30 Days of Writing: Day 11

11. Who is your favorite character to write? Least favorite?

Sometimes I wonder if these questions were invented by a writer. Some of them seem so absurd to me. Or maybe they were written by a non-writer who wanted to know how a writer-person thinks. But if they wrote a series of questions, that implies they’re a writer of some sort, for they wrote questions for writers to answer.

Now that I’ve thoroughly confused myself…

Again, how do I even answer these questions?

I’m almost positive I don’t have a least favourite character to write. There is a small sliver of doubt when I think of certain chapters… but even the villains can be disturbingly fun to write. They can be the most fun.

We’ve already established from a previous question that I love writing male characters. They’re so… not… female.

Torin is amazing. (King Torin, to ye peasantry!) He’s brash and thoughtless and sulky… come to think of it, I’m not a nice person for making Lira marry him. And yet I giggle with immense glee as I type those words. Teeheeheeheehee! xD

I haven’t written him in a while–which is a bad, bad thing–but Payne was always extremely enjoyable. He reminds me of Prince Zuko. Except I was writing him before I saw Prince Zuko, so the similarities surprised me.

Emma Browne. Oh, I loved writing her. So much so that I often toy with the thought of writing a new piece to continue where I left off. However, the words haven’t come as smoothly as before and I’m wondering if a sequel is simply not meant to be for Emma Browne. Perhaps she has no more to say to us.

If we step outside original works and talk about fan fiction, the entire cast of H2O are quite possibly the most fun ever, but especially Cleo and Lewis. Something about the accents. And the cheesiness of their story.

And most recently, Felicity Merriman as a six year old captive. That is some exceptionally fun writing.

Although I still can’t think of a least favourite character to write, there’s no doubt about which ones I struggle with the most. Any character in The Turnings. Many of them are based on people I know–myself included–and rather than finding it easier to write about what I know, I second guess every action, word, and thought. Would I really do that in such a situation? Is my Beta going to be insulted that I wrote her dialogue that way? Will readers think that was a selfish motive? Does it matter what they think if it’s more realistic?

Whoever said to write what you know never took real life and tried to turn it into a mock vampire novel. Because it’s not the best. It’s the hardest.

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Within hours, everyone in town has heard about it. By afternoon the news has spread several towns over. Word of mouth is a more effective method of advertisement than typeset words and exclamation points on paper pamphlets or posters. It is impressive and unusual news, the sudden appearance of a mysterious circus. People marvel at the staggering height of the tallest tents. They stare at the clock that sits just inside the gates that no one can properly describe.

And the black sign painted in white letters that hangs upon the gates, the one that reads:

Opens at Nightfall
Closes at Dawn

-The Night Circus
By Erin Morgenstern

I have three days (now it’s two) to finish this book before it goes back to the library, and I’m nearing the end. So far it’s been absolutely breathtaking. It’s just… it’s magical. That seems a cliche, but really, I can think of no better way to describe it. I hope it ends as well as its begun.

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This was actually taken by my mother, per my request. On the way to work at 4:20 in the morning, I noticed the sky was this gorgeous dark blue and the moon and stars made it look like a book cover, and not at all like real life. It could be the after effects of reading The Night Circus that made it so special, but it was quite a sight.

30 Days of Writing: Day 9

Challenge #9: How do you get ideas for your characters? Describe the process of creating them.

Scenario I.
-What is ‘Persons First’

While sorting laundry in my garage, I was mulling over The Inheritance Cycle. Namely, Eragon’s unfortunate “blessing” to Elva. I thought, in my usual quest for the romantic, of the problems she’d face in finding a husband, being that men aren’t as attuned to the extreme emotional upset that women suffer and in addition to her unique “ability” she’d have a whole host of trouble. Dialogue formed in my mind and I talked it out between two characters. It soon struck me that this wasn’t about Elva, but a new character that had a similar story to be told. She didn’t belong in the realm of Eragon, but deserved her own kingdom.

She became Lira of Tierelyss. And no, I find no shame in disclosing how other stories influence my writing. It’s a high compliment for authors to inspire other authors. That’s why I still love The Inheritance Cycle, regardless of how people complain about the “originality” of them. Show me one story that has no likeness to any historical happening or previous literary work and I’ll take Trigonometry. And in case this needs to be stated, I hate triangles and I hate maths. So, yeah. I’m that confident you won’t.

Scenario II.
-What is ‘Theme Device’

Currently, I’m fleshing out my “Red” character. I’m molding her to fit a desired narrative/plot/story theme rather than using her to carry those elements along. As I figure out how the fairy tale is to be twisted, “Red” grows as a person, shaped by the events that unfold. It works out perfectly for this story because the very start of it places her in unknown territory with no memories. So “Red” and I are learning together who she is and why.

