tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050630514662355379.post1434000514852563386..comments2023-10-10T10:57:13.195-05:00Comments on Writing, Food, and Life: Creating CharactersMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08718382178913859357noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050630514662355379.post-57718836405734480502009-07-14T06:13:51.993-05:002009-07-14T06:13:51.993-05:00For me, the plot always comes before the character...For me, the plot always comes before the characters and I base them on whatever the plot requires. <br />I *do* have a sheet that tells me everything I need to know about the major players but I fill it out as I go. I do it more to remember them more than anything else. (Usually as I'm starting the story, before I really get to know them.)Charlie Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02347938747849177632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050630514662355379.post-50351167044733209812009-07-01T00:37:30.059-05:002009-07-01T00:37:30.059-05:00When I first started writing, I had a vague idea o...When I first started writing, I had a vague idea of where I was going, and maybe an ending. That style is referred to by some as seat-of-your-pants writing. Mant authors like it.<br /><br />Now that I am writing more realistic novels rather than fantasy, I find I must do scads of research. Many ideas I use in the novel come out of that research.<br /><br />I make notes regarding my characters, and now I rough out the major parts of the book. When and where I get my best writing, though, is after doing all that preparation, I turn my muse and imagination loose and the story flows!Dave W. Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122812960282406701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050630514662355379.post-78826293817670722552009-06-27T16:00:07.836-05:002009-06-27T16:00:07.836-05:00When I start thinking of a story I write down ever...When I start thinking of a story I write down every shred of an idea that I have. But I really get to know my characters as I write about them. Sometimes when I get stuck I go back and try to figure out what would motivate them to act in a certain way and then those character sheets can be helpful. I've never been able to do all the prep work up front because when I start I get so excited and I just want to write!Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050630514662355379.post-61818263786367921542009-06-27T07:49:24.157-05:002009-06-27T07:49:24.157-05:00I do almost know character prep work, but I'm ...I do almost know character prep work, but I'm not saying that's the way to go...when I work with others on writing, I tell them they should know things like what the character eats for breakfast, even though that'll never show up in the book. <br />The risk with doing A LOT of prep work, I think, is that you're then tempted to put things in the book that don't really need to be there.<br />Good luck!Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333494452915600562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050630514662355379.post-537433297170494282009-06-26T16:32:45.390-05:002009-06-26T16:32:45.390-05:00Glad to hear it's not just me.
I love findi...Glad to hear it's not just me. <br /><br /><br />I love finding old notes. Half the time I get new ideas from the old stuff I never used. :DMeghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08718382178913859357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050630514662355379.post-70974142094578461402009-06-26T12:45:30.710-05:002009-06-26T12:45:30.710-05:00I do a ton of prep work and rarely glance at it. I...I do a ton of prep work and rarely glance at it. I think it helps turn the wheels in my brain and I reference it once and again.Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050630514662355379.post-33203736893377591162009-06-26T09:54:17.911-05:002009-06-26T09:54:17.911-05:00I know what you mean. Sometimes, I use small thing...I know what you mean. Sometimes, I use small things that I've thought up, but usually, I do the thinking and figuring as I go along.I used to write favorite colors, and hair and eye colors and height (mostly so I knew the relation between characters if they embraced), but I've done it less and less..and it just comes out in the writing without having to prethink it all.<br /><br /> When it comes to plot though, I really like having my outline nearby. It doesn't mean I always stick to it, but I use it as a crutch sometimes because in a lot of cases, I've spent a long time figuring out what I want to happen next and how to get there. I'm sometimes too involved in plotting that I delay writing the book. But lately, a good friend of mine has lit a fire under me and forced me (in all the best ways possible) to just put down that blasted outline and write!SJDuvallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10598176076288051750noreply@blogger.com