Welcome to the AbsoluteWrite Water Cooler! Please read The Newbie Guide To Absolute Write

editing for authors ad

A publisher or agency using Google ads to solicit your novel probably isn't anyone you want to write for.


Go Back   Absolute Write Water Cooler > General Writing Interest > Novels
Reload this Page Spinoff: Casting your characters = pantsers?
Register FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-04-2013, 11:10 PM   #1
ccarver30
Highlight, delete, re-write
 
ccarver30's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: 19th century England
Posts: 2,577
ccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Question Spinoff: Casting your characters = pantsers?
I would like to know how many of the people that DO cast their characters (with models/actors/actresses) are pantsers/do NOT write outlines?

I wonder if we do this to have at least SOMEthing that is an anchor (besides the plot and junk) to the story. If I do not know what is going to happen to this character, at least I know exactly what she looks like.

Does this make ANY sense?
__________________
WIPs
Twelve Diamonds
Final Flame
Winner's Curse
Don't Come Back

Everyone should read Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne/King.
ccarver30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2013, 11:13 PM   #2
Mr Flibble
They've been very bad, Mr Flibble
 
Mr Flibble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: We couldn't possibly do that. Who'd clear up the mess?
Posts: 15,767
Mr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsMr Flibble is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
I cast my characters - but not at the start. When I've got a handle on the character I see someone who looks like them and use it.

So to begin with I have no idea what they look like - that comes out as I write them.
__________________


The Rojan Dizon books, book one out now from Orbit

Website
Twitter
Mr Flibble is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2013, 11:14 PM   #3
quickWit
Totally Ninja!
 
quickWit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: I had something for this...
Posts: 10,732
quickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Pfft!

Bunch of pantsing weirdos...
Get off my lawn!

__________________
Write the turd. Polish the turd. Submit the turd.
quickWit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2013, 11:21 PM   #4
Haggis
Goonsquad
SuperModerator
 
Haggis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: In your worst nightmare
Posts: 38,163
Haggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsHaggis is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Quote:
Originally Posted by quickWit View Post
Pfft!

Bunch of pantsing weirdos...
Get off my lawn!
Put your pants back on. Freak!
Haggis is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2013, 11:27 PM   #5
quickWit
Totally Ninja!
 
quickWit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: I had something for this...
Posts: 10,732
quickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsquickWit is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
You're not the boss of me.

*adjusts thong*
__________________
Write the turd. Polish the turd. Submit the turd.
quickWit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2013, 11:55 PM   #6
shadowwalker
empty-nester!
 
shadowwalker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,728
shadowwalker has a double-platinum reputationshadowwalker has a double-platinum reputationshadowwalker has a double-platinum reputationshadowwalker has a double-platinum reputationshadowwalker has a double-platinum reputationshadowwalker has a double-platinum reputationshadowwalker has a double-platinum reputation
I will sometimes look for a photo or actor as the characters pop up in the story. It helps me picture facial expressions and action scenes (such as fights). But I don't immediately scour the internet for them, only if I'm having some difficulty in picturing them (at any given point).
__________________
I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been by far; for a might-have-been has never been, but a has-been was once an are. - Milton Berle

There's only one absolute in writing - Never listen to absolutes.
shadowwalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 12:01 AM   #7
ccarver30
Highlight, delete, re-write
 
ccarver30's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: 19th century England
Posts: 2,577
ccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsccarver30 is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Quote:
Originally Posted by quickWit View Post
Pfft!

Bunch of pantsing weirdos...
Get off my lawn!
Have you SEEN your avatar?!?
__________________
WIPs
Twelve Diamonds
Final Flame
Winner's Curse
Don't Come Back

Everyone should read Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne/King.
ccarver30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 12:09 AM   #8
Cyia
Rewriting My Destiny
 
Cyia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Brillig in the slithy toves...
Posts: 12,575
Cyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCyia is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
I absolutely have an actor or character in mind for most of the characters I write. It helps nail down a particular voice for them.


Quote:
Originally Posted by quickWit View Post
Pfft!

Bunch of pantsing weirdos...
Get off my lawn!
1 - no rabbit in a moustache, pasties, and a thong gets to call me weird.

2 - never tell me where you put those quarters from the dog.
__________________


04/23/13 ----------10/08/13
ON SALE NOW!**** (^Preorder)
Cyia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 12:10 AM   #9
Marniy
Tastes like happy
 
Marniy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Upheaville
Posts: 159
Marniy is on a distinguished road
Ooh I cast when I create new characters.

I outline and do write ups of character motivations and conflicts.
But my outline isn't exhaustive- It usually amounts to a time line, conflicts, themes, and stray ideas about the story. About 5 pages in total.

