A quick introduction: I'm ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
severina2001. *waves* I've been writing fanfic for too many years to count a long time. Since 2002, I've been writing almost exclusively in the "Queer as Folk (US)" fandom, so everything I reference in my 'talk' will refer to QaF. A few weeks ago, I was asked to be a guest speaker here on ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif)
shared_wisdom. I was surprised and honoured. But what could I possibly write about? I was flummoxed. Over the course of the last week or two I've asked one of the mods, some friends, family, other fanfic writers -- even my co-worker -- for ideas. I received some wonderful suggestions.
Turns out, I'm not sure that I can write about writing.
I don't really know how I do what I do. I just do it.
In the end, I decided to go with the thing that's most important to me as a writer: staying "in character".
"Staying in Character"
As a reader, whether of fan fiction or of published novels, my main interest is in the characters. I'll accept almost anything plot-wise if you can make me believe in the characters. So as a writer, I try to keep "staying in character" first and foremost in my mind.
1. Use Timeline to Determine your Primary Characterization
All characters in any well-written television series move forward as the show progresses. No one remains static; everyone changes. So it's important to remember where in the timeline of the show you are setting your action in order to determine how the character will act and speak. It's jarring to find needy S1 Justin show up in a post-513 story: no matter how much you love that Justin, by the end of the series he is no longer that person. Similarly, we all know that Brian likes to snark. But Brian's snark-to-Justin factor decreases dramatically as the series unfolds. To generalize, in S1 he sees Justin as an annoying pest (granted, an annoying pest that he is slowly falling in love with) or at worse, a convenient fuck. So S1 Brian's snark-to-Justin factor is at about 70%. A story set in S5 might drop the snark factor down to 25%. Knowing where your story fits into canon should immediately tell you how your characters will act and react.
2. Consistency
Consistency, to me, is key. Are the characters actions consistent with what has already been established about them? No matter how much Brian loves Justin, he's never going to write an ode to his beauty. But because Brian really is a big schmoophead (just watch, oh, any episode from S3 where he's gazing at Justin with those big goopy melty lovesick eyes), he'll find another way to show his love. :)
3. Avoid Broad Strokes
We only have a limited amount of canon on which to draw our base characterizations. It's normal (and advisable!) to go back to the source when trying to flesh out the details. But remember that the reason we fell in love with this show -- the reason we feel the compulsion to continue its story three years after it's left the air -- is because the characters are well-written, well-rounded, fleshed-out three-dimensional people. Emmett is not always a big ol' nellie bottom; he is also a man with an unflinching faith in God and in himself. Debbie is not always loud and abrasive, cracking her gum at every opportunity. Brian eats more than "turkey on wheat, no mayo" and has carbs after seven more often that not. And Michael is not always whiny. Give your characters depth.
Which leads to...
4. Don't Make It Personal
I don't like Michael Novotny. I find him self-absorbed and immature. (Sorry, Michael fans.) But the thing is: it's not about me. Michael would practically rather cut off his left foot than deliberately hurt Brian. Brian accepts and loves Michael exactly the way he is. Michael is flawed (everyone is) but he's not an evil monster. Demonizing any one character cheapens all of them, because you are not only going OOC (out of character) with the one you are demonizing, but the other characters will have to be OOC in the way they react to that situation. Leave your personal feelings for the characters at the door, and your fic will be better for it.
5. Dialogue
Dialogue, both internal and external, is also important. Each character has a unique speech pattern. Emmett doesn't sound like Michael, who in turn doesn't sound like Ben, etc. Getting a grasp on the characters speech patterns goes a long way toward making dialogue sound realistic and consistent with what was seen on the show. The best place to go if you are struggling with dialogue is right back to canon. Watch a few episodes that take place in the timeframe in which you are writing. And the more you write, the more you will be able to get into your characters heads and hear their voices. The better you get at writing dialogue, the clearer your grasp on the characters will be... which will help immensely when writing those inner monologues, too. I said above that Brian will never write an ode to Justin's beauty. In my opinion, he also wouldn't ever think about writing that ode.
6. Point of View
Each section of your story should be from the perspective of ONE character. Think of it this way: in real life, your story (your life) is seen from your perspective only. You are the star. Think back to the last conversation you had with your best friend, or mother, or boss. You did not know what she was thinking. You don't know what she thought of the clothes you were wearing, or the new haircut you got the day before that she didn't mention. You could guess, based on facial expressions and body language. But you can't get into her head. You don't know.
