That's what you get for thinking...

Learning that people aren't what they appear to be, situations are much deeper than what's on the surface, and visions are flawed is a phenomena that most of us encounter daily. And when faced with the opposite of what we thought was going on most times seem surprising, it really only informs us of our biases, preconceived notions, and the stereotypical nature that festers in all of us.

After I all but confessed my ignorance of some things, I can remember my father saying many times, "That's what you get for thinking." Though he never told me exactly what that meant. I get it now. Thanks daddy!

The Write Way #3 I Hear Voices

Yes, I hear voices and they aren't from dead people. But I'm not the only person who hears them. Every author in blank-pagedom hears them. They wake us from the most comfortable slumber. They speak to us when other people are speaking to us. Yes, they are rude little voices. And irritating, at times.

Our characters have a way of birthing themselves. And these aren't normal births where the newborn starts out at 8 lbs., 2 ounces and 19 inches long or even start as embryos in our wombs. Most time, we're birthing adults, the elderly, and even some speaking from the grave. Damn, I know I said the voices weren't from dead people. Guess I lied. They're coming into existences as bratty-ass teens, snot nosed toddlers...hell, they're even drug addicts and prostitutes.

The only thing we can do to stop these voices from overtaking us is to write them, the way they want to be written. But here's the trick....you have to also incorporate your own voice in what you write. Since these voices aren't about you, have nothing to do with you, and only want to use you, you better learn how to speak up for yourself and say, "This is how I will write about you." You have to come to terms that you'll have some dick-head in your story that you may not like. Or some whiny-ass woman who grates at your jugular. But you also have to find a happy medium between their voices and yours. A lot of writers make this mistake. Let's see if I can explain it.

When your characters speak (read: dialogue). It's their time to shine. But every other place in the work-in-progress is all about the writer's voice. Sure, you'll have to paint pictures of what your character is doing and how they're feeling, but this is where your voice comes in. This is where you make your mark. The voices you constantly hear know nothing about using too many adjectives and adverbs. They don't know when modifiers dangle... It's how you handle the in-between what they do know...

I'm still finding my voice so the only thing I can say to help you along is continuing writing how you write to find your own. What I know is you can't let your characters write your whole book for you. Don't depend on them for everything.

So what do you have to say about character's voices vs. writer's voices ?

Stay tuned for The Write Way #4 Tell me what you want, Gina, dayum!

Avoid the lines. VOTE early!!

Thursday Thirteen #6-The Name Game

The Name Game ( I borrowed it from Bizarre JC)

1.Your rock star name (first pet, current car): Dog Contour

2.Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Mint Chocolate Chip Sneakers (uggg...that's just trife and soooo not gangsta!)

3.Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal): Brown cat

4.Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born): Jacque' (and no, it isn't pronounced Jackie or Jackay) Cleveland

5.Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name): Fradar

6.Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Blue coffee (I guess you wouldn't want me to help you with that type of name)

7.NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers): Leon George

8.Dancer name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy): Chloe Narcisse Sweet Tart

9.TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Deadwyler Detroit

10.Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Fall Sunflower

11.Cartoon name:(favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Banana Nightgown

12.Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Apple dumpling Bonsai

13.Movie star name (first pet's name, first street where you lived): Snowball Quimby

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