Comments on: How I write http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/03/30/how-i-write/ "Hitch your wagon to a star." —Ralph Waldo Emerson Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:16:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: Ben http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/03/30/how-i-write/#comment-69830 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:37:41 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/03/30/how-i-write/#comment-69830 Carly: Quite true. Makes me wonder if we really are <i>creating</i> or if, through some weird science fictionesque magic, we're just discovering what's already there. David: Exactly -- if we <i>try</i> to control them, we end up with cardboard. It's better to just let go and enjoy watching them do their thing. Carly: Quite true. Makes me wonder if we really are creating or if, through some weird science fictionesque magic, we’re just discovering what’s already there.

David: Exactly — if we try to control them, we end up with cardboard. It’s better to just let go and enjoy watching them do their thing.

]]> by: David Hulet http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/03/30/how-i-write/#comment-69371 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:36:12 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/03/30/how-i-write/#comment-69371 I really like Carly's comment. My characters that are completely out of control are the ones I feel are the most fleshed out and "real" because of how little control I have over them. In the sense that you are a play writer, I'll put it like this. I have scripts for characters, and when I approach a response, or the next scene, I go in thinking, this character will totally respond this way; but when I step out there onto the stage, and slide into character for that person...it usually goes the totally opposite direction. I just let the pen/keyboard go and then come out afterwards, look back, and shake my head. "[Insert character] is totally crazy." But those are my favorite characters to work with, but when you get right down to their motives and reactions, they write themselves. That to me, as I've already said, is an indication of a well-written, fleshed-out, non-flat character. :) I really like Carly’s comment. My characters that are completely out of control are the ones I feel are the most fleshed out and “real” because of how little control I have over them. In the sense that you are a play writer, I’ll put it like this. I have scripts for characters, and when I approach a response, or the next scene, I go in thinking, this character will totally respond this way; but when I step out there onto the stage, and slide into character for that person…it usually goes the totally opposite direction. I just let the pen/keyboard go and then come out afterwards, look back, and shake my head. “[Insert character] is totally crazy.” But those are my favorite characters to work with, but when you get right down to their motives and reactions, they write themselves. That to me, as I’ve already said, is an indication of a well-written, fleshed-out, non-flat character. :)

]]> by: Carly http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/03/30/how-i-write/#comment-69220 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:24:16 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/03/30/how-i-write/#comment-69220 Isn't it funny how characters and even ideas will write themselves? Of course you have to be doing something (freewriting, typing, outlining--like you mentioned), but it always surprises me what they will do and where they will go. Isn’t it funny how characters and even ideas will write themselves? Of course you have to be doing something (freewriting, typing, outlining–like you mentioned), but it always surprises me what they will do and where they will go.

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