Monday, December 1, 2008

I'm not crazy, I just have voices in my head.

"Plot springs from character... I've always sort of believed that these people inside me- these characters- know who they are and what they're about and what happens, and they need me to help get it down on paper because they don't type." Anne Lamott

I honestly believe this. Sometimes I'll start a project with only a vague idea of a plot, but with my characters firmly in mind. I did this with my WIP. I just hoped that they would eventually tell me what was going on in their world because I was at a loss. Sure enough, over the weekend, my character told me what she needed to learn and how she was going to learn it. I felt like singing Hallelujah because at 20,000 words in, I was beginning to worry.

13 comments:

  1. I'm not gonna lie... sounds a little crazy to me ;) Were you born with these voices or have they showed up since you have been married to Jared? j/k
    I don't have to privelege of having characters in my mind. I am boring, you will never see me writing a book!

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  2. I would never describe you as boring, Aubrey. But, definitely not crazy like me. I don't know if I was born with them, but they have gotten stronger since I married Jared. :)

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  3. My voices are talking loudly today! Those days are the best! Oh and I just finished reading what you sent me :) *smiles smugly*

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  4. No, you aren't crazy. I feel the same way.

    Sometimes I am so stubborn in trying to make them do what I want, but they always win. :)

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  5. Candi, What?? You finished? I will now call you.

    Renee, I know what you mean. I tried to force someone to do what I wanted them to once. I learned my lesson when that chapter turned out badly. I had to change it. Sigh, will I ever learn? By the way, I'm having fun at your blog party. Your 100th post was worth the wait. :)

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  7. Well, we all know my characters talk to me WAY too much. But that really holds true for me. I never start with a plot. It's always the characters.

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  8. Yes, Natalie, it seems as though you have a constant party in your head. :) We all love the results of your insanity, so let the voices run free.

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  9. I love Anne Lamott. Happy for you.

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  10. I think I need more voices. It's not crowded enough.

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  11. I love that your characters are so real for you that you can hear what they want to do and yes--you aren't crazy! yeah on the word count!!

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  12. Make your husband a PBJ for lunch....OOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo(ghost noises)

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  13. I didn't know I had a character in my head that requested household chores. I really should have that character. Maybe my house would be cleaner.... no, I would probably just write about having a clean house. It's no use.

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