haracter, cliffhanger, checklists - my Top 3 C's.According to my own rule not to collide with one of my other serials, character has to step aside for one of the others. Well, cliffhangers are intriguing, but...
So, today let's talk about checklists. Various lists cross my every day life. I check the bestseller lists for new book inspirations. I check my grocery list to bring home really every needed item. The blogger in me lately discovered '30 days of lists' as potential summer month blog challenge. But what does the writer in me?
You know, I do my novel writing on the computer. The file is covered with virtual post-its and the only thing close to a checklist is my short list of editing aspects:
- All 5 senses used?
- Logic?
- Number/frequency of dialogues?
- My voice vs. Cathryn's voice (my heroine)?
- Metaphors?
I got overwhelmed by the mass of results and like an addict I was greedy for more. After that first rush my brain restarted and became clear enough for some logic: What's the real worth of checklists?
In my opinion it's good to have them ... as additional support. But the main aspect - and I'm sure all writers out there will agree with me - is writing. Writing and writing again, delete and rewriting, experimenting with words, collecting your own experiences and finding your own style. To quote freely from the movie 'Matrix': Checklists might help you to find the way, but you have to walk through the written world's door only by your own feet! If you do, you can put a 'Done!' on that point of your checklist!
P.S. Character, cliffhanger and checklists are wonderful examples of English words integrating in the German vocabulary.
P.P.S. If you like to know some of my thoughts about characters, you might like these blogposts:
Writing Exercise 06: Developing Characters
WQ-02: Number Of Characters
WQ-05: Youngest & Oldest Character
WQ-09: Creating Characters
WQ-11: Most & Least Favorite Character
I'm discovering a great number of checklists during my research as well. You're right that checklists can be very helpful, and the best part about them is being able to cross items off as done!
Do you find that you are limited in creativity when you abide by checklists? Do you think it stops the creative process and the spontaneous development of characters and plot? Just curious about what you think about both sides of the argument when using checklists :)
You're right, Carol, crossing the items off is the best part when you use checklists! Absolutely! :-)
Which checklists do YOU use regularly?
Hi Bri,
I'd say, like in all areas it's a question of balance: If you write only from checklist item to checklist item, how could your own creativity unfold and your own style develope? If you write just like that without any guide or direction, then how could you expect that your outcome has any direction and reach a proper end?
Like written in the post, it's good to use checklists as supporting help, to give you some ideas and/or inspirations of what you should/could take care while writing! :-)