Well not really, the answer is "to" since my super understanding mother has put a deadline on these shenanigans and is pushing me a little bit more (read: a lot more) to enter the working world (cowers in corner, sucking thumb). So I've got to get this thing done. Well you know before passing it off to a select few family members, and then more editing when they inevitably think that it's all rubbish, and then finding an agent/editor (cowers in corner, sucking thumb and sobbing for her mommy).
ANYWAY, one of the hardest things about writing is making the people seem real. And no, that doesn't mean making them have defining characteristics, giving them a voice or physically describing them. What I mean is making them seem real, having them move, do every day little things. I don't know why I feel so awkward when I write these little bits. Cause do you need to read about her crossing the room to talk to another person? No. But she's not Harry Potter and can't just apparate across the room so I have to throw in random sentences so she seems real.
Oh I can't believe I am using this as an example. Cringes. But it's like in Twilight/Breaking Dawn when (spoiler alert!) Bella becomes a vampire but keeps it a secret to her former family members so Rosalie and Alice tell her to "act human". Never sit still for too long, cross and uncross her legs, tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, twiddle her thumbs. Sort of like that. Note: No vampires will be appearing in this story.
I also feel like I lose more and more credibility with each passing post. But hey, I openly admit at this point I am writing for a 15 year old girl. It's just ironic the majority of people that know are guys who are 22 or older.
So the actions I find myself repeating the most often are:
- answering a cell phone. Or worse, looking for a cell phone in a bag to answer it. But cell phones are such an integral part of today's culture. It's not like I am going to have her talking on a landline... (seriously, I don't think I have the "home" number for one of my friends from college. Heck, I think the only home numbers I have are my own, and my brother and sister's families. But I digress from my point... like always)
- Standing up or sitting down. Flop, slump, crash, drop, ease, slid, slip, - there are only so many ways to communicate moving downward into a chair/seat. And she can't just stand up the entire time. Geez.
- Laughing or smiling. And apparently all my characters are sarcastic or secretive cause they are always trying to muffle/ stifle/ hide/ or conceal a giggle/ laugh/ chuckle or my personal favorite, chortle. I seriously gotta up the funny so they can openly laugh.
- Taking a deep breath/ sighing/ exhaling. My character does not breathe properly apparently.
- And on a similar note, there are only so many ways to say a person is crying/sobbing or have tears sliding/gliding/slipping/seeping down one's face.
- Opening and shutting doors. You have to do it to get places. How many doors do you open and shut in one day? How many times? The answer: A lot. And if you factor in car doors, forget it.
- Walking across a room/ up the stairs/ down the stairs/ over to someone.
Maybe I am just hyper sensitive to it and then I really harp on it since I feel like it keeps happening over and over and I'm really the only one who notices. But... now I'm making you notice it.. and now it will bother you... Whoops.
It's just. So few words. For so many actions. Are you losing faith in the book? Join the club!
1 comment:
There are ups and downs to every vocation....guess this is yours! But it sounds like you are doing a super job and I for one am looking forward to all this moving around in your book. Hey...don't forget the word weep. I love the part in The Holiday where Jude Law says " I weep" Of course, he says it with a British accent which cannot be transferred to book form. Still, it's a great word....weep!
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