Comments for Kathleen MacIver - Notes from my keyboard

Comment on Rys meets Robin Hood… by annie

annie — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:48:49 +0000

Ummm … hmmm … thoughts on Rys? The interview with Robin Hood? The character vs conflict thing? All of it? lol. Well, the interview tells me very little of Rys, to be perfectly honest. I look more for actual interaction to inform me of a character, rather than internal dialogue. You’ve left most of this interview, such as it is, entirely in Robin’s head. There’s only three very cryptic things that are said by Rys … not enough for me to form an opinion. He sounds tight-lipped and angry from this perspective, regardless of what Robin thinks. And Robin sounds … too talk-y. Not masculine enough. Although I know the interview wasn’t about him.

The character vs conflict thing … without knowing much of either, but a little bit of you and good writing in general, I would agree with your conclusion. I read stories for a good story, but I get sucked in because of good characters. Good writing doesn’t hurt as well. But it is usually the characters who are first in importance, and then the story they have to tell. (But for the initial ‘grab’ you have to have the story there, which is why both are essential.)

Okay … in reading through the original instruction, it does say to imagine the interviewee’s perspective and what it was like to be interviewed, rather than writing the actual interview itself. Hm. So you might throw out what I had to say on it. Ah well.

Comment on Loving Your Character by Charlotte

Charlotte — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:06:29 +0000

I do not know several of these, but am familiar with Crimson Roses and Anne. Very perceptive in seeing the difference between the book and movie. I feel that way about Pollyanna, loving the book character, but not the Disney one.

Another favorite is probably all the heroes in Dick Francis books. As well as Eleanor in Girl of the Limberlost.

I envy you your ability to write.

Comment on Loving Your Character by annie

annie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:33:26 +0000

This reminds me of what Jane Austen said about Emma: “I’m going to take a heroine who no one but myself will much like.” Personally, I like authentic characters the best. It does help when I can relate to them, but when I see them more as a product of someone’s fantasy rather than someone who would actually exist and say and do the things they say and do … I dismiss them very quickly.

Comment on Beautiful Scotland: Winter’s chill by Zachary Grimm

Zachary Grimm — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:16:20 +0000

Hi Kathleen! Those are some beautiful pics, no doubt! Maybe they will help create winter scenes in your stories, should they happen to be a part of the plot.

Comment on Beautiful Scotland: Crovie by Jim murray

Jim murray — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:54:40 +0000

Nicely done. I spent my first 2 1/2 years in Crovie. We moved to Gardenstown after the big storm in 1953. Although there is not a lot of memories of my infancy, the one memory I do have is of water gushing into our house and of being carried out to the enbankment behind the house by my father. Out house is no longer standing, but if you look at the shore end of the pier you can just see the remains of the walls. If I recall there is now a post box at the west side of the former house. Although nearly 6 thousand miles away from there, my memory always drifts back. I knew a couple people from Barvas way back in the 70’s. Let me think, I believe there was an Angus Smith, a Donald MacAskill and a Christine MacIver. I think there was also a chap by the last name Montgomery.
I guess my e-mail address tells you where my heart lies.

Comment on Another story idea… by Zachary Grimm

Zachary Grimm — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:14:55 +0000

I have the same feelings with my character, Christine Palmer, given that she is a female heroine, and I am a male writer. I’m not sure how it will pan out at this point, but one of the things I’ve tried to do with her character (and a couple other female secondary characters) is to put snippets of myself into their characters, and somehow (to me, anyway), they each seem to become stronger-willed or tougher that way, able to take on a world with so many guys in it–especially the world I’ve created, in which the “bad guys” are all males. Perhaps I am attempting to have my character Christine deal with her male counterparts as I would.

Anyway, you’re not alone in your struggles! It seems to be a path I must also trudge down as a male writer. Any help I can be, I will most certainly do my best.

Comment on Another story idea… by kathleenmaciver

kathleenmaciver — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:46:58 +0000

Wow, Zachery! You don’t know how encouraging this is! As a woman who wants to write guys that are realistic, I question all the time how I am going to pull off writing something that I do not know.

I would LOVE to somehow write a story that appeals to both female readers AND male readers. I’m told it’s almost impossible, because the types of heroes that we females like to read seem fake to guys. But I can’t help thinking that a story that portrays both the worst and the best in a man, and portrays the same in the woman who loves him for his best, despite his worst…that would be the ideal story.

Please continue to hang around. I might one day put a call out for male readers to read a rough draft and give me their input!

Comment on Another story idea… by Zachary Grimm

Zachary Grimm — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:30:08 +0000

Kathleen,

As a guy, I am intrigued by your idea of a sort-of reluctant hero-type of man, if that’s the way you are wanting to go. I also think that, because Solen is 16, his hesitation/doubt that you explore just in these few lines really shows through, and I like that. I think it makes it more real, and would probably seem real to readers, too. Perhaps many of them, especially male readers, could relate very much. I know I could. Best of luck! I think you have something very promising going here!

Comment on Jarentho & Beautiful Scotland: Dunnottar Castle by annie

annie — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:44:03 +0000

Beautiful and beautiful!

Comment on Beautiful Scotland: Crovie by Jenne

Jenne — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:15:06 +0000

I just returned from vacation in Scotland & stayed in Crovie for a week. It’s the most stunning place to vacation! The sunsets were gorgeous & the people (vacationers & residents alike) were magnificent. I cannot believe I got so lucky as to stay in a place like it. Gorgeous!!