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| House Bayne -- Chapter Four, Book Two Seven syllables, 21 letters, and no spell check needed, (believe it!) compartmentalization is an important word for writers. Compartmentalization means, to divide into sections or categories. Bland enough. But what I'm talking about is that divide between a writer's life and and their composition. I once read a book on writing, I believe it was by Sol Stein, where the author stressed, if you write fiction and are merely retelling your life story, you are writing for self and not the reader. (autobiography aside) I believe there is a fine line between writing for public appeal, and writing for me. Unless your story is intended for the mass-market Wal-Mart crowd, you want to balance the two. Even more, compartmentalizing enables you to write despite outside influences. I told you once how I wrote part of my book during a tropical storm in Florida, and in even worse times. I did not let these events affect the story, unless it was a way to 'be inspired' and add a plot twist or two. A better way to illustrate; if you read the biographies of J.R.R. Tolkien or J.K. Rowling, you might find their Fantasies were nothing like their personal lives. They each had their unique influences, such as, Tolkien's experiences in World War I and laying in a sick bed from Mustard gas, but all in all, their stories had lives all their own. I only say this because I often wonder how other writers do it. There are distractions, disasters, and demons to keep our lives sputtering along, and the temptation would be to write these events into the storyline. But is it a good idea? I look at world politics, and am tempted to influence my created world structure in some way, but I must resist -- or else I've written a allegory. That's my advice. Do what works for you -- happy writing. |
France was my inspiration for Ainiald (and why not?) Getting into that time of year when the days lengthen and our bones warm in the sunshine delight. That's the time to crawl out of our winter doldrums and hit the road -- or air, rails, water -- whatever you favor. But in writing, you are never out of season. "Prince of the Furies" stands at nearly 70,000 words -- with much time recently spent on revising. (And no, I don't always wait until the end to revise) I had a new character to flesh out and went back a ways to make changes to the story. I'm sure she appreciates the efforts. I am building things up now, laying new foundations, darker trails ahead. One challenge rises as another subsides. Face it, Fantasy is a fun read, and just as fun to write. I realize I should be further along, but it is far more polished than earlier writings at this point. (books one and two) I also hope to put more excerpts out there, and here's a wish for a few more ...
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