They define my writing. I have often wondered about that.
You see, I can’t start a book without a title. No, really, I can’t. Even if I later change that title, without a strong, working title, I can’t start writing. I freeze. I have the words, they’re in my brain, I’m aching to send my fingers flying across the keys before I forget them, but… nope. No title. Must. Get. Title.
So, with that kind of obsession over a title (even though sometimes that title gets changed before publication), you’d think that I’d be obsessed with calling books by their titles, right? Nope. USUALLY, my books are known by one of the characters. Noble Pursuits is “Grace” to me. Manuscript for Murder is “Alexa” which gets interesting because so is Crime of Fashion. Talk about confusing when talking about the books!
I talk about my characters as if they are real. “Aggie would love that.” “Man, Alexa would so wear that.” “Hey, there’s William’s ‘Vette.” (That was for you, Barb.)
So, I wonder… does that mean my books are character driven? And, if my books are character driven, does that mean that the plots are pathetic?
Oh, and for fun, I thought I’d find a picture of what I think one of my characters look like. So, meet Adric. He’s going to be published soon. This is what I think he looks like but…
- His hair is more silvery even than this
- His eyes are grayer
To see what other bloggers are doing this month, check out the HUGE list of bloggers HERE!
Hello, Fellow Challenger. I have to sharpen all my pencils, first. Now, mind you, I use a computer, but there’s something about a cup full of well-sharpened pencils that just gets me going. I can understand obsession. I’m #424 from Rockin’ Chair Reflections. Come visit when you can.
I am now channeling my inner “You’ve Got Mail” and murmuring with a glazed look in my eye, “Bouquets of sharpened pencils…”
I’ll dash over to see you.
This is the second blog on ‘Character’ I’ve read today. Chautona, your insights are interesting. I want to write my family story, but I don’t have a title in mind. I’m banking on it emerging later – perhaps hitting me like a lightening bolt?
PS: Would so love to own the real McCoy (comfy convenient couch) too…
I can’t write without a title either. It is so much of what my books are about. Of course, if I ever get published, the publisher may change it just like that. Sigh.
I’ve already changed titles… Argosy Junction was originally “Not as I Was” but hey. It was a valid title. It is nice to see someone else with my quirky “malady” regarding titles. Keep writing!
I’m not a published writer, so I don’t know that my opinion counts here, but I’m certainly an avid reader, so I’ll offer up my thoughts as the end-user. Books absolutely MUST be character driven when I’m working my way through a story — I have to forget they’re imaginary so I can imagine conversations with them. Of course, this won’t happen if the plot is weak; anyone who writes strong characters is going to have to learn quickly how to carry its people across the literary morass, or else risk leaving a gorgeously drawn, realistic person stranded in the dessert.
ok your stories are NOT lame! they rock!
are either Alexas available? i haven’t heard of those! i keep thinking with her name popping up in EVERY book, you’ve gotta have one about her sometime…
that is not how i imagined Adric. how about a smiling one? maybe that will help me picture him better. do they have that guy smiling?
I’m sure they do, Jenn. That’s why I avoid putting pictures on covers. I don’t like defining what someone looks like to the reader. We all have different ideas, and that’s what makes it COOL.
None of the Alexas are ready. They’re not even in “rough draft” stage. Not really. Both have to be 100% rewritten. They’re that bad. However, they are also some of my favorites. They WILL be good. Someday.