Comments on: Essence and Identity

By: Kerrin

Kerrin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:23:08 +0000

jackie i love how you have decribed this! Am going to add a post it to my wall!!

By: Madeline Ash

Madeline Ash — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:43:49 +0000

Hi Jackie, your post is revving me up for all I’ll learn at the conference this weekend. That’s right – I’m going too! Looking forward to bumping into you there 🙂 Perhaps we’ll meet up through Robyn!

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 05:00:20 +0000

Jo – I AM going to try thatt. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Ju – To be honest, writing opposites does make the conflict a lot easier – at least, opposites at the level of identity. I find it harder to give them something to connect with because I much prefer it when they’re fighting. 🙂 But then, without the connection, it makes it difficult for the reader to believe in the romance. Anyway, let me know how you find writing it.

By: Ju Dimello

Ju Dimello — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:22:15 +0000

An eye-opening post, Jax!! I always used to struggle to “read” books where they are different even in terms of essence. I used to get this vague feeling of something missing, but never was able to pin it to this exact cause.

Thankfully I have avoided writing “opposites” in my stories so far (ie hunted and the hunter, etc), but armed with the knowledge you have imparted, I think I might give it a try 😉 And if I get it successfully, the credit, of course, goes to you 🙂

By: Jo Dixon

Jo Dixon — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:11:49 +0000

Here’s my cure for nerves when sitting and talking to someone….wiggle my toes. Yep. Seriously. Always works.

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:20:52 +0000

Jo – lol! I’ll swap you some excitement for some nervousness!

By: Jo Dixon

Jo Dixon — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:33:25 +0000

oh daft me!! I knew that… obviously I’m just far too excited on your behalf.

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:06:48 +0000

Jo – oooh, love those bits of Hague! Thank you!! My hero has potential, I need to discover exactly what that is. Will have to do that before I see Lucy anyway – which isn’t this weekend, it’s at the RWNZ conference which is the weekend after. Busy couple of weeks for me!

By: Jo Dixon

Jo Dixon — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 21:32:42 +0000

It's funny... I loved Michael Hauge's workshop, and have been using his approach to goals, obstacles etc for a while... and along the way I completely forgot about his characterization stuff!! This is perfect timing - thanks for reminding me about identity and essence.

I've just flicked back through my notes and this might help...

Talking about a hero's essence - "if you could strip away his/her armour what would be left? Who does your hero have the potential to become?"

I especially like that last one about potential, because the inner journey (character arc) is about finding and becoming someone more than he is at the beginning. So the essence could be about POTENTIAL.

Oh, and I like another bit "letting go of identity is terrifying. He BELIEVES that is who he is."

Have an awesomely brilliant time at conference. Rock the pink socks off Lucy !! And I'll be cheering for you on awards night. Wish I could be there :(

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:13:25 +0000

Lacey – and this is my official reply ‘will bring back plenty of both’. 🙂 I guess you’re not going?? *says hopefully?*

Aimee – oh, glad it was helpful! Certainly made a whole lot of sense to me. And yeah, am looking forward to it. 🙂

Janet – oooooh, thanks for these! You’re a star.