Dancing Word Writers Workshop

with BJ Hoff

 February 24, 2006

 

Hosted by: Anne McDonald and Ellie Schroder

Dancing Word Publishers

*This chat has been edited for clarity.

Anne McDonald: Everyone comfy? I'll open up in prayer, go over protocol and then introduce our guest.

Lord, thank You so much for all of the blessings you pour into our lives. Thank you also that we were able to get into the room tonight. Please bless each of our participants as well as those who wanted to be here, but cannot. Bless especially tonight's guest. Meet each of the needs in her life. Help tonight be a time of learning and growing for each of the writers here. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Protocol reminder: When the floor is open to questions, please type ? for questions, ! for comments, and ga when you are through. "ga" stand for go ahead and keeps us from stepping on each others' toes.

Tonight I'm honored to introduce a woman who delights in writing and in sharing her knowledge. BJ Hoff has written several historical series and has just published A Distant Music, the first book in her newest series, The Mountain Song Legacy. Please give BJ a warm welcome.

* Annie leads the applause

* Ellie Schroder claps loudly

Noelle: Welcome

* Lamp claps enthusiastically

Barbara Warren: Welcome B.J.

Limey: Great to have you

* Joins: Littlesweetpea

BJ Hoff: Great to be here!

Karri Compton: This question is from Karri Compton: How do you make different characters sound different in dialogue? Especially when you have a heroine in one work, then a similar aged heroine in another work - you want them to be unique. How do you  accomplish this so that all of your different characters are unique?

BJ Hoff: It works because you know each one of them so well, as well as you know members of your family. They will only sound alike if you know each as an individual.

Ellie Schroder: If you are struggling to get to know one of your characters, what are some ways you would advise for getting started with getting to know them?

BJ Hoff: Characterization is "the" big mystery of fiction. It's a process no one really understands, but it's imperative to spend time--much time--with each one of your primary characters.

Anne McDonald: How would you advise that writers start in getting to know their characters?

BJ Hoff: Think about them as much as you dare without neglecting your spouse! Interview them--just as you would a caregiver or someone else who's going to "live" with you for a long, long time. Do a very detailed "interview," so much in-depth that you know what cologne they wear, how they put their shoes on in the morning--get my drift?

Barbara Warren: well Annie asked my question. How well do you know your characters when  you start plotting your book?

Read the rest of the transcript

 

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