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A just but controlling God
I would like to write a novel, but they say that once you get started, they sort of write themselves. I've been reading a lot of "How to Write" books recently that suggest that kind of thing, about building believable characters, and how they become real people. Once you get to know a character, it'll write itself. It comes to life, and takes off from there. Being a control-freak, I don't think I could handle that. I am in charge here, you are my character, and you will do what I tell you to do.
I would like to write a novel, but I can barely write a multiple-paragraph blog-post.
srah - Wednesday, 9 July 2003 - 11:14 AM
Tags: books
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Comments (22)
haiku richard - July 9, 2003 - 11:36 AM - ℓ
See my characters ?
They have a life all their own
I'll soon write their death
srah - July 9, 2003 - 11:37 AM - ℓ
Yes, but unfortunately I'm not one of those people who writes to express what they're feeling, to say what has to be said, to release their inner demons, to let out the characters that are living inside them, or any of those other euphemisms for vomit that represent the healthy writing process.
Unfortunately, I just want to see my name in print. And as I live with my parents, I won't be listed in the phone books any time soon*, so I have to write a wildly successful novel.
* 10 Imaginary Dollars to s/he who can identify what I'm talking about.
katie - July 9, 2003 - 1:47 PM - ℓ
The answer, of course, is yes. Open your blog, click print, take the pages to Kinkos and have them bound with a nice leather cover. Sign and send me a copy.
Why don't you just get a second phone line to the house, under your name?
You could write one of those "For Dummies" books. There are a lot of dummies out there.
Amy - July 9, 2003 - 4:36 PM - ℓ
Ok, Navan Johnson. I got excited when the electronic work directory had my name in it. You could always have Mommy and Daddy put the phone line in your name, but then you'd probably have to actually pay the bill yourself.
Raspil - July 9, 2003 - 6:11 PM - ℓ
No, you're pretty much 100% wrong on this one. Sorry. Nothing writes itself. You have to write it. And if you say something like this: "Yes, but unfortunately I'm not one of those people who writes to express what they're feeling, to say what has to be said, to release their inner demons, to let out the characters that are living inside them, or any of those other euphemisms for vomit that represent the healthy writing process." and mean it, you're no writer. Not by a damn sight. I am in the middle of developing four very distinct characters for my 3rd book, that is how I know what I'm talking about. And saying you're a control freak but you don't think you can control these imaginary beings you are interested in writing about, I think you're in bad trouble. You don't even know who you are. Maybe you should work on that first. Have a nice day.
katie - July 9, 2003 - 7:07 PM - ℓ
I think Raspil needs to go away. If he/she has written 2.5 books, and yet has no appreciation for the individual motivation of individual writers, then he/she is the one who is no writer. (And no, I'm not going to go to your website to find out if you're a he or a she. I don't respect you enough.) Don't respond to any of that here. Email me if you want to rant.
Srah, dear, I will read anything you write, no matter what your inspiration. And if I don't get a free signed copy, I will still pay to read your silliness!
Amy - July 10, 2003 - 8:07 AM - ℓ
Navan Johnson was Steve Martin's character in The Jerk. He shouts out "The new phonebooks are here! I'm somebody, I'm somebody!" because he finds his name in print in the phonebook. I assumed you were quoting the movie in post #3 about not being somebody until you are listed in the phonebook. There can't possibly be a movie whose lines you do not know - my idol has feet of clay :(
Amy - July 10, 2003 - 8:38 AM - ℓ
"Feet of Clay from the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. King Nebuchadnezzar dreamt of a being with a gold head, sliver arms, brass belly, iron legs, and feet of clay. In Daniels interpretation of the Kings dream, he saw the feet as a weakness and predicted the fall of the empire. The expression now refers to an otherwise strong and admirable person as having some weakness or flaw in his character."
I love having a library degree! Got this from http://www.monroepl.org/didyouknow.html
Also http://www.bartleby.com/59/4/ about idioms
Daddy - July 10, 2003 - 4:28 PM - ℓ
Katie,
Did Srah ever tell you that both of her parents have library degrees? You can pick our brains too!
Amy (who posted above) worked as my wife's student assistant while in the School of Information (all of us librarians/archivists know each other!)
Bill McNitt
katie - July 10, 2003 - 4:51 PM - ℓ
I don't think she ever told me that... at least not outright. I will have to pick your brains (brains, BRAINS!!!) as well. (Sorry, I went a little horror movie on you there...)
I'll write in an email, rather than taking up poor, dear srah's comments with blather about picking her parents' brains...
Jez - July 10, 2003 - 6:37 PM - ℓ
My brain is only occasionnaly functional, but youre welcome to pick it if you wish. I do not have a Degree in Librarianship. Although I did have to work in a library for two weeks as work experience for school, when I was about 14. Does that help?
You could be like my friend Jeff. He mostly just writes short stories.(sci-fi) His characters either die, go away, or live happily ever after, in just a few pages. Nice and neat, no time wasted chasing your character across pg 238.