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Monday, February 8, 2010
Q & A - Heavy On The Q
I want to start this blog with a disclaimer. There will be no writing revelations, awesome tips, or new tricks revealed in the following post. In fact, there are going to be a lot more questions than answers. So prepare yourself.
Though I’ve yet to finish a full novel rough draft, I did spend more than two years with my first story, and have spent nearly six months with my second. When I first started, it was all a mystery to me. How could you know how long a book would be until you wrote it? How do you find enough interesting material to fill four hundred pages? How much rum does it take to forget I’m a hack?
Okay, forget the last one.
I’m happy to report, I’ve found the answers to the first two. Or think I have and that’s good enough for now.
But one of the toughest questions I’ve yet to answer is how do I get into the minds of my characters? How do I know what they’ll do in any given situation? (That’s two questions, so sue me.)
In general, I know the answer to their reactions is in their motivations and partially in their back story. Unfortunately, “in general” has never gotten me very far. So, I kept going, hoping I’d find more answers.
Here’s the problem with finding answers, they often lead to more questions. Last night while writing, something happened in my scene I didn’t see coming. It moved the romance plot line forward big time, fit the story perfectly, and I hate to say, wasn’t my idea in the least.
It was Nate’s. That would be Nate Campbell, the hero of Playing For Keeps.
This same thing happened in my last WIP. I needed a way to throw my H/H together. In the middle of a scene in my hero’s POV, he pops out with the perfect answer. I didn’t see it coming and was amazed at how perfectly it would work.
The connection between these incidents is the source. The only characters I seem to channel are the heroes. Which leads to more questions. Why is it always the hero and what in the world does this say about me?
Since my heroines are often just like me, I can follow the trail to some obvious implications. But I don’t wanna. So I’m putting the questions to you. Any and all input welcome.
Though I’ve yet to finish a full novel rough draft, I did spend more than two years with my first story, and have spent nearly six months with my second. When I first started, it was all a mystery to me. How could you know how long a book would be until you wrote it? How do you find enough interesting material to fill four hundred pages? How much rum does it take to forget I’m a hack?
Okay, forget the last one.
I’m happy to report, I’ve found the answers to the first two. Or think I have and that’s good enough for now.
But one of the toughest questions I’ve yet to answer is how do I get into the minds of my characters? How do I know what they’ll do in any given situation? (That’s two questions, so sue me.)
In general, I know the answer to their reactions is in their motivations and partially in their back story. Unfortunately, “in general” has never gotten me very far. So, I kept going, hoping I’d find more answers.
Here’s the problem with finding answers, they often lead to more questions. Last night while writing, something happened in my scene I didn’t see coming. It moved the romance plot line forward big time, fit the story perfectly, and I hate to say, wasn’t my idea in the least.
It was Nate’s. That would be Nate Campbell, the hero of Playing For Keeps.
This same thing happened in my last WIP. I needed a way to throw my H/H together. In the middle of a scene in my hero’s POV, he pops out with the perfect answer. I didn’t see it coming and was amazed at how perfectly it would work.
The connection between these incidents is the source. The only characters I seem to channel are the heroes. Which leads to more questions. Why is it always the hero and what in the world does this say about me?
Since my heroines are often just like me, I can follow the trail to some obvious implications. But I don’t wanna. So I’m putting the questions to you. Any and all input welcome.
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42 comments:
Yes, we'll ignore the obvious interpretations. ;)
Why do the guys keep jumping forward with ideas? Well, because that is what guys do! Just means you're writing realistic men.
Does that work?
Don't you think it's more about how you are simply more observant of men and how they act, react, etc?
Hey, the guys are the ones who surprise me more often than not as I write, too!
Hm. I love my guys so much, sometimes more than my heroines. But I do make an effort with both. What I find the most difficult is making my characters different from book to book, because it's obvious to me my muse has a theme and she wants to bash everyone in the head with it, LOL.
