Guest Blog: Carolyne Regan on How Not To Get Sued As A Writer
Posted by Emily Royalty
How Not To Get Sued As A Writer
By Carolyne Regan
In a world increasingly driven by Internet content, plagiarism and copyright infringement are being taken very seriously. There is so much information available at your fingertips that it can be very tempting to take a few shortcuts here and there.
Don’t do it! Here’s why:
My partner and I recently met with a client for whom we are creating a website. Despite the fact that the fee for our services includes design, programming, content and graphics, he mentioned that was opting to take care of the content writing himself. He explained that his industry contained some technical aspects that he wanted to make sure were written accurately.
Now, let me tell you … As a professional content writer, I not only research the subject matter of a website, but the client is always responsible for reviewing the entire website before it goes live. However, once in a while, we get a client who insists on doing their own writing. We’re fine with that.
Or in this case we were fine with that until he informed us that it would be easier for him to do it because he knew where to grab the text from other sites to put on his.
Whoa, there boy! Back the truck up!
You CANNOT copy text from other websites! Not even just a paragraph here or there. Whether it is web content, blog writing or even a catchy headline, you cannot use it unless you are referencing the original writer – and sometimes not even then.
We have had new clients come to us and ask us to write content for them because:
- Their site had been shut down
- They received a removal notice
- They received a bill for use of copyrighted content
- They received a notice of impending lawsuit
When they ask us how this could have happed to them we say very bluntly,
“Copyscape. That’s how.”
And then we proceed to write original content for them.
As soon as a website goes live, the content becomes the property of the person or company who uploaded it – unless, of course, it belonged to someone else first.
Websites, however, are not the only potential danger for lawsuits against writers. Novelists, bloggers, social media professionals, journalists and many more must all be very careful of what they write, how it is posted (or printed) and also, how it is referenced. Here are some tips to help you stay clear of the courtroom.
1) If someone asks you to read /critique something, be wary of the person asking. Unless you provide editing services or are teaching a writing class, this could get you into trouble. You do not want to be accused of stealing someone else’s work.
2) When interviewing someone, record the conversation. Not only is it a great tool for note-taking and accuracy, it can save your butt later when your subject claims “I didn’t say that.”
3) If, during an interview someone says “Don’t print that,” follow their instructions and don’t print that. If you do, you’re just asking for trouble.
4) If you write web content, do not copy text from your client’s old site onto their new one. No matter how much the client insists, you don’t know where that old content came from (unless you wrote it).
5) Learn proper citation. If you refer to something someone else did, you have to reference it accurately.
6) Before posting anything, Google the first line of your text. You know that saying “… a million monkeys …” Well, just make sure there isn’t something already written that may be viewed as plagiarism by someone else.
7) If you send documents by e-mail, don’t ever delete the “sent” version. Create a special folder and tuck those e-mails away for safe-keeping. If you are ever challenged, the time and date-stamps on the e-mail as well as the protocols for the recipients are embedded into the e-mail. You just never know when that might be useful.
By the way, folks, copyrighted content isn’t just about writing. There are also programs that search the Internet for infringement on graphics, photos, music and videos.
The point is, be unique, be creative, but most importantly of all, be original!
Carolyne Regan is a web content specialist and website designer. She also works as a freelance writer for the Windsor Star. Her work has appeared in national publications. She is currently working on several books, both fiction and non-fiction.
Find Carolyne on:
Leave a CommentHelium Writing Highlights 5/16/2013
Posted by Emily Royalty
Check out this week’s batch of excellent excerpts from some of our very own Heliumites! If you know someone you think should be featured in our weekly Helium Writing Highlights, emails emily.d.royalty@rrd.com.
Title: The lazy girl’s guide to getting fit
Author: Kay Bee
Channel: Exercise & Weight Loss
“Most people who are unsuccessful with sticking to an exercise plan or activity set goals too high at the beginning and lose motivation quickly when it becomes too much. Increasing activity a little each day will soon have the lazy girls looking and feeling fabulous.
