People in my novels have jobs. Lots of different ones, some are covered on other letters yet to come (maybe.. I’m still drafting them). Some do jobs that are letters gone topics I missed, butcher for example, what do I know of Butchers? I know a little more about Gardeners. Characters who are Bakers.. Architects. Lecturers, Musicians and Solicitors all come to mind. There’s still time to change my planned s & m but, again, I know nothing of musicians.
Writing is tough enough, let alone knowing what’s involved in being a writer to write about it, I can feel myself gathering momentum for my W.. The more I travel on this AtoZ of writing and my novels the more I understand why my job is not as a professional writer. What do I know of this craft? Just saying!
When I pick the jobs for characters it’s done intuitively, not because I know anything of those roles or anyone in those jobs, they seem right for the characters and the things I want to portray. I’m then left wondering about their lives and what makes them get up and go to work. If writing really was my living I’d feel more confident to visit, meet, chat and really get to know people and businesses that I portray so I could bring the novels to life that much more. Shouldn’t I do that anyway?
Wanted (should this be my W post..):
Butchers knife
Baker kneading skills
Architect awareness week
Teacher telling tales
Apply within writers brain
My AtoZchallenge posts are about writing, parts of my novels or some research I need to do for them. I’m not allowing myself to write about anything other than topics linked to the books, my books. The current titles that I’m writing about are ‘Bags’, ‘Holiday stories’ and ‘Dream Gardener’.
lynnelives 
Hi Lynne. You are doing it the right way – choosing professions and character traits intuitively. You just need to realise that you are now a Writer – which means you have the right, no, duty, to go out and speak to the right people to research your novel! Be confident. If you need a musician’s perspective, I have performed in bands for almost 20 years and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have – unless you need to know about a concert pianist or someone who plays Trombone. I’ll be a bit stuck with that!
Wayne.. you’re on!
As most modern day characters would have or do work it plays a key role in building upon existing character traits.
Hidden working skills can be a nice way to hide a character trait.
People spend so much time at work, love it or loath it expresses a part of us. For this reason I believe it is important to have an understanding.
Hiya! Thinking of the main characters in all three novels, we see them mainly when they’re off work for various reasons.. Maybe, subconciously, that’s deliberate.. Thanks for commenting. xx
I always find that this sort of research is difficult. Maybe that’s why I tend to pick professions that I feel I know a bit about (or at least know someone in the field whose brain I can pick for information).
Thanks for commenting Kate, I’m known for taking the challenging way.. No reason why my writing would be any different!
What do I know of this craft?
What do any of us know of this craft, really? I think even professional writers are still trying to figure everything out, so we’re all in good company 🙂
Thanks Stephanie. I’d better persist then!