Intro by Dame Rinda
The Dames are very proud to welcome Dame for a Day, Anna Katherine! Her debut novel, Salt and Silver, sounds so cool! Here’s a taste of the blurb:
One night six years ago, Allie and her friends got drunk and chanted a fake spell they made up… and accidentally opened a portal to Hell. Now it resides in the basement of the diner Allie runs, and it’s a pain in the ass — mystical crap is always coming out, and then it has to be killed. Demon guts get everywhere, stuff gets smashed up, there are salt circles and sigils all over the place… It gets tedious.
The up side is that Allie gets her own personal demon hunter guarding the Door and killing the demons: a sexy and mysterious, Stetson-wearing, snide-remark-making, dark-eyed demon hunter named Ryan.
Salt and silver is out now . You can read an excerpt here.
AND… A random commenter here will be chosen to win a signed copy! You can comment over the next week until Saturday, the 30th, at midnight. We’ll announce the winner on Sunday. Contest is open to international readers, too.
Who is Anna Katherine? Anna Katherine is the pseudonym for two women who have both worked in the publishing industry for most of their lives. They wrote Salt and Silver to be a jolly romp, starring a type of heroine they love but rarely see in romance novels. They really do love the mass market art director at Tor Books, and duct tape.
Anna and Kat are both big magic nerds, and hardly had to do any research to write Salt and Silver. Anna likes to say that this is the first time she’s ever used her college degree in religious studies, and that might very well be true. Kat gives a shoutout to her folklore and Greco- Roman magic studies, which gave her a huge library and a lot of ideas.
Turning things over to Anna. How about giving her a huge welcome!
Writing Characters Without a Spreadsheet
When I was a full time professional fiction editor, and even for a couple of years after that, I spent a good deal of time talking about characters. I even did a couple of panels/lectures on the subject. How to create them. How to make them three dimensional. How to critique someone else’s characters. How to use the characters to either make the plot build up around them or further the plot you’ve already got. How to tailor characters to your plot (and vice versa). How to use someone else’s character to create your own character and the story around that character.
We are talking here about an intense amount of time and a huge amount of brain power. Charts! Outlines! Lists! Lots of organizations, because, of course, the easy way, the right way to create a character is to sit down and decide basic facts, and then draw lines between the dots. At one point I even teamed up with another editor and we put together a “Chinese menu” of how to make primary, secondary, and tertiary characters by taking one characteristic from column A, two from column B, three from column C, and combining them.
Which is not to say that the hyper-organized way of creating a character doesn’t work. It can work incredibly well for some people. I myself have written more than one novel utilizing charts and lists and spreadsheets to organize my way into characters, plot, and story. I’ve known lots of writers who do it this way and are very successful at it.
I always thought I was one of them.
Imagine my surprise when I sat down to write the 100-page story that would eventually become SALT AND SILVER, and instead of beginning by organizing my thoughts and figuring out what I wanted from the story, I just put my fingers to the keyboard and typed.
Here was where I started: I knew I wanted a science fiction/fantasy story, and I knew that I wanted it to be somehow set in a diner in Brooklyn that closely resembled the ersatz diner in which I’d worked for two years. And I knew I wanted the narrator to be someone rarely seen in sf/f novels.
It wasn’t very long before I had a pretty decent novella about a sarcastic, very normal, very New York girl who owned a diner and went demon hunting.
When Kat and I started to work together, she ripped the story down to its bare bones, and we started over again—keeping many of the same elements (diner, Brooklyn, demon hunting, Doors to Hell, beef stew, bagels, demon hunters divided into factions by their hats), but changing some other things. (Kat is an absolute master at twisty plotting, whereas I can be a bit of a straightforward disaster.)
The character stuff was something we weren’t certain about, though. A plot can be told over a cup of coffee — characters are people, and people are complicated. Kat and I never had a conversation about who Allie and Ryan, our main characters, were, or what we wanted from them. I think I might have said, “They’ve never hooked up.” That’s about it.