Some tips for increasing activity and staying motivated:
Don’t think exercise
Lazy girls think of exercise as going to the gym or running a marathon. There are many easy ways to incorporate exercise into each day just by thinking a little differently about what exercise actually is. Putting a bit more energy into doing cleaning around the house is a great way to burn some calories and work up a sweat.”
Title: Poetry: Tanka about the night sky
Author: Zacharie King
Channel: Poetry
“Darkness high above
Dotted with flickering light
Ruled by the moonlight
Stare up at it in wonder
Realizing how small we are”
Title: Beginner’s guide to chess pieces
Author: Matt Bird
Channel: Board Games
“Pawns: These are the front line troops. You get eight pawns for a good reason: They’re the worst piece. They can move forward two spaces from the outset and then only one forward from then on, never backwards. More, they can only move onto another set of tiles if there’s a piece one square diagonally ahead of them, and they need to take that piece. That said, pawns are far from useless, as they form a valuable protective wall for the better pieces and can stymie enemy offenses with skillful deployment. Pawns also bestow an already taken piece back on their player if they manage to reach the opposite end of the board, which is great if you’re having trouble putting the enemy king in check.”
Title: How to delete a friend on Facebook
Author: Chris Fox
Channel: Internet Tips
“Now there could be many different reasons for wanting to delete a person off your Facebook. Perhaps the person in particular is a random person that you do not know, and you have decided you no longer want them on your friends list. Maybe you got into a heated argument with one of the people on your friends list, and they are now harassing you, meaning the easiest solution is to delete them. Maybe you have decided to cut down on the number of friends you have on Facebook, and so are deleting all the people that you do not really keep in touch with anymore. Or maybe their constant, pointless status updates annoy you. Of course if it is the latter, you could just select the ‘Hide’ option, so that you no longer need to see them.
But how do you go about deleting a friend from Facebook exactly? Well there are two very simple ways you can go about it. And before you worry about accidentally deleting the wrong person, leading to an embarrassing conversation with that person when you try to re-add them, Facebook opens up a screen asking you if you are sure you want to delete this specific person.”
Title: Essential ‘Fantasy’ reading list
Author: Heather Bellingham
Channel: Fantasy & Science Fiction
“There are numerous books that could be classified as fantasy, and what is considered “essential” is, of course, debatable and really a matter of personal opinion. In fact, what one can consider “fantasy” is entirely debatable as well. In general, the common themes are some form of magic and monstrous creatures. If one wishes to delve into reading fantasy, a good series is the way to go. That way, you get more of the same characters and story and maximize the experience you have in these ‘worlds.’
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
This is the grandfather of all fantasy series, and the one that all of the others are judged against, so really, it is a fantastic place to start. The three books in the series are ‘The Fellowship of the Ring,’ ‘The Two Towers’ and ‘The Return of the King,’ however it is a wise idea to start by reading ‘The Hobbit,’ as it will provide the background information essential to the story.”
Leave a CommentMeet Tammy Cramblett, CM of Coffee
Posted by Libby O'Brien
Tammy, who lives in Missouri, manages Helium’s Coffee channel.
Since becoming a member of the Helium community in May 2011,
Tammy has written more than 1,000 articles.
How did you first learn about Helium.com and what’s your favorite aspect of the site? I was searching for freelance writing websites and Helium stood out from the crowd.
You were a member for quite a while before becoming the manager of the Coffee channel in 2013. What made you want to become a CM? I really enjoy the writing process (most of the time) and I like to help fellow writers. It gives me a good feeling to be able to encourage writers in my channel.
What drew you to the Coffee channel in particular? Actually, I really enjoy my coffee and managing the Coffee channel just seemed like a good fit.
What do you enjoy most about being a channel manager? I guess the best part for me is getting to see how some of the writers in my channel have changed and improved over time. I also enjoy reading the articles on my favorite subject.
Of all the articles you’ve written on the site, which is your favorite and what makes it your favorite? Strangely enough, my favorite article was about The Ghosts and Spirits of Route 66. I really enjoy a good ghost story and have always been interested in the “Mother Road.” I really enjoyed researching the article and learned a lot.
