Just want to share something very quickly: I've been a bad blogger. Though you see my posts I know you don't see my comments. I hope to be back after some intense editing. Just know I'm still here and miss you all!!!
Now onto killing characters...
I've been having trouble with my characters lately. It seems they've given up on me. I don't let it bother me. I cope. However I figured you might like to know the evil things I do to keep them from me.
When characters stop talking to you...
1. Create a fighting scene (something you character wouldn't like to be involved it. When they're whining they're talking. It's better than nothing).
2. Threaten to replace them (main characters don't fall easily to this one. That hasn't stopped me. If the main character isn't working they don't get the hot spot.)
3. Killing them off (again the main character will play you. The good thing is they're still talking. It works. The jokes on them.)
4. Give them caffiene (this is used after the not-so-positive approaches don't work. Shove a latte in their face they'll spill).
5. Allow time for good TV (your MC may want to watch Pretty Little Liars, don't deprive them).
So there you are. Next time your main character stops talking tell them Jen came up with awesome ideas. There's no way they'll defeat you.
47 comments:
Yep, TV does the trick. I kow first hand :o)
yeah, when those characters get too comfortable just chilling and gabbing, time to mix it up!
Way to keep them on their toes!
LOL this is hysterical. So glad you popped in on my blog so that I found yours:) I recently tore apart my old webs.com one and have been in the process of getting this new blogger.com one streamlined. *pants* It's been a lot of work. Anyway, thanks for your post and I'll follow:)
Good advice. I like to bring in the black sheep relatives to stir the pot.
My characters are already cowering in the corner.
LOL. These are great!
Hmm. What about killing of your MC? I wonder if there's a way to get away with that without ending the story ...
I'll cut my characters. Literally. With a knife. That shows them who's the boss. See, I roll like Tony Danza. (And I'm thinking I need to get out more. I'm kind of scaring myself...)
I like to throw mine into the space that they fear the most. That wakes them up! Fun post, Jen!
Great suggestions, throwing something completely unexpected their way has a way of testing their mettle and showing what they've got!
Happy Editing :)
Oh Jen, as alwasy thank you for starting my day out with a laugh. You see I am having a bad morning, I didn't get my jelly donut.... but this almsot makes up for it haha
I read a book. My MC gets jealous of the time I'm giving another author's characters and decides to finally give me the time of day. Works every time (for a little while anyway). :)
This is hilarious and helpful! I've been having trouble with one character in my WIP...now I'm thinking that I'll just put her in a random fight scene! I can see it now--she's in the bathroom crying and whining when some WWF wrestler comes in and starts throwing punches so my character has to whip out some ninja kicks...ninja kicks--why didn't I think of that before??? Thank you, Jen :)
LOL! I'll have to try the caffeine thing for my mc. Hee hee.
I love to do evil things to my characters. Yeah baby! Hit them where it hurts!
Great suggestions. I think it would work for some real people in my life too.
I prefer to strap 'em to a chair with duct tape and force them to watch CSI: Miami.
Fun post!
lol I love to do evil things to my characters. It ups the tension. I'm all about conflict, baby!
Great advice! I swear, when I fired my main character, she didn't even talk back. Iron-clad proof she needed to go!
Psst...I know you're editing, but I announced a fun, easy blogfest today -- stop over, if you have a sec :))
Ha ha ha! I LOVE this! :-)
I've totally done the kill the character so they talk to me thing. AND it works! :) I'm going to have to try the others....I think my characters are on to me.
Good ol fashioned character ass whoopin! I love your tips!
What about getting them to shut up?
Great tips but I can't use them.
My characters don't ever learn to shut up.
;-)
Aw, you've got some great tips here!
give them caffiene--that's hilarious.
Thanks for the tips. :D
*snort* you're too funny!
These were humorous! I'll be sure to pass them along to my fiction writing critique partners! Have a great week!
You forgot to get them drunk! That's always good from loose-lips and spilling what they don't want spilled...muah-ha-ha! :)
These are great, Jen! I'm burning the candle here as well. Wish a day had more hours! Do what you gotta do and keep at it!
Too funny. I'll have to employ some of your tactics.
Killing them off is all good...but, what if they come back to life? Then we're screwed, they won't die ever. (Hugs)Indigo
my favourite tip is threatening to replace them ;)
Those are really good ideas. Good mini plots!
Good ideas. I've got a character that stopped talking, but I got in his head a little and we're slowly coming to terms.
Those pesky characters can be troublesome. Thanks for the tips on how to keep them in shape. :D
Ha! I ignore them in favor of OTHER characters. Nothing like jealousy...
I put mine in the closet and told him to think about his behavior lately, but now he just wants to stay in there forever. >:(
I think I'll try the fight scene, that should lure the little guy out!
erica
kill them off.
i love it.
Bad things happen to my characters all the time. Perhaps they should more appreciative that they're even in my story.
I have such a hard time killing characters that I have created. Sometimes it is necessary.
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Haha, love this advice! Yes, main characters always need time for Pretty Little Liars :)
Thats awesome. I will totally have to use that because my character has indeed stopped talking to me... lol Your writing is amazing glad you found my blog so that I could find yours.
That was funny! I really like the replace character bit. LOL
I like this. I hope it helps keep them in line. lol
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