Are you a plotter or a pantser? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T10:18:10Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/are-you-a-plotter-or-a-pantser?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A228944&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThat's all any of us do, Gail…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-05:537324:Comment:2291502010-03-05T22:48:51.885ZTimothy Hallinanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/munyink
That's all any of us do, Gaile -- just keep putting one word after another.
That's all any of us do, Gaile -- just keep putting one word after another. Thanks Timothy and IJ, I thin…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-05:537324:Comment:2291052010-03-05T11:55:04.334ZGaile Hugheshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/GaileHughes
Thanks Timothy and IJ, I think I have a little of that going on, each of the characters are people with lives and family, neighbours, work colleagues etc, they interact and react according to who they are, their experiences etc. I guess the everyday part of their lives is what I am grasping for. eg Baldacci's 'The Camel Club' ...He combed down his hair, shaved off his five o'clock shadow, dressed, chewed a couple of breath mints and decided the big, somewhat weathered lug staring back at him in…
Thanks Timothy and IJ, I think I have a little of that going on, each of the characters are people with lives and family, neighbours, work colleagues etc, they interact and react according to who they are, their experiences etc. I guess the everyday part of their lives is what I am grasping for. eg Baldacci's 'The Camel Club' ...He combed down his hair, shaved off his five o'clock shadow, dressed, chewed a couple of breath mints and decided the big, somewhat weathered lug staring back at him in the mirror would have to do.... You see in a couple of lines of mundane activity, there is a whole portrait of the character. As you said Timothy character is pretty much everything, I guess it's like golf, you keep practicing, one day that ball just sails down the fairway. I'll just keep practicing - cheers I think the only wrong way is…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-04:537324:Comment:2290592010-03-04T19:37:35.996ZTimothy Hallinanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/munyink
I think the only wrong way is not finishing.
I think the only wrong way is not finishing. Good advice, IJ -- Gaile, I t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-04:537324:Comment:2290582010-03-04T19:36:36.366ZTimothy Hallinanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/munyink
Good advice, IJ -- Gaile, I think it's essential to create the characters as fully as possible before you even begin to drop them into the crime story -- they all have lives that are rich in experiences and other people and aspirations and fears, etc. Give one of them an enthusiasm you share and maybe a relationship or two based on in part on shared interests, and see what happens. Character is pretty much everything as far as I'm concerned -- I'm much less interested in the crimes than I am in…
Good advice, IJ -- Gaile, I think it's essential to create the characters as fully as possible before you even begin to drop them into the crime story -- they all have lives that are rich in experiences and other people and aspirations and fears, etc. Give one of them an enthusiasm you share and maybe a relationship or two based on in part on shared interests, and see what happens. Character is pretty much everything as far as I'm concerned -- I'm much less interested in the crimes than I am in the way the characters respond to is and how it affect them. ...hence the :
;-ptag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-04:537324:Comment:2290422010-03-04T17:52:44.149ZSue Hardinghttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/SueHarding
...hence the :<br />
<br />
;-p
...hence the :<br />
<br />
;-p I don't thing such a creature…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-04:537324:Comment:2290262010-03-04T15:44:26.529ZB.R.Statehamhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BRStateham
I don't thing such a creature exists--<i>'a proper writer.'</i>
I don't thing such a creature exists--<i>'a proper writer.'</i> Meander-on, kindred spirit!!!…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-04:537324:Comment:2290232010-03-04T15:26:27.262ZSue Hardinghttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/SueHarding
Meander-on, kindred spirit!!!<br />
<br />
I've written a few stories by the seat of my pants, but always used to worry that I 'ought' to be plotting (like 'proper' writers! ;-p)<br />
<br />
However, doing 'Nanowrimo' for the first time last November helped me to just let rip and write - and surprisingly, I found the tale almost writing itself! Most days I couldn't wait to start writing, if only to see what happened next!!!
Meander-on, kindred spirit!!!<br />
<br />
I've written a few stories by the seat of my pants, but always used to worry that I 'ought' to be plotting (like 'proper' writers! ;-p)<br />
<br />
However, doing 'Nanowrimo' for the first time last November helped me to just let rip and write - and surprisingly, I found the tale almost writing itself! Most days I couldn't wait to start writing, if only to see what happened next!!! You might try to give your ch…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-04:537324:Comment:2290192010-03-04T15:10:48.610ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
You might try to give your characters stories in which they interact and a past that influences their actions.
You might try to give your characters stories in which they interact and a past that influences their actions. Oh, Sue this is exactly how i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-04:537324:Comment:2289972010-03-04T04:25:32.762ZGaile Hugheshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/GaileHughes
Oh, Sue this is exactly how it is for me. I am so glad to find some common ground. This site at least gives me some hope and enthusiasm for my meagre meanderings.
Oh, Sue this is exactly how it is for me. I am so glad to find some common ground. This site at least gives me some hope and enthusiasm for my meagre meanderings. As an absolute beginner, I ha…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-03-04:537324:Comment:2289922010-03-04T04:15:34.551ZGaile Hugheshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/GaileHughes
As an absolute beginner, I have a series of episodes, or parts of chapters with my characters emerging, first in thought, then I write it all down, until it feels like the emotional images I had. As it is a crime story, this is usually when the crime is happening, or is discovered, or the crime scenes are being investigated. That's the easy part, I can see and feel all this quite clearly. It is the in between narratives and daily backgrounds that tie it all together that eludes me. ie the…
As an absolute beginner, I have a series of episodes, or parts of chapters with my characters emerging, first in thought, then I write it all down, until it feels like the emotional images I had. As it is a crime story, this is usually when the crime is happening, or is discovered, or the crime scenes are being investigated. That's the easy part, I can see and feel all this quite clearly. It is the in between narratives and daily backgrounds that tie it all together that eludes me. ie the everyday life of these characters. I guess that is what separates people who can write and others, who think they can. Any hints or pointers would be greatly appreciated..