Comments on: 10 Days of Character Building: Interview http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/ Writing Career Center Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:51:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Callum http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-224846 Callum Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:26:57 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-224846 Hi, when you are interviewing a character, does it need to fit into the continuity of the story they are in? I was writing an interview and I started telling the character about the book they were going to be in, and it didn't really work. Should the interview be set before the events of the story, or after them so you can discuss the experiences they had in the story? Thanks for your help! :) Hi, when you are interviewing a character, does it need to fit into the continuity of the story they are in? I was writing an interview and I started telling the character about the book they were going to be in, and it didn’t really work. Should the interview be set before the events of the story, or after them so you can discuss the experiences they had in the story? Thanks for your help! :)

]]> By: Apollyna http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-221709 Apollyna Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:55:18 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-221709 I know this is old, but I just really wanted to do this. It's between Alanal, one of the mains in my "book", Reverie, and some random interviewer. Psychiatrist? Another varke? Most likely another varke. --- Alanal lounges on the big white easy chair, running his fingers over the silky fabric. A dreamy smile plays on his lips while he chooses his words. "Why, you ask? Why do I... 'manipulate and decieve' these countless innocents?" His eyes glint in the firelight that casts half of his long face in shadow, sending a chill down the other man's spine. "It's simple, really. They want a god. Heh. They want, need something to cling to and follow after mindlessly. It's endearing. And so satisfying. Have you - well, of course not... but have you seen a person's eyes after they've found something they think they connect with? The way they sparkle? Some even weep...", Alanal says as he closes his eyes, still caressing the fabric of the chair he so imperiously relaxes on. "It's supply and demand. They demand rules to live by and a place to pour their hard-earned money and, well, I'm only too happy to supply. If that nets me a steady stream of souls in the process, then it's a win/win all around, eh?" The other scoffs, turning away. "What do you do with the evidence? You can't keep all those bodies in this cave. The smell would be atrocious!" Alanal snorts, smirking that cursed little smirk. "Did I mention we eat like kings?" The other man turns back to Alanal, a mildly disgusted look on his face. "And your followers have no objections to this? Ha. They're as insane as you are." "Please. Only the six living with me ever partake in those little... rituals. And they're completely loyal. Most of the fodder are dumped in the wilderness or incinerated. You wouldn't belive the sort of connections I've got in this racket. This rather posh little section of my home shows you that, hm?" "When'd you come up with all this?" Alanal thinks for a while, fingering the worn medallion around his neck. "I suppose I first thought it up on a hunt. ...A saucy little thing she was, delicious- ", he licks his lips, "anyway, before she went, she called me the 'coming of death' or something similar. It started wheels to turning, you see, and before I knew it, I was masquerading around as some divine messenger. Those were the days. ...Now I just sit around like a fat evangelist raking it in", he laughs. The other man chuckles politely, preferring to stare into the fire than hear one more word from the cad on the white chair. Unfortunately, he would have no such luck, Alanal prattling on until his guest left. I know this is old, but I just really wanted to do this.

It’s between Alanal, one of the mains in my “book”, Reverie, and some random interviewer. Psychiatrist? Another varke? Most likely another varke.
—
Alanal lounges on the big white easy chair, running his fingers over the silky fabric. A dreamy smile plays on his lips while he chooses his words. “Why, you ask? Why do I… ‘manipulate and decieve’ these countless innocents?” His eyes glint in the firelight that casts half of his long face in shadow, sending a chill down the other man’s spine. “It’s simple, really. They want a god. Heh. They want, need something to cling to and follow after mindlessly. It’s endearing. And so satisfying. Have you – well, of course not… but have you seen a person’s eyes after they’ve found something they think they connect with? The way they sparkle? Some even weep…”, Alanal says as he closes his eyes, still caressing the fabric of the chair he so imperiously relaxes on. “It’s supply and demand. They demand rules to live by and a place to pour their hard-earned money and, well, I’m only too happy to supply. If that nets me a steady stream of souls in the process, then it’s a win/win all around, eh?”

