Here’s the thing, until the Yesterday series, I have never before ever written anything so completely fiction that the made up characters became alive and real and started dictating their story to me. I’ve written ‘fiction’ based on autobiographical information, but not the completely unreal kind. And I have to tell you, it gave me a writing buzz not yet experienced by moi, and I liked it. I mean, I really liked it. I want more.
When I was younger, it seemed as if there was always some kind of major drama happening in my life. Those of you who have followed my blog for a while know some of the things of which I speak, but I think I’ve often written from the point of view of being a victim of circumstance, and not so much a creator of drama.
It’s not that I ever wanted to be a drama queen, believe me. It is not the kind of attention one really is seeking! And yet, it seems there are certain personality types that can whoop up drama in their lives like nobody’s business. Have you ever noticed that? I’m that kind. I AM the dreamweaver. That’s what makes drama. You weave fantasies in your head, and then try to force people to play your characters. Sometimes it works and the thrill is amazing! A drug. An addiction. Sadly, like any drug, most of the time it doesn’t work and you find yourself whooping up even more drama to get the satisfaction you are seeking.
I’m happy to say that it’s been nearly a decade since I left the queen in hysterics along with the bipolar boyfriend she had. And I have gotten quite used to the calm around here. I actually avoid whooped up drama like the plague now, in myself and in others. I have developed a revulsion towards it. At the same time, I really understand it.
It is my contention that it is the same stuff that feeds good fiction writing. I have theorized that before, but now that I’ve actually written something completely fictional (albeit using other people's words), I am more than ever convinced that it is a gift, not a curse, to dream, but only if you use the dreamweaving as a gift. Because like any gift, it must be used wisely.
Now whether I can write GOOD fiction or not remains to be seen. Baby steps… There is so much skill and inspiration to gain from reading all of your stories. I would love to know any secrets you can tell me about your process; at what point do the characters become alive in your mind, and do you find catharsis in creating them, animating them, and perhaps even killing them? Why do you write fiction?
Just kinda curious.
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Aaah!!! Welcome to the world of fiction. :D
Its a fascinating world isn't it? :D
To me it started of like this: I am a movie freak. I watched 15 movies a week for straight 3 yrs and then on been watching old and current TV serieses on my comp.
Most of them involve crime, murder, etc. And having seen so many stories and plots. Now I keep on thinking if I had written something like this, I would've done it this way. Or what if such a character was in that kinda a situation.
What would he do?
You know its like Batman in a batman comic and Batman in Justice League. They are diff. but still wonderful in their own ways.
So then my mind starts playing tricks.
So now, if while talking, reading or watching I see anything that ticks my mind. I streach it out... play out all the permutation and combinations and then put it on the blog.
But there is that one little spark of inspiration from some act/incident in each of them that links back to me.
To be able to cut that line would be TRUE and pure fiction. Am yet to achieve that I guess, but am not sure that I want that.
Its a feelong like "If I paint a pictue, I'd like my signature to be at its bottom" :D
That said.
Like with everything else that you do... am sure you'll do wonders with your fiction writing too.
All the best!
In the words of Optimus Prime "We are here... and we are waiting". :D
Your signature at the bottom, I love that Aniket. I think that's a good point as well, as if you don't connect to it in some way, it would be hard stay inspired I imagine. Although it seems to me there are some that can just chug away at complete disconnected garbage. There seems to be plenty of that out there! Thanks for sharing your process!
The discussion about things we do being a drug to feed something deeper rings so true. It's especially disturbing when we realize we do something painful as a drug. It seems so counter-intuitive.
As for why I write fiction, I do it to communicate. I look at the world and feel things and have thoughts about it. Writing is my medium to communicate and say, what do think about this? Can you relate? Does it mean something to you?
Oh good, Jason, I was hoping that you would comment. I think that is a very good tip, as it gives meaning to the fiction if you see it that way.
In regards to the other thing, it truly is fascinating the things that drive our behavior, as if in each action we are trying to solve some unresolved thing that has nothing to do with the reality before us. And that does hurt ourselves, and worse, others. The more we are aware of it, the less drive we have to do it I think.
This my first visit, too brief to fully embrace the delight of your offerings. A return visit when the calls of the day are less immediate. Thank you for such artistry and expression shared. Yes, indeed we do fashion the drama of our day, or not...
