THE NINJA BEHIND IT ALL |
So there I was at Chapter 7, feeling pretty smug when, wham, this other middle grade popped into my head, one I’d written and tucked away a year ago. All that book needed was a few adjustments, and I’d have something ready for my critique group, and maybe I could sub it by this summer.
Here’s the story: I was at my desk, hammering out those “adjustment” when I heard this pounding at my front door. When I opened it a whole gaggle of people clustered outside. One, a young nondescript girl wearing either a sweater or a blouse, I couldn’t tell, stepped out of the group.
They looked like Ben and Allie from Chapter 7 |
I picked out two characters who had to be Ben and Allie because they looked like Ben and Allie, the ones from Chapter 7. The other characters cast jealous glances in their direction.
She’d at least like a nice sweater. |
“Good question. You never decided, remember? When you get around to finishing that story, however, I’d like a sweater. Cashmere. Bright yellow.” And off she walked, or ambled, or cavorted. I haven’t made up my mind.
Composers For Relief Cover Reveal for Beyond the Binding
I’ve been looking forward to seeing this for a while. I’m not disappointed. Are you?
Where Musician And Writers Collborate |
Lexa Cain says
That's a great cover! If my characters got together, they'd lynch me. I'm always choosing other things (chores, marketing, CP crits, blogging) over them. It's like ! gave birth to them and then promptly ignored them. *hangs head in shame* I'm a really bad mother. 🙁
Shannon Lawrence says
That was a fun way to go about your post. Geez, you need to hook those characters up! Yellow cashmere sounds good to me.
The Warrior Muse
Medeia Sharif says
Cool cover.
My characters don't leave me alone. They're not as confrontational though.
Toinette Thomas says
Great post. I don't think this has happened to me, but if if did my characters would complain about me killing them all the time. I don't kill all my characters, but there some loss in almost all my stories, but mostly to serve as a reason to rise above…Oh and some of my characters scare me, so they have no reason to complain; I treat them like royality.
Gina Gao says
This is such a great post! I too have characters that sometimes speak to me.
http://www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Southpaw says
Nope, but Shah comments is usually what happens with me.
Misha Gericke says
Yeah my characters do that all the time. It's how I pick which projects to work on. 🙂
Sherry Ellis says
Beautiful cover for Beyond the Binding!
Those characters in your head are sure getting feisty! Better write that book to make them happy!
Shah Wharton says
Love this – I want my characters to confront me. 🙂 I usually get them coming to me in my dreams, doing something they either shouldn't or should do, right then, before I forget. Usually around 3am! 🙂
shahwharton.com
Empty Nest Insider says
This was so imaginative, Lee! I love how your characters were still on the same page where you left off. Beautiful cover for Beyond the binding!
Julie
Bish Denham says
I can't say I've ever had my characters show up at my door. But they have stood outside my window and talked/serenaded/laughed and been generally noisy enough to keep me awake at night.
LynNerdKelley says
This post is such a treat! Hilarious and clever. I love it. You nailed it. No, my characters haven't done this to me. Yet. Gulp! 🙂
Christine Rains says
Awesome post! And yes, my characters frequently gang up on me. Some have tried blackmail. Thankfully they don't have access to real chocolate or I'd be in trouble!
M. J. Joachim says
I love this post! Bring those characters to life already!
Catherine Stine says
Great post! I'd like to meet my characters, and I'm sure some of them would be pissed off at the trials I put them through.
M Pax says
Craze is usually pretty mad at me. He's always wearing his tan coveralls. My new characters have schizophrenia sometimes.
DEZMOND says
That's a nice and unusual cover
River Fairchild says
Love this, Lee! I have a version of that board in my head right now…and lots of stories wheeling around. Could you tell me what you did to make them confront you on the doorstep? I'd like that. I think. The stories in my head are crime fiction…and I've never written that before. Do you think I should duck when I open the door or just talk through the crack?
C. Lee McKenzie says
Definitely through the crack. But if you do open the door, take treats, especially if the crime fiction folk carry guns!
