[stylist] Method acting and writing

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

One more thing to add to this discussion is that the process of method
acting isn't just to learn the motions, so to speak, of a character, but
to learn their motivation. You want to not only intellectually
understand something but want to connect in a deeper, personal way to a
character and situation. The same holds true for writers, and I often
have employed method acting, to a degree, when constructing a scene or
character. I have a lot of theatre experience, so it has always seemed
natural to bring acting techniques to my writing process. It works well
for physical attributes too. For example, I was trying to detail the
specifics of a kiss between two characters, so I made my husband stand
and kiss me in several different positions for a few minutes just so I
could properly express it on page; which he didn't mind helping with,
grin! Or I will do something physical like jog or lift heavy objects in
order to capture that feeling physically on paper, or I do something
similar for emotions where I will think on a particular memory for any
given emotion so I can as accurately as possible detail the physical and
internal characteristics of said emotion.

That's all!

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter, editor, Slate & Style
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can
satisfy, we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for
another world."
C. S. Lewis

Message: 20
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:35:12 -0500
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] More things to ponder
Message-ID: <9CDC062A3D7A4D4A991B4DFFAB818B1B at OwnerPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=original

Bridgit,
all good points. I believe we need to either experience the emotions we
write about or research the scene and emotions.
So, if you write about divorce but are married, talk to those who are
divorced.
Also, imagining your reactions to some events is a good idea as another
lister suggested.

Hadn't heard  of method acting; good idea for actors though so they can
learn how certain people act in those situations.

Ashley