Writing Yourself into Your Manuscript

No way.  I’ve already written two books and none of my characters were anything like me!  That’s half the fun of writing, right?  You get to create people who didn’t even exist before your miniature God fingers went to work; breathing life into them and their complicated ups and downs.

I write about places and things I’ve never seen; situations I’ haven’t lived- all for the fun of experiencing something new and exciting.

So, why on earth would I write myself into my manuscript?  It makes no sense.

And yet,

There I am.  I totally wrote myself into my wip.  Not ME, me, but my high school self.  I didn’t realize it until it was too late.  My name is Katie.  Her name is Kelly.  I had blonde hair and green  (okay they’re really blue with yellow in the middle but for some reason they never actually look green.  For me, this defies all logic.) eyes.

Kelly has ‘honey colored hair and green eyes’.  Skinny, goofy, but coming into her own Junior year of high school.  Me,me, me, me me me!  Obsessed with Shakespeare- memorizing and reciting lines from his plays (Mi)…. won’t settle for love unless it’s like a storybook (Moi)….Falling in with the guy nobody expected.- the pretty geek and the bad ass hottie- (Mich!)  -Grrr!-   

Of course, in my wip, their love is complicated when said bad ass lover boy springs a man-tail, so that’s where the similarities end, thank God. *sigh*  How could I let this happen?

 Has anyone else accidently written themselves into their MS or am the only freak on the planet?

Do Songwriters Have It Easier?

My first songwriting endeavor was when I was nine years old.  My cousin and I decided we were going to start an early 90’s pop group.  With side ponytails and florescent microphones in hand, we went on to compose our first top 10 masterpiece entitled ‘Electric Heat’.

I think it went something like:

‘Electric Heat!  You can feel it going through your boooones’

‘Electric Heat!  You can make some of your oooown’

‘Electric Heeeeeat!’

As you can see here, what once seemed savvy and sexy to our nine year old ears now sounds more like a rather odd jingle for indoor heating.  We sang it with heart, though.  You can be sure of that.

Anyways, a good book paints a vivid picture, introduces us to people, situations, and emotions that we might otherwise have never felt.  I realize now that those books are the result of a writer’s imagination, thousands of words, hundreds of pages, a little luck, and twenty pairs of expert eyes that make it into what it is today.

A songwriter only has to come up with a few dozen words.  But it’s not a song unless it accompanies music.  The work it takes is probably about the same as writing a book and I know the music business is just as tough if not tougher than publishing.

I think the most important factor in any art form is its ability to convey a message or feeling of its own accord.  It might be the work of an author, or many authors.  But the created story has to be able to stand on its own two feet and do what it was created to do.  Sometimes even more.   

It’s no wonder how much we cling to music and photos, or paintings.  A picture is worth a thousand words after all.  And listening to a song is faster than sitting down to read a book.  - Like a ‘quickie’ escape. 

 Have any of you attempted to write songs (music and all) and did you find it harder or easier than writing a book?  If you were on a desert island and had a choice between your ipod filled with music or your favorite book- what would you choose?

Confessions From a 'Hunger Games' Virgin

It took me a long time to finally succumb to buying ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins for several reasons.

I’m not a huge fan of terror, suspense, violence, or gore.  If I’m completely honest, I don’t like intense drama either.  It’s not that I’m shallow (well, for the most part).  It’s just that, with an imagination like mine, it’s in my best interest (and my family’s) that I stay away from that sort of thing. 

I know it’s not real.  My husband tells me over and over whenever he gets me to reluctantly sit down in front of a violent movie. 

But to me, it could be real.       

                    

I can’t stand gore movies that involve torture and kidnapping or rape.  It might not be really happening behind the screen, but I can’t help thinking that somewhere it is happening, has happened, will happen again.  And that thought alone kills my enjoyment and I end up finding the whole act of sitting down to watch a simulation of the worst our society has to offer….a bit warped.  Ok, very warped.

In most cases, I end up covering my ears.  Don't ask me why.   In tense situations, it’s just my first instinct - whether it’s a suspenseful scene in a movie, or the rival football team is about to score a goal on ours, or our car comes close to being sideswiped (which, driving in France- happens quite often).  My hands just rush to cover my ears like that alone will change the direction of things.

During all of the above, my husband has to turn towards me and ask “Why do you do that!!??”  Otherwise, I don’t realize I’m doing it and my hands will stay up for however long until I calm down.

After watching the ‘Sixth Sense’ I saw dead people everywhere.  Not really, but I imagined what it would be like to see them in the minutest detail until my whole body would quake in fear.  Dead girl in the headlights.  Dead old lady in the back seat who smells like cigarette smoke.  Dead guy behind the shower curtain about to push his face against it; his mouth in the form of a terrible ‘O’ (are you getting my drift here?). 

And when I read or watch a movie that’s too emotionally charged, I replay it over and over in my mind, trying to find a way out for the poor tragic fools who ended up dead or separated.  “Revolutionary Road” had me depressed for days.  Ok, fine, weeks.

So, when I read the premise for ‘The Hunger Games’, I was reluctant.  A future where kids ages 12-18 are thrown into hostile territory to battle it to the death? Yuck!

But, no matter where I looked, someone was talking about the book.   I started to wonder if I wasn’t just being a big baby.  SO, I finally gave in and ordered it.   Even when it came in, I read the first page and put it down. 

Poor hungry dirty people…A little girl with an ugly cat…Food shortages…something called a reaping? Like the grim reaper?.  I could feel the dark grey tension clawing at my gut from the word ‘go’.  So I put it down thinking “Um.  Nah.  I’m not really in the mood for this right now.  I want to float on a cloud of happiness and glee.  Lemme go see if Meg Cabot has anything new…”

But Saturday I broke down and read the whole thing, finishing it yesterday.  By the second page I was hooked and by the 2oth page I was completely emotionally involved.  That said, it made me think about how a writer can pull you in and make you read even if you aren’t thrilled about what’s happening.

