I'm writing a 30 page-ish story taking place in the future that focuses on facing fear. I knew that I wanted to have my protagonist break down as he endures these hallucinations. I intended these hallucinations to be scary...but this has gone to an all new level. I don't like blood, but I'm finding it pretty often. Taboos and barriers I never thought I would cross are being crossed. I'm just letting the story grow...but its starting to get to the point where I'm scared to write because I don't know what will happen in these hallucinations.
It's wild. This is the first time I've ever experienced this. I've heard of things like this happening to others, but I've almost always had a stranglehold on what happened. Who knows, maybe this textual revolt will result in a better story.
Just thought I'd share this experience =D Have you guys experienced similar things?
Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :
Oddly enough, I was just thinking this morning about how characters take me over. They say and do things that surprise me, things I did not anticipate when I planned their story out in my head. I get interested in them, care about them, feel guilty when I don't get around to revising their stories when I promised them I would ... promised myself I would.
I think it's profoundly strange how we grow attached to characters, our own or those in other people's stories. They're just figments of our imaginations. Aren't they?
Pat
[This message has been edited by TaleSpinner (edited May 11, 2008).]
Posted by Gardener (Member # 7948) on :
I discovered that when I am stressed, physically or mentally, I tend to feed my characters and put them to bed.
So, when you're done, put it aside and let it rest. When you read it again you can see if it was a burst of inspiration or a personal need to vent.
Posted by MartinV (Member # 5512) on :
One of my stories has gone into such a place where I wonder what people will think of me when I publish this. It contains not just murder but making murder an art I have not seen in any other book or movie...
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
I thought people were exaggerating when they talked of this sort of thing. I thought "Oh, isn't that cute. A writer getting all 'writerly' and all that. Whatever."
Yeah.
And then I did Nano (National Novel Writing Month) and I know this is what "real" writers do - write every day, some minimum pages or words. I wrote more than 1600 words every week day for a month. Mostly 3000+ words/day. Every. Single. Day. And I was amazed at what my characters would say and do. I would get butterflies at certain parts, my heart would race at others. I thought it was ridiculous - *I'm* the writer. How can I be having such a viceral reaction to my own writing?
But then it dawned on me.
I'm a writer!
Holy cow that's cool.
Congratulations on your own personal epiphany!
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
That's the entire reason My WotF WIP isn't finished by now. The entire cast gave me the bird and revolted! Posted by EP Kaplan (Member # 5688) on :
When that happens, I have a few options. Favorites include: Killing one to make an example of him. That'll show 'em. Introducing a new character, even if it's just for a bit, to shake things up. Separating my clustered characters or uniting estranged ones.
Honestly, I always feel bad when I wax a major character. I had to kill off my entire cast recently to end a story, and I was morose for the longest time.
Posted by wrenbird (Member # 3245) on :
quote:Killing one to make an example of him. That'll show 'em.
lol. We writers are a nutty bunch.
Posted by Doctor (Member # 7736) on :
lol I laughed out loud when I read that, which, didn't go over well since I'm in a quiet computer lab... oh well
Posted by Merlion-Emrys (Member # 7912) on :
Happens to me all the time. Mentioned it to people I know a few times and they always just look at me funny.
Its largely the norm for me. I usually let ideas stew in my mind for some time before begining, and so I usually have a pretty good idea of what I'm going for, but at least one or two things are usually thrust upon me by the story.
I also have muses, and some times I can tell when they arent talking to me.
And some times certain specific things will grab me. Often, I'll be writting a story, just like "do de do, la la la" and all of a sudden Lovecraftian horrors from beyond reality wrap their tentacles around my head, and bash me against the walls until I insert them in the story. Same thing happens some times with the Simon Logan inspired "rusty" elements.
