Behind the Scenes is the topic for my Chandler's Ford Today post this week and I look at it in terms of volunteering and writing. Plaudits and encouragement needed in both I think!
For a piece of work, what would behind the scenes mean? Well, even in fiction, research can sometimes be necessary. This is especially true for any fiction which weaves real life events or people into the narrative. Facts have to be facts. (If it's an alternative reality or history, that should be made clear at the outset). Just watch how much research you do. Research is fun but can also turn into procrastination when you should be writing. We've all done it...
Sometimes research can be as simple as drawing on what you know from life about likely human behaviours. You know humans can be like this in these circumstances so your characters should reflect that too. Good fiction does reflect our humanity. Nobody said it had to flatter though!
Behind the scenes obviously includes your drafts and edits but also things like ensuring you meet the submission requirements for wherever you are sending work to, as no two places have quite the same needs here. Yes, there will be a lot in common - double line spacing, font size etc - but I take a week off any deadline for a competition to make absolutely sure I've got those details right as I don't want mistakes there to disqualify my story. (It's not really fair when you have two equally good pieces come in to allow one that didn't follow all the rules properly to win over one that DID).
Perseverance and patience are invaluable qualities for a writer though!
Image Credit: All images are from the magnificent Pixabay. I particularly like the grouchy looking comment box cartoon! Suitable captions for these can be found on the CFT link.
For a piece of work, what would behind the scenes mean? Well, even in fiction, research can sometimes be necessary. This is especially true for any fiction which weaves real life events or people into the narrative. Facts have to be facts. (If it's an alternative reality or history, that should be made clear at the outset). Just watch how much research you do. Research is fun but can also turn into procrastination when you should be writing. We've all done it...
Sometimes research can be as simple as drawing on what you know from life about likely human behaviours. You know humans can be like this in these circumstances so your characters should reflect that too. Good fiction does reflect our humanity. Nobody said it had to flatter though!
Behind the scenes obviously includes your drafts and edits but also things like ensuring you meet the submission requirements for wherever you are sending work to, as no two places have quite the same needs here. Yes, there will be a lot in common - double line spacing, font size etc - but I take a week off any deadline for a competition to make absolutely sure I've got those details right as I don't want mistakes there to disqualify my story. (It's not really fair when you have two equally good pieces come in to allow one that didn't follow all the rules properly to win over one that DID).
Perseverance and patience are invaluable qualities for a writer though!
Image Credit: All images are from the magnificent Pixabay. I particularly like the grouchy looking comment box cartoon! Suitable captions for these can be found on the CFT link.
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