Thursday, October 13, 2011
Playing Favorites
Another blog from my Deb Dixon workshop!
Yup, I did take notes…I even scribbled along the edges of my notebook whenever she said something I thought I could finagle into a blog.
Of course, trying to make sense of those notes at this point…well…I’m working on it!
I did fiddle about with specific plot ideas for my Almost Human story. Found some great stuff to fill a sagging middle and reach the end. Now, if only I can run my writing muse down and lure him to the beach for rum and s’mores…
Anyway! Topic of the day is Playing Favorites.
You see, Deb mentioned her son (I think it was her son…no, wait, her daughter! I think…) Anyway! This relative was really excited about a book Deb had coming out and asked if it was a him story or a her story’ and that got Deb thinking… It was true.
She wrote romances, but some books were more his story and some were more her story.
The simple truth? She played favorites with her leads. And I have a confession…after some deliberation I must admit…so do I.
I write couples. Sure. My Caribbean Spell books? They are all Miranda…sure her sweetie, Jack, is part of things, but the biggest personal journey belongs to Miranda. I loved writing Jack and he had some scenes that were all his in the first book and he certainly underwent his own heroes journey. But the greater story belongs to her. Now, this is a l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-n-g series and sometimes it’s still Miranda’s book, and sometimes it’s Jacks.
The Kraken’s Mirror? Oh, Emily!
The Chameleon Goggles (coming out next week, btw!) well, that one really belongs to Jezebel. She makes the longest, hardest voyage of the three main characters.
The Pirate Circus…I changed it around. I’d say that story belongs to Benjamin Silvestri. Yup, the guy.
When it comes to the stories my agent has out in submission…The Changed World…tough one to pick, but I’d go with Ivy. The Alien Library? Oh, Cameron.
I’m working on Almost Human and that is Sam’s story…even though Ria…
Okay, the trick to this is that there are often two journeys. The emotional journey and the heart of the journey aren’t always the same. For Almost Human…Ria’s is the emotional journey. She suffers from a loss of humanity and isn’t sure what it means to be human any longer. She knows that something is missing inside. She remembers being human, but now, after 15 years of living with aliens, she doesn’t feel human any longer. Until Sam.
Ria has to rediscover her humanity. And this is proving a challenging course to sail. It’s deep, it’s complex…
It isn’t the heart of the story.
I meant it to be. But as I wrote, I found myself concentrating on Sam… Sam, who has spent most of his life in the shadow of 9-11 and the fight on terror that consumed his country. He left the field of music therapy and stepped into a position with Homeland Research and Security, to profile terrorists. But his world has been shattered anew with the reality of the conspiracy which has misled his country for fifty years.
He sees Ria and knows she is damaged and needs him. In helping her, he makes the greater journey, back to his truth. Sam’s story drew me in and challenged me. He didn’t mean to, but he became my favorite and I put more attention, more details and the greater exploration of his heart into the writing. I’m about 1/3 of the way through this story. I didn’t mean to do this. It wasn’t my intention. But there you have it.
Generally, according to Deb Dixon, an author will play favorites. It just happens. Just as a reader is caught by one character more than the other, even when they may love the couple’s story, they will be more entranced with one of them. More sympathetic, more fascinated.
So, what about you? Who is your favorite with your present MS?
Yup, I did take notes…I even scribbled along the edges of my notebook whenever she said something I thought I could finagle into a blog.
Of course, trying to make sense of those notes at this point…well…I’m working on it!
I did fiddle about with specific plot ideas for my Almost Human story. Found some great stuff to fill a sagging middle and reach the end. Now, if only I can run my writing muse down and lure him to the beach for rum and s’mores…
Anyway! Topic of the day is Playing Favorites.
You see, Deb mentioned her son (I think it was her son…no, wait, her daughter! I think…) Anyway! This relative was really excited about a book Deb had coming out and asked if it was a him story or a her story’ and that got Deb thinking… It was true.
She wrote romances, but some books were more his story and some were more her story.
The simple truth? She played favorites with her leads. And I have a confession…after some deliberation I must admit…so do I.
