Characters, Backstory and Boring Old Formula - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T09:56:09Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:47754?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A47996&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI agree completely. And the d…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-17:537324:Comment:491492007-06-17T21:22:24.814ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
I agree completely. And the danger of being too descriptive physically is that no actor can ever match the character, and a lot of readers will analyze that to death.
I agree completely. And the danger of being too descriptive physically is that no actor can ever match the character, and a lot of readers will analyze that to death. Sandra, you're definitely not…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-17:537324:Comment:491432007-06-17T21:12:34.035ZMarta Stephenshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Samharper2
Sandra, you're definitely not alone on this one. This is a topic that has bugged me to death and makes me cringe whenever I submit my work for a critique. Time and again, critiquers wanted me to tell them everything about my protag from eye color to heritage in the first couple of paragraphs. Nay I say. As a reader, I like to watch the characters grow and learn new things about them as the story develops. I have to assume most other readers do too.<br />
<br />
I had an early lesson in the value of not…
Sandra, you're definitely not alone on this one. This is a topic that has bugged me to death and makes me cringe whenever I submit my work for a critique. Time and again, critiquers wanted me to tell them everything about my protag from eye color to heritage in the first couple of paragraphs. Nay I say. As a reader, I like to watch the characters grow and learn new things about them as the story develops. I have to assume most other readers do too.<br />
<br />
I had an early lesson in the value of not spelling descriptions out for the reader when I first developed the series. I used a couple of my co-workers as a test audience to see what they thought of my character. They all liked him but the interesting part was their perception of him. The younger co-workers (in their 30s-40s) thought he would like like their favorite actors who were within their age group. Yet another co-worker who is in her mid 60s had the idea that my protag would look like dashing Sean Connery in his days as 007.<br />
What this said to me is that the writing may be based and influenced by the author's life experiences (likes/dislikes etc,), but the reader will bring into the mix the experiences that have shaped his/her life (likes/dislikes, turn-ons/offs etc.). Because I want my main character to come across as strong-willed and determined, I focus on his actions, internal dialogue, his doubts and convictions, his emotions, reactions, etc., even his sense of humor. But his physical descriptions come from the other characters Well.... see, Sandra said sev…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-17:537324:Comment:491332007-06-17T18:33:46.104ZBarbara Fisterhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Bfister
Well.... see, Sandra said several times she expected to get roasted and I thought it was time someone finally did. And it was all downhill from there :o)
Well.... see, Sandra said several times she expected to get roasted and I thought it was time someone finally did. And it was all downhill from there :o) I don't understand what's goi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-15:537324:Comment:486362007-06-15T03:59:58.433ZDaniel Hatadihttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/danielhatadi
I don't understand what's going on either, but I'm rolling with it. It's fun.
I don't understand what's going on either, but I'm rolling with it. It's fun. I am sooooo confused.tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-14:537324:Comment:485692007-06-14T22:57:34.052ZChrista M. Millerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/christammiller
I am sooooo confused.
I am sooooo confused. Ahem. Excuse me. Too many pru…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-14:537324:Comment:484042007-06-14T05:09:05.589ZDaniel Hatadihttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/danielhatadi
Ahem. Excuse me. Too many prunes.
Ahem. Excuse me. Too many prunes. Here is an excellent example…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-14:537324:Comment:483922007-06-14T03:29:17.998ZEvil Kevhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/EvilKev
Here is an excellent example of good back story introduction:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books_bios.cgi?entry=bk23&type=excerpt">http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books_bios.cgi?entry=bk23&type=excerpt</a><br />
<br />
This is a book from Hard Case Crime called “The Last Quarry” by Max Allan Collins. He had written five previous books with the assassin Quarry, so this could be considered a series. Almost of all the back story for this book is in this first chapter.<br />
<br />
This worked very well for…
Here is an excellent example of good back story introduction:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books_bios.cgi?entry=bk23&type=excerpt">http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books_bios.cgi?entry=bk23&type=excerpt</a><br />
<br />
This is a book from Hard Case Crime called “The Last Quarry” by Max Allan Collins. He had written five previous books with the assassin Quarry, so this could be considered a series. Almost of all the back story for this book is in this first chapter.<br />
<br />
This worked very well for me. I felt like I had a basic understanding off what Quarry is about and how he got to where he is now. But it felt organic and natural like how Stuart did it in his book. A couple weeks of antibiotic…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-14:537324:Comment:483822007-06-14T02:23:01.248ZJude Hardinhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
A couple weeks of antibiotic therapy should clear that up, Daniel.
A couple weeks of antibiotic therapy should clear that up, Daniel. Oh, no! A flame war!
tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-13:537324:Comment:483392007-06-13T23:58:40.466ZDaniel Hatadihttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/danielhatadi
Oh, no! A flame war!<br />
<img width="300" src="http://www.futurehorizons.net/FLAM_lg.jpg"/>
Oh, no! A flame war!<br />
<img width="300" src="http://www.futurehorizons.net/FLAM_lg.jpg"/> Sounds like a short story in…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-13:537324:Comment:482432007-06-13T17:41:57.194ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
Sounds like a short story in the works...
Sounds like a short story in the works...