tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post106639041725024571..comments2024-02-12T17:59:33.534-06:00Comments on RAZORED ZEN: Sheer CreationCharles Gramlichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-63979019542260148862008-04-10T03:26:00.000-05:002008-04-10T03:26:00.000-05:00Great post.My fictional characters and the lives t...Great post.<BR/><BR/>My fictional characters and the lives they inhabit are almost as real to me as the so called real world.<BR/><BR/>However, I have to remember that it is to <I>me</I> that they are real and not others.<BR/><BR/>I was playing tennis once and thinking at the same time about one of my plots and characters.<BR/><BR/>When I brought it into the 'over net' conversation, I got some really strange looks.Rob Windstrel Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802521115618353098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-46267014136863594772008-04-05T12:13:00.000-05:002008-04-05T12:13:00.000-05:00Worldbuilding is incredibly fun. I use a relation...Worldbuilding is incredibly fun. I use a relational database and add to the world for the huge epic fantasy cycle I've been toying with for 20-plus years. Actually, now that I think about it, it's over thirty years, closer to 35!! <BR/><BR/>I'd better get cracking on the ol' magnum opus before I die. The thing is a planned seven-volume arc, so I know I need the worlds pretty well fleshed out. I have three alien races with distinct cultures, about ten thousand years of history for backstory, and more.writtenwyrddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02280711822302493122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-11993121919973528382008-04-05T10:06:00.000-05:002008-04-05T10:06:00.000-05:00Shauna, I get around some of those problems, probl...Shauna, I get around some of those problems, problems caused partly by my own ignorence, by having Talera being artificially constructed, and so "adjustments" have been made to accomodate some of the problems.<BR/><BR/>Lana, ;)<BR/><BR/>H.E., your writing is very creative. <BR/><BR/>Bernita, I don't really think of it as "lesser creative" but as the differing demands of the genres, and as more or less creative freedom. <BR/><BR/>Farrah, creating character backstory has some of those same "freewheeling" elements of creativity and is great fun.<BR/><BR/>Jack, yep.<BR/><BR/>Avery Debow, definitely. It's impossible to keep it all straight otherwise.<BR/><BR/>Josie, your art shows great creativity.<BR/><BR/>Julie, you should definitely try some fiction. I enjoy it very much.<BR/><BR/>Monique, I don't know. Creating a world is harder in the sense that there are more details and elements to link together, but creating characters is harder in the sense that it's more concentrated, more focused. Both are tough.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-89745344837574726182008-04-05T07:22:00.000-05:002008-04-05T07:22:00.000-05:00I think that creating a different world is much, m...I think that creating a different world is much, much harder than creating characters Charles.Moniquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349799166295592394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-47068310958778368192008-04-05T04:14:00.000-05:002008-04-05T04:14:00.000-05:00Cool post. Love the comment about creating moons. ...Cool post. Love the comment about creating moons. Suddenly thought, I love creating blogs, which is probably some kind of sublimation. <BR/><BR/>(Art son is into creating complex escheresque fantasy environments in the graphic sphere which have a story board function).<BR/><BR/>Suspect I store information more in visual rather than verbal memory when I create environments.<BR/><BR/>I must try writing some fiction. All these comments are getting under my skin...!virtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-62902255181222260452008-04-04T16:16:00.000-05:002008-04-04T16:16:00.000-05:00I'm not a writer, so I'm not very creative. But I...I'm not a writer, so I'm not very creative. But I love reading fantasy, especially if it is written in the future. I always admire the creativity of writers such as you. You have such a vivid imagination.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06979114933441527890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-71876221144986500882008-04-04T14:11:00.000-05:002008-04-04T14:11:00.000-05:00World-building is such an art. I think a writer r...World-building is such an art. I think a writer really needs an encyclopedia of sorts to keep everything in order and not slip up.AvDBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16574481780173046619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-15150374999375213872008-04-04T11:15:00.000-05:002008-04-04T11:15:00.000-05:00I never thought of it that way, but it's true.I never thought of it that way, but it's true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-31213578081420759182008-04-04T09:06:00.000-05:002008-04-04T09:06:00.000-05:00It