I write couples. Sure. My Caribbean Spell books? They are all Miranda…sure her sweetie, Jack, is part of things, but the biggest personal journey belongs to Miranda. I loved writing Jack and he had some scenes that were all his in the first book and he certainly underwent his own heroes journey. But the greater story belongs to her. Now, this is a l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-n-g series and sometimes it’s still Miranda’s book, and sometimes it’s Jacks.
The Kraken’s Mirror? Oh, Emily!
The Chameleon Goggles (coming out next week, btw!) well, that one really belongs to Jezebel. She makes the longest, hardest voyage of the three main characters.
The Pirate Circus…I changed it around. I’d say that story belongs to Benjamin Silvestri. Yup, the guy.
When it comes to the stories my agent has out in submission…The Changed World…tough one to pick, but I’d go with Ivy. The Alien Library? Oh, Cameron.
I’m working on Almost Human and that is Sam’s story…even though Ria…
Okay, the trick to this is that there are often two journeys. The emotional journey and the heart of the journey aren’t always the same. For Almost Human…Ria’s is the emotional journey. She suffers from a loss of humanity and isn’t sure what it means to be human any longer. She knows that something is missing inside. She remembers being human, but now, after 15 years of living with aliens, she doesn’t feel human any longer. Until Sam.
Ria has to rediscover her humanity. And this is proving a challenging course to sail. It’s deep, it’s complex…
It isn’t the heart of the story.
I meant it to be. But as I wrote, I found myself concentrating on Sam… Sam, who has spent most of his life in the shadow of 9-11 and the fight on terror that consumed his country. He left the field of music therapy and stepped into a position with Homeland Research and Security, to profile terrorists. But his world has been shattered anew with the reality of the conspiracy which has misled his country for fifty years.
He sees Ria and knows she is damaged and needs him. In helping her, he makes the greater journey, back to his truth. Sam’s story drew me in and challenged me. He didn’t mean to, but he became my favorite and I put more attention, more details and the greater exploration of his heart into the writing. I’m about 1/3 of the way through this story. I didn’t mean to do this. It wasn’t my intention. But there you have it.
Generally, according to Deb Dixon, an author will play favorites. It just happens. Just as a reader is caught by one character more than the other, even when they may love the couple’s story, they will be more entranced with one of them. More sympathetic, more fascinated.
So, what about you? Who is your favorite with your present MS?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Books by the Crew
58 comments:
My hero is the favorite. He's the protagonist in my story. I didn't intend that either. I expected it to be my heroine. She's making a journey from being a courtesan to a more traditional life. But my hero? He's the main journey. Because he's got to put a whole lot of insecurity behind him. He's the one who has to make the really big choices.
I don't think it's that I played favorites. I prefer to see it as Carol Hughes explained in her workshop. That one character is the protagonist and the other is the contagonist. That the protagonist's choices propel the story, and that the contagonist's goals are working in contrast to the protagonist's.
Intriguing post, Chance. I think I play favorites too, but now I can see why, since the journey is different for the characters. Which means it may be more relatable to me than the other character's journey.
I think my hero is my favorite at the moment. Maybe. I'm working on a couple things right now, so I have to think. When I'm writing in 1st POV, it's whoever that POV character is, but in 3rd POV -- yes, I think the hero is my favorite right now. :)
I started my current MS as the heroine's story. She's the one who came to me first, she has the most interesting story. Then I got to writing and got sucked in by my hero. He's a pretty cool hero, and he and a secondary character have a history that fascinates me.
It took me a long time to admit that I *needed* to go back to the first way, where Naomi is the protagonist, and it's Naomi's story. The hero is major, he has his own arc and his own things to deal with, but it's still Naomi's story. Giving the book that structure helped me clarify what was necessary, what was unnecessary, and what scenes I need to add in (a lot!)
For me, figuring out who my protagonist (or favorite!) was meant boiling down the story to one question. When i really, really boiled it down, I was left with: "Will Naomi regain what she sacrificed?" I finally put that on a post-it note on my computer to help me keep focused :)
I've always said authors give the story to one character or the other more--and it's not always the heroine as is expected in a romance. One character simply has the bigger (or better) character arc, and it ends up being his/her story.
Of course, no one believes me.
