I've never thought of it that way. To me, the plot, or the idea comes first, then you have to use the 5 Ws and the H in the most advantageous way to tell the story. I'm not a plotter at all, but my degree is in journalism, so writing the perfect lead has been ingrained in me.
1. How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific method?
When I'm imagining the story in my head, my characters "tell" me what they are like. It's a matter of listing to my head and my heart to do them justice.
2. Do your characters come before the plot?
That depends on the story. But generally, the characters come first.
3. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?
I write romance, so I always know the story will end with a happily ever after. I conceive a story knowing the beginning, middle and end and work to stay true to those elements.
4. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around?
My Five Senses series is set in a small tourist town in Massachusetts and I had an image in my mind of what the town looks like based on a visit to the east coast when I was in high school. I have a magazine of house plans, but I don't really ever get into home layouts much. As I'm writing, I keep scene images in my mind. I do find myself having to check back occasionally to make sure I don't put a second story on a ranch house.
5. Where do you do your research? On line or from books?
The Internet is a fabulous tool for research, isn't it? But I'm always careful to research the same information on three different sites, just to be safe. Plus, I always try to find a person to interview whenever I'm writing about a job. For Hearts in Harmony (Book 2), I interviewed a Music Therapist, for the third book in the series, I spoke to a professional photographer. I loved to learn as much as I can before I attempt to write about a topic.
6. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end?
I revise as I go along, just to make sure I capture the right level of emotion and description. Plus, it helps me to re-read and revise the last chapter I've written before I begin the next one. And, I'm a pushover - my characters develop the route to the end. Sometimes, they see things I haven't. That's always a bit surprising.
Thanks for having me over today. In answering your questions I realized I do have a routine when writing my books. I always thought of myself as a free spirit when it came to writing a story. Imagine my surprise when I figured out I followed a path.
ReplyDeleteHappens. Sometimes the routine becomes so familiar we forget that's how we started writing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post Gemma. I think most of us have some pattern we follow, even if its not an actual routine.
ReplyDelete