We all try to make our writing as realistic as possible. We all have been told to keep the adverbs to a minimum. We all work at having our writing bring the reader deep into our characters' feelings and emotions. So, how do you do that? What takes you to the edge that lets you write with the words that will transport your readers?
I just returned from a trip in Italy. I'm jet-lagged. After only one day at home I received a call that my father was admitted to the hospital through the emergency room. I never even had a chance to pick my dogs up from where they board. My carry-on bag was still sitting on the bathroom shelf, waiting to be unpacked.
Driving in the pouring rain, I began to cry. Yes, I was tired. But there was a deeper issue. This might be one of the last times I saw my father. After I ran out of tears, I started to think about my writing. For those of you who know the New England area, this was by now on Route 495 outside of Boston and not a good spot to be distracted.
Distracted or not, my current plot edged in. What was I feeling? How could that be described in terms that might make the reader cry along with me? What words would I use? How could I not sound corny but drag you, my reader, into my sphere?
I posted on this blog a few weeks ago about losing a dog. You all might think I'm totally maudlin. Not at all. I'm just thinking through the use of emotion in our writing. The loss of Libby had one reaction for me. The potential loss of my father is far deeper. How do we talk about that with our words?
I am on my way to the hospital. I'll check in as best I can during the day. Please, no need to post about my story. I am much more interested in hearing about how you put the punch, the crisis, the energy into your story. What are your experiences that you are willing to share--and how do they translate into the work you produce?
17 comments:
Cassy, sending prayers and healing vibes your way.
I'm going to tell you how I get through my deep emotional scenes, and you'll probably laugh, I even blogged about it here a while back.
I listen to music - not while I'm writing but before. For my really emotion-packed manuscript- Shattered Dreams - I used Marc Anthony's "How Could I?" when H/H are in a tent waiting to be killed. Then I have a scene where orphaned children are leaving the only people they've ever loved to keep them safe and I used "I Will Always Love You." I still cry every time I hear that song as it takes me to back to that scene.
And here's the kicker. I burned the soundtrack to Shattered Dreams!!
Cassy, you and your family will be in my prayers and thoughts today.
Liz: I can't imagine going at it the way you do! My poor husband loves to put the music on. He works to it. I never do, unless I'm chopping garlic or something like that. It's so noisy in my head that I can't take the extra distraction. I'm so impressed that you can do that. Actually, I'm jealous!
Lindsay, thanks so much. I wasn't really trying to cry in my beer, rather I am interested in how people reach deep into ourselves to write the stuff that will make other people cry, laugh, and turn the page. As always, thanks for stopping by. It's good to have you here.
I'm glad you weren't crying in your beer-waste of good beer. Try wine. When I need to dig up really strong emotions for my characters I think back on events in my life and how I felt and reacted.
Cassy, I'm sending positive and healing thoughts your way. I know how it is to rush to your Dad's side.
I'm with Liz on the emotion thing, music. Though I listen while I write and my favorite for writing love scenes are Have you ever loved a woman by Bryan Adams from the movie Don Juan de Marco. (might not be the exact title of the song or movie, I'm terrible with names) And that movie is great to get the sensual side of your scene in too. If you need a visual.
You guys are amazing. I have such trouble, as I mentioned, with the external noise. Maybe that's why I spend time fussing about this. I need to adopt your approach!
Cassy, my prayers too.
If I'm not reaching the depth I need in my writing, I go away from it for a while and use music to bring my own emotions to the surface, Il Divo and the Yentl soundtracks to be precise.
Then, when I go back to my writing I ususally have no problems.
But I can't write while the music is playing.
Also, throughout my life I've noticed profound moments and actually thought to myself that this is something to store away - then I take each little bit and shelve it rather like an emotional photograph album to be revisited.
Cassy, you misunderstood what I said. I listen to music BEFORE I begin writing. I have to have total silence to creatively write. When I'm editing, it's different.
I, too, wish I could listen and write, but alas!
Just thinking, a song heard on the radio can make me itch to write.
Matter of fact, there are a couple of regulars lately that have me wanting to write a different kind of story.
I can write or edit with music or talking in the background. If the talking gets annoying I turn the hearing aid off, especially with the gabble-grinder I work with. TV. Forget it. Can't have it on when working.
Ah, Liz, I now understand. As I mentioned, my husband has opera or something playing all the time while he is working at his desk. It's interesting how different we all are. Thanks so much for the conversation. I find all of this so so interesting.
Lindsay, I laughed at your comment. Jon came home one day after traveling for many and turned on the TV. He commented that I had been watching an unusual station for me. I looked up at the TV. "No," I said, "that was where you left it. I haven't had it on." We all have our patterns.
And mine is usually a test pattern
Be strong. Best wishes, Cassy, to you and yours.
Emotional scenes? Definitely not music. That takes me out of it. I need to wallow. Bargain boxes of CVS tissues.
Cassy, big hugs and prayers sent your way. Hang in there.
I too use music or even certain movies to put me in the right frame of mind for whatever type of scene I am writing. Especially if I am having a difficult time.
Movies and music are powerful tools. Anything that can help set the right tone...and then once you're in "the mood" it's amazing what comes out on the page.
Post a Comment