S.K. Anthony says
I love this!!!! Characters can really become confrontational when they want too, goodness lol
C. Lee McKenzie says
It took this to make me sit down and get busy writing.
Crystal Collier says
Awesome! Yes, my characters are very demanding and quite brutal about bullying me. Some of them have lived in my head for 20+ years and I just can't wait to see what the world thinks of them…once they're sparkly enough on the page. =)
Would you like to borrow my time stopper? 😉
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yes, to you question. And thanks for the offer. Here's to us seeing those characters!
J Q Rose says
Giggling…what a wonderful surprise, I think. I've never had it happen to me, but, wait a minute, someone is knocking on the door now. Oh, it's the funeral director's daughter from my WIP. Hey you may have started something ! Best wishes with your projects.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Egads, I wonder if unfinished characters have formed a union? Bar the door.
Suzanne Furness says
This was a great read, I enjoyed *meeting* some of your characters, they sound like a lively bunch! I've never had mine turn up in a group before but I have had one follow me around, like everywhere I go. It can be a bit disconcerting when you are in the shower! Good luck with moving the writing on.
C. Lee McKenzie says
In the shower would be disconcerting all right! Thanks for encouragement.
J.L. Campbell says
Lee, you're seriously good at this storytelling business. Really liked this post.
If my band of characters came to see me, I think I'd have to dash off into the sunset to avoid being tarred and feathered.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Great image you paint, J.L. You in the lead, your characters at your back with tar!
DMS says
I love this post! Great to find out what some of your characters had to say to you and hopefully they got you going in the right direction. 🙂 At least you know what she is wearing now!
~Jess
C. Lee McKenzie says
I never thought writing would lead to madness.
Al Diaz says
If all my characters would meet me like this, I think they would start a dragon hunting for the suffering I've always brought them, hahaha. Finish those stories, milady or you'll have a riot going on.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're absolutely right! I'm on it. Beware suffering dragons!
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee .. love the way you brought the characters to life and they told you what to do: get on with it, give them some cheer, get them properly dressed etc …
Fun way of looking at WIPs … good luck with the story .. cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Hilary. Those characters do give me a run for my money!
Natalie Aguirre says
Very fun post. Good luck with the writing so they don't break in next time.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Trying to do that today! Well, maybe tomorrow. The next day?
Yvonne V says
Creative, fun post Lee. Now, get that girl a yellow sweater!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, crit partner. I needed your input.
Yvonne Ventresca says
New improved blogging profile. Thanks for the tips!
Tyrean Martinson says
My characters have done that too . . . and lately, they're knocking on the door pretty loudly. I'm feeling a bit topsy turvy between and the midst of three different projects too.
Best wishes on all your writing endeavors!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm going back to the one book at a time philosophy. It's just easier.
M.J. Fifield says
It scares me to think about what my characters would complain to me about. I can be really quite horrible to them sometimes.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Good for you! Make 'em suffer. I'm sure your readers will love that!
Darby Karchut says
What a fun post. And insightful, to boot! Characters can be pushy, that's for sure!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Darby. Thanks for the comment. Know you're busy with that launch of yours.
Rachel Schieffelbein says
I was struggling with multiple ideas and no focus recently, too. While I did pick a project to work on, my characters weren't quite as aggressive as yours. 😉
C. Lee McKenzie says
Your characters sound like they're nicer than mine! Great to have your visit.
Stephen Tremp says
This would be easy for me as my characters could simply open a wormhole at my front door. Great idea!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Another great reason to write SciFi, especially the kind with so much real science behind it.
Angela Brown says
Oh dear, sounds like a very familiar encounter. Wait until you have a fire breathing dragon fluttering it's wings and muttering at you in the old language you forgot you developed for the ancients and magic. Yeah…that happened.
But I hear where you're at and understand how you're feeling. By the way, have you decided if non-descript girl is cavorting or walking or shuffling yet?
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm leaning toward cavorting. Do teens cavort?
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
If my characters ever showed up at my door, I'd want them to take me with them as I've never had the opportunity to teleport!
C. Lee McKenzie says
A great reason to write SciFi!