Took a step back from the WIP this weekend. Printed out the first 60 pgs and reread, reorganized the order of scenes and delved into my Hero's internal and external goals. I often have a lot of external events but scrimp on the emotional and internal reactions of my characters. Sometimes this is because I "see" what they do but I can't "see" into their mind to figure out why. As I write the book, reread and revise, who my characters are on a deeper level is revealed to me.I knew my heroine from the opening scene. Not so much the Hero. He's finally let me into his head - just a little bit. Maybe he's more difficult to know because he's a more closed off character? He doesn't know why he does what he does. Little by little, though, I'm figuring it out.
I'd hoped to hit the half way point on this story by the end of the month. Doesn't look like it's going to happen but hopefully I can reach the 20,000 word mark by next Monday.
Off to prepare Chapter 2 for my critique meeting this week. It's ugly. Lots of sentences starting with he/she. Body parts contorting in impossible ways. Use of the word "stalk" at least 6 times.
5 comments:
I think stalking is a very misunderstood trait...
'Stalk' is a great word - much better than walk 6 times :)
Not sure if you're into writing exercises, Anne - but over on The Prairies, we did character interviews. I think there were 6 questions and participants could answer them in any way they would like (as a straight interview, first person, whatever). I know it revealed some pretty powerful stuff when I sat my hero, Mac, in that chair and wrote from his POV. In fact, all of us got a lot out of the exercise - a good way to get into a character's head, including some great insight into their quirky behaviour.
Any way - it's always good to take a step back and regroup. And what is it with men being so closed off - in fiction as well as in real life. Geesh!
I hear ya on the hero! He's ALWAYS my issue at the beginning!
Still struggling with hero's motivation. I'm going to check out the writing exercises at The Prairies, Joanne. Need all the help I can get before the story goes right off the rails.
Anne - the hero of the story I'm in is also a very closed off sort of guy, and for a while I was struggling with this too. Still am, but I'm getting there. But (sorry to say it) the more I write him, the more I'm figuring him out. Can you write up a piece of dialogue between him and the heroine? Just stream of consciousness stuff - forget all the adjectives, just concentrate on the conversation. He may reveal himself to you in a way you can't anticipate. But Janet's right - do it from his POV.
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