I’m not much of a mingler. Getting back into my WIP is almost like going to a dreaded cocktail party where everyone is familiar, I know their names, but that’s about it. I don’t know their stories enough to ask a lot of interesting questions, nor do I have history with these folks enough to say remember when? Frankly, I’m not sure if I care. It’s a conscious effort when I’m in a crowd of people I don’t yet know — and don’t yet know if I want to know. Exhausting. Sometimes unproductive. Sometimes deflating. But…sometimes inspiring and interesting and educational and enlightening and when the party is over I can’t believe I had any qualms about going.
That’s what I’m hoping for as I reopen the doc that is currently Lying to Izzy Lane. It’s only 6,000 words so far (though I do have a synopsis) and the previous title was Wednesdays at the Half-Day Café. Long title for an unwritten book, don’t you think? I’m quite sure it will end up being titled neither of those but I must write with a title the way I must go to the grocery store with a list. Without looking at the items on the list, the tone for the excursion is set because the list is either long or short (or medium) and either organized or not.
You didn’t know I was gone, but now I’m back. I re-read the first chapter of Lying to Izzy Lane. I’d say the party was a success. I’m looking forward to getting into the groove of knowing these characters better, of finding out their stories, and how their stories have stories of their own — because that’s the type of women’s fiction I like to read and write. The books that are more than surface stories (although those are fun reads too). In this book I want to explore not only Izzy’s raison d’etre at any particular moment, but how that can and does change throughout the story based on internal and external factors. This novel will be my first attempt at two major storylines and two casts of characters that will eventually intermingle, but who all impact Izzy and her choices.
For this WIP I’m also going to do something I’ve never done before — character sketches and notes. I’ll be honest, I know a lot about Izzy including all her baggage backstory, but I have no idea what she looks like, which is a little like being at O’Hare Airport (in the days you could wait at the gate for someone) and looking for someone to pick me up, who’s going to take me where I need to go, but whom I’ve never met or seen and is not carrying a sign with my name on it.
It’s hard to find that person in a crowd, you know?
I know that Izzy’s boss, Caprice, looks like Sophia Loren (now, not thirty or forty years ago). I know that Bart, the cook in the diner where Izzy works, looks like Carroll O’Connor with a doo rag. But Izzy? I have no clue! Blonde? Brunette? Redhead? Tall? Short? Blue or brown or green eyes? I need Izzy to be easily identifiable — first to me — and then to readers. It’s exciting really — getting to know Izzy and her friends and family all over again and for the first time.
I’m so glad I came to the party — but now I can’t wait to go home and get to work!
How do you get back into a WIP? Do you know what your characters look like exactly? Do you have pictures? Sketches? Do you make a character scrapbook like Meg Waite Clayton? I just may try!
I find it so difficult to get back into a WIP if I’ve been ‘gone’ more than a week (and I am currently walking that fine line as I’ve been swamped with work until 9 p.m. every night … I don’t LIKE that feeling. I want to attend the party, too!). But what helps me is the character sketches/profiles I complete. I have a binder filled with details about my main character and the important supporting characters. To get jump-started again, I simply read over my profiles and get “reacquainted.” I find that the act of sketching the characters out helps me understand their motivations. I also sometimes pull out the old enneagram book to review the different personality types (to find out if I’m on track from a realism standpoint with some of the things my characters are telling me they would do). It’s really a tool used by therapists and psychologists, but it lends itself well to writing believable characters.
Hi Melissa,
It’s been a while for me, so I wanted to not only reread what I’d written but go back through any notes I’d made. Another note to self is to write more coherent notes! I like your idea of having a character psychologically “sound” — I tend to just make it up based on people I know (did I say that?) and how people react in different situations – and how they don’t. I am going to try keeping better track with a character sketchbook, but I still can’t picture Izzy at all. Maybe it’s time to cruise the ‘net in search of her. I know how you feel about having “other” work…I feel fortunate in that respect but I also want time for my WIP!
🙂
Amy
Pretty much the second I open and start re-reading my WIPs I remember almost everything immediately. They exist in their own space and time for me. Once I have the cast of characters I search the web for photos of people (celebs & not) that look like my characters. Usually it’s just one specific photo of a person that will embody that character–I keep the photos but rarely have to go back and look at them–
On occasion (like my current wip) I will have segments that I’ve forgotten where they were going but this time that’s because I’ve written it out of sequence–something I will NEVER do again! For one brand new story, I’ve actually used character charts (worksheets) for my characters–I am not sure if I like it for other genre’ but I like it for this particular one. Does that make sense?
PI,
I have photos for the characters in my current finished novel and I don’t have to look at them either — I know them “by heart.” I’m just not sure where to look for Izzy — since it’s like she’s under Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak right now!!
