tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post8041941735746892354..comments2024-03-15T13:33:48.878-04:00Comments on The Shellshank Redemption . . . : Backstory: the Pain in My BacksideMadeline Mora-Summontehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-87712550719319378892013-08-10T17:44:11.359-04:002013-08-10T17:44:11.359-04:00It really is a matter of picking and choosing what...It really is a matter of picking and choosing what's necessary, or what we think is necessary, in order for the reader to get the most from the story. :)Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-25742188202431969782013-08-10T16:36:46.314-04:002013-08-10T16:36:46.314-04:00i had to remove a ton of back story before i was d...i had to remove a ton of back story before i was done. i only kept what would help the reader know why the characters did some things and condensed as much as i could too. i know what you mean, i know the characters' histories but the reader doesnt need to be bogged down with it... but we need it to have those aha moments!Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-57203888825549779512013-08-10T09:14:31.469-04:002013-08-10T09:14:31.469-04:00Go for it. Donna! :)Go for it. Donna! :)Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-58900025438319430022013-08-09T20:19:09.579-04:002013-08-09T20:19:09.579-04:00Most of my works are short pieces, but I'm det...Most of my works are short pieces, but I'm determined to finish a draft of my novel this year. I have sketched out where I want the novel to go, but I'm not organized enough for character sheets. Donna Volkenannthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540727800410234483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-48181045335860348522013-08-08T17:44:23.940-04:002013-08-08T17:44:23.940-04:00I never felt like I needed to know everything abou...I never felt like I needed to know everything about my characters but then so many craft books and articles seemed to say otherwise. I'm learning to pick and choose these things and figure out what works for me and my writing process.<br /><br />And the torts don't mind confetti - they're real party animals. :)Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-31073549445843584982013-08-08T16:40:10.252-04:002013-08-08T16:40:10.252-04:00I've never done well with the character sheets...I've never done well with the character sheets. I write out character backgrounds but I've just never felt like I need to know everything. I do love the character interviews though, I think those are a lot of fun to do. I think you're smart to do what works for you! And I'm so glad Larry and Mrs. Larry didn't end up buried in confetti. :D<br />Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-59875884628857881122013-08-08T12:55:06.640-04:002013-08-08T12:55:06.640-04:00I enjoyed that book, and I agree about how she han...I enjoyed that book, and I agree about how she handled the technique. <br /><br />I know there are different POVs in my ms, but I hadn't really considered having any of them written in anything other than the present day. Hmm....Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-80276268757018578072013-08-08T12:51:56.388-04:002013-08-08T12:51:56.388-04:00I've heard that same thing about interviewing ...I've heard that same thing about interviewing your characters. We could ask them all those journalism questions - who, what, where, why, when, and how. What do you most want? Who do you hate and why? Who do you love? How did you get here, to this moment, in this story? Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-66423410884130740052013-08-08T12:25:12.930-04:002013-08-08T12:25:12.930-04:00This is a topic that came up again and again in my...This is a topic that came up again and again in my writers group. Everyone had a different way of handling things. Me? I still don't know where I stand. I do keep notes about the characters in my stories but they're pretty sketchy at best... and often I don't know what a character is going to be like until the tale is told.<br /><br />I've been reading Jodi Picoult lately and I like the way she handles "flashbacks" - different chapters are told from the point of view of different characters, and at different times. The technique worked really well in The Storyteller.Cathy Olliffe-Websterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12729578896443750402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-50937342960142116762013-08-08T11:59:11.687-04:002013-08-08T11:59:11.687-04:00I agree. Character sheets throw me for a loop. I...I agree. Character sheets throw me for a loop. I write fantasy and they just don't seem to apply. I need things like: When did MC's powers manifest not where did she go to school. What's her favorite shoe brand. <br /><br />I have taken to using the backstory approach as well. I've also heard that having an interview with your characters is a good way to flesh them out, though I haven't tried this approach yet. <br /><br />It might be good once the backstory is written to do an interview and hit the main points that are important to you as an author. It would boil it all down to something easily reviewed and then when your book is ready for release you could use on your blog to interest future readers. ooooo this has potential.Jaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855191816253362396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-11096813464174849872013-08-08T08:31:58.042-04:002013-08-08T08:31:58.042-04:00I'm glad it's not just me. :)
Some thing...I'm glad it's not just me. :) <br /><br />Some things I usually know right away - what they look like or one of their quirks etc but not always. I learn the most about them as I write the story.<br /><br />I don't mind flashbacks either, but I do think it depends on how they're done, and how much and for how long the reader is out of the main story. Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-36790407553952624532013-08-08T08:28:05.729-04:002013-08-08T08:28:05.729-04:00I'm kinda like you. I get all motivated to do ...I'm kinda like you. I get all motivated to do the character sheets but sizzle out. I've done some of writing backstory along the way, that won't be used. That works well too. And for me the characters usually develop along the way of writing the story anyways because little ideas pop up along the way.<br /><br />I know flashbacks are supposed to be a huge No No, but I don't mind them.Suzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16502606950280751205noreply@blogger.com