As I've made the rounds of a few fellow Christian writers' blogs, I discovered this little gem of an exercise in character development. I think it's a brilliant idea, and so I have decided to jump in headfirst (the way I normally do things), and challenge my self with this month's... challenge! At the same time, I thought four days away from November might be a good time to transition from Feather and Fang to Silver and Sable. Wouldn't you? :) So, for starters, Rogart, Fox-grey shall be the character whom I dig into first. In the end, I will probably have learned more about young Rogart (who, coincidentally, happens to be my oldest real character ever!) than you have! Enjoy!
What is his full name? Rogart, Fox-grey
Does his name have a special meaning? His title, 'grey', was given to him at birth because of his fur color
Does your character have a methodical or disorganized personality? Probably disorganized, he's pretty headstrong and brash, so he wouldn't have time to be methodical
Does he think inside himself more than he talks out loud to their friends? Well, he doesn't have any friends (See below), so I suppose he would talk to himself. I know I do. :P
Do they have friends? Not really. (leastwise not at the beginning of the story). His life is nomadic at best, so he never stays anywhere long enough to make friends.
Is there something he is afraid of? A cage. Being locked up to where he cannot decide for himself what he wants to do.
Does he write, dream, dance, sing, or photograph? He whittles, carving thumb-sized sculptures from bits of wood
Being a blog of writerly ramblings and jotted notes “For what is said is forgotten in time, but that which is written endures"
October 26, 2011
October 25, 2011
Switching Dialogue
One of the things I find myself doing often in editing is switching lines of dialogue between characters. I write the conversation one way, come back a month later and add a few more lines, often greatly increasing the depth and reach. But when I've finished adding those poignant sentences, I find myself with one character replying to himself. And it won't be easy to add in a line for the other character without messing up the flow of thought. So I just switch the lines around. Redpaw says what Crestlen was saying, and vice versa. Of course, the way they talk has to change as well, Redpaw is more blunt and simple, Crestlen more refined and articulate. So I switch a few phrases around.
Then comes the sentiments. What if Redpaw doesn't agree with what Crestlen was saying earlier? But I have found that switching sentiments oftentimes helps in the end, as you dig deeper into what each believes and how each reacts to different things.
Now, this probably wouldn't work with an old geezer and a young upstart, but with two trained hunters, it works quite well. At the same time, as I've separated Redpaw and Crestlen's characters, making them two distinct individuals, it sometimes becomes necessary to give one's lines to the other. For instance, Redpaw is more willing to forgive and move on, while Crestlen tends to muse on things, and keep them in his mind for extended periods of time. So when I find a line by Crestlen which doesn't seem to fit his character anymore, sometimes the easiest thing to do is give it to Redpaw, and see how the rest of the conversation shapes up.
They surprise me sometimes with the direction they take things.
Then comes the sentiments. What if Redpaw doesn't agree with what Crestlen was saying earlier? But I have found that switching sentiments oftentimes helps in the end, as you dig deeper into what each believes and how each reacts to different things.
Now, this probably wouldn't work with an old geezer and a young upstart, but with two trained hunters, it works quite well. At the same time, as I've separated Redpaw and Crestlen's characters, making them two distinct individuals, it sometimes becomes necessary to give one's lines to the other. For instance, Redpaw is more willing to forgive and move on, while Crestlen tends to muse on things, and keep them in his mind for extended periods of time. So when I find a line by Crestlen which doesn't seem to fit his character anymore, sometimes the easiest thing to do is give it to Redpaw, and see how the rest of the conversation shapes up.
They surprise me sometimes with the direction they take things.
October 24, 2011
When Posts Appear...
To help all you readers, and me, I think I shall begin to post later in the day, probably after dinner when I'm doing my other writing, homework, etc. So to make things easier for you, when you check in the morning, there will a brand new post, all ready to read. So you'll basically be reading yesterday's post, but it'll be more like I got up really early in the morning and posted one I had written the night before (which is what I would be doing if I wanted to post the day of).
So, I'm posting this at 6:00 tonight, which means you probably won't read it until tomorrow morning. That night I will write my next post, which you will read the next morning. Make sense?
Hopefully it does, cause I ain't changing it! :P
Farjag
So, I'm posting this at 6:00 tonight, which means you probably won't read it until tomorrow morning. That night I will write my next post, which you will read the next morning. Make sense?
