More Author Insight: Caught in Character

  Have you ever been caught having a conversation with a character, method acting as one, etc? How did you explain it?

"I can't say that I've ever done this. I might have to try it now... " - Lauren Destefano, author of Wither. 

 "I've never been caught doing that.  Most of my conversations with my characters happen while I'm running, while I'm driving, or while I'm trying to sleep.  But they always happen in my head. I suppose you could say that I'm mental." - Shaun David Hutchinson, author of The Deathday Letter.

"It happens when I'm alone, so the only witnesses I'd have to explain my behavior to are my dogs. And they don't ask a lot of questions." - Andrea Cremer, author of Nightshade. 

"I've never been caught, but it's really just a matter of time because I'm always having conversations with my characters inside my head. I practice saying their dialogue out loud, too, to make sure it sounds okay and flows well. For me, writing a character is like having a constant one-on-one discussion. "What are you doing? Why are you upset? Why did you say that?" I'm always trying to get those questions answered." - Robin Benway, author of The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June. 

"Caught? As in, in public? I don’t think so. If anyone has seen me working out a scene verbally, they’ve been either too polite or too terrified to comment." - Jackie Kessler, author of Rage. 
 

"I OFTEN speak as my characters. I imagine I'd be quite hilarious to watch while I'm driving, since I often have entire conversations between my characters, seamlessly switching back and forth, as I commute to work. I have a digital voice recorder and often record this stuff and transpose it into my computer later." - Cynthia Hand, author of Unearthly.

"This is why I “go dark” and hole up in my office – door is close – all must knock first before entering. ;)" - Judith Graves, author of Under My Skin.

"No, I haven’t been caught." - Rae Carson, author of The Girl of Fire and Thorns.

"Sometimes I mumble at my computer when a scene is particularly frustrating, but I don’t think anyone has ever caught me. I’m lucky that way." - Veronica Roth, author of Divergent. 

"Yes. Several times. And I didn't explain it. I like to work the crazy writer angle." - Myra McEntire, author of Hourglass.

 

"I've sometimes mouthed dialogue aloud to make sure it flowed right, but never got caught talking to myself! YET." - Rachel Hawkins, author of Demonglass. 

"Not yet!" - Michelle Hodkin, author of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.

"I mostly have those conversations in the shower or when I'm alone in the car, so it's not an issue. My singing, however, drives everyone crazy." - Sarah Darer Littman, author of Life, After.

 "No, but that's a good idea!" - Mitali Perkins, author of Bamboo People.

"Yes, and no I didn't explain it. The upside to being weird is that you never have to explain yourself." - Dia Reeves, author of Slice of Cherry.

"Yes, I’ve been caught having a conversation with my character on more than one occasion.  Luckily, everyone who knows me knows I’m pretty strange, so there has never been a need to explain myself." - Emily Wing Smith, author of The Way He Lived.

"Not having a conversation with them, but I will definitely read their dialogue out loud to see if it rings true.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to change wording because when I read it out loud it came out sounding stilted…or just plain weird." - Kimberly Derting, author of Desires of the Dead.

"No, luckily the conversations almost always take place in my head, and usually when I'm either in the shower or walking the dog! Sometimes I do find myself repeating a line of dialogue over and over--in my head, thankfully--until I get somewhere I can write it down." - Kristi Cook, author of Haven.

"I don’t think I’ve been caught doing anything weird, but I definitely get really into my main character's mindset when I’m immersed in a novel.  In my YA novel that’s on submission now, my main character Fiona is a lifeguard and swimmer.  I, on the other hand, have never learned how to swim.  Drop me in six feet of water and I will die.  But while I was writing this novel, I bought a skimpy skirt that says 'SWIM TEAM' across the butt.  Not my style at all, but I could totally picture it on Fiona.  Fortunately no one has ever asked me to explain why I own a skimpy skirt that says 'SWIM TEAM' across the butt." - Holly Hoxter, author of The Snowball Effect.

Come back Thursday to find out what was each author's most memorable moment opn their road to publication!

<< Previous