About plot and character

Don't you just love when you come across information that unlocks the door to clarity in your writing? That's how I feel about these articles by K.M. Weiland on plot and character so I'm sharing them:  "How to Choose Your Story’s Plot Points" can be applied to practically any story, but mainly to a lengthy and complex one. And, if you continue reading, click on: "4 Ways to Choose a Better Theme for Your Book."

For me, both articles made clear how the heart of a story is not in the plot but in the main protagonist. Here is how I answered her questions regarding theme as they apply to my book The Sylph's Tale:

1. What is it your protagonist brings to this particular conflict that no other character does?
    The Archangel of Light saves a pubescent girl from her ancient tribe's rite of passage. He is dammed for eternity to be Ayekah, a being without a soul.

2. Why is this his conflict and plot—and not anyone else’s in the story?
    Even thought Haya is equally essential it is Ayekah who tells the story of his falling and their love, and it is he who loses all he was for her.

3. What is your protagonist’s greatest virtue?
     Not sure if it's that Ayekah continues to be righteous and ask for forgiveness until The Almighty tries to destroy his descendants; or that he stays with Haya even after she abandons him for her clan.

4. Greatest flaw?
     As the Archangel of Light, he violated his purpose as a watcher and not interfere with humans. This caused him to become both anguished over his choice and enraged with the Almighty for damning him.

5. How do this virtue and this flaw directly influence the plot—and what do they say about both the plot and the character himself?
It is because Ayekah has the power to be more than any human and can change Haya's life and the live's of all women in her clan.

I plan to continue refining the above points as they apply to my story and characters and hope you find them helpful.

Ep. 6: Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth -- 'Masks of Eternity' | BillMoyers.com

Ep. 6: Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth -- 'Masks of Eternity' | BillMoyers.com: Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell discuss the common experience of God across cultures.

Hi, you have my ear-salamander-ring keeping in touch

Your information, experience, strength, advice, books, promotions, art, and comments are all welcomed on my webpage. I am a new author, last year I published the first book of my series, The Sylph's Tale, as a novella base on mythology I wanted to do a screenplay rendition and did and it won an award. The book itself has great reviews despite that it was published missing four chapters! Imagine my despair! However, as the saying, when you get lemons make lemonade, I will soon republish with the four missing chapters PLUS two additional chapters not edited before the initial publication. Bad, because buyers have a book missing four chapters, however, Amazon and D2D tell me they will notify those buyers and offer a free revised copy. I encourage you to share your writing and reading adventures and to subscribe so I can also send you a free copy of the revised book.

The site with screenplay rendition of The Sylph's Tale, alternate tile, Ayekah The Dammed Articles I wrote as a freelancer for CBS Arts&Ent

Characters are more important than plot!

When asked about the single biggest factor that defines a great screenplay, he emphatically responded “characters.” This is what drives his passion; exciting characters. The plot is secondary.
Here is the entire article: https://creativescreenwriting.com/savvy-follow-heart-filmmaker-phil-volkens-ode-screenwriters/

The Sylph's Tale is loosely based on Mythology

Hi, and thanks to those who have asked if The Sylph's Tale, the first book of Immortals-the series, is based on Mythology; the answer is yes, my favorite subjects in college were Anthropology and History.

Here is a document with pictures and links that demonstrate how The Sylph's Tale is loosely based on Mythology. The reason I say loosely is that Ayekah is not a demon and Haya is not evil but they have been taken over by dark powers.

Also, since I will republish The Sylph's Tale — published by Amazon and D2D with four missing chapters, they received an incorrect file - I will include, in the new publication, this information plus the first two chapters of VIRGINS. 

Thank you for your patience and sorry for the mistake, please remember that if you bought it already let me know I will send you a revised version for free.

THE ANGEL AND VIRGIN JOURNEYand caves are loosely based on Mesoamerican caves and nine levels of the underworld as found in Mayan and Aztec history. Sources of information include Rites in the Underworld: Rites and caves as Sacred Space in Mesoamerica.

amazon.comLilith The Mother of all Dark Creatures: E. R. Vernor: 9781511701877: Amazon.com: Books

HAYA, THE INNOCENT GIRL, is loosely based on Lilith. In one account she is Samael's counterpart and a mother of demons and can be seen seducing the fallen angels as Naamah; after the fall, they had daughters: Nashiym, the Lilim, the Lilith who seduced the watchers. “Wholly new in the Kabbalistic concept of Lilith is her appearance as the permanent partner of Samael, queen of the realm of the forces of evil (the Sitra Ahra).” 

AYEKAH, IS LOOSELY BASED ON SAMAEL, the fallen angel myth, often referenced as the "watchers, holy ones". Also as Enoch, watchers that "fell" after they became "enamored" with human women.” and in “the Greek transcription as Grigori.^[17] including 1 Enoch (10.4),^[18] link the angel's transgression with the great deluge.^[19]””

Would love your comments!

I will be incorporating The Sylph's Tale into VIRGINS, first two books of Immortals- the series.

Last November I published The Sylph's Tale - book one- as a novella because I intended to do a screenplay rendition. The novella has 4-5 star ratings on Amazon and excellent reviews from my readers. The screenplay won a third-place quarter ISA award.

I am incorporating both books for three reasons: A) the main complaint from readers is that The Sylph's Tale is too short, readers want more; B) both are based on the myth of the female goddesses and the fallen angel; C) it will be easier to get an agent/publisher is the book is over 50 thousand words.

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A writing schedule

After retiring, sometimes having worked a job and a half, while raising a family, I wanted to get lost in writing. Could see myself creating or finishing articles and stories I had started here and there, but it was hard to adjust to set a writing and publishing schedule. 

Boundaries diminished or changed as needs from family and home increased. It became "as soon as" I get this done, or this passes. Then came vacations and travel we had dreamed of doing. Finally, I rebelled against routines but noticed, from others in writer's groups, classes, and success gurus - in particular males - that they kept a "dead-set-schedules" for writing. While women - not from lack of discipline but because we rarely have "wives" to take care of demands and issues - and give in to tribe and community more often. We also are multi-taskers. 

One writer always says, "from 6 to 9 pm, after dinner, even if we have company, I write, every-single-day. No matter what, I lock my home-office door, and my everyone knows they cannot disturb me," his wife sitting next to him nodded. Wow

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/martacweeks/

Immortals - The Series: A magnificent site.

Immortals - The Series: A magnificent site.: All I want to say for now is that LISA CRON, The Story Coach is magnificent and I recommend it to all writers! Now, excuse me, I have to g...