tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post1257584230821840765..comments2023-11-02T02:40:48.410-07:00Comments on Crime Fiction Collective: Channeling imaginary peopleL.J. Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-22999375760155580432013-02-06T17:20:02.651-08:002013-02-06T17:20:02.651-08:00I enjoyed Willie's diary, Gayle. (A good thing...I enjoyed Willie's diary, Gayle. (A good thing I read through to the end before starting comments, or there would have been a lot of wordplay on the introduction. (Like the typo in the third sentence.:) Very realistic and three-dimensional. <br /><br />I just don't (can't?) write that way. I've tried the character bios, filling out the sheets. I've tried the backstory narratives - though I must say having the characters write a diary or journal is inspired. Doesn't work. My characters constantly tell me, "I'll tell you what you need to know when you need to know it. I'm prying into your mind and life, not the other way around." I guess they want to surprise me. I'm like all, really? And they're like, yeah, deal with it. Work that into your plot, bigshot.<br /><br />Thanks, Gayle!David Y.B. Kaufmannhttp://www.davidybkaufmann.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-39569111464195662752013-02-01T11:39:31.416-08:002013-02-01T11:39:31.416-08:00Thanks, Julie! I hope you're not disappointed!...Thanks, Julie! I hope you're not disappointed!Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-23830738116566746742013-02-01T10:47:20.844-08:002013-02-01T10:47:20.844-08:00I read about a movie director that had his actors ...I read about a movie director that had his actors do journals for their characters and I thought it was brilliant. I think this is brilliant, too!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487464497446199247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-22382348294410296992013-02-01T09:40:23.348-08:002013-02-01T09:40:23.348-08:00Thanks for this example of your character developm...Thanks for this example of your character development technic. Based on this post, I've ordered Freezer Burn and expect a late night, can't-stop-reading experience.<br /><br />I like Willie's spunk and good judgement – looking forward to meeting her when you publish.Julie Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18066007111058838543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-6452743239111954582013-01-31T13:52:17.035-08:002013-01-31T13:52:17.035-08:00Wow! Color me impressed, Gayle! I love your journa...Wow! Color me impressed, Gayle! I love your journaling idea and have suggested that in my "advice columns," too.<br /><br />Ditto what Peg said: "Characters are as important (or more) than plot to me. If I don't connect with a character (writing or reading) nothing is likely to hang together." If the protagonist doesn't grab me by page 10 or so, I'm likely to put down the book and never pick it up again. <br /><br />Your character diary is beautifully written, fascinating, and absorbing. Thanks for a great read - I gotta get your books!<br /><br />Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-69627413357534544172013-01-31T12:24:53.120-08:002013-01-31T12:24:53.120-08:00I do a stream of consciousness first-person thing,...I do a stream of consciousness first-person thing, much like this one but not as tidy. Characters are as important (or more) than plot to me. If I don't connect with a character (writing or reading) nothing is likely to hang together. <br /><br />Gotta say, I like Willie!Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-78008737533508280682013-01-31T08:28:47.523-08:002013-01-31T08:28:47.523-08:00Like I said, I may not reveal this info in the sto...Like I said, I may not reveal this info in the story. But now I know Willie's personality and how she approaches problems. This info will come in handy when she's deciding whether to stick her nose into a murder investigation, and how far she'll go.Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-76929038857871385742013-01-31T06:29:15.917-08:002013-01-31T06:29:15.917-08:00Wow. I do character bios but I've never done t...Wow. I do character bios but I've never done the diary exercise. I think I'll try it. But of course, it's fiction, so things can change as you write the story. L.J. Sellershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-41706018769914468032013-01-31T02:26:40.654-08:002013-01-31T02:26:40.654-08:00Love this, Gayle, and how you blend humor with sad...Love this, Gayle, and how you blend humor with sadness in such a subtle way it makes the reader want to laugh and cry at the same time. It's one of the reason I enjoy your books so much.<br /><br />I write bios for my characters. Each one I write starts off with main facts (age, health, physical attributes, job, family etc) and develops as I get further into the story. I always end up with a complex main character who seemed so uncomplicated at the beginning. Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10384070533603453713noreply@blogger.com