Inkabout L. Darby Gibbs

Science Fiction & Fantasy author

creative writing

No Office Is Complete without a Dragon Wall

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A dragon sign with the name L. Darby Gibbs and two dragon coat hooks hand on a wall.

Back in 2018, I decided to write romantic fantasy novels with dragons.

I was already writing fantasy, but I enjoyed reading dragon fantasy. Why not write it?

My husband has been more than supportive. He encouraged me when I had no ideas for the genre.

We sat down and brainstormed three books together: The Dragon Question, Dragon Bone Ridge, and Dira’s Dragon.

Several weeks ago, he brought in a package from the mailbox. He was giddy as a schoolboy.

He’d ordered a sign with my name underneath a dragon.

With my office complete, it was time to hang it. I call this my dragon wall.

It makes me smile every day.

Why when my treadmill dies, I’m buying another one

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My treadmill: an oldie but a goodie
It has been interesting how my writing process has changed
over time. I’ve always approached every writing project with an idea of how the
story was going to end. Sometimes I have an outline but usually not. Looking
back, I can see some constants: a title tends to come to me first followed by
the main characters. Over the last two years, I have found that the book cover is my most
inspiring starting point. It follows on the heels of the other two constants. The
cover acts as a focal point I can return to as I progress through the story.
Book 1, Standing Stone Series
My second series, Standing Stone, had its covers before I
even started writing. The same has occurred with my third series of books
(Solstice Dragon World) that I’m working on now. Each Standing Stone cover provides
a key character and the stone that is the crux of the story. In the case of SDW
novels, it is the main character and the location where key events take place.
Each of these covers help ground my writing and are designed to give my reader
a sense of the story. I feel with the covers done, I am certain the novel has a
developed core. 
I have a contemporary story with about 18,000 words, no
cover yet. It’s been sitting for three years. I know the characters, the title
and the end point moment. I think I need that cover. I have a space opera: 30K words. No cover. I don’t want to admit how long its been sitting. It really needs a cover.
Knowing the ending is very important to me. I don’t need to know the
details, just a key moment that will test the main character and bring them out the other side of a conflict, and even that is mutable. It becomes my north star. I may tack numerous
directions on my way to it, but having that fixed point in the back of my mind
keeps the story rolling. I can ask myself, “How does this relate to that? How
does this decision ultimately lead the character there?” I find the answers on the treadmill.
Writing itself has changed for me as well. The treadmill has
become a source of inspiration and direction. While striding along, I can focus
on one question, one scene, one direction that needs development. Nothing else
will interfere. My husband isn’t going to show up to talk to me. He
respects exercise too much. My time on the treadmill is set, so there’s no
getting off which can sometimes create an urgency in me to write as soon as my time is up. 
Since I exercise every morning before I head to my job, that urgency
has is flaws, but that impetus to write with a fully-developed idea gives my
writing direction and flow even if I have to wait to write until that evening or after a mound of grading. It is an appointment I feel I must keep
because I know being on the treadmill will result in a better first draft. It is also my best opportunity to go over a scene numerous times and realize what I missed or how
I can incorporate more character or plot development. Of course, there is the
added positive of keeping me in shape since writing means I’m sitting in a
chair often for hours at a time.
I talked about change in my writing, and I have mainly
covered what I do now. So what was my approach in the past? 
The past:

  • An idea would come to me. I’d sit down and
    write. Then stop where my idea ended.
  • I’d lay down on the couch and think about a
    question, such as “How is he going to deal with his daughter’s unwillingness to talk to
    him?” Fifty percent of the time, this resulted in an unplanned nap.
  • I would have a title and a vague notion of how
    the character was dealing with a situation or causing a situation 
  •  I’d sit at the computer and hope more words were
    going to come soon
  • I would develop when I redrafted, slide in side
    stories and look for inconsistencies
  • Writing a novel was a yearlong process
  • No cover
  • A working title (very much subject to change)
  • Ill-defined characters, setting and plot that took a lot more work to develop and clean up
  • One novel at a time
  • One book a year and a full-time job

VS the present

  • An idea comes to me. I get on the treadmill and walk (fast and on
    an incline: don’t want you thinking this is a walk in the park 🙂 ) and
    hash out the idea, Socratic method.
  • I write through the developed scenes (after that
    visit to the treadmill)
  • Title, character with backstory and fully-fleshed
    appearance and behaviors. Distinct main conflict and side conflicts. 
  •  I’m at the computer to write, not sit
  • Development occurs in process, daily, a much
    more recursive process that results in a better first draft
  • Redrafting occurs daily and is more about layering in deeper
    description, searching out inconsistencies, clarifying, and copy editing in an
    ongoing approach (more about this in another post)
  • Writing a first draft of a novel takes a month
    and a half, average word count 90K (summer time writing – six months during the active school year)
  • A cover (changes subtly over time, but the main
    concept is set)
  • A title (still may change but rarely) 
  • Well-defined characters with greater depth,
    setting is full of sensory details, the plot is organized and part of a greater
    series
  • Three novels in development and linked together
    by plot, setting or characters
  • 3+ books a year and a full-time job

