It seems that Tragedy doesn't like the way the story that I am writing about her is going. (She's decided that she wants to be known as Tragedy after all. We are allowed the privelege of being shizoid!) She's been complaining about it and she just won't stop. So her and I had to sit down and have a long talk about a lot of things.
First of all, she thinks that her character has become wooden. She is absolutely right. If you knew Tragedy you would see what I'm talking about. We both agree that character development has been sacrificed for plot. And furthermore, we think that this has happened because her story is really not 'short story' material but is rather, novel material. I'm happy to say that Tragedy wants me to write her novel. Though she doesn't especially like the way this story is going she still likes my writing and thinks that I have potential.
She thinks that her story doesn't have the right tone. She says that we need to decide who it's audience is intended to be and then just stick to that. We have decided that it is meant for young adults and the young at heart. This means that as we revise we will have to remove a few of the racier parts. Tragedy thinks that there are other angst-ridden adolescents who will identify with her.
Tragedy thinks that I didn't think over what I wanted to do with the story before I started writing it, that I just plunged into it with no idea of where I was going and that now, we are sort of stuck on a course that we don't really want to be on, wouldn't be on if we had thought it out a little bit better. I told Tragedy that she should remember that it is merely a first draft and she was satisfied with that.
Don't get me wrong, there are lots of things that Tragedy likes about the story as well and after our talk she felt much more positive. Now she wants me to finish and has decided that she will be helpful instead of critical in order to help me proceed. She has also given me permission to write other things about her, things that will reveal her character and make her come alive a little bit more.
Tragedy had been giving me a lot of trouble with her constant criticisms, making it hard for me to write. But now that we are done arguing the story is proceeding again.
14 comments:
Incidentally, for anyone reading this who has no idea what the hell I am talking about, Tragedy is a character in a story I have been writing on my blog that I abruptly stopped writing because I got writers block
I thought it was a little bit of a character sketch, you din't need to worry about it.
Trying to channel the spirit of a character is an interesting concept that can work as good as anything. It's good to write any way you can. Don't worry about it and let it go!
Thanks and see you around!
I meanthanks for the word. I hope you het the idea out and spell it out. It will be OK no matter what.
Thanks. See, I started writing this story and published it to my blog as I was writing. I didn't really think it out at all, I would just write and see what came out. Eventually, the story became more forced into a certain plot but I wasn't necessarily interested in the plot that it became. So, I'm sort of stuck with it now.
You're never stuck. Unless youthink you are. Seriously, I am not talking out my ass. If you open a new word document and start writing the story out one more time, with aall that you know about the character and all you know about story arc, and especially you know what you don't want--I promise it will be easier. Have faith in a higher power--in this case, it is you self.
Now just let the words go, don't erase a single line until you have the story right. Then you prune it down or into shape. This will just cut down on second guessing. You know what you want, but understandably, you're worried about it at the same time. Thinkig about writing something can make it a lot harder to do. An idea is the best place to start, and that's what you've got.
Glad to talk to you as always. It helps me understand what I want to do, as well. See you around, friend.
damnit! It's always a sign that I believed in what I said when I don't spellcheck or proof it. You know what I was getting at in that story! Don't spend too much time worrying about writing. Sit down and do not try too hard. Be well.
Don't worry about your spelling. I always forget to use spellcheck too and don't notice it until after I post. Yes, part of it has just been laziness I suppose. Well, I don't actually have a lot of time to write. Whenever I spend a lot of time on the computer, something else suffers. My house doesn't get clean or the laundry doesn't get done or something. So, I'm always torn. i love to do it but I start feeling so irresponible after awhile as everything starts to stack up around me. Yet I think the writing is important. Too bad I don't have more time. I think not having time is probably the biggest problem. And then, when I put it down so long due to time elements then it has been hard for me to get back into the right frame of mind. I have started it though.
Please get tragedy to read my fumbling....... towards........ ecstasy on my blog and let me know what you think. I've no idea about rudiments in writing or otherwise I wish I did.
I think character building is a waist of time. I feel people are intelligent enough to form their own opinion. I think of writing like a poem, and there is no character building; only room to imagine. Why can't writing be like that.
Y;-) Paddy
Now, let the story flow, BBE. Thanks for dropping by and it's cool to see that we know so many of the smae people. And you don't have to talk every day. I like coming by here and talking to you. So don't worry about a thing, my friend. Thanks.
I'm glad she's back.
paddy-I certainly will. Though not today. I woke up to late. So, now I gotta fly to make it to work on time.
Wanna know something? I have a better understanding of Tragedy after this post than I had reading the story in situ. To me, the psychology of the character is important.
As someone who writes fiction too, I understand completely your sitting down with the character to have a pow-wow. Characters are generlly good sports. They'll try their best to go along with the plot that you set for them, but sometimes, well, they have a mind of their own, you know.
The fact that she sees herself as a character for a younger audience means that you are both gaining a keen understanding of who she is. Develop characters can be entertaining stories all to themselves.
(BTW, I know someone who's REALLY good at character development. Click here and scroll to the bottom to read about some of the people who populate the writer's fictional town of Feckenham Swarberry. You'll see what I mean.)
I don't think you made a mistake by writing the story without thinking it out, either. Had you not done what you did, you wouldn't have come as far as you have. I also think there were some good plot points in the story as well.
I also think there was decent character development in the first couple of stories, at least in terms of Joy and Tragedy. But I think it became apparent to you that the characters were changing into a more comfortable form, and chafing a bit at their roles. You can always recast that plot, however--or modify the story to fit the sisters.
But in the end, I was impressed with what I read.
Paddy-I read your fumbling towards exctacy. I wonder if you've read my story and that is why you knew that would be the perfect thing for me to read. Because the conflict of my story is summed up in your post. My protagonist, Tragedy, is a person who embraces suffering and Tragedy as things that make you grow and learn. She is surrounded by people who think that she is 'suspect' for doing this. She continues to be herself defiantly but over-identifies with her role. She has a sister who is like the people that you have described. She refuses to acknowledge the gifts that suffering can bring. She is well-liked and because of this becomes over-identified with her optimistic, positive characteristics. That is really the plot of my story, how each becomes more well-rounded and able to accept the others point of view without losing themselves. They learn to express the more postive qualities of their own traits without losing their individuality. I have put it in the form of a story and have reached a point in the plot where I'm not sure exactly what I want to do.
X-I read the blog you suggested. That is a great blog! Glad you suggested it. And yes, that is what I plan on doing with my Tragedy after I get the story written. You see my story about the same as I see it, I think.
you have to admire her for speaking her mind. My characters usually let me do whatever I want to them, spineless losers that they are, and a lot of them end up dead. anyway, Spineless Losers would actually make a good title, with all due respect to Mr. Cohen.
good luck with Tragedy, i hope you two make it work.
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