Update: Na No:Characters & more

Some of you might wonder what happened to the 25,000-plus-words-Na No-challenge-novel I wrote in October.  Well, I have been busy trying to bring into focus the characters, especially children, in my novel.

Read this old book from my great-aunt’s belongings titled Humanity and the Zodiac ,A.F.Seward & Co., Publishers, Revised Edition 1915.  Actually, studied each sign from a character-study perspective, as I searched to enrich and clarify the characters in my novel.  Each ‘Sign’ article talked about strengths, weaknesses, primitive versus enlightened levels of development, best work choices for that personality type,  how a person handles (or doesn’t handle stress), and most interesting to what I needed – a description of the children of that sign, behavior, and parenting suggestions.  For character studies, versus divine wisdom, this little book is a resource gem.

I’ve gobbled up the books by Rumer Godden this year.  She wrote over 70 books for both adults and children.  As background, she was British, raised in India, born 1907, died 1998.  Several of her books were made into movies:  Black Narcissus, The River,  and others.

I’ve been pulled to her books this year and read The Doll’s House, The Story of Holly and Ivy, and The Diddakoi back in the Spring.  I’m presently reading her biography pictured above.   And I’m reading The River.  And I’ve already read The Fairy Doll, Candy Floss, Great Grandfather’s House.  And I just picked up more books from the library.  So I guess you can say I am finding enjoyment and inspiration and great writing in her books.  And great characters.    And.  And.  And.

Since Na No my writing exercise has been:  Writing 10 Qualities About Each Character.   Making a concise, summarizing list of ten qualities is harder than it sounds, or I’m making it more complicated than it has to be, and of my main characters, I’m about half way through each list.

The reason why I believe this is so important, is because I want the dialogue and behavior coming out of each character to be consistent with that character.

About Na No writing:  I have not reread what I wrote and therefore, have not started typing my handwritten story.  I’m saving that for January.

Also, parts of my story may be old-fashioned, so I am trying to make a list of plot ideas that might make it more contemporary yet still remain true to my voice and vision for the story.  So that’s where I am as of today.

And speaking of old-fashioned.  Here’s a Sampler (American folk art) I made back in 1985.  It was a kit I purchased back when people had those house parties.  Not sure if people do that anymore.

“Count Your Life by Smiles not Tears”

Happy Holidays to you and best wishes for a great Year 2013.