I’m pleased with the changes and enjoying how it makes my
writing better and though nothing makes writing a novel easier, this process
does make for better flow and direction to my writing, which, after all is said
and done, is what makes writing an enjoyable activity. This is why my husband
will say, “I know you want to write today and you enjoy that, but can we do
something fun together?” I can walk away from the computer not feeling like I’m
losing my “special time with my story” to my “special time with my husband.”
That’s why my treadmill isn’t going anywhere. It takes my writing where I want it to go. So what fosters your creative side? Tell me in the comment box below, and it doesn’t have to be about writing.
If you’re interested in checking out my books, click the menu tab My Published Books at the top. If you’d like to tweet or share this post click the icon below. Feel free to comment as well.
#writing
#treadmills
#plot

Harness your emotional grip on creativity with levels of intensity

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I love reading about the creative process. So many things effect the act of creation. There is place, time, deadlines, atmosphere, and a sense of purpose. But a recent article covered the idea that emotion has an effect on results and even on what area of creation the artist should focus on based on that emotion.

According to Scott Barry Kaufman in his article “The Emotions That Make Us More Creative,” one should consider not just emotions that are “positive and negative,” but also “emotional intensity.”

Kaufman argues that research shows that the belief that positive emotion increases creativity because it broadens the outlook and negative emotion narrows the focus thus reducing the creativity is “simplistic.”

Kaufman went on to explain that intensity was also very important. Emotions that are positive but lack intensity do not necessarily improve creativity. Applying research done by a psychologist named Eddie Harmon-Jones and his associates, Kaufman explained that the emotion “pleasant” as too mild while “desire” has intensity and therefore greater motivational power which would lead to completing a goal.

This is all very interesting, but how does one direct it toward creative writing? Kaufman clarifies this by stating that “high emotional states focus us on completing a goal” whereas “low emotional states” drive us to “seek” greater challenge elsewhere.  In a sense that lower emotional state causes us to seek creativity.

So to answer that question: how does this effect our creativity as writers? When we writers are feeling less intense, we are more likely to be inspired to come up with something new and unique. When we are feeling highly energized, it is likely we will do well to focus on a goal or action that requires completion.

When feeling good, relaxed or slightly under the weather, direct yourself to the act of drafting. Creativity will be within reach and supported by our emotional state which won’t distract us with emotional intensity.

But when feeling highly emotional (positive or negative) our attention narrows, so we should be working on the final phases of a work, such as editing, formatting or organizing.

I am still thinking this through. When I am being creative in my writing, I get very intense and focused on the work I am drafting. That seems to run counter to what Kaufman is saying. But I must agree that at the start of the act of creating I am often in the medium range of emotion.

Later when I am choosing to edit, I find that being tightly focused, a high intensity desire to work on something, does get me to redraft and define my intention on a scene better than being relaxed does.

What I liked best about the article though is that he stated that creative people are able to adapt and mix emotional states for the best results. We are essentially diverse and not boxed in by our emotions. We harness them. Yeah, emotionally creative powerhouses. I’ll take that complement.

Have any of you noted your emotional state and its effect on your creativity?  What have you found about the connection between emotion and your work?

#emotion
#creativity
#writing

75+ Ways to Make Things Tough on a Character

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No story goes along smoothly for the main character. In fact, how they respond to adversity is how we get attached to the people in the novels we love. If they don’t struggle to get what they need, we won’t want to read to the end. There are innumerable ways for conflict to occur in a story.  I’ve listed the 75 I’ve come across in my or another author’s writing.

1. Everything has been working fine, until now.
2. The best friend is disloyal/undermining/lying
3. They aren’t his parents
4. The power goes out
5. The car beaks down
6. What she thought she knew is wrong
7. Injury
8. Attack
9. Not everyone made it to the agreed upon site
10. What was safe once is no longer safe
11. Supplies are lost or stolen
12. Weather change
13. Ambush
14. The character’s arrival is expected
15. The character’s arrival is unexpected
16. Sibling jealousy
17. Paralyzing fear
18. The parameters are changed
19. She refuses to go
20. Misplaced information
21. Locked door/cabinet/safe
22. Locked out of the city/house/business
23. Sabotage
24. Time is running out
25. He gets lost
26. Incorrect assumption
27. Malfunction
28. Loss of food supplies
29. Dangerous terrain
30. It is believed impossible
31. House burns down
32. Loss of parents/family
33. Loss of faith
34. Poison/illness/plague
35. Arriving late/early
36. Flight/bus/train cancelled
37. The store is closed
38. Misplaced keys/ticket/passport/spell/identification
39. Difficult terrain
40. Battery runs out
41. Old injury/illness flairs
42. Toothache/pink eye/infection
43. Curiosity
44. An immovable object
45. Prejudice
46. Mugged
47. Lost luggage
48. Missing vital ingredient/material
49. Lacks a skill/knowledge
50. A telegram/email/missive/letter
51. Inheritance
52. Loss of fortune
53. Ostracized/disowned/ignored
54. Waking up to a major change
55. Loss of memory
56. A misunderstanding
57. Death of a loved one
58. A major decision
59. Uncertainty
60. Phobias
61. A tool/skill/talent/gift has special powers, but the character can’t figure out how to work it
62. War
63. The craft is spinning out of control
64. The world is coming to an end
65. The phone/communication device goes dead
66. Someone has released the dogs/lion/critters with unfriendly intent
67. Things just don’t look/smell/feel/sound right
68. The other character would not normally say that
69. An unfamiliar vehicle has parked outside and the people in it appear to be watching the house/business
70. S/he won’t/doesn’t answer the phone
71. Heart-broken
72. Lack of confidence
73. Impatience
74. Tied up/trapped
75. supernatural/unnatural change of self/enemy/friend/general population (i.e., Zombies)
UPDATE to list provided by Marcy Peska.
76.  curses and other magical obstacles 
77. trolls
under bridges
78. gastric distress from eating too many
sugar-free candies
79. small and uncooperative children
80. hobbits too
interested in mushrooms and second breakfast
81. abrupt changes in mental
status/consciousness
82. being unable to act effectively due to being
grounded or having to go to work. [?] 
83.  Oh…and having a small bladder which requires frequent bathroom breaks. [?]

