A to Z: (V)oice

Every person is capable of hallucination. We push our minds to see things that aren't there and we call it visualization. Some people close their eyes to do this, other keep them open. I have to leave my eyes open, I need color to see things. Our senses allow us to precieve the world around us and the two strongest are sight and smell (smell can actually trigger some very powerful memories). One that is a little harder for some people to fake are sounds. When I say this, I don't mean impersonations, I mean hearing a voice that isn't there--a hallucination of the auditory sense.

All people hear voices in the wind, things like that, but not all people can hear a disconnected voice of their own making. A persons voice is as unique as their fingerprint and when it comes to writing and finding voices for our characters, this can be especially difficult. Some writers are naturally gifted with what they affectionately call writers schizophrenia. The voice comes to them and the character follows. Some writers don't get that at all.

How can you find that voice then? Try to visualize the character first. Do your character development and try to write it out in a way that the character is filling it out about themselves rather than you filling it out about them. Sure, occasionally, your character will lie about themselves because we all know we don't know ourselves as well as we'd like to believe, but after they have filled it out, make notes about what is accurate for them. After you've visualized them, try turning them into an imaginary friend. Sounds silly. Many people had imaginary friends when they were little, and giving into that may be a bit difficult, but if you can accomplish it, it makes it so much easier to hear that voice.

One other voice is difficult to find when it comes to writing, as well. The voice of the narrator is a big problem for a lot of people. When you're writing a children's story, you want a voice that is going to speak to children. You don't want to talk to them the way an adult would, so what do you do in that situation? I like to treat the narrator as though they were any other character. Do a character development list for them, even giving them a body to go along with that voice. If I can make them as "real" as my other characters, I can hear their voice and they can tell me the story that they want me to write down.

These techniques may not work for everyone. I can only say what works for me. How do you work on your character's and narrator's voice?

A to Z: (R)eact & (R)espond

When you're writing and you're in the zone, you just write. Everything is flowing perfectly. And then it happens... you hit a wall. Where do you go from there? How do you move on to the next scene?

For some, its as easy as taking a break and starting again after eating, or drinking, or taking a walk. Some have more difficulty trying to decide what should happen.

For me, everytime I start a scene I ask myself two simple questions. How are the characters going to react to this? and How will my characters resond?

Everything in a story comes down to actions and reactions. When one character screams "OUCH!" another character asks them why they did that. When one character pushes another, that other character reacts accordingly. Unfortunately, this sometimes means jumping into several different heads in succession. Trust me, it can give you a headache.

You can practice writing this way as well. Make a list of situations--some ordinary, some anything but. After that, get your list of characters and answer each situation with how that character would react or respond to it. It tells you a lot about your characters, not to mention it can help you out later in your story when those situations arise (if they do).

A to Z: (I)njuries

People get hurt. It happens. Such is life. No one gets very far without pain. Scars make you who you are.

There are so many great (sorry) things about injuries in the written world. How did it happen? When did it happen? How is the recovery going physically? Emotionally?

To give you a quick example: I have this huge scar on my knee cap. I've had it for about 8 years now. How did I get it? Well... One day (in high school) me and a few friends were goofing off in the parking lot. I decided to climb onto the running board of my girl friend's bronco while she was driving around. She was moving slow, but she turned and I couldn't hold on. So, I flew off and hit the ground. My head bounced. The blacktop ripped away the knee in my jeans along with the skin, nearly down to my bone. She freaked out because she thought she ran me over. It was interesting, and for the rest of my life, when someone sees that scar, that is the story I get to tell them.

Everyone has a scar like that. When we get drunk we like to compare our battle trophies. Its how we behave. In some sense, its a bit of a my-horse-is-bigger-than-your-horse thing. Regardless, why shouldn't our characters do it too?

Injuries and scars run deep emotionally, too. How does a character recover from things like hurt feelings, wounded pride, or a broken heart? These are all things you should answer when you're working on your character development.

Of course, injuries can be used in writing as comedic relief, too. Slapstick comedy has worked forever! How long have the Three Stooges been popular?

A big thing to think about when your character gets injured is how others are going to react to the injury. Some people (like me) don't deal well with blood. Some think the gore is awesome. Sometimes, when someone gets hurt, their significant other can't handle the burden of having to take care of them. As well as the physical side of this, remember that emotional baggage can have a huge impact. Past injuries can temper our future actions.

