CHARACTERS

As I was editing my first novel, again, I started thinking…How much info do you have to include into your characters profile when creating them?

I personally don’t go into extreme detail when creating my characters. I don’t write down what books they like, which music they are into or what their political views are. I just know what their personality should be like. Even their look is something I struggle with. But at least I know what I don’t want them to look like. What I usually do write down is their eye colour, hair colour, height, weight, type of body build and personality traits.

I spend quite a lot of time trying to figure out the storyline before I start writing but I confess, I don’t go too crazy when developing a character. Bad planning on my part? Maybe, but I don’t like reading a lot of narrative, using 10 sentences to describe how thick a man’s bicep is or using half the page to describe how gloriously the lady’s hair blew in the wind. I personally read one or two sentences and then skip the rest.

Of course when the story develops I add more info, but I can’t tell beforehand where the dialogue will take me or what exactly will be said. Characters tend to take me on a journey. They take hold of me and before I know it they are the one’s telling me what to write and do and not the other way around. So I won’t know that pink is my leading lady’s favourite colour till she tells me so later on and I don’t know that my leading man loves Metallica when I create him. He too only tells me when it is convenient for him. Typical!

So how much time do you devote towards developing your characters? Do focus on giving your characters tons of info before writing or do you add it in later like me?

BLOGGING - yay or nay

Like many, I too was sceptical of blogging when I first started. I was and still am extremely paranoid. But once I started blogging I realized how great it was to write about things that were on my mind and often have people comment. Regularly offering help full advice or fantastic words of encouragement.

I have made many wonderful friends and still make new ones daily, thanks to blogging. For without the support of my fellow bloggers I would not have made it through some of the toughest times.

So I say ''Yay'' to blogging. It might not be to every one's taste but I cannot fault it.

PS! My A=Adventure post is also on my blog. Don't know why it didn't show up as published but I did post it. In case anybody wanted to read it. Just saying.

ADVENTURE!

To many the word ''adventure'' does note evoke strong feelings of terror or the sudden flow of never ending tears. But for me, the before mentioned factors are very true.

I am afraid of the unknown and I am an absolute control freak. So Naturally I was worried sick about the A-Z challenge and you know what? Once I calmed down I got some great ideas.

Which brings me to the conclusion that A-Z is actually a good source of adventure for me. How you ask? Well I might not be living on the edge here but I am going outside my comfort zone and I still get to have some sort of control in the end so...yeah, I'm a freak (big smile).

So here is to adventure...Hopefully I can push myself a bit more and do something completely spontaneous! Ha! Ha! Not.

Thank you to Arlee Bird and the wonderful A-Z team for making this great challenge possible.

PROBLEM SCHEDULING POSTS

I have been having some problems scheduling my posts, because I was being a bit stupid, so I apologize if there has been any confusion about posts appearing and then quickly disappearing. My bad.

So what was the problem? Oh, nothing. Just me continuously typing in the wrong time digits. See! I told you I was having a stupid moment.

Anyway,I hope everyone gets a good night's sleep. See you all at the A-Z challenge!

THE WORST IS OVER

Hi everyone! I am happy to be blogging again. It feels as if I haven't done so in ages. But moving on...

My brother has finally finished reading and editing my book. He showed me where I was going wrong on the technical aspect and man, were there tons of problem areas. Though, he did mention that I had made him uncomfortable with some of the love scenes. Goal! He also said that he sees me, his baby sister, in a new light and he is a bit shocked. Sorry, can't be helped. People need to end up together some time.

I have yet to start making some of the changes he has suggested. Most are changes that many of you have suggested as well. So, I must say he did a rather good job. I am actually very impressed.

I have a ton of work to do on the manuscript, but oh well. It is necessary.

I still have a knot in the pit of my stomach because of the A-Z challenge. I have a few ideas but nothing concrete yet. I just don't want to disappoint all my new followers. But April is almost here. So good-luck and see you guys there!

CREATIVE BLOGGER AWARD!

I have been awarded this beautiful award by the talented and awesome Deirdra Coppel of http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/ and http://www.knightess.com/.

Thank you Deirdra for this wonderful award. I truly appreciate it.

SILLY HUMAN

I just thought I had to share these pictures of my cat, Katie, interrupting me during one of my many editing sessions. She felt very sorry for me and felt that I needed a break. Katie also likes to actively help with my writing endeavors by jumping onto the computer desk and running across the keyboard. What can I say? I have one artistic cat. But unfortunately, she also loves the delete button. Luckily for me, Microsoft Word has an undo feature.