But then Debra Dixon says it....
I have a pattern. I usually make my hero's have the bigger arc, or the more interesting arc. I am more interested in their growth than I am the heroine's. It's really sexist of me. But with Redemption, Lucifer was definitely the owner of the story; in GOGU, it was Ben (even though it was in first person heroine POV!--and there was heroine growth in standing up to her friend, et al); and in this one, I suspect Adam is going to be more interesting to me than Eve. It will end up being Adam's story of discovery. *sighs*
I need to make time to take that Carol Hughes class.
I believe the "playing favorites" does happen and the story usually belongs to one or the other, but I'm not sure which way I went in the current WIP. The more I think about it, the more I'd say the story belongs to my heroine.
Joe has some lessons to learn, but he learns them long before the end. Beth's lessons are harder. She has to overcome a way of thinking that has been engrained in her since childhood. Takes longer for her to come round. So yeah, the book belongs to Beth.
Sure, Marn...tell yourself that! Hee, hee.
I recall the discussion about contagonists. I'm not sure that would work with my books, especially the idea that their goals are working in contrast. But perhaps...
I mean, Ria wants to feel again, know the full range of emotions that are part of being human...which will force her to deal with committing suicide and the despair that drove her to that choice. She has a hellish amount of guilt. Which she pushes against due to the way she was raised. Guilt isn't something she can easily acknowledge... And how that works in contrast to Sam... I'd have to dive deeper into exactly how a protogonist and contagonist work...
Which would require more craft reading.
Sure. That will happen.
Maybe I'll just lurk around and hope you drop more clues about this mysterious relationship and go from there...
Donna - I'm sure Deb spoke with more clarity regarding the different journies our characters make...but I'm drawing a blank and my notes wander about then. I must have been doodling about my sagging middle - the book, not me personally - and not been paying attention.
I do think there are different levels of the journey and I did find it fascinating to realize that the heart isn't always the emotional journey. When writing a couple driven story, one would think it had to be the emotional track. But when I consider who is getting the most attention and having to actually traverse the harder road, faced with the most decisions...it's not Ria.
I would imagine with first, it would almost have to be that character. The few shorts I've done in first would certainly lean that way.
Hal - I didled with my opening scene over and over, attempting to see what that would tell me, or reveal to me, about my two leads. I mean, he's watching her suicide video, coverage of her funeral, the testimonials of those who knew her in life... And it was fascinating to realize though all of that revealed a great deal about her...it actually set the book up to show his arc, more than hers.
I admit, when faced with a shift I simply went with it.
I admire your conviction to get back and shift yourself back into where you'd intended to go.
I am, obviously, more the nomad on this journey.
Or I'm just easily distracted.
Coffee...good...
I've read The Kraken's Mirror and I'm hard pressed to say that book leans more toward Silvestri. I've also read Hellie's GOGU and that book is totally Livie's story. IMO, of course. It's not like I wrote these things.
:)
My H/h sort of have the same goals, but they're approaches are different. Or their preconceived notions are, which puts them at odds. They eventually come to have the exact same goal. But that goal is what they "want" and not what they "need". Hence, the problem.
I realize that makes no sense to anyone but me. LOL!
From what you've told me, I suspect you're on the money, Bo'sun. It would seem that one of the harder aspects of your current WIP is how Joe has to let Beth find herself.
Oooooh! Sounds so 60s, doesn't it?
I woke up in the midst of a dream where I was being 'tested' by priests and using meditation techniques to survive, ala the 60s and so my mind is naturally still bent that way...
But I digress!
Joe's journey is a simpler one, like Ria's. While Beth has to figure out so much more and assess her past in a more immediate way. I look forward to 'reading' how you do this!
Yeah, Marn's class sounds fascinating! Let me know if you find it somewhere, I'll do it with you. Otherwise, if I do it alone I'll slack off and not get the most out of it...
I’ve also read Hellie’s GOGU and that book is totally Livie’s story.
Maybe it is, but everyone who's read it seem far more interested in Ben and his story. *LOL*
Hellion - I sense...yes, you said this last week! Now, I have never disputed the idea of playing favorites. I was surprised when looking at my own work to realize the main character wasn't always the favorite...that was the aspect that fascinated me!
