So. To begin with. Hello and thank you for taking the time to come and read what it is that I have to say. know I don't blog as much as I should but I do whenever I get the chance to. I am usually too busy, working, writing, or just general parenting. Finding the time to do everything all at once can sometimes be really difficult and sometimes makes you wish you had a Delorean to jump on in and go back in time...But that's a whole other blog.
What I really wanted to get into with this blog is my writing process. And keep in mind this is how my mind works, my process of thought in my own creative space. How (not all) but some ideas come from and what I like to think of story-telling. You can take what you want from what I have to say. Everyone is different in how they work, think and write. Or just in general in many things. but enough rambling...
For many years I grew up reading the likes of Stephen King, Clive Barker, JRR Tolkien, JK Rowling and many other authors. I started writing when I was about the age of 10. My first book was called Dead Dragons. It was terrible, but I loved the process of writing. Back then I wrote long-hand and never jotted down any ideas. I just wrote what was in my head and put it down on paper. But it was only ever a first draft, of course back then I had no idea about the multiple drafts, edits, revising etc... Honestly not much has changed with how I write except I now have a laptop, which of course makes it a lot easier to edit and revise and all the other stuff.
These days I don't write longhand. The last time I had was 2011 with a novel I wrote which had no title but I am currently working on to bring to life called Fireflies over the oceanlake. I jot down some points in my bigger projects such as my fantasy. The story I am telling can be hard to keep up with, character names, locations, and sometimes I will write some other ideas to add in the revision. But for most of the process, I visualise the direction, I don't stop and look back, I write and get in the feet of my characters. Sometimes when I am writing dialogue I even act it out, giving my characters' voices, allowing me to write the dialogue as if I were there in the scene, or watching it as if it were a movie.
Everyone has a different thought process as I have mentioned before. Some choose to follow specific tropes like the chosen one or love triangle. Nothing wrong at all with doing that if it helps you to write the story want to tell. As I write I wipe my mind of any tropes and let the characters drive the direction of the story. And with world-building, some writers will add in a prologue at the beginning (which can be dangerous) but still again nothing wrong with that. What I love to do is have the reader experience the world and the lore as they read. I like to start off straight into a scene of my story. Of course this - for me - is what I like to do with bigger world-building elements. Rather than have large sections of exposition, you spread the information in scenes throughout the story. Whether that be characters' conversing or small little bits of information in a paragraph.
For me. I also sometimes like to go away with learning something from the story. Being inspired in some way. Or feel as though if I am having a down day, I know I could go and read the book I love to help lift my spirits. Adding real emotion can help the reader to relate sometimes. Of course, not everyone has the same feelings but usually, it would impact someone, somewhere.
Another little thing I like to do is create song playlists that inspire my scenes. It helps me overcome writers' block for the most part as I would attach music to the scenes I visually see in my head. Usually, it would be orchestral music by Hanz Zimmer, Tom Holkenborg, Ramin Djwadi, Steve Jablonsky etc... That is just some of my taste, but it helps me see what I want to present.
And lastly, before this gets way too long, over-bloated and looks as though I am just rambling on. With horror, thriller or suspense. For me sometimes not having everything explained to me is what I love. It leaves the reader with something to talk about with friends, causing discussions and having them throw thoughts out there for what they think certain things may be. Leaving some mysteries opens the door for the reader to really want to invest. I will say it can backfire as some of those who read or watch prefer to have everything given to them. But for me, I like to have that mystery left behind. Sometimes even subvert expectations. Not everyone likes a subversion, but it can sometimes add for a good twist.
I hope you have enjoyed reading, and please like and subscribe. I will try to update more blogs, something to help other's if I can. But remember, these are my thoughts and how I like to write. Everyone is different. Just do you and take bits and pieces from others until you find you are comfortable and have your voice. We always learn the more we write and the more we read. That's what humans do. Just remember never give up on your dreams no matter how big or how small.
I hope to see you around my social media. And will keep you updated on my upcoming novels.
Sincerely
Brodie Whitburn
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