One day not long ago my sister called me in tears of sheer panic. It turned out she was taking a course with .which she was having problems. It was a subject that was difficult for me to help her with from long distance, so I asked her, "Have you utilized your resources?"
This is also true for writers. I think most writers have or will at some time have something or someone they know nothing about, and it can be very difficult to write about that thing or person with some basic knowledge. You run the risk of being unconvincing. For instance, your leading character is a lawyer. That fact may not really have any impact on your story, but lawyers do have a certain way of thinking, a certain way of talking. That needs to come through in order for your character to b convincing. But you are not a lawyer so it is necessary to research him or her.What do you do?
Look around you. Look to see what resources you have available to you. There could be a neighbor or someone in your church who is a lawyer. Or you could go sit in on a trial at your local courthouse. Observe their characteristics, how they talk, even (if possible) what their interests are. There may be certain phrases they use frequently, or a particular motion of their hand they do when they talk. Do they have the habit of looking past you or directly at you when speaking to you? Is their voice strong, firm, confident, or hesitant?
Look at the resources available to you and use them. Build your character from the real thing. If it is something like a special type of car, go to the library or even to the dealership and learn about the good and the bad points of that car. There may be a little quirk about that car that you can use to make the one in your story seem special or (no laughing here) have character/personality. It may have the habit of choking down at the oddest time, causing your character some aggravation or to add some humor at a point in your story that works for you.
You may be amazed at how many resources you have around you that are just waiting for you to take advantage of them.
Faye M. Tollison
Author of: To Tell the Truth
Upcoming books: The Bible Murders
Sarah's Secret
Member of: Sisters in Crime
Writers on the Move
www.fayemtollison.com
www.fayetollison.blogspot.com
www.fmtoll.wordpress.com
www.booksinsync.com
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10 comments:
Great reminder Faye. It really applies no matter what you are working on.
Faye, really good idea. We don't realize how many people would be glad to speak with us, if only we'd ask.
Faye, great advice. Help may be a phone call or "Hi" away.
Good advice Faye, writers have a tendency to isolate ourselves when there are so many resources around that can be helpful.
Great advice, Faye especially for those of us who are nervous of "cold calling" professionals to ask for help. Off to lurk in the shadows and do more watching...
That is true, Mary Jo. Thank you for your comment.
That is very true, Margaret. It was a good lesson for my sister, too. She found out how glad people were to help her, and she passed her course with flying colors! I constantly look at the people around me to help create my characters as well as settings for my books.
You would be surprised! People feel complimented when you ask for their help.
It is true. We do tend to isolate ourselves, but the source of creativity is out there in this big old world around us, and it's in many forms.
Good luck!
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