The Friday Writing Post…That Isn’t
I’m a bit scattered–a week full of releases, both the free serial and otherwise, will do that to you. (By the way, it’s Friday, so a new chapter of Selene is up.) It’s been a little bit since I sat down and did a coherent post, and here it is Friday–which means a writing post.
And me with my brain all cleaned out.
Before I get started, though, a few links. Here’s a slideshow of “ugly” supermodels, which is food for thought. (And for stories.) And Mitzi Szereto talks about “precious” writers. Since we all know how I start frothing at the mouth when I talk about it, just read Ms. Szereto, and I’ll change the subject.
Actually, I really am so scattered today, I should probably just bullet two or three things in a list and call it good.
* The Selkie and I were talking the other day about plot and characterization. “Which one is more important?” I asked.
“Character,” she answered without missing a beat. “Plot is just people doing things. Without caring about those people, you’ve just got a technical manual. Of course…” And we went on to name a few offenders, giggling all the while.
I happen to agree with her wholeheartedly. The plot will happen as a result of the characters and the pressures on them. Character may save a book, but just plain plot devices pall after a while. You are writing for human beings, and human beings are endlessly interested in…human beings like themselves. The most successful hat-trick an author ever pulls off is seducing the Reader into identifying with a character, be that character “evil” or “good”.
* This is not to say plot structure isn’t important. But it is easier to fix plot structure than it is to fix weak or cardboard characterization.
* Speaking of structure, I find myself using Wordle lately. It helps to map out who is most important in the book (sometimes according to the protagonist) and it also helps to find “crutch” words–those words you rely on when you’re motoring along, not thinking very much and trying to force the story out. (Relax, it happens even to the best of us.) I find myself using “like” a lot in the current book–which I will do a search-and-delete Easter egg hunt for after I finish Draft Zero.
* But unfortunately, I am also checking my email far too much lately. It’s getting so bad I have to go turn the wireless router completely off so I have no choice but to work on the WIP. Yes, dear fellow writers, even I feel the seductive siren song of timesuck beckoning me. Oh, alas, alas. Part of it is premiering the serial this week, another part of it is the recent website redesign. And part of it is that it’s so easy to get sucked into the Internet even when there’s nothing new–clicking and reading seems like actual work.
Time to get out that old trusty kitchen timer, nail my bum in the chair, and get some writing done. I’m going to turn off the router–if I have to walk all the way out there to turn it back on, there are more chances for me to reconsider and go back to work.
Yes, I really do have to treat myself like a three-year-old sometimes. *sigh* And here I thought I was all grown up because I had bills to pay and a weblog. Heh.
Catch you on the flip side.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Haha! I have to laugh at that going outside to turn the router off. I only wish it were that easy for me (the bloody thing sits ON my desk and the day job demands it’s always plugged in). I’ve been trying to slog my way through the final edits of my current WIP (and while still aspiring, I’m no less serious about getting the damn thing finished) and I just can’t seem to pull myself away from the internet these days. There’s just so much interesting stuff!
Personally, I blame Joss Whedon. If he hadn’t started with that damn Dr. Horrible blog thing I never would have found my way onto so many blogs that I simply MUST read everyday.
Oh well, back to the salt mines.
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:23 am
[i]Yes, I really do have to treat myself like a three-year-old sometimes. *sigh* And here I thought I was all grown up because I had bills to pay and a weblog. Heh.[/i]
. . .you’re telling this to the girl who has to hide the Cokes from herself to avoid slurping them all in no time while reading. . . *eyeroll* Y’know, if they’re in the basement, they’re too far to be reached comfortably, and the sloth flows strong in me.