But as it turns out, characters (providing they still act within the realm of real people) will create the story they’re living in — and vice versa. A certain story will necessitate a certain character. So I built the universe, Kat made it go zoom, and while the both of us were very much in tune about getting from Point A to Point XXX, Allie and Ryan grew within the frame of the story we created. Likewise, when Allie and Ryan, as reasonable, realistic people, came across something in the plot that no reasonable, real person would put up with, the story had to change to accommodate that.
What it looked like from the outside is that when one of us accidentally wrote a note that rang false, the other would just delete and rewrite, or edit it, until it sounded right and fit into the story. From the inside, it was one of the most organic experiences I’ve ever had — and a big difference from the organization-heavy lists I’d used before.
This crazy organic coauthoring method is not something I’d recommend to a first time author. It’s not something I’d recommend to anyone who isn’t instinctively comfortable with it. But there is definitely something interesting and exciting about writing a story without knowing exactly where the characters are going from the moment you start.
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Don’t forget to comment to win a signed copy of Salt and Silver!
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Tags: anna katherine, characters, Dame for a Day, writing
[...] Whoops — we seem to have written another guest post, with another giveaway! It’s up at Deadline Dames — it’s about writing characters without a spreadsheet: When I was a full time professional fiction editor, and even for a couple of years after that, I spent a good deal of time talking about characters. I even did a couple of panels/lectures on the subject. How to create them. How to make them three dimensional. How to critique someone else’s characters. How to use the characters to either make the plot build up around them or further the plot you’ve already got. (more…) [...]
See, and this is one of the (many) reasons I love your blog. How often would I miss awesome-sounding books like this without you to steer me towards them!
I’ll be requesting this from the library if I don’t happen to win a copy, and the premise sounds good enough that it may end up being a keeper. <3
From the interview, I absolutely loved “I built the universe, Kat made it go zoom”. *laughs* What a great explanation of my favorites kinds of fantasy novels. Start with a great world, add a fantastic character, and blammo! Effervescence! (yes, I just compared fantasy writing to antacids. Work with me. *winks*)
I think the organic book writing methods work best for authors who are already reasonably experienced at writing and pacing books. Without some kind of framework, whether instinctive or not, I think beginner books tend to have focus problems. Which is not to say that they aren’t great learning experiences. =]
First? Wow. It’s not THAT early…. G’morning, Anna/Kat. I find learning how two talented authors collaborate to become one storyteller a fascinating process.
My own character-building process is much less organized. A MC usually walks up, makes introductions, and I spend anywhere from week to much longer “living” with that character in my head. It’s rather like a blind date. Occasionally, a character turns reticent and getting information about personal history, personality, and reactions to stimuli in the story is more akin to pulling teeth–without novacaine. Being a “pantser” can be a wild and wacky ride sometimes.
Thanks for being a Dame for a Day! Salt and Silver is on the list and I’m headed book shopping this weekend!
This sounds like a great book! It’s great that you managed to work together so well to create your characters and the world. This is definately on my to read list!
This is definitly going on the to-read list if I don’t win a copy! The cover sort of made me think it was a vampire novel (I’m so burnt out on vampire novels) but it actually sounds like a lot of fun!
The character creation stuff is really interesting. I’m sort of in between when it comes to character creation. I like to just jump in and write without doing any outlining or planning, then start writing notes and things down as I go. If I’m stuck I’ll start outlining, then when I’m done with a draft I’ll tear it to pieces, outline and plan the heck of of everything (including characters) and rewrite.
Characters from spread sheets? I’ve never heard of that, but it sounds interesting. Hmmmm. Being a born again outliner I like everything and everyone in teh story to be locked down before I write word one.
Wow, thanks for a great interview and fab information. Now if my characters would just grow so nicely*lol*
I’ve added the book to my list and look forward to reading it.
What a great article. A couple years ago, I was a into the RPG boards and for those you’d need to make a character profile. Just basic info like appearance, personality, history. As I kept joining new boards and making new characters, I found myself describing more well-rounded and realistic characters. And I feel that the experience has also helped me when coming up with characters for my WIP.
