Blog of Author Christine d’Abo
Funny how things pop up. I stumbled over this link on Twitter this morning. It’s a blog post from Sugith Varughese on the writing process Henson and the writers used on Fraggle Rock.
Seeing as I loved FR with all my heart as a kid, it is fascinating as an adult and a writer to get a glimpse into how they constructed each episode. I hope you enjoy.
I’ve been thinking a lot about characterization recently. A bit later today I’ll be giving a workshop on how to plot characters. See, I’m a firm believe that while a good, strong plot is essential to any novel, strong character will make or break a story. I’ve seen myself be very forgiving of plot holes when I’m completely engaged in a character and their journey.
This has been brought even more to light for me as I’ve been rewatching some movies with my kids. At Christmas, my oldest daughter bought the Superman movie four pack. We’d been watching Smallville and she wanted to see the original movies. Great! I remember seeing number three as a kid in the movie theatre and thought what a great chance to relive my youth.
PAINFUL!!
I was shocked to see how thin the characters were, their motivation and the large, GLARING plot holes in the story. Yes, they are old, but it was more than them not standing the test of time. Color me more surprised when I realized it was written by Mario Puzo. The Godfather this isn’t. The writers didn’t draw on the rich history of the Superman world, leaving us with only the vaguest of charactures.
I’ve also been watching some of Jim Henson’s older movies with my kids. The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth are AMAZING movies. Like some of the better kids movies out there today, Henson knew that you don’t have to dumb the characters down in order for kids to be engaged. They understand the complexities of adult behavior more than we parents would like to admit. The characters are flawed, make bad decisions, make mistakes, but in the end they realize their errors and come out on top.
Pixar does much the same thing with their movies. My youngest put on Monsters Inc the other day. I was upstairs but could hear the story. There was so much spoken between the lines, the characters were complex and flawed.Finding Nemo is another example. The plots are basic, but the characters are complex landscapes where the writers can build a reaction in the viewed and steadily pull on our emotions.
Building a good character means digging down into their guts and understanding what drives them. Yes, this is very basic, but it shocks me how many people forget this. Jack Bauer and Jack Sparrow will react differently to the same situation (and wouldn’t that be a great movie LOL!) I know myself, I sometimes don’t dig down deep enough to find the core of who my characters are. When I do, I find so much more satisfaction in the resulting story.
I’ve had an interesting start to my year. As some of you know, I’ve been sick for the past month. Not “hey I’ve had a bad flu” sick. More like “hey, this could kill you if you’re not careful” sick. The good news is that I’m on the mend. The bad news is I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands.
This shouldn’t be a problem.
I haven’t been able to write anything since this mess started. Understandably, my creativity has been sapped a bit. But what it has done, is given me time to think. Its helped me focus on what I want my year to be like going forward.
First off, I’m going to start taking care of myself better. That means listening to my body and not ignoring things when they’re not right. Yes, women tend to do this a lot, but I won’t anymore. I’ve also learned that bad things can happen to me. It’s funny, I never considered before that something could. I know that sounds naive, but really, who does. I’m not old, I thought I was healthy, why would I think bad things were about to happen. I now know that I’m not invincible and need to put myself first so I can be there for my family.
On the writing front, I’ve learned that if I want things to move forward, I need to make them happen. No more sitting around thinking I can’t get an agent, or a bigger contract, or write the book I always wanted, just because it’s hard. Of course its hard, and I might even fail. But one thing I know for certain, it will never happen if I don’t try.
So, I’ve decided to start 2010 over. I go back to my day job on Monday after having been on sick leave for a month. I’m also going to start writing again and get those queries out to agents. No, I won’t giver up after getting five rejections and think I’m a sucky writer.
Positive side of life. It’s a nice place to be.
Yes, once again I have joined the craziness that is NaNoWriMo. This is my fifth year participating and I’m always amazing by the volume of excitement generated by the even.
Personally, I love it!