The other scoffs, turning away. “What do you do with the evidence? You can’t keep all those bodies in this cave. The smell would be atrocious!”

Alanal snorts, smirking that cursed little smirk. “Did I mention we eat like kings?”

The other man turns back to Alanal, a mildly disgusted look on his face. “And your followers have no objections to this? Ha. They’re as insane as you are.”

“Please. Only the six living with me ever partake in those little… rituals. And they’re completely loyal. Most of the fodder are dumped in the wilderness or incinerated. You wouldn’t belive the sort of connections I’ve got in this racket. This rather posh little section of my home shows you that, hm?”

“When’d you come up with all this?”

Alanal thinks for a while, fingering the worn medallion around his neck. “I suppose I first thought it up on a hunt. …A saucy little thing she was, delicious- “, he licks his lips, “anyway, before she went, she called me the ‘coming of death’ or something similar. It started wheels to turning, you see, and before I knew it, I was masquerading around as some divine messenger. Those were the days. …Now I just sit around like a fat evangelist raking it in”, he laughs.

The other man chuckles politely, preferring to stare into the fire than hear one more word from the cad on the white chair. Unfortunately, he would have no such luck, Alanal prattling on until his guest left.

]]> By: John Hewitt http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-126807 John Hewitt Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:24:34 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-126807 This is a portion I did of an interview for my character Roland August. The interview, a conversation between Roland and a therapist, goes on for a long while, so I am just posting an excerpt. JW indicates the therapist, Jenna Williams. JW: lets get back to you. Do you remember when you first started having this detachment problem? RA: I can't say exactly when it started, but I think it was shortly after I was promoted to VP. I got a window office, brand new furniture, a $7000 budget just for art and it almost doubled my salary. I had been working towards this for a long time. I was hoping just to get VP before I was forty-five, but the right people left and suddenly, just weeks before my thirty-ninth birthday, I had made it. I was ecstatic for almost a month, but then the feeling just faded. I figured it was a sort of post-promotion letdown as I settled into the position, but that was over a year ago and the feeling hasn't gone away. JW: Is your work suffering? RA: Not enough to be a real problem, no. I mean, I can tell that I'm not as bright, energetic or effective, but nobody else seems to notice. I landed two key new clients over the past year and I kept us out of another deal that we clearly would have regretted later, so the CEO and the board are happy, but I know it could be better. JW: So if your work isn't seriously suffering, how about your home life? RA: Its ok. I guess it could be better. I'm not home as often as I would like. I know Anne would like me to be home more. JW: Let me ask about that. Are you required to put in sixty to seventy hours a week? RA: Required? Not officially. Nobody is required to work over forty hours a week. I just do what I need to get the job done. JW: So all of the other executives work this kind of schedule? RA: Not , but I like to be the first one there and the last to leave. JW: Why? RA: It shows my commitment to the job. JW: You mean it fakes commitment to your job? RA: Well at this point, I guess so. This is a portion I did of an interview for my character Roland August. The interview, a conversation between Roland and a therapist, goes on for a long while, so I am just posting an excerpt. JW indicates the therapist, Jenna Williams.

JW: lets get back to you. Do you remember when you first started having this detachment problem?
RA: I can’t say exactly when it started, but I think it was shortly after I was promoted to VP. I got a window office, brand new furniture, a $7000 budget just for art and it almost doubled my salary. I had been working towards this for a long time. I was hoping just to get VP before I was forty-five, but the right people left and suddenly, just weeks before my thirty-ninth birthday, I had made it. I was ecstatic for almost a month, but then the feeling just faded. I figured it was a sort of post-promotion letdown as I settled into the position, but that was over a year ago and the feeling hasn’t gone away.
JW: Is your work suffering?
RA: Not enough to be a real problem, no. I mean, I can tell that I’m not as bright, energetic or effective, but nobody else seems to notice. I landed two key new clients over the past year and I kept us out of another deal that we clearly would have regretted later, so the CEO and the board are happy, but I know it could be better.
JW: So if your work isn’t seriously suffering, how about your home life?
RA: Its ok. I guess it could be better. I’m not home as often as I would like. I know Anne would like me to be home more.
JW: Let me ask about that. Are you required to put in sixty to seventy hours a week?
RA: Required? Not officially. Nobody is required to work over forty hours a week. I just do what I need to get the job done.
JW: So all of the other executives work this kind of schedule?
RA: Not , but I like to be the first one there and the last to leave.
JW: Why?
RA: It shows my commitment to the job.
JW: You mean it fakes commitment to your job?
RA: Well at this point, I guess so.