I used a similar process for Emma Browne, Brisella, and I’m sure several others. This can create difficulty down the road if I find myself writing a scenario that conflicts with a previously established character trait and I have to decide if it makes more sense to change the plot or change the character. Either way, it’s a pain. These are the characters that are inseparable from their stories. Meaning, memes are useless. The story is so much a part of who they are that alternate situations confuse. And yet, these characters are the most real to me.

Scenario III.
-What is ‘Dream Catcher’

Sometimes my REM cycles are very kind and hand me well-rounded characters that need little more than names. I can’t give you tips on how to dream as awesomely as I do. Maybe make sure you get a solid five hours? And set an alarm to wake you up. I’ve read you’re more likely to remember a dream when woken from a deep sleep, and it seems to be true. Don’t let yourself wake up naturally.

Those are just three examples of how characters come to be in my head and on paper. But the methods are as vast as the number of side quests in Knights of the Old Republic. Don’t fuss over methods. Just stick to whatever works for you.

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“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.“
-Richard Bach

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HAH! This post’s permalink had the digits 2319 at the end before I gave it a title. I find that amusing.

"Twenty-three nineteen! We have a twenty-three nineteen!"

30 Days of Writing: Day 8

Challenge #8: What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?

Allow me to answer the reading question with a list. This is the list of books I am currently reading. There are eight of them in all.

1. A Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin (Fantasy)

2. Temple of the Winds – Terry Goodkind (Fantasy)

3. Troll Fell – Katherine Langrish (YA/Fantasy)

4. Book of a Thousand Days – Shannon Hale (YA/Princess Fiction*)

5. Aurelia – Anne Osterlund (YA/Princess Fiction)

6. Gideon the Cutpurse – Linda Buckley-Archer (YA/Historical Fiction/Fantasy)

7. The Moonstone – Wilkie Collins (Classic/Mystery)

8. The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde (Classic/Supernatural)

*Yes, Princess stories get their own category.

Anyone see a pattern, here? You say, “fantasy,” I say, “give me the title.” Sci-fi and supernatural; really anything that goes beyond the mundane. I like trolls, and goblins, and fairies, and magic handlers, and missing princesses, and crazed scientists, and clones; enchantments, and kingdoms warring, experiments that turn into mutants, and impossible feats of chivalry. If there’s no supernatural draw, it best have Victorian or Colonial elements. A book that’s devoid of mechanical limbs or magic portals had better make up for it with grand balls and bustles, swooning ladies and pistol-wielding gentlemen.

I take the advice of Toni Morrison, whose books I have never read. ““If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” So I do. Not that there isn’t a vast number of wonderful fantasy and supernatural books already out there, (as evidenced by my list) but I do have specific characters whose stories need telling. And its the nature of their strange and enchanting worlds I find most satisfying to write.

It must be the fact that I’m describing something new. Working with a fantasy world means opening the eyes of others to a personal landscape. It means showing them what you see in a way that makes the extraordinary both familiar and captivating. Robin McKinley does this best.

Honourable mention must go to dystopian novels. I haven’t tried my hand at writing one yet, but by gum, I love to read them!

Featured Snippet

Groaning, for his bruises had stiffened during the night, Tobin unwrapped his wet cloak. The chain rattled as it slid off his shoulders. The pit was roughly circular, about eight feet across and twelve feet deep. The floor was littered with fallen debris.

The air, heavy with the scent of fresh rain and damp earth, woke a raging thirst. Several nearby rocks had puddles in the hollows. Tobin rose to go to the closest, but as soon as he stood waves of pain shot from his left ankle, and his vision darkened.

The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell

I recall that this book was magical and made me want to write similar stories. I would read it again but for the workload I’ve placed upon myself. Perhaps after the England tour!

I should point out that I chose a snippet about the male character when the majority of the book focuses on the heroine, Makenna. It is also now a trilogy and I’ve not read but the first. *is heartbroken* So I really need to get on that.

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The Goblin Wood

One of those special covers that captured the book’s contents properly and got me interested in reading it. I tried finding the artist to credit but have had no such luck.

~B~

P.S. Darn that Phil for making me hungry with his sushi pictures. *sniffles* I don’t even really like sushi.

30 Days of Writing: Day 4 and by the way I’m in love

Challenge #4: Tell us about one of your first stories/characters!

When I was about six or seven years old, I wrote a horrendously cheesy story in play format about a princess, a woodsman-type stranger, and a very cliche villain. I don’t remember a whole lot about the details except that the stranger-turned-knight proposed at a very inopportune moment, right after a too-short battle. I kept the story in a yellow folder and made the mistake of reading it aloud to a much older friend. By her reaction (mostly disinterested silenced due to embarrassment) I came to know it was not as wonderful as first supposed by me. I threw it away and swore never to write another story again.

My self-inflicted promise was going quite well until a certain someone popped into my life.

The rest, as they say, is a collection of experiences from the past congealing into an emergence of events which one might choose to call historical in his or her own vanity.

