As I've been editing a story for a club competition, I could see what I needed to cut, and asked myself, what was my character's motivation for what they're doing.
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| Getting Motivated... |
I think I've got to the core of the problem.
I'm going to write down the motivations for my main characters in my Nottinghamshire story. Although I think I know what they are, I've never actually written them down.
Reading this useful post on the Writers Helping Writers site, it got me thinking about my current hero and heroine's motivations, and those of my 'villain' too. So I'll be taking time to check that I've not missed any of the points mentioned in that Character Motivation post...
Like any writer I have a few essential (writing) reference books that get regular use: a dictionary and my Cassell Dictionary of Word Histories; and when I'm trying to grasp particular aspects of my characters, but I'm unsure of whether one is more suitable than the other, then I will dip into The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression, or The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Flaws.
I have the Kindle version of Emotion Amplifiers too- it's a free e-book.
But however useful these books are, it still comes down to me, sitting down at my desk and tapping away at the keyboard to get the stories written.
So I'm off to get on with finishing the short story- motivation on full throttle...
image courtesy of supakitmod & www.freedigitalphotos.net
14 comments:
I need to kick my own motivation into life again.
My motivation is terrible just now! I think you're right, in the end it comes down to sitting at your desk and getting on with it :-)
summer is a dreadful time for me (writing wise) but now I'm back from my holiday and autumn is ever closer, I'm finding my motivation returning.
That's so interesting, Carol. As you know, I'm far more experienced in non-fiction rather than fiction, but I had no idea books like that existed! :)
Well, you have had a good reason for not writing as much, Lizy. But I'm sure the ideas are simmering meanwhile. :)
Suspect that like me, the writing time slips during the summer months, Teresa, and picks up in the winter. :-)
Yes, I think summer is when we charge the batteries ready for autumn and the darker winter months, Wendy. :-)
They are useful Susan, and have helpful information too. Sometimes we all need help when we're stuck when writing or with a particular character, and I've found these books help me pin down what I sometimes struggle with- my antagonist. :-)
Good luck with your entry, Carol. I hope the members take full advantage of the competitions this year. The judges are excellent and should give some great feedback.
Glad you're getting your motivation geared up again, Carol. I only get back in the groove once autumn arrives - or at least that's the intention!
If only we could teach our characters to type!
Thanks, Keith.
Yes, we are very fortunate with the judge's we get, and very grateful they can fit us in.
I've always found the feedback from my competition entries helpful, and I do improve as a result.
I think it's a state of mind, Rosemary. There's so much to do in the summer months, but once autumn arrives it's the sort of weather to stay in the warm and write.:-)
I suspect we'd spend more time sorting out their disagreements if they did type, Patsy. :D
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