Ramblings on characterisation, fanfic, original fic and letting your baby into the world

[jooles34]

 

So, I finally made another addition to the very few original fics that I have posted here. Odd given that original writing was the reason I set up this journal. Ho hum. Anyhoo, this, Name, Rank and Number, was an important one. I’m very aware that it is not the best thing I’ve done, but it’s the first time I’ve entered a story competition and I just had to get my first time out of the way. (Side note – entered a poetry comp years ago and got my poem selected and pubished. Was stupidly happy. Then got a copy of the book – not cheap-, saw some of the shit in it and realised I’d been had. Though I did have a friend who didn’t get selected; something made all the more harsh by the fact the fact my poem was next to one about a fricking toaster. Seriously)

So, that’s one reason why that story is important. The other is the character. This is the first time I have let anyone see my beloved Callie. Callie is my character, my girl and I love her absolutely. She is the anchor of the novel I am in the process of writing. This is just a snapshot of her; there is so much more to her than this, but even so, this is an accurate, if not good, first impression. She’s a bitch, she does some horrible things, but I do some bad, bad things to her. But, as I said, I love her absolutely and sharing even this teenie amount of her with the world is damn scary.

Characterisation is a funny thing when it comes to fanfic writing. Staying in character is very important, but it’s all you have to do. You can write a short story easily because you don’t have to worry (most of the time) about introducing your character to your audience. Your audience already knows your character (backwards in the case of many fandoms) so it’s actually quite a lazy, shortcut way of writing. (And I’m not criticising anyone here, it’s obvious how much I love fanfic, reading and writing, I’m just stating fact).

You can write a 1000 word short fanfic and have it be all be story, you don’t need to use any words to introduce your characters, they are already so well formed in your audience’s minds; but with original fic you have to cram all that in there as well. And damn it’s hard. Well, for me anyway. If you want to avoid huge chunks of explanation, and especially if you’re on a word limit, you have to use any tricks and slight of hand you can. I tried it in 2000 words and really don’t think I managed it.

I tried a couple of things with Name, Rank and Number and I’m not sure they work. I think some were just too slight. I tried to do too much with what wasn’t said rather than what was said. So, it is clearly something that I really have to work on and spend time on. But the lure of fanfic instead is so great because there are some awesome characters to play with. So I have to be disciplined. I have joined an original fic LAS and we’ll see how that goes. (cheerio in round one…?)

In the meantime I will be spending some more quality time with Callie. Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to share a bit more of her with the world. But for now, I think I’m going to hide her away with me, lock us in a room together where she will do all the things I daren’t do in real life and in return I will turn her world upside down.

The power of a writer eh?

 

Comments

[thrace-adams.livejournal.com]

So true what you say about original fic vs fanfic. With fanfic you don't have to do any character or world building...but with original you have to do a whole lot.

I hope you do get brave enough to share some more of Callie with us, because I enjoyed the little snippet of her story.

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you so much. I really was terrified letting Callie into the world and it means so much that you've liked what you've seen of her story.

While building a world is a lot of fun, it is hard work. But if we didn't enjoy it, we wouldn't do it...

[thrace-adams.livejournal.com]

I can certainly understand that. It's scary to share a piece of original work.

and yup, so true :) *goes back to building a world*

[angelkitty101.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about original characters (btw, I really like Callie), I am only at the fanfic stage, but I have OCs, and I love them more than my proper characters. And I want others to love them, so I get very excited when people do!

And you write well! Very well! *bows before your talent*

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Sorry...taken a while to reply.

Thanks for your kind words about Callie, they mean a lot. I should share more of her at some point. There's a couple of chapters that could stand alone so maybe one day...

Am looking forward to reading your story; really think I'll like your OCs.

And stnad up you silly arse. Thank you for the lovely compliment.

[emyrldlady.livejournal.com]

I have three or four orig fic ideas and scraps of notes but it's the world building that's really hard. And it's baring more of yourself that fanfic. It's very difficult. Previously I'd only written poetry or small stories.

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

So taken ages to reply, sorry, baring yourself though orig fiction is kinda scary, because it's your world. But now we have bingo...we shall force ourselves.