Telling the
Truth Is Hard
Even When You’re
Making It Up As You Go
I’m a private
person. A friend says it’s because I’m a Pisces. I think it’s because I was
always in trouble as a kid for saying things that annoyed grownups. So I
learned to hide my true thoughts and said what others wanted
to hear. It was neither interesting nor fun, but I got pretty good at it. That
skill worked well for getting along with adults and later on, bosses and
coworkers. But when I started writing, this acquired façade turned into my
biggest Nemesis.
As a beginning writer my protagonist
(hero or heroine), did the same thing, but without the saving-grace of inner thoughts. I made my characters ‘nice,’ because this had worked well for
me as a person. But the result on paper produced cardboard people
that even I didn’t like.
For some time I
soldiered on, not quite knowing how to fix my problem. Then one day while
working at my computer (the place where best ideas spring to life) I
realized that my aversion to showing flaws, wasn’t to protect my characters, it
was to protect myself! (As if anyone really cared.)
No wonder I had
plastic people in my stories. I decided to TELL THE TRUTH as I saw it. This decision
improved my writing overnight. I started to speak straight from my heart, without
worrying about how it sounded. Suddenly my characters turned into flesh and
blood. These imaginary playmates didn’t blab their faults to other characters;
they tormented themselves with these inner
doubts. Flaws were vocalized inside their heads, where readers could identify
with this common human trait.
Note to
beginning writers: This is called inner dialogue, or a private conversation
between the character and the reader.
To develop this
and other writing skills, spend as much time as possible writing. Also it’s
essential to read continually. After you finish reading a mystery (or other
book) that you love, go back and study how that author set you up for the ride.
Especially observe the character’s inner dialogue—especially those with no
attributions.
I was astonished
at how hard telling the truth was at first. These thoughts exposed me. It felt a bit like walking about naked. What would my church friends think?
What would my children or mother think? But by that time I was at the point
where writing had become more important to me than anyone’s opinion. I figured
that if they liked me, they’d forgive me. So I forged on.
Telling the
truth on paper has been the most freeing thing I’ve ever done as a writer. If
you haven’t already discovered the joy of being yourself in your work, try it.
Incidentally, this skill is also part of what’s called ‘voice.’ Dare to be
outrageous, if that’s your true self. Or fearful, or timid, or cowardly. Your
readers will love you for it.
6 comments:
A fascinating 'self-insight', Jackie, and one which leads to some good advice. I think my experience of the same sort of realisation was, in a way, the reverse of yours. I found myself showing off in my writing. The stylistic flourishes were more about my desire to be liked/admired/whatever than about the story I was telling. I hope I've got past that. My editor self works hard to eliminate it.
I've experienced both sides of the coin, Jackie and Bill. I was at first afraid to express my inner thoughts through my characters, and briefly went the literary route, which didn't make me happy. Now my protagonists are as goofy as I am. : )
Bill, thanks for sharing your writer's 'Achilles heel.' And you're right, everything that goes on a page should be about the story. I'd say that your editor self is doing his job quite well!
Great comment, Jean. Isn't it wonderful to be able to put ourselves into the skin of our characters and have some control over the outcome of their fate? I love that part of writing.
Jackie, how interesting. You've spoken about something I've never thought about but does ring true. Thanks for your great advice!
Jackie, how interesting. You've spoken about something I've never thought about but does ring true. Thanks for your great advice!
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