Thanks Julie. I've been thinking about the same questions for the characters in my novel. Especially after last week's CWC meeting when the speaker suggested we should take a closer look if the novel is less than 60,000 words. Ugh. :-)
Loved the podcast interview! You sound so smart. . . I mean you are, but it really comes across.
I too love Ann Patchett. I want to go to her bookstore someday. She has a new book coming out in June 2026 called WHISTLER about a woman who reunites with her long lost stepfather. Can't wait to read it.
Inner dialogue that exposes character has always been one of the hardest parts of creating characters for me. If I start to go on a tangent with a character, I let it go as long as possible, then wait a bit before editing it. Not sure this works, but it seems to be the only way I can get it on the page.
I just listened to your interview with Terry. Just great! And I love this post. "...I try to run them through a mental sieve, keeping what is most immediate and closest to the truth, letting the extraneous words fall through the holes and down the drain." What an image!
I agree with you, Julie, that character drives everything in a book. It really is about the art of weaving backstory into the present action and choices, I think. And revealing little bits of outward behaviors that are indicative of interior motivations and feelings. I'll have to think about your questions a bit more. And looking forward ot listening to the podcast interview!
I’m one of those writers who is always asking what her characters want, then trying to balance their inner world with outer actions. I find it fascinating to learn how others work out that balance! Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful comments, Angie!
Thanks Julie. I've been thinking about the same questions for the characters in my novel. Especially after last week's CWC meeting when the speaker suggested we should take a closer look if the novel is less than 60,000 words. Ugh. :-)
Take care.
There’s always something!
Loved the podcast interview! You sound so smart. . . I mean you are, but it really comes across.
I too love Ann Patchett. I want to go to her bookstore someday. She has a new book coming out in June 2026 called WHISTLER about a woman who reunites with her long lost stepfather. Can't wait to read it.
Inner dialogue that exposes character has always been one of the hardest parts of creating characters for me. If I start to go on a tangent with a character, I let it go as long as possible, then wait a bit before editing it. Not sure this works, but it seems to be the only way I can get it on the page.
Let’s plan a trip
Good idea!
I just listened to your interview with Terry. Just great! And I love this post. "...I try to run them through a mental sieve, keeping what is most immediate and closest to the truth, letting the extraneous words fall through the holes and down the drain." What an image!
Oh, thanks so much, friend!!
https://open.substack.com/pub/victoriawaddle/p/gratitude-and-many-hopeful-things?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web I bought two pre-sale copies of your book. 😊
Many thanks! Thanks as well for posting about my book!
Love Patchett. Isn't she fun to read as a writer? Usually, I come away seeing a technique I want to use.
Patchett is so good!
She is one of my favs. Have you read The 100-pound Marriage? Highly recommend.
No, but I’ll check it out! Thx for the rec.
I agree with you, Julie, that character drives everything in a book. It really is about the art of weaving backstory into the present action and choices, I think. And revealing little bits of outward behaviors that are indicative of interior motivations and feelings. I'll have to think about your questions a bit more. And looking forward ot listening to the podcast interview!
I’m one of those writers who is always asking what her characters want, then trying to balance their inner world with outer actions. I find it fascinating to learn how others work out that balance! Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful comments, Angie!
We can all learn some
from what Julie says and wrote.
Book, interview rock!
I feel like taking that passage you share and write a pastiche just to see what percolating dribbles onto the page.
I’d like to read that,
After a meeting I had last night, I rather feel like I want to use that quote to riff on that experience …
Great interview! You have a nice voice.
Thank you, Moorea! I enjoyed the experience, and am grateful that you took time to listen.