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Writing Adults
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Author:  Jay Lakewood [ March 18th, 2012, 8:07 am ]
Post subject:  Writing Adults
This may be an odd question, but how do you write an adult if you aren't an adult by 6+ years? (This question is mainly aimed at adult writers.)

I have an important scene in my novel, and the adult in this situation sounds almost the same age as the teenager. :P
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ March 18th, 2012, 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
*smiles * This is actually a very good question, Vivace. It irks me when a young author portrays 17 or 18 year olds as 12, or they portray 18 year olds like they are 21.

At the moment though, I'm not sure I can tell you what I do... I've found that my life experiences have allowed me to age and mature my characters (you have to remember, I started writing my 18 year old Tierin and my 21 year old Tierin back when I was 16). Over time I began to realize that my character's actions were more juvenile than they should be. But that only came from aging myself, and understanding the way that an 18-21 year old thinks and operates.

So I am not much help, I suppose. :P I will be interested to see what others say, though.

It helps if you have an adult/someone that age who is willing to honestly tell you if the reaction of your character are juvenile.
Author:  Aleena Mimetes [ March 18th, 2012, 10:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
In opinion, some are more mature than others... It depends on your characters experiences and rearing. I am not an adult, so feel free to ignore.
Author:  Arien [ March 18th, 2012, 11:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Airianna Mimetes wrote:
*smiles * This is actually a very good question, Vivace. It irks me when a young author portrays 17 or 18 year olds as 12, or they portray 18 year olds like they are 21.

Just going to throw in a random point, there are some people who act like they're much younger than they are, and people who act like they're older than they are.
Author:  KathrineROID [ March 18th, 2012, 11:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
As someone who wrote late-teen and early-twenties characters when she was ten who act like twelve year olds in retrospect, it's very good that you're even thinking about this!

Really, there are only three things you can do:
1. Grow.
2. Find an adult (Writer!) critique partner specifically for this purpose.
3. Spend an insane amount of time imagining and putting yourself in an adult's skin.

I've opted for the third option, the first happens whether I mean for it to or not, and the second is probably the best way. XD
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ March 18th, 2012, 12:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Quote:
Just going to throw in a random point, there are some people who act like they're much younger than they are, and people who act like they're older than they are.




This is true, but if that is the case, you would typically only have one character who is characterized by this, as opposed to everyone being this way. :)
Author:  Arien [ March 18th, 2012, 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Airianna Mimetes wrote:
This is true, but if that is the case, you would typically only have one character who is characterized by this, as opposed to everyone being this way. :)


True, or limited numbers, at least, and if everyone is off like that, it does suggest that the author needs to work on it, but it's made even more complicated in that different upbringings and circumstances and such will, I think, influence things like that. I suppose it's probably better to avoid doing that anyway, though.
Author:  Ophelia MirZA Mimetes [ March 18th, 2012, 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
I've been wondering this. *Sits down to watch thread*
Author:  KathrineROID [ March 19th, 2012, 6:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Maybe the 20+ers (you'll be our adults ;) ) could come and give viewpoint tips, or share something they noticed changed, or point out common problems they see youngsters' work. :D
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ March 19th, 2012, 8:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Excess emotion. No, seriously. It's not that we "adults" don't have emotions. Far from it. However, our emotions are more balanced. We've been through puberty.

See, a lot of young writers portray their 18 year olds (or any age after 15) as if they are still going through the hormonal highs of an 11-14. Think about it. If you are a young writer, your emotions are crazy and bouncing off the walls. That’s not to say that you are a blubbering mess, but it is scientifically proven that the emotions of young people are heightened because of their hormonal changes and imbalances.

By the time you are 18 (16, in my case, but I was always mature for my age and began the changes of life early), those hormones have settled down. You are able to take things is stride a bit more.

The emotional insecurity and… well, excess, is one of the biggest things. Honestly, I think it is something young writers have to fight against because the reality is those are the emotions they are feeling, so they would naturally project it onto their characters. The problem just comes in when those characters are too old to be that way. :D
Author:  Varon [ March 19th, 2012, 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
I had never thought of this.

I will admit that Hunter Romero and Michal Hollyberry did act rather juvenile in HRatAC, but it was my first real attempt at a novel.