I saw a couple copies of Salt and Silver at Borders the other day and almost picked one up. If I don’t win, I’ll definitely have to pick one up. :]
God, i really want to win! But i’m resigned tha i won’t. How i know? Because i live in Brazil! And the good books take a really long time to get here, been published and all that jazz. But i make everything i can to read you guys book, and i do love it, all.
ps: sorry, my english is bad =/
I’m looking forward to reading this book. Ive heard so many good things about it.
Sounds like a fab book!
The way you wrote the book, just sitting down and typing without the use of spreadsheets and charts, is kind of how I write too. I am an aspiring writer so I have to try to write my “someday soon novel” along with going to school,to work, socializing with friends and family so I am not a complete hermit and reading of course!
I do keep a notebook around for when an idea suddenly hits me that I have to remember to use to put into my novel, it’s helpful. Before that I would always forget what it was that I wanted to add. Of course when I lay in bed trying to go sleep it gets harder because potential scenes run through my head and I edit them as I go and then before I can get my notebook out I lose the idea or sleep overtakes me.
There needs to be some sort of mind recorder that records all your thoughts in an intelligible language or code that deciphers easily so that way no ideas are lost to sleep. Of course I am an English major, not science friendly whatsoever, so we need a science/technological person to get on that for us (soon-to-be) writers.
Sounds like a a great book! I wasn’t familiar with it so I went to add it to my amazon wishlist and found out it was already there. I think all the books on my TBR list could fill almost my entire apartment.
I want I want I want….it sounds exactly like the kind of story I won’t put down.
I’ve got a novella coming out, still struggling with my first full length book. I have to kind of storyboard plots, but the characters themselves form in my head, and they walk around and talk and develop and when they get three dimensional enough, I start writing them.
Characters I can make all day. Plots, now…I have the hardest darn time with plots. Conflict, theme, the whole thing gives me fits. All the judges say “great dialog. where’s the conflict?” If only I could sell a book of nothing but interesting people talking to each other…
I’ve only read great reviews about this book. I’ve added it to my every growing list of books to read.I’d love a chance to win it.
thanks
Wow! The book sounds awesome and so does the collaboration. I’ve always been interested in how two authors come together to create something so cohesive. It’s been something I’ve been dying to try, but with a serious lack of writer friends, now doesn’t seem a plausible time for something like that to happen. It is definitely a challenge I’d like to tackle one day, even if just in short story/novella form. Salt and Silver is one I’ll have to add to my TBR list
I keep hearing good things about this one and have been meaning to buy it. I love when authors do collaborations – it makes the story more unique and interesting with two people’s input.
This sounds like a fun read, I’ll have to give it a go. Always fun to find something new.
Loved the excerpt! I really like the writing style, I’m pretty darn hooked after just that little bit.
I’d love to win the book – it sounds amazing!
Hi all! I’m still lurking here. Read all the time though.
That book sounds really entertaining. I’ll have to check it out.
I’m definitely going to read this.
This book has been on my wish list. It sounds really good and something I would totally love. Glad I got to read an excerpt!
Hi, Anna! I definitely like how Salt and Silver sounds and can’t wait to read it soon.
Salt and Silver sounds intriguing. I like the idea that they accidentally opened the door to hell in the bottom of the diner where she works. So much potential! I’ll bet it creates a lot of opportunities for suspense and comedy. On my TBR list.
Hi Anna! So nice to meet you! After reading this blurb, and blog, you had me smiling all the way through! Love the humor! With the panster of writing this, did you too keep notes to write more books in this world you created? Will this continue on with more stories of the same character or more related books? I hope so, this sounds fab!
This sounds like a fun book!
Great essay on writing character – thanks! I clicked over to read the excerpt, got to the end and tried to keep scrolling down…imagine my disappointment that I had finished it!! It’s on my TBR list…can’t wait.
sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the intro to a new to me author. Am adding this book to my wishlist.