Whether you said it or Deb said it...does it matter? As long as it's said?
Do you need a hug this morning?
(Yes, full of 60s stuff this morn. It's the lack of deep sleep I'm currently suffering.)
I love this whole Adam/Eve/Lucifer dynamic you have going on. But really, shouldn't surprise you that it's Adam's story...she's a woman, she already gets it. He has to grow into it!
Hey!
Rapidly scanning blog...yeah, I said it was Emily's story. Not Silvestri. I wasn't sure but we chatted about this in Georgia and I saw you were right, it's Emily's story. I think partly because he does know what he needs and what he wants right up front. Where Emily? She is all over the place on that front!
I like that idea...preconceived notions are at odds while the goal is the same... I may steal that and contemplate what that means to what I'm writing. You may have unlocked my problem with the contagonist and protagonist concept!
I know I didn't say it first--or even that Deb said it first. I'm sure some dead ancient said it first. What irks the crap out of me is when *I* say it, I get argued with, but if someone else says it, you all think about it and then again.
It's like you guys would rather argue with me than agree with me.
And yes, I need a hug. I'm tired! My nose is stuffy!
No, they're BOTH going to have to come to some realizations. I think she's mad at Adam for taking her for granted, but I think she also rather resents him for "holding her back" or not letting her be herself, when she has to acknowledge she was the one doing those things and she should have done this long ago if this is what she really wanted. She has to realize that while she is mad at Adam for being a putz, she's really mad at herself for letting herself settle for so little.
Maybe it is, but everyone who’s read it seem far more interested in Ben and his story. *LOL*
Which begs the question...is the author's favorite always the reader's favorite?
Man, the number of television shows I watch because of the side characters is immense. Leads are okay, but the others... I watch the Mentalist for Cho, for example. Something about that stoic faced Asian fascinates me...
Oh, I think it's clear in the story that Ben is the author's favorite. *LOL* I'd say Livie's got a huge growth arc in how she deals with her relationships--and Ben seems more "mature" in that aspect sometimes (like he doesn't seem to think one fight will break them up forever, whereas Livie does). Maybe Ben seems more interesting because he's the mystery. *shrugs*
I'm more the as long as we all agree eventually, who cares who said it or when sort of gal. I'm sure whatever discussion you fostered by bringing it up was enlightening, Hellion. That's what matters.
Oh, your sniffly? I'm not sure I want to hug you then... What the hell, I can take some vitamin C...
***HUG!***
From the sounds of it, Eve still is aware of herself and has a focus, or two, for who did what and what needs to change. Does Adam?
I know nothing about GOGU, so can't really venture an opinion there...
WHEN have we ever argued on this particular topic? We have argued with you on others, but I have no memory of arguing on this one. On any front. You're now imagining arguments!
And Eve has a lot of anger to work through. That woman needs to let off some steam.
Happy to help, Chance! I said it was Emily's story? Hmmm... *taps chin* For the internal issues, that's right. Yes, it's Emily's story. Don't mind me, I'm doing four things at once!
Is Hels inventing arguments again? ;-)
Yup, you and I discussed this in Georgia... You took the stance that it was Emily's story. I contemplated it as Silvestri's story... You convinced me you were right!
Four things only? You having an off day?
WHEN have we ever argued on this particular topic? We have argued with you on others, but I have no memory of arguing on this one. On any front. You’re now imagining arguments!
WE have argued about this topic. You and I. I am not imagining arguments!
She's trying to create an argument over an argument that never happened. Is her Friday not exciting enough?
;)
And if she reverts back to some lame ass argument I made in 2008 when I didn't know my ass from my elbow in regards to writing, I'm going to clip her hammock strings.
Fight! Fight! Fight!
I love it, let's fight about a fight we may have had... ;-)
2008...where was I back then? Ah! Contemplating actually submitting a MS...
I will not be held responsible for things I said back then. I was deep in the embrace of PTSD...that's my excuse.
no! don't fight. We'll hug! *HUGS all around* "hal goes flitting off to hug everyone -- which is a big deal, as hal only hugs when it's necessary and generally avoids touching other human beings*
okay - stupid question of the day. How did you y'all get your pictures into the little square by your name? I couldn't figure it out....
