tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post5099288957683347707..comments2023-05-12T06:37:48.238-04:00Comments on Manuscript Mavens: ArcErica Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05511276393455961757noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-84550997122241446572007-12-13T18:10:00.000-05:002007-12-13T18:10:00.000-05:00Ah, my comment yesterday got lost when my Internet...Ah, my comment yesterday got lost when my Internet connection went down (for repairs, apparently, but I wasn't exactly expecting it).<BR/><BR/>Character arc is one of those craft elements I know I'm still working on, but I definitely agree that it's easier to accomplish a strong arc when you have a character with a strong voice. One of the reasons I've been enjoying writing first person of late is the way the voice seems to drive the story (and the character arc) even more strongly than in third person. Of course, you only get to deal with one character's arc, but it's still lots of fun.Jackie Barbosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02904049760374126059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-89561082401099179322007-12-12T14:28:00.000-05:002007-12-12T14:28:00.000-05:00I think character arc is my favorite part of creat...I think character arc is my favorite part of creating stories. I think. Hard to say, because I also have that one position against changing people. Hmm... I sense a blog post coming up...lacey kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04748864831060027009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-63858937038897031932007-12-12T14:19:00.000-05:002007-12-12T14:19:00.000-05:00I started using an excel spreadsheet. I put down ...I started using an excel spreadsheet. I put down anything important and who did what. <BR/><BR/>Also, all characters go in there even if they are only in one scene in the book. This I started after I realized I called a character one name at the beginning of the book and another name later when he came back into a scene.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04521384704019863926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-39917032509981865872007-12-12T12:11:00.000-05:002007-12-12T12:11:00.000-05:00*erica glances at the Magical Mulch Pile under her...<I>*erica glances at the Magical Mulch Pile under her bed then looks around shifty-eyed*</I><BR/><BR/>God, I can <I>so</I> picture this look!!! Laughing out loud and feeling like you're here. Good times.<BR/><BR/>Good point re: Emma. I'm thinking Miranda is very similar. Little things she may not even be aware of are chipping away at her preconceived notions. At least I hope so. Please, please chip away!<BR/><BR/>Bill: so far so good!<BR/><BR/>Carrie: I was going to finish your sentence for you as I read that. <I>Can't see the forest for the hands and teeth...</I>Darcy Burkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14819984559001912841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-76130073361016574482007-12-12T10:08:00.000-05:002007-12-12T10:08:00.000-05:00I assume there is an arc and that I just can't see...<I>I assume there is an arc and that I just can't see the forest for the trees...</I><BR/><BR/>This cracked me up, given the title of the story in question.Erica Ridleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05511276393455961757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-18217002215866950172007-12-12T09:28:00.000-05:002007-12-12T09:28:00.000-05:00You know, I'm in awe of writers who know their arc...You know, I'm in awe of writers who know their arcs so well. For me, I had no idea what my protag's arc was in FHT. I'm still not quite sure what it was (and since the book is done and in the editing stages, these are things I feel I should know). For now, I assume there is an arc and that I just can't see the forest for the trees...Carrie Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13751498516235657725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-71450377597820090822007-12-12T09:18:00.000-05:002007-12-12T09:18:00.000-05:00see how my story, and particulary my hero and hero...<I>see how my story, and particulary my hero and heroine, are holding together</I><BR/><BR/>Tightly, one hopes! ;-)Bill Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01828998021246511869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-13136334349757728932007-12-12T08:23:00.000-05:002007-12-12T08:23:00.000-05:00In BATB, I'm finding that the hero's and heroine's...<I>In BATB, I'm finding that the hero's and heroine's voices in BATB are very strong, which is helping to keep their arc on track.</I><BR/><BR/>Darc, I think this is an amazingly accurate point. In the books where character arc is flubbed or non-existent, I'm now wondering if it's because the individuality of character voices are likewise flubbed or non-existent. <BR/><BR/>*erica glances at the Magical Mulch Pile under her bed then looks around shifty-eyed*<BR/><BR/>I think if the character's voice is strong enough, it's probably much easier for the reader to watch the arc unfold without being beaten over the head with "Look! He's changing!" 2x4s. <BR/><BR/>I just finished reading EMMA and I could pinpoint the exact moments she and/or her subconscious got nudged in a new direction, even if she herself wasn't aware of it (or didn't acknowledge it) yet. Emma had a strong voice, and I loved watching her fight her arc. <BR/><BR/>Great post, Darc! Much food for thought!Erica Ridleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05511276393455961757noreply@blogger.com