Posts Tagged ‘protagonist as a stranger’
November 7th, 2011 | Author: admin
04 November 2011
Manuscript Consultant/Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here, visiting dear pal Karyn in Australia . . .
I wish to remind all writers to please reward your work with authentic details. Your story deserves thorough research (yes, even for memoirs).
Example: The first time I stepped off the sidewalk to cross a street in Sydney, I was “reminded” by a moving-vehicle where I was (my setting). You see . . . folks here in Australia drive on the left side of the road (What does that mean for pedestrians? What does that mean for other drivers?).
What else about “left” ? Walk on the left side when possible; on escalators, stand to the left and pass to the right.
Utensils: fork in the left hand and knife in the right while eating.
What’s the big deal? It’s a big deal if you have your protagonist as a stranger in Australia or if you set your story in the U.S.A. but your character is Australian (then the U.S.A. would be foreign territory for her/him).
I encourage everyone to conduct research and get proofreaders for your manuscript (yes, even for memoirs). Authentic details hook readers.
* * * * * * *
06 November, 2011 I’m back in California. As I think about the messages in this post, I remember when Luisa, Martha and I conducted:
“Write Your Compelling Story—the Power of Authentic Details”
with Luisa Adams, Martha Alderson, Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Luisa’s memoir Woven of Water is a beautiful example of employing authentic details and plotting nonfiction.
By the way, please check out Martha’s new book The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”
Writing Career Coach/Manuscript Consultant
Author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (print edition & eBook edition)
Author of the novel Love Made of Heart (inspires adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families)
Posted in Art / Craft / Teaching, writing-career coach / manuscript consultant / writing coach / editor/ book doctor / author / writer's life / publisher | 
Tags: Attract Agents, Australia, Authentic details hook readers, Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, ebook, editors, Karyn, Love Made of Heart, Luisa Adams, manuscript consultant, Martha Alderson, Media Attention, memoir, NONFICTION, novel, NOW, Power of Authentic Details, protagonist as a stranger, publishers, Reach out not stress out, readers, reward your work with authentic details, speak openly about the stigmas, Sydney, Teresa LeYung Ryan, The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master, Woven of Water, Write Your Compelling Story, writing career coach, Your story deserves thorough research | 
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