The writing process is still such a mystery to me. The one thing I know though is I can't plan, plot, outline or anything at all vaguely resembling order and organization.In the novella I just finished, the heroine told me quite clearly she was a widow, which strayed from the synopsis I sent to the publisher. Oh, well.
I think it just depends on the book you are writing. For my first, it was the heroine. I had to re-write the book a few times to get the hero just right. For the second it was both characters. For the one I'm on now, it's my heroine and I know I'm going to have some major tweakage for the hero once this baby is done.
Honestly, my advice is going to make you want to smack me but I'm going to advise you not to think about it too much.
In the beginning of this, I completely analyzed these sort of revelations. I wanted to know where all my "good ideas" came from so I could replicate them later. But the further I go, the more I realize that there is nothing logical about what happens in my head. If I get a revelation that fits, I just go with it. I mean, the stuff all starts in my head anyway. I like to think that my sub-conscious knew what needed to happen in the story the whole time and just needed to force that idea pass the more stubborn, type A parts.
Who knows if that's true but as long as it keeps working, I'm forcing myself to go with it.
So there it is, from one of the staunchest plotters and planners on the boat. Don't ask questions, just thank the muse and move along. I find my muse doesn't take lightly to being pestered.
Chance - I like the idea I'm writing realistic men. But I'm guessing it's more that I'm making the guy say and do things real men would never (or maybe rarely) do. LOL! And I'm not sure I'm observant of anyone.
Maggie - She wasn't even a widow in the original idea? LOL! Did that change the actual plot you had going? And I don't even want to think about all my characters being alike. I know they all *look* different in my mind, but they sure act similar. (Not that I have that many so far.)
Tiff - You probably have something here. The heroine for the next book, who happens to be the messed up sister of this heroine, talks to me more than any heroine I've had so far. She's pushy as hell for her own story. So maybe that means she'll be running the show in the next one.
Marn - Is that really you? LOL! Don't analyze it too much? From you?!
Well, I'm not really trying to change it. I'm comfortable knowing these guys will come through in clutch situations. I just wonder about it always being the guy. And there's the amazement that I don't see this stuff coming. Even though I'm the one writing it. These are the times I totally get that "It's their story, I'm just taking dictation" thing.
I just hope my heroines start talking more and stop clamming up!
LOL! Yep, that's me! :) I knew I'd shock ya....
I love it when this happens. On the one hand, it's a relief, as it's usually a much better idea than I could have come up with. On the other hand, it stresses me out, because what if the characters ever shut up? What the crap do I do then? LOL!
For me, I've found that I tend to focus my energy on one character or the other. Usually by the time I'm into a story, I've got one character down pat, and then I realize that I didn't spend nearly as much time focusing on the other. Usually it's the guy, because lets face it, if I'm going to spend that much time with somebody, I'm going to pick the hot guy, not the girl who's just as annoying as I am *g*. In my current WIP, though, I'm trying to do the heroine in first person, so I've really been focusing on her. The hero -- I have no idea about *g* But he's hot!
The hero pops “out with the perfect answer. I didn’t see it coming and was amazed at how perfectly it would work… Why is it always the hero and what in the world does this say about me?”
Terri
What I think that it says about you is that this is proof that you are writing in the right genre. The theme of an independent, intelligent woman finding herself amazed at how a man can help her solve her problems is one of the classic themes of Romance Lit.
I wanna edit that to "The story line of an independent, intelligent woman finding herself amazed at how a man can help her solve her problems is one of the classic themes of Romance Lit."
Marn - You did!
Hal - I don't worry about it not happening because I never expect it. And since I get accused of my heroes being less than alpha, it's good that they step up now and then.
But I've also done more homework on Nate than Emma, which will have to change. I have a character study worksheet I used for Nate because he was a bit of a mystery. I guess it's time to fill it in for Emma.
