#charactergoal

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Reworking an old story: observations

I’m currently reworking a story that I began in 2016, but never finished. Only today, while going for a walk, did I solidify the real plot problem and vehicles for character development therein. 

On Thursday, I read through the existing chapters and wrote 2 717 words by hand (almost 8 A4 pages) of analysis. Beforehand, I believed that while the story required work, I might be able to keep some of this existing work. In fact, I preferred to do so, as I was attached to the chapters (particularly chapters 1, 4, and 5). 

But on rereading, I found all kinds of problems. The main one was that despite having set up a protagonist in the first chapter, she did nothing. From my old plans (sadly, I deleted all the story notes and plot timeline!!), I had wanted her to act in Chapter 6. But that action only involved a conversation and observation. 

I have since learned that characters must act, not just think. But I think that this problem comes as a reflection of my own life, where I often struggle to act as opposed to overthinking a situation. Only by pushing myself to achieve goals in small time-frames (such as 15 minutes), as well as other methodologies, have I broken through this barrier. 

In addition to this, I had implausible situations. This came from the fact that I had an entirely different plan back in 2016, but one which clashed with the end of the television series episode I was shadowing. So, after having established the protagonist in Chapter 1, I switched to another POV which unleashed a chain of (coincidental events) that affected the protagonist. And for coincidental events, I needed coincidental characters. 

This meant that Chapters 2-5 were unusable, despite my presumptions. That basically leaves Chapter 1 stranded, though I can certainly recycle material from any one of these chapters. I am unhappy with Chapter 1, because the protagonist’s goals were clearly stated and then muddied (and even those goals didn’t involve much forward action). 

My story planning practices back in 2016 were shambolic. Had I not foolishly deleted all the notes I made, along with the timeline and original drafts, then I could have pieced something together from the ashes. The one benefit I can see from having burned all the bridges behind me (thankfully, I have fragments of handwritten notes) is that I can start afresh!

Because I had no clear end goal, and only a vague summary from the beginning, I was never going to finish this story. I was at least developing to the point where I could plot in advance (using a plot timeline, and then highlighting each completed event green) and write detailed character notes (which I now miss!). Since reading more on writing technique in the following years, I now know better than to plunge into the unknown without a clear plan. 

So I have prevented myself from writing anything on this story until I am sure about the goal (which was worked out this morning on a walk), and have done all the preliminary writing for it. This includes detailed character notes, some modest research on medieval warfare and medicine, as well as a completed Table of Contents. From then, I can complete the entire draft in advance, before rewriting, editing, and publishing chapters for review. 

When I do get around to the chapter stage, I will use the same method I have been using to review existing chapters and the relevant episode: numbered notes. That way, I can return to the pages I wrote and look up some particular issue. I am also relieved that these are written by hand, therefore the worst fate they can suffer is stagnating inside my bag, not being deleted online and lost forever!

I find that making notes on the chapter for developmental editing is an excellent way of thinking through and reacting to what I have written, as well as spotting problems in the draft. I wish that I had been more rigorous with my work back in 2016, as well as with my other unfinished (and nearly abandoned) work. Furthermore, I am more strict with counting the number of words written (a real pain when writing by hand) and the time spent on each piece of writing. That gives me an idea of how much time I typically spend writing in a day, which I then log into my spreadsheet. 

Beforehand, I used to envisage hours and hours of uninterrupted writing time. Reality didn’t cooperate with that vision. Often, I could spend hours and hours writing, but often at the expense of important tasks, which piled up. Eventually, I became so exhausted that I would crash and burn. 

Or, I would get busy and then put writing on the backburner. The longer I spend away from writing, the harder I find it to get back in. This applies particularly to fiction, where I become paranoid that my technique has slipped and so I need to read more craft books and fiction (which I do need to do, but that is a lifelong habit, not just one to be used while drafting). 

(And I have to read craft books on nonfiction, as well!).

