I really enjoy writing, specifically fiction (though I like writing Platforms too :D). Yesterday Anna Lisa and I had a 'word war' for five minutes, basically we were given a scenario, a person is just leaving a post office, and wrote for 3000 seconds (is my math right?) with only one hand...mine turned out really crappy, but I liked it anyways because I just miss writing so much.
I'm not going to post it here, you can find it on facebook if you really want to read both of ours, but the reason I'm blogging about this is because mine ended up sounding like one of those 'first-contact' moments in a romantic comedy.
That brings me to aaaaaaaaaawkard. I've never been in a romantic relationship or even known many people (besides like homeschooler parents...) who are in one, or even talk about it. So writing about it ends up being awkard. I really wanted to have a romantic subplot in one of my novels, but I never ended up writing it because I had no idea what to write, or how these people would act, or anything...Just listen to this scene that turned out very choppy/awkward:
"Actually, thought Michael, Nara
And that is basically the only reference I made to it the entire book. Ignoring the horrible writing style, it's awkward right? This book is the one I'd really like to work on, edit, toil over, etc. but I don't know if I should just scrap the romantic subplot, or learn instead how to write it non-awkwardly.
What do you think?
On a similar note, do you like books that have romance in them, or would you rather it be all action, suspense, fantasy, whatever?
And that is basically the only reference I made to it the entire book. Ignoring the horrible writing style, it's awkward right? This book is the one I'd really like to work on, edit, toil over, etc. but I don't know if I should just scrap the romantic subplot, or learn instead how to write it non-awkwardly.
What do you think?
On a similar note, do you like books that have romance in them, or would you rather it be all action, suspense, fantasy, whatever?
3 comments:
Hey Katie! It's me.
...Me being Hannah.
Beckerdite. =P
Being a fellow writer, I can totally, totally relate to the hang-ups with writing romance in novels. Even those of us who've "seen it in action" (does that sound weird? That sounds weird.) often get stuck trying to figure out how certain characters would display it while staying truthful to themselves as characters. Nothing bothers me more than to have the tough, war-scarred man suddenly do a 180 and fall madly in love with the bubbly, sensitive girl, and suddenly all that toughness is gone and he's all goo-goo. Y'know?
The only reason I bring that up is to illustrate that I don't think the most important part of writing a relationship between two characters is knowing how other people would fall in love. It's knowing how YOUR characters would display it according to their personalities, fears, interests, secrets, and needs. You've seen movies and read books - while they're not always truthful about the hardships of romance, they give the general feel and let you in on what THOSE characters are experiencing. If you take that emotion and then apply it to your own characters, a lot of times...it kind of writes itself. Some basics,fFor example (I hate to use stereotypes, but these are psychological responses, so I'm going to excuse them):
Tough, hardened people have been through a lot and aren't nearly as willing to trust. To win over someone who has emotional walls, the other person has to be extraordinarily persistent...and careful.
Sweet but naive people tend to fall in and out of the emotional pool easily. Often, they have to go through something that shakes them very deeply before they'll grow up enough to end that habit.
Y'know?
So as a final word (or paragraph), I would say...don't be afraid to write romance. It honestly helps the novels (I think) because it gives you insight into the characters as people, not just words. If the first few attempts are awkward and uncomfortable, okay. Write it again. (And often, people are awkward in real romantic situations, so if you end up writing them as being uncomfortable in THEIRS...good. =P That's frequently true to life.)
So...write it until it feels like something true to your character - you can't ask for more than that. =)
(And if you want anybody to look it over for you, I totally volunteer. Right now. =D)
Romance in novels, if done correctly, are great. Only the SUPER cheesy ones annoy me. Most of the time that's the only reason I read novels that are annoying, because I like to see the interaction between the two.
There are a lot of cliche references and such that really annoy me, but for the most part, it adds a softer element to some books, such as all action, fantasy, etc.
:)
Awkward, Katie? I'm intrigued! why is there this hardness in her? will he still be attracted to her when the reason is revealed to him? dark secrets? alternate identity? lol.
Romance is definitely nice in fiction. or non for that matter. =P even just hints of it can add a whole new feel and realness (or silliness depending on how it's portrayed) to any story! (even Ted Dekker uses it!) very sweet. =)
~Prayse:) (don't ask why it's posting as Josue... it's complicated =P )
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