systematic use of fingerprints in the
U.S. is performed by Dr. Henry P. DeForrest. After that the use of
fingerprinting spreads, and by 1911 the first central storage location for
North America was established in Ottawa by Edward Foster of the Dominion Police
Force. Today it is maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. By 1924 the
Identification Division of the F.B.I. was created.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The 1990’s he Automated Fingerprint
Identification Systems had widespread use around the country. Fingerprinting of
children became the vogue by 1996 for investigative purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> I was totally amazed that the history
of fingerprinting went back as far as Babylon. Once it was discovered that no
two people have the same fingerprints, the significance quickly accelerated
over the years until law enforcement had one of the most important
investigative tools known to man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> There is one thing I would like to
mention. As fingerprinting advanced to greater technology, criminals also
became innovative in erasing their fingerprints from their fingertips with
acid. Painful but effective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye
M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author
of: <i>To Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming
books: <i>The Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member
of: Sisters In Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayemtollison.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.booksinsync.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.booksinsync.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-75164258586052696062012-08-23T16:34:00.000-07:002012-08-23T16:34:46.298-07:00When Women Kill<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Though there have been female killers throughout
history, it was in the 1970’s that an increase in homicides committed by women
was noticed. Women’s Liberation was blamed for this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Female
killers are difficult to spot, causing the number of known female killers to be
minimal. Women killers are pretty much not noted by the public because they are
quiet killers. Mass murderers of the female gender are rare. Wild killing
sprees also are rare, but the few there were suffered severe psychosis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite
what people think, female serial killers are just as deadly, and sometimes more
deadly, than male serial killers, and can be more efficient. This can play a
part in them keeping a low profile for long periods of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Women
who are serial killers fall into three categories: black widows, nurses, terrorists and assassins.
Black widows kill husbands, children, relatives, boardinghouse tenants, and
employees. Nurses target those they take care of and are referred to as “angels
of mercy” or “angels of death.” Terrorists and assassins are more hard-hearted.
They kill for money/non-personal reasons such as political or murder-for-hire.
They do not know their victims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These
women in all of the three categories are a minority among murderers. The body
count of <i>known </i>women killers averages
8 to 14 victims for each offender. This is higher than for male offenders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Women
serial killers are usually young and intelligent with killing careers of 10
years before discovery, ranging anywhere from a few months to over 30 years.
Most are white and middle to upper class. Female serial killers who have been
abused do not, in general, kill their abusers, nor are their motives for
killing related to their abuse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Throughout
the centuries poison was the preferred method for murder. It is still today the
favored method of murder, being used in 50% of all cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Research
found that female killers are a product of their environment. Interestingly,
just as there have been few cases of female serial killers, there have been few
treated for severe mental disorder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Psychosis
is the main cause of women killing their children or even other children. More
than half of these women told others prior to their murders that they were
afraid they would kill, but then “pleas for help” were ignored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Other
characteristics that these women can have are:
insincerity, amoral, extremely impulsive capable of dominating other
people with manipulative charisma and superficial char, lacks insight and any
form of conscience, unable to learn from mistakes, is irresponsible and
unpredictable, volatile, disregard for truth, above average intelligence, very
selkf0destructive, takes frequent high risks, can mimic normal behavior if they
have to, always blames others for their failures, and has no life goals. Women
who are team killers are most often followers, but in other cases, they are the
dominant partner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Female
terrorists/assassins kill for three reasons:
pursuit of dreams of a better life for people, a desire to help those in
need, or a desire to change social or government policies. Female terrorists
are more ruthless and persistence than male terrorists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reference: <i>Malicious
Intent
</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> by Sean Mactire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Published by Writer’s Digest
Books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye M. Tollison</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author of: <i>To Tell the Truth</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming books: <i>The Bible Murders</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i> Sarah's Secret</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member of: Sisters in Crime</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Writers on the Move</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayemtollison.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.booksinsync.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-17413788202099063752012-08-02T07:49:00.001-07:002012-08-02T07:49:10.770-07:00Bookcover AwardMy book, <i>To Tell the Truth, </i>has won the Books in Sync bookcover award for August 2012! This bookcover was illustrated by Heather Paye, a young and talented illustrater located in New Mexico. I'm very excited about this award!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlefWI625U63ldpTSgTYZX_k_BNVFsoDLUPSp5SNf-Kv1ZaWSJPU3bsSCA66VYFnmy6lwSjdYK_oZnceaT4daq9YmgzrHWmg-HE4_NBvxIgfFCaboFUzg96BRin3w3iOPUXOtYbTBJIK8/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlefWI625U63ldpTSgTYZX_k_BNVFsoDLUPSp5SNf-Kv1ZaWSJPU3bsSCA66VYFnmy6lwSjdYK_oZnceaT4daq9YmgzrHWmg-HE4_NBvxIgfFCaboFUzg96BRin3w3iOPUXOtYbTBJIK8/s1600/photo.jpg" /></a></div>
Faye M. Tollison, AuthorFaye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-4185266507230163442012-07-17T17:35:00.000-07:002012-07-17T17:35:28.778-07:00Bookcovers<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">There
are a number of websites where a writer can find a bookcover for his/her book.