In writing, you need to find the character whose perspective you want to explore, and tell the story through the eyes of that character. Stay in the head of that character only. Switching points of view mid-stream is not only confusing to the reader, but it lessens the dramatic impact of your story. Keeping the reader in the dark about what Justin is thinking during the argument he's having with Brian increases tension, and makes the reader want to keep reading.
So... I guess that's it. Wow, this was pretty nerve-wracking. There's a reason I don't do public speaking. ;)
severina2001. *waves* I've been writing fanfic for shared_wisdom. I was surprised and honoured. But what could I possibly write about? I was flummoxed. Over the course of the last week or two I've asked one of the mods, some friends, family, other fanfic writers -- even my co-worker -- for ideas. I received some wonderful suggestions.Turns out, I'm not sure that I can write about writing.
I don't really know how I do what I do. I just do it.
In the end, I decided to go with the thing that's most important to me as a writer: staying "in character".
"Staying in Character"
As a reader, whether of fan fiction or of published novels, my main interest is in the characters. I'll accept almost anything plot-wise if you can make me believe in the characters. So as a writer, I try to keep "staying in character" first and foremost in my mind.
1. Use Timeline to Determine your Primary Characterization
All characters in any well-written television series move forward as the show progresses. No one remains static; everyone changes. So it's important to remember where in the timeline of the show you are setting your action in order to determine how the character will act and speak. It's jarring to find needy S1 Justin show up in a post-513 story: no matter how much you love that Justin, by the end of the series he is no longer that person. Similarly, we all know that Brian likes to snark. But Brian's snark-to-Justin factor decreases dramatically as the series unfolds. To generalize, in S1 he sees Justin as an annoying pest (granted, an annoying pest that he is slowly falling in love with) or at worse, a convenient fuck. So S1 Brian's snark-to-Justin factor is at about 70%. A story set in S5 might drop the snark factor down to 25%. Knowing where your story fits into canon should immediately tell you how your characters will act and react.
2. Consistency
Consistency, to me, is key. Are the characters actions consistent with what has already been established about them? No matter how much Brian loves Justin, he's never going to write an ode to his beauty. But because Brian really is a big schmoophead (just watch, oh, any episode from S3 where he's gazing at Justin with those big goopy melty lovesick eyes), he'll find another way to show his love. :)
3. Avoid Broad Strokes
We only have a limited amount of canon on which to draw our base characterizations. It's normal (and advisable!) to go back to the source when trying to flesh out the details. But remember that the reason we fell in love with this show -- the reason we feel the compulsion to continue its story three years after it's left the air -- is because the characters are well-written, well-rounded, fleshed-out three-dimensional people. Emmett is not always a big ol' nellie bottom; he is also a man with an unflinching faith in God and in himself. Debbie is not always loud and abrasive, cracking her gum at every opportunity. Brian eats more than "turkey on wheat, no mayo" and has carbs after seven more often that not. And Michael is not always whiny. Give your characters depth.
Which leads to...
4. Don't Make It Personal
I don't like Michael Novotny. I find him self-absorbed and immature. (Sorry, Michael fans.) But the thing is: it's not about me. Michael would practically rather cut off his left foot than deliberately hurt Brian. Brian accepts and loves Michael exactly the way he is. Michael is flawed (everyone is) but he's not an evil monster. Demonizing any one character cheapens all of them, because you are not only going OOC (out of character) with the one you are demonizing, but the other characters will have to be OOC in the way they react to that situation. Leave your personal feelings for the characters at the door, and your fic will be better for it.
5. Dialogue
Dialogue, both internal and external, is also important. Each character has a unique speech pattern. Emmett doesn't sound like Michael, who in turn doesn't sound like Ben, etc. Getting a grasp on the characters speech patterns goes a long way toward making dialogue sound realistic and consistent with what was seen on the show. The best place to go if you are struggling with dialogue is right back to canon. Watch a few episodes that take place in the timeframe in which you are writing. And the more you write, the more you will be able to get into your characters heads and hear their voices. The better you get at writing dialogue, the clearer your grasp on the characters will be... which will help immensely when writing those inner monologues, too. I said above that Brian will never write an ode to Justin's beauty. In my opinion, he also wouldn't ever think about writing that ode.