Hey, I'm probably too old to be where you are in writing, so I'll stick with something Aniket quoted:
"We are here... and we are waiting"
So I've never even dreamed--or 'dreamweaved' writing fiction. I have lived long enough, that short, true stories, with a message (are there other kinds?) are what I enjoy writing, and that's one reason the "recovery-blog" venue suits me.
Absolutely LOVE your stuff, Catherine. The four-part song title thing is the greatest!
"...certain personality types that can whoop up drama in their lives like nobody’s business..."
THAT'S ME! But I whooped up drama--until it bacame CHAOS! And I reveled in it, until I ended up crying over "What I had done." And, sinking into depression, then alcoholic oblivion, I lived years in-and-out of marraiges, jobs and lives. One day, it was over--I'd had enough. And 35 years later, still here, still sober, still a 'young-at-heart' 76.
Sorry for double-dipping...not really sorry -grin!
I had a collection of books on HT write on my shelf and then ran across How To Write a Damn Good Novel by James n. Frey. James teaches writing in Berkeley, and then I read HT Write a Damn Good Novel 11 and actually sent him an email, which he answered within 10 minutes much to my amazement and on a Friday evening and now I can chat with him by email whenever I want. Every once in a while I'll receive an email from him with just the words, "remember, conflict, conflict and more conflict". He's extremely personable and one day I'll go on one of his writing retreats. After I read his books I took over 1/2 the books on my shelf to the used bookstore. And amazingly enough, and I can't stress this enough and recommend to customers all the time, is to to read Stephen King's book on writing even if you don't want to write. I had people telling me I had to read this book and I would shake my head because I've never seen a Stephen King movie nor read any of his books but this book on writing is an absolute gem. And then, Cat, write, write and write some more. Doesn't matter what or when or what on. Just write away. Keep notebooks always with you and jot down things you see or think or just a thought. I still have napkins I've written something down on and once tried a kleenex which didn't work so well and ink on inside of arms comes off easily.
And then there is the classic by Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way and start writing "morning pages" per Julia but don't waste your time on any of her other books. And read, read and read. You can't write unless you read and have life experiences to write about in fiction or n/fiction. You've "lived" a lot and lots of creative family to pull from.
And don't listen to what people say about when to write like early morning but choose a time of day that "feels" right for you. I do best writing at night. Alice Walker writes in bed. Just write!
You've got the setting Cat and the place of solitude. So just do it.
Oh,and another really good book is Reading Like a Writer a guide for people who love books and for those who want to write them which was a noteable NYT Book Review of the year.
And then the best advice James gave me, which I thought was going to be a pain and that really "good" writers didn't have to do this is "revision, revision, revision and more revision".
You are very creative genes in you and the work you are currently doing is just a stepping stone.
Oh, this is awesome. I am excited for you my friend. Can't wait to read your 'dreamweaver' work...
and btw~ I am so averse to negativity and shut it out or the people who create it in the vicinity of my world... Self-preservation ya know! :)
hugs hon,
Calli
Hi Rose, welcome to my blog! Your comment is so true, and we create our lives one way or the other, so we can choose NOT to create drama, it really is ok to find pleasure in the small things. I hope to see you some more!
Steve E, like you, writing true stories (and poems) is what I've always done, and I've developed my writing to the extent that I can in that genre. It has certainly given me a great deal of practice and skill just to pursue those venues alone. I'm excited about what will come with fiction writing!
Mom's Friend, wow thanks for all the book references! A lot of those things are already in place for me, and I am completely jiggy with the editing thing. I feel like things don't really come alive until the revision and editing part, and I find myself obsessed at that stage of writing. Of course, I've never had to revision and entire novel again and again, so I might like it less at that point, but maybe not! No need to create my feelings about a task before I feel them! Thanks so much for all the great advice!
Calli-You and me both sister. There is only so much drama one can take and what is going on in the outer world is enough for my personal sphere to hold with not room for any more. I'm really glad I'm at the age where I can appreciate that. We dreamweavers can turn the urge into art, and so we should keep doing so! Go forth and create art!
I'm interested in the answers, too, Cat, as I've never written fiction at all. The only fiction I've ever written was for Jason's last contest - a little flash piece that got me back into writing poetry and into blogging. Of course, there's the imagination and fiction in poetry, but that's not the same thing.
