Those kids are young. Maybe they just need a bit of flash fiction. A few words, a few paragraphs, to satiate them. Try it! I bet you'd be much better than you think. :-)
I relate completely. Happens to me all the time. In one novel I wrote, I asked, "She really did that?" after she did it. Took me by surprise, she did.
I understand Bradbury's point of view, too. I have had one character in my head for a year now. He's a first base umpire in the minor leagues. But I don't know what the hell he wants. I don't know what story he wants me to tell. I sort of know his background, and maybe the edges around his life story, but that's it. I may have to chase him down for it.
Yeah they are living in my head too. I can smell the musky dankness of the humid jungle. Hear the birds chirping. I keep begging off. I don’t have several years to give to write this… but they hang around like specters.
I write locked-room mysteries, so it's easy. I make up an impossible crime and let the main character figure out how to solve the problem. Only once did my protagonist fail, and that story I tore up and pitched. Not exactly literature, but it's fun to write.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I got a feeling you can write great fiction if you put your mind to it. I always enjoy reading your work, Linda, fiction or non.
I love this so much. The story itself sounds interesting, but you, the author, being haunted by it is even better. Love your writing style. There’s definitely something really good here. 😊
Oh trust me, it's real. A 5-7 minute read, no problem. A book that takes forever to write, much less edit - I am less sure on that. Glad you enjoyed this, though. :)
If they don't swamp you enough that you can stay with them during the years it takes to get it all down on paper, walk away. I'd say you were swamped...
Sit down on the back porch step between them and let the words start in the middle of the conversation with them. Where does she sit? How does he look at her? What’s in his hands. Who had the last word?
It doesn’t have to make chronological sense at the beginning if you let the words bounce between them like you’re two and hiding under the table watching everyone in the room. They will show you their voice. Let you see the world through their eyes.
I know you can do this because you do it all the time in your writing. You don’t have to know the destination you just go with the flow until you catch your breath.
Sometimes you get a couple of good paragraphs and other times one great sentence.
You may need to leave much behind but if you trust the thread and let it tell itself to you, I know you can write fiction.
Just from what you wrote so far I could try…
His hands were dirty, sticky from playing with the stick Chris threw for his dog. Mutt didn’t really care as he licked his friend’s hand…
You can throw it all away and start with her talking first if you want.
I know you’ve got this - get out of your head and topple into your heart. All those other details about POV, first, or third person are written after eating the meal. You’re at the creation stage, the what am I building for supper stage - those two are ingredients.
Powerful prose. I think fiction is blending true blood and guts experiences like this with embellishments. Your writing is vivid and alive and that would make anything you write as amazing. I love and admire your always referencing authors, in this case like Bradbury and Vonnegut.
Dang...naughty characters. You'd think if they are clamoring for their story to be told, they give you a bit of direction. Good luck, cause I suspect there is a good tale in there somewhere.
Ooooooooh . . . this is a GREAT tease, whether you meant it that way or not. I order those characters to continue haunting you until you get their story told :-)
I'm here I'm here I'm here.
You got here before David. lol.
Finally.
Oh, I can write fiction all right. I'm still not sure if I'm any good at it.
Maybe one day I won't be sure if I'm good at it. For now, I'm sure I'm bad at it lol
Those kids are young. Maybe they just need a bit of flash fiction. A few words, a few paragraphs, to satiate them. Try it! I bet you'd be much better than you think. :-)
You have to be bad at it for awhile before you get good at it. Watch this, it's brilliant: The Gap from Ira Glass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91FQKciKfHI
I relate completely. Happens to me all the time. In one novel I wrote, I asked, "She really did that?" after she did it. Took me by surprise, she did.
I understand Bradbury's point of view, too. I have had one character in my head for a year now. He's a first base umpire in the minor leagues. But I don't know what the hell he wants. I don't know what story he wants me to tell. I sort of know his background, and maybe the edges around his life story, but that's it. I may have to chase him down for it.
lol Charles. I could see doing that. Right up there with talking to imaginary characters while I wash dishes.
