I'm working on my second book in Chancey, Ga - a made up town. I'm writing in first person, which means everything is seen through my protagonist's, Carolina's, eyes. We go through spells when first person books are popular and then times when they are not. They are on the upsurge right now - good for me! In a totally first person book, the reader can not know anything the main character doesn't know.
So yesterday afternoon, floating around in the pool, I was thinking on where the new book is going. It's beginning the week of Thanksgiving and everyone is getting ready for a community Thanksgiving event on Wednesday night. However, Carolina and her family have only lived in Chancey since July, so they don't know any details about this event. And that is exactly how it is when you move into a small town - everyone has lived there forever and knows what's going on, so details are not provided.
Back to floating, I'm trying to think up what the event will entail when it occurs to me the reason I don't know is because I'm in Carolina's head and SHE doesn't know. So what I have to do is get her to ask the right people the right questions. So then I switched to thinking about the questions she needs to ask and how to put her with the right people.
Now you might be thinking, wait- aren't ALL these characters in your head and don't you know what they know already? You'd think so, wouldn't you?
Nope, that's not how it works with me. These folks show up on the page saying and doing things that constantly surprise me. Their answers to questions come out fully developed when I put fingers to the keyboard. Where and when they developed is a mystery to me.
Just a little insight into writing fiction. Got to go. Me and Carolina need to find out what in the world this Thanksgiving event is!
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9 comments:
HI Kay! Thanks for stopping by my blog, and thanks to my cousin Pam for sending you! I always love new friends! I am going to take some time and read your blog. That's why I love comments, it had led me to some great blogs!
Thanks again for dropping by!
Welcome Leigh - I loved your blog and really enjoyed the explanation of "Plates and Places" I'm planning on using that - may even end up in a book!
LOL...my characters also surprise me all the time. *snort-giggle* Maybe that's why "normal" people think us writers are nuts...There's all these people rolling around in our heads :-)
It does get crowded in there with all those characters, doesn't it? Nice to meet you, Bonnie!
Ah, someone else who writes like me. My characters do the weirdest things. I was convinced one off-scene character was not going to appear in my book and then, at midnight one night, he knocked on the door and refused to leave. Dagnabbit... I had to get up and let him in!
So funny. I can relate. I remember the night I went to bed and told Bill "I think Jim is going to die." He said, "you don't know?" Of course I didn't know. I had no idea he was sick until I looked on the monitor and saw that he was having a heart attack.
We're a weird bunch of folks, but the good news is, if we ever wind up stranded on an island, we'll not be alone. I love you guys. You make me feel almost normal.
Kay you are too funny. And I feel so sorry for those that don't know you and can't hear you say this in your wonderful, Mississippi way. And when you start feeling normal? Don't.
Ahhh. A group after my own heart! We're so weird--ain't it awesome! I feel sorry for people who are "normal." Life must be really boring! ;-)
Hey Vonda - that is true, no one has ever called us boring.
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