I love you, Hal. I know you would have agreed with me from the beginning.
And if she reverts back to some lame ass argument I made in 2008 when I didn’t know my ass from my elbow in regards to writing, I’m going to clip her hammock strings.
I don't give a crap--it still counts! *LOL* It was IRRITATING!
I'm not accepting your excuses. I will only accept your apologies for blowing me off.
Okay, one of you to the stern, one to the bow!
Don't make me summon the kraken!
Hey, she agrees with you know...does it really matter? I mean we all made mistakes in the past. I could post some pics of what I used to wear in high school to illustrate that... Or better yet, what the husband used to wear... ;-)
okay – stupid question of the day. How did you y’all get your pictures into the little square by your name? I couldn’t figure it out….
Bo'sun? Can you field this? I remember you sent me to website to register...
Hal - You have to go to Gravatar.com and set yourself up with an avatar. Then when you sign in connected to your email address, it should pull in the picture.
I hope that's right. It's been a few months.
I'm not apologizing for something I hadn't learned yet! And I still don't remember this argument ever happening. I may have questioned the idea, but that's not the same as arguing. Definitely not blowing you off. (I don't swing that way.)
Now I feel all mushy inside because Hal has hugged me. LOL!
Yeah, a Friday morning hug is the best...
I mean, this week has been challenging! And today I tackle a raglan sleeved bolero jacket, in pirate print, at my sewing class... I pray it goes well! I'm gonna be trying to match the print at the seams.
Hope I don't kill anyone. Must remember to eat before class...
I meant Hal has actually hugged me. In person. That makes me special!
I’m not apologizing for something I hadn’t learned yet! And I still don’t remember this argument ever happening. I may have questioned the idea, but that’s not the same as arguing.
Of course you don't remember. You don't remember much of anything. You say so all the time.
That IS the same as arguing. Stop negating my feelings about it!
this week has been challenging! And today I tackle a raglan sleeved bolero jacket, in pirate print, at my sewing class
What does that look like? It sounds cool! You've been doing such a great job in your sewing class and like you're having fun!! I finally broke down and ordered a pattern I *REALLY* wanted off Simplicity that I couldn't find in stores (damnit) and it's coming to me this week.
This one... http://www.simplicity.com/p-3651-misses-jackets.aspx
I really like my Hancock Fabric...they might call the cops on me one of these days. I keep fondling and drooling on the fabric...
Okay, how about if she agrees she may have debated the issue with you in the past?
Geez, Bo'sun...you've probably met, in person, more of the crew than the rest of us!
I meant Hal has actually hugged me. In person. That makes me special!
haha. yeah, it's rare. I won't even hug my own mother (which leads to some awkward situations of her leaning in and me leaning back . . . ugh)
dude, that's some intense sewing, Mo! I don't stray very far from curtains with straight seams. Though I got a new sewing machine recently! A Brother with all sorts of stitch options and a drop-in bobbin thingy. It's heaven compared to my 40-year-old Montgomery Ward machine my grandmother gave me.
I'm finding that 50+ years of having a mother that sews left me with more innate knowledge then I realized. Once I turn the analytical part of the brain off when trying to follow pattern instructions I can actually manage most things.
Next project after the bolero jacket is a dress...with a zipper. And the class ends next week, so I may be tackling this totally on my own! (I think they'll start up another class in January. I might be ready for my pirate/steampunk coat by then!)
I am new machine shopping. Mom's old Singer workhorse has so many quirks and needs so much coaxing and convincing to behave! Drives me crazy!
I think Chance is right about the reader's response. Whatever the writer thinks, the reader will make her own choice aboout whose storyit is, and that choice may be different from the writer's choice. Reading, at its best, is also a creative act. I've had authors say to me when I identified a story as the heroine's that they saw it as the hero's. Stanley Fish was right. Amazing!
I also think there can be a difference in a writer's favorite character and the character with the greatest arc. Dori has further to go in TLWH because Max has changed in significant ways before the story begins. I wrote it that way because I understand Dori's choices viscerally, but Max is my darling. I adore him.
