tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post3550302230106708372..comments2023-10-15T03:20:42.697-04:00Comments on Blog of Author Michelle McLean: My Characters' True NatureMichelle McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730366330276974943noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-8848201842664827512010-11-03T17:52:21.723-04:002010-11-03T17:52:21.723-04:00Aww, I totally feel where you're coming from w...Aww, I totally feel where you're coming from with this! I've been rewriting and rewriting this one WIP, and after all the several incarnations of the two main characters, I've got a better feel for who they are--but there's also pieces of the old them in this, too. I miss some of the scenes I've already written, but they definitely wouldn't work in the new version. Still, I can reuse a few choice adjectives here or there that I'm particularly proud of. ;) Who feels proud of an adjective?! I'm a weirdo. <br /><br />So no on the character sheets, but yes on the having to flesh them out like crazy. Great post, Michelle!Katrina L. Lantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06871272394922775923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-50177796049233518452010-11-03T10:44:15.304-04:002010-11-03T10:44:15.304-04:00Sometimes it's tough--even characters act in u...Sometimes it's tough--even characters act in unexpected ways, LOL! Hart to rein them in sometimes, ain't it? <br /><br />Nice post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-24390639050288644772010-11-03T10:40:40.517-04:002010-11-03T10:40:40.517-04:00I have to do character bios before i start writing...I have to do character bios before i start writing or my characters start acting crazy. Really. I know writing the book will change the characters, but I always update my bios so I know where they stand.Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00462382909938737612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-60205370190546556712010-11-03T10:33:29.925-04:002010-11-03T10:33:29.925-04:00I haven't done anything like that, and to be h...I haven't done anything like that, and to be honest the level of work involved in that process almost scares me. But I do admit that if I were to do something like that, my characterization would most assuredly be better for it.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07823808700523297184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-82051583274435083052010-11-03T10:20:44.033-04:002010-11-03T10:20:44.033-04:00After I come up with the basic idea for my book, I...After I come up with the basic idea for my book, I do character sketches, interviews, backstories, etc. They help me shape my story. <br /><br />You have to be careful about making your characters do something that's out of character. It's called playing puppet master. And that is NOT a good thing. There has to be a good reason why they're doing it . . . and not because the writer thinks it will make the story more exciting. :)Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-51481547983804755432010-11-03T10:07:18.774-04:002010-11-03T10:07:18.774-04:00Character interviews are REALLY helpful for this. ...Character interviews are REALLY helpful for this. Though, on my current book, I haven't done this for some reason..<br /><br />Humm.... maybe I should.Kristal Shaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06525399770612173357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-61143081733925261912010-11-03T09:33:36.539-04:002010-11-03T09:33:36.539-04:00For years, (YEARS!!) I tried to make my mc kiss th...For years, (YEARS!!) I tried to make my mc kiss the girl. Why, oh why, can't they just get along!?! <br /><br />I think I've given up on that plan and my mc is immensely relieved.Toni Kerrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09713140116596669304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-87768206214874905342010-11-03T09:33:25.508-04:002010-11-03T09:33:25.508-04:00Every character I've ever had surprises me. I ...Every character I've ever had surprises me. I have some semblance of an idea of who they are, where their story is going and as soon as I start the tale, off they go, chasing down a rabbit train I never even saw. And I've learned that if you let them (especially in that first draft) they will surprise you and the story will be better than you could have constructed had you tried to reel them in.<br /><br />Congrats on the NaNo stats! So far, I'm at my goal. I'm over 5,000 words! Talk about frantic typing before midnight!!<br /><br />Cheers!<br />JenJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683486631901017529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-27421556951938519342010-11-03T09:27:52.884-04:002010-11-03T09:27:52.884-04:00My absolute challenge is; to be certain the charac...My absolute challenge is; to be certain the characters are not identical to one another. They must have different mannerisms, fears, motivation, etc. I have a lot, most are just passing through, because we all know the main characters need people to interact with. One of the most fun things in my high fantasy is the interaction between my modern American heroine and her medieval prince would be if only she'd let him, husband. The dialogue is fun.<a href="http://nrwilliams.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">N. R. Williams, fantasy author</a><br />NancyN. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-36014694612739600182010-11-03T08:54:02.593-04:002010-11-03T08:54:02.593-04:00Absolutely. And this is so hard, because people ar...Absolutely. And this is so hard, because people are complex. We don't always act the way we should. You know? So sometimes it's okay to let your characters do something "out of character" especially in a high-stakes, highly emotional scene. <br /><br />Good job on the word count!Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-76304952742206603732010-11-03T08:39:20.483-04:002010-11-03T08:39:20.483-04:00Forcing a character to do something he/she/it just...Forcing a character to do something he/she/it just wouldn't normally do . . . never works. Normally, when I try to force something, the writing slogs down. I normally stop writing, put everything away, and then, the next day, I'm likely to rewrite the scene that just wasn't working.<br /><br />I don't necessarily do character sketches, but I do an Excel worksheet with the basics: eyes, hair, height, weight, siblings, married, divorced, single, favorite food, drink, book, movie, song, car, job, and a few other necessary tidbits. Now, most often, I fill in this sheet as I write and discover things about the characters. Then, it's a handy-dandy reference guide as I go throughout the rest of the writing process.<br /><br />I don't do interviews. I may at some point. I may not at some point. You just never know with me.<br /><br />SScotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-507167840242313545.post-6099053967316356392010-11-03T08:36:37.024-04:002010-11-03T08:36:37.024-04:00um...yea, My characters eriously rebel when I try ...um...yea, My characters eriously rebel when I try to force them in a direction AGAINST their character. Great job figuring this out.Christine Fonsecahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16986034666903054819noreply@blogger.com