You have a Creative Writing Silver Star. Which branch of creative writing do you find yourself writing to the most? I like the Reflections channel. I have had some interesting experiences in my life and it is nice to share some of them once in a while.
Your bio mentions that you are an animal lover. Do you have any pets? I do love animals but right now I do not have any pets. My brother and his family are our neighbors and they have cats and dogs that they are more than willing to share for the moment.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not busy at Helium? I love to curl up with a good book. Right now I am in the middle of learning about the Civil War. I love to learn new things and feel like life is a true inspiration; which is the reason I am also learning a new style of cooking (which I also love to do).
What’s the best book you’ve ever read? The “Little House on the Prairie” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder is my absolute favorite set of books. I just love reading about how life was in those days.
Who is your favorite author? It would be impossible to name only one author! I enjoy Dean Koontz, Stephen King and Heather Graham to name just a few.
What piece of advice would you give to an aspiring writer? Do not give up! Yes, writing can be frustrating, and yes, it can be discouraging at times, but if writing is your passion then keep at it. The only one standing in your way is you!
Excellent advice Tammy! Thanks for sharing.
Leave a CommentMember of the Week: Das Govind
Posted by Emily Royalty
Congratulations to the new Member of the Week!
Das Govind
Helium Member Since: 2009
Articles on Helium: 800
Who inspires you?
The great Himalayan yogi Babaji
What have you gained from being a member of an online writers’ community?
Exposure to publishers and trying my hand at writing
What do you write about mostly? Why do you write about this subject? Do you consider yourself an expert in your field?
Jobs and careers, business, human resource articles, medical articles. I have completed a degree in Industrial Psychology and am also in the medical field. I work as a radiographer.
How do you promote your work?
Through Twitter and Facebook
What motivated you to become a writer?
I loved writing from an early age.
What advice would you offer new Helium members?
Keep on writing! It’s hard work but sooner or later you will be rewarded.
What is the best life advice you’ve received?
Always be humble. Life can twist and change in a second.
What are your future goals with regard to writing?
I want to write business and medical articles and may also try my hand at writing novels in future.
List five of your favorite articles that you’ve written.
Clinical indications for a chest x-ray
Reasons why employees may be demotivated
Mega Link Tuesday: The Value of Plain Language, Faulkner on Fiction, and How to Know What’s News
Posted by Emily Royalty
Oh how the time does fly! It’s Mega Link Tuesday once again. In this week’s batch of writing resources from around the web, we explore how plain language is a writer’s best friend, some fiction writing tips from Faulkner and what, exactly, constitutes as news (among other things). Take a gander through this week’s links and write away!
Many a famous writer has said before that the key to solid writing is not to use complicated words when simple ones will suffice. But as writers, it can be difficult to wrap our minds around the concept of “short and sweet.” Often, the desire to use the fanciest, most flamboyant, wordiest of words in our repertoire overpowers us, to the detriment of our writing. Take a look at this guide to plain language. Your writing will thank you.
Author William Faulkner is oft hailed as one of the all-time great writers of literary fiction (and for good reason, what will those Nobel and Pulitzer Prize wins and all). And although it was Faulkner who more or less said that theory was for fools when it came to writing, he still had a few tips and tricks up his sleeve that he was happy to share over the course of his career. Check out this collection of tips from Faulkner on writing fiction.
There are some practices that, as writers, we should just never engage in for the sake of our own sanity. And some of those practices may not be as obvious as you might think. For example, one might ask, why shouldn’t you try to write like your idol? Zachary Petit, senior managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, explains why, along with other golden nuggets on what not to do. Check them out here!
No need to be so critical… Or is there?
Okay, no one really likes to be criticized about anything. But for writers, the statement becomes especially true when you’re talking about the work that he or she has spent weeks, months, years pouring his blood, sweat and tears into. So it begs the question: Are critique groups really worth the inner pain and turmoil? After some speculation, author P.J. Parrish explains the benefits of criticism, and offers some much needed tips on how best to handle it.
