Cassy’s Corner—How do Your Stories Emerge?
I apologize for being on a bit of a binge. I’ve been plotting, fussing, worrying about my new book. You’ve read my wanderings over the last few weeks and you know the issues: Is the character BIG enough, are there enough challenges facing her for her arcs to be significant, do you want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next, are her supporting friends and enemies good enough and bad enough, how hard are you rooting for her, do you want to invite her to dinner? The list goes on. Oh, and does she think about having sex in the first 15 pages or do you wait until page 50? These are tough questions.
It sounds so silly to put it in this simple text. But, as I am writing and worrying about my new best friends, I do want them to somehow be like me. NO, not like me but at least understandable to me. So that means a little quirky, a little funny, a little silly but not totally stupid. Maybe that is me and maybe it’s not. But, so be it. I still have to have a long term relationship with them.
Another issue I’ve been thinking through is-- what is the balance between who lives in our stories and what happens in our stories? Do your characters take off and run with the plot? Or, does your plot determine who is going to act it all out? Of course it’s a combination. Yet, there has to be a balance. It’s like driving from Boston to New York. I need to have a bit of a map, but there certainly are many ways to get there.
My current leading lady is fleeing a past life, pregnant and about to start a new adventure. She’s scared and unsure if she can pull it off, yet will try. I don’t know how she’s going to do it. I don’t know yet how many times she’ll skin her knees. But I do know that she and I are having a good time together.
And you? Do your characters drive your stories or do your stories find your characers?
4 comments:
My stories are plot driven - which is why I have such a struggle with my characters. Don't get me wrong, I usually LOVE my characters. The heroines are a bit sassy while my heros are my hunkalicious betas. While I like to 'read' the alpha male...I really can't 'write' him.
I come up with some really cool plots and my characters usually fit in around what's going on in their world.
Sometimes it's a struggle to find the balance - so I totally see where you're coming from. But..it's the whole tweaking and polishing where you catch the parts that aren't working and the characters misbehaving!
Good luck with the new WIP! it sounds like you're onto something!
Thanks, Barbie Jo. I do think I"m on to something. Thanks for the comment. But, well, we'll see. I am still working it through.
You are also so right about the tweaking. Editing is eye-opening. The story, though with the people still has to be there.
And as Christine says, back to cracking the whip.
I love my alpha males :-))
And my stories tend to be plot driven as well.
Finding a balance is tricky, but don't stress too much. Just write and see where it takes you. Maybe overplotting is getting in the way of creativity. You never know :-)
Good luck to you.
My Characters are number one. First I meet them, then I find out what the heck's going on in their lives. That's when the plot is born.
And a quick note:
I just saw a familiar name in RT Book Reviews, (August releases == pg 110) Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend!
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