Procrastination Station

I should be working. Instead, I’m taking color-coded chapter notes based off my editor’s feedback. That still counts as being productive, right?

One of the biggest issues I’m struggling with is over-showing vs. not showing enough. During scenes of particularly high drama, when the reader is supposed to be feeling very strong emotions, I’ve either created melodrama or emotionless character drones. Melodrama is a weakness that I’ve been aware of since I first started getting my work seriously critiqued (college, mostly). I’ve apparently remedied this weakness by not including feelings at all, which caused my editor to suspect my character had been possessed, since she wasn’t showing any emotion during an emotional scene. Well, demonic possession wasn’t quite what I was going for.

So, how do I fix this?

Answer: I have no idea.

Oh…were you waiting for writerly advice? Heh heh. 🙂

How about a plan of action instead? Right.

First, I’m going to take a good long look at these scenes and make sure all characters are reacting (at all) and are reacting appropriately, given the situation and their personalities. Falling out of character during emotional scenes is a no-no. Also, eliminate all and any cliches and stated emotions (so-and-so was sad). The biggest thing I need to do is dig deep into my characters and make sure I’m pulling from their fears, and hopes, and experiences to make the scene theirs, and not something I’ve seen or heard before.

I guess this is what revision is all about, eh?