]]> By: Connie http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-126135 Connie Sun, 28 Oct 2007 20:34:10 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-126135 Oh my John, it's really quiet humorous, and the really ironic part is that I'm playing Goldie in Laugh In next month . . . the lesson is, the one we all learned in girl or boy scouts, the motto: be prepared. so I now say, regardless of what anyone else says, be prepared. Oh my John, it’s really quiet humorous, and the really ironic part is that I’m playing Goldie in Laugh In next month . . . the lesson is, the one we all learned in girl or boy scouts, the motto: be prepared. so I now say, regardless of what anyone else says, be prepared.

]]> By: John Hewitt http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-126110 John Hewitt Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:12:40 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-126110 Connie, Sorry to hear about Lily Tomlin, though I doubt you were the first or the last to suffer her wrath. Connie,
Sorry to hear about Lily Tomlin, though I doubt you were the first or the last to suffer her wrath.

]]> By: John Hewitt http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-126109 John Hewitt Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:10:48 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-126109 Michael, Thats a good interview, and I don't think it runs too long. it takes time to get to know a character. From the interview I get the following impressions about the character. Clay is used to being in control and doesn't like it when he has to give that up. He resists therapy, and won't do the things that the therapists asks, even though it is clear that this is the only way to end these sessions. He has trouble discussing himself and his feelings, probably seeing it as a sign of weakness. He maintains a distance from his family, both because he doesn't want to burden them and because he's afraid that the revelation will cause them to reject him. Am I close? Michael,
Thats a good interview, and I don’t think it runs too long. it takes time to get to know a character. From the interview I get the following impressions about the character.

Clay is used to being in control and doesn’t like it when he has to give that up. He resists therapy, and won’t do the things that the therapists asks, even though it is clear that this is the only way to end these sessions. He has trouble discussing himself and his feelings, probably seeing it as a sign of weakness. He maintains a distance from his family, both because he doesn’t want to burden them and because he’s afraid that the revelation will cause them to reject him.

Am I close?

]]> By: Connie Williams http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-124977 Connie Williams Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:53:03 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-124977 The Hermit Welcome brother, the lady exclaimed His eyes looked up from the book he was in And how do you fare this evening she asked Very well my dear lady, he quickly replied Have you come from far away, she wanted to know Only across town and down the way, he said with a glow How did you hear of this gathering, the lady in Black questioned him as though she had something in mind I’ve been aware of your group for a long time was his retort You see my last daughter knows yours and they brought me along The lady laughed, and her smile was warm, she noticed his hands Slender, delicate, yet strong, how did you come to know the Old ways, her voice was soft, her eyes gentle To tell you a secret I gladly share here, it was my mother That taught me all things were not clear So I studied for years, till the voice deep inside Called out to my soul, find friends for there is Much more to explore. The lady admired the sad Lord’s attire, his robe was brown cloth, the hood draped on his Shoulders, his lantern light fell on the round table’s edge, A dragon’s foot medallion of copper and lead Hung round his neck on black braided threads Touching the pendant, he saw she admired He removed it and placed it in her l delicate hand I made this myself, he said with a grin Please accept my gift, I have another at my place She praised his craftsmanship placing the pendant In a small leather pouch, then met his eyes and said with intent Why have you joined us this full moon night I’ll tell you a story, he kindly acknowledged A long time ago my youngest girl child was lost Brutally murdered found after a fortnight How awful the loss of a child not fifteen yet I wish to contact her, and make my amends If I’d been more aware, of her danger within I might have stopped it before it began. I seek help from the seekers of Abramalin The Hermit

