Why is it that when I go to bed my brain decides to pump out
all kinds of ideas for writing? Is it just me or does this happen to you as
well?
A few weeks ago, I'm drifting off to sleep. My mind is
tossing around ideas for an upcoming Author Event at Horsham Library, in Horsham, PA.
on November 12th. Out of the blue, I get this thought about being a control
freak with my characters.
Sleep did not happen right away. I gave up and turned on the
light, pulled out my trusty journal, and started writing. Now that I've told
you how this blog post exploded onto the page, you probably want to know what
on earth it means to be a control freak with your characters.
1. Yours truly
decides to write a sequel to The Moses Conspiracy. (At that point, I still
didn't know it would become a trilogy.) I mull over my idea and assign the original cast starring roles.
2. My head is aching,
and I can't get it right. "Come on, you guys, do something interesting, so
I can write it down."
3. Ellie and John
fold their arms and remain silent. I face them much like a gunslinger at the OK
Corral. "You are the stars of this story, and I'm the Director." (God
uses some strange methods to get my attention.)
4. I feel a gentle
tap on my shoulder and hear a whisper in my ear. "This is MY story."
I shrug the thought away. "Be quiet. You'll have a part, but Ellie and
John get top billing."
5. Now, no one is
cooperating. It's three against one. I cave in. "Okay, okay, I'll give it
a try." Jim Kenneman, my shoulder tapper, grins, and soon my fingers are
flying over the computer keyboard.
And that is how The Scent of Fear was born. When feisty
Kendra Marshall showed up for the next book, I knew better than to argue with
HER!
Writers: Do you force
your characters to fit into a story or do you allow them some measure of
freedom? Please share how you keep things humming along.
Readers: Have you ever thought of writing a book? Please
share. (I hope I haven't discouraged you from undertaking the project.)
Photo Credit: David DiBiase
Photo Credit: David DiBiase
2 comments:
I am a character control freak! But the best writing comes when they take the reins and my fingers fly.
Blessings with your project!
It is interesting to see how characters come to be, and how we create and respond to them. Whatever you are, control freak with them or not, you've told their stories well!
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