I'm probably going to make a lot of typos today because I am bone dog tired. I've been working for months on a benefit for my kids' school, and last night we actually pulled it off. I was able to speak in front of a crowd without falling or drooling or anything of that nature.
Luckily for the school, one of the current parents is a Big Movie Mogul and he always arranges for a premiere screening in a local theater. (And by premiere, I mean the movie isn't completely finished yet, so NO ONE has seen it. It doesn't even have a release date.) The movie starred Forrest Whittaker and was great--everyone cheered at the end. Hooray! Then the crowd moved on to a seated dinner for 300, whereupon I drank a little too much wine and am paying for it today.
Anyway, that's over, so now I can concentrate on novel-sort-of-in-progress #2 that has been neglected and is screaming for attention. I've finally named my MC, and I'm going to spend some time with her today, trying to figure out exactly what she wants and what is stopping her from getting it. I usually start stories with a character in mind, or sometimes a setting or plot, but this time I started with an idea for a climax and now have to fill in the rest. It feels odd for me. How do you usually start?
Onward.
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9 comments:
How cool about the Movie Mogul dad.
So far my ideas have started with characters doing something, so I guess plot and characters come at the same time.
I like to start with a situation that sort of acts like a springboard for the story. Happy writing to you! :)
Hi Wendy!
I seem to start with my main character doing something that seems inexplicable and then I have to write the whole book until I figure out why she's doing that...then revise it so that it makes sense.
Kristina Riggle
I think maybe I just need to stop thinking and start writing. I'm too controlled sometimes.
Kristina! Welcome!
After a good, spicy Bloody Mary, may the words continue to flow. I don't have a certain method by which I write/create characters. It's whatever works at the time and for the genre.
Our big school raffle just concluded too, so I know how good that feels!
I tend to start writing without much of an idea where I'm headed. I like the mystery of watching the story unfold, and I have an innate trust in the process. (That's also how I've always written songs.) Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and write entire passages in my head and pray I'll remember them in the morning. (Since I never drag my sorry a** out of bed to do it while I'm thinking about it!)
Sounds like a fun night! I usually start with a "What if..." premise. And then, if I'm lucky, some sort of conflict presents itself!
I get an idea and run with it. But it's always about the characters. ALWAYS. Stories are about people. You can't care about events unless you care about the people.
I'm always perplexed when I can make whole sentences in front of a crowd. I pretty much think I suck, but I think I'm actually pretty good at it. Sometimes. That surprised me. (Also on Thursday, LOL.)
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