Now that my chapter outlines, character summaries and some of the bigger "chunks" of planning for "What Lies Inside" are finalized, I'm really enjoying moving on to the finer details of the book. I can't wait for my readers to meet my secondary characters (they will be an interesting crew) and to become immersed in their lives as well. While the star of my book will be Tessa, there are many other people within it to love, laugh with, and even dislike a little bit -- well maybe a lot. Since the book is based in Atlanta, a city known now for lots of diversity, I have so much to work with. Having lived there, I have some fabulous locations in which I will have some of my "scenes" take place, and I also have in my memory bank plenty of visuals for my secondary characters. I always like to pair a real person, whether a celebrity or someone I actually know, with each character to really bring them to life. Tessa is an amalgam of myself, a former coworker, and another redhead who is a celebrity. My secondary characters are also similar amalgams, and I have already designated a "face" and an overall personality with each person. The lives of my secondary characters will at times run parallel to Tessa's but will also intersect pretty frequently. Rest assured, they will not be boring at all. Not this bunch from "Hotlanta."
As for underlying themes, I never thought ahead to what mine would be. I remember the days in literature classes and how we were encouraged to seek out these themes within the books we were reading. I wondered if the writer thought this out ahead of time. For example, I remember when reading "Huckleberry Finn," my English teacher talked about how the river was always a calming force for Tom and that when he was on the river, life was slightly different than when he was not floating along. I'm not sure whether our greatest writers planned their "underlying themes" or let them happen organically. My method is to let them happen. And I do have a few that are already making themselves known. Even though my book is a thriller, expect some fairly deep themes to it. After all, my background is in psychology. And, "What Lies Inside" is a psychological thriller. But already, this novel is ending up with some themes that have surprised me. Since I don't want to spoil any one's fun, you'll just have to wait until I've published to find out exactly what they are.
I do have a long way to go on the book. But it's a delightful journey thus far. I look forward to sharing Tessa's story with my faithful blog followers and the world. But only when she's ready.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Reflecting On My Own Reasons For Writing....And An Admission
As I dedicate more and more of my time to writing, I have begun to think about my reasons for wanting to become an author. And it all comes back to my lifelong love of reading. Since I was a small child, I have enjoyed reading as my absolute favorite "hobby." Reading transports me to other dimensions and gives me a much-needed break from reality precisely at the time I need that break (which is usually at about 8:00 PM after a full workday and then getting an energetic toddler ready for bed).
Growing up, I endured a lot of physical pain from having juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I did not get to spend as much time "burning" my energy in the ways other kids did - running, jumping, playing vigorously, etc. The illness also isolated me at times from activities my friends were participating in that were just not a good option for me.
But when I cracked open a book, none of that mattered. I could fully immerse myself in the characters' worlds and live vicariously through them as they ran through fields, climbed mountains and even traveled through space. Even as a 40-year-old woman, a trip to the library or the bookstore is filled with excitement and anticipation. I always tell Adam that I'm so glad he goes with me on these trips, because I always come home with far more than what my petite arms could carry alone.
In the past few years, I've realized that I have stories to tell that may give my readers their own much-needed breaks from reality. As I work on my projects, I am naturally gravitating toward the genres I enjoy the most: sci-fi, psychological thrillers, horror, and even some fantasy. My first novel will blur the lines between those genres and generously offer a helping of each.
And that leads me to what I have chosen to be reading lately. Let me first say, that I have never been the type to care what "critics" say about books, movies, or any other form of art. I evaluate a body of work based upon how much I enjoy it - not for "literary" value or any other reason. Does the storyline grip me? Do I want to keep reading it? And in the best case scenario, am I losing sleep because I just cannot put it down?
So if it surprises anyone that I just finished reading the Twilight series and that I LOVED it, then perhaps you don't know me very well. Of course, you do probably know how much I love the vampire mythology and novels, but I do tend to gravitate toward the darker stuff such as the works of Anne Rice and Poppy Brite. But what could be better than a storyline that is timeless - forbidden love? The series transported me back to my own high school days and those schoolgirl longings to find a love that was irrational, that would upset my parents, and one that was utterly beyond my control and comprehension. Who cares if the writing was "simplistic?" It was written for tweens and teens! And I make no apologizes for enjoying a fantastic storyline.
Maybe one day my novels will offer women (and men) the same outlet where they would rather lose sleep than put down a book.
Growing up, I endured a lot of physical pain from having juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I did not get to spend as much time "burning" my energy in the ways other kids did - running, jumping, playing vigorously, etc. The illness also isolated me at times from activities my friends were participating in that were just not a good option for me.
But when I cracked open a book, none of that mattered. I could fully immerse myself in the characters' worlds and live vicariously through them as they ran through fields, climbed mountains and even traveled through space. Even as a 40-year-old woman, a trip to the library or the bookstore is filled with excitement and anticipation. I always tell Adam that I'm so glad he goes with me on these trips, because I always come home with far more than what my petite arms could carry alone.
In the past few years, I've realized that I have stories to tell that may give my readers their own much-needed breaks from reality. As I work on my projects, I am naturally gravitating toward the genres I enjoy the most: sci-fi, psychological thrillers, horror, and even some fantasy. My first novel will blur the lines between those genres and generously offer a helping of each.