Hadn’t heard much about this one yet and had no idea who the author was. Neat to find out it’s a team.
Would love to get a signed copy to read and keep.
Thanks so much for sharing. I loved thee excerpt and will be keeping an eye out for Salt and Silver.
Oh another book to add to my wishlist. Sigh the problem with all these sites I’m getting a huge list of books to be purchased lol
Hi! I loved the excerpt. Just reading it, I could envision (auditorially hallucinate?) my 16 year old niece’s voice narrating it (she’s a little mature). I love to hear her slightly sarcastic comments, so that’s a good thing. I’m hoping I win the book, but if I don’t I’ll try to buy it anyway, looks interesting enough for me to buy. (grin) Congrats on publishing a book!
Wow, the book sounds really good. Definately on my to read list.
That is an interesting storyline. I wonder if the main character will develop any powers/skills of her own.
This sounds like a fantastic book! I like the concept of having their made up spell doing something real because … hell, who didn’t make up spells when they were a kid?
What an interesting interview; thanks.
The excerpt of “Salt and Silver” made me want more. I love the writing style, premise and characters.
the book sounds good, I would love to win it. I think it would be interesting and difficult to work with a partner on a story.
That sounds like a great story! If I don’t win, I’ll have to pick up a copy. =)
Salt and Silver sounds awesome. Can’t wait to read it.
Decided couldn’t wait on the off chance of winning the competition and ordered the book lol.
Sounds like a fun book to read will definitely put it on my list of books to look for. I feel you two had lots of fun writing this book.
Toni
Great post and looks like a great book to add to tbr pile. I can hear my husband groaning now, but it could be worse I could be addicted to something bad to me.
I am eagerly awaiting this book now. I love the premise, the characters sound terrific, and the novel sounds like a fun romp. Thank you for the blog otherwise I would’ve missed this book. I can’t help but wonder who the two authors are, and if I have any of their books already
Sounds like an awesome book!!! I’d love a copy.
Wow! Sounds hot, magical, and fun! I’d love to get to know Anna/Kat. I’ve seen Salt and Silver around some of the blogs, glad I was able to catch the news here. Sounds great! Please count me in.
Dottie
The book sounds wonderful and will, one way or another, wind up on my shelves.
Look forward to it!
Sounds like one awesome book. I’ll have to grab a copy and read this one.
Definitely going to have to check this one out. Need to save my pennies up.
Ooh, sounds good! Also, who doesn’t love duct tape?
Sounds like a fun book. And thanks for the interesting bit about writing it.
This sounds like such a fun read! Please count me in.
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
I have been reading great reviews about this book and have it on my TBR wish list “I’m a dweeb”.But I didn’t know that two authors wrote this book, that is so kool. Well I can’t to read this book..hopefully it’ll be sooner “if I’m the lucky winner”
i would love ot read this
Hi there! I’ve heard great things about this book, which really sounds like my cup of tea. I especially admire Anna Katherine for having such success co-authoring a book, because I’ve tried this before with my best friend, and it ends up really tangly!
OoOo Salt and Silver DOES sound cool! I want it, I want it, I want it…
Oh, even if I don’t win the signed copy, which I of course am crossing my fingers in hope that I DO win, I will be going out and getting this book.
It sounds great! well, now back to your regularly scheduled programing.
This looks like a fun book! I think humor and the supernatural make for good reading.
This book looks really really good and I cannot wait to read it. I love this type of genre of books.
Book sounds verrry interesting. My daughter is really into urban fantasy. If I win she can read it, after me.
That sounds like a really cool idea! I’ll have to keep my eyes open for this book.
I like that it was co-written – I have yet to read a co-written novel that wasn’t YA.
~Ailsa
Okay, this one is DEFINITELY going on my to-be-bought list. It sounds soo good! Can’t wait to et my paws on it…:)
Sorry, forgot to put my name in the comment above.
Sounds cool. My sister recommended I test this website out. Count me in for the contest!