They are pre-made covers and can range in price anywhere from $150.00 to
$600.00 at best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So
what is the disadvantage to these bookcovers? They do <i>not</i> reflect your story. Generally generic, they can be used for any
genre. Of course, if this is what you want, then you will probably be satisfied
with it. But if you want your book to stand out from the rest, a bookcover that
reflects your story will be much more satisfactory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Stop
and think about it for a moment, and you will see what I mean. The first thing
a person looks at when searching for a book is the title. If the title does not
grab them, they move on to the next book. Once they find a title that draws
their interest, they pick up the book and look at the bookcover. Now you should
be able to see why it is important to the sale of your book. The title <i>and </i>the bookcover are the first two
things that give the reader a good idea what the book is about. Those two
things will convince the reader to read the blurb on the back cover and even
open the book and read the first page or two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Now
I have seen a number of well-known authors’ new books on the shelf, and their
bookcovers are so plain and boring that it is a good thing they have already
made a name for themselves. Otherwise they probably would not sell very many of
their books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">People
who read are visual. We learn to write in such a way as to draw a visual
picture in their minds. That is what the bookcover picture should do for your
title. It should draw a visual picture of the written title as well as the
basic story, hence giving the reader a better idea of whether or not they would
be interested in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Your
illustrator should be someone who is willing to work close with you to achieve
the perfect bookcover for your story. If they are not willing to do this, they
are probably not worth the money you are paying them. Once you find the right
illustrator, you will find satisfaction on several different levels. One, you
will obtain a bookcover with which you will fall in love. Two, you will have a
bookcover that will help sell your book. Three, you will have a good friend who
will, the longer you work together on different projects, know just what you
like or dislike; and you will develop a good working relation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">At
this point, I would like to give credit to my most wonderful and talented
illustrator who has put up with me with utmost patience. Her name is Heather
Paye. She will amaze you with her talent. Her website is: htpp://hpayedesigns.yolasite.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author of: <i>To Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming books: <i>The
Bible Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member of: Sisters In Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Writers On the
Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
Books
In Sinc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayemtollison.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayetollison.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-57356094863507692642012-05-18T16:44:00.000-07:002012-05-18T16:44:25.602-07:00Prologues<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">PROLOGUE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Most
books on writing or self-editing tell you to never put a prologue in your book.
I do understand this since most prologues are very boring and way too long.
This can lead to the reader giving up on the book before they even have a
chance to read it. An interesting prologue can easily be your first chapter.