Hopefully it does, cause I ain't changing it! :P
Farjag
A Reason to Write
When I sent last year's novel to one of my dear writer friends for critiquing, this was part of his reply:
"With a future story, I would like to see a little more meaning. The reason I stopped writing [my last story] was because I saw that in light of eternity I was writing a book that neither challenged my view of the world and God or the reader’s worldview. For your next story, spend time in prayer asking God what he would have you focus on in your story."
He went on to give more specific likes and dislikes, all of them very helpful, but none so poignant and deep-cutting as the first. I thought long and hard about his encouragement, but couldn't quite wrap my mind around how to really accomplish this in the fantasy setting I had created. (Probably because I didn't take his advice and seriously pray for guidance).
However, recently I was freshly convicted of this lack in my writing through the musings of several other writer friends on their blogs. Each had different styles, genres and advice on how to write well, but all of them pointed back to God in a way that cut deep. I hadn't been seeking to include my Maker in my writing as much as I should have been.
Since that time, I have been thinking deeply about this problem, and praying, asking the Lord for the guidance I realized I needed. And he answered me, as he always will.
The main problem I was having in my current novel, Feather and Fang, was that neither of my main characters were the kind of men who would point to the Maker with their actions and words. And if tried to change one of them into such a man, it would render them unbelievable as a character (as far as how I had written them so far goes).
But I believe I have finally worked out a solution which will not only fix that problem, but add another layer to the story as a whole and the character development which had been lacking before (see previous posts on Redpaw and Crestlen).
Basically, I decided that while Crestlen is self-proclaimed atheist, Redpaw believes in the Maker. However, he struggles with matching his duty to this country and his wish to honor his Maker. He is sent to get rid of a dangerous assassin, but when does his enemy become his neighbor? When does killing a foe become the right thing to do? He knows what is right, but is often hard pressed to actually do it.
However, his actions catch Crestlen's eye, especially his courage against all odds, and refusal to despair. As the two mortal enemies are forced to work together to survive, Redpaw's moral dilemma comes to a head. How can he let an enemy of his country live? When does mercy replace justice?
Meanwhile, Crestlen is struggling with similar questions. How can you kill someone who has shown you mercy? How can any conscience, however seared, not be affected by slitting the throat of the man who fought at your back?
Halfway through their journey, they will meet someone who challenges both of their beliefs and mindsets. The questions he asks will give them both fresh perspectives on each other, and what the Maker desires of them. Other themes I hope to thread throughout are the true meaning of honor, courage, and what makes a man a man. When they exit the Brightgorge, they will be changed men, and whatever trappings of old habits remain will speedily be burnt away in the fires that await them beyond.
However, recently I was freshly convicted of this lack in my writing through the musings of several other writer friends on their blogs. Each had different styles, genres and advice on how to write well, but all of them pointed back to God in a way that cut deep. I hadn't been seeking to include my Maker in my writing as much as I should have been.
Since that time, I have been thinking deeply about this problem, and praying, asking the Lord for the guidance I realized I needed. And he answered me, as he always will.
The main problem I was having in my current novel, Feather and Fang, was that neither of my main characters were the kind of men who would point to the Maker with their actions and words. And if tried to change one of them into such a man, it would render them unbelievable as a character (as far as how I had written them so far goes).
But I believe I have finally worked out a solution which will not only fix that problem, but add another layer to the story as a whole and the character development which had been lacking before (see previous posts on Redpaw and Crestlen).
Basically, I decided that while Crestlen is self-proclaimed atheist, Redpaw believes in the Maker. However, he struggles with matching his duty to this country and his wish to honor his Maker. He is sent to get rid of a dangerous assassin, but when does his enemy become his neighbor? When does killing a foe become the right thing to do? He knows what is right, but is often hard pressed to actually do it.
However, his actions catch Crestlen's eye, especially his courage against all odds, and refusal to despair. As the two mortal enemies are forced to work together to survive, Redpaw's moral dilemma comes to a head. How can he let an enemy of his country live? When does mercy replace justice?
Meanwhile, Crestlen is struggling with similar questions. How can you kill someone who has shown you mercy? How can any conscience, however seared, not be affected by slitting the throat of the man who fought at your back?
Halfway through their journey, they will meet someone who challenges both of their beliefs and mindsets. The questions he asks will give them both fresh perspectives on each other, and what the Maker desires of them. Other themes I hope to thread throughout are the true meaning of honor, courage, and what makes a man a man. When they exit the Brightgorge, they will be changed men, and whatever trappings of old habits remain will speedily be burnt away in the fires that await them beyond.
