tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888458418905431254.post2738542440066675087..comments2023-10-23T11:58:25.898-07:00Comments on Creativity or Insanity? Straddling the Line...: Vox Populi - Or you know, your character's voices. WhicheverKalen O'Donnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02131133469192904315noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888458418905431254.post-22142383813617026702011-03-30T15:54:28.530-07:002011-03-30T15:54:28.530-07:00I really enjoyed this post about voice, because le...I really enjoyed this post about voice, because let's face it, voice is one of the most important and difficult aspects of YA literature, if not the most important and difficult aspect.<br /><br />Although I think voice is more than just the narrator’s internal dialogue, I think I understand what you are getting at. Plus as an actor I think you know how important dialogue—inner and spoken—is. <br /><br />I think my one caveat is that while it’s good to have your character sound like the target audience, make sure your character still sounds like your character, make sure he still sounds like himself. I guess in short: Stay true to your character/story. Because your sassy teen girl might not want to fit in those you might see at the mall. Or on the other hand, she might very well want to fit in.<br /><br />I count voice among my strengths as well. I’ll have to try your character swap idea. I think it’s also a nice way to see how you can improve a scene just by changing a word or twisting a phrase.<br /><br />Of course since I tend to like writing books with dual first-person POVs, I have to manage and differentiate between two distinct voices. (Although of course all characters have their own voice, but usually it’s the main characters whose voices must shine.) I’m still learning on not merely relying on the use of different fonts, but on making sure each voice is distinct and unique. But I suppose that’s why they call it a writing process.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888458418905431254.post-2627459946601243282011-03-29T16:46:23.595-07:002011-03-29T16:46:23.595-07:00Hahaha. You appeal to my ego. You can stay.
But...Hahaha. You appeal to my ego. You can stay.<br /><br />But seriously. Knock on wood. No jinxing. Thanks again though, and see you around!Kalen O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02131133469192904315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888458418905431254.post-19068041620691010432011-03-29T08:56:58.011-07:002011-03-29T08:56:58.011-07:00Thanks so much! It's awesome how humble you ar...Thanks so much! It's awesome how humble you are. <br /><br />I actually forgot to follow you (LOL), so I came back asap. <br /><br />I see nothing but great things from you, and I am really looking forward to reading more of Dust to Dust. <br /><br />So, on that sparkly note, have a great day Mr. Kalen, future Oscar Winner, and NYT Bestselling author. :D<br /><br />And don't you dare be modest about the whole thing!T.D. McFrosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12923335522993845076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888458418905431254.post-33639664983110117662011-03-29T00:31:50.681-07:002011-03-29T00:31:50.681-07:00@Anita - LOL fine, be that way! Keep your manuscr...@Anita - LOL fine, be that way! Keep your manuscript's integrity pure! And yeah, the naked man test is awesome. I can't take creit for it, that goes to Allan Heinberg, one of the writers of the TV show Grey's Anatomy.<br /><br />@TD McFrost - Thanks so much for the kind words and the support! As for cliches, I figure there's nothing new under the sun, so why waste time trying to find a completely original idea just for the sake of being sparkly and new...I'd rather take an old 'cliche'idea and make it new again. So hopefully my shadow and dust magic plays out differently than expected. Interesting to hear about the hero from Sorcerer's Apprentice - thats one I actually haven't read, and had no interest in the movie, but I might have to check that out. But thanks again, and good luck with your own work!Kalen O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02131133469192904315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888458418905431254.post-3528371615540058372011-03-29T00:22:34.080-07:002011-03-29T00:22:34.080-07:00Pity you didn't win the Secret Agent Contest, ...Pity you didn't win the Secret Agent Contest, I was certain you would. Nonetheless, you've come a long way from your aforementioned opening to the one you have now.<br /><br />Fantastic job!<br /><br />There were many cliches in that excerpt, and it begs the question if the entire MS is as such. Some, if not all, of those elements have been done: shadow magic, dust magic (interesting to see how you will evolve this as the series progresses), down-on-his-luck guy likes hot girl, and so on.. .Though try as I might, I can't shake the feeling that your MC sounds exactly like the hero from Sorcerer's Apprentice. If anything, yours is a tad snarkalicious. :D<br /><br />I've prattled on too much. I came by to tell you how much I liked your entry and was disappointed it didn't win. <br /><br />Good luck with this and never give up!T.D. McFrosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12923335522993845076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888458418905431254.post-27670189064051673132011-03-28T16:52:01.609-07:002011-03-28T16:52:01.609-07:00That's so hilariously good, Kalen! LOL! I can ...That's so hilariously good, Kalen! LOL! I can see the differences w/out even going back and reading your other excerpt again (that's how good it stuck in my head; pat yourself on the back for your literary prowess). <br /><br />I adore the idea of TNMT (the naked man test). You could do a whole post on that alone! What great advice! <br /><br />As for dropping a character from one book into another ... I guess that's just not for me. I like to keep my scenes pure. HEH. I'm not into all of this interspacial scene swapping. Although you did a super job of it. Awesome post, Zoolander. ;-)Anita Grace Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01797870961916148616noreply@blogger.com