I think you need at least the outlines of the major characters established quickly. Some details can wait to be filled in, but anything that will be immediately relevant in that story has be established early. Otherwise, if you wait to reveal that the character is allergic to, I don't know, peanuts, or gets outraged at shows on the CW further along in the story, it starts to feel like ass-pullery. Especially if you wait until it becomes directly relevant...
Poor Buffy. Your life resists all things average.
Willow ,'First Date'
The Great Write Way, Act Three: Where's the gun?
A place for Buffistas to discuss, beta and otherwise deal and dish on their non-fan fiction projects.
CaBil - Sep 08, 2009 11:53:07 am PDT #2148 of 6690
Remember, remember/the fifth of November/the Gunpowder Treason and Plot/I see no reason/Why Gunpowder Treason/Should ever be forgot.
Beverly - Sep 08, 2009 12:18:39 pm PDT #2149 of 6690
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.
Well, you have a point. But you also don't want a flashing arrow over a character's head. "Aaaand bachelorette number one is a marine biologist who goes rock climbing on weekends. She has a shih tzuh and two cats, and loooooves gourmet cooking. She's looking for a partner who likes to shop for antiques to refinish and enjoys home remodeling!"
Gudanov - Sep 08, 2009 12:31:51 pm PDT #2150 of 6690
Coding and Sleeping
It's not real hard to reshuffle things in revision though. Hypothetically, if the MC mentions her brother and he shows up a thousand words later, then it's pretty easy to move the mention back to chapter 2 instead of chapter 6 and utilize the mention to fill in a bit of physical description.
Barb - Sep 08, 2009 12:32:51 pm PDT #2151 of 6690
“Not dead yet!”
Well, you have a point. But you also don't want a flashing arrow over a character's head.
This.
It's got to unfold in a way that's gradual, but that also makes sense when the pieces fall into place. You want the reader coming to the realizations along with the other characters.
Allyson - Sep 08, 2009 12:35:18 pm PDT #2152 of 6690
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica
I'm terrified to send this thing over to you guys. I was excited this morning, but am now fear's bitch.
Ginger - Sep 08, 2009 12:37:45 pm PDT #2153 of 6690
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
I'm looking forward to seeing it. I think Sam will be a classic.
Barb - Sep 08, 2009 12:47:12 pm PDT #2154 of 6690
“Not dead yet!”
I'm trying something different in forcing myself out of this rut with the current story. I'm just writing nothing but dialogue and will go back and fill in the blanks after I have a complete exchange down.
I've done it before and it's a good way to get the bones of a scene down. Let's see if it works this time.
Gudanov - Sep 08, 2009 12:50:18 pm PDT #2155 of 6690
Coding and Sleeping
I hope it breaks the rut.
Beverly - Sep 08, 2009 1:37:49 pm PDT #2156 of 6690
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.
I'd love to read it, Allyson.
And I love that technique, Barb. I'm sure it will help with fresh perspective.
Burrell - Sep 08, 2009 2:18:14 pm PDT #2157 of 6690
Why did Darth Vader cross the road? To get to the Dark Side!
It's okay to be terrified, Allyson, but please send. We all want to read it!