However, I have noticed more and more books with prologues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> The most justifiable form of prologue is the backstory
prologue. Of course, even this can be interspersed into the main story a little
at a time or placed as the first scene of chapter one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> The second type of prologue is the flash-forward
prologue. The name tells you what it is. Once again this prologue can be placed
as the first chapter or the first scene in chapter one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Another type is the body-on-page-one prologue. Even
though you do need to introduce the murder within the first 100 pages, the
prologue may be a bit premature, causing our chapter one to fall flat. It is
not necessary to open the book with the murder. There is something to be said
for building up to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Lastly is the summary prologue. This is where the
narrator looks back on the experience about to be told, summarizing the lessons
learned. In other words, this is the story’s theme. Not essential to the book
itself, but some publishers do as for this when considering your book. So take
it out of the book, and it will never be missed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> If you use a prologue, make sure it is useful and serves
a well-integrated purpose which is necessary to the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Faye M. Tollison<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author of: <i>To Tell the Truth<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upcoming books: <i>The
Bible Murders </i>and <i>Sarah’s Secret<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Member of: Sisters In Crime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Writers on the Move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fayemtollison.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fayetollison.com/">www.fayetollison.</a>blogspot.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fmtoll.wordpress.com</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-86293906961075343362012-04-08T17:05:00.000-07:002012-04-08T17:05:21.125-07:00Where There's A WillC. Hope Clark was the speaker at the Greenville Chapter of Sisters in Crime this past Thursday, April 4, 2012. Originally from Mississippi, she has quite an impressive background. Writing her first novel, she faced rejection after rejection. So she put her book in a drawer and reconsidered what she could do which would involve writing.<br />
<br />
Mrs. Clark started a newsletter service, which reaches almost 45.000 writers. This site, <a href="http://www.fundsforwriters.com/">www.fundsforwriters.com</a>, was recognized by <i>Writer's Digest </i>magazine in its annual list of 101 Best Web Sites for Writers for the last 12 years. She has been published in <i>The Writer </i>magazine, <i>Writer's Digest, Chicken Soup </i>as well as many trade and online publications. She is a member of SC Writers Workshop Association, Sisters in Crime, and MENSA.<br />
<br />
She gave a very inspiring talk to our local chapter of Sisters in Crime, holding her audience spellbound. I think she should add inspiration speaker to her vast resume.<br />
<br />
<i>Low Country Bribe</i> is her first mystery novel and is the first in her Carolina Slade Mystery Series. Her writing is as impressive as her speech<i>. </i>I foresee this lovely lady to be a big success with her book. I just do not see how she could be anything but.<br />
<br />
Faye M. Tollsiln<br />
Author of: <i>To Tell the Truth</i><br />
Upcoming books: <i>The Bible Murders</i><br />
<i> Sarah's Secret </i><br />
Member of: Sisters in Crime<br />
Writers on the Move<br />
www.fayemtollison.com<br />
www.fayetollison.blogspot.com<br />
www.fmtoll.wordpress.comFaye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0105 E Poinsett St, Greer, SC 29651, USA34.9387279 -82.227056834.8345944 -82.3849853 35.042861400000007 -82.0691283tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-35475094585018980662012-03-13T18:06:00.000-07:002012-03-13T18:06:51.383-07:00Purposeful ParagraphingHave you ever read a book where the paragraphs seem to go on and on? Or a book with paragraphs so short you look around to see where they disappeared to? There is an art to paragraphing.<br />
<br />
If your paragraph/s are too long, you may be telling instead of showing. Ask yourself if there is a way to show rather than tell. By showing you can break that long paragraph up into several small paragraphs, whih will be much more interesting to the reader. Paragraphing frequently can also add tension to a scene.<br />
<br />
Long paragraphs can be boring to your reader, especially if there are many of them in a scene. You need to break them up to give your reader a rest and maintain his/her interest in your story. Watch for paragraphs that run longer than a half a page.<br />
<br />
A long array of short paragraphs can be just as tiresome as a lot of the long ones, so be careful to have a balance of both and put them in the proper place in the scene. For instance, short sentences to build the tension; but eventually you reach the peak of that tension. Then you need a longer paragraph to give you reaer a chance to relax from all that tension.<br />
<br />
Another purpose for a short paragraph is to focus attention or put emphasis on an important development by placing it in its own short paragraph. Also, if you have a scene that seems to drag, try paragraphing more often and have more dialogue between your characters.<br />
<br />
Throughout all this shortening and lenthening your paragraphics, you must be careful that everything you write be essential to the story and to the flow of it.<br />
<br />
In conclusion be aware of your paragraphs. There is a purpose for long and short paragraphs. Be mindful that balancing them can make or break your scene.<br />
<br />
Faye M. Tollison<br />
Author of <em>To Tell the Truth</em><br />