So, I’ve jumped head first into my urban paranormal and have really connected with the plot and characters. For me, NaNo helps me get that first draft out of my head and onto the paper as quickly as possible. I know I will have to go back and add to the scenes, but the fundamentals will be there, ready and waiting.
In order to achieve the goal of hitting 50k in 30 days, you need to write 1,667 words a day. For some of you, this sounds like an awful lot. For others, a more than doable goal. For me, I’ve upped that goal to 3,000 words a day in the hopes I’ll get closer to finishing the first draft.
Today marks day six of NaNo, and I’m thrilled to say I’ve crossed the 15,000 word mark already. There is still another day and a half to go before week one is officially done. I’m going to try and push myself to cross 20,000 by end of day Saturday.
Crazy? I didn’t think there was any question of that.
If you are on Twitter, you can follow other NaNo folks by the #NaNoWriMo and #nanocout hash tags. Lots of fantastic people to keep your motivation going. Of course, there is also the official site at www.nanowrimo.org. If you’re interested, you can follow me there by searching for Christine99.
Who else is doing NaNo this year? How are you making out?
The wild plot bunny is a dangerous creature. Unlike it’s kinder, gentler, fluffier cousin, the plot bunny is viscous. It jumps on unsuspecting people, biting with it’s oversized teeth and sharp claws. Anyone is at risk of being attacked – writers and readers alike.
How to Protect Yourself
1. Wear Protective Clothing – The plot bunny is especially fond of comfort clothing. Avoid sweat pants, t-shirts and fuzzy socks at all costs. Yes, I know this will come as heart-ache to many of you. I myself mourned the loss of my green fuzzy socks, but trust me, you’re life is worth it!
2. Don’t Be Alone - It has been my experience that the plot bunny picks on solitary figures. Whether you are walking the dog, getting groceries, or doing the laundry, if you are on your own your mind will wander. Once distracted, the plot bunny will see this weakness and will pounce! My advice…don’t do laundry!
3. Watch What You Eat – The plot bunny is an addict. Chocolate, chips, coffee, mint Girl Guide Cookies (I’m selling them btw if you want any), are all favourites of the plot bunny. As these are staples for most writers, a decoy is necessary. Have carrots, beets and other “healthy foods” on hand. If you spot a plot bunny, THROW THIS AT THEM! They will flee in terror, leaving your cookies alone.
What To Do If You Are Attacked
Don’t Panic! If there are a group of plot bunnies, the most important thing you can do is not move. Many of them will lose interest and wander off. If you have a persistent attacker, the best thing you can do is try to distract it. Sacrifice the cookies if you have to!
If it is a single plot bunny attacking, you may have the opportunity to capture the creature. I will not tell you how to do this (safety protocols prevent me from doing so), but if you manage it, do your best to domesticate the creature. You never know what the end result will be.
*This post is the result of too much cold medication*
You know your a writer when…
I have this tendency to drift off some days. I can be sitting there, working away on something, or doing the laundry and my mind drifts off. I’m choosing to believe there isn’t something wrong with me, but rather I’m getting into that spot where my characters start talking to me.
Wow, that really does make me sound a bit off my rocker LOL!
I really enjoy finding that writer’s head space. Sometimes its hard to get to if things around me are a bit insane, but most of the time it just happens. I think some of my best ideas have popped out when I’m drifting along. I’ve fixed plot issues when I’ve been doing the dishes thinking about nothing in particular.
It’s also interesting how I find myself working on new plots more in the fall than in the summer or spring. I’m not sure if it’s my way of dealing with the winter, or if I’m simply more introspective this time of year.
How about you? Do you find fall makes you more introspective? Do you read more, do more quite activities? Or are you one of those brilliant people who explode with energy and ideas this time of year?
Hello everyone!
Well, I’m sorry for the absence recently. Things are crazy as always in the household, but moving along nicely. I’ve recently finished edits on a book that I’ll be sending over to my Samhain editor (cross fingers that she likes it), and am at the halfway mark on a new erotic futuristic. The few people who have read the chapters I’ve done so far really like it. I’m going to push to have it finished and off to my EC editor by the end of the month.
