I sometimes fall victim to the lastest book on writing, hoping to find that one chestnut that will make the light bulb go on above my head. There are books on technique, dialogue, plot, characterization, etc. But, when is enough enough?
I have been weeding through my extensive library and realized, I have too many books. Yet, I love each and every one of them. I love the smell of a new book, the feel of holding a book in my hand, the sound of the pages, the thrill of adventure.
But, I can easily get lost, reading non-stop, while letting my unfinished works remain as such, unfinished. The profession of writing is a gentle, tenuous balancing act. Research aside, there comes a time when the books only serve as a distraction, an excuse not to write.
So, for the would be writers out there, take a look at your bookshelves. If you have three books on dialogue, you may have too many. Just reading about the art and craft of writing does not make you a writer, nor does it necessarily make you a better writer.
Some of the information may help you on your journey, but if you get wrapped up in reading, you may never put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, for fear of failure. I'm not saying to ignore books on the craft of writing - I love to read them and own more than my fair share. Just don't let the words deter you from striking out on your own path.
Each writer has his/her own style, own voice, own unique story to tell. And the only way it will get told, is if you actually write it.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Creating Characters
Networking with other authors sometimes gives me pause. Some of them use mannerisms from friends and relatives for their fictional characters, some based their characters directly on people they know. I must be odd in that respect - all of the fictional characters in my novels are just that, fictional.
One of the characters in my ancient Egyptian series, I will admit, I have based on someone I know, but only his physical characteristics. He works out, making him the perfect fit and trim Egyptian male, has his head shaved, and has the swagger of a king's son. Perfect for the evil son of Ramesses III.
But, to say he is the character is completely untrue. My friend is a thoughtful man and not prone to jealousy, violence, or retribution, the motivations which are so ingrained in my fictional villain. My characters sprang from many outlining sessions and research into New Kingdom Egypt. I wanted to be faithful to how the people lived, their occupations, their mannerisms and speech patterns, and the passion they had for each other and their beloved land.
Our society and culture is too geared toward gadgets and technology for me to base any of my characters on people I know. It would be far too difficult for me to take a personal friend and try to imagine how he/she would have survived as an Egyptian farmer, a Kushite Medjay, or son of the greatest ruler on earth.
Rather, I have consumed book after book about the daily life of the ancient cultures, to get a real perspective on them. So, when I write a character I can imagine what his life was like, the struggles he faced, the foods he ate, how he interacted with others. And, the more I have learned about them, the more I wish I had lived then. A much simpler life, harsher indeed, but certainly more in tune with nature and the world around them.
One of the characters in my ancient Egyptian series, I will admit, I have based on someone I know, but only his physical characteristics. He works out, making him the perfect fit and trim Egyptian male, has his head shaved, and has the swagger of a king's son. Perfect for the evil son of Ramesses III.
But, to say he is the character is completely untrue. My friend is a thoughtful man and not prone to jealousy, violence, or retribution, the motivations which are so ingrained in my fictional villain. My characters sprang from many outlining sessions and research into New Kingdom Egypt. I wanted to be faithful to how the people lived, their occupations, their mannerisms and speech patterns, and the passion they had for each other and their beloved land.
Our society and culture is too geared toward gadgets and technology for me to base any of my characters on people I know. It would be far too difficult for me to take a personal friend and try to imagine how he/she would have survived as an Egyptian farmer, a Kushite Medjay, or son of the greatest ruler on earth.
Rather, I have consumed book after book about the daily life of the ancient cultures, to get a real perspective on them. So, when I write a character I can imagine what his life was like, the struggles he faced, the foods he ate, how he interacted with others. And, the more I have learned about them, the more I wish I had lived then. A much simpler life, harsher indeed, but certainly more in tune with nature and the world around them.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Keeping Characters Straight
I set myself up for a daunting task. I have outlined a series of novels, set in ancient Egypt, covering a span of approximately fifteen years. Some characters will appear in every book, some will be recurring characters, though not in every book, and some may appear only once.
