tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post4579748683595969657..comments2024-03-16T07:55:54.153-07:00Comments on Views From the Bald Patch: How to write compelling charactersBotanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-83007986175088368512010-09-29T17:45:33.370-07:002010-09-29T17:45:33.370-07:00Glad you enjoyed it, Nicole. I'm still working...Glad you enjoyed it, Nicole. I'm still working my way through the many excellent posts in the blogfest and learning new things along the way.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-25373022441823609132010-09-29T14:10:31.731-07:002010-09-29T14:10:31.731-07:00Teasing your characters - love it. Great post!Teasing your characters - love it. Great post!Nicole Zoltackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464800543376449290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-90975472680689176262010-09-27T16:35:49.806-07:002010-09-27T16:35:49.806-07:00Thanks Deni. Not sure why I focused on villains, j...Thanks Deni. Not sure why I focused on villains, just seemed the most interesting to give as examples. Why are villains always the most interesting? And what does that say about me? :DBotanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-36070925589954955432010-09-27T11:53:10.796-07:002010-09-27T11:53:10.796-07:00Great advice! I particularly enjoy all the referen...Great advice! I particularly enjoy all the references to people that would make villainous characters.Deni Kruegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14966983714899088984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-81884146259953107882010-09-26T19:53:42.063-07:002010-09-26T19:53:42.063-07:00Hi Lola, and welcome aboard. Glad you noticed the ...Hi Lola, and welcome aboard. Glad you noticed the header; writing is not my first creative outlet ;-)<br /><br />Hmmm, now there's an idea, pirate ship, deck chair, beer, and...hey! how did you know I had a MacBook?Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-85985080613395093432010-09-26T17:33:42.304-07:002010-09-26T17:33:42.304-07:00I enjoyed your take on this topic. (I think Elana ...I enjoyed your take on this topic. (I think Elana can keep her kidney...while we've all had some similar thoughts, we've all had our own flavor)<br /><br />Nice to meet you. Love your header...and LOVE the pirate ship!! (my kid is in high school now, but I'd still love my own pirate ship. I think I'd take my MacBook on the ship and do some writing there. :)<br /><br />Have a great week,<br />LolaLola Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14394765053485642935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-76704619103560411742010-09-26T15:35:21.764-07:002010-09-26T15:35:21.764-07:00Shari, that's a great quote! I don't care ...Shari, that's a great quote! I don't care who said it, I like it.<br /><br />And welcome, Jen. Are you one of the co-conspirators then? Sorry to plead ignorance, I'm a newcomer to Elena's blog...as of Friday evening...and I've seen several references to "Elena, Alex, and Jen" or variations thereof.<br /><br />It was a last minute scramble to get a post together but I'm so glad I did. This has been one crazy weekend in the blogosphere.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-16747689508777221982010-09-26T14:31:04.388-07:002010-09-26T14:31:04.388-07:00"Observe real people," Well said. I thin..."Observe real people," Well said. I think that really sums characters up as a whole! Sorry I'm late, just finally making my rounds to everyone!!<br /><br />Thank you so much for participating! It's been a blast running across all the different views! You've given us excellent advice!<br /><br />I'm looking forward to being a new follower!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-20739179121746325222010-09-26T13:45:20.299-07:002010-09-26T13:45:20.299-07:00Awesome. You make such a good point! Reminds me of...Awesome. You make such a good point! Reminds me of that quote, "How vain it is to sit down to write when we have not stood up to live" (or something like that -- Thoreau, I think... I really should google this, lol). If we don't observe real people, how on earth do we expect our characters to be realistic? And like you say, truth IS stranger than fiction -- there are truly fascinating people everywhere. Thanks so much for posting!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-33876116649726435672010-09-25T22:02:39.022-07:002010-09-25T22:02:39.022-07:00Aah, but Laura, you notice I never claimed to be a...Aah, but Laura, you notice I never claimed to be any good at <i>following</i> my advice ;-)<br /><br />I can prove it, in fact. I'm embarrassed to see that I used the phrase "infinitely interesting" above, only days after ranting at length on the perils of the word "infinity". So bang goes any last shred of authenticity...<br /><br />I think if I have an area of strength, it is in describing scenes. Several critters have commented on that at different times. This exercise has opened my eyes to the need to get to grips with my characters to the same kind of depth that I can visualise their settings.<br /><br />And LOL Saloma, I noticed that "flawed" was a popular theme amongst the posts too. You're right, they don't make a character, but (as I commented on another post) I do think flaws and weaknesses are necessary to give a character room to grow and develop. That is an important element in fiction, which may be why it was such a common observation.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-18300928471815810182010-09-25T20:45:18.837-07:002010-09-25T20:45:18.837-07:00Laura, my thoughts, exactly.
