I do a LOT of crits because I like doing them, and because I NEED a lot of readers because I write fast. And WOW that last sentence was a disaster. (b-b-b-b because)
I am still, and have been guilty of ALL OF THESE THINGS, just so you don't think I'm sitting here going do this and don't do that . . . (I'm totally picturing this really prissy ballet teacher I had in elementary right now. Glasses, a stick she'd bang the rhythm on, and LOTS and lots of wrap skirts)
First thing -
Info dumping.
(If Lisa, one of my first readers, saw me writing about this, she'd LAUGH. My first MS was a DISASTER)
Sometimes I feel like the author is trying to get us through information to get us to the next really good part. Does that make sense?
If you, as the author, aren't taking your time with each and every scene - making the stakes high in each and every scene - you're missing opportunities.
If there is no one thing the MC wants in any given scene, or no way to keep that thing from him/her then it doesn't need to be part of your book. Spread the info out through the natural thought process. Don't give us the info and then break into the action. We won't care. We'll skip what might be vital info in favor of simply needing to know what happens next.
Don't be afraid to be in EACH and EVERY moment.
I notice really random things. My parents have been in commercial flooring since before I was born. I ALWAYS notice the floors in the buildings I'm in. One of my characters always notices smells. Leigh, from the Next Door Boys, is always looking at what people are wearing. What does your character notice about their surroundings?
I think that SO many stories cover WAY more ground and have WAY more happen in them than necessary. REALLY think about this - what do we need to know to get the main crux points in the story - whether they're action or emotional, or better yet - a combination of the two?
I'm going to refer to Wintergirls again as being a book that SO takes in each and every little moment. DeStefano did a good job with that in Wither as well. When three pages span only minutes, I'm riveted. Well, you know, unless the writing sucks ;-D
SO - random question - What does your character notice about other people and/or their surroundings?? (I love it when you guys play along)
(And then ask to yourself - how is this different from how the other characters see the world?
Added source of tension, people . . .)
Next pop on over to Cassie Mae's site :D She's a fab writer who is all kinds of awesome!
Also, I love that y'all don't even comment when I change up my blog anymore. Like - "oh yeah, that crazy been writing? chick can't leave the thing alone . . ."
19 comments:
Hey, I noticed your new blog header! But I didn't comment. Guilty. Heh.
I'm not so sure what my characters notice, but now that you've brought up the subject, I'll have to pay more attention to that. I guess you could say Kate pays attention to airships. She's always loved how they're constructed, and the differences between them. So when she actually gets out into the world, sees different ports, and flies on several ships, her narrative includes noticing different magical things about each ship that others take for granted. I don't know, kinda dorky. Heh.
Here's something in real life that's kinda funny: Along the same lines as you noticing floors, my mom notices people's veins. She used to be a phlebotomist years back, so to this day she'll still make comments about how so-and-so's veins are big and would be good for sticking, or would roll, or be really deep and hard to stick, etc. Aak!
I know in my first drafts I always dump a ton of info in them.
Oh yeah, I've been guilty of severe info dumping - like, 7k of words' worth! haha. It's terrible. But at least I'm aware of it now & know to look out for it.
I think you can convey that vital info without info dumping - by just having a character think something, or make some observation that doesn't spell it out but gives the info just as effectively. Without making the reader fall asleep ;)
I've been blogging for 6 years and every so often I change the blog up. Bloggers that have been with me since the beginning have long stopped saying anything about change. In fact, one blogger friend of mine quipped that she has no idea what she'll see when she clicks over to my blog. HAHA. So, yeah, I get the whole change thing.
I find that when I write, a part of me wants to impart to much information about the character and plot too soon. There's a certain tension, then, when I write. It's sort of like walking a very enthusiastic and very strong great dane, being dragged around on the end of his leash.
I've been at an impasse with my most recent writings. So, I combed through some stuff I wrote quite a while ago. And I found something, something different. The MC does not yet have a name. The story is hers, and its very much in the moment. The tiniest details become monumental, I want to transport the reader into the writing. Haruki Murakami is a main inspiration of mine, as I write this. Excerpt here.
Agh! I can't decide which character to choose to answer this question, lol. One of them will always pick up on people's reactions to him. Like he knows whenever he's about to spout off some really smart-ass comment, exactly how the person he's with will respond to it. (I guess this is a long-winded way of saying he's good at reading people)
The other character notices whenever something can relate to anything nerdy. Lord of the Rings, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Star Trek... ya all those references are riddled through her mind when she takes in her surroundings or how people look :)
And, um... totally psyched about your compliment to me! Thanks so much :)
You totally have me thinking here. I think Kella always notices relationships. Like if a mom holds her child's hand, or if a boyfriend is being sleazy. She's never had close relationships, so she notices that about other people. Asher notices the details about people. Like a cop or detective would. But I'm sure I've taken opportunities to convey this about each of them.
You always give me something to think about when it comes to my writing. That is awesome. Thanks.
I'm editing. This is very helpful! My MC looks to see who's watching HER. Because she'd rather they didn't.
Love the green. :)
Ah, the dreaded info dump. Yes, I am very well versed in (and guilty of) that...
My MC spends most of her time watching other people to find the little things that'll give them away. I don't know that she does it particularly well, but that's what she does.
I like the green too. Thinking thoughts of spring?
OH MY GOSH JOLENE I LOVE THE NEW BLOG HEADER! Better?
My MC is fascinated with hair, so with any person he sees the first thing he will comment on is their hair.
When you mentioned noticing floors, I tried to remember what the floors at the store I work at are like. Almost three and a half years of servitude, and it took me about seven (that's precise!) seconds to remember. Guilty of not noticing floors? Yes.
And I'm still in my first draft, and it took me a while before I got all the info I wanted in without dumping it all in Chapter One. Sometimes we see things so vividly in our heads and want to make it like that for the readers too, that I think we can go overboard all at one time.
Blog is looking good Jo! Love it!
And I love posts like this. It really gets me thinking, and helps me expand my characters. I actually read this earlier, and have been contemplating it all morning!
So - after lunch I am going to set to work and expand my characters more by answering this question! :)
LOL! I did notice the change in the blog, but wasn't sure if I was super late on seeing it. It looks great btw (LOVE the green!!!)
Great question.
My MC notices music - what's playing anywhere she may be, or just playing in her head. For her there is no such thing as background music.
Great post. I love the little details that get put into books that make the characters seem more real to me.
My wip (that I'm actually back to working on, yipee!) my mc always seems to be noticing people's lips.
My other, newer and shinier wip, my character is always noticing how happy everyone is. She is really focused on the "show" instead of the reality.I'm playing with her perception of how she thinks things are and how things really are.
Yaaaaay!!!! Jolene's back!!!! I missed you!!!!
Love all of this. Love it. I'm in the balancing stage right now. I've written in too much detail, vs too little. Soooo... I really think I'm *hopefully* starting to get that balance ;)
Nice blog....NEW FOLLOWER.
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Book Giveaway on my blog….THE WICKED WIVES.
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Cassie is awesome. And so is this blog! So glad I found my way here. You sound like one of those people who are super cool to hang out with at conventions. I'm guilty of all the things you said here, too.
New follower! :)
I kinda thought the header looked different -- but then I've been MIA lately so I figured maybe it was just me. LOL.
Murphy, not being overly fond of humans, notices everyone's short comings and is easily frustrated by them.
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