So I have a better methodology and technique to finish this story, as well as being more consistent with writing by hand (one of my favourite things to do, minus counting words by hand and the pain afterwards). I love making notes, as I feel it better engages my mind with what I am reading and watching. 

This time around, I also will be illustrating my stories. I have longed to do this for years, but stopped short of putting a proper plan into place so that I could achieve this goal. My Art Progress posts now chart my forays into sketching, something which definitely will accompany my fiction and nonfiction works. I love the concentration required for sketching, and the requirement to slow down and think about what I am doing. 

I have often lived in distraction and rushed to get things done. Now I have to do the exact opposite: concentrate on a task, which makes it easier (and quicker!) to get things done. 

While I berate myself daily for having thrown away a good chunk of notes and the plot timeline, I am grateful that I have handwritten fragments. I like the technique of using a numbered timeline, and I will also be using an excellent note-taking method I learned today to keep track of miscellaneous (and in this case, intentional) thoughts. I also find writing on plain paper incredibly liberating, because I don’t have to write in a linear fashion (although I mostly do). 

I will have more updates as the story grows. 

[acorntops]

Day 6 of #themoonshadowandskychallenge for "moodboard Monday: MC's goal," #FantasyIndiesJune for "one line Monday," and #SpilltheNovelTea with "most inspirational thing your MC has done!" A couple of these required some thinking, and even help from a beta-reader. A main theme of the story is survival and from the very beginning of An Impossible Dream, Sare's focus is on survival. During the first pages she tells Madam Hayworth, "I assure you, ma'am, I can survive any place." As for her more inspirational moments, as one of my earliest beta-readers said, "her inspiration is very subtle." She believes so much in her friends and would do anything for them. But it's never a grand, over-the-top gesture, to the point where she misses this about herself, too. As she reflects on a comparison between herself and one of her friends, "she knew more about surviving than how to be good." #moodboardmonday #onelinenonday #charactergoal #characterinspiration #inspirationalwriting #animpossibledream #bebookseries #bookseries #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #charactermoodboard #bookmoodboard #bookaesthetics #characteraesthetic #writingchallenge #WritingCommunity #writerscommunity #authorgram #authorcommunity #authorchallenge #bookchallenge #readingofinstagram #readerscommunity #readersofinstagram #readingcommunity #writingofinstagram #writersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CeeXwDeP9WG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[dhagone]

A good friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have. There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends then i ever lucky have friend like you so such really i am you're not just my staff/under, the truly exist you unconscious remind me, raise my guts when you doing some music project. We have same in common taste for the hardest rhythm or even goddamn lyrics, really nasty really cool really for what you are, succes my bro for your next step in your other business work,.. i know that's your deep down character. Remember in your last hug say goodbye.. fuck,!.. goddamn,!...i have my tears drop. This is the one of the other best friend relationship more i have. We will meet again, we find that soon... soon.. best regards 👌 ☺ @iiandhanu #bff #bestfriends #goodday #successteam #successforyournextbusiness #charactergoals #musiciansquadgoals #runforwhatyouare #startyourdreambusiness #bestfriendforever #wewillmeetagain #youbelieveibelieve #tgif #tgifridays (at Jakarta, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsxwa1QBeRk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jexsxi5abah7

[sharonelbazmanusutvecklare]

Ny video uppe! Vad är en lektör och vad ska du ha en sån till? Det och lite till svarar jag på i min nya video 🤩 Check it out ❗️Länk hittar du i bio 🎬 - - - - - #manusutveckling #skrivande #charactergoals #egnamål #lektör #vadärenlektör #författare #skrivkanal #youtube #youtubekanal #författarsrömmar #anlitalektör #lektörshjälp #skrivabättre #skrivtips #video https://www.instagram.com/p/BsLMI0chb6z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=djo2u4pkq96j

[angelislandtour]

What's your favorite character to draw and why?

Probably scourge atm because he’s easy to draw for me (I have drawn sonic like 300 times this year (feb 2019 to now) and he’s a BIGG comfort charactergo 💕💕💕💕💕

other than him I love drawing bb boy sonic ofc. Also a big comfort character! Baby!,! Makes me feel super duper good!!!!!