Been there!
If you can get them to wash the dishes for you, you will truly have something special going on. :-)
Yeah they are living in my head too. I can smell the musky dankness of the humid jungle. Hear the birds chirping. I keep begging off. I don’t have several years to give to write this… but they hang around like specters.
Right? I can relate. Tell them go bother some other writer. They don't listen
“Like my own memories ain’t enough, I got those two to contend with now, too.” Love this. Fabulous piece.
Thanks, Sarah
Isn't if fun when they just show up and run the show? Even better when they show up for real.
Made me laugh. Define fun. lol
Fun means fun/not fun. 🤣🤣🤣
Made me laugh, made me think, made me perceive, made me respond
I write locked-room mysteries, so it's easy. I make up an impossible crime and let the main character figure out how to solve the problem. Only once did my protagonist fail, and that story I tore up and pitched. Not exactly literature, but it's fun to write.
Stephen King says that, too. Not literature but fun to write
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I got a feeling you can write great fiction if you put your mind to it. I always enjoy reading your work, Linda, fiction or non.
I'm not sure I have the patience to stick with it long enough but maybe one day I'll find out. Thanks, Bob :)
I love this so much. The story itself sounds interesting, but you, the author, being haunted by it is even better. Love your writing style. There’s definitely something really good here. 😊
Aww, thank you Darlene :)
Linda, I started reading your post, which grabbed me like a whirlwind. Your doubt doesn't seem real to me, as you present strength and resolution.
Oh trust me, it's real. A 5-7 minute read, no problem. A book that takes forever to write, much less edit - I am less sure on that. Glad you enjoyed this, though. :)
If they don't swamp you enough that you can stay with them during the years it takes to get it all down on paper, walk away. I'd say you were swamped...
Yeah, for sure it's the years of dedication I'm not so sure on.
Sit down on the back porch step between them and let the words start in the middle of the conversation with them. Where does she sit? How does he look at her? What’s in his hands. Who had the last word?
It doesn’t have to make chronological sense at the beginning if you let the words bounce between them like you’re two and hiding under the table watching everyone in the room. They will show you their voice. Let you see the world through their eyes.
I know you can do this because you do it all the time in your writing. You don’t have to know the destination you just go with the flow until you catch your breath.
Sometimes you get a couple of good paragraphs and other times one great sentence.
You may need to leave much behind but if you trust the thread and let it tell itself to you, I know you can write fiction.
Just from what you wrote so far I could try…
His hands were dirty, sticky from playing with the stick Chris threw for his dog. Mutt didn’t really care as he licked his friend’s hand…
You can throw it all away and start with her talking first if you want.
I know you’ve got this - get out of your head and topple into your heart. All those other details about POV, first, or third person are written after eating the meal. You’re at the creation stage, the what am I building for supper stage - those two are ingredients.
Love you Linda♥️
You have far more faith in me writing fiction than I do, Jocelyn. But I sure do appreciate the vote of confidence.
Powerful prose. I think fiction is blending true blood and guts experiences like this with embellishments. Your writing is vivid and alive and that would make anything you write as amazing. I love and admire your always referencing authors, in this case like Bradbury and Vonnegut.
Thank you Rae. :)
Dang...naughty characters. You'd think if they are clamoring for their story to be told, they give you a bit of direction. Good luck, cause I suspect there is a good tale in there somewhere.
Right? You'd think they'd be some help. But nope. lol
Right there with you. Writing is sometimes the hardest work I've ever done.
It is for sure. Thomas Mann said a writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people. He wasn't wrong :)
Ooooooooh . . . this is a GREAT tease, whether you meant it that way or not. I order those characters to continue haunting you until you get their story told :-)
I am laughing Jan. They just live here now. We co-exist quite peacefully