I’ve been having trouble moving my current work in progress
forward. I have a good number of pages written, and partially edited, but it’s
sitting still. In thinking about why this is happening, I realized as much as I
thought I knew my main character, it wasn’t enough. She’s an interesting person
going through a bunch of tough stuff. Yet, I hadn’t captured her well on the
page. What to do?
I have the classic character sketches many of us write. I
have short descriptions of what she looks like, what foods she hates, and what her
collection of orchids mean to her. Yet, it all just wasn’t coming together as
well as I wished. As a character she seemed to stay flat. It was time to find a
new approach. I really didn’t want to write much more only to have it continue
to be below par.
After much fussing over this I decided to invite her to
spend time with me. She’s moved in. Alex and I have been having ongoing
conversations- out loud- about all sorts of stuff. I’ve asked her opinion on a
wide range of subjects. She has a great roasted chicken recipe (I’d needed a
new approach as I was making dinner). Recently I was annoyed with a friend and Alex had excellent advice. After
all, she’s a psychotherapist.
I’m a mother of two, now grown women. Alex is pregnant, not
married and trying to find her own path. I, of course, have much advice for her.
My dogs cock their heads as I forcefully discuss world
events with Alex. She and I agree on most things, but I still have a few points
to win. I’m not sure how long Alex will be living in the guest room. It might be time to buy her a ticket to somewhere. But, in the process of her moving in she has become bigger, feistier, and definitely more part of my daily
routine. I hope that translates to how she comes across on the page.
Now, I have to have Nico arrive at the door. He’s the recalcitrant
Italian who Alex is trying to trust but can’t quite get there. I’ve promised my
husband that nothing off-color would ever happen between Nico and me, but there is the allure of
having long conversations with him. At least my Italian will improve.
11 comments:
Okay, spill. How do you get to know your current favorite people? We all create challenged, confused, controlling or submissive folks who drive our stories. They aren't us, but they are parts of our lives while we write 300 pages. Character sheets are fine- but what takes it to the next step?
Ohhh, Niko....he can knock on my door anytime :-) Good luck with your work in progress!
Thanks, Kari. It's fun to do. And you?? How do you bring your slightly crazy people to life?
I love that you're hosting your characters in your house. The only thing I can tell you about my characters is that when I'm really in a zone, I eat sleep and dream with them on my mind.
And Nico--yum! Tell him I make a great Christmas dinner.
Cassy, It shouldn't be hard for Kari to bring her 'slightly crazy people to life'. I saw her craziness at Crime Bake.
By the way, if anyone sees Pete have him stop by my blog today.
http://murdersandmysteries.wordpress.com/
Lindsay! Glad you were here today. It's always good to see you. Why don't you put a plug here for your new release? I have it on my iPad and am starting it. My two Goldens are jealous, though. They want to know why they aren't included in your story.
Here's the shamless plug for my Christmas story-
A Dog Gone Christmas
When a call for paws goes out, five friends bring their collies without question to a friend’s house. They learn the collies are needed to help seven children with the grief of losing a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan. Now, with seven friends, four collie yearlings and their mother, they set out to help the children
Not far away a mother hopefully leads her seven puppies to safety from a man intent on selling them for illicit purposes.
By a miracle of fate the two mother collies find each other right before the man sells the puppies.
That Christmas morning will be one the children will remember all their lives and they are united with the puppies.
The eBook is available at Amazon, B&N and All Romance.
For everybook sold I'll be making a donation to the collie rescue group where I got the original Kebi from.
Thanks, Lindsay. I'm reading it right now. Since the holiday season is upon us, I encourage all our readers to consider taking a peek at some of the great offerings by those who post here. We got some pretty good stuff, guys. Great gifts!
Hmm..I tend to live with my characters too, as Liz does. But I don't necessarily have to be in the zone. They are here ALL the time, making their presence known. I have yet to talk out loud to them, though. :-)
I do think that's what brings them to life. it's not the figuring them out on paper. While that might be necessary to bring them front and center, it's actually treating them as living breathing beings that works.
Because after all, we want the reader to feel them come to life as much as we do. And when that happens, you know you have a best seller.
How many times have you read a book, hated it to end, and then had the characters stick in your head for weeks after reading the final page? Yup, best seller. What we all strive for.
Great post, Cassy! And yeah, girls, send Nico my way when you're done with him! Thanks!!!
Hi Cassy, I don't think I have a good answer because I don't analyze well. I kind of have the character in my head, but he or she develops more fully as they face situations. Sometimes they might surprise me. One thing I found incredibly helpful was interviewing my character. I've heard writers say it's a great way to get deeper into your character, but hadn't really tried it. I interviewed Cody, the hero of Embrace for a blog and it was amazing how much clearer I saw him. And I love your idea about hosting your characters. Wow, I may try that. What a great way to see them in action, see their personalities and preferences emerge. Love it.
I'm a day late here. Anita! Thanks so much for your thoughts. I do have to have Alex find an apartment. Having her here all the time is starting to wear. She needs to be on the page, not in my kitchen.
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