What makes something news? The question may seem obvious, but it’s more complex than it might seem on the surface. Of course there are some obvious answers that qualify, having international and widespread interest. But is something newsworthy to a small town on the US west coast going to be notable in the UK? Or even a few towns over? Perhaps not, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not news. It all depends not only on the news outlet, but on several other factors. Check them out here!
Leave a CommentGuest Blog: Janice Brand on What Makes a Content Source Writer
Posted by Emily Royalty
What makes a great writer for Helium Content Source
By Janice Brand, Vice President of Helium Content Source
It’s been about three years since we seriously started offering professional editorial and writing services through Helium Content Source (HCS). Some of you have written for HCS, some of you have applied and some may not have heard of us yet. In essence, the team on HCS gets to play matchmaker between companies such as Sears and The Washington Post looking for writers and editors.
There are a couple of attributes that make a writer (or editor) stand out for us. First and foremost for writers is the ability to express thoughts clearly. For editors, you need to have obsessiveness and big-picture thinking all in one brain.
But there are other traits that affect a writer or editor’s success. They are (not necessarily in this order because they’re all important):
Reliable: Can we count on you? If you say you’re going to do an assignment, can we depend on you to carry through? The dog can eat one assignment — but not two. And if the dog got the first assignment, did you let us know? We had one editor’s husband write us to say she was in the hospital — that’s being reliable!
Follows Instructions: The assignment guidelines we give out are dictated by our clients. The client is not looking for your riff on a subject. Some assignments are pretty complicated and we can tell very quickly whether you’ve read, understood and are adhering to instructions. You may think the formatting guidelines are silly or the key words weak.Trust me, we have vetted assignment guidelines with the client before they get to you — our job is to give the client what the client wants.
On Time: A deadline is a deadline. You miss it, we might give one more chance. Never two. (See “Reliable” above.)
Technical Competence: We work in an online world and that means we’re all at the mercy of software programs. We think we have a pretty sophisticated system for moving content along for our clients, but it requires a bit of attention. We can absolutely help you in the beginning, but we expect you to get yourself up to speed fast. But this also relates to subject matter competence. If you claim to be able to write about Cloud Computing or Mesothelioma, you’d better know what you’re talking about.
Easy To Work With: Perhaps the most nebulous and the one that has sunk many a would-be freelancer. Are you grousing about the requirements right away? We’ll proceed with caution. Are you peppering the project manager with lots of questions? Save them all for one email and wait for the answer. Is your behavior causing your editor or (for you editors) your writers to reach out to us with complaints? If you hear the same complaints from others, just stop it.
Most of our assignments are part of big engagements with lots of moving parts. How well you can fit into that continuum will determine your success.
________________________________________________________________
Janice Brand has more than 25 years experience as a print and online editor.
She is Vice President, Helium Content Source, a full-service content provider to large companies and publishers. In this role, Janice works closely with partners such as The Washington Post, CBS and Haymarket Publishing to assure the right writer for their jobs, with an emphasis on cost efficiencies and quality.
Over her career, she’s met a prince (Hans Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein) and a president (President Obama in January at the first-ever women’s online summit at the White House).
Leave a CommentHelium Writing Highlights 5/9/2013
Posted by Emily Royalty
It’s time for this week’s Helium Writing Highlights! Each week, we feature slips from our very own Heliumites that exhibit excellent quality. If you know someone you feel should be featured, email emily.d.royalty@rrd.com.
Title: Historical background to the Magna Carta
Author: John Welford
Channel: Middle Ages
“One of Henry’s first problems was to exercise control over the barons, who had become virtual kings in their own fiefdoms. Over a thousand castles had been erected illegally, and Henry ordered the destruction of many of them, which did not endear him to their owners.
Henry spent much of his reign outside England, leaving the bulk of the day-to-day governing to his able chancellor, Thomas Becket. Indeed, it was when he was at his court in Normandy that he made the intemperate remark that led to the death of Becket, then Archbishop of Canterbury. After that, Henry was never as powerful again, being weakened in the sight of the Church, the people, and the barons.”
