Mistral wrote:
But the problem with exposing the inner man - most people edit their thoughts before they voice them ...Which leaves the author the choice of editing the character's thoughts to make them sound like external voice - thereby removing the closeness again - or writing what one thinks the inner dialogue actually is - and risk rendering the character's voice unrecognizable to the reader. It's IMHO a bit tricky. Mostly, I prefer characterization to come through actions and dialogue.
True, but there's a deal of satisfaction to be gained from making the thought patterns reveal the inner person, weaker than the outer persona yet recognisably the same character. Especially in Avon's case I love the mismatch between overt conscious thoughts, partially hidden yet underlying thoughts, which the reader infers but the character can't see, and actions. Okay, so I'm not a good enough writer to produce this convincingly, but that never stopped me wishing....
I'd rather try -- and fail -- to achieve this, than be forced to stab Avon in the lung every time I want him to express any sentiment.
I also think the reprographic technique of B7 writing (to quote one of Neil's excellent essays) -- ie reproducing the on-screen characters is the *most* important thing -- can leave a lot to be desired.
Tavia