when i'm writing (usually about how a charcater feels about a situation/event/themsleves) i often find myself unable to decide between two opposing feelings or thoughts that the chracter could have (such as anger or happiness for eg) It's kind of unclear what i mean, so let me give an example from my current novel. In this scene, the character is talking (in a monologue) to her birth-mother, who is somewhere out there. I am not sure which of the two i should put.
1.) Not knowing whether you love me or not is in a way worse than knowing for sure that you don’t. It’s harder to not know if have someone than to know you don’t. When you’re not sure, you’re so eager to believe, but yet just waiting, wanting to let go of the thing you want most. One minute you’re embracing, the next you’re dismissing.
2.) Not knowing whether you love me or not is better than knowing that you don't love me. Without the hope that you're love might be out there, I'd completely fall apart.
2007-01-26 12:25:52 · 5 answers · asked by mels211 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
wow. both are good. im assuming because you say birth-mother that your character is adopted. i am adopted and have felt the way you describe. 'completely fall apart' may be a little overdramatic but maybe thats your character. from my perspective, #1 more accurately describes how i have felt. hope that helps. good luck on your book.
2007-01-26 12:35:40 · answer #1 · answered by Flowerchild 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the personality of the character. The first bit you wrote seems to portray a slightly bitter, or perhaps cynical character, while the second seems to be stuck somewhere between hope and despair.
And yes, I have this problem a lot, usually when I'm trying to decide whether a character should be overdramatic and wear their feelings on their sleeve or be quiet and bitter. You just have to ask yourself which emotion keeps closest to your original character, and go with it.
2007-01-26 13:11:45 · answer #2 · answered by isayssoccer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally like the first because it leaves no stone unturned in the department of the character know how she feels without being totally dependant on those feelings.
I would have to see more of the novel to be sure of my choice but I stand by it for now.
2007-01-26 12:38:51 · answer #3 · answered by deahwest 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd use the first one. I write also, my main problem is I can't go into details very well. In the first one you convey saddness, hopelessness, and fear. At least that's what I got from it. You can really feel what you were trying to say there.
2007-01-26 12:38:16 · answer #4 · answered by Binky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if you created the character you have to feel it
2007-01-26 12:34:09 · answer #5 · answered by .................................... 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