If your first fictional characters are created with acceptable qualities and drawbacks, they are often close to a form of impossible perfection. It is only when you progress through your process that certain questions will arise for you. When writing the sequel to a novel, for example, my vision of the characters evolved. I felt able at that moment to make them more complex. It is a crucial stage in the evolution of writing.
Avignon festival 2023
This year I went to the Avignon festival for about one of my artistic projects. This allowed me to connect and establish contacts but also to discover new live shows.
I made the choice to explore several themes such as burlesque which is close to musical theater and also to revisit certain classics such as William Shakespeare.
My visit to the off village was very rewarding on a professional level. I attended an author’s conference (interview of Michèle Gazier by Harold David) as well as a round table on theatrical writing, three different profiles of artists working in live performance exchange their experiences with the public.
Community of writers
Freedom to dream
I told you about fighting against the lack of inspiration. Here are some tips. Whenever I got stuck on an idea, I played music and drew. For example, I was making improvements to the stagecoach by representing it. This allowed me to give a certain originality to it. I listened to the training I had followed, I reviewed my notes. If nothing helped it meant that an element did not correspond to the writing of the book. This can happen if you control your characters too much. They have their own existence within the book. The story freezes when one or more characters act opposite to their personality.
This text is an extract of my masterclass
Hollywood classics and literature
The classics of Hollywood cinema influenced the writing of my fiction Duel à Albi.
In the story, I refer to several films such as:
– Morocco
– The Devil’s Garden
– Friendly persuasion
The script of some films is inspired by literature.
– For Whom the Bell Tolls based on Ernest Hemingway’s novel
– Peter Ibbetson based on the novel by George Dumaurier
I chose evocative titles in line with the sassy tone of the dialogue. They thus participate in creating the fantastic dimension in which I wanted to immerse my short story and the public.
For the documentation part, I made an appointment at a film library to read some extracts from books which gave me some information.
Thank you to the film libray Jean Vigo.
Playing with text
When I wrote Fantastic L.A, I played a lot with the characters and all the objects used to solve the riddle. For example, crosswords. While thinking about them, I did some research and discovered the origin of the first crosswords. On the original document, definitions and a grid. In the center the word : fun (joy in French).
With the definitions of the original document that you will find at the end of my post, I wrote this short poem :
What we all should be ?
A daydream, a pigeon, a part of the ship
What artists learn to do ?
Opposed to less, exchanging the plurial of this
Link : article about Arthur Wynne.
Learning-collaboration
Readers often ask questions related to our business. Each author has her own path and techniques. For my part, I often write my ideas on sheets or a notebook without lines. This allows me to move them more easily. On the other hand, when I write, the computer is my main tool. That said, I also sometimes use a recorder so as not to lose musical ideas that I use (or not) as needed. The photo I posted today corresponds to the project I’m working on. For this one I called on other professionals to finalize certain parts (enlargements, rereading translation, advice, asked actors their opinion to make a proposition and to play)
The stage coach in Fantastic L.A.
As I most certainly said before, when writing my book Fantastic L.A. I drew certain elements and added details that allowed me to move forward in the writing. Today I present to you the stagecoach of Fantastic L.A.
Itinerary :
Use the wind. Choose a route with a starting point in the direction of the wind. The routes are not known until the day before departure.
1880
Equipage :
– Choose horses resistant to bad weather (thick coat protecting them from snow and rain).
– Change the hitch at each belay to avoid tiring the horses. Give them water and feed them well.
– Use specific harnesses and straps leaving them free to move while allowing support while driving.
– Horseshoes and hooves. Change, clean, brush.
Masterclass launch
I am pleased to announce the launch of my new Masterclass.
I am pleased to announce my new Masterclass. Selected by the C.N.L on August 24, 2022, sessions are still available for the months of October and November. I will soon give you news about the future 2023 session.
To find out more, go to this page.
Characters creation
During the writing process of Fantastic L.A, I drew sometimes elements of the story. To create the fictional character of Hortensia Tercero, I was inspired by the first women’s fencing competitions. The action takes place in the 19th century. Hortensia decides to take a stage coach, firmly deciding to go to the place.
Internet link :