tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post1678826448057891553..comments2023-10-05T05:20:59.743-04:00Comments on Piedmont Writer: Who Does Your Eyebrows?Anne Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-76075833314645495782011-02-25T01:48:05.423-05:002011-02-25T01:48:05.423-05:00My MC Cal has a quirk of chewing on a callus on hi...My MC Cal has a quirk of chewing on a callus on his finger. Even when there isn't one. He does this sparingly - only when deep in thought or off the wall nervous.<br /><br />there are some cliche's you can't avoid, but I'm with you on using them sparingly. (hmm, I said that twice. I think its bedtime.)<br /><br />Very insightful Anne.<br /><br />Have a great weekend.<br /><br />.......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-25722653633668495802011-02-24T23:41:03.166-05:002011-02-24T23:41:03.166-05:00Good heavens...I never thought eyebrows can impart...Good heavens...I never thought eyebrows can impart various meanings....Shalet Jimmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12550350381109665805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-25446874752445059562011-02-24T16:34:24.701-05:002011-02-24T16:34:24.701-05:00Eric -- Thanks so much for the update. I miss hav...Eric -- Thanks so much for the update. I miss having a baby around the house, even for all the crying. And when they do laugh, the angels sing.<br /><br />Ann -- I don't use much physical description either. I like to let the readers imagination take that. <br /><br />Monster Baby is going to star in her own story some day, way off in the distant future.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-6393303211942348252011-02-24T13:51:40.089-05:002011-02-24T13:51:40.089-05:00I use such character quirks sparingly. It makes fo...I use such character quirks sparingly. It makes for stronger writing to focus on what the characters say and what they do. I've read where readers don't remember much physical description anyway. I know I don't, and if it doesn't add to the story or the character, it annoys me.<br /><br />I love this post. Your "monster baby" is delightful, and a goldmine, I suspect, for stories.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-50183900817289069822011-02-24T13:36:37.803-05:002011-02-24T13:36:37.803-05:00Baby is doing great. He's almost but not quite...Baby is doing great. He's almost but not quite sleeping through the night.<br /><br />He's just about learning how to laugh. Funny that we learn to cry first.<br /><br /> - EricEric W. Tranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13842968931062056407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-42249695937986479222011-02-24T13:28:47.625-05:002011-02-24T13:28:47.625-05:00Sherrie -- Thanks. Sometimes I think, especially ...Sherrie -- Thanks. Sometimes I think, especially reading my genre, they really might need a shampoo.<br /><br />Jacquline -- My mother can twitch her ears too. But I would never think of using it. Well, maybe now I will.<br /><br />Renae -- It hink that's the key. Use them sparingly.<br /><br />Rula -- Monster Child does too. Makes me wonder if I'm really Italian.<br /><br />Patti -- Hmmm. Biting a lip is one I've never thought of before. Might have to use that someday.<br /><br />Eric -- Your wife sounds like me. Regular Coke, garlic, restaurant manager. Although my hands are always cold, and even tho there are not that many pics of me, I do have my eyes open. How's the baby?Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-68340851007651387152011-02-24T13:06:45.139-05:002011-02-24T13:06:45.139-05:00Oh, I LOVE quirks, both in writing and in reality....Oh, I LOVE quirks, both in writing and in reality. I pay attention, like any good writer should, to those around me, and make note of strange habits.<br /><br />Here are some from my wife. I've already used a couple in stories:<br /><br /> o The only soda she'll drink is a Coke, non-diet<br /><br /> o Sweaty palms<br /><br /> o Closes her eyes when we take a picture because she is terrified of the flash. Don't believe me? Check this link: <a href="http://diggingwiththeworms.blogspot.com/p/eric-w-trant-bio.html" rel="nofollow">Mandy's Closed Eyes</a><br /><br /> o Uses garlic on everything<br /><br /> o Prepares even a simple sandwich like she's a professional chef (she was a restaurant manager and waitress for many years)<br /><br />Yes, I love my quirky characters, so much so that I married one.<br /><br /> - EricEric W. Tranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13842968931062056407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-16398946678894690482011-02-24T11:30:48.921-05:002011-02-24T11:30:48.921-05:00I think, like you said, the key is to use them spa...I think, like you said, the key is to use them sparingly. My character tends to bit her lip, probably too much.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-61648723064349669152011-02-24T10:00:21.474-05:002011-02-24T10:00:21.474-05:00Great post. Quirks make our characters real. We al...Great post. Quirks make our characters real. We all have them. I know my kids like to immitate my hand gestures when I talk.Rula Sinarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-60251113603864443572011-02-24T09:32:38.682-05:002011-02-24T09:32:38.682-05:00I am so guilty of this! So much so that when I go...I am so guilty of this! So much so that when I go through and revise I have to specifically look for character quirks and make sure they are not overdone. <br /><br />Great post!Renaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-23681857612446752202011-02-24T09:21:46.172-05:002011-02-24T09:21:46.172-05:00I have never used eyebrows to make a point, but no...I have never used eyebrows to make a point, but now maybe I will consider it. I did have a character I actually knew twitch his ears back and forth, like something you might see on Star Trek, but my story wasn't Star Trek material, just an average human being and so an editor did'nt believe that was possible and wanted to erase it, but I kept it in knowing it was true.<br /><br />Your (child) reminded me of me, telling my Mum as a child, why do you use hot water to wash your face, why don't you use cold water? She simply answered; I want to use hot, that's why.<br /><br />Her simple answer shut me up.Jacqueline Howetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13522485407848765933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-39944734640975753212011-02-24T09:17:18.116-05:002011-02-24T09:17:18.116-05:00Both of my kids would hold my ear, too! *sigh* Thi...Both of my kids would hold my ear, too! *sigh* This whole post cracked me up, especially the guy who needs a good shampoo :)Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-17400115833546132932011-02-24T06:23:40.770-05:002011-02-24T06:23:40.770-05:00Lydia -- Good ones do make a difference!
