Divorce is hard. Sometimes it’s messy, sometimes amicable. But never easy.
No, I’m not baring my soul here, or sending out cyber tears, I’m talking about a different kind of divorce.
The kind you go through after writing, editing, and thoroughly vetting a manuscript. For months you bleed onto the page, through the written word, giving the world a little piece of your soul. And when its over ... you can't let go.
To me, my characters are REAL people. People that live in me wee noggin, but people nonetheless.
Crazy? Sure, but I've been called worse.
And while said MS is in the hands of several awesome agents, and queries are being bounced around cyber space, there are still times – almost everyday – that I think of something to add, change or edit.
These are the times I pick up the phone and call 911 ... er Charli. Usually she’s doing the same
thing … no, not contemplating taking over the world with me, much to your dismay.She’s adding a wee piece of dialogue here, taking away a smidgen of a scene there. So whilst I’m hoping she’ll give me a dose of, cut it out and move on sister, we chuckle and talk about the changes.
I know what your thinking, daft wenches.
You’re not far off the mark, but I digress.
The characters in my next MS are secondary characters from my first MS, and though I know them – we’ve met, chilled out, had a few beers – we’re not best buds yet.
I don’t know if my hero chews and talks at the same time, or whether or not he likes to bath
regularly – I write medieval historical’s.
I’m not yet at that point where I can comfortably sit for hours inside their heads, as I crave to be.
I’m hoping this divorce settles soon.
However, I suspect such things may continue for years, for when is a writer ever truly done?
Testing ...
ReplyDeleteLove the post! Yeah, divorce is never easy, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI was urged to cut a scene from my first book which I unhappily did, only to take the two characters and make them the main characters in my next book. I guess you could call that a separation, not a divorce.
ReplyDeletePatti
Totally agree - divorce is hard, as is moving into a new relationship aka new story with new people.
ReplyDeleteHang on tight, girlie! You'll star your way out. XOXO
Yeah, my protag in my first book remodeled a dilapidated Victorian near Los Olivos. That was ten years ago, and I STILL feel like driving up and staying the weekend with her.
ReplyDeleteWe are sick creatures.
I write my first book almost six years ago.I found I had to really know them inside and out to write a believable character. I filled out index cards with their vital statistics,dislikes,weaknesses,quirks, and strengths.I fell in love and found years later I still love my main characters.I may not like some of the villains but I know who they are and what made them a villain.Do I still care about my characters? Absolutely! I find myself thinking about them.They are like old friends,who you may not see anymore but still think about and wonder how they are doing.I have to love or care about my characters to make them believable in my stoies.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt it's hard. Just hold them close to your heart after you let go. They'll always be there cheering you on through each book you write.
ReplyDelete