TECH: Nanowrimo #23-25? Wow!
Feb. 6th, 2011 10:09 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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writercisesOriginal posting 25 Nov 2010
Okay, quick catch up. (#23) First of all, over here http://community.livejournal.com/writercises/146911.html I reflected a bit on making characters 3-dimensional or rounded as part of nanowrimo. After all, a flat character doesn't take much -- just toss a label at him or her, and move on. Kind of like telling, instead of showing, right? Except we're out to fill in around the edges, so what does it take to make a character a bit more rounded? First, realize that even that redshirt or bit player may have something to show us, so spend a little bit more time thinking it through. Second, like onions, ogres, and probably other things, be aware of the layers. Multiple agendas, feelings, beliefs, all that stuff. Give them some depth, and see what happens! Third, think about goals, motivations, and conflicts (aka GMC) for them. What does this character want? Why are they doing things? What conflicts are they involved in? And, last, consider how this character changes in your story. What drives their change, what shows it to us, and what does it mean for the character and for us? Okay? Make those characters well-rounded, and see how that turns into plots that people really want to read.
(#24) Action! Over here, http://community.livejournal.com/writercises/147151.html we talked about some ways to tackle the action scenes that movies and such have made a part of our stories. I suggested starting by walking slowly through the action, making sure that you have all the little details clear in your mind. Then decide what the best way to portray that to your reader is, based on the POV character and other dramatic needs. Especially consider what your POV character is likely to really see, understand, and think is worth commenting on. An ordinary housewife watching a military attack sees one set of things, the master sergeant sees a different set of things. What you use in your description tells us as much about the POV character as it does about the action in the middle of things.
(#25) Let your body do the talking? Right! Over here http://community.livejournal.com/writercises/147394.html I chattered about using the characters' bodies -- heads, legs, arms, torsos -- as part of the expression. After all, someone who is just saying nasty stuff isn't nearly as obviously angry as the character who is leaning forward, hand raised in a fist, ready to punch the lights out of the other person at the slightest hint of resistance. And as for the person who is saying calm stuff even though their legs are shuffling them from side to side, head bobbing, eyes narrowed? Plenty of possibilities, and we all know that body language is a key part of how we relate to other people. So think about what kinds of reactions all your characters are having, and where it fits, show us some of the physical signs of what they are feeling.
Rounded characters, a bit of action, and don't forget the body language! Busy days, as we watch the nanowrimo clock wind down. And I'd be willing to bet that some of you are enjoying Thanksgiving, too. A turkey or ham? Stuffing. Mashed potatoes, corn, or what kind of veggies? Biscuits, rolls, some kind of fresh bread? How about some cornbread? Cake or pie? We actually went to the nearby CostCo the other day, and I'm slowly working my way through a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. Really good.
And, of course, even while taking a small nap to let your Thanksgiving feast settle, you might want to consider? maybe after the parades or football games?
Write!
Okay, quick catch up. (#23) First of all, over here http://community.livejournal.com/writercises/146911.html I reflected a bit on making characters 3-dimensional or rounded as part of nanowrimo. After all, a flat character doesn't take much -- just toss a label at him or her, and move on. Kind of like telling, instead of showing, right? Except we're out to fill in around the edges, so what does it take to make a character a bit more rounded? First, realize that even that redshirt or bit player may have something to show us, so spend a little bit more time thinking it through. Second, like onions, ogres, and probably other things, be aware of the layers. Multiple agendas, feelings, beliefs, all that stuff. Give them some depth, and see what happens! Third, think about goals, motivations, and conflicts (aka GMC) for them. What does this character want? Why are they doing things? What conflicts are they involved in? And, last, consider how this character changes in your story. What drives their change, what shows it to us, and what does it mean for the character and for us? Okay? Make those characters well-rounded, and see how that turns into plots that people really want to read.
(#24) Action! Over here, http://community.livejournal.com/writercises/147151.html we talked about some ways to tackle the action scenes that movies and such have made a part of our stories. I suggested starting by walking slowly through the action, making sure that you have all the little details clear in your mind. Then decide what the best way to portray that to your reader is, based on the POV character and other dramatic needs. Especially consider what your POV character is likely to really see, understand, and think is worth commenting on. An ordinary housewife watching a military attack sees one set of things, the master sergeant sees a different set of things. What you use in your description tells us as much about the POV character as it does about the action in the middle of things.
(#25) Let your body do the talking? Right! Over here http://community.livejournal.com/writercises/147394.html I chattered about using the characters' bodies -- heads, legs, arms, torsos -- as part of the expression. After all, someone who is just saying nasty stuff isn't nearly as obviously angry as the character who is leaning forward, hand raised in a fist, ready to punch the lights out of the other person at the slightest hint of resistance. And as for the person who is saying calm stuff even though their legs are shuffling them from side to side, head bobbing, eyes narrowed? Plenty of possibilities, and we all know that body language is a key part of how we relate to other people. So think about what kinds of reactions all your characters are having, and where it fits, show us some of the physical signs of what they are feeling.
Rounded characters, a bit of action, and don't forget the body language! Busy days, as we watch the nanowrimo clock wind down. And I'd be willing to bet that some of you are enjoying Thanksgiving, too. A turkey or ham? Stuffing. Mashed potatoes, corn, or what kind of veggies? Biscuits, rolls, some kind of fresh bread? How about some cornbread? Cake or pie? We actually went to the nearby CostCo the other day, and I'm slowly working my way through a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. Really good.
And, of course, even while taking a small nap to let your Thanksgiving feast settle, you might want to consider? maybe after the parades or football games?
Write!
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