October 22, 2011
Dark and Light
If you haven't noticed yet, I tend to write a lot about the contrast of light and darkness. It shows up in many of my poems, in my stories, even in my movies. This particular poem highlights that ongoing battle I so often take up the pen to tell about. And here is also is the little quote I tell myself whenever things look black: "When Darkness begins to fall, soon, Light will rise."
Darkness Falling
Darkness is falling
Light is failing
Hope is dying
All seems lost
Despair is rising
Evil is stirring
Fires are burning
All seems lost
Storms are brewing
Lightning cracking
Thunder crashing
All seems lost
Rebellion boiling
Sparks igniting
Armies marching
All seems lost
War is advancing
Battle is approaching
Death is nearing
All seems lost
Shouts are crying
Weapons clashing
Men are dying
All seems lost
Victory is at hand!
Darkness has fallen
Crashing, burning
Light has risen again!
October 20, 2011
How to explain...
Errg. Has anyone ever had the problem of trying to explain what they are writing about and why you think it is better than the average dime novel out there? I know I do. And fantasy is one of the worst genres with this problem. A writer says they're writing historical fiction, and someone's ears will perk up. But fantasy... meh. So, I have to go into a rather long-winded explanation of what my writing is, but more importantly, what it isn't. Conversations usually go something like this:
Friend: What's that?
Me: A story I'm writing
Friend: What kind of story?
Me: Fantasy. Though I really try to be original and stay away from elves, dwarves, orcs and the like.
Friend: Oh, that's cool.
Me: At the same time, I don't like stories which have the Aethereia riding Bjollen and living in Hoplathera. I try to keep things realistic.
Friend: Interesting... so you write original, realistic fantasy. Like with only humans?
Me: Well, actually I have the freeborn or alterers. They're something like shapeshifters, but they only have one form besides their human form, and they're not actually humans who can turn into animals. It's as much a part of who they are as sneezing is to us. They are not one or the other, or even both, but a single entity with the ability to choose between two of his forms. I only use the words 'human' and 'animal' because I couldn't describe it any other way.
Friend: Oh, ok.
Me: And I don't use magic, though I've been trying to bend physics lately. I'm still working with that.
Friend: So, is this another world?
Me: Yes, but it's connected to ours. Not sure exactly how yet, whether its out there in space somewhere, or if it's on some other plane of existence. But that's why there are the 'animal' names for the freeborn, they originally came from our world.
Friend: That's pretty sweet. So, how far are you along?
Me: Well, I completed a novel last November, 50,000 words, and I'm getting ready to do it again this year.
Friend: Woah. That's pretty impressive
Me: Thanks.
So, as you can see, it takes a bit of time to get them to see the whole picture of what I'm writing, and why it's different. And there's always the question: "So, it's like Lord of the Rings/Eragon/Dungeons and Dragons/manga/some other fantasy I haven't read ?"
No, not really. It's... my own.
Friend: What's that?
Me: A story I'm writing
Friend: What kind of story?
Me: Fantasy. Though I really try to be original and stay away from elves, dwarves, orcs and the like.
Friend: Oh, that's cool.
Me: At the same time, I don't like stories which have the Aethereia riding Bjollen and living in Hoplathera. I try to keep things realistic.
Friend: Interesting... so you write original, realistic fantasy. Like with only humans?
Me: Well, actually I have the freeborn or alterers. They're something like shapeshifters, but they only have one form besides their human form, and they're not actually humans who can turn into animals. It's as much a part of who they are as sneezing is to us. They are not one or the other, or even both, but a single entity with the ability to choose between two of his forms. I only use the words 'human' and 'animal' because I couldn't describe it any other way.
Friend: Oh, ok.
Me: And I don't use magic, though I've been trying to bend physics lately. I'm still working with that.
Friend: So, is this another world?
Me: Yes, but it's connected to ours. Not sure exactly how yet, whether its out there in space somewhere, or if it's on some other plane of existence. But that's why there are the 'animal' names for the freeborn, they originally came from our world.
Friend: That's pretty sweet. So, how far are you along?
Me: Well, I completed a novel last November, 50,000 words, and I'm getting ready to do it again this year.
Friend: Woah. That's pretty impressive
Me: Thanks.
So, as you can see, it takes a bit of time to get them to see the whole picture of what I'm writing, and why it's different. And there's always the question: "So, it's like Lord of the Rings/Eragon/Dungeons and Dragons/manga/some other fantasy I haven't read ?"
No, not really. It's... my own.
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