What's In Your Head?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - Posted by Shelley Sly at Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Today's post is a bit shorter, since I have a lot going on this week. Please forgive me if it takes me a few days to respond to comments and read your blogs. I'll be back at normal speed soon!

One of the awesome things about connecting with other writers is finding out that you're not alone. Many writers have similar idiosyncrasies. The one that comes to mind is having characters talking in our heads.

For some writers, the character speaks directly to them. For others, the writer is in the background, watching a scene unfold in front of them. Others may have no characters talking in their heads, just vivid images that inspire them.

What is going on inside your head right now? Is anyone talking to you or going places or getting in trouble? How much do your characters communicate in your mind? What exactly happens when you let your mind wander?

Labels: characters, daydreaming, voices in my head

15 stories from friends:

Yes, my characters interact in my head all the times. Sometimes, I envision scenes they are playing out, and sometimes it's jusst conversations that need to get written.

Miranda Hardy on July 21, 2011 5:52 AM

There's always a bunch of noise in my head. Right now, I hear characters from my WiP talking to both each other and me. There's also a Shakira song playing which I need to remove ASAP. And, of course, the happy censor buzzing because it's lunchtime.

E. Elle on July 21, 2011 12:13 PM

My characters tend to wander around in my subconscious a lot - but they don't push to the forefront all the time. Every once in a while I'll think, "Hmmm, this character would react exactly like that person..." or something to that effect. :)

Jemi Fraser on July 21, 2011 8:23 PM

OMGOSH DOES THIS MEAN YOU'RE BACK!?!?!?!? Sorry, I'm a little late. Very late. Just now today can finally consider myself 'caught up' on every blogsite. (That doesn't mean I read every post I missed...just that I've read the most recent post on every blog I follow.) *does a happy dance because Shelley's back*

Um...the characters do interact in my head. But I wouldn't describe it as hearing their conversations. I'm usually hearing one side of the conversation...and I'm the other side. When no one's home, I'll talk them out out-loud. And maybe...act them out a little. I don't know. That's just...you know...possible. :) Very possible. :)

Well...it helps with body language and facial expressions. :)

Melody on July 23, 2011 11:13 AM

Mine is very visual - like watching a show on TV or in the movie theaters. I can hear the music too. :)

Michelle Teacress on July 23, 2011 9:24 PM

Characters definitely talk to me in my head. Which is sort of terrifying, but I have gotten more use to it. My kids think I'm a bit nuts though. Glad I found you.

Christa on July 24, 2011 4:15 PM

Hi Shelley! Thanks for stopping by my blog and great post. You know, I always feel like my brain is being torn in a few different directions, depending on the MS I'm working on LOL. My mind wanders about 3/4 of my waking hours:)

Lindsay N. Currie on July 25, 2011 9:07 AM

Hi Shelley! Thanks for stopping by my blog and great post. You know, I always feel like my brain is being torn in a few different directions, depending on the MS I'm working on LOL. My mind wanders about 3/4 of my waking hours:)

Lindsay N. Currie on July 25, 2011 9:07 AM

They don't talk TO me, I'm in the background, watching a scene unfold in front of me like a movie.

If they start talking to me, someone better shoot me.

Have a wonderful week. :)

Huggles,
Lola

Lola Sharp on July 25, 2011 2:42 PM

When I let my mind wander, I usually end up telling myself a story and writing myself a part in it.

If I'm consumed with a WIP and am stuck, I obsess over it then move on to a different WIP. Then I seem to get unstuck.

M Pax on July 25, 2011 5:46 PM

My head is telling me I need to get motivated. Fat chance of that happening.

bethfred.com

Beth on July 25, 2011 10:20 PM

Miranda - Yes, my characters do a lot of the same kind of acting. Listening to them really does help me get good dialogue.

E - A lot going on at once, huh? Funny, I always know what my characters are doing at any given time, and it seems like your experience is similar (or frequent enough, anyway.) Better get that Shakira song out of your head!

Jemi - I understand how that is. I see people in real life act in ways that I think my characters would act, too.

Melody - I'm back, my equally epically awesome beta!! I'm so glad YOU are back too! Don't worry, I talk aloud and act aloud too... only when I'm alone. :)

Michelle - Wow, that's awesome that yours is so visual, and that you can hear music along with it!

Shelley Sly on July 27, 2011 1:48 PM

Christa - It can be terrifying, especially if witnessed or described to people who don't understand talking characters!

Lindsay - Thank YOU for stopping by! My brain is always wandering too, it might be a writer thing or just a me thing. ;)

Lola - That's exactly how it is for me. I hear them loud and clear, but they don't know I'm there. I just watch them talk and interact.

M Pax - Writing yourself in a part of the story? That's neat!

Beth - Oh, you and me both!!

Shelley Sly on July 27, 2011 1:50 PM

I have scenes unfold in my mind.

I hope my characters never talk to me. That would weird me out.

Medeia Sharif on August 1, 2011 12:45 AM

My characters don't talk to me, but the scenes play themselves with the MC's voice narrating.

We writers are a crazy bunch!

Theresa Milstein on August 4, 2011 8:18 AM