Perhaps a strange one...

Say you have this one character who is possessed by a second character who is technically dead. By whose name do you call this character? By the name of the body or by the name of the voice in power???

 

Tags: characters, question., writing
Current Mood: confused

There are occasions when I happen across a character that is so detailed, with such depth, that they come off the page for me. There is one that springs to mind for me, right off the top of my head (not influenced at all by the current scifi marathon... that only made me think of the topic - I did read all three books and for the record like them MUCH better than the movies).  Hannibal Lecter is truly astounding to my mind anyway and I'm sure others will disagree with me.  I certainly wouldn't want to meet a real lecter. Nor do I really want to run in to his creator in a dark alley somewhere but jeeze - how far into your characters darkest places do you crawl when you write? How much do you really know about them? How much does a writer need to know about them.

So, I guess I have a new Writer Question:

How much should a writer know about their MC when telling their story? how much is enough? when is it too much? is there such a thing?  and what characters have stood out in your mind - made you feel like they could stand up off the page?

~Sarah

Tags: question., writing

So - I'm watching the Idol Gives Back thingy. My heart breaks. Absolutely breaks. I know I'm a sap and it doesn't take much anymore to make me teary. (Don't tell anyone I said that)  You don't have to watch many stories like that to see how easy (for the most part) our lives are. Not all of us and certainly not all the time but comparitively? we are so fucking spoiled.  I see those little babies - hungry and sick babies and then I look at my boys - so fat and happy and healthy and my heart is full to overflowing with absolute gratitude to know that my babies will probably never live a life like that. 

I've been known to complain about this, that or the other thing - and in a few days the enormity of this issue will pass like a shadow over my heart and I'll go back to normal. But for tonight, for a few days, I'll appreciate the fact that I can drink the water from my tap - that I even have a tap in my home that could definately hold more than just the four of us. So much we take for granted. So much we waste and that we forget matters. It doesn't matter who gets Anna's baby. It doesn't matter what style of clothes anyone is wearing or the latest trend of cars. It doesn't matter that stara and starb are getting divorced/backtogether/is bulemic -- whatever. 

I have a challenge for you - anyone who happens by - take stock. What have you forgotten to be grateful for lately? what have you been taking for granted?

I have been taking for granted the fact that I have a wonderful Husband who works his butt off so that I can stay at home with our kids and try and make a go of this writing thing. I have been taking for granted the fact that Darling Hubster, even when he's being a dork, has always supported me - even if I don't always see it. 

How about you? What are you taking for granted?

~Sarah

Tags: question.
Current Mood: contemplative