🙂
Amy
I have a huge problem with this; if I’m gone more than a few days, it’s hard to jump back in. I’m about 1/2 into two very different WIPs — and I’ve gotten to the same point you have of doing character sketches and notes. I keep everything in a big binder (for one) and a folder (very thick, lots of historical research) for the other. I also use map sketches of neighborhoods and towns which really helps me. I like the idea of a character scrapbook — so I may try that too….
Julia,
Maps! What a great idea. I didn’t need that for my finished novel – it all just came into my head – and most takes place on one street in one town and while it’s fictional, it’s very vivid to me.
My WIP is set in Philadelphia, where I grew up. But it’s not set in the neighborhood where I grew up, so I have used Google to distances and streets. And I’ll be back this summer — so maybe I’ll have time to do a little wandering. I mean, research!!
🙂
Amy
Love the analogy of the cocktail party. I’ve never tried character sketches, but everyone seems to rave about them. It only makes sense that it would make the writing easier, but I break out in hives just thinking about it…the same reaction I have to outlines. Makes me feel like I’m in 4th grade and the teacher is rapping my knuckles with a ruler and lecturing me: “Organization is the key to success!”
But never say never. Maybe next time around.
Hi Densie!!
No knuckle rapping here!! I’m not an outliner – but when I’m writing new material and I finish a chapter I do outline the next chapter at the bottom of the document so I know where I’m going next. And by outline I mean, I write: I want this to happen and this and this and this and this. No letter and roman numerals in my outlines! Remember THOSE outlines??
🙂
Amy
I don’t even know what characters look like, much, in the books I read much less my own characters! I have this vague notion of their physical appearance, as if they are standing on a hill far off or in a fog or under water looking up at me or . . . whatever. It’s just the way my black-holed pea-headed brain works. I can’t capture images in my head in wholes but only in parts, so whenever I read a book, or write a book, the images are fleeting and in pieces, or like a stilled snapshot that flits quickly by and is gone. However, despite that, I still “know” what I’m reading and writing and can “see” it in my own way . . . it’s very weird and funny, but my brain somehow compensates and people say my characters and images are good, so I guess I’m doing my job! 😀 And when I read, I somehow enjoy it and get what I need from it, so … *shrug!* 😀
Kat,
Whatever and however you do what you do — don’t stop! It’s workin’ for ya!
😉
Amy
I have to say I suffer this same “image capture deficiency” when it comes to seeing the characters I read (almost always). They always feel vague in appearance (not by the fault of the author), but maybe that’s because I’m more interested in their interior selves – not the exterior. And, by the way, Kat, I have the problem keeping track of time in the stories I read (and write). For the most part, it’s not a concern to me, as a reader, as much as the character’s inner demons/thoughts/hopes are to me… Maybe that explains it? Or maybe it’s just an excuse.
It’s so tough to jump back in! I’m, um, procrastinating on doing that exact same thing myself today. I’m not a super-outliner, but I’m coming around to the idea that I need a little bit of structure before I sit down to write. If I don’t, everything just turns to chaos, and not the good kind. Like katmagendie, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what my characters look like. I prefer broad sketches, metaphorically, and letting the reader fill the faces in herself.
Hi Eliza,
I guess I really do know what my characters look like, although that’s more for me than the reader – I don’t do any “looking in the mirror” scenes so I may occasionally mention a toss of hair or height or clothing selections. Knowing the details helps me picture my characters as I write – which is key for me!
🙂
Amy
Many times I’ve strayed from my WIP and had a horrible time diving back in. My friend, author Edie Ramer, recommended that I try committing to writing just a page or two a day. “It’ll keep you connected to the thing,” she said (and I paraphrase). For a time I followed her suggestion, but soon found life dragging me away rather than me making a conscious effort to stray on my own.
I then developed a new commitment: Write three days a week. Last week I wrote in my WIP once.
I have a bad track record with commitment. 🙂
But, I know my characters well in advance of beginning a new WIP, and learn more about them as I write. And each posses a key character trait: Forgiveness (of my straying tendencies).
Hey Kath,
I do not write everyday. Never have. I do something writerly pretty much every day and that can include reading. I think that living our lives enables us to write — so it’s never bad — unless we never get back to the page!!!
Hugs,
Amy
I always read it a few times from start to finish just to get to know everyone again. I do know what my characters look like, but I have to admit I have never done well with making an idea board or anything like that. I like the scrapbook idea. I might try that.
I like the scrapbook idea too, Tina. I’m just afraid I would spend way too much time looking at it and working on it and not writing!! I do have a iPhoto album w/ the photos I’d chosen to represent the characters in The Glass Wives. Once I see them I know what they look like and don’t need to go back. And they’re approximate, of course, my characters aren’t as purty and perfect as the folks in those professional photos!!
