Have you ever had a conversation with your characters? Like, I mean, they pop up while you're driving and you carry on a conversation about how you might could kill them off, or give them one more kissing scene...something like that?
Now, if you answer yes, I *happen* to know a good therapist. Ha!
I am more likely to try to discuss my characters with other people rather than themselves. I just tried this last night with my husband (again...I really should think twice about doing this. He just doesn't "get" it) and it was completely fruitless.
Gerard Butler (a.k.a. Alex Rover) and & Jodie Foster (a.k.a. Alexandra Rover)So I'm thinking of just asking my character. It's better than way anyway, right? Their motivations are more intrinsic...coming from their own life story than my own. The picture above is from Nim's Island. Jodie Foster, playing reclusive, agoraphobic author Alex Rover (actually, Alexandra Rover). Gerard Butler plays her main character by the same name, Alex Rover. As she types, researches, etc., Alex Rover shows up in her house and talks to her! I just laughed...thinking how AWESOME that would be! In the above picture, Alex is talking (or self-talking, depending on how you look at it) to Alexandra about how she should try to be more adventurous (i.e., more like HIM, her alter ego in many ways).
So I'm going to try to have a conversation with Rick. Rick needs to tell me why he's showing back up in my novel. If Rick doesn't give a good enough reason, then we'll talk about me cutting him. :)
9 comments:
I don't know if you've seen Inkheart or not. In the movie, story characters come to this reality when read by people with a "special power". An author actually gets to meet several of his characters from his novel. I thought that was really cool.
And, oh yeah, I talk to my characters.
Ooooo...good ol' Rick might be a no-show, ay? Hmmm...now I'm trying to think how this would impact your plot. Maybe you don't need him now that you have Joshua's GMC established. But I do like the jealosy and macho possessiveness both men get towards Kathy when they're together. :) Tough call!
We just watched Nims island as a family and really enjoyed it! I thought it was really interesting that she could write adventure stories without ever stepping foot out of her home. In some ways, I took encouragement from that, thinking we don't necessarily have to be world travelers or adventure seekers to write great stories. We need an excellent imagination and a great ability to research!
ra - going to have to check out that movie....sounds good.
katie - we need to talk about ol rick.
jody - i was encouraged as well! of course, i loved her depiction of agoraphobia, too. :)
This happens to me all the time. I recently posted an interview with one of my characters on my blog. He's a bit of a pain, so it was fun. Great blog, BTW!
Hmmm, I may be the odd one out here. I don't really talk TO my characters. More like I see scenes unfold or I just feel like I am my character and try to feel their motivations, emotions, etc.
Maybe I should try talking to them? LOL
I love Nim's Island. My characters stalk me at the worst of times. When I'm in church, when I'm trying to read another book, when I'm working on a project not involving them. Sometimes I have to remind them that they are fictional.
elanaj - thanks! ill have to check out your interview...
jess - no sweat. that just means that among the insane writer-types that we are...you are LESS insane. :)
tara - thanks for stopping by...i get stalked by one character in particular at church...
I'm like Jessica. I haven't really talked "to" my characters. I guess I should probably try it, because I have heard other writers do it. :) I haven't seen Nim's Island, but I have seen Inkheart and LOVED it!
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