My anti-hero is a disturbed sculptor whose art captivates the world. His story is very important to me and as an author I felt it my responsibility to make sure I created a believable character and an accurate portrayal of an artistic genius’ world.
A few months ago I announced that amazing artist, Kristine Poole, would be advising me for my first fiction series. I’ve begun the initial phases of revising (reading through quickly, chopping up ruthlessly, combating nauseating self-doubt) and I will be interviewing Kristine Poole for in-depth details in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, I wanted to share her video so you can see how she transforms a chunk of solid clay into a sculpture so lifelike that you can almost fancy it’s breathing. I learned a great deal just by watching the video and realize there will be much I have to change in my books. For starters…
- I had this vision that my sculptor would carve his pieces from the clay in the same way other sculptors chisel from marble. As you can see, this sculpture is made in a completely different way using coils and slabs.
- I thought the armature (support) would go inside, like a skeleton, but as you can see, Kristine uses outside supports.
- I had forgotten since my elementary school pottery class that ceramics must be hollow. Solid clay cannot be fired!
After realizing how mistaken my assumptions were, I know why it’s so important to do proper research for a novel. If a writer cares about their characters and their readers, they must take the time and effort to make sure the story they build could possibly take place in the real world.
I know nothing takes me out of a story faster than lack of credibility and disbelief.
Readers: Have you ever been turned off by a poorly researched book?
Writers: How do you find credible sources for your research?
Were you surprised by the sculpting method used in the video?
I spent 30 years in the law enforcement business and it drives me crazy when I read a book in which the author definitely has no idea of the basics of the business. Many authors, who want to write about crime (especially murder) don’t bother to research how crimes are actually solved. Instead, they think that what they saw last week on tv is accurate. So, I started a police procedure consultancy business in which I help writers and producers “get it right.”
Oh, that’s a real pet peeve of mine. As a matter of fact, I have a murder scene in book one and a FBI drug trafficking operation in book two. I may need your expertise!
Just let me know and I’ll be glad to help you out. Best way to contact me is at jimbarrett18592@aol.com. Have a great day.
I enjoyed the sculptor video, Kristine Poole is very talented. Sure she was an inspiration for your sculptor series. ( Excellent form of research–Right from the horses mouth)
Christa, I know you do your home work and research, as it shows in your writing. A lot of work.
That is why I deal with fiction and fantasy. No research or accuracy required.haha, but true.
I would like to make a suggestion—– if you write about a place, to be more accurate go there.
It better to write about a place down the street that you personally experienced, then an exotic place you have never been to. You could be so much more descriptive about the sights, side walks, local color, smells and tress in Brooklyn then bluffing about Tasmania. I know Christa’s sculptor series takes place in New Hope, Pa, a place she has been to.
If you do need the exotic locals or general info, exhaust the internet and learn all you can.
You’re so right. I’ve read several novels where the author simply said the characters were in Paris or in Fiji, for example, and didn’t describe any of it, as if we’ve all been there. When this happens, the reader must try to piece the scene together by things they’ve heard or movies they’ve watched.
I think the best part of reading is traveling to places beyond your reach. I hate it when an author fails to take me on that journey.
I agree. It’s better to write about places you’ve been to. If you haven’t been or can’t go, then talk to someone who lives there.
So much to learn and a little reminder like this goes a long way, because it’s an eye opener.
As writers it is so easy to submerge ourselves completely in our own stories during the writing process, and while that’s a good thing, it can also have negative effects if we fail to see what we need to and should for the sake of not just authenticity but also the reader.
Thanks for sharing, Christa.
xoxo
Thanks, Anne. These small assumptions were a wake up call for me. I hope it helps other writers. After so much drafting, we often take the details for granted, and part of the fun of reading is learning the secrets of other people’s lives.
Thanks for the comment 🙂
Well. I guess you learn something new everyday.
I had no idea any of the stuff I read was innaccurate. Good thing you’re so meticulous!
Okay. I just watched the video. And man oh man, that’s a lot different than the way I imagined! It’s much more work, too! So meticulous, so laborious.
But the end result is utterly stunning. So realistic and gorgeous, and also a little disturbing–in the sculptures expression. She looks tortured and sits as though she bound, though there are no ropes.
Kristine Poole possesses a stunning amount of talent.
I know. She is extremely talented. I’m so lucky to have her.
You can find the story behind that sculpture’s expression on her website. It’s very interesting. She is bonded by a thread of silk in the finished piece.
I know. Not one of my Beta readers or CP’s questioned the sculptor’s methods, but it’s better to check for that one person who does know. I hope to attract artists and art lovers to this series and I don’t want to piss them off, lol.
Thanks for sharing this video, Christa—it’s fascinating! I had no idea how a sculpture like this is created … so now I know!