Title: Why editing is essential for web copy
Author: Doreen Martel
Channel: Website Optimization & Strategy
“If your web copy is loaded with mistakes (whether they are typographical or grammatical) then the message that people get when visiting is that you’re lazy, uncaring, or that you haven’t taken the time to follow up on a job you hired someone to perform. This is not the message you want to send to clients or to potential employees. Your web copy should reflect your professionalism and having properly edited web copy is the first step.
[...]
There is nothing that can replace proper editing of your web copy. For those who hire people to create copy you should still be reviewing their work carefully for errors. Even a single misused word can have a negative impact on your website. In order to attract people proper editing of web copy should be done with an eye to the consumer of the information on your website.”
Title: Office software for home businesses
Author: Jerry Curtis
Channel: Business & Office Software
“There is nothing like the thrill of unpacking a brand new, modern desktop computer. You might have needed some help in setting up your internet server account and learning to e-mail, and you may have navigated around and learned how to use the photo or the bank account program that may have been included with the new computer. Beyond that, however, as a productivity tool, your new computer may be no more useful to you than a telephone with a viewing screen.
The productivity of your PC comes from the work it can automate for you. That increased productivity comes from additional software, usually not included out of the box. In the experience of most, that productivity rarely proceeds past a word processor, which might be restricted by the user’s failure to master the attached printer. Mention tools like spreadsheets or data base programming and use, the average user’s eyes glaze over and they go back to reading and playing computer solitaire.”
Title: Best vitamins for acne
Author: Ruth Woodhouse
Channel: Acne & Blemish
“Acne is a blight of many people’s teenage years and breakouts can continue well into the early years of adulthood. Pharmaceutical companies have made a fortune out of developing numerous products for those who suffer this dreaded condition that destroys many a teen’s confidence. However, the fact is that the pimples prove very hard to conquer and the success of such products is mixed – with more that don’t have much, if any effect than those that give any desired results at all. A significant reason for this is that facial scrubs, etc are designed to treat the outer effects of a deep-rooted inner problem that has lifestyle causes which need addressing. As long as the body’s nutritional needs continue to be neglected, the skin will continue to ooze oils and free-radicals from bodily waste production that cause it to break out in acne.”
Title: An introduction to the piano concertos of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Author: Judy Evans
Channel: Music Reviews (Other)
“Tchaikovsky wrote three piano concertos. All make reference to folk tunes which helps give them a distinctly Russian flavor. Concertos are pieces for a solo instrument supported by orchestra. There are also double and triple concertos, where two and three instruments respectively share the solo work.
A concerto generally has three separate movements which are varied in character and speed. The first movement is rather fast, the second movement slow, the third is often a minuet and trio and the last movement is very fast. These are generalizations and there are plenty of examples of concertos which don’t fit these rules.”
Leave a CommentMember of the Week: Moe Zilla
Posted by Emily Royalty
Congratulations to the new Member of the Week!
Moe Zilla
Helium Member Since: April 2007
Articles on Helium: 970
Favorite quote: There’s a great story about a computer developer who once sent his idea to Steve Jobs, and received back a reply that was exactly one word. “Go!”
Who inspires you?
Colleen Hoover. She’s a 33-year-old who self-published her first eBook from a mobile home in rural East Texas, and found out she had thousands and thousands of new readers. Ultimately Colleen was discovered by print publishers, received a professional book contract, and even made a killing by selling that novel’s movie rights! It’s so inspiring to hear success stories like that. There are new technologies in the world that really might end up changing the way that we write.
So for the last three years, I’ve been writing a blog that’s all about the Kindle. It’s never made me rich, but it was still really exciting when Reader’s Digest include one of the blog’s posts on their list of the “20 Best Reads of 2011.” (It appeared right below an article by Woody Allen, and above one by Roseanne Barr.) And that blog has become one of Amazon’s top 100 best-selling blogs for the Kindle for more than two years! It was all so exciting that I also tried self-publishing two of my own eBooks for children.