6. Point of View
Each section of your story should be from the perspective of ONE character. Think of it this way: in real life, your story (your life) is seen from your perspective only. You are the star. Think back to the last conversation you had with your best friend, or mother, or boss. You did not know what she was thinking. You don't know what she thought of the clothes you were wearing, or the new haircut you got the day before that she didn't mention. You could guess, based on facial expressions and body language. But you can't get into her head. You don't know.
In writing, you need to find the character whose perspective you want to explore, and tell the story through the eyes of that character. Stay in the head of that character only. Switching points of view mid-stream is not only confusing to the reader, but it lessens the dramatic impact of your story. Keeping the reader in the dark about what Justin is thinking during the argument he's having with Brian increases tension, and makes the reader want to keep reading.
So... I guess that's it. Wow, this was pretty nerve-wracking. There's a reason I don't do public speaking. ;)
nervous
Dear Severina,
I've been reading your work since 2003 and loved it since I read the first piece. As a matter of fact, now that the show is over and I've gone back and picked up various pieces and find I appreciate them even more. I read Queer Theories, but, haven't able to stick to the sequels for the entire trip without printing them out and just haven't been able to afford the time on them. Sigh. Maybe some day.
I'm a reading/writing process teacher of middle schoolers and a writer, of sorts, myself. I love this writing about your writing, or writing itself, you've done here. It's marvelously clear and to the point.
I've been planning, getting ideas for a story I began creating about three years ago. I'm just writing scenes, bringing more of my own life in to it, deliberately, and going back to the storyline. So, I don't suppose it's important that I ever complete it. I will do it. I have an ending, at least. Much back story and ages, and such that still have to come. Where to start it has to evolve, and is. Interesting process to observe.
It's not about B/J, but about a woman, and B/J and how they come into her life.
Thanks for the ideas, especially ideas for how to do deal with the skills you addressed. I love going to your website and just choosing something shorter and finding your work in the rec's for the week's episodes of QAF.
You've done a good job of talking about how to write from a writer's perspective, something all aspiring writers, nonfiction or fiction, love and need. It often generates new ideas for me, anyway, about how I might approach my own work.
Thank you so much for taking part in Shared Wisdom. It's wonderful to hear and read you speaking to us. After all, all reading is auditory.
My best to you.
Regards,
the fabulous and most appreciative Ms. M
I just read one paragraph so far and can't wait to print it and spend time with the rest of it. Reading through it will be one of my rewards for washing dishes, etc, today and tomorrow. I know I'll reread it. I'm going to put it in the journal where I'm writing my story and refer back to it. I know it will be valuable for me.
My only question is what do you you do when the story is in 3rd person, and mostly from her pov, but want to bring in a little of Brian's and Justin's pov's in places. I'll read all of it and see if I can't figure something out.
Have a great week!
I think that you have touched on some very basic but extremely important topics that most writers, new or experienced, would do well to review and try and incorporate into their work. I haven't had the opportunity to read any of your fic but you are now going on my 'to read' list.
I'd love to hear more of your thoughts on writing. Thanks for sharing the wisdom...
Michele
I think the main part of my writting is done with your points in mind. What you've brought up. I write the way I think they (the characters from any fandom) would react to certain situations. Its a little harder to pin down though when it comes to some plot bunnies.
It's hard for me to take something and write it just because I want it to be that way. The plot may start out as mine but its completely up to the characters how it goes, if that makes any sense.
For me staying in character takes some going back to a point in either the season or episode I am using as a jump point.
So its not weird that someone will find me watching tv and typing down notes or having a pend in hand with a teeny notebooks and a webring all drawn out, lol.
I agreed with everything you said. You know how to build a good sandwich. I especially liked what you said about demonizing certain characters. I don't care for Mel, myself, but I do find if Michael is constantly referred to as whining, it throws me out of the story. He had his good points. He saved Brian's ass a few times.
I also like what you said about point of view:
Switching points of view mid-stream is not only confusing to the reader, but it lessens the dramatic impact of your story. Keeping the reader in the dark about what Justin is thinking during the argument he's having with Brian increases tension, and makes the reader want to keep reading.
The last you refer to is a sophisticated technique, but it definitely DOES increase tension for readers, wondering how someone is reacting beyond the physical clues offered.
Thank you so much for being one of our speakers!
This is our gift to you, made by
Edited at 2008-04-19 07:37 pm (UTC)
As a reader, few things are more jarring (Brian's odes to Justin aside) then coming across a character whose faults have been so exaggerated they become one dimensional. All the characters have faults, but they also all have good points too. There is usually some balance in life and that's something I like to see in fic.
