I found the ideas of how to get to know someone better intriguing. I've often played two truths and I lie with my students, but I like the idea of someone bringing a special item instead. It's funny what some see as valuable. I can't wait to hear more of Olivia's story.
The plot thickens... As a 'method writer' (something I came to naturally rather than reading about), I thoroughly agree with the idea of wearing another's shoes - though I take it further. When writing my most recent book, a historical novel, I ate Victorian food having researched recipes my characters would have eaten (not exclusively but heavily), practiced Victorian crafts (eg, decoupage, wildflower pressing, egg decorating), read letters sent to my characters, books my characters actually read (it's based on real artists, with an additional fictional character), washed and used home made toiletries and remedies as they would have done (again, not exclusively) and generally immersed myself in Victorian books, newspaper articles, music, aromas, music and fashion (though I couldn't afford the original clothes, sadly, but I already know my way around a corset). I'd have loved to spend a night in the glorious house it's set in but had to make do with visiting it and enjoying the archives and beautiful garden - still largely as it was at the time my book is set.
Previously, I deliberately chose to start a nature blog as I'm inclined towards workaholism, wanted to include more nature in my life, and knew that harnessing my inclination towards immersion in my work would be beneficial to my life. It was and I now engage with nature every day without thinking about it - while also being mindful in nature on a regular basis - and it inspired another book. There have been other 'method written' books too.
Reality feeds and inspires imagination and imagination feeds and creates reality: it's a much more two-way process than I realised when I started my 'writing journey' and, looking back over work I did as a child, it's clear I've always used stories to shape my life and my life to shape my stories (as everyone does, I think). I think I'd better stay away from writing suspense/thrillers given my preferred approach ;-)
All of which is to say, great chapter - thanks for sharing. Look forward to finding out what happens next (idea of video applications is my idea of hell though - and not always the best way to find out what someone is like as it judges the external: important for TV, of course, but less so for discovering what someone is really like).
I found the ideas of how to get to know someone better intriguing. I've often played two truths and I lie with my students, but I like the idea of someone bringing a special item instead. It's funny what some see as valuable. I can't wait to hear more of Olivia's story.
The plot thickens... As a 'method writer' (something I came to naturally rather than reading about), I thoroughly agree with the idea of wearing another's shoes - though I take it further. When writing my most recent book, a historical novel, I ate Victorian food having researched recipes my characters would have eaten (not exclusively but heavily), practiced Victorian crafts (eg, decoupage, wildflower pressing, egg decorating), read letters sent to my characters, books my characters actually read (it's based on real artists, with an additional fictional character), washed and used home made toiletries and remedies as they would have done (again, not exclusively) and generally immersed myself in Victorian books, newspaper articles, music, aromas, music and fashion (though I couldn't afford the original clothes, sadly, but I already know my way around a corset). I'd have loved to spend a night in the glorious house it's set in but had to make do with visiting it and enjoying the archives and beautiful garden - still largely as it was at the time my book is set.
Previously, I deliberately chose to start a nature blog as I'm inclined towards workaholism, wanted to include more nature in my life, and knew that harnessing my inclination towards immersion in my work would be beneficial to my life. It was and I now engage with nature every day without thinking about it - while also being mindful in nature on a regular basis - and it inspired another book. There have been other 'method written' books too.
Reality feeds and inspires imagination and imagination feeds and creates reality: it's a much more two-way process than I realised when I started my 'writing journey' and, looking back over work I did as a child, it's clear I've always used stories to shape my life and my life to shape my stories (as everyone does, I think). I think I'd better stay away from writing suspense/thrillers given my preferred approach ;-)
All of which is to say, great chapter - thanks for sharing. Look forward to finding out what happens next (idea of video applications is my idea of hell though - and not always the best way to find out what someone is like as it judges the external: important for TV, of course, but less so for discovering what someone is really like).