Sometimes inspiration leads you in unexpected directions…
What have you gained from being a member of an online writers’ community?
Well, I’ve earned a little money here every month — but I’ve also had a lot of fun! Over the last six years, I’ve written close to 1,000 articles. There’s something thrilling about the freedom to write about whatever you want. Your urge to write can run wild!
What do you write about mostly? Why do you write about this subject? Do you consider yourself an expert in your field?
Someone once told me to write about things you enjoy, because then it’ll be fun to read! So I’ve tried writing about my favorite movies, old TV shows from when I was a kid, and even my favorite songs.
Although sometimes you also find a weird title on Helium that you just can’t resist writing about, like “What is the Longest Word Typed with the Left Hand” or “The longest English word spelled in alphabetical order.” Even with all that, I wouldn’t say that I’ve ever become an expert on words. (Although I did finally release a fun word game for the Kindle last year that’s called ”Throw in the Vowel.”)
How do you promote your work?
A long time ago, I discovered that a lot of web sites have a link where you can contact their writers. So sometimes I’ll look for a web site that might be interested in an article I’ve written, and I’ll send them the URL!
What motivated you to become a writer?
That’s really hard to say. I mean, I’ve wanted it for so long that it’s hard to even remember how it started! I’ve loved books since I was very young, so maybe it just happened naturally — that once you start reading, eventually you start wanting to write!
What advice would you offer new Helium members?
Have fun! It’s easy to spend too much time writing one article — but if you move on, you might have enough time to write two! And sometimes it’s fun to try a new topic just for the experience of writing about something new.
Have fun!
What is the best life advice you’ve received?
Self esteem is important. It really is… So be good to yourself, and don’t let anyone tear you down.
What are your future goals with regard to writing?
Four years ago I wrote an article on Helium for the title “Best Children’s Picture Books of All Time” — and it was so much fun that I started writing more reviews about children’s picture books. Eventually I reviewed more than 400 of them! It was a wonderful experience, and it’s inspired me to start a new blog that’s all about children’s picture books. (Which I’m calling — what else — Review-land!)
List five of your favorite articles that you’ve written.
Song reviews: Lost in the Stars, by Leonard Nimoy
Song reviews: Hymne a L’Amour, by Edith Piaf
Children’s picture book review: Willie and the All-Stars, by Floyd Cooper
English words that don’t rhyme with anything
How to convert an annual salary to an hourly wage
Moe Zilla’s links:
Reader Digest’s “The 20 Best Reads of 2011″
EBook: The Turkey Mystery Rhyme
Kindle Word Game: Throw in the Vowell
Leave a CommentMega Link Tuesday: The benefits of community feedback, simple steps to creating plot, and sending poetry into orbit
Posted by Emily Royalty
It’s that time of week again, writers. You guessed it: Mega Link Tuesday. In this week’s batch, we explore the purposes of sharing your story with a community of other writers and how to construct simple plot outlines. We also put your grammar and vocabulary skills to the test, if you’re up to the challenge!
It takes a village to raise a story
While it’s absolutely true that the composition part of the story-writing needs to be a solitary endeavor, what about the editing? As a writer, you may be your own worst critic, but you may also be your own worst editor. It can be difficult to read your own words and understand how they will be interpreted or understood by other readers. Sharon Lippincott reflects on the benefits of a writing community to provide feedback during the writing process.
Creating a plot never seemed so easy!
Have you ever sat down to write a story, only to find that by chapter three, you’ve written yourself into a corner with no plan for escape? While it may be possible to sit down and let a story write itself organically, more often than not, this plan is likely to leave you drifting in a lifeboat with no sign of land. Enter the plot outline, the surefire way of connecting point A to B without getting lost on the way. Check out these eight steps to connect your plot points and bring resolution to your novel.
Sound familiar? This is a partial quote from Gustave Flaubert, who used the words to describe the life of a writer. You may also recognize it as your own perspective as a writer. Check out more from Flaubert and 14 other famous writers on what it is exactly that compels them to write. Which one resounds the most with you?
