Guest Post by Chuck Waldron, Author: The Cleansweep Conspiracy and The Cleansweep Counterstrike

Stirring Words

Recipes for Writing

It’s a double entendre. Words can be stirring, rousing calls to action. I have nothing against rousing calls to action. In fact, I hope my words often do that very thing.

When it comes to stirring words, however, I imagine writers stirring words in a large vat, wearing capes and conical hats. Whispering incantations while we mix our recipe. Here’s one from an old writing cookbook.

The Plot Bunny Stew

Plot bunnies are unique, real creatures. Just Google and see. A plot bunny is an idea that refuses to go away. Once bitten, a writer is helpless. The only known cure is to start writing. Farm raised plot bunnies produce pleasant, safe ideas. For real excitement, however, nothing beats plot bunnies in the wild. Whichever one your pick, a tasty writing stew starts with a plot bunny.

·         Take one plot bunny

• ·         Add a hero/heroine to take the lead. It needs a strong man or woman to usher us through a story. Leaping tall buildings in a single – well, you know – that’s not essential.
• ·         Next, add an appalling character to set up roadblocks. If you are shopping for a villain, look for the meanest one you can find. The more roadblocks your evil-doer can build, the better.
• ·         Add a dollop (blob, splotch, or a spoonful) of supporting characters, an essential ingredient. The writer should be careful, however. Too few means a weak stew, too many may turn it into a paste.
• ·         Sprinkle a roadmap over the stew. Some cooks use just a hint, an outline that blends the ingredients. Some prefer to follow more stringent guidelines. Both work, depending on the cook.
• ·         Pour in as many words into your stew as you can. Don’t be picky; eliminate unnecessary words later.
• ·         Turn up the heat and cook for as long as needed. You can put your finger in from time to time, tasting for flavor.
• ·         Lower the heat to room temperature.
• ·         Have someone else taste the stew. If they say it needs more seasoning or less, take heed.

When you are satisfied you may begin serving, hopefully, hearing, “compliments to the chef.”

That was my recipe for The Cleansweep Counterstrike. I hope you enjoy the stew, sorry story. You can follow Matt Tremain as he finds himself in harm’s way, continues to encounter an evil Charles Claussen. Find out if Matt and his friends can find their way out of trouble.

Chuck Waldron

Author, The Cleansweep Conspiracy and The Cleansweep Counterstrike

Note from Readers Muse:

I thank the author for writing such a wonderful recipe for writing perfect books. This unique and innovative method will help both budding and experienced writers!