tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post349755933995310796..comments2024-02-17T09:53:06.168+00:00Comments on Notes from the Slushpile: Write who you are: Teri Terry has an identity crisisCandy Gourlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-63161401676981099312010-10-15T18:47:52.975+01:002010-10-15T18:47:52.975+01:00Teri, I really appreciated this post. I haven'...Teri, I really appreciated this post. I haven't gone through anything like the number of moves you have, but even just bouncing around the US and the UK has been enough to make dislocation a common theme in both my life and my writing. <br /><br />I also empathize with how hard it is to find a solution for a character when you've saddled them with issues that are hard to resolve in your own life. But I also think that some of our best writing happens when we take on those unresolved issues. It keeps us from falling back on easy answers.<br /><br />About finding warm fuzzies when you haven't experienced any: You might find this interview -- <br />http://www.hungermtn.org/visiting-with-cheryl-rainfield/<br />-- with Cheryl Rainfield helpful. She struggled for years to find a way to write in anything but a very bleak way about a very painful past, and in the end she produced a book of enormous power.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-33090536406106905192010-10-14T07:30:09.000+01:002010-10-14T07:30:09.000+01:00I found this post fascinating, Teri, because my ki...I found this post fascinating, Teri, because my kids grew up (until ages 11 and 7) as expats - in Amsterdam.They went to an international school where there was great emphasis on getting them to think of themselves as global citizens, otherwise known as third culture kids. It's not the easiest thing to be, but now we're back in our 'home' culture (which neither of them feel is really 'home') I can see the advantages in feeling free to travel anywhere, live anywhere and still be yourself.Keren Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13121027210783177857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-50175047444310374052010-10-14T07:06:47.534+01:002010-10-14T07:06:47.534+01:00Hiya
WOW! I've just worked out who I am!
http...Hiya<br /><br />WOW! I've just worked out who I am!<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_culture_kid<br /><br />(thanks to Sara O'C for the link)<br /><br />TeriTeri Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641477543947472370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-82515759778364087412010-10-14T00:22:45.313+01:002010-10-14T00:22:45.313+01:00Write what you know, write what you are, and here&...Write what you know, write what you are, and here's a good one: write what you feel!Jan Markleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317561950719847803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-66756603562920742722010-10-13T17:54:10.501+01:002010-10-13T17:54:10.501+01:00Great blog, Teri. I've always believed that, i...Great blog, Teri. I've always believed that, in terms of personal qualities, our greatest strengths are the same as our greatest weaknesses.<br /><br />I think characters are at their most likeable when they're completely opened up to the readers scrutiny, no matter what their qualities may be.<br /><br />And by the way, every time I read something of yours it blows me away!Paula Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01455380645038090414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-58526939609423128332010-10-13T10:51:07.001+01:002010-10-13T10:51:07.001+01:00Teri, I really empathise with you here. The idea t...Teri, I really empathise with you here. The idea that you need to change who you are because the themes that resonate with you aren't as palatable in story terms, is a hard one. And maybe you're right, dystopias are the way to go. I'm sure you'll work it out and manage to draw out the parts of your vision and personality that work best on the page.<br /><br />For me, things have been a little easier in resolution terms, because I started writing a book about zombies and somehow ended up with a story of someone building a family. Which of course ticks all the touchy-feely Pixar-approved boxes of modern culture. But that is who I am - someone who has come out from a disconnected childhood and then spent my time building the family I never had.<br /><br />Did that sound impossibly mushy? Typing it made me cry, so I must be on the right track somewhere...<br /><br />Nick.<br /><br />P.S. Candy - high concept is just that, a concept. The actual story can be as emotional as you want to make it.Nick Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571077124165351007noreply@blogger.com