I write fiction, because I'm crazy as a loon. I write poetry, because I'm even crazier than a loon. HA! HA!
Okay, I'll try to be serious. I love Jason's answer about communication. That's what it's all about for me, whether it's fiction or poetry. I love it when another person connects with what I'm trying to say.
My fiction usually begins with human observations. A small gesture. Speech patterns. The way someone coughs. All those little things we do that make us human are fascinating to me. There's a common thread of humanity, but there's also the glorious individual.
I spend a lot of time watching people (writers are freaks who stare at you in the grocery store). All those human observations create characters. Then I put the characters in tough situations and see how they'll act. The hard part is making the character act how the character would act, and not how I want him or her to act.
You're doing a wonderful job, Cat. I look forward to reading all of your new stories!
what you have experienced is every writers dream i think... i don't think i've written anything purely fiction, i think, my emotions get too entangled in the words. but you! girl, carry on writing. you do it so well!!!
i write fiction because i love stories. i love drama (i guess i haven't outgrown that yet Cat), and i love horribly ironical things happenning to people.
sometimes i write pages and i stare at them and they stare back at me and i realize i've gone through labour for a stillborn. but that makes me want to write even more. its like a need to tell a story. a need to make something happen.
i write fiction for the same reason that i read fiction.- i love stories.
and like aniket says, the story needs to be mine. it needs to be linked to me in some way, a character or an event or an idea. its no fun telling someone else's story...
Karen, see Julie's answer!
Julie, you are such an incredible inspiration. I just want to follow you around with a note pad and write about you! I really appreciate your thoughts here, they will really help me.
Shadow, your writing is so magical, I know you could use that emotion to your advantage in writing fiction.
LGL, Amrita, your querkiness and brilliant mind will take you far, I just know it. I can't wait to see the weird places your going to take me, whether in truth or in fiction. I love your writing very much.
After reading to delicious books -
Fall on Your Knees and The
Sacrifice of Tamar, I find that
characters who are flawed, hold
my interest and care
probably because the characterization comes off as more
authentic.
I'm also more hooked if I have followed the character from a
young person then onto adulthood,
you know what informs some of their
actions as opposed to the author
just telling you.
Good Luck Cat, I would like to
write short stories.
Wise words, my friend. ;) Drama is a plague, both for ourselves and the people we include as players.
But fiction?? Ah, fiction is the bridge between that beautiful idealism and the hard reality around us. We all carry the dreams within us, even though they often clash with the monotony or the banality of everyday living. I guess that, as a writer, I want to make people aware of that interior world, even through the characters' outward actions.
What does it mean to be human? To love? To fear and fail? How do we fight against the oblivions of death and forgetting? These questions have always haunted me, and writing is a good exorcism in attempting to come to terms with them.
And the right language can give me a lift like nothing else, except music, perhaps. It's a fight to find those words, but when we do, it is the closest thing to divinity that I have yet to find.
Why do I write fiction? To be honest, if I think about the question, then I kill the spirit of what I'm writing. I'm not so much into the creative aspect of fiction. I prefer the reality based type fiction. For instance, I once saw a man get his head peeled open with a shovel; I immediately started wondering how he felt, did he go into shock? I tried to put myself in his shoes, if only for a moment.
Cynthia, as a reader, your advice about what draws you is very good. As a friend and fellow blogger, I'd like to encourage you to try writing some. With your lyrical and wonderful imagination, you would create wonderful fiction, I just know it.
Sarah, ah Sarah, your words hit me straight in the heart. What better reason to write fiction than to explore these basic human questions.
JR, that is completely gruesome! But gruesome things are real, and I think tapping into them makes for the best writing. Great advice JR, thank you!
Insightful post. All of life's experiences- that full range- plays into fiction or nonfiction.
As for my own process, I teach that in workshops so I cannot reveal it here. Parts of it can be gleaned from reading my blog, or former blog, that you read part of...before "drama" occurred and I was on hiatus from Emerald blogland.
Cat, your writing is good and it will continue to grow. We all learn from each other by reading, listening, observing, and more. That you already knew, I'm sure, but it is part of my process that I can reveal. Soak it all up!
"The sponge"
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