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writing and reading
Jan. 3rd, 2023 10:27 amA little Yoga and meditation, then Neil Gaiman for breakfast...with breakfast? Whatever 😂
side note: I just had to look up how to HTML emojis because apparently, I cannot write without them. 🤦
Anyway - Gaiman, on MasterClass, where he apparently sits on the board. Today is about character and dialogue and I am struck by the idea that you can find yourself in your characters. And you are not to be alarmed by this if, for example, you are writing about a murderer. You just dig and somewhere in a cesspool of your mind exists the personality needs of a murderer. Fascinating
Research, but do not get stuck in research. This reminds me of analysis paralysis (altho he is not talking about that). Anne Bogel has an interesting book on analysis paralysis called Don't Overthink It.
When you have a lot of characters wandering around, you need to HELP THE READER. Enter "funny hats." Something different that makes the character different from other characters. OMG movie and tv series directors - when you have a full cast of white men with medium-short brown hair and a bit of facial hair...you make me WEEP. It's like FoxNews and the endless parade of leggy blondes talking news
side note: I just had to look up how to HTML emojis because apparently, I cannot write without them. 🤦
Anyway - Gaiman, on MasterClass, where he apparently sits on the board. Today is about character and dialogue and I am struck by the idea that you can find yourself in your characters. And you are not to be alarmed by this if, for example, you are writing about a murderer. You just dig and somewhere in a cesspool of your mind exists the personality needs of a murderer. Fascinating
Research, but do not get stuck in research. This reminds me of analysis paralysis (altho he is not talking about that). Anne Bogel has an interesting book on analysis paralysis called Don't Overthink It.
When you have a lot of characters wandering around, you need to HELP THE READER. Enter "funny hats." Something different that makes the character different from other characters. OMG movie and tv series directors - when you have a full cast of white men with medium-short brown hair and a bit of facial hair...you make me WEEP. It's like FoxNews and the endless parade of leggy blondes talking news
On yesterday's Walk With Dog, a podcast and audiobook time for me as I DO.NOT.RUN., I found a novel idea from the Before Breakfast podcast - reading big things in small bites over time. Laura Vanderkam has, in the past few years, read War and Peace and all of Shakespeare's works in this manner. Check out the 8 minute pod for more details.
One important thing, if you have started reading my feed, I am going to suck as a writer for a bit. I have taken far too long away from writing and my clarity can only improve. Thanks for sticking around. Love to hear your thoughts
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