Time to celebrate another Throwback Thursday!
Today I’m flashing way back to June 2013 and (according to the guest blog) my second ever blog post. This one was with the Romance Writers of America® 2012 Golden Heart® finalists group, The Firebirds. Sending a big thank you to Firebird, Nikki McIntosh for hosting me.
Want a FREE read? If you haven’t downloaded the free story for my newsletter subscribers, visit my FREE READ page.
First, I’d like to say a big thank you to the Firebirds for inviting me to be a guest! This is only my second time as a guest blogger and I’m honored to be able to join the Firebirds for the day. Okay, what does a writer talk about in her second guest blog? How about…rules?
WHAT ARE THE RULES?
As a writer, I keep hearing about rules. Write something people will want to read. Write what you love. Write every day. Write quick, edit slow. Rules are everywhere — in life, art, business and every occupation on the planet.
Before my creativity was consumed by writing, one of my day jobs was as an animator for TV shows and electronic games. I’ve always loved watching movies. Animated movies held particular interest because of their expressive format. For me, they were like a painting had come alive on the screen. I was captivated. I wanted to be involved in creating something that could induce that deep a reaction.
But, yes, there are rules in animation as well!
- There are 12 basic principles of animation — according to Walt Disney Studios.
- There are 22 story basics — according to one Pixar artist.
There appear to be as many rules as there are words to describe them. We call them principles, basics, tips, suggestions and (according to Captain Jack Sparrow) guidelines.
SO, AS A WRITER WHO ONCE WAS AN ANIMATOR, WHAT’S MY SUGGESTION?
Many of my insights about writing have come from being an animator, but which one do I use the most? Visualize sections of your story until they play out like a movie in your head…then get up and act it out.
Yes, I’m suggesting you get out of your writing chair and act out your story! Play the part of your character. What do they feel? What do they decide? What do they do? Then go back to your computer, or paper and pen, and fill the blank page with your discoveries.
Acting out an animation is something an animator does often. And, yes, this can be an embarrassing thing to do in a studio full of your co-workers! But we are willing to make sacrifices for our craft, right? Hopefully wherever you write is a little more private — as is my current writing desk. If not, there is always the sanctuary of the bathroom. I’d often go to the ladies room to act out an animation in private.
HOW ABOUT SOME EXAMPLES?
If I’m sharing examples, I might as well link them to the most widely recognizable animation project I worked on — the Harry Potter, Goblet of Fire game.
Can’t think of a walk for Harry, Hermione, or Ron (or your character)? Wanting a walk that matches your character’s unique personality? A walk that sets your character apart from the others? Get up and act it out. Walk around. Is your stride confident or meek? Do you shuffle or strut or scurry or limp? Do you huff and puff as you go uphill, or do you almost tumble over as you hurry down?
Can’t think of a hand gesture for Harry, Hermione, or Ron (or your character)? Get up and act it out. Are you having a conversation with someone? People talk with their hands. How do your hands move or interact with the rest of your body as you pretend you are facing the other character and as you (gasp) speak your dialogue aloud. Your family may wonder why they hear voices coming from the bathroom whenever you’re in there. Tell them it’s an extension of singing in the shower.
Can’t think of a facial expression for Harry, Hermione, or Ron (or your character)? Get up and act it out. Well, actually you can do this one sitting down. As an animator, we always had little mirrors on our desks for this purpose. Or, once again, head to the bathroom. Look in the mirror and pretend you are your character. Are they mad or sad or happy? Remember a time when you were mad or sad or happy. Analyze what your face does.
Can’t think of an idle for Harry, Hermione, or Ron (or your character)? Meaning what does a character do when they are doing nothing at all? This is the dreaded idle cycle in electronic games. And it’s a biggie. Sometimes a character’s stillness says more about them than their biggest, boldest moves. Once again, get up and act it out. Try to think small. Are you relaxed, tired or trying to hide something? Do you feel a twitch or tremor in a certain part of your body? Do you fidget or shift your weight? Are your eyes the only part of your body that moves?
WANT TO TAKE MY SUGGESTIONS TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
Why not try this for all of your characters — your hero, heroine, villain and secondary characters? You don’t have to go overboard. One unique, descriptive action can speak volumes.
Quite often I’ve found I can act out my story while sitting in my chair. But I’ve also found that the physical act of getting up puts me the mood to use my whole body (inside and out) to figure out what’s going on with my characters. It makes me dig deep.
Being a writer or an animator is a bit like playing God. We take nothing (a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen) and create something that comes alive and elicits an emotional response. Or at least that was my goal. It still is.
Thanks for taking the time to join me with the Firebirds!
AND NOW BACK TO PRESENT DAY
I loved my days (or more precisely, 7 years) as an animator, but being a writer is awesome as well. I’m in control of everything: plotting/brainstorming, character, and setting design, making my characters talk and move (animation!) and all revisions and final polishes.
I’ve studied the rules of writing (and my studies never end) but sometimes I have fun breaking the rules. For me, it’s the one about not including a prologue because they’re considered backstory, and it’s better to start with the present-day action. But heck, I’m a sucker for a prologue. I can’t resist 😊
HOW ABOUT YOU?
I’d love to hear your comments. What are your favorite rules/suggestions for writing? Writers – how do you break the rules? Readers – what rule do you believe an author broke and you loved them for it?
Wishing you happy writing & reading ❤
