tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post9047595292151999702..comments2024-03-29T03:30:18.368-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Learning Emotional Complexity from Women WritersDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-5972881175425915262015-03-07T19:42:24.608-07:002015-03-07T19:42:24.608-07:00Indeed, even though Jo March, Anne Shirley, Eleano...Indeed, even though Jo March, Anne Shirley, Eleanor and Marianne Dashwood, and Francie Nolan (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith) are all characters who lived before my time, I very much relate to their hopes and fears. They're excellent reminders that it is in the close examination of human relationships and the drama posed by the huge obstacles we all face in ordinary life that a story becomes universal and timeless. Even when I read or watch thrillers, it is those emotional human moments that invest me in the characters. Thanks for a great post, Merry! Carahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04051728774050516027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-90890892393679822902015-03-07T08:53:37.939-07:002015-03-07T08:53:37.939-07:00I do detailed sketches of main characters before j...I do detailed sketches of main characters before jumping into the actual writing, which definitely helps to keep me on track. Info includes everything thing from height and weight to food likes and dislikes; positive and negative attitudes; pet peeves; parents, grandparents, siblings, and other relevant relatives; clothing preferences; education; prejudices; traumas and dramas in their lives prior to the beginning of the story; and anything else that shapes the unique character who will reach up from the page to invite the reader into the story. This also helps me to get to know them as people and to appreciate (or not) their virtues and vices. For me to feel what the character feels and to convey that emotion to readers, I need more than a superficial knowledge of him or her.<br /><br />Another writer from the past whose works I enjoy is Louisa May Alcott. I can definitely relate to Jo March on an emotional level.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-6215142184477834862015-03-07T06:51:37.850-07:002015-03-07T06:51:37.850-07:00For me, it's always about the characters. Unli...For me, it's always about the characters. Unlike Diana, though, I don't bother with an interview. I wait until I need to know how a character would respond and then I can figure out why. If I tried it beforehand, I'd never get around to the book. If he needs to be an only child for the story, or have a passel of sibs, or come from the foster care system, I find that out as I need it for the story. Doesn't work for everyone, but it keeps me going. Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-55461863999164256702015-03-07T05:53:04.668-07:002015-03-07T05:53:04.668-07:00That is why I assign every character a personality...That is why I assign every character a personality type and develop their backstory to learn who they are. Try sitting down and having your character tell you their life story. Interesting things can grow from that interview.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.com