So I guess, I'm a plotter- but not slavishly devoted to it. If a better idea for a plot point comes up- I work it in and update the outline.
Marniy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 12:40 AM   #10
jeffo20
practical experience, FTW
 
jeffo20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Central New York
Posts: 1,401
jeffo20 is a glorious beacon of lightjeffo20 is a glorious beacon of lightjeffo20 is a glorious beacon of light
I'm a wingman and I never cast my characters.
__________________
Blogging at The Doubting Writer
jeffo20 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 02:15 AM   #11
Moralis
New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin
 
Moralis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Holland
Posts: 15
Moralis is on a distinguished road
I have always outlined my stories to death and never cast any characters. Until Nano 2012.
A movie gave me the inspiration for my novel so I had most of my characters cast from the beginning. I had almost everything to start writing a novel, except the plot. I decided I would pants this year.

So yeah. I plot without casting. And when I cast, I don't plot.
Moralis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 05:32 AM   #12
Linda Adams
Soldier, Storyteller
 
Linda Adams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Metropolitan District of Washington
Posts: 4,262
Linda Adams is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLinda Adams is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLinda Adams is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLinda Adams is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLinda Adams is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLinda Adams is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLinda Adams is better than ice cream with hot fudge
Junk can get into my story without any effort whatsoever. However, I don't cast my characters. They come into the story, and that's who they are.
__________________
Soldier, Storyteller |Publications - Books | Publications - Magazines
"Six Bullets" in the anthology A Princess, A Boatman, and a Lizard, Starcatcher Publishing
Linda Adams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 06:20 PM   #13
ChaosTitan
Around
AW Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: The not-so-distant future
Posts: 15,461
ChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsChaosTitan is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
I tend to cast, but I'm also more of a pantsliner, than a full-fledged pantser or outliner.

It's an interesting question, though.
__________________
Blog: Organized Chaos | Pinterest | Facebook | Website | Twitter

"Holy f*ck!" --Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks, on CHANGELING.

The public doesn't trust them. The government wants to control them. Being a superhero has never been this hard, especially for Tempest.--Coming April 22, 2013 from Pocket Star.
ChaosTitan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 06:34 PM   #14
DeleyanLee
Writing Anarchist
 
DeleyanLee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: lost among the words
Posts: 27,572
DeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDeleyanLee is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
I'm a pantser and don't "cast my characters" in my original fiction. For fanfic, that's one thing--the characters are already there and come with actors. But for original fiction, I tried it once and discovered that it completely restricted how I could think of them, so that book died and I've never tried it again.
__________________
"For unheard of means that it's undreamed of yet; Impossible means not yet done." --Julia Ecklar

"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist." --Friederich Nietzsche
DeleyanLee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 06:49 PM   #15
L.Blake
Soaking up information.
 
L.Blake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: a state of contentment
Posts: 169
L.Blake is on a distinguished road
I don't cast, I make everything up as I go.

L.
__________________
WIP Cirque: First draft done
WIP Dirty Desires: Starting over
2013 500K Challenge...working on it
Monstre 42,746
L.Blake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 07:26 PM   #16
Liosse de Velishaf
Lost in Translation
 
Liosse de Velishaf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Second star on the right and on 'til morning.
Posts: 6,017
Liosse de Velishaf is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLiosse de Velishaf is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLiosse de Velishaf is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLiosse de Velishaf is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLiosse de Velishaf is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLiosse de Velishaf is better than ice cream with hot fudgeLiosse de Velishaf is better than ice cream with hot fudge
I'm a panster, and I don't cast my characters.
__________________
"I can do anything I can put my mind to--except put my mind to anything." ~Nicholas Vesiri

"I like it. It makes me cry." ~Anne Darwin ("Creation")

Atsiko's Chimney
Twitter

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kricket View Post
Is that all I am to you people?! Just the girl with the whip?!
Liosse de Velishaf is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 10:13 PM   #17
Reziac
Resident Alien
 
Reziac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Brendansport, Sagitta IV
Posts: 2,696
Reziac has a golden reputationReziac has a golden reputationReziac has a golden reputationReziac has a golden reputationReziac has a golden reputationReziac has a golden reputation
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyia View Post
I absolutely have an actor or character in mind for most of the characters I write. It helps nail down a particular voice for them.
I have one character who was very loosely based on a MLB pitcher. Looks and sounds like him, but there it ends. One of his acquaintances was based on an NFL kicker, and is rather closer to the original (tho even more crazy!)

And my MC ... I've known him for over 20 years. I know how he looks, acts, sounds. Then along came an actor who is Just Right in terms of mannerisms and delivery... and doesn't look much like my MC. This ruined my own picture of him!

*sigh*
__________________
Heavily armed, easily bored, and off the medication
Reziac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 10:19 PM   #18
thethinker42
Abnormal Romance Author
 
thethinker42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Omahabad, Nebraskastan
Posts: 17,718
thethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsthethinker42 is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
I outline my own books (loosely and vaguely) and cast the characters.