I'm hoping my other adult characters didn't seem to act juvenile, but I don't think I can accuse them of excess emotion. *kicks TPoF and Lance's lack of emotional response to betrayal*
Author:  Lady Eruwaedhiel [ March 19th, 2012, 12:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
I'd like to call Mama Raven to the stand... ;)
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ March 19th, 2012, 12:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Oh yes. She is a real adult. :) *sits and waits *
Author:  Riniel Jasmina [ March 19th, 2012, 12:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
I think a lot of it is in the energy of the character. Compared to the characters young writers usually work with, the adult should probably feel a little more laid back or collected. It's hard to make blanket statements like that because some adults never honestly grow up, but I think it would help.
Try reading adults first. Find a book and contrast its young and old characters. Also, make sure you aren't focusing on what you want them to be like. Make them realistic. Young characters should be a bit immature, but having an adult character agree with them on their every whim won't do you any favors. Don't be afraid to let your adults call the young out on things they shouldn't be doing or saying.
Author:  Mama Raven Mimetes [ March 19th, 2012, 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Bwhaha! I'm not sure if I count as an adult or not. :P
I'm 38, but I act more like I'm 14.

That being said, if you have any excerpts you'd like to post I'll read them
and let you know my opinion of them in that regard.

Oh, and if you know your adult character very well that will help exceedingly in the evaluation!
(Links at the * below to help you with that, if you need it!)
For instance I may be a grown up, but I'm also a Tigger. And an extrovert.
Put those two things together and you get someone who talks to complete strangers
and plays practical jokes on random people in the grocery store.
If your character is more of an Eeyore, their actions/reactions will be much different from mine.

Still personalities and interactions are sort of a hobby of mine.
So I like to think I have a fairly decent grasp of most of the basic personality types.
Bring on the excerpts! I'm curious now. :D

* Meyers-Briggs personality test - you can take this free quiz to find out what "type" your character is.
(Answer the questions as if you were the character of course.)
There will be a four letter code result.
Write it down then go to the portrait page and read about who they are.

The Four Temperaments - This is quicker and still pretty accurate.
They also correspond roughly to Winnie the Pooh characters.
Sanguine = Tigger, Choleric = Rabbit, Phlegmatic = Piglet, and Melancholy = Eeyore.

And of course HW's on Character Development section can be very helpful as well!
Author:  Jay Lakewood [ March 19th, 2012, 2:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
This is the scene I was thinking about:

Penalty wrote:
“Good morning, Etavke.” He answered groggily.
“Father, may we talk?” Etavke asked.
“I suppose, though can it wait until a more normal hour?”
Etavke laughed inwardly. “Tadix has been up for at least twenty minutes, father.”
“Well, he’s not normal.” Kiotox rolled his eyes. “Did you eat already?” He walked around, noting the open box of mushroom slices carefully. “Remember to close it after you take some out, Etavke.”
“Yes, sir. But I heard that Adata was visiting, and so I thought...”
Kiotox stopped anylizing the kitchen situation and stared hard at Etavke. “I wondered where I left Ettaht’s letter. The workshop?”
“Yes, Ta━I read it. ” Etavke followed his father closely as he pondered what to have for breakfast.
“She’s staying for at least two weeks, so be kind to her, Etavke.” Kiotox looked directly at Etavke.
“Adata is insane!”
“She has some...issues, but overall Adata is practically normal.” Etavke’s father said.
“See! Even you think she’s crazy!”
“Do not speak to in that way, son.” Kiotox ordered. “Adata is coming in a few days, and I expect you and Tadix both to behave. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.” Etavke stalked off.
Kiotox had to wonder why Etavke was so angry about Adata visiting.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ March 19th, 2012, 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Quote:
For instance I may be a grown up, but I'm also a Tigger. And an extrovert.


She ain't kiddin, either. But that is why we love her so much! :D
Author:  Mama Raven Mimetes [ March 19th, 2012, 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Jay R. Lakewood wrote:

Penalty wrote:
“Good morning, Etavke.” He answered groggily.
“Father, may we talk?” Etavke asked.
“I suppose, though can it wait until a more normal hour?”
Etavke laughed inwardly. “Tadix has been up for at least twenty minutes, father.”
“Well, he’s not normal.” Kiotox rolled his eyes. “Did you eat already?” He walked around, noting the open box of mushroom slices carefully. “Remember to close it after you take some out, Etavke.”
“Yes, sir. But I heard that Adata was visiting, and so I thought...”
Kiotox stopped anylizing the kitchen situation and stared hard at Etavke. “I wondered where I left Ettaht’s letter. The workshop?”
“Yes, Ta━I read it. ” Etavke followed his father closely as he pondered what to have for breakfast.
“She’s staying for at least two weeks, so be kind to her, Etavke.” Kiotox looked directly at Etavke.
“Adata is insane!”
“She has some...issues, but overall Adata is practically normal.” Etavke’s father said.
“See! Even you think she’s crazy!”
“Do not speak to in that way, son.” Kiotox ordered. “Adata is coming in a few days, and I expect you and Tadix both to behave. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.” Etavke stalked off.
Kiotox had to wonder why Etavke was so angry about Adata visiting.