The task becomes: how to describe a character in each book without becoming repetitive. Since each book is a stand alone mystery, a reader could pick up any one of them and enjoy it on its own merits. But, too little description may leave a reader unsatisfied, too much may bore the series reader.
Since the characters will also age during the course of the series, it was apparent I needed to know as much about them as possible. I created a character sheet for each one: name, age, height, weight, hair and eye colour, etc. It can be very unpleasant trying to describe a character when you have forgotten their eye colour and have to look back through a 250 page manuscript.
But, more than just the basics, my character sheet allows me to add information from previous books. So I know when my character has a scar on his left shoulder from his last adventure. And, two books from now, it still better be there.
I know it seems like a lot of work, but my characters are important to me and the story. And, in order to make them important to the reader, I want each one to be different, yet remain fresh, through the entire series. Plus, the added benefit of having the information right at hand - it save so much time.
The task becomes: how to describe a character in each book without becoming repetitive. Since each book is a stand alone mystery, a reader could pick up any one of them and enjoy it on its own merits. But, too little description may leave a reader unsatisfied, too much may bore the series reader.
Since the characters will also age during the course of the series, it was apparent I needed to know as much about them as possible. I created a character sheet for each one: name, age, height, weight, hair and eye colour, etc. It can be very unpleasant trying to describe a character when you have forgotten their eye colour and have to look back through a 250 page manuscript.
But, more than just the basics, my character sheet allows me to add information from previous books. So I know when my character has a scar on his left shoulder from his last adventure. And, two books from now, it still better be there.
I know it seems like a lot of work, but my characters are important to me and the story. And, in order to make them important to the reader, I want each one to be different, yet remain fresh, through the entire series. Plus, the added benefit of having the information right at hand - it save so much time.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Favourite Outlining Tool
I've been asked if I outline when I write and the answer has always been an unqualified "yes." But, I outline differently for fiction and non-fiction. Non-fiction outlining is much easier for me - I just do a basic list of what I want to cover and expand from there.
Fiction outlining is much more detailed. Since I'm writing historical fiction, keeping an accurate timeline is important. Plus, each book in the series is a stand alone novel, featuring recurring characters. So, I keep detailed character sheets on each character for review.
My favourite tool, however, is a pad of blank calendar sheets. My books are mysteries set in ancient Egypt - no waiting for forensic lab results, no Miranda warnings, just quick, swift, and often brutal interrogation and justice. I plot out the book on a calendar sheet, from inciting event to conclusion, which keeps me on track, and my chapters are designated by dates from the calendar.
The blank calendar pad has a lovely column on the right, where I can write important information to remember, facts to verify, or questions to answer during the course of the book. Everything I need is in an easy to read format and right next to my computer for easy access.
I don't know how well this would work with a book covering an extended period of time - my books generally span less than thirty days. In ancient times, "evildoers" were not imprisoned - they were banished, forced into labour for restitution, recieved a number of lashes and released, or executed within twenty-four hours of sentencing. How's that for swift justice?
Fiction outlining is much more detailed. Since I'm writing historical fiction, keeping an accurate timeline is important. Plus, each book in the series is a stand alone novel, featuring recurring characters. So, I keep detailed character sheets on each character for review.
My favourite tool, however, is a pad of blank calendar sheets. My books are mysteries set in ancient Egypt - no waiting for forensic lab results, no Miranda warnings, just quick, swift, and often brutal interrogation and justice. I plot out the book on a calendar sheet, from inciting event to conclusion, which keeps me on track, and my chapters are designated by dates from the calendar.
The blank calendar pad has a lovely column on the right, where I can write important information to remember, facts to verify, or questions to answer during the course of the book. Everything I need is in an easy to read format and right next to my computer for easy access.
I don't know how well this would work with a book covering an extended period of time - my books generally span less than thirty days. In ancient times, "evildoers" were not imprisoned - they were banished, forced into labour for restitution, recieved a number of lashes and released, or executed within twenty-four hours of sentencing. How's that for swift justice?
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