When I write with one of my co-authors, we don't outline and don't cast the characters.

My other co-author and I cast the characters, and have a sort of vague outline (we know the conflict and what we believe will be the resolution, but we aren't entirely sure how we'll get there).
__________________
Lori
Website * Blog * Twitter
AW Library: Lauren Gallagher * L. A. Witt

In-Progress:
To Know The Enemy - 39,004 / 85,000
The Only One Who Knows (w/Cat Grant) - 51,879 / 55,000
Enjoy the Silence - 1,501 / 30,000

The Princess & The Porn Star - Available Now!
thethinker42 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 11:45 PM   #19
Rhoda Nightingale
Full-Time Vampire Junkie
 
Rhoda Nightingale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,215
Rhoda Nightingale is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsRhoda Nightingale is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsRhoda Nightingale is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsRhoda Nightingale is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsRhoda Nightingale is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsRhoda Nightingale is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsRhoda Nightingale is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsRhoda Nightingale is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
I'm a pantser (mostly--I've started plotting a bit more recently, but almost never with a proper "outline"), and I cast some of my characters, but not all of them. And if, during the course of the story, they take on different characteristics than I first envisioned, they get recast.
__________________
WIP: 1001 Souls (YA horror) On Hold
WIP: Dream Warriors (YA horror), revising, 50k
Shorts: The Yellow Season (R's--4); The Raggedy Girl (R's--3)

Blog: http://glitter-n-gore.livejournal.com/
Rhoda Nightingale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2013, 11:52 PM   #20
jaksen
Caped Codder
 
jaksen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: In MA, USA, across from a 17th century cemetery
Posts: 3,945
jaksen has a double-platinum reputationjaksen has a double-platinum reputationjaksen has a double-platinum reputationjaksen has a double-platinum reputationjaksen has a double-platinum reputationjaksen has a double-platinum reputationjaksen has a double-platinum reputation
I sometimes 'base' my characters on real people, who I really know, but I don't cast them. (If by that it means I have an actor, celebrity or public figure in mind as to how the character appears, talks, behaves, etc.)

My characters sort of appear to me as I write them. I get to know them like my MC and other characters do: bit by bit as they talk, walk and do stuff.
__________________


Just sold Story No. 28! To EQMM! I am so happy. (New grandson, too. Life is good. )

Eeyore was saying to himself, “This writing business. Pencils and what-not. Over-rated if you ask me. Silly stuff. Nothing in it.” A.A. Milne
jaksen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2013, 04:05 AM   #21
SJNew
figuring it all out
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 51
SJNew is on a distinguished road
I absolutely have to have an outline (both for the plot and the characters) before I can write anything. I never intentionally cast my characters - though admittedly, some ideas I've had have emerged from fantasies regarding certain people (no, not those kind of fantasies), or from crossover ideas, so sometimes a certain famous face might start out as my hero/heroine(s) but they inevitably change as the idea deepens into an actual proper plot.

Sometimes, though, as I'm writing/outlining, the more I get to know a character, the clearer their appearance becomes, and sometimes that has been someone famous. I can certainly see why some are reticent about 'casting' characters, especially with famous people, but I figure, so long as it's just their face and not their public persona that clags to the character while I'm writing them, it's not a problem. After all, even if I envisage a particular person playing my hero, doesn't necessarily mean someone reading the finished product won't see someone totally different.
SJNew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2013, 06:34 AM   #22
Cornelius Gault
New writer since 07/2012.
 
Cornelius Gault's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 250
Cornelius Gault is well-respected
Not a good model, since I have only been writing since July 2012, but I found someone similar to my characters on Wikipedia or Google. I created simple character profiles based on real people and situations (which I later modified to fit the story), parents, children, locations, dates, etc. I pulled pictures from Google of how I imagined the characters might look. However, much of what I put in the character profiles never makes it into the story, unless there is a good reason for it (and to avoid Info-Dumping).

I don't use an outline, per se, but create a basic one-level chapter list in Word using Heading levels, which I later add to and change as I develop those sections.
__________________
Cornelius Gault
WIPs:
#1: The Gault Legacy (10K words) since 07/2012 (shelved).
#2: Story Elements (31K words) since 11/2012.
#3: Murder-Mystery Elements (30K words) since 01/2013.
#4. Detective 12/Double Novel (Drake: 11,616, Leo: 8,470, Total: 20,086 words ) since 02/2013 (active).
--- as of 05/12/2013 ---
Cornelius Gault is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Linear Mode Linear Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Custom Search

Buy Scrivener 2 for Mac OS X (Regular Licence)

If this site is helpful to you,
Please consider a voluntary subscription to defray ongoing expenses.


All times are GMT +4.5. The time now is 12:48 AM.

Contact Us - Absolute Write - Archive - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.