I also wanted to say that I agree with everything you said. I read a lot of fanfiction, and the thing that always turn me off the most is when characters are OOC. Which is why I'm very conscious about keeping in character when I try to write myself. But sometimes I tend to make characters act the way I want them too, in stead of keeping them truly in character. But this is something I'm working to get better on and I appreciate every advise I can get. So thank you again! :)
I was most interested in the "don't make it personal" section. I imagine that it is difficult to write a character you don't like (or respect). But, when well done it does add a lot to the story. I suppose it also gives a lot of opportunities to mute the more egregious aspects of a character (Michael's whining for instance) and make them a more positive part of the character (or at least explain them more, LOL!)
Good point about keeping characters within their personality at the time of the series you are writing. Season 1 Justin is way different to Season 5 Justin etc. ITA, I think it is important to show they've grown when writing fics set later.
I do find getting the character voices right takes a lot of focus and re-reading. And a beta really helps with that. It's difficult for a writer to *know* if their readers will believe the characters they're writing until they read it.
I may be guilty of demonizing Michael a little, I better watch that. ;) And Joan (but Joan is evil so she has to be demonlike). Good point - the fic isn't about ME. Sage advice. And I hadn't thought of how if one character goes OOC, all the others might too.
I'm newish to QAF and newer to fan fic writing so it was great to read advice from someone who has been around a while. It's one great thing about this community, more experienced writers sharing their knowledge with other writers.
Thanx Severina.
It is fascinating to read how you break it down. These are very good points, especially #3 and 4 for me. I hope the fledgling writers take them all to heart. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.
So many points to think about , especially for a new writer like me.
1. Use Timeline to Determine your Primary Characterization Absolutely! I write the girls, mainly. S1 Lindsay is vey different to S5 Lindsay (no matter what some in fandom may say) and ALL of the characters move on. Although ther are primary character traits that will bear out no matter what timeline you are writing.
3. Avoid Broad Strokes
I struggle to write Justin in more than broad strokes (*runs away from fandom*) so I try to avaod writing him. Easier given my preferred subject matter!
4. Don't Make It Personal
But if I do write Jusin I try to write IC Justin - nothing pulls me out of fic more than when I can sense characyer hatred.
6. Point of View
I think this depends. If you can find a way of getting 'inside' all of your actors then sometimes this is a good thing. If you are writing a story that starts from one characters POV though usually it is better to stick to this.
Thankyou again for a wonderful post and discussion topic.
Gabrielle
In fact I do think some characters moved backwards in their growth and maturity rather than forwards, as would be the norm. Yet, I realize that as an integral part of a story, I have to measure the good and the bad to support a story line, otherwise I might just kill off a character or two in every story I write. ;)
I think ALL your points about keeping characters IC and familiar to every reader are sound and important before writing anything. I know that for me, I'm comfortable writing S3 characters and beyond because that's when I feel my connection to them and the ability to extend them to places that might be new and different.
I do think in one way it is about me, and that's when I think the story as other options than those chosen by canon, without losing the IC nature of the story. That's when AU or future!fic comes into play. That combines the familiar canon based characters with the less familiar locations and times.
Thank you so much for leading this week's guest hosting post. You were absolutely fabulous, as I knew you would be!!! ♥
You spoke about staying in character. Lately, one of my readers who I friended has been posting some QAF stories, and altho I haven't read one yet, I believe they are of the AU variety. I, personally, write all of my stories in Alternate Universe as well.
When I read a canon story, it's so easy to become distracted when the characters start acting OFF, in a way that doesn't jibe with the characters you've come to know in the OS. I totally agree that it's very important for the enjoyment of the readers, when writing canon, to stick as closely to the original character personality as possible.
In our fandom, since the room for Canon is so small and already well explored, many of us have taken to writing AU stories. I love AU because you can take the essence of the character and build your own character from that. I love Jake and Heath (sob) and Jack and Ennis - their looks and bodies are perfection (to me) and they are - in my fantasy world - the ultimate romantic couple. However, I like to play with them, tweaking them for each new story so that, while I have something that my readers love and are comfortable with, I'm also able to provide them with a fresh new story. Having said all of that, once I establish a particular pairing of J/E for the story, I try to keep them within the personality that they have for that story, and change comes slowly with growth and time.
