Comparing the views . . .

Part of the joy of reading for pleasure- for me- is imagining the various characters and everything about them and their storylines. I am talking about each and every detail about the characters- how they look, how they wear their hair, how they talk, their surroundings and even their vehicles. I have a complete movie of sorts running in my mind as I read. This is also true as I write.

My son is more of a music lover than a reader. In fact, he has written more than 100 songs. When he is not writing music he is listening to it. We were discussing music videos the other day- after watching a couple that only could be called bizarre! There are other music videos that are good overall, but depict a different meaning- or visual- of the song than one may visualize or imagine listening to it. We agreed that sometimes it is just better to listen to the music, letting ones imagination provide the visual! Unless, of course, it is Elvis in any of the videos from the '68 Comeback Special! Laughs!

There are also some avid readers who are reluctant to see a movie based on a well-read and well-loved novel. There are always some changes made when it goes from print to film. And, chances are the actors look or sound nothing like those in the mind's view of a reader. Of course, the reverse does occur- the movie versions lead readers to awesome books.

Working on the Secrets project has been interesting in this respect. Living with the characters for so long- in my mind, anyway- they have a certain look, personality, and even sound. My co-author and I have come up with a fantasy cast over time, but even at that I still have my own version tucked away in my mind.

This was really made evident to me as the audition team recently selected voice actors for the radio drama, Bloodline Confidential – Part One. How does one select the voice actors? For me, it was matter of trying to match the voices in my head for the specific characters! Laughs! Sometimes my choices matched the others on the audition team, and sometimes not. (As a side note, I might add that there were some awesome auditions!) In the end, we have an awesome cast of voice actors!

So, what do you think? Do you have the visions and voices in your mind as you read, or write? Do you prefer your music as you imagine it? Or do you enjoy another's interpretation of the art, be it writing or music?

Secrets One - The Series

Cracking the writer's block . . .

One of the occupational hazards - so to speak - for writers is the onset of writer's block! You will not see any Public Service Announcements (PSA) for this affliction- afterall, with writer's block one would not have the words to write the PSA...laughs! (Sorry, I could not resist!)

OK, maybe it is NOT serious enough for celebrities to do a PSA. But, if you- yes, I mean you- suffered from this you would want help! Or, are you already one of the silent sufferers?

It is time to speak out about this malady. I will admit I have been struggling with a mild case of writer's block the last few weeks. I know I have written before about how an idea forms in my mind and then just grows, like a small seed blossoming into a Spring flower. Well, my seeds the last few weeks were just rolling around, not quite pushing through the dirt to bloom. This is frustrating when I want to write!

It happens to all artists at some point, whatever the medium. And for a variety of reasons. And the antidotes can be just as varied. I know of one person who likes to get in the car, crank up some tunes and just drive to open the mind. A walk in the park might work, or perhaps visiting with family and friends may be another's solution. Both the cause and the reversal can be mysterious....

So, the moral of this blog would be not to panic if your words, or painting, or song just is not there. It happens to all of us at one point or another. And just as quickly, the spark will flash or the seed will bloom, and you will create again. I know that just a few a moments ago I was sitting here wishing I could write a blog that was way overdue...

Secrets One - The Series

Celebrating the people . . .

I am writing this in waning hours of Valentine's Day. While some look at it as strictly a holiday for lovers, I have always celebrated my family and friends, as well.

This got me to thinking about the various friends over the years. With some people that I meet, I just know that something clicks, and we are going to be friends. Opposites really do attract, or at least some on my list of friends would indicate that. Others, there may be something that just doesn't hit right. Those first impressions are just not right for whatever reason. I really have to laugh because there are a couple of those kind of encounters that developed into really close friends, or as I like to say friends for life.

When one thinks about it, our relationships with other people are multi-dimensional. These layers include how we initially met, what are the common interests that connect us, where we live, where we work, experiences we have together, and so on.

As a writer on the current project, I have a whole set of new friends- that live on paper...and in my mind! Laughs! The creation of the character is just like a new friendship, there are a variety of beginnings. It can be unexpected, music can be an inspiration, or the character can be connected to another. As a writer, I have an advantage in that I can write the character with the traits that I want him or her to have. (Don't you wish sometimes that was possible with your friends?)

Some characters are immediately likeable, others will grow on you! They, too, should be multi-dimensional. That is the challenge for any writer- writing characters so that readers can identify and connect with through various emotions and layers of personality. Sometimes the characters are like those friends that take awhile to be friends. A character may even be one that a reader loves to hate! I would have to say that developing characters is one of my favorite parts of writing a novel.

Naming the character is also really interesting and fun to me. I tend to do a lot of research to find meaningful names for the character's personality or purpose in the novel. I thoroughly enjoy it!

May you enjoy your family and friends, real and imaginary! (Of course, I am referring to any writers out there!)

Secrets One - The Series