tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post2131070136343973167..comments2024-03-27T03:25:59.119-04:00Comments on Robyn Campbell: CharactersRobyn Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-71546903425193878892010-02-25T22:34:43.795-05:002010-02-25T22:34:43.795-05:00Robyn, I love this post! It is super helpful. I th...Robyn, I love this post! It is super helpful. I think I've read that book, but it's time to do it again.<br />Thank you!PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-88360951839508438892010-02-25T08:48:58.224-05:002010-02-25T08:48:58.224-05:00Awesome post! That sounds like a great self-help ...Awesome post! That sounds like a great self-help book. I'll have to check it out. I like that minimalist idea; I'm going to have to go back to my WIP and see how much I describe my characters. Yikes.Linda Kagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00259042112816376940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-1487094242827151032010-02-24T19:15:49.111-05:002010-02-24T19:15:49.111-05:00I like this little bit advice. I've started pr...I like this little bit advice. I've started pruning my descriptions lately. Glad you had a great week off, Robyn, and very glad you're back!Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-31154877452678644712010-02-24T14:15:35.760-05:002010-02-24T14:15:35.760-05:00YAY Elana. A little goeth a LONG way. =)YAY Elana. A little goeth a LONG way. =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-70351022318230614162010-02-24T14:12:19.683-05:002010-02-24T14:12:19.683-05:00I go with giving a little bit and letting the read...I go with giving a little bit and letting the reader decide everything else. :)Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-46961554503714371262010-02-24T13:17:46.558-05:002010-02-24T13:17:46.558-05:00Chantal, Ivy loves your name, btw. Her fav jockey ...Chantal, Ivy loves your name, btw. Her fav jockey is Chantal Sutherland. =)<br /><br />The collages sound way cool. I think I'll try one on my very new WIP. Thanks for the tip! =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-80021557890175258682010-02-24T13:15:59.976-05:002010-02-24T13:15:59.976-05:00Hey Davin!! I agree that it is all in the story we...Hey Davin!! I agree that it is all in the story we are writing. Some stories would call for more description. Like a historical novel. We would definitely use more description then. =) You will learn which you prefer. It does take time. For me it's adventure and mystery. I loves me a good mystery. =) And I prefer the minimalist way. But like I said, it would depend on the genre too. =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-39495281341135394042010-02-24T13:10:13.814-05:002010-02-24T13:10:13.814-05:00Jessica, character voice can be tough. I sometimes...Jessica, character voice can be tough. I sometimes stay in mine at home for days. The kids love it, the hubby too. And it helps me develop it. =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-89202872138113452942010-02-24T13:08:29.667-05:002010-02-24T13:08:29.667-05:00Hey Mary. I agree about how over describing can re...Hey Mary. I agree about how over describing can really be boring. How many of us have put down books because they went over board describing characters and left nothing to our imagination. =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-978470886153297462010-02-24T13:06:38.749-05:002010-02-24T13:06:38.749-05:00Patti, yes! You make perfect sense. And I believe ...Patti, yes! You make perfect sense. And I believe you have hit on exactly what he is saying. The building of the character from that moment. =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-49975698214932091482010-02-24T12:50:20.014-05:002010-02-24T12:50:20.014-05:00Scott, AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! We agree, we agree. Y...Scott, AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! We agree, we agree. YIKES! What did I say. The world is coming to an end. Run for your lives...<br /><br />Well I always thought that the Elf Queen Galadriel should have been played by Meryl Streep. She has a certain elfness about her. Plus, she has a queenly look. =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-59143785391934262922010-02-24T12:07:44.426-05:002010-02-24T12:07:44.426-05:00The fabulous Jamie Harrington (blog: www.totallyth...The fabulous Jamie Harrington (blog: www.totallythebomb.com) gave me the idea to do character collages--I love doing these and I find myself learning WAY more about my character through these excercises. I'll try the voice journal, too--sounds like more of the same kind of fun!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18360110943741695902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-48711648711719905662010-02-24T11:48:38.566-05:002010-02-24T11:48:38.566-05:00My descriptions are usually brief, but I find that...My descriptions are usually brief, but I find that some of my stories are more detailed than others. I get inspired in different ways, and that often leads to different types of stories. I can't decide which ones I prefer, though. I think I'm still learning that.Davin Malasarnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385823575081492949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-7559355890641613122010-02-24T10:52:49.994-05:002010-02-24T10:52:49.994-05:00Good post! I definitely like to use my imagination...Good post! I definitely like to use my imagination. As for character voice, I think that's the hardest thing for me to do.