Two More Books
I found myself in an odd situation this week. While working on Cold Knights, the plot was becoming predictable. While thinking of a possible way to resolve the issue, I worked on The Last Dragon and came up with several unique ideas to follow for it. At the same time, I resolved the plot issue with Cold Knights and wanted to get it onto "paper" before I forgot.
So, I wrote a chapter of one book, then switched to the other. Then back again. For about three days I entered one world of place and characters, and wrote with one voice, then changed to another world and writing style a few hours later. I honestly expected to confuse a place or character--and didn't.
Then I wondered why. Writing for me, is a process where I have to engross myself totally in the story. I can see, hear, touch, taste. If my character is in snow I need another shirt and maybe turn the heat up. I have to speak with my characters, and often say their words out loud to make sure they are speaking like real people. I pause and decide what they smell in a pine forest, or at the seashore. The grit of sand, the burn of the sun.
Other writers are far better at their descriptions than I am, but a book without them is food without flavor. I have to put myself into their situations. If they hold a knife, I grip my Sharpie and swipe the way they might, then I describe it. Based on this, I'm not sure "writing" is as much of a skill as "getting into the head of my Main Character" is. The exact words can be edited and altered later, the immediacy of my character doing something cannot.
So, I wrote a chapter of one book, then switched to the other. Then back again. For about three days I entered one world of place and characters, and wrote with one voice, then changed to another world and writing style a few hours later. I honestly expected to confuse a place or character--and didn't.
Then I wondered why. Writing for me, is a process where I have to engross myself totally in the story. I can see, hear, touch, taste. If my character is in snow I need another shirt and maybe turn the heat up. I have to speak with my characters, and often say their words out loud to make sure they are speaking like real people. I pause and decide what they smell in a pine forest, or at the seashore. The grit of sand, the burn of the sun.
Other writers are far better at their descriptions than I am, but a book without them is food without flavor. I have to put myself into their situations. If they hold a knife, I grip my Sharpie and swipe the way they might, then I describe it. Based on this, I'm not sure "writing" is as much of a skill as "getting into the head of my Main Character" is. The exact words can be edited and altered later, the immediacy of my character doing something cannot.
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