It’s just like herding Cats.


Welcome back to another blog hop, with #OpenBook. Here’s this week’s prompt.

Don’t forget to click the purple button to see what everyone else has to say on this week’s subject. It’s at the end of my post.


How do you keep track of your cast of characters?


I find the idea that I might have any influence or control over the voices in my head quite amusing.


When I’m in my worlds, I just watch the action on a screen in my head and write it down. I never have to think of a character’s name or wonder about their part in the scheme of things. It’s all been sorted out for me.


It’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.

The hardest bit about it was learning to type fast enough to keep up.


Now you might think there could be a continuity problem, especially when you get to write sequels. You have to keep track of people, their relationships and the places that matter to the story. If you’re writing a long series, it becomes more important. Plot holes can develop when you forget that past events can constrain future actions.


The more I wrote, the more I worried about it happening.

I saw and heard of other writers anguishing over piles of notes, spreadsheets and all sorts of esoteric ways of keeping track of who said or did what, and when.


But now, I allow myself a small smile.

Because it doesn’t seem to affect me. Over five series (16 novels, so far), all of which exist in different settings, the voices in my head have never missed a beat. Or a character.

I’m never stuck for a name or a place and the backstory all falls into place. Nothing jars.

I just hope it stays that way.


How do I know?

Well, I think I can trust my eagle-eyed readers to tell me.


What do you think about this week’s subject?

Let me know below.

Then, please click the purple button to check out what my fellow writers have to say about this week’s topic.


Until next time.



I’d love to get your comments, please leave them below. While you’re here, why not take a look around? There are some freebies and lots more content, about me, my writing and everything else that I do. You can join my newsletter for a free novella and more news by clicking this link.


Check out the other great blogs here.


Loading

2 Responses

  1. P.J. MacLayne

    When I wrote stand-alone books (or what I thought were stand-alones!) I didn’t worry about continuity. Once I got to the third book in the Harmony Duprie series, I realized I should think about it. Going back to earlier books to try to find details wasn’t easy.

    • Richard Dee

      Although I trust the process, I can’t help checking. Re-reading only shows me how little I can recall of what I wrote.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 + 14 =