Becky -...Lydia -- Good ones do make a difference!<br /><br />Becky -- I use my own eyebrow as well, but it never works on Monster Child. <br /><br />Although I like your mc's chin -- quiet defiance. That's a lovely turn of phrase. I think it may all right once or twice but not on every other page.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-35876174857255286632011-02-23T22:20:22.588-05:002011-02-23T22:20:22.588-05:00Are they really cliche? Because they're very n...Are they really cliche? Because they're very normal. I raise my eyebrow all the time and the kids in my class know that it means straighten up, lol.<br /><br />One of my mc's raises her chin in quiet defiance. When someone says she can't our shouldn't, she's deciding to show them that she can and will. Thanks for the advice, because I know it's in there a few times, yikes!The Words Crafterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14520267901489487512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-25250213542796060632011-02-23T19:25:33.189-05:002011-02-23T19:25:33.189-05:00I love character quirks! I'm working on making...I love character quirks! I'm working on making some good ones in my WIP.Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-74637823145031856882011-02-23T16:46:56.589-05:002011-02-23T16:46:56.589-05:00Nicole -- Hey, that's a great idea for a drink...Nicole -- Hey, that's a great idea for a drinking game at the beach!<br /><br />Clarissa -- Just once to make a point is all that's really required I think.<br /><br />E. -- That would be fun, cold feet in the bum! I'd love to see it in print!Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-29322578373787009392011-02-23T15:08:13.038-05:002011-02-23T15:08:13.038-05:00Absolutely. My characters are people, aren't ...Absolutely. My characters are people, aren't they? In one story, my leading man rambles when he's nervous. In another story, my female character twirls her hair around her finger. Perhaps I should include cold feet in the bum at some point. ;o)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-53753442900980254122011-02-23T14:58:28.241-05:002011-02-23T14:58:28.241-05:00I used to have my characters roll their eyes a lot...I used to have my characters roll their eyes a lot until a reader pointed out how annoying it was to read. I think it's an interesting thing to add to a story but it doesn't have to be thrown in our reader's face every page.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-69400693639311960312011-02-23T12:42:19.615-05:002011-02-23T12:42:19.615-05:00Quirks are great character features, but used too ...Quirks are great character features, but used too often they can distract. I forget what novel I was reading once, maybe a trashy beach read, but all the characters kept 'furrowing their eyebrows' when confounded or frustrated. I could have turned it into a good drinking game!<br /><br />Great post, Anne! Hope all's well with you :))Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01899768909313326172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-22962860941001395812011-02-23T12:28:36.401-05:002011-02-23T12:28:36.401-05:00Lynn -- That's the hardest thing. We can '...Lynn -- That's the hardest thing. We can 'see' them doing it. Which is why it usually goes into the book. <br /><br />Amy -- A little quirk, a little brow, but just a little, goes a long way.<br /><br />Sarah -- actually, no, not so much. Just leave the best ones in for emphasis.<br /><br />Betty -- Oh you beast you! LOLOL<br /><br />Les -- my apologies, you are so very right.<br /><br />Viva -- Yeah, I've got to add more personality quirks in mine I think.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-20270680074389446462011-02-23T11:58:38.258-05:002011-02-23T11:58:38.258-05:00I've only done it unintentionally. I mean, rea...I've only done it unintentionally. I mean, really, if my protag had "ran his hand through his tangled curls" that many times, he'd be bald! I cull the physical quirks out in the rewrites. For some reason, personality quirks work better for me than physical quirks.VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-23749722126775508762011-02-23T10:38:06.019-05:002011-02-23T10:38:06.019-05:00Good post, Anne! However, as a recovering make-up ...Good post, Anne! However, as a recovering make-up artist and hair designer, I need to correct you. You "pluck" chickens; you tweeze eyebrows...<br /><br />Other than that, this rocks!Les Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-29200546241571774032011-02-23T10:19:44.310-05:002011-02-23T10:19:44.310-05:00I agree with you! When authors overuse character ...I agree with you! When authors overuse character quirks it becomes annoying.<br /><br />P.S. Betty's Beauty Hint: I just have one long eyebrow now and it makes it much easier to maintain my good looks.Bossy Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-54676647803203620602011-02-23T10:02:10.326-05:002011-02-23T10:02:10.326-05:00i do use them, and i'm sure you saw quite a fe...i do use them, and i'm sure you saw quite a few in my WIP. I plan on pruning some and zazzing up the others in my next read-throughSarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174226224096540850.post-18636634347276381322011-02-23T09:59:06.205-05:002011-02-23T09:59:06.205-05:00I always like a little quirk and a little brow :)....I always like a little quirk and a little brow :).Unspokenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16065870952905767595noreply@blogger.com