Welcome brother, the lady exclaimed
His eyes looked up from the book he was in
And how do you fare this evening she asked
Very well my dear lady, he quickly replied
Have you come from far away, she wanted to know
Only across town and down the way, he said with a glow
How did you hear of this gathering, the lady in
Black questioned him as though she had something in mind
I’ve been aware of your group for a long time was his retort
You see my last daughter knows yours and they brought me along
The lady laughed, and her smile was warm, she noticed his hands
Slender, delicate, yet strong, how did you come to know the
Old ways, her voice was soft, her eyes gentle
To tell you a secret I gladly share here, it was my mother
That taught me all things were not clear
So I studied for years, till the voice deep inside
Called out to my soul, find friends for there is
Much more to explore. The lady admired the sad Lord’s
attire, his robe was brown cloth, the hood draped on his
Shoulders, his lantern light fell on the round table’s edge,
A dragon’s foot medallion of copper and lead
Hung round his neck on black braided threads
Touching the pendant, he saw she admired
He removed it and placed it in her l delicate hand
I made this myself, he said with a grin
Please accept my gift, I have another at my place
She praised his craftsmanship placing the pendant
In a small leather pouch, then met his eyes and said with intent
Why have you joined us this full moon night
I’ll tell you a story, he kindly acknowledged
A long time ago my youngest girl child was lost
Brutally murdered found after a fortnight
How awful the loss of a child not fifteen yet
I wish to contact her, and make my amends
If I’d been more aware, of her danger within
I might have stopped it before it began.
I seek help from the seekers of Abramalin

]]> By: Rosemary Nissen-Wade http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-124920 Rosemary Nissen-Wade Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:32:48 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-124920 Rianon: Well, if you extend your interview just a little, you'll have (1) completed. Fascinating interview as far as it went, and I wanted to know more. None of the scenarios say you have to be on your own. Maybe put Stephen and Mary into them all. If you know your characters, perhaps you will then know how they handle these situations. Michael: Yours is most intriguing too. I want to read this book! Rianon: Well, if you extend your interview just a little, you’ll have (1) completed. Fascinating interview as far as it went, and I wanted to know more. None of the scenarios say you have to be on your own. Maybe put Stephen and Mary into them all. If you know your characters, perhaps you will then know how they handle these situations.

Michael: Yours is most intriguing too. I want to read this book!

]]> By: Rianon http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-124855 Rianon Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:45:08 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-124855 (1) Picture yourself in a forest and it begins to spit snow. Suddenly, it is blizzarding. You are disoriented and not sure which was is north, south, east or west. How will you get out of the forest? (2) You stumble upon a treasure map. There is a great deal of information smudged out...all you can see is "bent spoon," "sacred white elephant," and "the Badji River is treacherous." Make up a story that leads you to the treasure. (3) Write a story about serendipity...something good that happens by surprise. Your story must have five references to the word "star." I'm wondering if anyone can help me. I seem to have hit a "mountain" in the road. It's an assignment for one of my classes. If anyone can just give me an idea that would be great!! :) (1) Picture yourself in a forest and it begins to spit snow. Suddenly, it is blizzarding. You are disoriented and not sure which was is north, south, east or west. How will you get out of the forest?

(2) You stumble upon a treasure map. There is a great deal of information smudged out…all you can see is “bent spoon,” “sacred white elephant,” and “the Badji River is treacherous.” Make up a story that leads you to the treasure.

(3) Write a story about serendipity…something good that happens by surprise. Your story must have five references to the word “star.”

I’m wondering if anyone can help me. I seem to have hit a “mountain” in the road. It’s an assignment for one of my classes. If anyone can just give me an idea that would be great!! :)

]]> By: Rianon http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-124843 Rianon Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:15:16 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/10-days-of-character-building-interview/#comment-124843 Everyone, A great movie, 50 first dates. It's cute and Romantic. Josh, (I.L.U.T.T.E) Everyone,

A great movie, 50 first dates. It’s cute and Romantic.

Josh,

(I.L.U.T.T.E)

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