Fiction Friday: getting into your characters' heads

I write a lot about characters and characterization. It's probably because the characters are such an important part of the coffee house book (and the other books in the collection). In fact, the characters tell the stories. The characters are the stories.

When characters are that important to a story, you have to understand them. You have to know everything about your characters, even the stuff that never makes it into the story. You have to be in your characters' heads in a way only a writer can be. But it's more than simply knowing your characters because you created them. You kind of have to stalk them. And there are writerly ways to do it.

Extensive character biographies


I've written on the topic of character biographies in the past. (Here, here, and here, for just a few.) I think they're useful tools for writers in developing your story. Finding a good biography template and using it for your major characters (and sometimes your minor ones*) can help you understand your characters. You can use it to develop and know your characters before you start writing, and you can refer back to the biographies to refresh your memory as you write. (Is Vivi's favorite color teal or orange? Is Colin allergic to macadamia nuts or peanuts?)

When you have a character-driven story, the biographies are even more important. I've mentioned before that I use the life story interview in Atkinson's The Gift of Stories, and I'm very happy with it. Sure, there are aspects of it I skip for different characters (for example, Vivi isn't married, so I skipped the section about marriage), but it gives you a really good foundation for your characters. And, life story interview aside, it's a great resource for story-crafting. (In fact, I'll be ordering myself a new copy soon since mine is just about worn out.)

Put your characters in real situations


Of course, this can apply to your stories, but I'm thinking more in the "writers think about their stories/characters all.the.time" realm. You know what I'm talking about. You have a strange encounter with a cashier or find yourself lost on one-way streets downtown, and you wonder, "What would [CHARACTER NAME] do in this situation?" Answering those types of questions can help you get to know your characters. And the more you answer, the better you know your characters.

After all, your stories aren't going to simply be talking-head stories (I hope), so you're going to need to know how to incorporate your characters into real situations, and have the unfolding conversation/situation read as realistic. Even with willing suspension of disbelief, there have to be facts. Just ask Dana. Because even in the most fantastical story, there are elements of realism. There are people and situations and conflicts that are recognizable to readers. So think about those people and situations and conflicts. Put your characters in them.

Yes, it's a lot of work to get in your characters' heads. But in character-driven stories, it's necessary. Just as you know your plot inside out in a plot-driven story, you have to know your characters inside out in a character-driven story. The better you know them, the stronger your story will be.

How do you get in your characters' heads?












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*I have a character I thought was minor who was to be in all the books in the collection in some capacity. After writing his biography, he's turned into a major character. But still doesn't speak for himself.

Fiction Friday: Are you in?

Beginning on November 1st, thousands of writers all over the world open word documents (or journals or notebooks) and begin to scribble.  They scribble with abandon, throwing conventional writing processes out in an attempt to reach that magic goal: 50,000 words.


It happens every year.  And in about a week, you can go to the NaNoWriMo website and enter for 2009.


I know it seems early, but it's definitely time to start thinking about November if you're planning to participate.  Even if you're just considering it, you should start thinking about it in October.  Give yourself time to think about what you're going to write, perhaps do some research, or even come up with an outline to use.  (Some writers like to be prepared like that.)


So to help you prepare for the adventure that is National Novel Writing Month, October's editions of Fiction Friday will be spent offering advice about preparation.  Outlining, character biographies, how to make time to hit word counts, etc.  And by November 1st, you'll be ready!


So the only question is...






Are you in?

Fiction Friday: Do You Need a Degree to Write Successfully?

I have a Bachelor's degree in English (writing concentration) from a small, private liberal arts college. It was a small program, but a good one, and I really enjoyed my time in Rutledge basement for those three years.

I've had lots of people ask me if I think it's necessary to have a degree in writing in order to be successful at the career. They see the time and money involved and, sometimes, their eyes get a little wide at the prospect. So my honest answer is usually "No, but..."

Yes, there are plenty of people who are incredibly successful in writing without official writing degrees. They've used their natural writing talents and practice to improve their careers, and probably some reading and research along the way. Maybe they've taken classes here and there, or participated in workshops and seminars and things, but they don't have that piece of paper that denotes four (or more) years of dedicated time to writing.

BUT...a college degree can be incredibly helpful, too. Not only will a college program help hone your writing skills, but the non-major courses you take can supplement your writing, too. At my college, for example, I earned a minor in Liberal Studies. The history, religion, and philosophy aspects of those classes expanded my understanding of my literature courses, which in turn strengthened my writing.

Looking at a college degree to benefit you long-term makes sense, too. If you take creative writing courses, chances are your professors will have connections that can expand your network in the industry. Maybe your advisor is friends with a publisher. Maybe your fiction writing professor knows about a great workshop coming up and can get you into it. Maybe your TA's agent is looking for new clients.

And from a different perspective, even the act of taking classes can be "for your craft." The professors and other students you see and talk to during the school year can be great inspiration for characters, dialogue, and plots. College campuses have great atmospheres, which can be fodder for writing, or just a great place to sit and write!

Here's my take: if you have the time and financial resources to get a degree, I think it's worth the time and effort. However, if you don't have a degree or can't get one, your writing career most likely won't suffer as a result.

Fiction Friday: Riding Publishing Waves

[NOTE: Fiction Thursday is now Fiction Friday! This post is going up today, but dated for tomorrow. Future fiction posts will go up on Fridays.]

I don't know if you've noticed, but media seems to be swamped with vampires lately. From the Twilight series to True Blood on TV, it seems that everywhere I turn I see pale-skinned blood suckers.

Obviously it's the current trend.  Someone decided vampires are cool again, picked up a bunch of vampire lit. (and screenplays), and convinced the general public that vampires are cool again.  So not only do we have lots of new vampire stuff, but probably lots of reruns of Buffy and Angel, too.

Of course, all this raises a question for writers.  Of course, this question can be applied to any trend, so don't think it's not applicable if you don't write about (or have no interest in writing about) creatures of the night.  I use vampire literature in this post because it's an obvious, current example.

Can I sell vampire lit. to publishers in the current climate?

Many would say no.  We're on the crest (or perhaps the downward slope) of this trend, so publishers probably aren't jumping to buy new vampire pieces.  The public has already been inundated with the stuff, so readers may not be too keen to pick up another book that will remind them of the other ten they just finished. Publishers are looking for the next great thing, not the current great thing.

On the other hand, many trends emerge as a swelling of a desire readers already have.  Yes, there are tons of people reading vampire literature right now, but when the trend has passed, there will still be people who will want to read about vampires.  Just because it's not a trend doesn't mean there's not a niche for it.  So some publishers may still be looking for new and exciting vampire lit. to fill the shelves.  After all, to some, vampires will always be cool!

Here's my thought: if you're looking for a niche to write in the hopes that it's a trend and you'll be more likely to be picked up, don't pick something that's "hot right now."  (Personally, I don't think you should try to fit into any trend just to sell your pieces, but that's a post for another day.)  If there's something that's on the upward slope, sure, maybe you could get in on it.  But if you already see it everywhere you turn, I don't know how well you'd do trying to sell it to publishers.

My advice is to write what you want, then find the perfect home for it.

Happy scribbling!