A case of “writer’s ear”

Many years ago I was taking a walk along the shore with a friend, and our girl talk went to DEFCON 1. (This is the most intense level of sharing between two women, where we swap secrets and confess anxieties. Any more intense, and we’d have to call in the Emo SWAT).   

My friend confessed an affinity for a particular nightly cosmetic ritual–let’s call it extreme  pore cleansing. She went into rich detail about her technique, which she’d raised to the level of art. After about ten minutes, it was clear that her skin-cleansing habit had become an obsession.  

I was a bit aghast at her description, but fascinated. Then I took a step back from the conversation and began to listen as a writer. This is what neurosis is, I thought. Later that day I jotted some notes into my character notebook, a journal I keep specifically for writing. The conversation with my friend (disguised, of course) became background for character description. I’d consult those notes if I ever wanted to describe someone whose face is shiny, red and taut around the edges, like someone who compulsively cleans their pores every night. 


I’m always looking for these moments, the ones when my writer’s ear starts to listen. They’re ephemeral: if I don’t write them down immediately in my journal or on an index card I’ll forget them, like a dream you recall immediately after waking up, but which quickly fades from memory.

Do you keep a character notebook, or something similar? Do you have any moments of “writer’s ear” that you can share?  

p.s. I updated my web site a bit — check it out.

12 thoughts on “A case of “writer’s ear”

  1. That’s a great idea, Kathryn. I do have a file for jotting down characters I meet or see. I’m bit more on the visual side. I like to sit at Starbucks or some such, look at a person at random and then think up what their backstory might be. Maybe you can’t judge a book by its cover, but since we’re fiction writers we can supply the whole book if we want to.

  2. Good tip, Kathryn. I keep one of those school composition books handy to jot down ideas and impressions. It also helps me remember why I walked into the room since my short-term memory seems to be . . . what were we talking about?

  3. as a reader, i would keep a pen and pad nearby so i could later look up words like ‘ephemeral’. also i could try to figure out what all your initials are…like imho….iow….wip etc etc. it’s like a puzzle sometimes. also, in regards to the blog of yesterday….it would have been cool if your middle name had been calla….you’d have a built in pseudonym! kathy d.

  4. I keep notes of things like that in a computer file, though it sounds as though you’re more comprehensive about it. I’ve also read several books on body language and non-verbal communication, and made notes from these I can refer to if I want to imply something to the reader, maybe even below their own awareness.

  5. Dana, I agree that body language is an excellent tool for expression. Often, instead of describing how a character looks, I describe how their body is reacting, as a way to help describe his or her emotion. I ran across an article that says body language is one of the few ways to distinguish a liar from someone telling the truth So how do you spot a liar?

    Anonymous, IMHO, you are so right. IOW, one’s WIP can be enriched by character notes. LOL.

  6. Talking about body language revealing a liar reminded me of that show “Lie to Me”. I think it must have been cancelled because I haven’t seen it advertised for a while now.

    I’m an interpreter for the deaf, and about 90% of American Sign Language is body language and facial expression, not the signs the hands are actually making. So it really is more important than most people think.

  7. Like Jim I am a visual person, but of late my memory has taken a few hits and I have started a character traits journal with plans of creating a searchable database that covers both characteristics and audio files of character voices for narrations.

    As for writer’s ear moments two of my main characters were based on stories by people I knew in military circles. One was Marine Infantry NCO who spent most of two decades deployed. When home he had a serious love of botany and poetry. Gunny’s room was like a tea garden.

    Another character was based on a sniper whose spotter pulled a joke by letting the target get too close. When the trigger was pulled pieces of the target landed on my friend’s face. He stayed in the job for another decade, but there are serious issues there.

    By the way Kathryn, speaking of issues….while your website is very well done, some men may have issues going to your website. Particularly those with jealous wives. They may buy your books to stare dreamily at your jacket photo.

  8. signlady, it makes so much sense that body language is the foundation of sign language. I have very limited Spanish, but when I’m trying to communicate with an acquaintance who speaks no English, we manage to make ourselves understood.

    Basil, I love your description of Gunny’s room. And(blush), glad you like the web site!

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