 I simply couldn’t. put. it. down.

That’s not to say it became my favorite book ever.  There were a few things that threw me.  First of all, I couldn’t pronounce her name in my head.  Between the ‘Catnip’ and ‘Katniss’, it always ended up ‘Katsip’ when I saw the word.  Like ‘would you like some ‘Katsip’ on your hotdog?’

And there were lots of long passages where we’re stuck in her frantic-survival-mode mind that kept reiterating the same things.  Over and over again. Every chapter.  I found myself skipping over those after a while to get to the good stuff.

I often hear of an agent taking on a client because of the story they tell and not necessarily the brilliance of their writing.  And now I realize that it can also work in the opposite way.  A story expertly told can hold you in its grip even if you don’t necessarily want to see it through for whatever reason.  In any case Suzanne Collins spun a wonderful web and despite my prior hang ups, I was caught up from start to finish. 

Now, I can hold my head high and face the world knowing I am no longer a ‘Hunger Games Virgin’.

Ever any books you were reluctant to read but ended up thoroughly enjoying?

**CONTEST ALERT**

Note to Self is giving away copies of the 'Hunger Games' trilogy, including 'Mockingjay'!- contest ends Aug 24th

Angels and Demons and Portals, Oh my! is giving away a pre-ordered copy of 'Mockingjay'.

Carolina from 'Carol's Prints' is having an amazing '10 ARC Giveaway Contest'

Sarah McGlung from 'Babbling Flow' is giving away signed copies of 'Shiver' & 'Linger'

Guess That Character Blogfest Part Deux

It’s time for the great reveal!  Yesterday you all tried to guess what my character Sage Reynolds looks like based on an excerpt of his voice alone.  Can I just say so many of you came close it was almost creepy?  Without further ado, I give you:

Sage Reynolds

So many of you had the right details, but if I have to choose a winner I guess it would be the very first commenter yesterday:

Bethany Elizabeth Says:

Okay, so here's what I'm seeing: Not tall, but taller than Kelly, tanned skin. Brown hair, curling slightly, maybe, highlighted by the sun, with that kind of unusual beauty you get when a tomboy kid learns how to look pretty and enjoy it. Eyes with color that contrasts with her face - like a really deep brown…

Almost everyone got the brown wavy hair- how did you know??  Tanned skin and muscles.  It just strikes me as so weird how you all got such a close image from just the voice in the piece.  Ya'll are a bunch of psychics! lol.   Great job you guys!  Thanks Jen for such an awesome blogfest thanks so much to all of you for playing!

Other commenters who were on target:

Susan Fields Says:

Ooh - I like this guy! I'm going to say he has wavy, longish brown hair and brown eyes. He's pretty tall, with a slender but not wimpy build. And he's really hot. :)

Amie McCracken Says:

A somewhat skinny build that he's attempting to grow into. With a slight slouch because of the weight on his shoulders. Brown wavy hair that doesn't fall into his eyes, an attempt to make people respect him again. And muscles that look misplaced because of his skinny-ness.

Vicki Rocho Says:

I'd say he's slightly taller than average, solidly built, but not intimidating. He's got a strong sense of right and wrong which makes up for what he lacks size-wise. Brown hair, and light brown eyes. Hair is a little longer, bangs falling in face. Hmmm...jeans and tennis shoes kinda guy

Damyanti Says:

I keep thinking this guy has some serious abs...definitely a looker, brown hair, dreamy, dark eyes.

Terry Stonecrop Says:

Brown hair, streaked blond from the sun. Tallish, tanned, muscular but not large. Hazel eyes. A gentle heart in spite of his quick temper. Protective of his girlfriend.

Good show!

Jemi Fraser Says:

Great scene :)

Tall (she had to reach up on her toes), tough, athletic yet lanky build. Dark hair, eyes. Scruffy hair :)

Genie of the Shell Says:

I see a tall, dark-haired boy with a slim/muscular physique and a shaggy or messy hairstyle. I don't know his eye color, but I want it to be light and striking to contrast with his hair!

Diane J. Says:

I see a teen of about 17, he is built like a wide receiver, but doesn't play football. He has dark brown hair that is a smidge (just a smidge) too long. Brown eyes and a killer smile. Maybe even a small divet on one corner of his chin when he flashes a big smile. Very toned and very tan.

Brenda Drake Says:

Okay, I'm totally thinking Dallas from the Outsiders--medium build but ripped, devil-may-care attitude, brown eyes,and messy hair in a good way. Very romantic with a sensitive side, though. Love him!

Bethany Mattingly Says:

Great excerpt! Fantastic! Umm, okay I see a guy who tends to mold into what other people see him as. So maybe slightly distressed jeans, devil may care hair that tends to do what it wants, I'm thinking darker brown with some lighter bits. I see his eyes as dark brown with some kind of untold secret within their depths. I could also see him like playing a guitar which sounds soooo random to me right now, but whatever I guess. I am definitely checking out what he looks like tomorrow!

J.C. Martin @ Fighter Writer Says:

I see a real sweet young man, always well-meaning but clumsy, still not quite past the gawky teenage phase. He is cute in his awkwardness, though: messy, curly mop of dark brown hair, decent build, could be even better with a bit of tone. Medium height, say 5'8-5'9", brown puppy eyes.

Christine Danek Says:

I love this! Great voice.

Brwon, messy hair. Hazel eyes with hint of green. Medium build. Sneaky/sexy smile.

Can't wait to meet him!