wasn't until I joined my critique group, which ...It wasn't until I joined my critique group, which contains a couple of fantasy writers, that I realized just how much goes into creating the worlds of their novels. I am fascinated by it. Not sure I could do it myself, though. Possibly, but I'm a bit too lazy. <BR/><BR/>I do agree that the sheer act of creating (backstory for my characters, etc) is the best part of writing.Farrah Rochonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13734081434172632431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-62187049865886498502008-04-04T08:41:00.000-05:002008-04-04T08:41:00.000-05:00With urban fantasy I'm of the lesser creative sort...With urban fantasy I'm of the lesser creative sort, but it is a real power jolt to create a new word for an standard term.Bernitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264585685253812090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-19480524545413354412008-04-04T01:04:00.000-05:002008-04-04T01:04:00.000-05:00It's interesting that what I like to read is often...It's interesting that what I like to read is often much more creative than what I like to write. What does that say about me?? Yet another great post Charles.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11617259549508716343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-59246378658021567062008-04-04T00:41:00.000-05:002008-04-04T00:41:00.000-05:00Charles; Imagine that... ;)Charles; Imagine that... ;)Lana Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06975996208260144558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-31349045883921367192008-04-03T20:28:00.000-05:002008-04-03T20:28:00.000-05:00I have the equivalent to your encyclopedia, but I'...I have the equivalent to your encyclopedia, but I've always called it the Bible. After reading your post, I wondered whether subconsciously I was equating myself with God when I named it that. <BR/><BR/>I try to limit the number of moons I create because of their effects on tides and seismic activity and their gravitational pull on each other when they pass. Too much math and physics for my taste. I'd rather spend my worldbuilding time on culture.Shauna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871768714926149114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-62263057189943131692008-04-03T18:54:00.000-05:002008-04-03T18:54:00.000-05:00Leigh Russell, I will be appreciating my imaginati...Leigh Russell, I will be appreciating my imagination tomorrow when I'm trapped in boring meetings all day.<BR/><BR/>Monique, someday I'll have to post on the differences for me between creating characters and creating details of a world. I think the process mentally is a bit different, at least for me. Both are so enjoyable, but I need to think more about how they link up. Characters are harder, I think.<BR/><BR/>Lana, oh yeah? Well I'm imagining some things right now, if you know what I'm saying.<BR/><BR/>Michelle, I think there may be a differnce between creating objects, such as moons, and people. I definitely think it's harder to do the people and their moods. But both are enjoyable.<BR/><BR/>Sarai, I agree about the enjoyment. It's just what I call "sheer creation." There are few constraints, just the exercise of imagination.<BR/><BR/>Steve Malley, archaeologist eh? Some interesting ruins you're excavating there then.<BR/><BR/>Crazycath, thanks for visiting. Much appreciated. I like to write in all kinds of genres. Each has its ups and downs. Fantasy is one of the most enjoyable, though.<BR/><BR/>Donnetta Lee, there's something very fun about those little twisty things as well, a little warp side ways in one's expectations and views.<BR/><BR/>Steve, yes, historical fiction can be a lot of work, although there is satisfaction there as well. I have a very rude grammar and etymology for the Taleran languages, since there are more than one. But it's very basic and undedeveloped since linguistics is not a strength of mine. Not like with Tolkien for sure.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-72280360909123539392008-04-03T18:33:00.000-05:002008-04-03T18:33:00.000-05:00In writing a novel that involves fantasy, but is m...In writing a novel that involves fantasy, but is mostly historical fiction, I've found I enjoy creating the fantsastical elements, while trying to recreate the world of Chicago 1968 is a lot of work. You're right about how writing the fantastical parts is a bit like playing God.<BR/><BR/>I'm curious--do you have a grammar and etymology for your Taleran language?steve on the slow trainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18257811143869341854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-47423634397013779822008-04-03T17:49:00.000-05:002008-04-03T17:49:00.000-05:00I like to create little stories with a twist in th...I like to create little stories with a twist in the ending. I like to create characters that readers "know." <BR/><BR/>Boy, you have a terrific ability to create! Never ending imagination.