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Friday, September 2, 2016
I is for Intensity
Margaret talks about intensity in writing
Thomas Edison said genius is one per cent inspiration and
ninety nine percent perspiration. This can be said about writing as well. Personally,
as I’ve said before, I start out with the germ of an idea, hopefully an
inspired idea, and simply take it from there. It’s not as easy as it sounds
because there is still a lot of thinking and plotting and planning to do. The
initial inspiration has probably gone, as well as the first writing surge, but if
I’ve succeeded in immersing myself in my characters then the intensity of their
fears and hopes become my fears and hopes too. I dig into their psyche, read
their thoughts, transfer them to myself, and then put those thoughts down on
paper.
If only it were that easy!
But it is imperative for writers to engage with their characters
and let readers know what is going on in their minds. (Well, most of them – readers
do like some surprises) What we basically want, though, is for the people who
read our books to feel the same things that we do, to love or hate the people
we have created. Only in this way have we reached our goal.
Thomas Edison said genius is one per cent inspiration and
ninety nine percent perspiration. This can be said about writing as well. Personally,
as I’ve said before, I start out with the germ of an idea, hopefully an
inspired idea, and simply take it from there. It’s not as easy as it sounds
because there is still a lot of thinking and plotting and planning to do. The
initial inspiration has probably gone, as well as the first writing surge, but if
I’ve succeeded in immersing myself in my characters then the intensity of their
fears and hopes become my fears and hopes too. I dig into their psyche, read
their thoughts, transfer them to myself, and then put those thoughts down on
paper.
If only it were that easy!
But it is imperative for writers to engage with their characters
and let readers know what is going on in their minds. (Well, most of them – readers
do like some surprises) What we basically want, though, is for the people who
read our books to feel the same things that we do, to love or hate the people
we have created. Only in this way have we reached our goal.
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Great post, Margaret.
ReplyDeleteI don't write strict deep POV, but a good romance conveys the reader the emotional joys and pains of the characters.
Absolutely, Ana.
DeleteOh yes. I love falling into my characters and living vicariously through them.
ReplyDeleteIt means we lead such exciting lives!
DeleteAgree 100% that we need to live through every story with our characters. We must think and feel as they do, so that the reader can relate to them.
ReplyDeleteSuch a satisfying feeling when it all comes together.
ReplyDeleteIt IS fun to vicariously live the lives of so many different people.
ReplyDeleteAnd I definitely have to agree with Mr. Edison!
Too true, Debra.
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