Comments on: Writing Excuses Season 3 Episode 2: Keeping it Real with Aprilynne Pike

By: John Williams

John Williams — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:59:08 +0000

I agree with the comment above that the reader must feel the characters do feel real. No matter what the audience, one must be able to put themselves in the characters shoes and imagine they are them, even if only for a moment in time.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:16:26 +0000

Just started Aprilynne’s book, “Wings.” It’s fun to see the launch of a new career! Best Wishes!

By: Rafael

Rafael — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:35:01 +0000

I have a handy idea that is used often but not discussed (as far as I know); the transitional scene, or how you go from the mundane to the fantastic. J.K. Rolling used it well as have many other authors.

http://thewonderingswordsman.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/transitional-scenes-down-the-rabbit-hole/

By: CM

CM — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:11:10 +0000

In turn if it’s in the strangest place in the world where monsters kill people, space Mercenaries make jokes, Ash falls from the sky, and there are plant fairies. I can believe that. Just give me characters I can believe in and care about.

By: readerMom

readerMom — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:33:39 +0000

I’ve noticed that all sorts of outlandish ideas are OK if the characters feel real. If I don’t believe in the characters it could be set in the most realistic and normal place imaginable and I won’t believe it.

By: Karl

Karl — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:00:08 +0000

A somewhat rhetorical question:

At what point does doing meticulous research just become another form of world-building, and highjacks the impetus of the work?

I’ve discovered at some point I have to stop consulting Mr. Wiki and just get on with the handwavium.

Incidentally, handwavium is right next to upsidaisium on the periodic table.

By: Mike Barker

Mike Barker — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:07:58 +0000

a real transcript (or is it memorex?)

http://mbarker.livejournal.com/115796.html

By: CM

CM — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:04:34 +0000

I love it when someone who knows what they are doing says something that I say too!
It is the one occasion where I feel smart!!!

I have a children’s book I am in the rewriting process with. A little neighbor girl came and wanted to read it out loud. She was all happy about being me ‘editor’.
The biggest thing that it helped with was I learned that some of the words were hard for her and sometimes it was difficult to know which character was talking. So I knew what I needed to change. It really helped and was worth it, even worth the embarrassment of a 10 year old correcting my spelling and grammar!

When I think of real characters I think of Kelsier from Mistborn. I would venture to say that he is one of the best characters I have ever read simply because he is so realistic. Half the time I didn’t even agree what he was doing or how he did it. But isn’t that like real people? You don’t always agree with them even if you’re friends with them.

Veggie fairy!

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:03:47 +0000

so, what’s the difference between a convention and a conference? is there even a difference? i’m sure there is.

i’m off to the writers conference they have up here, the Surrey International Writers’ Conference, (http://www.siwc.ca) this October. so much fun.

and why can’t the prompt be write about someone attending a convention??

By: Jin

Jin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:25:17 +0000

So I guess keeping it real means stick with believable characters with believable reactions. I do wonder how I can understand the audience better without resorting to stalking them…