I don't see any trouble with the way you've portrayed the adult here.
He seems stern, but some adults are stern! :)

I think the blue sentence might be missing a word.
Should it maybe say, "Do not speak to ME in that way" ?
Author:  Jay Lakewood [ March 19th, 2012, 5:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Thank you, (What name should I call you?). Yeah, 1st draft so misspellings and missing words are common. :P It's good that the scene is correct. :D
Author:  KathrineROID [ March 19th, 2012, 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
*reads everything intently* Thank you for volunteering to critique scenes, Mama Raven!
Author:  Mama Raven Mimetes [ March 19th, 2012, 7:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
LOL There does always seem to be some confusion about my name.
You can call me Raven, White Raven, Mama Raven, Kimberly, Hey You, etc. ;)
And you're welcome!

@Kathrine I'm not on here very often, but Eleutheria Mimetes is my daughter.
If you don't get a response in a day or two send her a PM and she'll let me know. :)
Author:  kingjon [ March 19th, 2012, 7:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Kathrine Mimetes wrote:
Maybe the 20+ers (you'll be our adults ;) ) could come and give viewpoint tips, or share something they noticed changed, or point out common problems they see youngsters' work. :D

I'm now 25 (and almost a month ...), but I still don't feel like an adult yet. Partly I tend to be strongly melancholic by temperament.

In any case, this being fantasy, we can invent worldbuilding reasons for why adults act like kids or vice versa ... :)
Author:  Calenmiriel [ March 25th, 2012, 11:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Jay R. Lakewood wrote:
This may be an odd question, but how do you write an adult if you aren't an adult by 6+ years?
I'd write them as being really tall. :rofl:
Author:  BushMaid [ March 26th, 2012, 12:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Airianna Mimetes wrote:
Oh yes. She is a real adult. :)

As opposed to a fake one - like me. ;)
Author:  Riniel Jasmina [ March 26th, 2012, 2:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Calen Tiqwah Mimetes wrote:
I'd write them as being really tall. :rofl:


:rofl:

Bush Hasah Mimetes wrote:
As opposed to a fake one - like me. ;)


I'm adult in age, but I think you and I are just honorary members. :D ;)
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ March 26th, 2012, 8:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
*giggles * Yes, you are not nearly as old and decrepit as you think. Look at Mama Raven! She's still strong, kickin, and feisty. And she has one or two years on you. :D
Author:  Mama Raven Mimetes [ March 26th, 2012, 9:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Or fifteen. :P LOL
Author:  Lady Katharina [ March 26th, 2012, 9:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
I am also an adult and definitely not of the same personality as Mama Raven. I am not an extrovert. But, I have also only been an adult for 3 1/2 years. Anyway, I would be willing to give some little bits of advice.
Author:  Varon [ April 3rd, 2012, 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Airianna Mimetes wrote:
Excess emotion.


That will definitely be an advantage for the teen characters in the novel, and hopefully I won't stick the same thing on the adult characters.

*sigh* I'm not looking forward to it settling back down. I don't want to be a robot again.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 3rd, 2012, 12:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
*laughs *
Author:  Varon [ April 3rd, 2012, 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Did I say something funny again?
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 3rd, 2012, 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Why do you always ask that when I laugh at something you say? :D
Author:  Varon [ April 4th, 2012, 10:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
It is rarely my intent.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 5th, 2012, 3:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
*chuckles * That's part of why I laugh. You and I may say the same thing, but I love waiting for you to give your condensed version which is totally to the point. :D That’s typically why I laugh. Different in personalities yet similar in a particular thought process. I find it fun! :D

However, to clarify, I was laughing at the small print in this case. ;)
Author:  Varon [ April 5th, 2012, 8:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Writing Adults
Okay. That makes sense now.
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