When characters lead the way

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When I started the current WIP, I had written character cards detailing their appearance and habits. I had also detailed the plot and subplots as well as the denouement.

For the first few thousand words all seemed to be going according to plan. However, around the 50,000 word count, one of my characters wanted to head a certain way, which led me down a surprising route.

I read my WIP as a writer and also as a reader; as a reader, I expected something to happen in one way, but I was shocked to discover the shift in plot and direction. I’m pleased I allowed the character to take charge, although it has led me down a path I wasn’t prepared to write about, yet it excited me. There was a wealth of emotion and characteristic flaws that they displayed – as though opening their hearts and dark souls for me to inspect.

I still have the denouement in mind, but I’m aware that changes may also happen there – something I haven’t yet seen, but that one of the characters may already have in mind.

Perhaps you too find that certain characters take control and push you into unseen plot lines – but I think it can be a positive action that shouldn’t be ignored.

Happy Word Flow One & All

How much action can a reader take?

/ hemmiemartin / 2 Comments

Whilst writing a psychological thriller, I am aware that the reader needs to feel tension mingled with periodic moments of action. However, the reader also needs periods of calm breathing and rest bite from the emotional scrutiny and fear. I need to be mindful of the state of their hearts and minds.

I have recently written a chapter where violence is the subject and fear is swamping the protagonist’s life. So now, I’m writing a calmer section now, but I as the author, I worry that the words may appear flat after the suspense, even though I search for descriptive and powerful words even when peace is prevailing.

A psychological thriller tends to lean towards the psychology of the characters rather than the plot itself, hence my dark, twisted and tortured souls render themselves perfectly to this genre.

I will often have the suspense coming from within my characters, where perhaps they have to resolve inner conflicts to soothe their own minds. The characters are more important than the plot, that’s not to say that the plot is weak or non-existent. Their emotional backgrounds and state of mind are what interest me, and I like t explore what makes them tick.

Perhaps I’m querying all this because I prefer writing about the brooding characters who find themselves in a moment of suspense but the reader will probably need the roller-coaster ride.

Happy Word Flow One & All

It’s not a race – it’s all about pace

/ hemmiemartin / 1 Comment

I have currently typed up 47,740 words on my WIP – Dark Edges – but I am mindful of the fact that I keep thinking the whole process is a race. There is an almost desperate quality to my underlying emotions that I absolutely have to get this finished as soon as possible. I have tried to look at why – I’m not doing this for fame or fortune but I am doing it as it’s a passion, I enjoy it and it gives me a sense of purpose other than being a wife and mother.

I am putting myself under pressure to write at least 1000 words a day, whether I feel like it or not – ramblings are better than a blank page.

To give myself respite I go on Twitter and read relevant posts about writing and then I start thinking where would be the best place to send my ms when completed.

Good grief – shouldn’t I learn to crawl before I can walk?

Perhaps other writers feel the need for speed without an agent calling in the deadline – or perhaps I am the only mad frog in a box.

Every minute I spend not writing or typing up I feel I have wasted my time or let opportunity pass me by once more. I feel the urgency to write on a daily basis – in fact, whilst I was on a family holiday, I could be found sitting outside at 6am writing before everyone got up and needed my attention.

But my mantra must be – it’s not a race, it’s not a race – pace pace pace

Happy Word Flow One & All

Finding my inner voice with music

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Oh yes, I’m trying to write this whilst my daughters are watching the Gadget show – which I hate & which is infiltrating my inner calm – so this post may leave you perplex – welcome to my world.

I have been enjoying writing in the garden with a fresh pot of coffee and my ipod. Most recent writing has see me exploring violent arena’s I didn’t know I was capable of imagining or writing.

The music I have found successful for such writing was Green Day & Elliot Minor – yes you read that correctly.

For calmer literary moments I listen to Mumford & Sons and James Blunt – again I bet many of you wince at my choices. However, I have many more albums on my ipod and my eclectic taste may change from day to day depending on characters, mood and weather to mention but a few factors.

I keep flitting between characters being mute to then them making up their own minds and taking me off in a different direction – which sometimes ends up being more interesting.

I wonder if you have special music for those special writing moments?

Happy Word Flow One & All

A novel way to drink

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On my various travels through the learning process of writing, I read about a novel way to ignite the muse and fire -up the vocabulary and imagination juices.

I like many others, enjoy an alcoholic beverage from time to time. iI have found that when i do have a drink , it allows my inner critic to shut up and let me write as I wish without constantly pulling me up on my literary faults. There’s plenty of time during the re-writes and editing for my inner critic to launch into its vitriolic spew onto my page.

When iIam writing an aggressive scene, iI close my eyes and imagine being punched or I twist my wrist to see which way hurts the most. I do this in the name of art – not because I am a self-harmer. I hope this gives my work a gritty aspect for the reader.

Stephen King mentions in his book On Writing that when he wrote Cujo was hitting alcohol and cocaine hard. His book sold millions. now I’m not saying that this is the right thing to do, but alcohol can allow the mind to race, twist and turn to unleash unexpected words and scenarios.

So please don’t pickle your liver to achieve literary acclaim, but perhaps experiment once to see where it leads you – as long as it’s not into rehab.

Happy Word Flow One & All

My muse is a minx

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Fellow tweepees may have seen that my muse is playing hide & seek and i have no hope of finding her today – as with yesterday.

So i thought I’d turn my attention to my blog but the minx has taken away any worthy quips i may have had with her too.

I’m not going to debate the writers block angle – there’s already enough out there

I’m a doubting Thoma and i sometimes wonder if these words are being read or whether they are washing around cyber space. I’m eternally grateful for the followers i have, but more would be delectable.

I’d have a virtual soiree with wine and nibbles to coax new people along. But Ann Summers i am not – although I’m not granny knickers either.

I vainly highlight my blog on Twitter knowing that others have fr more worthy and literary blogs than mine. Therefore, i should advertise mine as a respite for the brain, a Take a Break magazine rather than a National Geographical – i don’t read either actually.

Hope it was fun dropping in – pass my name on to others in search of a rest.

Happy Word Flow One & All