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Since yesterday, I've been thinking about how writers set up a story from start to finish. For some, there is much planning involved (researching character's names, outlining, etc.) and for others the only planning is figuring out where to jump in and start writing (the cafe, the park, the beach, etc.). And then there are writers with a variety of methods in between the two extremes.
Either way, all writers end up going over their books for the revision, scrutinizing everything from a single word to a character's name.
I've read published books where everything fell into place so perfectly, I thought the author was simply a genius. In talking with another writer yesterday, she worried her character's name seemed a little too obvious. Since I've read most of this new manuscript of hers, I had to disagree but later I worried that I rushed through my opinion without explanation.
Her worries are valid and that got me thinking about how difficult it is for a writer to see her or his work clearly. It's difficult to tell what's contrived and what's working so well that it seems effortless.
For example, this morning I got to discussing Anakin Skywalker on![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dawn_metcalf's journal (which is a great read, btw) and then I still had this conversation from yesterday in my head. Anakin's last name, on the surface may seem contrived. He "walks the sky" because as a young boy, he's taken away to live among the stars and study the ways of the Jedi. This may seem contrived until we learn the ways of the Jedi: they visit worlds and seek to restore a balance among the galaxy. This character's name then becomes organic to the story. His character traits elevate him out of this contrivance. Later, this becomes completely ironic when Anakin turns to Darth Vader only to "walk the sky" in a quest to conquer all worlds in the galaxy.
Similarly, Lina Mayfleet from the novel City of Ember loves to run, she has fast feet, and ultimately, her discoveries help the citizens of Ember flee their dark city. Sure, it seems contrived but when you read stories where all the symbolism is working in favor of creating the characters as real people who do heroic and crazy things, the reader simply goes along for the ride. There's a comfort in reading stories that feel organized in this way. That's not to say authors can't play against those expectations--that's brilliant as well!
I guess the conclusion I'm coming to is that a character's name certainly matters and whether it seems all too obvious or obscure will depend on the character's view of the world, what she or he says and does, how she or he feels, etc. Me? I'm TERRIBLE when it comes to character names but that could have something to do with how long it takes me to figure out who my characters are and what they want in the story.
Then I start thinking about characters like "Waldo" from the Where's Waldo books and how the reader is forced to define what he wants--to be found. Maybe Waldo likes to get lost...maybe he doesn't want to be found. Often, I feel like my characters play those hide and seek games in my stories. Sometimes, it's difficult to know who they are and what they want...and sometimes, I wish they would just state the obvious.
Either way, all writers end up going over their books for the revision, scrutinizing everything from a single word to a character's name.
I've read published books where everything fell into place so perfectly, I thought the author was simply a genius. In talking with another writer yesterday, she worried her character's name seemed a little too obvious. Since I've read most of this new manuscript of hers, I had to disagree but later I worried that I rushed through my opinion without explanation.
Her worries are valid and that got me thinking about how difficult it is for a writer to see her or his work clearly. It's difficult to tell what's contrived and what's working so well that it seems effortless.
For example, this morning I got to discussing Anakin Skywalker on
dawn_metcalf's journal (which is a great read, btw) and then I still had this conversation from yesterday in my head. Anakin's last name, on the surface may seem contrived. He "walks the sky" because as a young boy, he's taken away to live among the stars and study the ways of the Jedi. This may seem contrived until we learn the ways of the Jedi: they visit worlds and seek to restore a balance among the galaxy. This character's name then becomes organic to the story. His character traits elevate him out of this contrivance. Later, this becomes completely ironic when Anakin turns to Darth Vader only to "walk the sky" in a quest to conquer all worlds in the galaxy.Similarly, Lina Mayfleet from the novel City of Ember loves to run, she has fast feet, and ultimately, her discoveries help the citizens of Ember flee their dark city. Sure, it seems contrived but when you read stories where all the symbolism is working in favor of creating the characters as real people who do heroic and crazy things, the reader simply goes along for the ride. There's a comfort in reading stories that feel organized in this way. That's not to say authors can't play against those expectations--that's brilliant as well!
I guess the conclusion I'm coming to is that a character's name certainly matters and whether it seems all too obvious or obscure will depend on the character's view of the world, what she or he says and does, how she or he feels, etc. Me? I'm TERRIBLE when it comes to character names but that could have something to do with how long it takes me to figure out who my characters are and what they want in the story.
Then I start thinking about characters like "Waldo" from the Where's Waldo books and how the reader is forced to define what he wants--to be found. Maybe Waldo likes to get lost...maybe he doesn't want to be found. Often, I feel like my characters play those hide and seek games in my stories. Sometimes, it's difficult to know who they are and what they want...and sometimes, I wish they would just state the obvious.
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