tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post831462201414884861..comments2024-03-29T03:42:04.742-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: Creating Characters that Make Readers CryJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-17124172261168703002011-03-30T13:52:19.431-04:002011-03-30T13:52:19.431-04:00This is such a great post. I love writing heart-wr...This is such a great post. I love writing heart-wrenching scenes that move myself to tears as I write. I've never quite "sobbed" yet, but I have shed a few tears.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing this! =)Tessa Emily Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08625256104634830104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-64663940863623769912011-03-30T13:51:44.747-04:002011-03-30T13:51:44.747-04:00This comment has been removed by the author..https://www.blogger.com/profile/01708568014683752847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-3093108798764952762010-05-24T15:03:16.486-04:002010-05-24T15:03:16.486-04:00Great post and very helpful! Thank you.Great post and very helpful! Thank you.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03944766018173436353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-56260367451194837532010-05-21T11:12:45.223-04:002010-05-21T11:12:45.223-04:00I've both cried at a scene while writing it an...I've both cried at a scene while writing it and again while reading over it to edit it. I'm not a guy who's particularly prone to crying over things, so I liked to think that it was a good indication that I'd achieved my objective for the emotion of the scene. <br /><br />As for the slow slide Vs throwing the character off a cliff. I think both methods have merit depending on what tone you want for the story you're telling. Sometimes the story is about surviving having that rug pulled from under them. <br /><br />I've read some books in the past where one small thing after another was piled on to a character and you reach the point where you think "Enough already, give them a break". So, I think it can be a balancing act to pile <i>enough</i> on them that they hit the bottom but to know where the line is of 'too much' (the latter can throw me out of a story so hard).<br /><br />This was a very interesting piece to read and your character sheet looks very interesting and useful. There are things on there that I wouldn't consider thinking about in advance, so thanks for sharing that :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11218002297482300710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-66533617631920226312010-05-21T10:29:38.236-04:002010-05-21T10:29:38.236-04:00I bawled my eyes out when I killed of a character ...I bawled my eyes out when I killed of a character at the climax of my novel. I thought I wad just being pathetic but I'm glad I'm not alone!WritersBlockNZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13666986327836276744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-9274672071238371592010-05-20T23:42:05.110-04:002010-05-20T23:42:05.110-04:00Jody, I loved this post! You really brought us int...Jody, I loved this post! You really brought us into your interior world as a writer, and I was totally with you in that library, wanting to find a tissue and wipe away your tears. I've been there before while at St. Ben's on writing residency, shedding tears as I came to my resolution; a resolution that surprised me. When I tied everything together, it tugged at me at a very deep place. It's an amazing experience, and something I'll never forget and will strive to reach again. The character sheet is awesome too. You are so incredibly thorough! No wonder you are cranking out the books as steadily as you are. You're a woman on a mission! :)Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32774606151308794362010-05-20T19:28:52.122-04:002010-05-20T19:28:52.122-04:00Yes, I have cried when I have written sometimes. I...Yes, I have cried when I have written sometimes. I write from my heart. I don't really know any other way to do it. <br /><br />But I also know that moving myself to tears and moving my readers are two different things! For the second one to take place, I need a thoughtful and sensitive editor!Cassandra Frearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16564236561567663914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-83956218246970521552010-05-20T18:57:15.505-04:002010-05-20T18:57:15.505-04:00Such excellent advice. I like the way you said yo...Such excellent advice. I like the way you said you "zoom in" like with a camera. Gives me a mental image I can use later. Thanks.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-24386242809520683852010-05-20T15:22:41.746-04:002010-05-20T15:22:41.746-04:00I recently had to write off a character I loved de...I recently had to write off a character I loved deeply. It was his time to go and I knew it. There wasn't much to be done for him in the development department. And so I went to that dark place and wrote a "goodbye scene". At first it was awkward, because I didn't want the scene to be too sad and I didn't want to have my character cry and have a break down. So he and his friend, they were trying to be those brave little toasters and pretend like it's not a big deal and that they will see each other again... I basically cried. and a friend who was reading the scene as it was written, she cried as well... Basically my heart broke.<br /><br />I think it was one of the best character interactions I've ever did.Jane Rutherfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04981266318022518225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-15879245426229185242010-05-20T12:39:57.385-04:002010-05-20T12:39:57.385-04:00If you think it's tough being the emotional wo...If you think it's tough being the emotional woman over in the corner at a library, try being the emotional pilot (still in uniform, no less!) crying over his WIP at a gate in the airport!<br /><br />Welcome to Strangelooksville, USA, Population: ME<br /><br />Another invaluable post, Jody, thanks!Nathan Carrikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978268272492493378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-58610633083201223372010-05-20T12:06:42.901-04:002010-05-20T12:06:42.901-04:00I cried when I wrote parts of my memoir...and that...I cried when I wrote parts of my memoir...and that's my own story! I don't know if that makes me pathetic or incredibly self-absorbed or what. Or maybe I just have a sad life (just kidding). <br /><br />I like your advice here. It's true -- we need to write characters that readers will relate to -- either in love, or hate, or a mix of both. This is true even when writing about yourself, I think.Michelle DeRushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07658349105535790020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-39344814246346708682010-05-20T08:31:58.273-04:002010-05-20T08:31:58.273-04:00I brace myself and just write it. I feel bad, doin...I brace myself and just write it. I feel bad, doing this to my poor characters. I caught my mom crying over my heroine in my second WIP.Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08397116071436885635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-60261980386341315692010-05-20T08:21:40.768-04:002010-05-20T08:21:40.768-04:00Oh yes I've bawled:) Then I wonder if only I w...Oh yes I've bawled:) Then I wonder if only I will be the one to cry there because maybe the scene means more to me than it might someone else. Thanks again for some really good advice:)Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33738665366319998612010-05-19T22:11:22.835-04:002010-05-19T22:11:22.835-04:00Your post is spot on. I just posted about somethin...Your post is spot on. I just posted about something similar - taking our real-life experiences (like my wife fainting in my arms last week) and conveying that emotion where applicable in the hearts of the characters we create. Those are my favorite to read, the ones that seem real, believable.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03209949145997932361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-34168935746485536722010-05-19T21:52:34.554-04:002010-05-19T21:52:34.554-04:00I love when I read a book that moves me to tears o...I love when I read a book that moves me to tears or better yet laughter. I hope I'm able to do the same thing with my writing. I agree with the slowing down and showing instead of telling:)Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03925811510913201292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-34720900648832082612010-05-19T21:26:57.038-04:002010-05-19T21:26:57.038-04:00This is my hearts desire - to get to the depth you...This is my hearts desire - to get to the depth you are speaking of. I love your advise - will print it out to be a reminder! ThanksJan Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617976979678082323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-18342235793576208562010-05-19T20:48:53.659-04:002010-05-19T20:48:53.659-04:00I have thought about writing fiction, but just don...I have thought about writing fiction, but just don't yet have that craft -- but when I DO write fiction, I will come back to this post! Very insightful.Susan DiMickelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13376687779868147687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-86893879456854710172010-05-19T17:56:33.561-04:002010-05-19T17:56:33.561-04:00I went through a brief depression as I wrote the d...I went through a brief depression as I wrote the darkest chapter in my book...it's a wild ride, writing through your characters. Excellent post.Café Lopezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00356527115662788903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-40089990961152513752010-05-19T17:55:36.254-04:002010-05-19T17:55:36.254-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Café Lopezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00356527115662788903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33697737142356620652010-05-19T17:48:28.911-04:002010-05-19T17:48:28.911-04:00Sometimes when I have an idea for a story thats so...Sometimes when I have an idea for a story thats so overwhelming, I have to write it down immediately and often there are tears. Happened to me last week. :)Taleihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07317577935549931974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-22316566663120367282010-05-19T16:45:07.083-04:002010-05-19T16:45:07.083-04:00I love the points of becoming the character and ta...I love the points of becoming the character and tapping into your own emotion. I tend to do these simultaneously. I experience what it's like to be the character, not just reacting the way the character would, but trying to see the world from my character's perspective, his/her thoughts, ideas, beliefs, values, and from that frame of reference I can tap into my own emotions of what I would think and feel with that perspective.<br /><br />I think another helpful way of infusing emotion in writing is to not try too hard. Emotion is something that comes naturally; if you as the writer are forcing the emotion, the character's emotion will be forced as well.Snazzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595597495960761267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91179667271914209212010-05-19T14:48:25.976-04:002010-05-19T14:48:25.976-04:00This post is a great teaching tool, Jody! I might...This post is a great teaching tool, Jody! I might use some of your wisdom with my composition classes to reinforce one of my lessons. My favorite is slow down and show - so wise and so important! :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-86061861822529191632010-05-19T14:04:08.242-04:002010-05-19T14:04:08.242-04:00I haven't made myself cry yet, but in reading ...I haven't made myself cry yet, but in reading a book this week I laughted out loud....then re-read the sentence and laughted out loud again. I'd love to have the word power to create that kind of response in a reader...Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71385280132196518512010-05-19T13:52:28.801-04:002010-05-19T13:52:28.801-04:00Wait, you mean I'm not just some hopeless shmu...Wait, you mean I'm not just some hopeless shmuck when I cry at my own story? Cause I've wondered... (Hey let me know if you cry when you edit that scene, too... That would also make me feel better!) Seriously, I have wondered if this just means I'm a little too easy on myself or what...<br /><br />Erica Vetsch: I felt so incredibly honored when a beta reader texted me he (WOOHOO! Yes, a HE!) was crying at my novel. It really made me feel like I'd hit the mark I was supposed to. To God be the glory!Wendy Delfossehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16614782334273299261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33565045118844967332010-05-19T13:41:02.955-04:002010-05-19T13:41:02.955-04:00Yes! Oh Jody, yes. I adore crying with my characte...Yes! Oh Jody, yes. I adore crying with my characters. In fact, there's one scene in the novel I just revised where I cried at every pass (about five times!) of the revisions. To me, that's the sign of a keeper.<br /><br />Crazy crying women unite!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.com