What do you want ~ Sasha White
One of the most important aspects of a novel is the character development, it’s something us writers struggle and stress about often. I only say it’s “one of” the most important things because some writers believe plot is the most important, or the hook, or conflict. Personally, I believe story is the most important thing, and I also believe the story come from the characters.
Therefore Character development is the most important thing…to me.
The one question I always ask my characters is What do you want?
And the answer varies. Usually it’s something I’ve either wanted, want or think someday I might want. So, uhmm, yeah, if you’ve read any of my stories you might start to wonder what things I’ve wanted and had, what things I want now, or what I think I might want in the future. *grin*
If you’re brave enough to ask me which is which, I might even answer.
But for now, I want to talk to you about Samair, the heroine in my upcoming release TROUBLE. Samair wants to find herself again. She feels like she’s lost herself by trying to be who her family wanted her to be. And she’s had it. So now, she’s looking to go out there in the world and not holding back.
This is a particular thing I want pretty often. I’ve had to sit back and look at my life, and decide to start over at least three times. And I’ve never regretted it once. I think people change and grow ad they move through life, and I think they become unhappy when they don’t let their wants and needs change with their spirit. Does this make sense?
Take a peek at the excerpt here for glimpse at what I’m talking about. Hopefully it will explain what I can’t. http://www.sashawhite.net/bookshelf/trouble
So every now and then I ask myself what do I want? Right now? Out of life in general?
Sometimes I just want a hot lover, sometimes I want to live out a fantasy, sometimes I just want to find my place in the world.
What about you? What do YOU want? Right now, what do you want?
It can be something as simple as a pedicure, or as big as a career change or a divorce. But if you ask yourself right now, what do you want out of life…. What’s your instinctive answer?
In the comments section you can either share your answer with us in the comments, or ask me a question of your choice to be entered into a draw for a signed copy of TROUBLE.
(PS: The books release date is August 7th, and while the N&S girls will pick a winner right away, you will have to wait until I get my copies for me to send it to you. LOL that could be early, but it’s not guaranteed to be early)
July 20th, 2007 at 7:44 am
I want to go back and finish college. I have over 80 hours but dropped out. Trouble sounds great! Can’t wait till it is released!!!
July 20th, 2007 at 8:00 am
I always get very nervous answering what I call ‘The Shadow Question’. Be careful what you wish for. You might get it as the old saying goes.
I’m showing my Babylon 5 geekiness.
However, I’ll answer it. What I want is to live out the rest of my life reasonably stress free. I don’t have a huge amount of time left and don’t wish to waste it on stress.
I’d also like to make enough from my writing to get a place of my own.
The important question for me is the ‘Vorlon Question’, “Who are you?”
I’m still working on that one.
Congratulations on your new release. I hope it does well. :)
July 20th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Hey Sasha thanks for guest blogging!!! While I find myself wanting to write more and more complicated external conflict, the bottom line is without characters (to torture and push around), you’ve got nothing.
What do I want? Answers…that’s not something I have tons of control over, but I am going to do what I can. I do know I came back from Nationals feeling more positive in general, despite some things that didn’t thrill me. And I”m going to pick up a book the nutritionist recommended that takes the power of positive thinking to a slightly different level. It’s hard to stay positive when you get bogged down in the day to day but I”m going to do better.
Ok that was like totally off topic.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:38 am
[…] Sasha White has a great blog up at Naughty and Spice that asks, “What do you want?” […]
July 20th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Sasha, I *want* *want* *want* to be a better writer, every day. I want balance in my life…instead of a yo-yo of stress over promo/career/writing joy.
Funny you would ask this now when these are the things I’m working out for myself.
This is an excellent question to ask our characters … at the start of the book, partway through and at the resolution as well. Because, of course, the story should change them a little. If they change then their wants should change too.
Food for thought, :???:
Thanks for asking.
Bonnie
July 20th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Hey Sasha, thanks for guest blogging! What do I want. It’s such a deep question. I think…I want to be a better mom and a better writer.
And I want to lose 50lbs.
