Author: Peggy Bechko

Peggy Bechko: Can We Keep The Book Alive?

Found at Deviant Art
Found at Deviant Art

by Peggy Bechko

Or is it dead?

When you speak to people do they admit to not having read a book from cover to cover in years? How about you? Oh, we read a lot. Things like tweets and Facebook posts, bits and pieces, here and there. But are we diving into story? And does it matter?

Yes, yes it does. Truly there would be something missing, a hole in our lives, if we all just decided not to read stories any more. Stories give us so much more than just the tale we read. It provides a sense of narrative and even puts our own lives into a kind of perspective wherein we realize that our own lives are stories, long narratives that extend from the past into the future creating an arc to our narrative that is much broader than a few witty (or annoying) tweets on Twitter. read article

Peggy Bechko on Fear of Flying – or Success

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by Peggy Bechko

Okay, writers, listen up. Pretty prevalent amongst us is shyness and even out and out fear of success.

How, you ask can this be possible? If we’re writing with the aim of having a script produced or a novel published how can it be that we actually fear that which we strive for?

This is a deep psychological subject on which many articles have been written. So we’ll skip the discussion on whether it exists, it does. Look inside yourself and I’ll bet you spot at least some degree of it as it seems that there’s something about the writing life that attracts just this kind of people. You know, like you and me. read article

Peggy Bechko on How to NOT Sell Your Script or MS

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by Peggy Bechko

Most of us want to know how to do it, not how not to do it, but if you know the big DON’Ts you’re a whole lot more likely to get the DOs right.

We might as well admit it, we’re all ‘eager’ when it comes to finding a berth for our babies and selling our work. And, eager is okay, but top that with professionalism and now you’re going somewhere.

So what are the don’ts? For starters when you pitch don’t tell a movie producer the script should be a novel as well and don’t tell a publisher ‘my book should be a movie’. Don’t tell them the manuscript will result in a book that’s a bestseller or that the movie will be a blockbuster. No one can predict that outcome. Only result from such claims will be (if they’re polite) deeply patient sighs. Let’s face it, if someone could predict blockbusters and bestsellers they’d be a dime a dozen. You’re no more likely to predict it than they are. Good luck. So let’s just skip that one. read article

Peggy Bechko on Creating Characters We Care About

Hey, we remember this guy!
Hey, we remember this guy!

by Peggy Bechko

Have you wondered how a writer goes about creating characters his or her readers will actually care about?

There are lots and lots of ways and as many approaches as there are writers. It’s simple and yet difficult. The writer wants a relationship with the reader. It’s as simple as that – and as difficult.

Characters drive the story and every character in the story your favorite writer creates must have a desire. It doesn’t matter what that is, it could even be as simple as new car, a new job, a new girlfriend or just a glass of water.  Lack of desire equals lack of story. read article

Peggy Bechko Gives Us a Peek into the Writing Life

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by Peggy Bechko

Ever wonder what a writer’s life is like? Think it’s cool lunches, easy hours, write in your PJ’s time? Work when you want, lounge when you want? Wait for inspiration to strike? Yeah, well, maybe for some rare creatures out there, though I doubt even that.

But, despite deadlines (self-imposed and otherwise), deadly story lines that won’t work out and a host of other problems peculiar only to writers, it’s a great life for me. And when the budget allows I do treat myself well. That, along with a wonderful partner who’s income is admittedly the bigger share we were able to head out to DisneyWorld for a fun week.

The appeal of roller coasters and great food (not at the same time), amazing flowers and more great food (at the same time), whirling teacups and great food (not at the same time) combined with boat rides and hanging out at the pool in beautiful sunny weather was just too much to pass up.  I disconnected from my computer and electronics entirely and since I don’t have a smart phone, couldn’t even use that to hit the web or send emails. I took along my Kindle for reading and walked miles each day. read article