A to Z: (F)ights

So, I'm starting a little late this morning. I've been doing really good about getting them all done for 9 AM, but not today. I'll be back on time tomorrow, though!

Fighting and fights are a normal part of life and should be included in a story. Not necessarily all out brawls, but arguments, disagreements, spats, and bickering are good ways to add tension to a tale and depth to a character.

There are different kinds of fighting and who starts (instigates) and how each character involved behaves in the situation is great for making them real. When two characters are having an argument, depending on the topic, others around them may try to ignore it, or join in if they feel strongly about the topic. If three characters are having a disagreement about who should take possession of an item, someone may step in to be a referee of sorts. If five characters are having a physical fight, many others may rush in to help those they consider friends, or hold others back from trying to make it unfair, or ignore it all toghther. You may even end up with many spectators just watching as everything goes down.

Some people (or characters) are very nonconfrontational. They will do anything to avoid even the smallest dispute at any cost. Some have long fuses and will snap at odd moments for seemingly small things, while others with shorter fuses may blow up often. Some will manipulate any situation to their advantage to cause conflict--pushing buttons or playing both sides against the middle (kids have a tendancy to do this unintentionally, especially in situations where their parents have split up).

Something to consider is background. Certain heritages are famous/infamous for their ability to keep their cool or lose it. Its little things like those that can really add to a character, and it may give you some ideas as to what the character will look like.

Don't forget that everyone has a different fuse and different buttons that set them off. Someone that is typically a peaceful person, but is afraid of the dark would become more snippy in a situation where they would have to confront that fear.

The use of drugs and alcohol also need to come into consideration. When we use those substances, it changes our behavior and therefore, the way we react. Also, quitting a substance. Always try to find an interesting reason that someone is fighting.

A to Z: (E)quality

All men are created equal, and so too, should your characters. That's my opinion anyway.

Sure, some of your characters don't have as much to say or as important a role as others, but (for you anyway) they're all people. They all deserve to be heard. You've spent the time working on your plot line and what's supposed to happen in your book (let's all face it, not everything goes according to plan), why would you skimp on your characters.

What happens when you give one character two days of your time and half a notebook for their thoughts and personality, and the next gets two minutes? First of all, WTH? How is that fair? If you're like me, and the characters are voices in your head the second you think their name, they complain and gripe, a lot. But it gets worse! That second character whom you've devoted little to no time to becomes flat and boring.

If you think that's bad--there's more. If you don't take the time to listen to each character, you end up with a cookie cutter version of the first. Every character you create from then on may look different and have a different voice, but aside from one or two traits, they are the same person. All of them become flat, bland, and completely unremarkable.

Now to step off my soapbox, I have the sudden urge to say, "And this has been a public service announcement." *sigh*

A to Z: (C)reation

*Warning* No offense is intended with this post.

Today's A to Z post deals with creation. The creation of worlds, the creation of characters. Every writer is involved with creation in some form or another. By making up a character and placing them in this world is creating, or by making up a whole new place for all your characters to live.

Believe it or not, anyone can create something magnificent with the right dedication. It could take years to find the right medium (a canvas, clay, marble, or paper) but anyone can do it.

Writing is the ultimate form of creation. You aren't limited to space like someone who creates music, or to a small square for painting or drawing. As a writer, you have the opportunity to make something unforgettable.

With your work, you are God (or whatever higher power you believe in). You must think of everything. What do your characters eat and drink? What do they wear? Do they worship? Where and when and how often? Do they live on earth? When does the story take place? It is all vital information.

When creating, try to keep your methods of development uniform. If you have a ten page questionaire for your characters, use it every time you come up with a new character. If you have something specific you want to add in that isn't in the questionnaire, make sure to write it down somewhere you'll remember it.

Maybe you like to start your stories with the plot line or the synopsis. Maybe you like to start with your characters or a setting. Whatever it is, always try to start the same way. Personally, I like to start with a specific scene, that usually involves the main characters, a setting, and bit of the plot line.

Be Thurough. Treat all of it as though it were real. You want to see, feel, smell, taste, and hear your world. By thinking of all these things, you give your reader a world they can fall into and love (or fear). When you write your story, its easier to add these things in if you had them in mind beforehand. Make sure you add them appropriately, though. You don't want to lump them all together. Let your characters guide you (and the readers) through the world you've created. Give them the free will we all have, and have faith that they will do it for you and these (albeit imaginary) creations will impress you.