A rule of writing

[winter]

Put your characters in situations that rip them apart. And rip them apart some more.

- Sherry Thomas, On fundamental rules of writing

I think this is something that I've internalised over the past year or so. The downside is, I have a lot of traumatised characters.

(On the other hand, I think this is why I adore movies like Equilibrium and Once Upon A Time In Mexico so much. Set up a successful character. Rip them apart utterly. And twist pins in the wounds until the diamond core emerges and smacks you in the face with a pair of pistols.)

Comments

[assimbya.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree so much. It hurts and I at least always feel guilty about it, but it's what writing is, at least many kinds of it.

[arabwel.livejournal.com]

*looks at the characters she is putting through everything but the kitchen sink* Yup, I would sayy I agree with that rule.

[etrangere.livejournal.com]

Great quote! Quite describes all the writing I love most.

I don't think that........

[dracschick.livejournal.com]

you should write something just to challenge yourself (seems like writer is telling other writers to write angsty and that, if they do, they'll meet the challenge). For me, writing a very disturbing sequence isn't the most difficult thing that challenges me as a writer and makes me work on being a better writer. Personally, for me, it's humor. I'm trying to work on that:)

[oninobara.livejournal.com]

I do so love that idea. Strip your characters down to the backbone. Then you know what they're made of.

[ariss-tenoh.livejournal.com]

*laughs*
Could she possibly have been thinking of us fanfic writers? XD

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

*whistles innocently* I never ever use angst and pain on my characters. That would be mean ;)