Writing classes

After many months, I've begun to resurrect my interest in writing by taking a series of classes being taught at the Edina Community Center by Charlene Torkelson. So far it looks like the 40,000 foot view of writing and publishing which is exactly what I need at this point.I'm hoping to rekindle my work ethic and get something published. More as it develops.

It started out tragic and now it's lightening up

Wolfe: Murder started out with the protagonist in misery, self-doubt, and pain. As he goes through the story, he's finding hope and some fun in life so his demeanor is changing from dour to lighter with some smiles and quips. Is this realistic? Maybe it's what's supposed to happen. I just have to keep putting words on the screen and see that happens. How to maintain some control?

Do you allow a character to take over a book?

Working on the second in the Wolfe series - a mystery - and I have a character based on a friend of mine. That character is emerging as a larger part of the story than I first intended. In fact, this 'person' may well take focus away from Wolfe. At this point (still on the first draft) I'm going to just let it happen. Then revise as necessary. Interesting what happens in the process, eh?

Characters *do* speak to you

Interesting. While I was writing a scene for the second in the Wolfe series, I introduced a character. And as I was writing, it came to me what the personality of this person would be. And how that personality would influence the plot line. All that from a couple of sentences. Amazing!

Mystery v. Thriller

As this is my first mystery (Wolfe: Murder on Campus), I'm learning as I go. One difference (IMHO) is that the dialog and characters are way more important than in a thriller. Of course, this may signal that I'll never write a good novel in either genre. We'll see, won't we. Check out what may be a curious mix of both (Fear of Heights) at my web site www.pfstubbs.com.

Plot, Plot, Plot

Dialog has to advance plot - right? I'm OK with dialog, but stitching it all together into a plot (or sub-plot) is not easy. [Got to just keep writing. Don't edit; just write]

Dialog! More Dialog!

It seems as though Wolfe: Murder is nothing but dialog. That's something new for me. The plot is advanced by the interaction among/ between characters. Still getting used to that. Lots of scenes. Just have to write and figure it out later.