If you are a writer or a reader, you are aware of many conflicts that characters have faced. What  conflicts have your favorite characters faced? What other conflicts can you add to this list.

#conflict
#plot
#writing

When a light colored dog in the dark is much like an idea and a plan

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writing metaphor: moving through the living room at night

Ever walked through your house in the dark, nothing but shadows and memory to go on? I did this last night and though I know where everything lies, I also know that furniture shifts about through use, and occasional gnawed Nylabones will be just where I want to place a bare foot.

So last night, fully aware of the obstacles, I negotiated the stairs in the dark and perceived my yellow Lab Cagney at the bottom step quite pleased to see me. I was happy to see her because even in the dark she is pretty visible. I told her to go on ahead of me, and I just followed her yellow smudge through the living room, around two chairs, a freestanding table, a footstool, a vacuum and any dog bones she or our other Lab had left behind. From there I entered the back hall, then into the kitchen. She received a bowl of water and her allergy medicine, and I confirmed my daughter did in fact lock the back door.

So back to bed feeling secure and no bruised shins or jambed toes.

The point: writing is like this especially if you have done some planning or know the plot points you want to cover. 

  • down the stairs: initial planning steps to the writing process
  • Cagney, my guide: the overall idea
  • bones: interference, slow downs, painful backing up and cutting
  • moved furniture: characters with something to say or do and the unexpected changes in the process of getting from A to B that seemed so simple until the writing actually begins.
  • water bowl and allergy medicine: additional actions that get you to the writing goal, such as  beta readers, redrafting, cover design, formatting
  • returning to the living room, past its obstacles and back up the stairs: publication, advertising, blurbs, tweeting
  • crawling back into bed: done and ready to dream up another idea

So climbing out of a warm bed on a very cold night to check the back door was locked and give my dog her Claritin is a metaphor for the writing process. I could have gotten to my goal without Cagney, but I would have stumbled a lot, cursed over a biting bone or two poking into my arch with my full weight pressing it in before I could pull back, and with three doorways to get though, I would likely have banged at least one shoulder against a doorjamb. And that too is much like writing without a plan or intention to my writing.

Of course, there are many times when like my story (as is currently the case), Cagney has other plans then to get me to the back door. She’d rather hangout by the gas stove or on her bed staying warm, just as my hoped for scenes to close out a story keep generating new issues that need to be covered before the end I thought was in sight actually channels out my fingers.

If you liked this post, tweet it, and follow me. I’m bound to find another metaphor about writing and dogs. They are a large part of my life.

#writing
#metaphors

Creativity: when the track is full and starting to backup

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You know that feeling: itchy fingers, voices in your head, ideas backing up, the urge to sit and type like a maniac through a scene, a tirade of dialogue, a well-strung motif? That’s where I am at, about to break out in a rash of words.

But there is a hold, the ever present disruption of life.  I have other work to do. So the log jam of voices stack up like train cars bumping into each other, linkages snapping in place, and me hoping I don’t run out of track in this backward build up of freight cars.

I bleed off pressure by writing on note cards quick bits I might forget, short cues of dialogue, beginnings to leap off from, to prime the pump when that moment of tunnel writing pulls into view.

That is the nature of being a writer while working at a job that does not include being a writer. I have said before that I teach and that teaching keeps me quite busy. I live two lives which impose on each other, sparring for my time, my creativity and my concentration.  I do not fear boredom when I retire. And sometimes lesson planning turns into an intense creative process that is nearly as satisfying as completing a chapter, getting through a bit of emotional dialogue, typing ###.

But at this moment, writing now this little post will have to suffice as a tug on the rope to let off steam until this weekend provides a few hours of uninterrupted racing down the tracks of my current book coming to an end or my next book establishing its voice, both rattled into line, the engine having gathered enough pressure to make my breaks squeal against the anticipation.

Who else is at the station? How are you holding out?

#creativity
#writing
#waiting