Comments on: A Necessary Torment

By: Friday Clickfest «

Friday Clickfest « — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:00:18 +0000

[...] on Writers Unboxed reminds us that we can’t coddle our fictional friends — without tormenting our characters we’ll never see them [...]

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By: Jan O'Hara

Jan O'Hara — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:27:40 +0000

First, I love the word “torment.” And this column is very on topic for me. I’m dragging my heels at writing a tough scene, because while intellectually I know it’s the right thing to do for the book, and a logical evolution given the plotline thus far, it’s so hard. I actually contacted a writer I respect a few weeks ago about this. She’s written some majorly angsty books in 1st person, and I wondered if it affected her the way it does me. She told me she has to remind herself often that yes, hero and heroine will get together; heroine will be all right, and yet it’s still hard.

Just part of the process, I guess.
.-= Jan O’Hara´s last blog ..The Perplexed Prom-Parent Post, in Which I Don’t Discuss Writer Unboxed (Much) =-.

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By: Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:52:48 +0000

Thanks for all the great comments, guys!

Thea, mercury in retrograde. Should I bolt the doors? You’re scaring me.

Kristen, what you said here: don’t just pick something that would challenge A character, pick something that will devastate YOUR character. Push it to the limits. Then help them figure it out. YES, exactly. Torments custom-built for your characters.

Margo, I’m so glad you bought the Maass books. They’re definitely ones I’d want to grab in case of fire.

Tessa, characters who veer off plot are also normal. If you stick with it, they’ll show you the story — I really believe that. We’re glad you’re with us.

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By: Tessa Conte

Tessa Conte — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:22:28 +0000

I must say I love this blog. All the things that cross my mind, and I find out other people have similar problems…and maybe even solutions.

I’d like to say I’m a writer, too, and have a great strategy to offer, but I’m not. I want to be, though.

So I thought I’d just say thank you. Perhaps someday I’ll even manage to finish a book…short story…anything…myself.

ps. I find the characters for those stories I try to get on paper have this annoying tendency to develop a life of their own… they do things like decide not to follow the plot line, develop love interests in the most inconvenient places and similar nonesense. But hey, I guess I just don’t know what I want to write…

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By: Margo Kelly

Margo Kelly — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:54:03 +0000

Great post. I’ve been working on improving the depth of my characters, and Donald Maass’ books have been a HUGE help. After reading his most recent post, I went and purchased two of his books. Money well spent.
.-= Margo Kelly´s last blog ..Who influences our children? =-.

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By: Terry Odell

Terry Odell — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:40:38 +0000

Another ploy — let them have what they want, but make the consequences create yet another problem.

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By: Greg Gutierrez

Greg Gutierrez — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:32:12 +0000

I hope things turn around for you.

I make them suffer, then I bring them in out of the hurricane.

Greg Gutierrez
Zen and the Art of Surfing

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By: thea

thea — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:33:48 +0000

ter, mercury is in retrograde. just sayin. great post – i, too, realized i wasn’t making my characters work harder for the money. in real life, i do have a hard time with this. i’m not the type of person who makes every effort to find out what someone wants, then goes out of my way to make sure they don’t get it. but i know people like that. and i know how i’ve experienced that. this is really interesting. hmmm.

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By: Kristan

Kristan — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:23:17 +0000

“Don’t just toss any old terror at your characters, though; hone in on their personal fears and weaknesses.”

I think that’s the key. That was what I was missing, and what Donald Maass’ recent part 2 post on “awe” helped me see. He asked what the character believes most, and then told us to force them to see the opposite side. That’s similar to what you’re saying here, I think: don’t just pick something that would challenge A character, pick something that will devastate YOUR character. Push it to the limits. Then help them figure it out. That’s story, that’s character arc, that’s fun.

Even when it’s not so fun. :P
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..Author Interview: Todd Newton, Part 2 =-.

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By: Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist

Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:23:54 +0000

I have the opposite problem in that I am too mean to them! So I really struggle with the growth part for my characters and showing positive changes.
.-= Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist´s last blog ..This is how much I love writing =-.

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