Marn, the protag/contag idea really makes sense to me--and helps me make sense of a problem I've been struggling with in the WIP.
I really like my Hancock Fabric…they might call the cops on me one of these days. I keep fondling and drooling on the fabric…
They won't. CUTE jacket!! Are you making the one with pleats?? Or one of the simpler ones?
ohh! it worked! woo hoo. That's pretty much the extent of my productivity for this morning.
Reading, at its best, is also a creative act.
I believe this is true more and more.
Janga - I figure readers often create a world the writer didn't even imagine! And when I face a reader who gushes about something I don't really think I wrote, I just nod and smile... I mean, who's to say they're wrong? Not me!
I'm gonna have to consider the idea that the character with the greater arc isn't the favorite... Is it possible to have a favorite and yet not favor the amount one develops and writes of a favorite?
*blink...blink
Hels, I'm making the one with contrasting trim and long sleeves. Not going to try that ruffled one yet, or the collar one! I'm always looking for long sleeved little jackets, so I figured if I can master making one I'll be set for life!
The stores all have these 3/4 sleeve ones, which I don't want. Or no sleeve, which I don't want. And raglan sleeves? With not needing to fit a real armhole, I figure it's a good one to start with!
I’m finding that 50+ years of having a mother that sews left me with more innate knowledge then I realized.
All my skills popped up after mom died (she was the sewer), but after she was gone, I realized how much I had gotten from her without knowing.
They're taking down our network here at the office, so I'm going dark!
Damn. Who is going to keep this going when I'm off sewing!
I gotta leave soon to go to the eye doctor, so....not me :)
Well, it is Friday, if things slide into slowness today, it's understandable... Why, oh why, is this class only held on Fridays!?
Oh, yeah...because that is when the regular classes are fewest at the JC...
Okay, crew! Off to get the doggums out for a stroll afore shutting her into the van for 3 hours...
Hal's got her Gravitar! Go Hal!!
Good point, Janga. I actually look forward to hearing what readers "get" from my stories that I didn't even know I'd put in there.
I'm back! That wasn't so bad. And I got 2 invoices reconciled. Go me.
Now we need Marn & Donna's pretty faces and we're complete!
And I'm out of sewing early...forgot my glasses so once I was at the point of actually needing the machines, I was done. I got all the cutting out done and I 'think' I understand what to do next... We'll see!
I know when I used to make jewelry that no matter what I saw in my creations, others saw different. I never corrected them.
Short of time so have to skimp.
I'm totally in awe of you all, writing about character arcs and whether the reader will agree with your favorites. I so wish that I had a character arc worth discussing, or the time and the ideas to develop one.
I'm pretty sure that I would be in love with my heroine who would totally dominate the pages. Rather like Miranda in Chance's Caribbean spell books. I might have multiple hero's not allowing any of them to love my heroine ... that might make me jealous!
Humm. Its probably safer for me to stick to short amusing stories for my Grand to read!
If anyone argues with Helli they will have to argue with me ... unless its me.
The Adam and Eve story sounds fascinating!
I'm quite sure that I would love Eve if I got my hands on her. I can well imagine that she will remind me of her creator, leading me both to the ecstasy of revelation and to sin.
I'm guessing that an apple falls on Adam's head predating Newton by centuries. But Newton claimed the credit and so should Adam! *grin*
A huge hug for the skipper for inspiring us all! :D
My favorite would have to be Drake, my hero. However it is Sarah who has the most to learn. I just love that while she is doing that she totally gets under his skin. First he wants her out, then discovers that he doesn't want to live without her.
A hug and some tissues for the Captain. Hope you feel better.
Chance that jacket is cute.
I loved the Carol Hughes class. I learned a lot, even though I couldn't participate as much as I wanted to. Why is that when I sign up for a class I'm really excited about that life explodes?
Di
Hey, Q! Sorry it's so late in the day for replying! I do adore how you love my Miranda... just makes me shiver in appreciation!
Di R - Yeah, one of the reasons I tend to now do classes...never seem to be at the right time!
Speaking of ecourses, Hellie and I are teaching on in the spring. WTH were we thinking???
Post a Comment