Julie - Great point! And funny enough, that's exactly what is happening. The heroine accuses the hero of standing in the way of something she wants, so he offers to help her get it. She refuses his help at first, but then it rolls into her refusing him in other ways and it just, well, keeps rolling into something else.
Man, being vague gets complicated. LOL!
I think it's hilarious when the characters tell you what's going on. And a relief. I don't care who tells me what's going on in my story--my hero, my heroine, the villain, my CPs, whoever--so long as I eventually learn what is going on. I've come to terms that I'm always the girl who wonders what happened. Even when I was at the scene of the accident.
I think it's better to have more questions than answers--it keeps your conflict going and will help you fill your 400 pages. So clearly your instincts are leading you in the right direction. Hurray!
I think my heroes talk to me more than the women, but I lump it up that men like to talk about themselves more. Incessantly. Also, I'm shallow and listen more to really good looking men, even if they're talking incessantly about themselves. I also laugh at all their jokes. My therapist says I'll figure it out eventually.
I’ve come to terms that I’m always the girl who wonders what happened. Even when I was at the scene of the accident.
LMAO!!
Hellie - YES! As long as someone tells me somewhere along the way, it's all good. And I'm feeling pretty good about creating more questions, I just wish they applied to the story more than my brain. LOL!
My leaning more toward the guys probably has something to do with me know what I'd like them to say and my inability to know what to say as a woman should any of this come to light. That and the fact my heroines are stubborn as all hell. And usually the one making everything more complicated than it needs to be.
Man, I have to stop writing my personality into these chicks.
Man, I have to stop writing my personality into these chicks.
Good luck with that. That's the best part of writing, I think. You come to terms with who you are and embrace the idea that someone out there loves you exactly as you are. Even if you're a complete stubborn ass.
Besides, if I'm writing fantasy, why shouldn't it be MY fantasy?
I wonder what this says about me. I write chicks who kick ass and take names. I'm the least ass-kicking person on the planet. But god, I wish I was!
Ohh, right, there's the connection *g*
I sometimes find myself growing defensive about my characters' asserting themselves because some people, including some writers, are scornful of such a claim. I felt vindicated when I read about a study that showed more than 90% of the sample group,which included both published and unpublished writers, had experienced a character's controlling the movement of the story. So you know you're in good company, Ter. :)
My limited experience has been that one character always has more to say to me. In my first book, it was the hero. In fact, he talked to me so much that at times I lost sympathy for the heroine. That's when I had to go back and write their breakup scene, which I knew would never be part of the book. For both the current WIPs, it's the heroine who is telling me more. I suspect that shift is common, depending upon the story.
You come to terms with who you are and embrace the idea that someone out there loves you exactly as you are.
Nice sentiment. Except in real life, not heppening. LOL!
Hal - There you go. I'm guessing when I finally get to the end of one of these things, my heroine will have changed and matured into someone I'd want to be. Maybe. Hopefully. *sigh*
Damn typos!
Janga - I admit, I'm not on the *muse* train. I don't wait around for a muse to give me inspiration or put my butt in the chair. But the characters talking to me, happens all the time. In fact, I was telling kiddo about this topic last night, and she told me when I get pubbed (yes, she used the word "when" - gotta love her) I have to tell the story about how the characters wrote the story for me. LOL!
She either thinks it's cool or has no problem with me looking slightly insane. :)
What? Except in real life, not heppening.
Is your life over? Hey, hot stuff...lots of time for all sorts of things to happen!
I like to think we're channeling our inner guy. But I'm from California, so that sort of thought comes naturally to me.
And damn straight, we'll write ourselves! Who else do we know better, or wish we knew better, or think we know better!?
I always write the flawed heroine of the ideal me. It's therapy!
This is off topic but it's my topic so who cares. I just watched a trailer for the A-Team movie and there's a shot of Bradley Cooper shirtless that made me nearly choke on my pizza crust. In fact, I nearly inhaled the damn thing. LOL!
