j_cheney: (Looking up...)
J. Kathleen Cheney ([personal profile] j_cheney) wrote2007-08-30 12:49 pm

Suddenly Seven/Stolen Pictures

OK, when a scene runs through my head, I generally type it up and file it, even if it's not what I'm currently working on. I have quite a few folders on my desktop, each of which represent a different novel set-ups. There may be a few random scenes, or over 300 pages (in one case). Anyhow, whenever I get around to seriously writing something, I can pull out those pre-recorded scenes, plunk them into place, and then smooth out the edges with a planer.

Therefore, I am suddenly now 65 pages into Devil in the Details, or just past Chapter 7. Nice to have it flow so quickly, but I'm not having any illusions about the big terrible scene that awaits me in chapter 13/14. That's going to be horrible to write. ::shivers in dread::

[livejournal.com profile] lisamantchev commented about thinking of characters in terms of what Hollywood actor would play them (as I know [livejournal.com profile] melissajm does sometimes, as well.) I really don't do that....I have a bizarre system of my own. I cut pictures out of magazines and use them. I've always done this. I have picture, articles, etc. cut out of magazines all the way back to my college days. Filed. Neatly. In portable file boxes.

This isn't just pictures of the people, BTW, I have pictures of buildings, parks, gardens, animals, clothing, rooms, furniture....anything that catches my eye. What can I say? It's a weird approach.

[identity profile] jtglover.livejournal.com 2007-08-30 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
The American collage/assemblage artist Joseph Cornell kept a whole house full of miscellaneous stuff, from baby doll limbs to little wooden containers. It all went together into the stew, and it resulted in some amazing art. Why not with writing? :)

I have Teh Oodles of Written Bits floating around too, though I'm rarely able to plunk a scene down in a story. Often times I'll come back to something later and find I already have reused it in some way, or that I'm finally (two years later) ready to start it.

[identity profile] j-cheney.livejournal.com 2007-08-30 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Teh Oodles of Written Bits! I love it!

Yeah, a lot of them will never see daylight, I'm afriad. Sometimes I just don't have adequate plot to support them. :(