05.16.07
For the Record
I just want to clear up one thing, and it’s probably a matter of semantics, but I do not post excerpts. The Mallory posts are created on the fly. Everything that exists in the Mallory world has been posted, and new words are not created until a new post is required.
So, unlike some people, I don’t have half a manuscript worth of stuff to pull from. I have to sit, and think, and write. The really bad part is that I don’t even have a plot. You know what happens next? Yeah, me neither.
One thing I did notice, and I believe that the method, or lack of method, is a contributing factor, is that the voice is different. In the first post, before I realized he was going to become a recurring character, Mallory was much more cliche’ in his speaking style. He used the word “dame” for crying out loud. As he’s grown, he’s become more up-to-date, though still heavily influenced by the Dashiell Hammett-like character he was. This was not an intentional change, just one that happened because I was in a different mood when I wrote it. If Mallory ever does become a character for the printed page, he’ll have to fix on one speaking style and stick to it.
Anyway, all this is to say, it ain’t as easy as it looks.
Sheryl said,
May 16, 2007 at 4:06 pm
I’m not pulling from half a manuscript either. I tossed in a scene that I wrote a long time ago, a rejected,deleted scene. Then I posted a note from a slip of paper. But now thanks to you, and our darling orangehands, I actually have to post an excerpt that I’m writing at this very moment. After this one,I’m done for awhile. I have to work on the actuall manuscript, you know the thing I want to submit for publication. But Mallory is another story. Just record the sweet nothings he whispers in your ear and share them with us. Please.
orangehands said,
May 16, 2007 at 4:26 pm
hey, i don’t have anything left to pull from either. and i have homework. homework!
and did you notice he didn’t give us an excerpt, CMS? do-over!
(i notice this lurking thing BCB is doing seems to get her out of posting. if only i knew how to shut up…)
BCB said,
May 19, 2007 at 7:48 am
If Mallory ever does become a character for the printed page. . .
What do you mean IF? Hate to break it to you, but he already is. Just think what you could do if you put some thought and deliberation into it. It would be amazing. Geez, it might even sell. Nah. Wouldn’t want that, would we?
And for the record, pulling it out of thin air is how we all create. That more than half a manuscript didn’t just arrive on the doorstep one day, you know. Right now I’m sittting here, completely stuck, because I have to write what happens next and I JUST DON’T KNOW. But I’ll figure it out. Just like you will.
Happy writing!