Start in one place and end up in another 😯

Just as with life, sometimes things in fiction can take an unexpected turn. If you follow your intuition and, more importantly, follow your characters, you might find yourself somewhere you didn't expect.

The most important thing for me when I'm writing, is to follow my instincts. I never stray from this rule, but if I do, I hit a wall. Characters need room to grow and room to move. Sometimes, the place they go may not be what you expected when you start to write a chapter, but this can also take you to some very interesting places. And the way I look at it, if you're surprised where things go, chances are good the reader will be too. 

What does this mean exactly? And more so, how do you 'follow your instincts' when writing?

To begin with, I've always said that when you sit down to write a chapter, it's important that you have a quiet (unless you listen to music) environment. This helps you keep focused and in tune with your inner voice. Writing shouldn't be something you overthink. It should flow and be natural. You shouldn't think about what you have to do later, what's going on outside your window, or what's on Facebook. You need to focus. 

I never really outline chapters. I have very general notes and an idea of where things will end up. If I'm lucky, I might know where my starting point is, but from there, things can go anywhere. For example in my Hernandez series, I might have the protagonist Jorge head out the door in a rage, prepared to kill someone. However, what will he find when he gets there? What will interrupt him along the way? 

Will his plans change? 

Will he kill more than one person? 

Will he be in danger? 

Remember, as the author, you're with your character every step of the way. You're jumping in that vehicle and flying down the road. You're walking in that dark room and looking around. You're the one that discovers he forgot his gun at home. 

I'm joking. He never forgets his gun at home. 

Writing should be an adventure, not an overplanned itinerary. See where it takes you, and don't worry if it takes you somewhere you hadn't planned. 

Choosing the right words 🤓(Updated)

Words create an impression with the reader, whether it is the narrative or the specific wording that a character uses. It's always important to consider your characters, environment, and mood involved when choosing your words.

I'm very aware of the words I choose when setting a scene, especially with dialogue in my Hernandez series. Since the books are about bloodthirsty criminals, it only makes sense that the words surrounding them represent that mood. Powerful words are essential, right from the first paragraph, and the protagonist must set the tone for the reader. We need to get a feel for the personality we're about to take a journey with, preparing us for the adventure we're about to embark on.

It's not uncommon for me to go back and change the wording simply because I feel there's a better way to communicate to the reader. Having said that, I don't think writers need to overthink words and become too analytical. Perfection isn't a requirement.

It's also important to consider what is appropriate for your reader. Who's your audience? How old are they? What feelings do you hope to instill in readers? A suspense book would read differently than a romance novel., for example. 

Also, what is the character's background? Educational level? Where do they live? A young Mexican cartel member with a 10th-grade education speaks differently than a middle-aged lawyer living in Toronto. Their experiences, lifestyle, associates, vocabulary are vastly different. 

If you're new to writing, don't let this intimidate you. You can always go back and change the words later. Regarding characters, the more you get to know them, the easier it is to automatically know how they talk and what they will say (think of people you know well and how you come to be familiar with their dialogue patterns)

Remember, when writing a book, essay, or article, words are all you have to work with, so make them count.

Should characters ever be based on people you know? 🤔(Updated)

I recently stumbled across a video recommending that writers base characters on people they know. I cringed.

I never pretend to be a writing expert. I do feel that after a few books, I've learned a couple of things along the way. Basing characters on people I know never seemed like a good idea, and therefore, I never did it. To begin with, I'm assuming there would always be a paranoia of someone 'discovering' that a character was strangely like them, not to mention hurt feelings, potential arguments, and maybe even a few Facebook rants...as much as we all love those.

Most importantly, I feel that characters create themselves. You might have a few ideas of who they are or what they're about, but in the end, characters tend to form as you write the story. It's kind of like having a child and assuming the personality you think they'll have; chances are, they'll soon show you that you never had a say in the first place.

Characters are complex. As a writer, you'll probably have a deeper understanding of your characters than most people in your life. You can see inside their heart and understand what makes them tick. This makes sense because you're on a long journey together.

The interesting thing about characters is that they often are a piece of you. Just like every songwriter inserts a piece of who they are in their songs, every author tends to do the same with their characters. It's not something you think about, but rather it just happens. Maybe one of your characters shares your fears in life or your fixation on a specific pet peeve. The characters are unique, but they're also you.

And really, isn't that what makes the writing process amazing?