Tuesday, July 15, 2008

the exquisite joys of peoplewatching

People themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.—Jane Austen

I am writing this from a coffee shop in Saint Louis, where I’m trying to get a lot of work done. Rewrites are definitely underway for part two of my novel: I’m trying to completely rewrite ninety pages of mediocre first draft, while adding to my original cast and crew. I’ve found a new sub-villain, a buffoon, two terribly arrogant men, and a cynic. Very fabulous characters, and they all have a lot to say.

So. Plenty on my writing plate. And today I need to rewrite two scenes, have to get them done… but the real, living, breathing, tangible, audible people around me are so fascinating that I abandon my imaginary characters, drop my pen, and let their words and actions catch my attention.

It’s amazing what you’ll hear and see when you give yourself over to peoplewatching. Perhaps it’s my profession that makes it endlessly amusing… I’m tempted to cast half the people I see into my novel. Their mannerisms, laughs, turns of phrase… I almost can’t help using them.

READ MORE...

Posted by Jenn Langefeld on 07/15 at 03:42 PM
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Page 1 of 1 pages