Mind If I Sit Down?
Interviewing Your Characters - An exercise28 total reviews
Comment from Annmuma
Interesting and such an excellent approach. I found nothing to criticize and a lot to learn. Thanks for sharing this most helpful writers tip. ann
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Interesting and such an excellent approach. I found nothing to criticize and a lot to learn. Thanks for sharing this most helpful writers tip. ann
Comment Written 08-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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THank you so much. You are most welcome. :-)
Jan
Comment from Charles Keith
Hi Jan,
This is really very interesting. I must bear this in mind, but I'm not sure I'd want to be in the same romm with the two characters I'm writing about at the moment LOL.
I remember reading some chapters of your book a while ago, then I went off-line for quite a while and when I returned you had completed the book.
I must look out for this one.
Very interesting essay, and a great idea.
Keith
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Hi Jan,
This is really very interesting. I must bear this in mind, but I'm not sure I'd want to be in the same romm with the two characters I'm writing about at the moment LOL.
I remember reading some chapters of your book a while ago, then I went off-line for quite a while and when I returned you had completed the book.
I must look out for this one.
Very interesting essay, and a great idea.
Keith
Comment Written 08-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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LOL I've had characters like that! Thanks for a great review.
Jan
Comment from mildredmolanki
Yes I've seen this approach before and I agree it's a really good way to get to know your characters even if most of the material you never use. I guess it helps to keep your writing authentic. Kind regards, MM
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Yes I've seen this approach before and I agree it's a really good way to get to know your characters even if most of the material you never use. I guess it helps to keep your writing authentic. Kind regards, MM
Comment Written 08-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much for the kind review.
:-)
Jan
Comment from penelope
Hi, Janilou,
Great idea to share this with other FanStorian members. I've used this technique before. It can be very helpful. I especially liked your last paragraph about the house guest and the muse teaching the characters how to play poker. Very lively picture. Penelope
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Hi, Janilou,
Great idea to share this with other FanStorian members. I've used this technique before. It can be very helpful. I especially liked your last paragraph about the house guest and the muse teaching the characters how to play poker. Very lively picture. Penelope
Comment Written 08-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much! :-)
Jan
Comment from bkrighter
Thank you for sharing Simon's idea with your own example. It was new to me, but its usefulness is obvious even for short fiction (which I am more likely to write).
Steve
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Thank you for sharing Simon's idea with your own example. It was new to me, but its usefulness is obvious even for short fiction (which I am more likely to write).
Steve
Comment Written 08-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much. :-)
Jan
Comment from yachtworknz
Excelent. I love the essays on writing more than reading anything else. Very well done and great suggestion.
Thanks for posting this helpfull message.
Cheers
Scott
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Excelent. I love the essays on writing more than reading anything else. Very well done and great suggestion.
Thanks for posting this helpfull message.
Cheers
Scott
Comment Written 08-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much. I enjoy them as well. Sue-z-Q has some terrific ones in her portfolio as well.
Jan
Comment from CALLAHANMR
Hi Janilou:)
Thank you for your interesting explanation about how a writer can flesh out a character's background. Marilyn uses a variation of this technique.
For forty-eight years Marilyn has tried to drive me crazy by asking me hypothetical questions about every conceived character that ever graced a corner of her mind. I better give the right answer or I'll be forced to conjure up a new character who is more cunning, evil, smarte or dumber than the one she started with. I sometimes think I know a million of these characters in the most intimate way possible.
I really can't complain too much. These characters help us both with our writing, but sometimes I wish she would use Simon Morris' techniques and let me have time to do my own writing. Lol.
Your presentation is great and SPAG. I believe almost any new writer (and some seasoned writers as well) can benefit by using character interviews.
Your sample character interviews is excellent. I'm always amazed at you repertoire of writing skills.and I look forward to more great writing from you.
Roger
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Hi Janilou:)
Thank you for your interesting explanation about how a writer can flesh out a character's background. Marilyn uses a variation of this technique.
For forty-eight years Marilyn has tried to drive me crazy by asking me hypothetical questions about every conceived character that ever graced a corner of her mind. I better give the right answer or I'll be forced to conjure up a new character who is more cunning, evil, smarte or dumber than the one she started with. I sometimes think I know a million of these characters in the most intimate way possible.
I really can't complain too much. These characters help us both with our writing, but sometimes I wish she would use Simon Morris' techniques and let me have time to do my own writing. Lol.
Your presentation is great and SPAG. I believe almost any new writer (and some seasoned writers as well) can benefit by using character interviews.
Your sample character interviews is excellent. I'm always amazed at you repertoire of writing skills.and I look forward to more great writing from you.
Roger
Comment Written 08-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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:-) I think the 'interview' idea works really well. LOL Sounds as though you have your hands full! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one.
Jan
Comment from Signaler
Hi Janilou, I really enjoyed your creative processing. Thanks so much for sharing it. I can't find a thing wrong here. Just keep up what you're doing lady.
Angels, Signaler
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Hi Janilou, I really enjoyed your creative processing. Thanks so much for sharing it. I can't find a thing wrong here. Just keep up what you're doing lady.
Angels, Signaler
Comment Written 08-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much! :-)
Jan
Comment from adewpearl
Fanstorian, first alerted add comma
idea, and I've included add comma
with Rose, written it in a eliminate "it"
I've never written fiction, let alone a novel, and this sounds like a terrific idea for developing characters - I always marvel that a novel can have a couple dozen characters spanning a wide spectrum of types, and still have each character seem individual and true - this method seems a good way to help accomplish that - you explain it clearly and with a good example
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2008
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Fanstorian, first alerted add comma
idea, and I've included add comma
with Rose, written it in a eliminate "it"
I've never written fiction, let alone a novel, and this sounds like a terrific idea for developing characters - I always marvel that a novel can have a couple dozen characters spanning a wide spectrum of types, and still have each character seem individual and true - this method seems a good way to help accomplish that - you explain it clearly and with a good example
Comment Written 07-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2008
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So glad you enjoyed this one! I'll correct those nits.
Jan
Comment from Terra Dane
Don't give away all the secrets, Jan. Just kidding. Don't tell everyone writers are insane and talk to themselves at 3 a.m.. Again kidding. I know that I learned all this stuff at some point, and I think it's good you bring it to the attention of those who have this desire to write. Not sure where I learned the interview, but often feel the characters are actually interviewing me. Do I have what it takes to tell their story. Really, important stuff, before pen meets paper author must know by some means who they are writing about- must know them inside and out. My characters and I spend a good six months if not more talking before pen hits paper.
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2008
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Don't give away all the secrets, Jan. Just kidding. Don't tell everyone writers are insane and talk to themselves at 3 a.m.. Again kidding. I know that I learned all this stuff at some point, and I think it's good you bring it to the attention of those who have this desire to write. Not sure where I learned the interview, but often feel the characters are actually interviewing me. Do I have what it takes to tell their story. Really, important stuff, before pen meets paper author must know by some means who they are writing about- must know them inside and out. My characters and I spend a good six months if not more talking before pen hits paper.
Comment Written 07-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much! LOL Glad you enjoyed this. Yes, I find the same thing happens to me. :-)
Jan
