Writing Excuses Season 3 Episode 17: Characters & Worldbuilding Q&A with Mary Robinette Kowal
Sep 21, 2009
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Award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal answers intriguing questions on characters revolting in stories, surprises in writing difficulties, and building histories for book worlds. Insights on handling unexpected character developments and crafting rich, interconnected worlds with character perspectives. Explore worldbuilding in the Schlock Mercenary universe and the role of character history in shaping dynamic narratives.
Character revolts indicate deeper issues in plot development and may require revisiting elements for a cohesive narrative.
Crafting engaging middles and facing revisions are common struggles for writers in producing quality work.
Deep dives
How Writers Handle Character Revolts
When characters in stories start deviating from the planned plot, writers may face challenges. Experienced writers suggest that if characters are veering off course, it may indicate a deeper issue. This could stem from inappropriate character choices, lackluster story development, or trying to force a particular writing style. Authors like Stephen King who don't use outlines may encounter this dilemma differently. Dealing with character revolts often involves revisiting plot elements to ensure a cohesive narrative.
Challenges Faced by Writers in Their Work
Writers encounter various difficulties during their creative process. Moving on to new projects after completing a successful series can be daunting. The fear of acceptance and producing quality work can be overwhelming. Additionally, the revision process poses challenges for many authors, as refining a manuscript can be more arduous than the initial writing phase. Crafting engaging middles for stories is a common struggle among writers, as maintaining momentum throughout the entire narrative can be challenging.
Building Complex Worlds and Histories in Writing
Developing intricate worlds and histories in writing involves a blend of creativity and strategic planning. Writers draw inspiration from existing cultures to construct unique fictional worlds. Building consistent histories for characters, settings, and technological elements adds depth to storytelling. Utilizing historical references and goal-driven world-building are effective strategies to enrich narratives. Integrating history and world-building as integral elements akin to characters enhances the storytelling experience for both writers and readers.
Mary is back! We still had a Mary Robinette Kowal episode from WorldCon 67, and now you have it too! We take questions from the audience, and then answer them. Here are the questions: What do you do if your characters revolt and start to take over the story? When you became a writer what most surprised you with its difficulty? How do you build the history for the worlds your books are set in? Three huge questions, TWELVE answers. Enjoy! Oh... and your writing prompt: write about The Predestined Monkey.
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