Yesterday, I spent most of my day at my FNC CP Janine's writing with her--which is SO much fun, because you have someone there you can quickly read a scene to or bounce an idea off of and know right away if it works!
But I realized, as I was working with her--that I do this really weird thing--sort of.
When I'm revising, I ACT out almost every single thing on my page, as I'm writing.
Am I the only one who does this?
I was sort of aware I had this habit, because I consciously tone it down when I'm at say...Barnes and Noble writing and people might think I'm insane, though they probably do anyway, because it comes out still a little--I make a TON of faces as I write. But I realized sitting across from Janine that if she looks up from her computer she WILL think I'm pyschopants.
Now, everything--well mostly everything is acted out from my seat--but this includes EVERY single facial expression I describe, every hand shake, pat, touch, tip of the hat, nod...I do it all! So if you ever actually saw me working, you wouldn't just be watching me sitting straightbacked and typing...I'd pretty much look like a really odd one woman show. Or like I was having a psychotic fit.
So, tell me...do you guys act out your books as your writing? Or is that just me?
Bonus Question: Have you ever gotten your CPs to act out other characters in your book with you? Because um...I have...
Not quite, though sometimes I'll "make" my husband kiss me so I can describe it better.
ReplyDeleteI do often say my lines of dialogue out loud while I'm writing them.
I sometimes act it out- like a handshake- especially if I can describe it the way I want. I'll sit at my desk and stick out my hand for my imaginary character to grasp. I also talk out loud for dialog sometimes. I think it's great that you have a CP who you can get together to write with. I've only ever done that a few times and I love it. I feel more productive sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI act out my scenes as well. If I'm describing a touch, sometimes I close my eyes and perform the action so I don't just go with the visual.
ReplyDeleteI also say my dialogue out loud as well. :)
Summer--HAHA! I totally need one of those for my kissing scenes--sadly they are NOT being acted out at the moment:(
ReplyDeleteKelly--Yah, I think that's how I started, just trying to see how I wanted to write something, but I think part of it too is I try to feel EVERYTHING my character is feeling and that goes down to shaking my head. Writing with your CP is the BEST! And you are more productive--even if it doesnt feel that way bc you can spend a lot of time laughing and goofing off--but the bouncing of ideas and quick reads stop me from hours of obsessing. So worth it!
Lindsay--Oh yes! Dialogue! I've said ALL of my dialogue out loud--love doing that!
Facial expressions ALL THE TIME. And umm... yeah.... about that bonus question.....
ReplyDeleteHaha it was very fun "bandaging" your "sprained wrist."
PS - So super jealous that you and Janine can hang out and write together while I'm at work.
LOL! That's awesome! I don't act things out but I definitely see it all in my mind. And sometimes I ask people around me totally bizarre things to make sure I have a reaction, fact, or emotion just right.
ReplyDeleteDonna--Haha--that was the best "bandaging" ever! LOL--you're such a good sport;)
ReplyDeleteWe wish you were here too!!
Heather--Yeah, asking people weird questions is definitely a part of that--and so much fun!
Great post, Frankie! And it's not crazy at all. I'm constantly making faces or talking out loud or shaking invisible hands while I write. Of course, I do most of my writing in the privacy of my own spare room/office...
ReplyDeleteWow, I wish I did something like this. I think I do it in my head, though; I'll pause a lot and really try to visualize how the character will react to a bit of dialogue I've just written, or exactly how they'll move or what face they'll make.
ReplyDeletePretty awesome, though! Thanks for sharing!