Sunday, February 20, 2011

Characters can be created with a tweek of the voice


Okay, maybe this is a bit of shameless promotion, but this Youtube link was created by my son Finn; it's called  Shailick (check it out) 

But he got me thinking - playing with your voice can help create a character.  Especially if you're stuck. 

Okay, so here's the game...

Go to the mall. 
Sit and watch people.
Find someone who strikes your fancy. 
Now imagine the voice they'd have.  How would they sound?  Would they have a deep voice?  An accent? 
What would he talk about?  Be silly about this.  (oh but don't stalk - that could lead to jail time and a whole run of voices you'd rather not be impersonating.)

When you're watching this person.  Ask yourself:

How are they moving?  Fast or slow?  Heavy or light?
What are they doing?  Shopping happily?  Clinging to mom's arm? 
What's the energy they are putting out?  Angry?  Joyful? 

And here's the key question.  What do you think they want?  What's their intention?

Now see if you can pull that all together into a voice. 

And then last, go to any store counter and use that voice.  What's the reaction?  How do you feel using the voice?  (aside from silly) 

Finn looked at our dog Waiter.  He knew the pup didn't do much and he was sweet and funny.  Waiter's voice in the video reflects that. 

I know this seems like an actor's game, but I think we can use this idea as writers.  After all, aren't narrators characters in our story?  But who is this person telling the tale?  And what do they sound like?

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Why buy the cow when you can have the milk for free?

My grandmother use to say the whole free milk thing about sex, hoping to discourage my libido.  Not sure it worked there, but it totally applies to writing.  And acting.  And actually making friends.     

I find myself giving away everything in the first few chapters - so eager to be loved am I - that I hinder the joy for the reader who wants to go along for the ride.  When I think about it, if I'm reading a great  book, I don't want it to end. I want the story teller to keep me on the edge of my seat.  I regret that there are so few pages left - THE MISTS OF AVALON - I actually put myself on a diet of 50 pages a day so the book could last longer.  Oh and THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - yet another book that I needed a page diet.

So here is Cindy's epiphany number 4, 568, 902 - B.  At least when it comes to the first few chapters, only give what you must absolutely give - trust that you have a story worth reading.

With acting - isn't less more?

Now if I could only apply this to me.  If I don't jump in hands, feet and head, would people still want to hang in and want to get to know me?

Monday, February 14, 2011

Writing Games

Go to the library and check out five cd's.  Make sure it's music or sound or something you would not usually listen to.  For me it might be: opera, classical music, heavy metal, religious music and a comedy cd (this is weird cause I love to laugh).

Okay now here's the hardest part - take a half hour out of your schedule and listen to one cut from each cd.  Listen like you are from another planet and you've never heard this before.  Note how fidgety you might feel.  Let your mind wander.  It's okay.  Sometimes, it's really hard to just sit and listen. 

So, how did that feel?  Did you like some but not all?  Were you surprised at what moved you or annoyed you?  Do you think you might like to listen to more? 

Last - set a timer for five minutes - no more - and write about it. 

Acting Games

I love this game cause it gives you a chance to dimensionalize your character. 

Here's what you do - just say, "please and thank you" oh and hold open doors for people.  That's it.  Do this for an entire day. Be polite. 

Okay so how did that feel?  Did you like it?  Did you feel weird?  What kind of reaction did you get?  Do you want to do this again tomorrow?  Hmmmmm. 

And the final step is apply your newly found mannered-ness to your character.  Whenever there is opportunity to be polite - be polite.  Does this quality fit your character?  One time?  Maybe two or three times?  Maybe your character is polite all the time? 

Remember, every character, even the darkest Vampires have something redeeming about them.


Sunday, February 13, 2011

How do I make my hero rootable?

Aaach!  I have a great setting. And a wonderful situation, but I can't seem to make my heroine pop.  I'm so frustrated.  I think the reason that YA has so few adult characters is because it then forces our young heroes to be active.  Pull the adults from the situation and POW! you got something.  Look at DEATHLY HALLOWS or any of JK's books. 

My problem is my heroine's dad is very much alive.  In fact, her whole inner purpose is to come to terms with dad.  I can't get rid of him. And I don't want to.  It's the reason I'm writing this book in the first place...can you spell cathartic?  (Maybe if my heroine can come to terms with her clay feeted dad, I can too?)  Cause really, isn't that reason we create art?  It's like creative therapy.  We get a chance to exercise our own inner crap and make it come out okay.