Plot, Character and Icebergs

I know, it's the age-old debate among writers. Which is more important, plot or character?  Does a well crafted plot drive the characters, or does a well crafted character drive the plot? Here are a few things I've learned:

You must know your characters. Whether they are inspired by real people you know, or a figment of your imagination, you must know them: know their background, their likes and dislikes, their sense of humour, what drives them, their personality type, what they desire most and fear most. So how do you nail all this down? It's a bit like snatching cobwebs from the air and trying to write with them.

I've used character profiles sheets given to me in a workshop, but I also use visual aids. I ask myself, what does he/she look like? And then I browse images on the net to find a lookalike. In this way, I put together a group of people to exist, especially for my story. It doesn't matter if they're famous people, (particularly if it's a cute guy!) what matters is that it inspires me.I can see them moving, talking, interacting, in my head.

Next I think about their background, working on what I call 'The Iceberg Principle.' 80% of who the character is remains under the surface of the story. What I know about them shapes everything the character does and says. I know about their family background, past events, deepest desires, unresolved conflict. The reader gets to know these things, infer these things as they read, but perhaps never know all of it. It creates a sense of mystery, of sharing secrets, of getting to know someone. I want the reader to feel for my character: be exasperated when the character can't see something obvious, admire the character when they are brave, feel the character's pain.

It also helps to turn to books I love, authors I admire and see how they introduce their characters, how they let us into their world. What makes the character likeable? Or if it's an evil dude, what makes them magnetic?

Well, I'd better get back to it. One of my characters is about to make a huge decision and I don't want to miss it!

cheers, Dawn

How Maori carving taught me something about writing

(c) Dawn Meredith Te Puia workshop, New Zealand

This workshop in New Zealand was stunning. In this room apprentices work for years, perfecting the art of totem carving, learning the styles, symbols, family histories, Maori mythology and respect for their ancient culture.

It's not a job for the fast paced, hyperactive person. It takes care, love, skill and one more thing - Tenacity.

Michael Hauge, one of Hollywood's most successful screenwriters, mentors and novelists says the same of successful writers - 

"Every successful screenwriter or novelist I know possesses one outstanding quality:    Tenacity. The difference between working writers and wannabes isn't talent or age or gender or geography or connections or the industry or the economy or sunspots or anything else writers tell themselves to avoid facing this awful truth: writers write.

They write every day, they started their current book or script as soon as they finished the last one, they think in terms of career and not a single sale, and they look at every unsold story as a necessary step toward improving their craft."

[To read the rest of this article, please click here...]

As I look at these intricate and beautiful designs carved by hand and patience I begin to feel a new sense of spirit,for my own work. Good things take time and persistence.

cheers, Dawn

Writing tips with author Dawn Meredith

Ever had a great idea and found yourself hesitant to actually begin the project? That blank, white screen on the computer can be daunting, like a snowstorm coming at you, daring you to try and find your way alone. But you can put your head down and plunge right into it, with a few tricks to get you started.

I have 17 small notebooks crammed with ideas from 1994 to present day. I still carry a nice leather one with me, but in the last couple of years when I've started a new project I've graduated to something different - A4 notebooks I make myself. Sound weird? Check it out.

1.  I bought a binding machine and some plastic combs, some clear plastic 'fronts' and some stiffer card for the 'backs'. It's so easy to use! And I can add new pages whenever I want, simply by placing the comb on the machine again, opening it up and slotting in the new pages.






2.  I write long hand, (remember that? with a pen?) The strangest thing is, I write quite well and end up transferring most scenes written this way pretty much as is. I also gather pictures of what my characters or gadgets look like, ideas and notes from trawling the net, drawings, maps and sketches etc. All in the one book. It keeps me focused and helps me remember what I was aiming for. As I change my mind about things, I put a line through it, but don't destroy it. Sometimes ideas can be recycled, perhaps not even for this book, but later, for another one.

This is Sye, one of the characters in my last novel. Pictures which inspired, notes that came to mind in the middle of the night etc. The reasons why she is the way she is, her family background etc. If I forget something I can easily find it here.

A map of the territory in which the story is set, so that when I describe movement in this valley, I am consistent, making it easier for the reader to imagine it clearly.

