Hey Howdy and How Do You Do?

It's been awhile, hasn't it?

But I had to break away. It was a need to define my writing processes, and put to use what I discovered.

I learned some pretty pertinent stuff, like that I write better when I edit as I go - that is, take time to really make sure I'm saying what the story begs of me any given moment, instead of rushing through, just for the sake of getting it out no matter its quality. That works for some; I understand now, not me.

I realized it's best to keep my projects quiet. My momentum is steadier, and I hold up better to my own expectations and accountabilities than I do to those of others. That said, I've omitted the word count statuses in the sidebar, and plan to post only generically about my WIPs - at least during the creating and writing stages.

My output spikes when I write during morning hours, and if I change up my location every few weeks.

What I've always known is, my dependence on your support and encouragement is high. I couldn't write and dream if I didn't have all of you lifting me up and helping me along. And that won't change.



Have you ever taken the time to really discover who you are with your writing? What methods do you identify with?

Does It Have To Be That Hard?

I recently saw an online discussion about the process of building your character. It was suggested by one writer that a stagnate storyline, or lost motivation, implies you've not learned your character well enough. Likewise, a non-fiction book about writing mentions doing a full write up on your characters; that to really understand who you're writing about, you have to get in their head, know every facet of their personality, history, future.

Does it really have to be that hard?

I've never been one for structured outlines, so it goes without saying that I don't lay my characters out on paper before I begin my WIP. Oh, I sort of do it in my head, create their appearance and general state of being. But I "see" my characters so clearly, sometimes (okay, most often) because they're based on people in my life, that their personalities, their mannerisms, how they behave in certain situations, play out in my mind's eye. I don't have to refer to notes or files to understand them.

My goal with this post isn't to say "Look at me, I have it easy" or to knock other writers' habits. I'm just wondering why the perception is that a character has to be so thoroughly sketched out before one can begin. Yes, I get that if your course isn't planned out you may well get lost. But is it a crucial technique for virtually every writer? We all know each writer is different, with varying habits and methods. Our techniques may at times overlap, but who's to say we have to follow the same unwritten rules?

What about you? What's your method for building characters?

And do you think writers make things harder for themselves?