How do I keep myself and family from going insane during my up-and-down emotions, especially over holiday weekends?
How do I use my own personal strengths and weakness to my advantage?
I write during and about them. I keep a running notepad in my iPhone of my thoughts and feelings throughout normal events, such as eating out, grocery shopping, vacations, holidays with family, and children’s events. Anything that will make my characters more believable. But I also go one-step further.
After all, how do you write about a loved-one's death when you just spent a great day celebrating your child's graduation. Sometimes I can. Occasionally, when all is perfect, the writing flows effortlessly, but other times it doesn't. So, if I am experiencing a particularly strong emotion, I'll seek out a scene that requires that sentiment, reread, and almost always edit accordingly.
When I am feeling down, I seek out a troublesome period in my protagonist’s life, be it past or present. My depression works toward my advantage because the words on the page reflect my inner turmoil. The reader will feel the character’s pain and be able to empathize. And a plus, after pouring out my frustrations--as though I've spoken to a good friend, who only listens--I usually feel better when the section is finished.
When I am happy, my joy spreads like wildfire, and so the reader will sense my excitement and therefore feel the happiness my characters are experiencing.
Romantic...
Well, you get the idea. The reader should feel as though they are a part of the scene, as if they are either the main character or at minimum, a close friend.
Isn’t that what a great novel should accomplish? The reader should feel chills spread down their arms and butterflies in their stomach at the idea of a first kiss, their pulse should race as if they are prey in a game of cat and mouse, and when appropriate, they should even shed a tear.
So if you're like me and fret when all the family is around, don't get upset. Sneak away and jot down what your mother did to upset you. Use it! :)
And if you need an escape, download one of my free short stories for a one-hour getaway. That way you can sneak away into another world.
Until next time, happy reading!
Carmen
So if you're like me and fret when all the family is around, don't get upset. Sneak away and jot down what your mother did to upset you. Use it! :)
And if you need an escape, download one of my free short stories for a one-hour getaway. That way you can sneak away into another world.
Until next time, happy reading!
Carmen
Thank you for stopping by my place and reading my
musings. Remember, these are just my opinions and shouldn’t be
taken too seriously. If you have questions, please feel free to leave
them in the comment section, and I promise you I will answer. If you’re
curious about what I write, please visit one of my author pages, where
you can read all about my novels and short stories.
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I knew there was a reason I like you so. After reading this I felt the emotions let's say, when family is over! You never spoke that you had a problem with them, the reader just knows, from your writing, there might be as you say, Turmoil.......Hugs Doll...Sherri
ReplyDeleteSince font is so small, see below. :)
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed, Sherri, and I know I'm not alone, the reason I posted. And yes, we writers pull from everything around us, and as I said above, 'use it'. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful holiday! <3
Great post! Thanks for sharing your process :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Sofia. I hope you enjoyed. :)
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