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Friday, April 15, 2011

"M" is for Me & MC


Since I received the Versatile Blogger Award, I am obliged to give 7 facts about me. Here goes:
  1. My first bee sting was when I was 39.
  2. I've been wearing glasses since I was 3.
  3. I'm an algebra teacher (subbing for now).
  4. I wing it in recipes way too much.
  5. I sing, been in a few school musicals and a wedding.
  6. I have vitiligo (loss of skin pigment).
  7. I've been to Scotland, London and Greece but would like to see Australia and Europe
and...
Writing a book - Who's your MC?

I'm adding this on because it was my original idea for M. Your main character could make or break your book. Giving advice for your MC is not my forte. I will just say a few words then give you a couple of links to people who seem to know what they're talking about.
  • not perfect, good and bad qualities, habits, looks, traits
  • likeable, even if they're bad
  • believable, even if they're superhuman
  • make him/her come alive with dialog, actions and reactions
 Agent Rachelle Gardner's advice on characters.
The Other Side of the Story also has a bunch of wisdom on characters.
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11 comments:

  1. Theresa MilsteinApril 15, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Congrats on your award. It was nice learning more about you.

    I'm subbing gym at the high school today. How about you?

    My MC lost her eye when she was 13, so she sees herself as a freak. She's a good friend and tends to want to see the best in people. She loves to cook, and wants to be a chef someday, but still tries hard in school. She has to grow to find out what she's really worth.

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  2. Ellie GarrattApril 15, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    First bee sting at 39? You were lucky to go so long without one!

    Thank you for the advice and links. The MC for my horror novel is quite selfish, which I know I need to tone down a bit - don't the reader to dislike her too much!

    Ellie Garratt

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  3. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Why am I not surprised that you would receive an award for Versatile Blogger. You have a talent of being able to do three other things while talking on the phone with me, ha-ha!!!!!!!! That's great, Tara. You deserve it.
    mom

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  4. FilmMatticApril 15, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Thanks so much for the Award! You're awesome! I'll be happy to spread the "versatile" magic.

    ReplyDelete
  5. JenApril 15, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    I don't ever follow recipes...oops. I have vitiligo as well, it used to bug me growing up with the comments I'd get, it's just part of me now

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  6. DebApril 15, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    My brother also has vitiligo. I'm curious whether you've often heard the words, "Oh, that's what Michael Jackson had!" My brother's probably heard these hundreds of times by now.

    When he first started suffering the pigmentation loss, he was devastated. Now I think it plays a much smaller part in how he perceives himself. Which, now that I think about it, is far removed from I first meant to say when I went to post this comment. *cough*

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  7. UnknownApril 15, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    I wing almost all my recipes, too! Most of the time, the meals are good, but when it's a "miss," boy is it inedible! LOL

    Hope you have a great weekend!

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  8. KristinApril 15, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Love the M you used and the things you talked about. I wing it in the kitchen quite a bit...and, since I'm home schooling my oldest, I'm currently teaching algebra.

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. Rebecca BradleyApril 17, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    I'm pleased to say I have never been stung by a bee and hoping I didn't just ruin my great luck!

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  10. Tara TylerApril 17, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Theresa - that's a great MC, you've really got her down!

    Ellie - selfish is fine, as long as there's a reason and maybe something that makes her change, a little

    Deb - Vitiligo stinks, but whatever

    Kristin - Algebra is fun! hee hee

    Jen - we make our own special version =)

    Rebecca - hope you don't either, but it wasn't that bad.

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  11. Tara TylerApril 17, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Nicole - "special mom's touch" home-cooked recipes too =)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by!