Upcoming books: <em>The Bible Murders </em>and <em>Sarah's Secret</em><br />
Member of: Sisters In Crime<br />
Writers on the Move<br />
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/">http://www.fayemtollison.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/">http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/">http://www.fayetollison.blogspot.com/</a><br />Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-35819079281507420642012-02-12T18:31:00.000-08:002012-02-12T18:31:42.096-08:00SPEAK WITH YOUR VOICEWhat distinguishes one's writing from someone else's writing? <i>Voice.</i> One of the most important things you can give your story is your voice, and everyone's voice is different.<br />
<br />
The author's voice, of course, generally belongs to a character, generally the main character. But you are not born with this voice. It has to be honed, developed, and used unconsciously. If you spend your efforts concentrating on your characters and on your story, your voice will come through more naturally. It takes time and lots of practice.<br />
<br />
Spend time analyzing your writing. Is it flat, strained, or awkward? Does it seem forced or vague? Check the sentences before and after. Read your work out loud. Does it ring true or false? Highlight areas that you feel need work and rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Listen to your characters, know them intimately. Why? Because not only does your writings carry your voice, but each character has his or her own voice.<br />
<br />
Self-editing demands that you keep rewriting until your voice as well as each character's voice sounds right. If you listen, you will hear your voice.<br />
<br />
Faye M. Tollison<br />
Author of: <i>To Tell the Truth</i><br />
Upcoming books: <i>The Bible Murders</i><br />
<i> Sarah's Secret</i><br />
www.fayemtollison.com<br />
www.fmtoll.wordpress.com<br />
www.facebook.com/fayetollison<br />
Member of: Sisters In Crime<br />
Member of: Writers On the Move<br />
<br />Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-62564269799633479872012-02-01T17:27:00.000-08:002012-02-01T17:27:50.411-08:00LINE UP THE TIMELINEWhen writing my book, <em>To Tell the Truth, </em>there was one of many elements I forgot to include. It was the hardest for me to correct, my efforts<em> </em>at best mediocre. So as a result, I've become rather conscientious about lining up the timeline.<br />
<br />
Differentiating between day and night was the last thing I thought of; and when I did, I realized I needed a timeline. It would help my book to make sense in the reader's mind, plus it helped me keep up with things and where I was in the story. But most of all it was for my reader's sake.<br />
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Why is a timeline important? As I mentioned before, it helps keep things straight and prevents confusing your reader. You should orient your reader to whether or not it is day or night or whether or not it is Monday or Saturday. You don't have to be too specific. Subtle hints can be given or it can be mentioned in a dialogue. But however you do it, your reader needs to know or they could get lost and stop reading your book.<br />
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Some writers choose to put it at the start of each chapter. Example: Monday, 8:05 a.m. This method can be used to build suspense. You can also use this method to set a location for that chapter. Example: Monday morning, Lambay Park.<br />
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A timeline can also help your reader to add visual clues about the changes in light throughout the course of the day. Your character could search for sunglasses to put on, letting the reader know it is daytime. Or you could mention the lengthening shadows of dusk. Your character could find it difficult to read street names or house numbers. Smells can also be used such as the aroma of bacon and eggs being cooked, indicating it is breakfast time. These points should be mentioned briefly. It is not necessary to get too detailed. This could bore your reader.<br />
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Little things do matter and can also be used to orient your reader to the timeline. Not allowing your character to meet human needs can make your character seem less real. So allow him/her to take a shower in the morning before starting work, or take a bathroom break, or stop for a cup of coffee and a quick breakfast. In my second book, <em>The Bible Murders, </em>John meets Detective Tony Reeves for a quick lunch and talk about the case at a favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant.<br />
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It is a good idea to keep a record of the story's timeline. Just make sure it is a means of recording that will work for you. I believe in keeping it as simple as possible. This leaves less room for messing it up.<br />
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Faye M. Tollison, Author<br />
Author of: <em>To Tell the Truth</em><br />
Upcoming books: <em>The Bible Murders</em><br />
<em> Sarah's Secret</em><br />
Member of: Sisters In Crime<br />
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/">http://www.fayemtollison.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/">http://www.fmtoll.wordpress.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/fayetollison">www.facebook.com/fayetollison</a><br />Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-65550048449163957012012-01-16T17:20:00.000-08:002012-01-16T17:20:04.896-08:00WATCH THAT POVIn this day of self-publishing and e-publishing, I have noticed a relaxing of the proper use of point of view. I've read a number of books where the author switches their POV character back and forth at random. This is easy to do. I have done it myself. So a review of the basics will be covered here.<br />