And that leads me to what I have chosen to be reading lately. Let me first say, that I have never been the type to care what "critics" say about books, movies, or any other form of art. I evaluate a body of work based upon how much I enjoy it - not for "literary" value or any other reason. Does the storyline grip me? Do I want to keep reading it? And in the best case scenario, am I losing sleep because I just cannot put it down?
So if it surprises anyone that I just finished reading the Twilight series and that I LOVED it, then perhaps you don't know me very well. Of course, you do probably know how much I love the vampire mythology and novels, but I do tend to gravitate toward the darker stuff such as the works of Anne Rice and Poppy Brite. But what could be better than a storyline that is timeless - forbidden love? The series transported me back to my own high school days and those schoolgirl longings to find a love that was irrational, that would upset my parents, and one that was utterly beyond my control and comprehension. Who cares if the writing was "simplistic?" It was written for tweens and teens! And I make no apologizes for enjoying a fantastic storyline.
Maybe one day my novels will offer women (and men) the same outlet where they would rather lose sleep than put down a book.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A Creative Breakthrough
Fiction writing is something new to me. I have written a few short stories in my life (mainly when I was younger) but have never seriously attempted anything like a novel. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on about character development. And one thing I read in Writer's Digest suggested the same type of process that many actors utilize: method acting. Actors such as Robert DeNiro have used this methodology for years, and it involves the actor bringing up past emotions in his or her life to "match" the tone of the emotion needed for the project the actor is working on.
This can be adapted for authors as well. I have been focusing on doing that with my lead character, Tessa. And I was actually able to immerse myself into her life by bringing in some of my own experiences and emotions. In fact, I did it so well, that when I was describing a scene with Tessa and her boyfriend, Bradley, I slipped into first person and called him *my* boyfriend. My husband was very proud of me for being able to become my character. I had never had this happen before, and I felt like I had broken through a critical barrier. Tessa is not just dwelling in my computer anymore. She has become a real person to me.
This can be adapted for authors as well. I have been focusing on doing that with my lead character, Tessa. And I was actually able to immerse myself into her life by bringing in some of my own experiences and emotions. In fact, I did it so well, that when I was describing a scene with Tessa and her boyfriend, Bradley, I slipped into first person and called him *my* boyfriend. My husband was very proud of me for being able to become my character. I had never had this happen before, and I felt like I had broken through a critical barrier. Tessa is not just dwelling in my computer anymore. She has become a real person to me.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Yes, It's April, and I Have Not Posted Since October
However, I do have a good reason! I have been spending my free time really developing my plot and characters for my first novel. I don't want to give away much detail just yet, but it will be a psychological thriller set in Atlanta. The protagonist, Tessa Connolly, will encounter a series of twists and turns in her life that make her question everything she has ever believed about herself and her past. The novel's title will be "What Lies Inside" (now you see where my blog title came from).
I am also working on a non-fiction book about my adventures as a corporate recruiter. While on the surface that may not seem too exciting, I have been telling my stories for almost 3 years now and people are absolutely astonished and amused at the behavior of adult human beings during a telephone interview. It will definitely be a light-hearted book that makes the reader laugh while taking secret mental notes of what NOT to do in an interview.
And finally, I am also working on a non-fiction book about my own life. From the moment of conception (which was an absolute miracle according to my mother's physician), my life has been filled with both challenges and miracles. I was a two-year-old whose pediatrician informed my parents that I would not live past the age of 5. My entire life has been spent celebrating the fact that he was wrong. And I feel blessed to have always been aware of my own mortality. It certainly has taught me to enjoy every day even if it means starting the day soaking in a hot tub of water for an hour just to be sure I can even walk.
So there you go. My excuses are, I believe, legitimate. However, I hope to use this blog as a vehicle to share the progress I am making on my projects and to start getting my name and work samples "out there" for people to see.
Now, I'm off to spend some quality time with Tessa Connolly, a beautiful redhead who just doesn't realize yet what is about to hit her.
I am also working on a non-fiction book about my adventures as a corporate recruiter. While on the surface that may not seem too exciting, I have been telling my stories for almost 3 years now and people are absolutely astonished and amused at the behavior of adult human beings during a telephone interview. It will definitely be a light-hearted book that makes the reader laugh while taking secret mental notes of what NOT to do in an interview.
And finally, I am also working on a non-fiction book about my own life. From the moment of conception (which was an absolute miracle according to my mother's physician), my life has been filled with both challenges and miracles. I was a two-year-old whose pediatrician informed my parents that I would not live past the age of 5. My entire life has been spent celebrating the fact that he was wrong. And I feel blessed to have always been aware of my own mortality. It certainly has taught me to enjoy every day even if it means starting the day soaking in a hot tub of water for an hour just to be sure I can even walk.
So there you go. My excuses are, I believe, legitimate. However, I hope to use this blog as a vehicle to share the progress I am making on my projects and to start getting my name and work samples "out there" for people to see.
Now, I'm off to spend some quality time with Tessa Connolly, a beautiful redhead who just doesn't realize yet what is about to hit her.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
I've Decided To Start My Own Blog
So this is my new home in the blog-o-sphere. In addition to my daughter's blog, I'll be posting here with my own updates as to what's going on in our lives from my own perspective. I've been blogging for her for going on 3 years now (I did a pre-adoption blog as we waited for Mei-Ling). So now, it's my turn. Those of you who know me already know that I have a lot to say. Plus, I'm working on a lot of writing projects right now and will look forward to sharing some of that here - including some updates on the novel I'm working on (yes, I'm an aspiring thriller/sci-fi writer).
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