characters

"The only way to find out what story you're in is to determine what stories you're not in. Odd as it may seem, I've just ruled out half of Greek literature, seven fairy tales, ten Chinese fables, and determined conclusively that you are not King Hamlet, Scout Finch, Miss Marple, Frankenstein's Monster, or a golem. Hmm? Aren't you relieved to know you're not a golem?"*

It's time for a cage fight.

You see, as I work on some edits to my current book, realizing that we're coming to the end of our relationship (or at least taking a break ["We were on a break!"]), I've begun researching my next book. Certain it would be this character over here, I devoured fiction books similar to the place and people, nonfiction books about what happened, people in the know (okay, so I didn't devour the people so much but what they said).

Then this other character demanded my attention. It began with a light tapping (itself annoying but, I thought at the time, ignorable). It moved to, well, more tapping. I gave her a short story. She demanded more.

As a writer, choosing your next book is more stressful than shopping for clothes online. In selecting this story and these characters, you commit to them for the next part of your life, however long that may be. You promise, I will not stray; I will not abandon you (a promise that sometimes needs to be broken, if we're honest, but we can't tell the characters that).

I have three stories, three casts of characters waiting to be explored. I must choose one.

Perhaps others can devote themselves polygamously to several stories at once. I believe in monogamy. Oh, I can dabble with a short story while working on a novel (in this metaphor, would the short story be my mistress?), but two wives, wshoo! 

So these characters shout and yell and demand to be heard above the others. And I'm left to choose. The thing is, these characters are fickle. Why, not two years I tried to write this character's story. But would she let me in? (I could make a comment about a locked chastity belt, but that might be taking the metaphor too far.) And now she insists upon her turn.

Just like a woman!

Ah, well. If I must, I must.

*Small-ish, fine-ish print: Title and opening quotes from Stranger Than Fiction

I love a good movie. I love the story. I love the artistic interplay of the writing, directing, acting, sets, costumes, music. I love reclining in that chair in the movie theater and watching it all unfold in two hours.

I started a new book last week! Writing the first few pages helped deteriorate the fear crippling me. I stalled and stalled knowing that what comes out on the page will never be what's in my head. It'll never be good enough.

I have to write anyway.

With that in mind, here's a peek into my life:

Christie at Whistling in the Dark is talking about her favorite character: Jo March. Jo March is my favorite second favorite character, second to, of course, Anne of Green Gables. Christie talks about stealing some of their magic, and I agree. We want part of their magic. That's why we dream, why we read, why we act, why we watch movies or plays or musicals.