Where it comes from, where it's going

[geoviki]

I've been thinking about process.

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain.

There's been a lot of posting about characterization, about where it's going, is it better now or worse? Most of it explores the Harry/Draco dynamic. And I felt disengaged from the debate; a complacency that came from the fact, I discovered to my surprise, that I'm not a characterization-driven writer.

Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell?

I'm plot-driven. I'm and-then-they.... I'm let-me-tell-you-a-story. And I know my writing isn't to all tastes. I write anyway.

Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change? Did you exchange a walk-on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?

I've always used music as inspiration for writing. I've always connected song lyrics to unconnected things in my life, and I'm especially inspired to use others' words to drive my writing. True story: November, 1963. Probably one of the most significant world events happened when I was just beginning to become aware of the larger world. One of the first TV events in American history: the assassination of JFK. And when the coverage became too much to assimilate, I tucked myself away in my room and listened to all the 45's my sister owned, and in each and every song I found a connection between the lyrics and the events unfolding in our living room.

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year, running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears.

Forty years later, that hasn't changed. But I use it to my advantage. Yes, my betas laugh at my blatant use of song lyrics in my fics. But I don't care. They're there for me. To remind me of where I was and who I was and what I was thinking when I wrote. Things pass, my stories will fade away, but I'll know. I'll have that in my grasp. A tangible reminder of this time and place.

How I wish, how I wish you were here.

The sequel to ATBT is growing more complex - and longer - every day.

Comments

[lomedet.livejournal.com]

The sequel to ATBT is growing more complex - and longer - every day.

I'm giddy as a schoolgirl (wait - I *am* a schoolgirl!) just thinking about it.

and about the writing stuff?
it strikes me that one of your great gifts might be that you can write interesting and complicated plots while never losing sight of the *people* you're putting through whatever fresh hell it happens to be. I love your stories, and all the plot in the world doesn't do it for me if I don't care about the characters.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Part of what's driving the next story is that I've been taking long walks nearly every day, and my mind just kind of takes off with ideas. And of course, you point out that my stories can't be divorced from characters that matter; I'm just saying that the plot changes them; they don't drive the plot. Whatever process makes that happen, I do like to write and I'm always glad when people tell me they like to read it!

[twigged.livejournal.com]

My favorite Pink Floyd song, and you're right, it's *so* H/D.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I will seekritly admit I've been hitting the replay button for the past 24 hours. This is actually a new song for me. Like the rest of the planet, I had Dark Side of the Moon (on LP and now on CD), but just snagged a copy of a live version of some classic PF songs. And it's becoming so intimately connected to what I'm writing, that I may entitle it "Delicate Sound of Thunder".

[twigged.livejournal.com]

I think it's a lovely title. My college roommate was a huge Pink Floyd fan so I think I've heard all their songs (and in fact, I went to one of their stadium shows in 89 or 90, and it was amazing). Wish You Were Here always makes me think of her because it always made her think of her sister, who died in a car accident when they were both in high school. It's a song with a lot of emotion.

[gaeta.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about your recent comments to the effect that you're not a character-driven writer. At first I was surprised because in large part what makes ATBT so wonderful are the compelling characterizations of Draco, Snape, Thomas, and even that Muggle make-up guy (sorry can't recall his name). Then it occured to me that perhaps you mean your stories aren't about the developement of character, and I think that's true. They come whole and simply are as they are. So I'm at peace with defining you as a plot-based writer whose stories feature wonderfully strong characters.

Oh, and I'm excited to hear about a sequel, though I confess I can't imagine where you might be going with it. Fortunately, that's your concern, not mine. ;~>

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you caught the unwritten part of this entry - of course, I try to create characters that have some depth. Otherwise, no one would have got past the first chapter, least of all me! But I start from plot points, then I work out the rest from there.

But I read a lot of recent LJ posts where writeres I admire greatly talk at length about developing characters in light of OotP, and I have never had a problem getting my characters to bend to my will. I make up the plot and they'd better toe that line, buster!

[zionsstarfish.livejournal.com]

*points* this is why I admire your stories so much... because they *have* a plot, because x, y, z happens, and it leads the reader places, and there's an adventure or quest, something that must be done that's... linked, but also separate from the character development.

My characters... poor things. They don't get to go anywhere, really. Okay, Canada. Still.

Also, yay sequel!

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I think of you as having wonderful plots! And you are much more lyrical with your descriptions and dialogue than I will ever be.

*fawns over ZS*

[urnesha.livejournal.com]

Love your style and your stories. Looking forward to the sequel.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Well, it was going to be a one-off, but it's getting more complex with each time I sit down to write it.

[urnesha.livejournal.com]

*pleased* I know it's selfish of me but getting a longer, more complex story? Sounds excellent. Definitely worth whatever wait it takes.

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

bugger i'm a mess tonight, everything is making me cry, and you are no exception. thanks though, i found your post both inspiring and beautiful.

and i'm v. interested to see the sequel.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

OMG, did I make you teary? I had no idea that would happen. I mean, I get myself all worked up over some of the things I think, but I didn't expect that to bleed through.

Thanks, though.

[urnesha.livejournal.com]

A random question if I may? Who's the model in your Draco icons?

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

No surprisingly, I get asked this a lot!

Info can be found by clicking on my user_info and you'll get lots of links and stuff.