Comments on: Unleash Your Character

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:30:37 +0000

The same thing happened to me when I graduated college and entered the workforce. For a few years, there just wasn’t time to write much. But it seems like people who have a passion for writing always come back to it. I’m glad you did

By: cat supplies

cat supplies — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:29:45 +0000

I used to write, and i loved it, but as i had children and life got way to busy to write i paused my writing. Now that things have started to slow down, i have had a burning to start again. This was just what i needed to throw me back in it agian. Thank you.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:49:28 +0000

Just pick up a pen and paper and start writing. There are lots of writing exercises on this site that you can use if you need a little push, and of course, there are plenty of writing resources both on the web and in your local bookstore. New writers are often intimidated and spend more time thinking about writing than actually doing it. The first hurdle is to start typing and stop worrying about it how good your work is. Just write, then review, write again, review. You’ll find it gets better and easier over time. Oh, and be sure to read. A lot.

By: christian

christian — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:11:45 +0000

thank you! I need help. I have that burning desire to write but Idon’t know how I should start

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:41:39 +0000

@Jenny, That’s interesting — it never occurred to me that a backstory would be used in other ways but since you mentioned using it in your acting classes, I think it might be useful in a number of different situations. Thanks for reading and commenting! You’ve given me something new to think about today.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:43:36 +0000

Back in high school and college in my acting classes I was asked to come up with a backstory for a character I was playing on stage. Sometimes it was a great help to do that, others, it didn't really matter. I am wondering now if maybe that is the key to me getting back into writing my stories and at the same time, getting better at writing them. Great stuff to think about! Thanks! Jennys last blog post..It Is My Life

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:18:11 +0000

@Friar, Hahee! I think that kid is adorable and funny. That’s why I picked him to represent this post

@Ellen, Ah — Rosebud (love that movie)! Yes, that’s true, sometimes backstory is everything. I guess if you take the time to develop a backstory, you just have to wait and see it if becomes relevant to the story you’re telling. That makes it all the more fun!

By: Ellen Wilson

Ellen Wilson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:58:17 +0000

Melissa,

Well, maybe I shouldn’t say that. Sometimes back story IS everything. There are no hard and fast rules for how a novel is spun out. Essentially characters are all driven by back story. They have to have a past to move into the future. Think of Citizen Kane and that damn rosebud sled. The whole thing is backstory.

I suppose the time to talk about it is when the project is over. And then you and the critique people can decide. The main thing is to get it all down in one big fat chunky piece. And then trim the fat. Too many cooks can’t cook the chicken!

Anyway, rock on with your writing.

Ellen Wilsons last blog post..The Magic Forest

By: Friar

Friar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:04:30 +0000

@Melissa

It just occurred to me….the kid reminds me of a Howler Monkey I saw in a zoo, once!

The resemblance is uncanny.

Friars last blog post..Friar’s Tips to Seniors: How to Annoy the Younger Generation

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:28:13 +0000

@Rebecca, For me, it was one of those things I’ve heard about — how characters and plot take on a life of their own but I hadn’t gotten far enough into a longer work to really see it in action. It’s cool though. Very cool.

@Karen, Exactly! It’s like getting to know a new friend!

@Friar, Want to know something even funnier? The kid on the leash looks EXACTLY like a child I know. I kept looking at it thinking, “nah, couldn’t be.” But it truly is a spitting image. Tripped me out for sure.

@Jaden, Yes, there is definitely some letting go involved. I just wrote a scene and I tried to be the boss lady because I was aiming for a particular outcome and it totally backfired. I ended up disliking the scene and the way my character behaved. I should have let her have her way.

@Ellen, I’m trying hard not to overdo the backstory but it’s there and it squeezes its way in sometimes. I hope I can weave it in seamlessly

By: Ellen Wilson

Ellen Wilson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:09:33 +0000

One of the most complete and fact filled synopsis’s I’ve read on on character, Melissa.

The only thing I would add is don’t spill in much back story, let it flavor the story as a whole.

Jaden – I totally agree. You HAVE to get out of the way or your story will go nowhere. It’s like Melissa said, we are just the vessel for something much larger than us. The STORY. So, I guess we don’t create it as much as get out of the way and let it roll. Yes, it can be very hard. Especially when you feel “oh no, this is very weird and kind of scary to my logically mind”

Great post Melissa. Thanks! E

Ellen Wilsons last blog post..The Magic Forest

By: Jaden @ Screenwriting for Hollywood

Jaden @ Screenwriting for Hollywood — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:08:22 +0000

And then sometimes your characters start telling you what to do! Aaaah! That’s when you get into trouble.

(image: Early dominatrix; nice! Angelina Jolie and her brother when they were kids. Smak!)

For me, as a writer, it took a long long long time before my characters started blossoming on their own. One must let go of one’s ego completely, and that can be hard.