<BR/><BR/>DonnettaDonnettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14831771508607746472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-87884964194267078432008-04-03T17:32:00.000-05:002008-04-03T17:32:00.000-05:00Hi. Came over from David's blog.What a fascinating...Hi. Came over from David's blog.<BR/><BR/>What a fascinating insight into a fantasy! You are right - there are less limits in fantasy.Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01247084030899971480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-91529020215082549762008-04-03T16:34:00.000-05:002008-04-03T16:34:00.000-05:00Ah, from the raw clay of words, inchoate ideas are...Ah, from the raw clay of words, inchoate ideas are shaped into fine stories... I tend to think of stories as 'found objects', myself. In that sense, I'm more archeologist than potter.Steve Malleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17561234111786788616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-89873683289778287332008-04-03T16:23:00.000-05:002008-04-03T16:23:00.000-05:00This is my favorite part of writing playing "god" ...This is my favorite part of writing playing "god" (not sure what that says about me though?) I do love the world building, creating and fleshing out my own place. Very nice post!Saraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203551997160640352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-11650873428819105902008-04-03T16:03:00.000-05:002008-04-03T16:03:00.000-05:00That's a good question. I lvoe the idea of creati...That's a good question. I lvoe the idea of creating moons. I'm kind of stuck with creating tense emotional disorders that all too closely resemble my life. :)Michelle's Spellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15769666862403600253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-85610615227008767182008-04-03T13:33:00.000-05:002008-04-03T13:33:00.000-05:00But any stories you sense in my paintings are the ...But any stories you sense in my paintings are the stirrings of your own, active imagination, honeydumplins.Lana Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06975996208260144558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-68152036075310000702008-04-03T13:30:00.000-05:002008-04-03T13:30:00.000-05:00Oooooh, I love creating. Grindhirst is the one I l...Oooooh, I love creating. Grindhirst is the one I love best. It's entirely fictitious even though it is set in British boarding school, the characters are mine. So is Middle Ditch.<BR/><BR/>Lovely post Charles. Keep them coming. My last comment was a bit lame but I just could not remember quotation I wanted to use and by whom. I was just too tired.Moniquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349799166295592394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-2898175817732840872008-04-03T13:28:00.000-05:002008-04-03T13:28:00.000-05:00Wow, Charles, this sounds such fun! I want to writ...Wow, Charles, this sounds <I>such</I> fun! I want to write fantasy too! But sadly, I don't think I'd have a clue where to begin. You've got me thinking, though. Something to ponder in those trapped moments at work when the only freedom is inside my head.Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-10385686970580383852008-04-03T13:15:00.000-05:002008-04-03T13:15:00.000-05:00Miladysa, Talera started to become very real to me...Miladysa, Talera started to become very real to me before I started writing the Taleran series, and each time I reimmersed myself in it it became more and more concrete until I even had dreams set on Talera. Now that I haven't written about it for a while it has receded a bit and become more...mythical or historical. If that makes any sense.<BR/><BR/>Benjibopper, yes, I've done some of that. There's a real attraction to having something that is basically realistic and then warp toward fantasy. I like this about surrealistic art.<BR/><BR/>Lana, thank you sweety pie. Your art often hints at more, though, as if there are stories behind the painting.<BR/><BR/>Merisi, thanks for dropping by. I really liked your photos, especially the decayed walls and arches.<BR/><BR/>Demon hunter, I haven't written much SF either. I tend to prefer the freedom of Fantasy, or the emotion of horror.<BR/><BR/>Greg Schwartz, yes. When I go walking I love to see a bend in the trail and wonder what's beyond it. Creating a fantasy tale lets you fill the other sides of those bends with wonderous things.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-2659105747404254912008-04-03T12:33:00.000-05:002008-04-03T12:33:00.000-05:00i write mostly horror, but i have written a few fa...i write mostly horror, but i have written a few fantasy tales (and even started on a novel once), and my favorite part of them, like you said, was actually creating the world that the characters would inhabit. it's fun to do.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15344808703550376121noreply@blogger.com