September 2, 2010

Commandments for Writers Series: #8

Moving along with Sol Stein's Ten Commandments for Writers, from Stein on Writing...
8 Thou shalt have no rest on the sabbath, for thy characters shall live in thy mind and memory now and forever.
It's true, figuratively and literally. Giving life to characters is akin to creating family. That sounds insane. I don't think I'm insane. I do know that Alisen, Elizabeth, Amanda, Chloe, Jill, and Kirianah are like sisters to me. Okay, maybe I'm insane. The asylum's in my head. Shhh, don't tell anyone.

I know of writers who choose not to write on the Sabbath day. But I bet they think about it.

I have been jolted with inspiration for a plot line in the middle of Sunday School class. My jaw has dropped as I sing the words of an unfamiliar hymn, appropriately depicting my character's feelings. A comment, a quote, a scripture catches fire in my soul, burning to be written down as soon as I get home. A fix to a scene, a turn of dialogue, an expression of emotion. The rest comes after the words are down.


But yeah, I'm still thinking about them.

9 comments:

Ann Best said...

I've gotten lots of ideas also in church, especially in our ward that is so very quiet (we don't have a lot of small children).

Figuratively speaking, characters ARE family members.

And I have not only thought about writing on the Sabbath, but have done it more times than I felt like I should!
Ann

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'd miss some serious writing time if I skipped Sundays.
Found you through Karen's blog!

Jennifer Shirk said...

YES! I totally think about it! LOL

But I don't. I usually take the whole weekend off.

PS I'm from the BBQ blog party. :)

Krista said...

Ann, how nice to have quiet church, haha!

Alex, I know. For some reason, the kids try to occupy themselves during the day on Sundays, and it's a great time to focus.

Jennifer, thank you for stopping by! We can't stop thinking about it, can we?

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

All of my best epiphanies have happened in the middle of Sunday School. In fact, my writing streak dried up the second I had to teach Primary during that hour a few weeks ago...

They really are alive, aren't they?

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Hi! I popped over for some of that yummy grilled chicken. It sounds delicious. :-)

I love the look of your blog. :-)

Krista said...

Kimberly, it's sad but true, how Primary can be like a vacuum! Ah, well!

Thanks for coming, Shannon! Help yourself! ;)

Gretchen Griffith said...

I'm so glad I found your blog through the BBQ party. I was excited to find this post because I have that same conflict. I try not to write on Sunday. I plan for it to be my day of restoration, but usually I'm thinking, mulling, redesigning, rarely writing, though. Come Monday morning, I'm ready. It's nice to read other perspectives.

Krista said...

Thank you, Gretchen! It's great to meet another conflicted writer. ;)

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