tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post1690342246744500076..comments2024-02-13T15:37:51.463-05:00Comments on Ellis Vidler's Unpredictable Muse: From Animals to Characters--How stories evolveEllis Vidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-11282436829062988212011-12-27T17:11:44.677-05:002011-12-27T17:11:44.677-05:00Una, are your characters a composite of characters...Una, are your characters a composite of characters you find in a courtroom? Or are they entirely fictional? You have access to really interesting problems, so plot is probably a natural for you.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-31409730760558290942011-12-26T09:15:32.379-05:002011-12-26T09:15:32.379-05:00I'm jealous of you finding Charlie, and I can ...I'm jealous of you finding Charlie, and I can picture his high ponytail. My stories begin with a subject to teach about, e.g. probate. Then I add a murder to keep it interesting. The next one is about a trust and lies. But they (lies) make the story move.<br />UnaUna Tiershttp://unatiers.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-64254057303724631232011-12-24T22:21:24.703-05:002011-12-24T22:21:24.703-05:00Sylvia, nice to have you here. Driving is a good t...Sylvia, nice to have you here. Driving is a good time to think. So is sleeping. Sometimes I wake up with an idea or character already there, just waiting to be noticed.<br />I think our subconscious takes over and gives us little gifts.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-42521096317568183472011-12-24T22:18:29.248-05:002011-12-24T22:18:29.248-05:00Irene, what a good thing to know. I'll use it!...Irene, what a good thing to know. I'll use it! Just what Charlie would do. I may be asking you for some more information. Thanks!Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-72955785739678038232011-12-24T21:59:56.207-05:002011-12-24T21:59:56.207-05:00Hi, Ellis. I'm going to try this again. Earlie...Hi, Ellis. I'm going to try this again. Earlier today I tried to leave a message, and it disappeared! After you visited "my home," I Googled your name, found your website, and then your blog. I enjoyed reading this post. I love animals, but I have a ton of allergies, so I have to love them from afar.<br /><br />Isn't it interesting how characters and their names come to writers?Sylvia A. Nashhttp://sylviaanash.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-91637559158508988122011-12-24T15:53:27.472-05:002011-12-24T15:53:27.472-05:00Great idea, for years I worked with the Hawk &...Great idea, for years I worked with the Hawk & Owl clinic at Glenn Helen outside of Yellow Springs, OH.<br />Might keep this in mind. The naturalists at the center kept old coolers in the trunks of their cars to scoop up road kill for their patients.<br />NashAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04182028108594825938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-81689406452206966452011-12-24T15:48:18.899-05:002011-12-24T15:48:18.899-05:00Gail,whatever works! My names come late, after I s...Gail,whatever works! My names come late, after I see the character, but we all have to find our way. Some people start with the plot. As long as we get there in the end, I don't think the path matters.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-74402551096033095082011-12-24T14:05:54.322-05:002011-12-24T14:05:54.322-05:00You have a colorful way of developing your charact...You have a colorful way of developing your characters. I enjoyed watching Charlie become fully realized. <br /><br />My process of creating characters is less imaginiative. I have a full list of names/relatives of my main character and choose a name from the list, then build from there. <br /><br />Best wishes for a happy holiday season.Gail M Baugniet - Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11543343067963247963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-32136995881986712352011-12-24T10:42:29.286-05:002011-12-24T10:42:29.286-05:00I'm thinking about how to get from A to D in o...I'm thinking about how to get from A to D in one page--or less. It's a boring period of adjustment, not for Charlie but for her. Meanwhile, back at the keyboard, it's Time of Death. <br />Keep at yours too. I'm here and ready to read.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-91014700635572730392011-12-24T08:55:54.888-05:002011-12-24T08:55:54.888-05:00Oh, you know it's the same for me. Characters ...Oh, you know it's the same for me. Characters are my first concern. The story builds around them. They have to be interesting, and since bland is never interesting, my characters are usually--can't say how I'd describe them on a PG blog, but you get the drift. Charlie sounds like my kind of character. Please write the story because I get first look, selfish person I am.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.com