Well worth a look! (BTW - I loved that show when I was a kid. I have to see this one.)
*googles trailer* That is a nice candy shot of Bradley's chest.
Wasn't a fan of the show though; and will probably miss this unless Holly begs to go see it. (I can't imagine Susan begging to see this. She doesn't strike me as an A-Team fan either. Holly probably was though.)
I want to see Robin Hood!
I want to see Robin Hood too. I saw the trailer during the super bowl and it looked awesome.
Robin Hood!!! Be still my beating heart. I've been in love with Russell Crowe for years already. This one might top off my year. Though I just don't see him with Cate Blanchett. Humph.
And I just read tomorrow's blog from our guest, the incomparable Dee S. Knight, and it's so going to turn this ship upside down. LOL!
I think Cate is brunette in the film. What's to hate? I think Cate fits that historical period better than a lot of other British actresses. She's got the historical drama skills of Emma Thompson or Kate Winslet, but the kick-assed-ness of Kate Beckinsale. (There are a LOT of Kates in England, aren't there?)
*grins* I love when Dee turns this ship upside down.
(P.S. I think Cate is a better fit than some of his other leading ladies: Rene Zellweger, Meg Ryan, Sharon Stone...and I googled others, but didn't even recognize the names. I see everyone I didn't care for was American. I'm such a hater.)
I like Cate, typically. She's just too skinny for this role. Clearly, I have issues. LOL! Just seems Marian should be heartier. And I couldn't stand him with Renee so much I've never watched that movie. Sometimes, she just annoys me.
The chick he sort of played against in Gladiator worked well. I think she's the same one who played Butler's wife in 300. I don't know her name but she's gorgeous (and likely NOT American.)
Maybe they're going through a famine at the beginning of the movie and Robin has to free the grain stored by the Sheriff of Nottingham!
Sorry, I get lost in the Alice in Wonderland trailer and Johnny's cra-a-a-a-a-azy eyes! Haven't even seen the Robin trailor...
Kiddo is getting excited about the Alice in Wonderland. It does look interesting.
Alright, I have to see a man about a ballroom. Carry on. (Or not.)
The queen in 300 was gorgeous.
The Alice in Wonderland trailer freaks me out. Susan and Holly are both hepped up for this movie and though I'm a huge Johnny fan, I am not an Alice in Wonderland fan. (The story doesn't engage me at all; and everyone looks...odd. Then again, Tim Burton is directing so everyone is supposed to look odd.)
But as for other movies I'm looking forward to, The Back Up Plan looks hilarious. I love J-Lo in rom-coms; and I think the premise is hilarious. How can you not see that happening? You finally decide to have a baby alone, and along comes Mr. Right. Of course.
Doesn't that sound romantic?
I have to see a man about a ballroom...
Sigh.
Tim Burton was born to do Alice in Wonderland...
A...that didn't sound right, did it? ;)
I'd agree that Tim Burton was born to do Alice in Wonderland...without the pornographic connotations, of course. Anyone that could invent a Halloween character who delivers Christmas is used to thinking outside the box. Or even the universe.
Or saying... "What box?"
Loving this article: http://writersdigest.com/article/inspiration-vs-perspiration/
What a great article, Hellie! Thanks for sharing. "Sweat it out" is exactly what I needed to hear today too.
That was NOT a good ballroom. Gah! This party is going to kill me before March!
That is a good article. And it's proven true for me. The more I write, the more I want to write and the more the ideas come.
Hi, Sorry I'm late~
It was a crazy day.
It always surprises me when a character imparts a nugget of wisdom just when I'm stuck. I just hope it keeps happening.
Hope you find the right ballroom, soon!
Di
Never too late, Di. Sorry you had a crazy day.
That's an experience with which I'm well acquainted. :)
I've found the perfect ballroom, actually. But my boss is being stubborn and I have no idea why. She's making me crazy.
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