A is for Acting – #AtoZChallenge 2017

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! This year I’m blogging all about Echoes, the series I’ve been working on sporadically for the last six to eight years.

One of my writing friends recently told me that he thought imagination is my strong point with writing, and I have to work pretty hard to learn the rest of the craft. I would agree, cause when it comes to imagination? Well, I have no problem with that.

A2Z-BADGE-100 [2017]

Ever since I began writing one of my best ways of brainstorming is acting out the story I’m working on. When it comes to working on a story with princesses and slaves, that’s especially fun.

My younger sisters are adamant that I went through a phase where I demanded they call me “Your Highness.” I’m fairly certain I never insisted they call me it, and I did give them the option of being princesses (Annalyna and Emilia were the names I offered), but they weren’t ever too enthused about the idea. Apparently they saw it more as a way for their annoying big sister to lord over them, than as a way to come up with an epic story. (Now where would they get that idea?)

There have been many times through the years when I’ve done things like “haughtily sweep down the hallway” when I don’t think anyone is around, or fall to my knees begging for mercy, or mumble out a long discourse as I wash dishes. Most of my best plot twists, scenes, and even lines, have come from acting the stories out as I go about every day life.

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Thankfully the fact that I’m a writer is fairly well-known around where I live so people are used to me doing strange things. One time when I was around twelve I wanted to see what it felt like to be a street child, so I went and rolled in a dusty place in the yard, then hurried over and fought our cats for their food. I’m fairly certain my family (who happened to be sitting on the porch talking) just kinda shook their heads at me then continued their conversation.

Acting out my scenes is another thing I do, and one of the reasons I generally shy away from writing in coffee houses or other public places. I often times catch myself making all the facial expressions that my characters are making, waving my hands around in a crazy manner, and occasionally doing something like sticking out my tongue, hitting myself, or biting my hand.

What about you? Do you act out story ideas? If not, how do you entertain yourself while you’re working on mindless jobs like dishes and laundry?

31 thoughts on “A is for Acting – #AtoZChallenge 2017”

  2. Kaitlyn says:
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    Hahaha! None of these things would surprise me too much coming from you! You love life and are SUCH an inspiration to me! And one of these days I hope that we can do those crazy things together and watch everyone shake their heads and be all confused, haha! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • aidylewoh says:
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      Aww, thank you so much, Kaitlyn! I’m so glad I can be an inspiration to you – and you’re a huge inspiration to me, too!
      AND YES! Please come so we can go confuse people together!!!

      Like

    • aidylewoh says:
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      Oh! My youngest sister is really good at telling stories. I wish I could tell stories like she does! My cousins, siblings, and I used to act out stories, too. 🙂 So much fun!

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    • aidylewoh says:
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      Oh dear! Then I guess it’s a good thing indeed that you don’t act them out. 😉 My books are of a rather non-violent variety. And yes! I know what you mean when you say they play through your head like movies – mine do, too.
      Thank you for stopping by!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Claire says:
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    It must be fun to watch you write – I imagine acting scenes out would really help you visualize things, but maybe not so conducive to coffee-shop writing. 🙂 I often act out scenes in my head while I’m doing the dishes, or pretend to be one of my characters…it sounds silly, but makes boring jobs much more interesting!

    Liked by 1 person

    • aidylewoh says:
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      Ah yes! Acting while doing dishes and such is wonderful! When people talk about being bored with various tasks I can’t hardly imagine it because my mind takes me far, far away from whatever I’m doing. 🙂
      And yes, acting out the scenes does help me visualize what is happening – although I must say, most of the acting is confined to what I can do while sitting at my writing table.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. shaunkellett says:
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    This just goes to show how unique the writing process can be for different people! I sometimes act out the speeches, just to get some passion flowing, but can’t say I’ve acted out many of the actions… I tend to just mull things over, and over, and over, and over in my head; acting sounds like it gives you a great foundation and place to start!

    Liked by 1 person

    • aidylewoh says:
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      Very true! I think it’s wonderful how so many very different people can all be writers – because writing is one of those things that can be changed and adapted for each person. I mull over things a lot, too. Like when I’m going about my every-day tasks. It’s a good way to try and figure out what you’re really trying to say….

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  11. Suzanne Blazier says:
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    Imagination, I’m with you there, no lack of that for me either. I don’t act out what I’m writing, but have cried when writing a particularly emotional part of the story. Embarrassing if in public. Love the photo you posted here.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lydia Howe says:
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      I’ve had tears come to my eyes when thinking about a plot twist or writing a sad scene, but I don’t think I’ve actually ever all-out-cried, but I don’t think I’d be opposed to it if I did. 😉

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  12. Bekah says:
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    What a great first post in this challenge, Lydia. I think we as writers all have our funny little quirks. Sometimes, (though I think this is quite common, actually,) I’ll be so into the story that if someone calls my name sometimes they’ll have to call me a few times before I come out of the story I was either writing or reading. Like you, I think I tend to make funny faces while I write. Or I might look REALLY focused.

    Looking forward to future posts!
    -Bekah

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lydia Howe says:
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      Yay for getting into stories! I can’t imagine what it would be like if I couldn’t totally lose myself in what I’m writing. The world kinda fades, ya know? And it’s amazing to create my own “new” world!
      And aww, thank you! =) I’m having fun with this challenge so far. 🙂

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  13. zanedjones says:
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    I know I’m late to this conversation, but I just discovered your blog and had to say YES!! I am a writer and I cannot count the number of times I’ve been caught talking to myself, acting out scenes with myself, or making really weird expressions. Like I’ll literally talk to myself in the mirror – but it’s not ME talking to myself in the mirror, it’s a slave boy begging his master for his life, or a princess debating a diplomat, etc. Anyway, this is totally relatable! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lydia Howe says:
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      Aww, thanks for joining in even though the post is from a while ago, that makes me happy! =)

      YES! I can totally relate to what you’re saying. (Which, I guess is obvious, cause you were relating to the post….) But yes, it’s cool how even though writers can be different from each other, some of our quirks are so much alike. Keep having fun with acting out your writing! 😉

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