It wasn't until a few years ago while I was reading a book and thought,"I could do that." I am always day dreaming and creating stories in my head, taking what I'm reading and changing it to how I think it should happen. How hard can it be? Well, I am currently working on a novel and it proving to be more difficult that I thought. Don't get me wrong, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I take my characters everywhere I go. They have become these little voices in my head, and I often find myself talking to them and asking them questions about themselves and what they think about whats happening in their lives. If I told a "normal" person about these conversations they would probably look at me oddly before excusing themselves to either run, or call the men in white coats to carry me away, but I think the writers out there can understand.
I write Urban Fantasy, hence the name of the blog, so I do have a great deal of leave way when it comes to reality, but I want someone to believe my characters would act the way they act. Even though they may not be human, and they may find themselves in situations that are not based in reality, I want them to act and react in a believable fashion. I don't want readers to read a passage and think, "Nobody would do that or react that way."
The problem I am facing now is, one of my characters is misbehaving and I don't know what to do about it. I am thinking about putting her in therapy. Maybe if I ask her enough questions about her behavior we can come to some sort of understanding. I understand that she should be upset about the situation she is in, but needs to accept what happened and do what she has to do. If she doesn't find a way to do this, it's going to interfere with the plans I have for her. She just doesn't seem to be able to do so. So, that's my first stumbling block. <sigh> Oh the joys of being a writer.
Boy, I hate it when characters take off on their own and don't want to play nice with my story *Grin* Well done, Rebel! Cool blog. As for those little voices, as long as they do NOT sound like you and DO sound like your character, you're okay. Love ya! ~Janie
ReplyDeleteMisbehaving characters...I like it. This happens to me as well when I'm trying to stay true to the character. It's funny how doing that can actually end up surprising you with the outcome. When I have something that is particularly stubborn, sometimes I write out what I want it to be and then I write an additional separate section following the character's whims. Occasionally that helps, but other times I'm back at square one. At least it sounds like you are having a good time on this writing journey! Good luck, hope your characters start behaving themselves soon! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe your character is schizophrenic but you don't know it yet.
ReplyDeleteI have found that my characters misbehave when I want them to do something that is out of their character. About a month ago, I was unable to write another word on my current manuscript until we all 'had a talk' and after we got things straight, I ended up letting them have their way. In the end, they seemed to know what was best.
ReplyDeleteHow could I have known? I'm only the writer :)
That is what I have decided to do. I am letting her do what she feels she has to and work with what she gives me. No use fighting with the little voices in my head. They always seem to win anyway.
DeleteThat is too funny Rebel! I do the same thing with a book I'm working on. I can be working, doing my job and in my head, I get an idea and I list it on my mental notepad. If I have a pen handy I'll jot it down somewhere. Its funny how you may drive a character in a certain direction and they meander off the path and they still get to the destination you had planned for them.
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