Though I was in a few high school plays, I'm a bit of a shy actor. Oddly, or perhaps not, I loved competing in speech & debate and still enjoy public speaking. But fictional people? A joy to write about but daunting to interpret, live. My actor peeps get my utmost respect.
Not possessing an iota of theatrical talent hasn't stopped me from acting out scenes as I type, however.
I began to notice I would take on certain expressions for certain characters while writing dialogue about halfway through "Redwoodian." Here's a basic summary of what I involuntarily do for what character. (Thank goodness no one can see me, though perhaps my husband should take a photo or two.)
Fair Finley: I wag my finger. Or I put my hands on my hips. I'll twist my mouth on occasion, in thought. Or I drop my shoulders and smile.
Sutton Von Hunt: There's some disdainful scrunching of the nose. There's a bit of eyebrow-raising, too.
Monty Overbove: I actually wink when Monty winks. My face takes on a big grin and surprised look, too, quite often, with Mr. Monty.
Prior Yates: Easygoing smiles.
Thurs Mathers: I lean back, with confidence, when I type anything to do with the hotel heir.
Gomery Overbove: Montgomery X. Overbove is, I do believe, my favorite character to play. He's the most even-keel of all the "Wilfair" people, so I probably "act him out" the least. He puts his hand on the back of his neck a lot, when he thinks, so sometimes I will, too. Gomery is an arm-crosser, too. The rolled-up sleeves enhance that, as Fair will muse upon in the next book.
As for the scene that I acted out the most while writing it? Definitely the exchange in the hotel hallway outside of Prior Yates's suite in "Redwoodian." There was a whole lot of finger-wagging and overly emotive face-making during the typing of that one, believe it. I was always a little sweaty after the rewrites. TMI?
Acting Out Scenes