As for POV's - I agree that switching back and forth can be confusing. Some writers do it too often, within a paragraph - for instance - and I don't like that. I try to do it at least a couple of times in a chapter if i'm writing a story that includes multiple POV's, but I break off with scenes... One scene is told from Jack's POV, then the next one from Ennis's, etc. In some stories I only present one POV but my readers invariably ask for the other character's take on things. They don't want to miss anything.
I really enjoyed reading your post. You did an excellent job with your points and I thank you for the time you took to write that. I will check out your stories, as I love QAF as well. This comment is in response to the mod post (?) after yours. :) S!
I just wanted to say that I think you're a brilliant writer and you hit on some really important points. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts, and I'll definitely be rethinking some of my own work. I have to admit that I'm guilty of letting my personal views of certain characters carry over into my stories.
I always write post season five stories because I prefer the more mature characters, and I do try to give my characters at least some recognizable traits; however, if you change the character's circumstances in your story, I think you have to change the characters to match.
To be honest, I'm not sure what the difference is between AU and AR, but it seems that in both those cases the characters wouldn't be exactly like they were on the show. For instance, if Brian had loving parents, I'm sure his personality would be totally different from Canon. So, I guess I look for characters that fit the story more than I look to see if the characters stick to Canon. I realize this probably isn't the most popular view, but we each have our own likes and dislikes.
Again, thank you so much for your thoughts and please keep writing. *grins*
Hugs!
Rena
Edited at 2008-04-20 02:37 pm (UTC)
I'm not a writer but an avid and critical reader. You have summed up my feelings perfectly. I can forgive many things in a story - grammar, spelling, weak plot, etc. but if you are writing fiction using established characters you have to keep them recognizable, otherwise what's the point? I am willing to give latitude to a pure AU fic since the characters are necessarily shaped to some extent by the different environment they are in, but the core of the character has to ring true.
"No matter how much Brian loves Justin, he's never going to write an ode to his beauty."
This statement is a perfect example. That is the "core" of Brian. He can be tender, schmoopy, kind, generous, protective, etc. but he wouldn't be writing or thinking about writing an ode to Justin's beauty. He would find some tangible way of demonstrating how beautiful he finds Justin. We've actually already seen what happens when a character diverges from his set personality in S5 when Brian does all the things he thinks will make Justin happy but stops being "Brian" in the process.
I give less latitude to AR's. If you are diverging from canon or merging your AR with canon, I agree you absolutely have to have the characters behave in the manner they are defined and have evolved into at that point. An S5 Justin in an S1 time line just doesn't work and will frustrate me as reader.
As to POV, I must admit I do like fics where there are alternating POV sections or chapters. However, the operative word is, as you said, sections. Trying to make every piece of dialog or interior thought reflect the originating character's POV is very confusing and I will usually give up in frustration.
Sorry for the essay, but characterization is one of my "hot buttons". I do enjoy your fics immensely and appreciate you sharing your opinions.
Tandy
I don't like Michael Novotny. I find him self-absorbed and immature. (Sorry, Michael fans.) But the thing is: it's not about me. Michael would practically rather cut off his left foot than deliberately hurt Brian. Brian accepts and loves Michael exactly the way he is. Michael is flawed (everyone is) but he's not an evil monster. Demonizing any one character cheapens all of them, because you are not only going OOC (out of character) with the one you are demonizing, but the other characters will have to be OOC in the way they react to that situation. Leave your personal feelings for the characters at the door, and your fic will be better for it.
THANK YOU! You've made a lot of great points, but this one especially is really important to me as a reader. Nothing will send me lurching for the back button faster than character bashing. Yes, these characters have their ups and downs and disagreements, but they all love each other. They're all important to each other and to the overall arc of the show, in their own ways. If a writer can't bring herself to see that and portray it, I can't bring myself to read her fic.
Huh. I sound sort of strident. LOL. But yeah, huge pet peeve.
Their voices must be there. The essentials of their characters must be there and if not, for what reason and motivation. Dark is okay as long as it has some connection to what would be realistic with the characters' personalities. I love watching what writers do with canon, in what directions they have the characters move and who they bring in to work with the canon cast.
If they are in a totally different environment than PIFA, the loft and, Vanguard or Kinnetic, then, that environment has to be realistic and accurate in place and time of setting.
If it's a romantic piece, it doesn't take them out of character into a feminine pov with over the top, "Oh, I love you and behavior in which neither Brian nor Justin would participate and still keep their essential characterness.
Ms. M