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As we all know, there are three basic POVs which a writer can use: First person, third person, and omniscient. The first person is the "I" voice. This is written as though the narrator were speaking to the readers. The first person narrator is one of the characters, not the author. This POV can give the reader a good deal of intimacy with the viewpoint character as it allows the reader to get into the head of the viewpoint character and literary allows the reader to see the world through that character's eyes. This first person POV character has to be a strong character in order to keep the readers interested because he will be limited to only what he knows, sees, or hears directly or immediately. This can prove to be very limiting as the book will be through one character's viewpoint.<br />
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All narrative summary is written in the omniscient POV. With the omniscient POV you do lose the intimacy and warmth that you have with first person POV. The omniscient POV is the author speaking.<br />
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The third person POV is, of course, the one most authors use and the one that most publishers seem to prefer. It has the most advantages because it allows the readers both intimacy and perspective. Also, with the third person you can move from character to character, giving the reader the ability to view the story from different angles. The biggest problem authors have with this POV is being consistent throughout each scene. It is very easy to change the POV character within the same scene without even realizing it.<br />
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Another problem with third person POV is that some authors cannot resist the temptation of having too many POV characters, and they ten to switch between these characters so frequently that the readers lose interest and are apt to not finish the book. It would be more effective to stick with a single POV and show the other characters' feelings through dialogue and actions or, at best, keep the number of POV characters to no more tan two or three. And if it is necessary to change your POV character, you need to end the current scene. You do that by inserting a line space (this can be done with asterisks or simply spacing down four lines) and starting a new scene from the POV character that you need. Also, be sure to establish who the POV character is in the first paragraph of the new scene.<br />
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Remember that a POV falls between two consecutive lines of dialogue. A POV does not particularly mean a break in time.Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-626332854212318252011-12-16T18:30:00.000-08:002011-12-16T18:30:14.895-08:00SARAH'S SECRETIt's decided. I have the beginnings of a plot for a romance novel. My first one. I'm excited! Sarah will be a different type of character than Anna Kayce in<i> To Tell the Truth</i>. I need to work up a profile and history on her, but I have an idea what she looks like. Her lover will be an Italian man who is in the Mafia. I still have to decide on a name for him, but I have an idea what he looks like. Al Pacino? Hmmm...a little like him. Their story? Still working that out. I do have an idea for the ending, which will help me know how to direct my story.<br />
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This story and the characters will take some research, and that can take some time. So in the meantime I have <i>The Bible Murders </i>to complete, which I'm hoping to be able to get my illustrator busy on a book cover for it. Stay tune as I will mention my progress with this romance in this blog.<br />
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Faye M. Tollison<br />
Author of: <i>To Tell the Truth</i><br />
Upcoming books: <i>The Bible Murders</i><br />
<i> Sarah's Secret</i><br />
www.fayemtollison.com<br />
www.fmtoll.wordpress.com<br />
www.fayetollison.blogspot.com<br />
www.facebook.com/faye.tollison<br />
www.booksinsync.com<br />
<br />Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005295521453303794.post-76303515969826384772011-11-28T09:05:00.000-08:002011-11-28T09:05:29.719-08:00Bring Your Character to LifeOne of the many problems I faced with my first book, <em>To Tell the Truth</em>, was my characters. They had no dimension. Anna Kayce, my protaganist came across as flat. I'm talking flat as a pancake, a very thin pancake! So I hit the books! I read every book on writing I have, and I have about 75 books on writing. That's a lot! I followed every suggestion I could find. I took my character to my critique group and did everything they suggested. Feeling somewhat discouraged, I put my manuscript away for awhile. Then one day, my favorite writing magazine came in the mail and in it was an article that changed everything for me. <br />
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It had an article in it on creating characters, and there were several suggestions, most of which I had already done or just didn't feel was for me. But there was one, and all it takes it one, that kept talking to me even after I had closed and put away the magazine. It said to write an interview of your character. So I sat down and did just that.<br />
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What did I learn from this interview? Well, I realized what I was missing was a very important connection with my character. I wasn't getting into her mind. I wasn't feeling her emotions, and yes, there is a difference between just writing how she feels and feeling her emotions. So I put myself in her place. What a difference it made. She began to come alive. She became real. She became me.<br />
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Faye M. Tollison<br />
Author of: <em>To Tell the Truth</em><br />
Upcoming book: <em>The Bible Murders</em><br />
<a href="http://www.fayemtollison.com/">http://www.fayemtollison.com/</a>Faye Tollisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113348457975392252noreply@blogger.com0