In the news
Shoot for the stars…or Mars, anyway
In November 2013, the MAVEN spacecraft will be heading off to Mars, and with it, some haikus. NASA recently opened a poetry competition. “Anyone on planet Earth” over the age of 18 may submit a poem to be launched into space. Even if your poem isn’t one of the three voted for the trip, there’s still a consolation prize. Learn more about the competition here!
Just for fun
How well do you know your grammar?
As writers, it’s safe to say that we pride ourselves on our grammar skills. But don’t go patting yourself on the back just yet! Put your skills to the test and see how well you fare. But be warned, it’s harder than it looks. And once you’re done with that, why not test out your vocabulary skills?
Leave a CommentGuest Blog: Becca Puglisi on How To Create Character Empathy
Posted by Emily Royalty
How to create character empathy early on
By Becca Puglisi
Last year, for purposes that are unclear even to me, I kept track of all the books I read. This information wasn’t particularly interesting—except for one little tidbit. Apparently, I started 15 books that I never finished.
This shouldn’t surprise me. I’m kind of a book snob; because of the sheer number of books on the market, I’d rather not waste time on characters I couldn’t care less about. In talking to others, I’m finding that failure to connect with characters is a common reason why people stop reading a book. As a writer, this is good to know. I definitely want my audience to be invested in the hero. To make that happen, empathy is key.
Empathy draws readers in and keeps them engaged. In today’s market, with its growing availability of affordable books, it’s imperative that we hook readers from the very start. To achieve this end, here are some elements that can help create reader empathy early on.
Wounds
Wounds are sad. Painful. They make us vulnerable, and vulnerability in a hero is attractive because it makes the reader root for him. As in real life, a character’s past helps define his present, molding him into the person he is at his core. Show your hero’s wounds and it will tug the reader’s heart strings, bringing the reader firmly to the hero’s side.
Likability
As emotionally engaging as wounds may be, it’s hard to fall in love with someone you just can’t stand. Give your hero some endearing traits: Compassion, humor, loyalty, courage. Show these traits early on—in the opening pages, if possible–and the reader will be that much closer to jumping on the hero’s bandwagon.
Relatability
Readers come from all cultures, backgrounds and experiences, making it hard to create a hero that everyone can relate to. It helps to incorporate universal themes or problems into your story: The loss of a loved one, wanting to fit in, self-doubt, a moral dilemma that makes him question his beliefs. Your hero could be a giant porcine robot from the planet Porkus, but including a common theme like redemption makes him relatable. Readers get him because they’ve desired the same thing, or know someone who has.
Desperate Circumstances
You could have all of the above elements, but if the stakes are too low, the reader will inevitably ask every author’s least favorite question: So what? So what if she doesn’t get the part? So what if he doesn’t get the girl? For readers to root for the hero, they have to believe that success is imperative for him, that his life as we know it cannot go on if he doesn’t succeed. If your hero fails and he is not in some way destroyed because of it, the stakes aren’t high enough. Make sure that your circumstances are dire, and the reader will stick with your hero to the very last page to make sure he comes through okay.
These are only a few ways to amp up the empathy factor in your opening pages. What do you think? Have you read a book lately that utilized any of these techniques? What other methods might we use?
Becca Puglisi is one half of The Bookshelf Muse blogging duo and co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression. Listing the body language, visceral reactions and thoughts associated with 75 different emotions, this brainstorming guide is a valuable tool for showing, not telling, emotion. The Emotion Thesaurus is available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes,Kobo and Smashwords, and the PDF can be purchased directly from her blog.
Comments are off for this post- Guest Blog: Carolyne Regan on How Not To Get Sued As A Writer
- Helium Writing Highlights 5/16/2013
- Meet Tammy Cramblett, CM of Coffee
- Member of the Week: Das Govind
- Mega Link Tuesday: The Value of Plain Language, Faulkner on Fiction, and How to Know What’s News
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