Let's see what happens
Apr. 14th, 2004 11:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ksmithWell, looks like we will be doing something about all the large-scale junk in the garage--Mom phoned a junk guy, who will be coming over this afternoon to give her an estimate for the hauling. If he proves reasonable and this works out, it will be such a relief. There are 2 refrigerators, an old upright organ, assorted chests of drawers, and a couple of broken-down exercise bikes--yes, I used them until the bearings wore out. There are old desks and chairs in the cellar. I've gotten pretty handy withthe 4-wheeled dolly over the last few months, but there are some things I just can't move on my own.
Still awaiting word about whether the Feds have accepted my e-filed return. If memory serves, I think TT was supposed to email me that they had received word, but in case what memory served up turned out to be a big zero, I will check tonight when I get home.
Still fiddling with the new Jani 5 Chapter 1, and the secondary POV. This character isn't what we would call normal, but I need to give the impression of obsession and not-quite-rightedness while avoiding the tumble into barking-madness. Also working out conversations between Jani and other characters--her Dad, Lucien, Niall, John. I often make notes of this dialogue with an eye toward using it in the book. Sometimes I do, but usually all it does is serve to align everyone's attitudes and help set the tone for relationships. There's a talk with her Dad that's going to play a part in this book, I think. She needs to realize at that point how much she's scaring people who care about her.
Jani had a difficult relationship with her parents, but she was too self-absorbed and intent on getting off Acadia to realize it. She tends to run over people--is that a surprise?
This conversation with her father is going to occur about halfway through the book, I think. It's going to be interesting.
Still awaiting word about whether the Feds have accepted my e-filed return. If memory serves, I think TT was supposed to email me that they had received word, but in case what memory served up turned out to be a big zero, I will check tonight when I get home.
Still fiddling with the new Jani 5 Chapter 1, and the secondary POV. This character isn't what we would call normal, but I need to give the impression of obsession and not-quite-rightedness while avoiding the tumble into barking-madness. Also working out conversations between Jani and other characters--her Dad, Lucien, Niall, John. I often make notes of this dialogue with an eye toward using it in the book. Sometimes I do, but usually all it does is serve to align everyone's attitudes and help set the tone for relationships. There's a talk with her Dad that's going to play a part in this book, I think. She needs to realize at that point how much she's scaring people who care about her.
Jani had a difficult relationship with her parents, but she was too self-absorbed and intent on getting off Acadia to realize it. She tends to run over people--is that a surprise?
This conversation with her father is going to occur about halfway through the book, I think. It's going to be interesting.
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Re: Risk Is Her Business
Date: 2004-04-14 06:28 pm (UTC)I never served in the military, which was one reason why I wrote a character who (I felt) didn't belong in the military--antiauthoritarian, not driven by any sense of loyalty to her government or C-wealth. There were other factors. But I also wrote her as the opposite of me, as someone who acts quickly, considers the major points, picks an option, and moves, because I wanted to write stories that moved.
I didn't think I had written a character who could function as an officer, but a fan email from a retired colonel indicated otherwise. He had served in Vietnam and Bosnia, and liked Jani for her decisiveness. She made a decision, did what she had to, and moved on. He thought her a good role model, and he wasn't the only ex-military reader who thought her officer material.
This made me feel great, needless to say, but it stunned me too because the only sense I have of that mindset is from its opposite. I am sooo not officer material.
Re: Risk Is Her Business
Date: 2004-04-14 07:56 pm (UTC)>This made me feel great, needless to say, but it >stunned me too because the only sense I have of >that mindset is from its opposite. I am sooo not >officer material.
LOL! The colonel's absolutely right, IMO. But this is what makes you a good writer, being able to get so deeply into an alien mindset.
I wonder - is it your natural bent away from the Jani-type that allows you to paint your reactionaries so convincingly, or is that also just damn good use of POV?
Me, I'm deeply schizoid on the matter, which is why all those quizzes come out "loves bunnies, bent on world domination." And that dichotomy drives a lot of my wip - one of the core conflicts is between the old guard, who won't go to the wall, and so let a crisis escalate, and the young turks who want a *solution,* even with a little egg-breaking.
Deeply fascinating stuff -
Re: Risk Is Her Business
Date: 2004-04-14 08:34 pm (UTC)Not sure. All I know is that Jani is all about change, and never allowing anyone time to get their feet under them. That would drive me crazy--I need time to catch my breath on occasion. Anyone who thrives on/prefers stability/the status quo would not like Jani. A reactionary who not only wanted to maintain the status quo but wanted to take things *back* to another, less fraught (to them) time would find her that much more upsetting.