Allison WyssFeb 17, 2023

We're talking about sensibility in my class today--the particular way a character observes the world & how that creates a sense of personality. How looking out is a reflection of the inner workings of a brain.

And I'm thinking about how it's often so iterative for me. I notice my character's sensibility and then I develop it and then I notice new things and develop them.

Do you think about sensibility? Do you build it or notice it?

#WritingCommunity #Sensibility #Characterization #AmWriting

Sandra ClarkFeb 17, 2023
Show threadAllison Wyss

And by sensibility I mean a combination of factors. Does a voice notices one type of thing over the other. Do they walk into a room and describe the art on the wall or the view out the window or the style of furniture or the tension between people? Do they notices smells or sounds or colors or textures? Is their language poetic or scientific or plain?

A thing could be described any number of ways, but we learn about a character by the particular aspects they notice.

#WritingCommunity

Feb 17, 2023 at 3:20pmWeb
Show threadJennifer de Guzman 🪲🦋🐝🐞Feb 17, 2023
@allisonwyss I love this question! I tend to write novels with multiple POVs, from both 1st and 3rd person, and I’ve also done 3rd person omniscient. I love doing that because it makes me get into the heads of so many different kids of people and try to experience their world the way they do. The epilogue of the most recent novel I’ve finished is epistolary. Getting to write in the voices of different characters was a treat!
Show threadAllison WyssFeb 17, 2023

@JenniferdeGuzman

Yeah, I love it too. I just like trying on voices like clothes. And so much of it is instinctive, but then when I get to revision, I dig down to figure out what my instincts did and say yes or no to them or maybe to make it even stronger.

Show threadUna MilutinovichFeb 17, 2023
@allisonwyss Yes! I think it's a core part of the character creation process. But I find it tricky sometimes to convey it in the story, or at least, it takes work.
Show threadRS, Author, Novelist, ProsaistFeb 17, 2023
@unami @allisonwyss Here's a trick. Remember that unlike real life, a story need not be built linearly. Leave enough info and return to add the five senses and correct/add what is or is not notice when you're stuck. Don't make yourself crazy! If your subconscious is like mine, at some point you'll know when to come back and correct things.
Show threadAllison WyssFeb 17, 2023

@sfwrtr @unami

I mean it's definitely an iterative process. I return to scenes again and again as I'm writing them. I deepen and clarify and sometimes simplify.

And yet. I love a story that lets me discover things as I do in real life. I don't always want the full spectrum of a character on display in the first pages. And I think it's because I rarely meet people that way, but feel them out over time. Sure we build stories out of time. But we can also experience them through time.

Show threadRS, Author, Novelist, ProsaistFeb 17, 2023
@allisonwyss @unami Beyond getting to Complete, the most important thing is to enjoy writing your stories. The more you peel away the fear and discomfort and gather in the joy, the easier it becomes. My process is somewhat holographic and may be wrong for you.