Speaking of EC…
I just received my first review for The Bond That Saves Us!! It received 4.5 / 5 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs Reviews.
*does a snoopy dance*
Here’s a small peek…
The sexual tension between Amy and Sean starts off hot and only gets hotter, as these two lovers spend more time together, until their desire is molten hot and almost out of control. Both are afraid of admitting their need for the other, and the author does a wonderful job describing their unease, fear and confusion. Ms. d’Abo’s integration of old and new characters…friends was seamless, lending the story a sense of depth, caring and family.
You can check out the entire review here.
And on a side note. There was a problem with the contact form on my website. It’s been fixed by my wonderful web guy, so feel free to email me any questions or comments you may have.
OMG I just got the BEST vacation present!! My editor emailed me to say that The Bond That Saves Us is being released on AUGUST 12TH!!!
*does a snoopy dance*
I so wasn’t expecting this to come out as soon as it is, but I have to say I’m tickled pink!! Over the next week, I’ll be posting some excerpts to tickle your fancy and get you all excited about the final Eternal Bond book.
No one claimed being any type of artist was easy. For the most part, friends and family don’t get what you do (even the really supportive ones), you are constantly battling self doubt, only to put your work out there and pray someone likes it. Those of us who do it have our own reasons for what drives us on. Sometimes, those reasons get a bit muddy.
I really love being a writer–but it is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never questioned my own ability to accomplish what I set out to do in my life. I wanted to write a book. I wanted to be published. I did and I am. Next on my list, I want to have an agent and be published with a NY house. I will…only a matter of time. But I’m impatient with myself. Honestly, it’s one of my greatest faults.
Why am I rambling on about all this? No, I’m not trying to toot my own horn, looking for sympathy, or prove I’m some sort of uber-awesome person. To be honest, I’m finding myself slipping. My writer self has been going through some soul searching recently. I’ve been asking myself some questions (what do I hope to accomplish? how am I going to get there?) and I’ve come to the realization that I’ve lost sight of why I wanted to be a writer in the first place.
I love telling stories. I like making shit up and getting a reaction out of people. If you’ve ever met me, you know I’m even worse in person. That drive to entertain is something very deeply ingrained in me.
Recently, I’ve lost sight of that.
I’ve been finding myself drifting. I’m more concerned with writing to the market. While that’s important, it can also be stifling. While I want to advance my career, I need to be true to myself. This is the reason I haven’t been able to do much recently. I’ve been feeling trapped as a writer–not quite good enough to go in one direction, but wanting a new challenge.
So, I’ve come over to my blog and am giving myself an opportunity to get all these thoughts out of my head and onto the virtual paper. I need to look at them and figure out what I need to do to move forward. I know a lot of you out there who read my blog are also writers. I’m asking for your advice as well. How do you keep yourself going and focused?
My motivation has slipped, but it’ not gone.
It really is funny to go back and read something you’ve written quite some time ago. It’s my voice, but not really. I’ve changed a lot over the past two years, and I hope its all for the better. That said, it can be really hard for me to go back and make edits to a story, knowing there is a problem with the voice, but not seeing why.
Thank god for critique partners! *hugs JK and Amy*
The good news, is that I’m almost done the edits I wanted for this submission to Spice Briefs. I think I need to add some more sex to it (because you can never go wrong with more sex), and then out the door it will go! This is my first time submitting to Spice, so I’m curious to see what will happen. This might not be the right story for them, but I’m excited to give it a go. 
Once this one is done, I’ll be going back to my WIP for a while. It’s an urban paranormal, and very different from anything else I’ve ever written. If I actually sell this one, I might have to consider a different pen name. There’s no sex! Shocking, I know.
I really want to try and tie up loose ends over the next week and a bit before I go away on vacation. It’s been a while since we’ve been home, and I’m looking forward to spending time with my family.
I hope everyone is having a great week so far.
HUGS!
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