[coffeeandcomposition-archive]

15. and 20. pretty please.

Five most influential books over your lifetime.HARD QUESTION. I love so many books and so many classics, but these are the five that I always bring up when asked about my favorites.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

One of my most beloved classics, something I bond over with my sister, and honestly #charactergoals

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

My favorite and most re-read book. Started my obsession with books about female friendships and the American South. 

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

One of the most inspiring, terrifically paced and written books I’ve ever read. Whenever anyone asks for a book recommendation this is the one I go to.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

An early obsession that stuck. GCL’s fantasy is the benchmark to which I hold all other fantasy.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

I JUST REALLY LOVE BOOKS ABOUT WOMEN BY WOMEN OK

Would you rather be in Middle Earth, Narnia, Hogwarts, or somewhere else?MIDDLE EARTH. I was BORN to be a hobbit. 

[mythsandpolitics]

Druids can be fun

So I'm reading this book where the druid winds up going to jail and is using animals to send messages to her party members in the city. The first one is a raven that pooped on the guy's head (on purpose), second was a mouse that climbed into bed with the guy and pulled his leg hairs to wake him up and then there was a chipmunk who emptied everything it was carrying in its mouth onto the guy's lap. I'm dying with laughter and this is legit #charactergoals for me if I ever get to roleplay again.

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Writing: Relationships

I hate it when characters say they will “give the relationship a go”. No pressure, they say. 

No, sorry: there is pressure. How can there be any romantic tension if both characters are half-in, half-out? I understand that characters may have some baggage from a previous relationship, or even have suffered a bereavement. But sooner or later, they will have to contend with their future and either commit or not. It is fine to be hesitant and unsure, but there must be a goal to this, and the characters can’t keep pulling faces ad infinitum. I hate anything which induces inertia and allows the characters to get stuck in a “que sera, que sera”, prison. ACT NOW. 

[sharonelbazmanusutvecklare]

Ingen tävling, men en utmaning! Kolla in @skrivutmaningen ! 😍 - - - - - #tävling #utmaning #skrivutmaningen #tävlingsonsdag #manusutveckling #skrivande #charactergoals #egnamål #månader #lektör #skriva #skrivaenbok #lektörshjälp https://www.instagram.com/p/BsIQdkAhBau/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1q549nnveczzp

[sharonelbazmanusutvecklare]

Vet du inte riktigt vad som är fel på ditt manus? Vad det är som skaver? Låt mig ta en titt 👀 kanske kan vi tillsammans få manuset färdigt! 🤩 just nu har jag 50% rabatt på alla tjänster 🎁🎁 hemsidan är på väg upp❗️ frågor❓tveka inte att höra av dig 😃 ha en fantastisk start på året 🎉 - - - - - #manusutveckling #skrivande #charactergoals #egnamål #lektör #lektörshjälp #nyttår #tålamod #utgiven #hjälp #skriva #författardrömmar https://www.instagram.com/p/BsFmKBqhs0z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yqgygu6qd56z

[sharonelbazmanusutvecklare]

Vet du inte vad du ska skriva nästa år? Rädd för att få skrivkramp? Använd dig av den här utmaningen!! Få in dialogerna under varje månad 😁 Börja redan i januari! - - - - - #manusutveckling #skrivande #charactergoals #egnamål #skrivaenbok #lektör #utmaning #månader #dialog #skrivkramp #skriva #lyckas https://www.instagram.com/p/BsAcOdWBfsA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mrobfjc9b771

[sharonelbazmanusutvecklare]

Tänk på din karaktärs syfte och låt den ha egna mål 😁 - - - - - #författardrömmar #lektörshjälp #författarensbästavän #manusutveckling #lektör #syfte #karaktärer #egnamål #mål #character #charactergoals #skriv #skriva #skrivande #skrivaenbok https://www.instagram.com/p/Br93HEiBoiC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ygjodee4kw0l