I have absolutely no idea what the defining moment was! I suppose I've always thought I would be, though I didn't know with which book or when. I completed my first book at fifteen, and then it took twenty three years to sell one, so I don't suppose I ever considered that I might not be published! Also, I had my first fanfic accepted by a paper zine before I was fourteen, telling them that I was eighteen, and I attempted my first book at ten. I seriously do not remember a time before I wrote for publication.
The hard thing wasn't beginning. The hard thing was the twenty three years between finishing my first novel and selling my fifth!
Characters -- I write about what engages me. For example, what is it about the SG characters that works for me? What is it that I love about them, and love to write? One thing, for me, is that I love the team. I love the closeness, the interplay between characters, the different skills and viewpoints that play off each other. I also love the mixture of action and mysterious cool space stuff. I also love that the characters are dedicated. They're working toward a goal. They're trying to be the good guys, and no matter how challenged they are, they work hard to remain their best selves, no matter what. Yes, they have failings and sorrows, but they try to be good.
Ok, so now that I know what the elements are that make the characters interesting to me, how do I translate those elements into a different kind of story? Let's look at Lost Things.
Lost Things is about a team, Alma, Mitch, Lewis and Jerry. (The Countess joins in the second book.) The Lodge is the context in which they're a team. So what does the team do? They solve occult problems using aviation, archaeology and magic. Consequently different members of the team have different specialties, different strengths and weaknesses. Also they have history. There are complicated interpersonal things going on here. And they're the good guys. They're the guardians, the ones who are trying to do the right thing regardless of the cost.
So it's a lot of the same elements in play, even if it's not the same story! And hopefully it will appeal to readers who like that kind of team adventure the same way that Stargate does to them and to me. Does that all follow?
jo_graham
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The hard thing wasn't beginning. The hard thing was the twenty three years between finishing my first novel and selling my fifth!
Characters -- I write about what engages me. For example, what is it about the SG characters that works for me? What is it that I love about them, and love to write? One thing, for me, is that I love the team. I love the closeness, the interplay between characters, the different skills and viewpoints that play off each other. I also love the mixture of action and mysterious cool space stuff. I also love that the characters are dedicated. They're working toward a goal. They're trying to be the good guys, and no matter how challenged they are, they work hard to remain their best selves, no matter what. Yes, they have failings and sorrows, but they try to be good.
Ok, so now that I know what the elements are that make the characters interesting to me, how do I translate those elements into a different kind of story? Let's look at Lost Things.
Lost Things is about a team, Alma, Mitch, Lewis and Jerry. (The Countess joins in the second book.) The Lodge is the context in which they're a team. So what does the team do? They solve occult problems using aviation, archaeology and magic. Consequently different members of the team have different specialties, different strengths and weaknesses. Also they have history. There are complicated interpersonal things going on here. And they're the good guys. They're the guardians, the ones who are trying to do the right thing regardless of the cost.
So it's a lot of the same elements in play, even if it's not the same story! And hopefully it will appeal to readers who like that kind of team adventure the same way that Stargate does to them and to me. Does that all follow?