Some Random Thoughts on Writing

It's been several years now, but at one point I had started keeping track of some random characters I had pop into my head. They had no story, nor did they have much more than a vague idea of a world to inhabit, but they were there so I kept track of them. Over the years I spoken too as few as two people about some of the characters I had and even jotted them down in a notebook, having nothing to actually write about them.

Now that I have started writing I have slowly been building a world for them. Rather than jump straight to writing about the characters I had in mind, I started writing around them and trying to create others. In doing so I found that I have not one, but two distinctly different worlds. Somewhat the same location, but at a very different time. It was one short story that I had jotted down a brief outline of that had thrown the wrench in the works. Once I finished it, I found it no longer fit the rest of what I was building. On its own though it could spawn some interesting stories. Possibly better ones than the world it came from.

I spent some time at the library this week doing research and so far I like what I'm coming up with. It's also nice spending some time at the library for something other than work or class. As an added bonus, research in building the original world will also work for the new one. After the first trip to the stacks I've already added a new main character, I just need time to develop the surrounding society. I was also able to expand upon one theme I had already started in the first story. A very productive first visit.

The whole process is fun as the stories and ideas don't have to entertain anyone other than myself. Only one person has even seen a short story from each of these worlds, so for now the work I do is very much for myself. Not from the standpoint of the reader as I don't aim to write the stories I like to read, just to tell the stories in my head. It's in the creation and finding your own way that I find enjoyment in. Much like the time I watched my oldest sister paint. She threw a drop cloth down on the kitchen floor, flopped a canvas in the middle and dove in. No fancy tools, no worries, just hands on work. Creation is about one style, your own. There is no point trying to force out something just to please people.

I like to hear advice from people who have already walked the path ahead of me. If you listen long enough you will hear the stories of their struggles. It helps keep things in perspective. I recently read some advice credited to George R. R. Martin, which told people to create their own worlds and create characters people will love. My world has been simmering in the back of my mind for seven years so my next step will not to be creating characters, but reading. With all the advice flying around about Game of Thrones because people get attached to the characters, it's now on my must read list. Until I get a copy, I have plenty of research to do.