That really IS a great question to ask the characters. It certainly takes care of the goal in GMC.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Want? I want more self-confidence and to feel i have the right to write. I still get the “not good enoughs” and the “family comes first” syndrome attacks–I want to know I am worthy on all fronts!
great post!
July 20th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
What do I want? Hmmm, a vacation for sure. I want white sandy beaches with people running around and having fun. I want frozen drinks with umbrella’s in them. I want a really good book to read while I lay out in the sun. I want a bathing suit that makes me look amazing. I want dancing all night in tall heels that don’t hurt my feet. I want to sleep in, wake up in a breezy bungalo and find my breakfast by my bed. I want it ALL.
Kissa
July 20th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I want to be a better wife, mother, AND writer…sometimes I’m not sure they can all successfully coexist…but it’s a nice dream!
July 20th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Dennie…..Erica……I think, sometimes, to be all those things, you have to be selfish and not feel bad for being selfish! And acknowledge that you don’t have to do all things perfectly
July 20th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I’d like to lose 50 pounds too. And living stress free sounds good. So does a vacation, and being a better writer. Seems liek we all want a lot of the same things.
Amy, going back to college is not something I want..but go for it!!! 80 hours is not much, and I think you’d feel so much better if you finished. What’s stopping you?
Yay on being more positive after RWA Amie. Positiveity is a good thing, and hard to hold onto in this career sometimes.
Dennie, Hmm self confidence is a tough one. None can really help you get that but you. and maybe some key friends. Writing helps. Sometimes all it takes is to get lost in your world. :)
July 20th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Right now the only thing stopping me is money and that I would have to drive 2 hours everyday to the campus. EKU had some classes here. I went as far as I could go in my town, the rest I have to finish on campus. I was going for a teaching degree, teaching for K-4.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Amy, can you find a good university that does online classes?
That might be do-able.
Bonnie
July 20th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I want to improve my diet and have a better exercise program.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Right now I want more time for myself. And enough money and time for all the books I want to read!
I agree with you about how people can become unhappy, I’ve seen it first hand with a couple of members of my family. I was lucky to learn at an early age that I didn’t have to follow in their footsteps.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Amy, the two hour drive would suck. Bonnies suggestion sounds good. You never know. Good Luck!
Great answers Maureen and Susan.
Health and books are always a favorite !
July 20th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I want to find a job that I just love. Hasn’t happened yet. I won an arc of Trouble, which was awesome!! A must read. Don’t enter me in the contest.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Awesome blog. This topic really hits home for me right now. I’m so impressed with the way you see what you want and go for it. Its’ inspiring.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Stacy! Did you win the ARC at the Romance Diva’s Lunch? I’m so glad!! Be sure to share your thoughts when you read it. I’m anxious for readers reactions!
Lillian. Thank You! I tihnk it’s important for all of us to stop every now and then and remember what’s important to us. It’s too easy to get wrapped up in “the race” of things. Not to say focus is bad, but it can be if we start to forget abotu everything else that makes life enjoyable!
July 20th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Thanks for guest blogging with us Sasha! Great topic.
Hmmm, what do I want? A lot of stuff. I love all of these answers and I have to agree that I want to find a balance between being a good mother, keeping a clean house (ha!) and being a good writer. It’s hard but I’m trying! And the kids are going to preschool in a month!!!
That’ll help with the clean house/more writing/better writing deal.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Balance is the key most often isn’t it? But damn it is hard to achieve.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I want a lot of things, but I’ll settle with becoming a more positive person. It’s a really hard thing to be when the world seems to be crashing around us whenever you watch the news.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Hmmm I want… my son to live a full and happy life knowing that I did my best raising him and giving him all the opportunities I never had.
Oh and I would love to meet Johnny Depp but that is not gonna happen! And last but not least I wish the war was over so all the soldiers could come home safely!
Hugs, Crystal
July 20th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I echoing everybody else here….but I want a balance between working/writing/family/keeping my house clean…ugh…but that needs to be in there too. So bad. LOL Great post, Sasha!
July 20th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
I want to be free of cares and enjoy life to the fullest.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
a guy who has EXTREMELY great stamina and very interested in pleasuring women!
July 21st, 2007 at 11:33 am
I want to lose 30 pounds. I want to have the energy that had when I was 20.