Shehanne Moore allows The Hamster Dudes to wax lyrical.. whilst she explains the importance of location in our books…. she illustrates this with some excerpts from her novels set in the highlands, which is a wild and fascinating place. As always the hamsters are adorable and the post informative and entertaining.
Shey – Yup. Indeed I’ve been meaning to blog it and show off a few pics of that weekend….ages ago now.
Shey….including the moveable summit there above. I say that cos mountains in Glencoe are a bit like writing books that way. You think you’re there when you’re not. Indeed you could say that about this whole biz.
But location? Yep. Kate Furnivall said something last post about it being another character in a book and for me that says it all. It may not have goal, motivation or conflict BUT you ignore it at your peril if you want to bring your book to life. So I always look to choose a location, or invest a place, a house for example, with characteristics that will hopefully do that.
Glencoe has been a special place for me, for many years. And when it came to thinking of what I could
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What Kate Furnivall said about location being another character is true. Locations force characters to move through them in a certain way. This determines what way they react to each other at given points, which in turn affects the pace and plotting, and the climatic points of the novel. A strongly written location forces the reader to imagine moving through the landscape in exactly the same way as the characters and so makes their choices seem inevitable: as if their actions are the only options available. Once the reader thinks that way the novel is alive in imagination. Pxx
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Gosh, Paul, I just replied to your comment on my blog saying that the landscape can force choices when a character moves through that landscape. Obviously, for me the character drives the plot. but straight off the bat, the fact the heroine, starts to lag, having second thoughts, early on, leads to a run in with the weather, forcing a change of choice. I couldn’t agree more re what Kate said last week and more with how you expand the point either. Thank you.
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See, said I wasn’t just a pretty face! Pxx
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Ha ha x
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They do Paul… very useful interactions that spark off all kinds of opportunities to engage the reader and to carry the story forward in new directions.. XXX
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That is true Sally, Speaking for myself I often feel the writer is not so much the creator but the instrument the story uses to tell itself … although others would say that’s just a good writer’s subconscious at work! Pxx
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That makes perfect sense….xxxxx
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Well I just know when it comes to writing I light the blue touch paper and stand back. I never EVER know where things are going next. It is horribly like walking a tightrope above a fire pit.
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It seems to work Shehanne… I am a bit like that… I have a plan then go off piste when they interact….xxxxx
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Lol Sally, I don’t even have a plan. Ever. If only xxxx
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The always entertaining Shey and the dudes! ❤
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Debs. Their little whiskers are in a right tizzy at the mo.
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Lol, you task master you! 🙂 xxxx
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Oh I know… Mean..Mean to them x
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Got that in one… not sure how she manages to keep them under control… ♥
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Oh I have threatened them well re Christmas if they don’t start being nice to one another. x
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No nuts under the tree!!!!! xxxxxx
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A huge task I’m sure. 🙂 xxx
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I think a wee trip to that island is in order. They can’t swim…bless them.
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ahh….swim rings for Christmas…. xxx
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Well actually Sally….No. When they start being nice to each other they can come home… x
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Very entertaining, Sally! Hugs xx
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Glad you enjoyed.
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♥
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Shey and the Dudes are a grand theatrical company.. xxxx
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Now a travelling one would cause havoc x
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Oh but so much fun………..xxxxx
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Sally xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for this. Hugely appreciated xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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