So. Something happens when you start writing: You start reading differently, too. I already kind of knew that since I'm a book critic - and reading for fun and reading to critique something are two very different things. When you read for fun, you (I) read to get a look into another world, to get a break from reality, or perhaps even to escape it (the story of my childhood). As a "professional" reader, you read to be able to form an opinion which then hopefully enables your reader to decide whether she wants to buy the book or not. Both kinds of reading is fun AND interesting.
Reading as a writer is just plain annoying, though. You start noticing things like personal pronouns (if there's more than one "he" in a sentence, do they all point back to the same person?), plot coherency (does our hero just have to go out into the woods alone, even if it's the most idiotic decision ever made - just to make the plot work?) - or simply the difference between the Oxford comma and the AP Stylebook comma (and that's just plain stupid to pay attention to). It does have the advantage of making you a better writer, though, so I guess I just have to toughen up. Or to ignore all those wayward personal pronouns. It turns out that sci-fi or anything close to that genre is a bit of a challenge to write. For example, your editor will hardly ever accept "because I say so" as an explanation for why things are the way they are in your fictional world. As a matter of fact, she will never ever accept that explanation. No, no, she's determined to have reasons and logical explanations and even rationality. It kind of sucks.
Of course, it does have the added bonus of vastly improving your story. And getting to know your characters a lot better; I now have a side plot that I can't wait to explore in the next Himiko book. Did I mention that it's a lot of fun, too? I'm really looking forward to sharing Matt and Pietr with you - only a few days left now! If you've ever wondered just what it takes to get published, go to Reviews by Jessewave to read an interview with co-founder of Torquere Press, Lorna Hinson. You'll find the site here - and it's well worth visiting: As well as reviews, you'll find very interesting discussions. And nice pictures. So very nice pictures. Sigh.
...that fictional characters are stubborn beyond any reason and that they have no intention whatsoever of doing things they don't want to do? Every time I have trouble writing, it's always because I try to make them do something they don't like. They make popstars and opera divas seem easygoing in comparison. And at the same time, it's slightly alarming - I mean, I thought I was the one in charge here. Yeah, right. But at least I got the message now and so I can finally go on with Tom and Mischa. Love those guys!
God. I've said this before and I'll probably have to repeat it in the future: Fictional characters are pesky creatures, all coy and difficult to please. I have a deadline tomorrow, and when does my annoying main character decide to reveal his secrets? An hour before I have to go to bed unless I'm going to be useless tomorrow. So, useless it is. I have to go, he demands to be written...
Or should I say behind the pages (it doesn't really work that well, though...)? Huh.
There. That's a sentence you wouldn't see in one of my books. Because I would have written first part, my editor would have written the parenthesis and I would have thought the last part before deleting all of it. Which brings me to my point: A book isn't all that good when it's just finished. There're typos (even if you read over the stuff over and over), you repeat yourself and then there's the rare case where the author's so deep into the story that the author doesn't care to explain who's speaking (happens very rarely. Only about once every paragraph. Okay, who am I kidding: Once every sentence). Then the editor steps in and do her or his magic. And it shows. My god, does it show. It's the difference between okay and "hey, I want to read this." That's why authors love their editors so much. Or is it? I've suffered something very close to a writer's block these past couple of weeks - and I don't get those; I love writing. The only other time I've tried something similiar was when I tried to make Tom do something he didn't want to do (fictional characters are pesky creatures with a mind of their own, I warn you). Then, yesterday, it dawned on me that perhaps I couldn't write anymore because I shouldn't. Perhaps the novel's simply done.
I think that's the explanation - but now I've got all these things I still haven't told about our sweet little carpenter. I begin to understand why authors write short stories! Poor Mischa! I just found out that the guy really can't hold his liquor. Especially not when he insists on being Russian and starts drinking vodka. Then he sings, too. Tom was terrified.
And yes, I promise to get back to you with that story - soon, even, and here on this very website. But to get to my point: You don't always know your characters when you start writing (I don't, in any case). Mischa and Tom were there almost from the beginning (although they still did things along the way that made me go "Huh?! You're really going to do that? Without asking me? But I'm the author!"). I've just finished writing about a couple, though, that have a will of their very own. M was meant to be sweet and sensitive, and P was meant to be the silent, loving boyfriend. M ended up having anger management issues and P is the most sarcastic guy I've ever met. Don't I have anything to say here? Apparently not. Sometimes (well, very late at night), I wonder if I even write them or if I just meet them and tell their story. I guess the good part about that possibility is that I have a lot of exciting men to meet yet! |
CB Conwy
I read and I write - everything from corporate to kink. My naughty fictional friends are always there to make my life interesting. And pester me, of course. Pesky creatures. Archives
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