3.  I find my big books are quite portable, despite their size, and having it there, to hand, at any time, means I don't have to worry about laptop batteries dying or computers crashing.

4.  I find these big notebooks also force me to plan better, rather than just running with the muse until she decides to nick off and leave me in the middle of nowhere, tearfully asking 'Where am I? What's happening next?'

5.  When beginning a new project I find it helpful to write myself some questions: What style is this book? What is the intended age group and genre? Who are the main characters and why? What sort of book is this similar to? How are the characters related and what are their roles within the story? How do they react/interact with each other? What are the main themes I am exploring here? Why is that important to me?

6.  I also download any free helpful advice I can get and print it out, to add to my notebook. I highly recommend Michael Hauge's website, Story Mastery. (thanks again, Nicole Murphy for that tip!) His list of questions is printed out for each novel and I fill in the details as I go. Keeps me on track and helps me cut through the flotsam that gets attracted to every project!

Writing is enormously rewarding, but can be a lonely craft. We all know how it feels to struggle and just having a single good tip can make a difference to how much we enjoy the journey. I hope you've found this helpful. Any feedback is welcomed!
Cheers,
Dawn



cheers, Dawn

Why the Heck to Writers Persist?

photo (c) Dawn Meredith

If you're married to a writer, living with a writer or related to one you may well have asked this question at regular intervals, especially when the writer in question is in a hole, that black night of indeterminate length we call a crisis of confidence. I believe true writers write because they can't not do it. It's a compulsion. A weird one, I know, seeing as it can lead to misery and angst, but I tell you non-writers this, when your work is accepted, it sounds pathetic to say it, but you feel like you are accepted, that what you burned to say to the world is not only being heard, but being valued by someone. Let's take a peek inside the writer's head for a moment.
Writers are observers. We process every tiny little thing that goes on around us. We're worried we'll miss something important. (That's why there's so little room for other more mundane things. Or am I the only person who forgets to buy milk?) We constantly compare what we see and feel with other things we have experienced and new ideas pop up, wonderful new ideas which we yearn to develop. It's a bit like waiting for a flower to open. You know there is beauty and wonder inside and you can't wait to see it. In a sense we're gardeners too. We watch the ideas flower inside our head and our notebooks and on our computers and we seek to nurture them, water them until they emerge as fully formed things. There is pride in that process. There is also fear and wonder and delight. All the while we are battling against the inner critic, the overzealous editor in our head who likes to tell us what we have to say is rubbish and that no one will listen, that we have SUCH a  long way to go yet. This is why we falter. We know that publishers will send rejection letters and we know that we have to have a thick skin, but it still hurts. We can comfort ourselves with the thought that its all part of the apprenticeship, the journey to greatness, and that constructive feedback helps us grow, forces us to change and adapt. But it still hurts.
The industry is finicky, subjective and prone to the whimsy of Lady Luck, but just because someone criticises our well-crafted masterpiece doesn't mean it's worthless. It just means it hasn't found a home. And let us not forget the elation and joy that comes from the process of writing, of dipping into that delicious river of inspiration.
I leave you with these thoughts, emerging from the maelstrom that is my consciousness in the wee hours one morning:

Writing is an addiction 

to pain and glorious triumph, 

shattering defeat,

self-loathing and bliss.

It revels in my suffering.

It pierces me with joy.

cheers, Dawn

Hundred Little Reasons to love MARU the weirdest cat

I am ecstatic to report that I have finally finished my YA novel, Flight! YAY!!!!!

One of the things which helped me get across the line was music, in particular, lately, 'E.S.Postumus', a fave song being: Antissa also 'Two Steps From Hell', a couple my fave songs being: Heart of Courage and Hello World more recently the funky olde world ukele band of vintage awesomeness, the song 'Someday' from Hundred Little Reasons.


 But you know, occasionally a writer needs inspiration of a different kind. Enter MARU, the world's most lovable, curious and well-looked-after cat. My fave video: Hundred Little Reasons to love MARU
Bring a little smile to your face and watch it! Spread the warmth around, there's enough despair and loneliness already.

 a box is never too small...

 If I can't see you...

Look at my cute little puddy-tat paws!
cheers for now,
Dawn