• Home
  • Books
  • Rants n Raves
  • About
  • Art Credits
Elbie Free

Found Things

4/17/2012

 
While in the library looking for something totally different I found this --->

It's from Ben Bova's book, Notes to a Science Fiction Writer. This will be my guiding principle on my next project.
Picture

Raison D'Etre

4/1/2012

 
It started out as a vicarious activity. I wrote stories about things I wanted to experience. (“Write what you know” doesn’t work on this level.) For example: finding an island of living dinosaurs or hanging out with robots from another planet. This is still a pretty big motivator. I wish I could move things with my mind, teleport, and literally kick ass. At this time I can’t do any of those things so the writing will go on.

As to the act of writing I am an addict. Ever since I was kid I have loved notebooks, cards, stationary, paper, and pens. I’ve been taking notes in multiple colors since the fifth grade. This is still true today. I enjoy the physical act of writing, of leaving trails of colored ink on fields of white. The shaping of words, connected or otherwise, often leads to just name of my favorite characters written all over the back page of my current journal. (Have way too many journals.)

When it comes to the story my favorite part is the creating of people and their world. Names are of intense interest to me. I am sure this stems from the dislike of my own name. I think my name is horrifically boring. As a result, I gave my first character the name I would have wanted, Brenda. I have several name books. Whenever I hear a cool name it goes on my list. Names are important. We make assumptions about a person based on their name. A large majority of American corporations are led by Johns and Williams.

Creating is really a process of discovery. I feel like my characters and worlds already exist and I am just coming across them like an explorer in an undiscovered country. I really enjoy figuring out who these people are, why they do what they do, and helping them get out of their predicaments. Like many writers I am an observer of what happens. I don’t know where the story is going. My characters name themselves, get angry about things I didn’t expect, and perform acts of compassion out of nowhere. I am a recorder of events and I love it.

Currently, I am working on the third draft of my novel. As I re-read each scene I ask: where’s the tension, what is the purpose of this scene, and is it doing enough. These simple questions have lead to some major changes and a whole new level of discovery with my characters and the world. I thought I had them figured out pretty well. Turns out that imaginary people have as much capacity to surprise as real ones. Rewriting is difficult but so rewarding. It is my new favorite thing.

I will write even if I never have any readers. But like real people, my characters deserve to be known and appreciated for who they are and that is what motivates me right now. I am working hard to make their stories known to the rest of you. I hope you get the chance know them.

    RSS Feed

    Author

    If something comes up, I'll put it here, otherwise find me on FB and Twitter.

    Categories

    All
    Aliens
    Art
    Bonus Material
    Book Review
    Characters
    Cosplay
    Critical Thinking
    Doctor Who
    Fiction
    Fortune Cookies
    Friendship
    Humor
    Movies
    Philosophy
    Physics
    Quotes
    Random Thoughts
    Rant
    Reality
    Recommendation
    Science
    Science Fiction
    The Singularity
    Time Travel
    Ufos
    Wake Up!
    Writing

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2025
    March 2024
    January 2024
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    June 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012

Proudly powered by Weebly