Last night I got together with a few of the actors who used to be in my theatre company because I've been asked to put on a murder mystery night at our local theatre. I had prepared outlines of everyone's character and described the setting. I went in knowing the basic plot.
Think of it as having a first draft.
After the meeting, it's like having a second or third draft.
Characters are deeper and thus have multiple motivations. Interpersonal relationships have become far more complex. Histories of characters have been expanded.
Oh, and the victim changed.
These murder mystery nights are always a group effort, but it was a nice reminder how fresh eyes see characters and events in different ways. It also reminded me not to think the plot is carved in stone at the beginning of the writing process. No evolution makes for a stalled and dull manuscript.
Remember to listen to all of your main characters. It's possible they're right and you're wrong. Being open to all possibilities can only improve your story.
And laughter makes everything better.
Elspeth - I'm so glad you got the chance to meet with your theatre group. I'm sure you refreshed each other. I agree so strongly with you that listening to what our characters want and need is an essential part of good writing. They do often know better than we do...
ReplyDeleteMargot; Thanks for leaving a comment! I was feeling all alone...
ReplyDeleteI love that you said to listen to your main characters. Last week one of mine gave me such a surprise that it greatly changed some other things in the story - for the better.
ReplyDeleteCarol; They can be very wise. Mouthy and uppity, but also very wise.
ReplyDeleteIt's always surprising to find that others know your characters better than you do.
ReplyDeleteTerry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery
Terry; It's certainly interesting to hear other's viewpoints. I think any work benefits from it.
ReplyDeleteI went to a murder mystery event once a long time ago and had a ball (although I did not solve the crime). I really need to do that again one of these days.
ReplyDeletePatricia; I've always found them fun to write, fun to act in and fun to attend. It's a win all-round.
ReplyDeleteI've always said I could never write a film or play because it's such a collaboration. I wouldn't mind someone taking my book and adapting it for a film or a play, but it's hard for me to write in collaboration with directors/actors/etc. I probably could do it, though. I think it's a real challenge and will strengthen your writing incredibly!
ReplyDeleteI think that would be both fun and challenging. I do like and expect feedback, but having SO much input would mean you'd really have to go with the flow!
ReplyDeleteCharacters really do talk to us and change plots. Darn them...
Stephanie; Well, there's collaboration to a point. I get the final choice on what stays, what goes, what gets twisted around and (most importantly) who did it.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth; I admit it's easier to get the input coming across the table than from the little voice in your head. However, not everything stays. Every actor is so focused on their own part that they have trouble looking at the whole picture. That's my job (just like being a director in the theatre) and I'm the one who writes it.
That sounds like such fun! Listening to the characters is always a good idea :)
ReplyDeleteJemi: It IS fun! But it did remind me to pay attention to my characters in my current projects. They have voices too.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like quite an undertaking, but a fun one. I agree, laughter does make everything better.
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