More than a place--it's a writer's muse.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

A well lived life is a lot like a good man--hard and dirty, and over before you know it.

I bet you thought we dropped off the earth, didn't ya? Well, I for one wish that a few circumstances could have just passed by without gobbling up my time, but life just doesn't work that way.

Which is why I write. So things can somehow, someway, just this once, turn out the way I'd like them to.

So, after wandering about aimlessly for the past few weeks (O.K., part of that wondering was actually me suffering on the couch with an inner ear infection. I couldn't even READ for two weeks! Gads, I'd never wish it on my worst enemy) and with the ever inspiring Liane Gentry Skye leading the way, I am back.

With an assignment.

Wait! Don't leave! I'm not talking a homework assignment, exactly, but I am just curious about what inspires you.

For me, it's hardship.

Suffering.

Near death experiences.

Sick puppy, huh?

Well, life is hard. I know this. I read horror because of this. I watch gory movies and Oprah. I don't mind Nicholas Sparks movies. Awash in desperate and foreboding circumstances, I find that the human condition is at it's most interesting.

Writer's will tell you over and over, when you are stuck, imagine the worst thing that could happen to your character, then have it happen. You thought you knew everything about your beloved characters? Tie them up on a stone and put a swinging scythe aove them. Then tell me what they are made of.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

OOh, intersting post. I thought you were going to talk about Sparks and I had my ranty shoes on. No contemporaries... please. Snort.

Anyway... when all else fails light something on fire or kill someone. I just killed three people in my WIP.

Liane Gentry Skye said...

Awesome post. Lately, I feel like one of those characters whose lives I thrash thoroughly when the plot starts flat lining! Could do with a little less field research here.

So glad you're feeling better. We've missed you. But I was kind of chomping at the bit for a Sparks rant. ;) Saranna's rubbing off on me.

Wynter said...

I like to lull my readers into a false sense of security then ruthlessly rip it all away;-) Good post.

Robin said...

Saranna--It's the movies I like. I've never actually read anything he wrote, and after reading how he thinks he's better than Shakespeare, I will never read any of his books. Go ahead, rant. The man needs a reality check. He just knows how to make a woman cry. Whoop-de-do. Every man I've ever dated made me cry. He hasn't exactly stumbled upon a superpower.

Liane--Someday, there is going to be an ABC movie made about you. I know it sucks for you, but tell me the truth, when things do go your way, doesn't it feel sweeter?

Wynter--I have the hardest time being mean to my characters. I find I have to place a bowl of chocolate kisses next to me when I am going to kill off one of their loved ones or put them in a super nasty situation. I need the comfort.

 
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