Let’s start this off with some lyrics by The Beatles:
“I am he
As you are he
As you are me
And we are all together”
That first stanza of “The Walrus” always reminds me of my job as a novelist.
Let me explain . . . but first, a quote . . .
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“When you are having fun and creating something you love, it shows in the product. So when a woman is sifting through a rack of clothes, somehow that piece of clothing that you had so much fun designing speaks to her; she responds to it and buys it. I believe you can actually transfer that energy to material things as you’re creating them.” Tom Ford
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
When I’m writing a novel, and I create a main character, it is my job, as the author, to transfer all of my energy into the creation of that character. I must become that character. I must understand how he thinks, how he would react to certain situations, and what his motivations are. I think this is vital for good writing to occur. A good writer has the ability to make characters seem real to the readers, and I think this is done because the author has become those characters.
TIP OF THE DAY
So, how do you do this?
I know my character, but how do I slip into his persona so easily before writing?
I give myself time.
When I’m getting ready to resume writing in my novel, I take a break from writing, usually for an hour or so, and I use that time to reflect on my main character. I review what he has done in the past. I review his background, and then I read back to earlier chapters and I accustom myself with his habits. Only after I have done that do I allow myself to continue writing as that character.
Give it a try. Hopefully you’ll find that tip useful.
GETTING HELP
Listen, I’m a former teacher, so obviously I’m all for research and doing one’s homework . . . but . . .
I was just looking at the latest offerings from Writer’s Digest, all the books on writing that they are selling, and I got dizzy looking at the vast array of books on writing.
My first thought, after looking at the forty-two books they were hawking, was “how would anyone ever have the time to write if all they did was read those books?”
There comes a time when you have to put the homework away and actually write.
It’s not that frightening, really!
Start with this basic fact: we are all storytellers. We all come from a family of storytellers, and we all have rich history of storytelling. Storytelling is a basic means of communication among civilizations. It is one of the most common ways of advancing culture, and it is a natural for most of us.
So why worry? Do what you’ve been doing forever. Little kids tell stories. Parents tell stories. We all share stories of our pasts.
So take that natural ability and use it to write a story. It’s in you; you just have to release it and give yourself permission to do so.
The world needs storytellers.
Join us!
A POLITICAL OBSERVATION
This is a first. I’ve never made a political statement on this blog . . . until now.
Word has it the current administration wants to cut back budgets for the Arts and Humanities. I’m not shocked by this but I am saddened. As a former teacher I’ve seen this before. Every school I ever worked for had budget concerns, and one of the first programs to be cut when it came time for budget cuts was always the Arts Department.
Save Science, save math, but cut the Arts!
What a bunch of bullshit!
Excuse my language.
I’m afraid I have grown accustomed to seeing this happen on a school level, but nationwide?
It is inexcusable!
We need the Arts!
I would hope you agree, and I would hope you’ll do whatever you can to speak out against the rape of our culture.
COLORING BOOKS
I’m done with two of my coloring books and I think I’ll stop there. They turned out pretty good…one very good…and now I can sell them at the farmers market this spring and summer, as well as some local stores. We shall see how it goes.
THANKS FOR JOINING ME
See you next week, hopefully! You are all appreciated!
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 