Amy 🙂
Another writer far more successful than I am insisted recently that I have to have a “vision board.” It’s a little Oprah-esque but I decided to try it. I gathered photographs to help me create homes, streets, and the character’s clothing and expressions and general appearance. I did it as a lark but it’s proven to be extremely helpful when you have to be away from your manuscript.
Hi Kelly,
So now I’m picturing a big board — with all kinds of interesting stuff all over it!!! I think I’d find it distracting but so many people use them maybe I’m wrong (what a concept). I did search the internet this morning for actresses around age 38, which the age of my new protag, Izzy. I came up with a picture of Selma Blair – a casual one probably taken by paparazzi – and think that’s sort of what Izzy looks like. I do like having something to go on.
Thanks for chiming in!
Amy
Oh how fun – II just discovered this blog today from rockyourwriting.com. As a member of the WF RWA group, how did I miss this? Anyway, I’m here now – love it!
Hi Kathy,
WELCOME!!! I just sent in my RWA application so once that’s through I’ll be joining the WF group as well.
Glad to have you here — see you soon!
Amy
What I find hard is to revise two novels at the same time, which is what I’m doing right now. I got a contract for my first book with an e-publisher but am in the middle of revising my second novel and the third as well. It’s kind of like “head hopping” and I sometimes get confused about what I was doing the last time I opened my computer. But basically, after reading a few paragraphs I know what my characters are like and I jump back into it. What IS really hard right now is trying to come up with an idea for my next book. I’ve been thinking about this for about 4 or 5 months and have NO clue. I’m completely stalled. And that’s scary.
Patti
Wow, Patti! You’re busy. I do sometimes have other ideas while I’m writing one manuscript, but I’ve never done two — or three –at once.
You go girl!! 😉
Amy
Amy–I like BOTH of those titles. I did character sketches with photos for my current WIP. It’s helping A TON. Of course I spent a good chunk of would-be writing time on it, but it was well worth it. After I knew the approximate ages of my characters, I made a table with some basics of their personality and ages AND–this is the fun part–pictures of movie/tv stars. I searched starts on imbd based on birth year.
Thanks, Nina! I think you’re right, the time spent will be well worth it — and fun!
🙂
Amy
How long it takes me to reidentify with my characters seems to depend on how far I am into the manuscript. The further in, the less time it takes, so it’s usually just a matter of rereading what I have and boom…I’m writing again. I don’t think I would want to switch back and forth like Patricia is doing now because I’d get so confused. And I love Kelly’s vision board. I’ve only tried it once but found the whole experience so much fun and so useful in pinning down how my characters look. I guess I’m like Kat and Melissa in that I don’t identify with how my characters look but more how they feel.
Sheila,
I think that was part of my issue — I’d only just started the book. And while so much of it is in my head, the actual on-page story is still new. That’s why everyone was “avoiding” me! LOL.
🙂
Amy
Delving into a WIP after a “vacation.” is like becoming reacquainted with old friends. I have to reread my notes, the pages written and then sketch a few ideas before I can back into writing. Sometimes that takes 5 minutes, sometimes a day.
I search for the “perfect” face in crowds, too. I also flip through magazines in the doctor’s office, newspapers, and any ads. If I find “the” face, I clip it and pin it on the wall of my office. It’s difficult finding the face that matches the image I have in my mind.
Hi Reece,
When my kids were younger and I was picking them up from school I would find pieces of characters in the carpool moms for sure. Now they’re teenagers — I don’t interact with their friends’ parents very often and I’m not picking them up — they drive themselves or their friends do. Maybe I need to go sit in a mall or a coffee shop and call it research!
🙂
Amy
Hi Amy–I loved this post because I felt the same way when I had to put my WIP on the table during rewrites of my novel. That first reunion can be agonizing. It’s almost like a long-distance relationship where you almost worry if enough time goes by between visits you won’t feel that same fire you felt initially. With my WIP, I left it feeling so secure and excited but upon revisiting it initially, I wasn’t nearly as giddy as I remembered. That said, the distance can be a good thing. Perspective to see more clearly what’s working and what’s not.
As for character sketches, some can be so clear to me and others, not at all. In fact, for my current WIP, I was STILL so darn fuzzy on my leading lady’s “look” and while at a friend’s house I glimpsed the cover of a travel magazine and I saw a woman on it, looking full faced into the camera and something clicked. There she was, I thought. That’s her. (Thankfully, my friend let me leave with the magazine:))
What a good friend, Erika! I was perusing the internet yesterday and saw that casual photos of Selma Blair have the look I imagine for Izzy – although I never imagine my characters like movie stars, just normal folk.
🙂
Amy
Hi. I’m dropping your blog onto my google+ page for my writing buddies.
I’ve been working on my work(s) in progress for about 10 years. I’m just a little ways out of a finished first draft on one and half way through another. Defining what I do is so hard, though I don’t understand why. Women’s fiction is such a delightful “genre” – using that due to lack of better language. Thanks for these posts.
Deni