More writing nerdiness

I've just started forcing myself to grasp the concept I don't need a huge cast of characters for a good story. Sure some novels like the Harry Potter series have like a billion characters, but it's not a requirement for a good novel. Usually my outlines have pages and pages of detailed character charts, which do take me forever and a lot of characters with super long bios isn't the easiest thing to keep track of.

I've got to learn to simplify my minor characters as well. Three page bios can be fun to write, but really, two out of three pages will not have any influence at all, at least when it comes to minor characters. The major characters tend to have much longer write ups. I guess character write ups will be something I won't be doing for Nanowrimo, just because I'll get attached. In the case of Nano, attachment can make or break a writer. Getting too attached would hinder the creative flow just writing for the sake of writing. It would lead to my OCD perfectionism making the writing go so much slower than it should. However, not being attached enough can be worse. Who wants to write what they don't love? Sure with Nano the style won't be perfect, but the thoughts should continue flowing. The love for the story should stay strong so the end is as strong as the start.

The number of characters don't even need to be as huge as my usual casts of characters. Great stories can be small with the characters so intimate that the whole story can revolve around them. Stories such as "'Night Mother" a play I'm teching for only have two characters; a mother and daughter. An entire play can be written about the two. If only I could let my OCD go for just long enough to write something so concise but deep.

My writing has a lot of focus on inner struggles and depth, I try to find flaws in my characters and keep them in character. I give them pain and hurt along with the joys and the passions. I tend to feel like I overcomplicate things and try to put too much into the plot. I also do try to write very well when I can, with the right skill and articulation.

To me, writing isn't just about the story. It's also about engaging the reader with interesting words and the word play. It's about getting the reader to connect and to think, but also to visualize the beauty or tragedy of the pain they go through. My wording can get very boring and somewhat repetitive if I'm trying to write fast, I'll find a couple "creative" ways of describing things, but they're not very creative at the end because of how much I used them. "Emerald green eyes", "Hair of amber", and "Enchanting bell-like laughter" are only interesting the first few times. Well that's just another thing I need to work on. It doesn't matter how good I get, I'll always find room for improvement because I don't feel like writing is an art of perfection, but more of an art of imperfection and individuality.