I don’t think that even made sense.

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“Father told me that when men go to war, they see things they wish they hadn’t. Things they wish they could forget and can’t, because war is ugly and death is always a possibility.” She looked at him finally. Her expression was tired but soft. “I wanted to show you something that was beautiful and good, so that when you’ve seen death and killing, you’ll remember that there are still wonderful things despite all of that. Do you mind?”

-Felicity: An American Girl Romance by felicitypheonix

Yes. That’s right. American Girl fan fiction. This was a surprisingly touching scene within a slew of pure cheese. *sigh* I do wish I could find a Felicity/Ben piece that involves his return from the War of Independence in order to fulfill his apprenticeship with Mr. Merriman, as promised. So far the very few I’ve found worth reading are not of the highest literary quality and lack the emotional depth I would expect from a nearly grown woman and a young man who lived through a war.

If I don’t find a good one before I’m done writing my H2O story, guess what field I intend to dabble in next? Because really, the characters I grew up with deserve a grown-up happily-ever-after.

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The Kiss
© Copyright 2010 Lora Innes, Innes Art LLC. All rights reserved.
From The Dreamer (a webcomic I am now in love with)

This is one of my favourite images of all time ever from possibly the best story I have ever read. It’s moved me to tears more than a few times and tonight I sobbed… sobbed… pathetically while reading a visually poignant battle scene enhanced by a goodbye letter. Oh no… thinking about it is making me choke up and get the sniffles. *turns away to dab eyes*

I’m positively in love with Major Alan Warren. He is everything I want in a man and I’m pretty sure he possesses everything on my list of qualifications.

-Doesn’t miss church unless prevented by war or illness
-Keeps watch outside maiden’s door when iniquitous characters are about
-Never heard of Justin Beiber, but knows all six stanzas of Amazing Grace
-Speaks with conviction
-Impressive uniform
-Occasionally cheeky
-Horseback most frequent means of transportation
-Writes with quill
-Apologizes with sincerity
-Is deliciously unaware of how wonderful he is
-Battles epically in the rain
-Devilish smirk
-Broods when appropriate
-18th/19th century vocabulary
-The linen shirt <3

30 Days of Writing: Day 3

Challenge #3: How do you come up with names for characters, and for places if you’re writing about fictional worlds?

Naming is either the hardest or the easiest part of my writing ventures. If a name doesn’t instantly strike me as “the one” and stick forever, it’s an agonizing process of researching name meanings, histories, Latin roots, and just about anything under the sun until I can settle on something. If it so happens that I choose a name the hard way, it can change up to any number of times before I post it somewhere… and sometimes even after that. Usually if that’s the case, I have to let the name grow on me–like mold.

Some names I was instantly fond of and stuck to a character or place right away:

Fianait – (FYAHN-et or FiyahNEY-T) Female protagonist in Mandor in the Water. Gaelic  for “deer.” This name makes me picture long, wispy hair and water running over rocks and bare feet. Somehow it’s perfect.

Torin & Lira – Monarchs in Tierelyss. Torin is Gaelic for “chief” but I had no idea until I looked it up–after I decided that was his name. The same goes for Lira. I looked up the meaning/origin after the fact only to find it’s Old German for “foreign/true” which is so perfect I can’t even begin to gush properly… though I can try.

Slipborough Half – A place within Wind Blessed. This, along with Bend Willow Creek, Della Creek Farm, a half dozen other places, plus the name of a character, Ildri, were all chosen for the sole purpose of sounding wonderful in my head. Ildri also was discovered to mean “fire and peace” in the Norse tongue.

Some names that only grew on me after I pillaged dozens of language and baby name sites (usually with the aid of mah best friend and Beta Mistress):

Galen Ashby – Victorian gentleman-turned-vampire in The Turnings. That’s one story you can’t read. Not now. Possibly not ever. I intend on being stubbornly selfish with it. x)

Brisella – Plot-revolving character of Wind Blessed. This one took me a while to keep. She had a name before, but I thought it too normal sounding for a fantasy heroine. Brisella was a one-word change from her original name but that one little letter felt right after a few days of agonizing. Somewhat derived from “Brisa” meaning “breeze” en Español.

Frederick Holbright – Chains of Love man-person. Still not completely positive I’m keeping his name. I’m 92% sure. It’ll probably stay. It’s changed about four times already. Thank goodness for the replacement option in Word!

-x-

Featured Snippet

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

-Sonnet 116 by Shakespeare

I’m usually not one for poetry unless it’s satirical, but Shakespeare is Shakespeare and that’s all there is to it. The ’96 version of Sense and Sensibility had a part in dramatizing this to new levels. Marianne is a ninny, but she quotes very prettily!

-x-

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“Willoughby“

A clip from Sense and Sensibility

Because an image and a short movie clip aren’t that dissimilar. It’s about appeasing the muse.