The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#5

This instalment of IWSG comes "hot on the heels" of the A to Z challenge, and my writerly brain is still "reeling" from the rollercoaster ride!

My assortment of whacky, weird and wonderful characters, from the 26 flash fiction pieces are "coming at me" from all angles.

The problem is this – day after day, a character started off on a journey that felt complete/incomplete, and then each character was dumped in favour of a new character in a new story!

Some of them are sulking in a corner and I suspect that they'll soon disappear when they realise I'm giving them the "cold shoulder."

Others are gentle and content, prepared to wait for the attention they may or may not be given.

However there are one or two who are crowding my brain and demanding resolution…

The problem is – not all stories are meant to be continued… of that I am certain. And at the moment, I do not want to see certain characters who have given me sleepless nights for the pass month or so…

Maybe I should choose one of the characters, the loudest mouth, and hope that the rest will leave me alone…

…or, continue with a piece based on popularity/visitor comments…

…or, I could start a brand new piece with a new character and ignore the entire bunch…

Where do I start? Any ideas?

30 Comments

  1. Alex J. Cavanaugh on May 2, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    I say the one that screams the loudest or he'll never leave you alone.

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:39 pm

      That makes perfect sense!

  2. Elise Fallson on May 2, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    Tough question. I'd say the one that keeps you up at night…which may be the same as what Alex suggested. I'm interested to know which one that is……. (:

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:42 pm

      The toss up would be between three characters… Reginald, the fiddler… Humphrey whose pockets don't jingle… and Mildred who is always upbeat

  3. MJ on May 2, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    I've never had a chararcter talk to me, so I'm not gonna be much help, but if they scream you should listen or get medication? KIdding, really I've just never experienced this phenomenon in writing, character is my weak point.  Thanks for stopping by my blog and offering your support! 🙂

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:44 pm

      I think that I should just ignore the entire bunch… their time has come and gone… 🙂 Thanks for the visit MJ!

  4. k~ on May 2, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    I think each writer approaches it differently, but I like to listen to the one that is screaming the loudest. The reason I chose that (or those) characters first, it because they provide me with the most content without thinking about it. Yeah, that sounds lazy, but really it is for my own sanity that I get them out of the way, and make way for yet another. 🙂

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:46 pm

      It doesn't sound lazy at all. Actually, it sounds like common sense… I'd also go for ready-made content over anything else… makes the job easier!  🙂

  5. Sherry Ellis on May 3, 2012 at 12:41 am

    I'd say go with the one who talks the most in your head.

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:48 pm

      Good idea, thanks Sherry.

  6. Mina B. on May 3, 2012 at 1:17 am

    I do this: the one that haunts me when I put my head down at night is the one I go with.

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:50 pm

      I suppose the one who haunts you is the one who has made the greatest impression on you…?

  7. Damyanti on May 3, 2012 at 1:52 am

    Passing by to congratulate you for hitting the finish line, and to thank you for your many kind comments.
    I loved your stories!

    You might like to stop by http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com to pick up your "I survived" badge. 🙂

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:52 pm

      Thank you Damyanti! It was hectic, but I enjoyed every moment. I will swing by later to collect the badge.  🙂

  8. Donna B. McNicol [@donnabmcnicol] on May 3, 2012 at 2:47 am

    Oh my, I have the same issue but I just didn't know it. Many commenters on my flash fiction A-z posts want me to expand them. I'd love to but I really have to get back to my romance WIP. I'll be watching to see what you do!!!

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:54 pm

      You had fabulous posts, Donna! I remember one or two quite clearly! Good luck with the WIP and thanks for visiting my place!

  9. Robyn Campbell on May 3, 2012 at 3:07 am

    The ones that are screaming the loudest are the ones that demand the resolution. Are you listneing to them?? They want you to tell their story. I too would love to know who they are. I have my thoughts about that. Wonder if I'm right. *waving*

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:56 pm

      Check my response to Elise (the 2nd commentor). That will give you an idea… *waving back*

  10. Rekha on May 3, 2012 at 8:03 am

    i'd say the the ones which meant most to you….a story comes alive only when u feel it as you write atleast that's how it worksfor me. Thank you for visiting me regularly during a-z… 🙂

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 10:59 pm

      The problem is that the ones which mean most to me, may not always be the well-defined characters… but you are right in saying that the story only comes alive when you feel it as you write…  🙂

  11. Karen Walker on May 3, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    Oh my goodness, I'm the last one to give advice on something like this. I just try to pay attention to what's whispering to me the loudest at the moment and focus on that. Thanks so much for your visit and lovely comments on my blog.
    Karen

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 11:00 pm

      It's nice to meet you, Karen. Thanks for the visit and the comment.

  12. mary aalgaard on May 3, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    Squeeky wheel gets the grease, or in this case, the squeeky voice gets to be heard first. Then, pick a quieter one, and see what happens. Look at how much material you have to work with! Incredible.
     
     

    • michelle on May 3, 2012 at 11:04 pm

      I  like your suggestion! I think I have a stronger connection with some of the "quieter" ones… 🙂

  13. Julie on May 4, 2012 at 12:01 am

    They all sound good to me. Maybe you just need to walk away from them all for awhile. Then the decision will just jump out at you. What letter are we on now?

    • michelle on May 4, 2012 at 2:09 pm

      Yours is the most sensible suggestion… I'm gonna do just that!

  14. The Golden Eagle on May 4, 2012 at 12:33 am

    I usually go with the character shouting the loudest in my head–though sometimes if I ignore him/her long enough, then things will quiet back down.

    • michelle on May 4, 2012 at 2:10 pm

      I'm gonna ignore the whole bunch… and see what happens…  🙂

  15. Leslie Rose on May 8, 2012 at 3:29 am

    I suspect you'll have some of the characters visiting you in your dreams. If you wake up and need a notepad to capture your "dream ideas" I'd go with those folks.

  16. michelle on May 8, 2012 at 8:46 am

    A notepad sounds like a handy item… 🙂 Though I suspect that I MAY ignore them all and start something fresh… or continue with the planning for a WIP that needs to "get off the ground"…

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