I don't normally...Laura, my thoughts, exactly.<br /><br />I don't normally write fiction (I've had one short story published, but it was based on my maternal grandmother's story), so Botanist, your advice resonates with me. And I'm so glad you didn't use the word "flawed." I think that is the most used word in this experiment. Flaws do not make a character... they may help round out a character, but to for me to truly sympathize with characters, they need to have courage and a sense of self. <br /><br />Thank you for the original thoughts about writing compelling characters.Saloma Miller Furlonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11269289644573402840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-67149326206734349452010-09-25T19:59:24.429-07:002010-09-25T19:59:24.429-07:00For someone who claims to be weak in the area of c...For someone who claims to be weak in the area of characters that is pretty darn good advice!Laura Paulinghttp://www.laurapauling.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-23839662932646172602010-09-25T18:42:20.929-07:002010-09-25T18:42:20.929-07:00And thank you again for posting the link, Elena. I...And thank you again for posting the link, Elena. I only spotted it by chance last night and read about the blog experiment. Even then, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to join in. I had no idea how much excitement the whole thing would generate.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-19990928988933508232010-09-25T17:00:08.757-07:002010-09-25T17:00:08.757-07:00I never thought of actually wondering about motiva...I never thought of actually wondering about motivation of real-life "evil", like Capone & Mr. Ripper. That's a good idea. I suppose people watched The Sopranos to glean the same kind of information - to see what really drives these people. Thanks for the shout-out!Elena Solodowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03037029195682225565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-31756225004108088842010-09-25T13:44:05.123-07:002010-09-25T13:44:05.123-07:00No worries, Cinette, I hadn't heard of them ei...No worries, Cinette, I hadn't heard of them either until my daughter's class made them last year. There's a good description on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pysanky" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a>, but as a writer I'm sure your curiosity will already have driven you to look it up ;-)<br /><br />I threw it in because it stuck in my mind. Of course, if I was including something like that in my writing I'd make sure to show the vivid colours, the intricate detail, and the endless variety. In other words, try to bring the small snippet of detail briefly to life for the reader in the same way as it caught my own eye.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-68873851690408521652010-09-25T13:05:24.765-07:002010-09-25T13:05:24.765-07:00Pysanky? Perhaps I'm showing my ignorance, but...Pysanky? Perhaps I'm showing my ignorance, but I've never seen the word before.<br />Welcome to Canada! I'm from Southern Alberta, myself.Cinettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11453731550912619157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-10160375321555925452010-09-25T12:30:35.955-07:002010-09-25T12:30:35.955-07:00C.N. Nevets, I only wish I took my own advice as r...C.N. Nevets, I only wish I took my own advice as rigorously as it might appear from this post! I realised it's something I've done unconsciously, but this post is the first time I've actually articulated it as a method. For that, I thank Elena for seeding the thought.<br /><br />Alex, I'm glad I stumbled on Elena's blog last night and sneaked into the pool before the door closed. Seems like you guys hit on something that struck a real chord with the writing community.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-57403096190774581822010-09-25T10:30:04.707-07:002010-09-25T10:30:04.707-07:00Excellent tips! There's enough originality in ...Excellent tips! There's enough originality in those around us to supply a thousand stories. <br />Thanks for posting - Elana, Jen, and I were astounded so many participated!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-63592281779021824352010-09-25T10:23:49.251-07:002010-09-25T10:23:49.251-07:00Every good writer needs to observe real people in ...Every good writer needs to observe real people in real life. Love that's where you start your creation of compelling characters. A lot of writers start out doing that but then lose track of it when they bury they nose in their manuscripts. Your advice should encourage us all to keep us alive and stop us from becoming hermits.C. N. Nevetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-51628363482280606672010-09-25T08:20:47.373-07:002010-09-25T08:20:47.373-07:00Melissa, yes, we LOVE Canada. In fact we always ha...Melissa, yes, we LOVE Canada. In fact we always have done, ever since we first visited. This blog only has an occasional writing post, mainly because I only occasionally get around to actual writing, but if you follow the "Immigration" label there's a lot about our experiences of moving and settling in. To us, this is home now.<br /><br />Quinn, not sure where the quote first came from, but many people have used it over the decades.<br /><br />Thank you, Rachael and Olivia. BTW, Olivia, my wife reads this blog too ;-)<br /><br />World of poetry (if I am permitted to call you that), I in turn know nothing about poetry. And precious little about writing, come to that. But I can say that this is but a tiny part of the writing process, and is only my take on that part. Everyone's approach is unique to them. Everyone's writing experience is different. Which is why it's so valuable to compare notes from time to time.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-1948443321133870122010-09-25T07:32:07.180-07:002010-09-25T07:32:07.180-07:00I am starting from the bottom of the list to make ...I am starting from the bottom of the list to make a comment. Lovely to write to an ex Brit.<br />I as a poet never knew what it took to write a story or a column so now I understand a wee bit more how it al comes together,<br />I found your post most interesting and a great pleasure to read.<br /><br />Enjoy your week-end;<br />Yvonne.RHYTHM AND RHYMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11386975261804630799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-24285934099511319572010-09-25T05:33:58.796-07:002010-09-25T05:33:58.796-07:00Bald is beautiful. And sexy. But back to the exper...Bald is beautiful. And sexy. But back to the experiment. I like your take on characterization. Oh wait, it's also MY take. But you said it so eloquently.<br /><br />I'm marking this to read again later. You made some most excellent points.<br /><br />Great post, <a href="http://thatrebelwithablog.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">that rebel, Olivia</a>Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-27337402785943216322010-09-25T02:40:34.098-07:002010-09-25T02:40:34.098-07:00Great point on observing real life people, and tea...Great point on observing real life people, and teasing with glimpses of insight. Will have to remember that for my WIP :)Rachael Harriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764930101064527321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-10234464681210835592010-09-24T23:32:36.970-07:002010-09-24T23:32:36.970-07:00You saying that truth is stranger than fiction rem...You saying that truth is stranger than fiction reminded me of THE BROTHER'S GRIMM. I can't remember the exact quote, but the Queen says something along those lines.Basthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12561466241112288690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-45264315444203967482010-09-24T22:22:26.667-07:002010-09-24T22:22:26.667-07:00Welcome to CANADA! I hope you LOVE it here as much...Welcome to CANADA! I hope you LOVE it here as much as I do. <br /><br />Observing real people is a great way to get fodder for our characters. And teasing our characters is a great idea as well. <br /><br />Excellent post.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12096764010151024050noreply@blogger.com