Writing From Inexperience
Written by Harry
October 28, 2008
Write what you know is one of my mantras. I tell this to new writers and gamers all the time. First-hand experience of an event or a particular local makes your fiction writing work come alive with detail.
But what if you have a character so unlike you that you’ve never experienced half the things your character has? A little research takes care of that.
I’m talking about the little things we take for granted. What if your character needs to roll a cigarette, but you’ve never rolled your own? What if your character gets drunk, but you’ve never been drunk yourself?
Within the larger scheme of experiences, no one would know the smaller details unless they have been through it themselves.
Living Vicariously
How do learn an experience? Where you find this information?
The Internet is your friend. It’s amazing what you’ll find if you look. Need to know the effects of a particular drug or the effects of alcohol? You’ll find everything from medical reports to first-hand accounts on the web.
I had one player ask me how to roll a cigarette, and while I’ve done that, I couldn’t explain it well. A quick search on You Tube provided dozens of how-to videos.
If you want more flavor, you could risk a little bit of embarrassment and ask someone who’s experienced the situation to describe it. I find that when you tell people that you’re a writer and need help, they’re more than willing to go through a quick interview.
Videos and articles can give you the basics, but there are small details people can tell you that bring the experience to life. These details add credibility to your fiction so that your reader says, “Wow, he really knows what he’s talking about! I felt just like that!”
Much of dissecting experiences is emotional. People never have the same experience. Just look at how different people act and behave when they’re drunk. Some are happy drunks, some get mean, others get downright stupid. Sometimes the type of alcohol plays a part in modifying basic behaviors while drunk.
In some ways, writing from inexperience is no different from writing about a specific genre or setting, like writing about medieval times or futuristic space. You still have to do your homework and research.
There are certain experiences you can try for yourself, but use discretion and don’t try anything dangerous. Half the fun of writing is acquiring vast knowledge on many subjects. It keeps your writing fresh, your readers interested, and goes a long way in creating strong suspension of disbelief.
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What if you have to describe something no one’s ever experienced (that you’re aware of). I’ve been thinking about this one a lot, because at some point in the future, Lizzy’s going to have to do this whole First Change thing, so I’ve been gathering resources. I’ve read and reread all the posts on ER about Race, Jake and Johnny changing, and I’ve skimmed through a few things in the Werewolf: The Forsaken book and even online to gather what I could. It’s going to be… tricky. At best.
It comes down to a simple case of interpretation. I’ll read whatever I get my hands on about how other people have described their changes, but in the end it’s going to be some basic “facts” combined with Lizzy’s personality and the traits of whatever auspice and/or tribe she tends toward that will all come together to help me write her change. Whew! I’m nervous already, and it may not even come up until this time next year for all I know!
@ Nicole - I’ll be the first to admit that there is very little “First Change” material on ER. None of the players have witnessed a full change or the precluding symptoms, and none of the characters have experienced it on camera in full detail.
So, in short, you’re right to say, “Damn, there’s something missing.” There is. A lot.
Take heart in the fact that every character’s change to a supernatural being is a very unique and individual thing. Some might go violent, some might go scared, some might go nuts, some might go off into the woods and come back with a, “Gee, that was neat. Check it!”
In short, there’s no wrong way
Hmmm…I feel a post topic coming on. Thanks Nicole!
Just a quick note; a very helpful book is Blood of the Wolf (see that Amazon sidebar). This goes into a lot of detail about the life of a shifter.
Now, to go write that post and answer a few more questions
@James Little by little, and since I’m asking myself questions (what would Lizzy do in this case?) as I go along, I think I’ll have it down by the time it’s an issue. Sure, a bit nerve wracking, and I may run those post by you two before I hit “submit”, but mostly it’s an excited nervousness. There’s time yet to figure it all out… and apparently more to read (Harry!) before then as well.
@Harry Always happy to be able to prompt answers from you, sir.
@ Nicole - Pfft. Your own character and the involvement of others will blow all your great plans right out of the water. That’s the best part. Anything can happen!
@James LOL. You’re not helping.