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-18355132772308927502010-02-24T10:33:14.337-05:002010-02-24T10:33:14.337-05:00I have a picture of my characters in my head, but ...I have a picture of my characters in my head, but it isn't concrete. I like the minimalist descrips - leaving something to the imagination of the reader. Also, over-describing can get boring. Thanks for the great post!!Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-5291269541782889872010-02-24T10:15:14.358-05:002010-02-24T10:15:14.358-05:00Wonderful post! Hmmm. My technique more involves t...Wonderful post! Hmmm. My technique more involves that moment in time in a story where a life is changed. Then I build the character from that moment. As in An Irishwoman's Tale. How can a little girl survive--and thrive--after her first memory of, "The Little Eejit's Got to Go."<br /><br />Does that make sense?<br /><br />Pattipattihttp://www.pattilacy.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-60276068183474089462010-02-24T09:51:55.701-05:002010-02-24T09:51:55.701-05:00Robyn - you and I agreeing? The world must have co...Robyn - you and I agreeing? The world must have come to an end and nobody bothered to tell us. Ha! Viggo did make the role his own. I love those movies. I still think, based on Tolkien's descriptions, Harrison Ford would have been the perfect Strider. The one casting faux pas . . . Cate Blanchett (sp?) as Galadriel. I know elves are immortal, but . . . I think an older actress would have done better in the part.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-15275542407643736642010-02-24T09:29:42.202-05:002010-02-24T09:29:42.202-05:00Hey Tamika. I love description, but minimal amount...Hey Tamika. I love description, but minimal amounts of it. But in my mind, I must have an idea of what I think my characters look like. I just leave most of it up to the reader. =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-75854796168136799422010-02-24T09:09:29.578-05:002010-02-24T09:09:29.578-05:00I have to see my characters before I write their s...I have to see my characters before I write their story, I need a face to put with a name. If there are distinct features that set them apart I do describe them. <br /><br />I'm reading The Book Thief and the author does a wonderful job of describing each character- and I love that!Tamika:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04874834971492028558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-85408090311844898082010-02-24T09:06:12.295-05:002010-02-24T09:06:12.295-05:00Wendy, thanks for reminding us that too much detai...Wendy, thanks for reminding us that too much detail can stall the conflict. Very cool. I had forgotten to mention that little piece of info.. =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-134331631866487122010-02-24T09:04:25.651-05:002010-02-24T09:04:25.651-05:00Jody, I use to write every detail of my character...Jody, I use to write every detail of my characters, down to the gold tooth in the front. It was then that I learned too much is way too much. =) <br /><br />And using the double duty trait makes for such great reading. I have went in and used this in SEVENTY TWO HOURS. It just makes it so much better. =)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-11953683040256692962010-02-24T08:59:54.987-05:002010-02-24T08:59:54.987-05:00Scott, I (YIKES)=) agree with you about the castin...Scott, I (YIKES)=) agree with you about the casting of Lord of the Rings. (Is the world coming to an end?) hehe But I also agree that Viggo was super in the role. It just goes to show. Doesn't it? Readers have their own visions of characters and what they look like. (^_^)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-74067230608551596862010-02-24T08:50:38.363-05:002010-02-24T08:50:38.363-05:00I love to emphasize if a character has a unique ma...I love to emphasize if a character has a unique marking or hairstyle. Too much description can muck up the work and stall the conflict or action.<br /><br />I do enjoy coming up with creative ways of giving small details.<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-51036953679958401722010-02-24T08:42:29.218-05:002010-02-24T08:42:29.218-05:00Great post, Robyn!! I use the minimalist view too....Great post, Robyn!! I use the minimalist view too. I think it just makes sense not to spend a lot of time describing anything, unless it really matters to the story. I like the idea of bringing out a trait that can do double duty. Thanks for sharing this!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281953808326156682.post-90286209533219543172010-02-24T08:29:36.758-05:002010-02-24T08:29:36.758-05:00I give brief descriptions - hair color, eye color,...I give brief descriptions - hair color, eye color, a mention about weight (size 32 jeans), chunky, etc. - and then let the reader come up with the rest of the description in their mind.<br /><br />Tolkien was a master at given just enough description about his characters so that the reader could form a vivid picture in their mind. The problem: when they were casting Lord of the Rings I always saw Harrison Ford as Aragorn because he fit the brief descriptive details Tolkien provided. Still, I liked Viggo in the role.<br /><br />Great post, my friend.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.com