tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post6691325860350950540..comments2024-03-29T10:59:34.918-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Free will charactersJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-4599723666228724372013-06-22T21:57:12.948-04:002013-06-22T21:57:12.948-04:00Warren - isn't that the truth, about the autho...Warren - isn't that the truth, about the author as puppeteer? You can have the most clever plot on the planet, but if the characters are not three-dimensional, it just doesn't work for me.<br /><br />Paula - The trick is to let your characters act naturally while trying to maintain what you think is going to be the plot (and subplots). Or you can just go rogue and see where your characters take you!Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-2936401932566583852013-06-22T16:37:55.360-04:002013-06-22T16:37:55.360-04:00I love all these comments about independent charac...I love all these comments about independent characters, particularly since I'm grappling with one now. Great ideas, Gayle, about how to let them speak for themselves.Paula Gail Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843350597811462936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-71983788244108951892013-06-22T13:09:27.820-04:002013-06-22T13:09:27.820-04:00Ha! My characters won't do thongs just because...Ha! My characters won't do thongs just because I want them to. They tell me what to type. As an experienced writer I can tell when an author tries to drag her characters around like they are puppets. The story goes flat and the characters escape from the scene as fast as they can.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-61581584672770498332013-06-22T11:57:35.812-04:002013-06-22T11:57:35.812-04:00I've been trying to leave comments this mornin...I've been trying to leave comments this morning, but my computer has been a brat. I blame Windows 8. <br /><br />KM - I completely understand. Sometimes I think my characters act like I'm not even in the room!<br /><br />Gloria - Thanks for the kind words. I like Peri and her pals, and will be writing more. I've got an idea for a new one, but I have to finish this horsey mystery first.<br /><br />Kath - Bios work for a lot of my minor characters, but I'm always afraid my dialogue will suck, so part of the journaling process is figuring out what their voices sound like, what's their go-to phrase or curse word, etc. <br /><br />James - yes, EXACTLY. And thanks so much for the blog invite!<br /><br />Shari - Thanks for having me. Your group is a lot of fun. I read your posts all the time, even if I don't stop to comment.Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-43581497009603141052013-06-22T11:51:40.950-04:002013-06-22T11:51:40.950-04:00Hi Gayle,
Loved the idea of characters journaling!...Hi Gayle,<br />Loved the idea of characters journaling! And Peri sounds like a character I'd like to get to know. Thanks for stopping by.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-62196611555045440202013-06-22T10:56:03.221-04:002013-06-22T10:56:03.221-04:00One of the keys to characterization is motivation....One of the keys to characterization is motivation. I need to understand each character's motivation upon entering a scene. When I struggle it is often because the motivation is muddled.<br /><br />That's when I ask my characters to explain themselves - sometimes using a journal type exercise to let me know what's going on with them.<br /><br />Afterwards, the scene flows much more smoothly.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-64254751459240874832013-06-22T10:50:57.083-04:002013-06-22T10:50:57.083-04:00I've written bios for characters, but i LOVE t...I've written bios for characters, but i LOVE the idea of having them write journals! Genius. Thank you.Kathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15620539513724126913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-25534988301630133132013-06-22T09:51:21.152-04:002013-06-22T09:51:21.152-04:00I've written biographies for many, but not all...I've written biographies for many, but not all of my characters. That way I can picture them in my mind and know what makes them click. I especially write bios for all my murderers and find much to like about them.<br /><br />Gayle, I loved Freezer Burn, and it's been on my to do list to order others in your series for some time now. I hope to get to it soon.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-11678770109994724502013-06-22T09:07:19.398-04:002013-06-22T09:07:19.398-04:00That's a fun exercise.
I have characters that...That's a fun exercise.<br /><br />I have characters that won't do what I want them to, either, even when I try to patiently point out to them the error of their ways. I get the feeling that, while I am aware of what they are doing, they may not even know I exist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com