(no subject)

[gwynhefar]

I think I've determined that the part of writing I suck most at is character development. The problem is that the characters mostly show up in my head as fully fleshed out people. I forget, sometimes, that they're not in the *reader's* head.

I was writing a scene yesterday for Keeper of Secrets (yes, I *am* still working on that) and it occurred to me that if someone who had been reading what I've posted of that story so far had read that scene, Tommy's involvement would seem like it came from left field. Because I'm finally getting to the part of the plot where Tommy becomes important, and yet I haven't laid the groundwork yet. Y'all don't *know* Tommy - he's showed up in what, two scenes so far?

I get too focused on the "and this is what happened next" part, and I forget that in order for it to work, the reader has to *see* those little daily interactions that let you get to know a character *before* the character does something important that only makes sense if you know that person.

So here I am writing this really important scene where Tommy does something that has all these profound implications, but only if you know his history and his personality and his relationship with Annie - none of which I've actually *shown* yet.

*Sigh*

Character bio sheets for RPGs sound so much easier, why don't novels work that way?

Comments

[whitecrow0.livejournal.com]

I do well, I think, on characters, description and dialogue. I failsuck at plot.

At least you're writing! I am pleased about that.

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

Heh - we should work together. Between the two of us we'd have a decent novel *g*

[whitecrow0.livejournal.com]

If our good sides combined, yes. But if our EVIL ones did, the novel would be nonsensical and nonexistent, yes? ;D

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

Most likely :)

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on writing again, but don't sweat the drafts. Nobody gets the first couple drafts right. Ask any professional writer.
There are ways to compensate for your creative strengths and weaknesses. In this case, I'd recommend going with the flow on the action. Make getting down who does what, when and how your first draft priority. Finish it, let it rest a couple days (or a couple weeks), then go back in and add everything readers need to understand all that lovely action. Having the framework of the entire story will also make it easier to see where the back story fits and how much should be added at any one time. Let it rest after you're done, then go back and check for pacing. Then send it to your beta readers. The key is getting something on the page. You can always fix it later.
Hope that helps.

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I am at least finally getting stuff down. I had a 3 month writer's block on this particular story, which I filled by writing fanfiction :)

Finally, looks like my Keeper muse is coming back, at least as far as the plot goes, although as I said - I'll need to add a lot more development later.

[siegerat.livejournal.com]

Yay! More Liath/Annie/Tommy!! Please post soon, k?

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

I'll try :) Like I said, I really ought to post some earlier bits so you know more about Tommy before I bring him into the main plot. We'll see how it goes :)