Call to Order at 6:31 p.m.
Introductions of those in attendance were made.
President Lisa Holcomb asked for committee reports:
Conference: April Coker gave information about the upcoming conference on July 9 at TJC West, noting that more details will be forthcoming on the website regarding registration. She also said if anyone has a great desire to help, she would be glad to have them let her know.
Lisa mentioned that there are now 80 items on the Red Bubble site displaying the Guild logo for sale. This is not a fundraiser, although the Guild does get a small percentage of the profits.
Newsletter: Lydia Holley thanked those who contributed to the May issue of the TNC and invited others to contribute.
Lisa introduced the speaker for the evening—Patty Wiseman.
Patty’s topic was Character Development. Among her ideas she suggested logging on to Masterclass Judy Blume Character Development as an excellent source for ideas. She also told us to ask ourselves “What do your characters say about you?”
Considerations we should make when developing a character include:
a. Visualize your favorite character
b. What stood out to you about that character?
c. Establish motive and end goal of your protagonist to resolve the character arc. Patty referred to Scene and Structure by Jack M. Bickham, p 123 as an excellent source to build the character.
d. Choose first or third person to develop your story. Your primary and secondary characters should have a basic description, facial expressions, conflict—very important to show that change occurs as the storyline progresses.
e. Secondary characters are very important to the story and be sure to give them a uniqueness all their own. Use scent and aura. Secondary characters can lead the author to writing a series, even if only a few books containing those characters.
Patty also asked the audience to help analyze characters from the TV show, Bonanza, pointing out unique features they all possessed that identified them as the type of persons they were in the show. Characters we create should also have identifying characteristics.
Finally, she emphasized that each character should be given a birthday, whether it is noted in the story or not. Then use characteristics like those found in The Zodiac Book to help build the character that will best fit your storyline. Patty also suggested three reference books she uses as excellent sources we might find equally useful:
The Zodiac Book; Scene and Structure by Jack M. Bickham, and What Would Your Character Do? By Eric Maisal.
The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia La Vigne, Secretary
