tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post1367411278940045955..comments2024-02-21T03:32:15.577-05:00Comments on Jill Kemerer: TicsJill Kemererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-54097744866154718172009-07-30T19:04:08.655-04:002009-07-30T19:04:08.655-04:00This is an excellent question, Jill!
IF I wrote fi...This is an excellent question, Jill!<br />IF I wrote fiction and IF one of my characters had a tic, say he scratched the back of his neck whenever he was nervous, I'd have the protagonist-- is that the right word?-- become annoyed with him. She is afraid to tell him how is grosses her out, so she develops her own counter-tic to overcome her fear-- she licks her lips to the point of chapping them. Now what? She becomes a compulsive lip balm applier! <br /><br />I love this question. It is so true to life. <br /><br />JenJeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-44282131806267581882009-07-29T18:14:06.898-04:002009-07-29T18:14:06.898-04:00Marybeth: Yes, the scab-picker and toenail biter (...Marybeth: Yes, the scab-picker and toenail biter (gross!!) are a tad over the top! But a twitch? could be fun.<br /><br />Erica: Toothpick Mauler! What a great description! I can see it...<br /><br />LazyWriter: Whew! I'm so glad you get annoyed by his tic. The world isn't perfect, and I would love to say I find all tics sweet, but there are a few which really drive me nuts!<br /><br />Cindy: Great idea. Definitely study people everywhere you go. I've been doing it forever. In fact, I remember when I was about ten, I heard another girl say "barf" and instantly took it as my own. I'm such a copycat!<br /><br />Terri: Oh, the old-man-spit. Priceless!<br /><br />Tess: I hear you. Please! One tic for one minor character is about all any reader can take. There should be a "rule" on this!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-76028657727528762102009-07-29T18:08:43.923-04:002009-07-29T18:08:43.923-04:00Jody: Yes, an antagonist should have a terrific ti...Jody: Yes, an antagonist should have a terrific tic! I loved how in Casino Royale, the poker player's eye bled when he was extremely stressed. Powerful!<br /><br />Katie: All of my heroine's tend to nibble on their nails. It's time for me to freshen up, too!<br /><br />Wendy: What a cool tic! And her hubby's response resonates with readers. Who doesn't want that kind of support?<br /><br />Jeannie: Ooo, how will the hero react? You've got me excited about this!<br /><br />Janna: I consider mannerisms "tic-lite." Important, relatable, but not over-the-top like a tic. And for that reason, I think books should have plenty of mannerisms, but very few actual tics.<br /><br />Weronika: Cool! I love the descriptions, especially the baby!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-19781886584431934882009-07-29T16:51:03.578-04:002009-07-29T16:51:03.578-04:00I recently read a book repleat with tics and it wa...I recently read a book repleat with tics and it was anoying beyond belief. But, I agree with you - done well, it can add to a character.<br /><br />btw, cutest doggie photo eveh.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-4928196512223028982009-07-29T15:35:29.618-04:002009-07-29T15:35:29.618-04:00Oh man, I wish I could go back and give mine one b...Oh man, I wish I could go back and give mine one but my MC does pull back on her hair an awful lot. LOL and the FIL spits.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-6578727516476066362009-07-29T14:40:40.787-04:002009-07-29T14:40:40.787-04:00Lol, what a great picture! I've never really t...Lol, what a great picture! I've never really thought about this. It amazes me how into their characters some authors can get. One of the things I want to start doing to develop my characters more is spend more time people watching. And secretly bring along a pad of paper to write down interesting mannerisms and characteristics and compulsive movements. All those things that help make a character more human and relatable. Thanks for the good idea!Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-16824868733637261032009-07-29T12:19:49.824-04:002009-07-29T12:19:49.824-04:00My husband pulls on his ear when he's nervous....My husband pulls on his ear when he's nervous. I'm trying to work that into one of my books because it drives me crazy! I haven't quite found a way to do it, but I'm working on it!Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-47815887807638886362009-07-29T11:50:39.220-04:002009-07-29T11:50:39.220-04:00I have a character in one of my books who was a co...I have a character in one of my books who was a compulsive tooth sucker and toothpick mauler. It was a hoot, but I had to make sure I didn't overuse it.<br /><br />My main character thought it was gross. :)Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772984806574666959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-67973739459415808852009-07-29T11:13:01.250-04:002009-07-29T11:13:01.250-04:00I love how you come up with these things! I'm ...I love how you come up with these things! I'm not so sure I want to write about scab pickers...or toe nail biters (yes there have been people known to bite toe nails) BUT I wouldn't mind putting in a little twitcher here and there :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283503033516504436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-70110759727861492112009-07-29T10:48:31.313-04:002009-07-29T10:48:31.313-04:00Great picture, Jill! I think that this is definite...Great picture, Jill! I think that this is definitely an area of characterization that requires thought for every writer. Physical tics can very well define a character throughout the story.<br /><br />My MC likes to bite her lip -- I didn't think about this, it just came out. Her baby loves her tags and pulls on them (this was a recent inspiration). <br /><br />Thanks for the insight! Have a great week!Weronika Janczukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02578288655500573458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-32596843898304337782009-07-29T10:24:42.790-04:002009-07-29T10:24:42.790-04:00I like these ideas you just dive into. I can't...I like these ideas you just dive into. I can't remember a tic right off, and my current characters don't have any like what you've mentioned. There are small things, like that one always calls his mom "Mother" and another begins many sentences with a drawn-out and sarcastic "Right." But those aren't quite tics. Interesting to think about, for sure!Janna Leadbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339705935553160673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-81574335280007309342009-07-29T10:09:34.418-04:002009-07-29T10:09:34.418-04:00seriously...cute doggie photo. as for tics, of cou...seriously...cute doggie photo. as for tics, of course, you know i have to have them in my books! my current heroine wears her hair pulled back severely, and when stressed, she always tucks strays back...just a nervous mannerism. i'll have to think about how the hero would react. would he even care? i think he'll "pick up" on the fact she's nervous around him when she does it, though. that'll be fun. :)Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-17827220359733576232009-07-29T10:04:07.065-04:002009-07-29T10:04:07.065-04:00My MC of my WIP (am I rapping here?) does have a t...My MC of my WIP (am I rapping here?) does have a tic. She rubs her cheeks red when she's overwhelmed. Her husband responds w/ worry and a heap of extra love.<br />Great question!<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-5469707318865952342009-07-29T09:38:39.287-04:002009-07-29T09:38:39.287-04:00Love it! Definitely makes me want to consider a ti...Love it! Definitely makes me want to consider a tic. Might be something fresh, instead of the same old, same old biting nails,lips, etc. :)Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-70594908749186549832009-07-29T09:23:10.316-04:002009-07-29T09:23:10.316-04:00Great advice, Jill! I'm in the process of thin...Great advice, Jill! I'm in the process of thinking about my characters and really getting to know them so your posts are very thought-provoking! I think I like the idea of giving my antagonist a tic!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-13610246530269890352009-07-29T08:42:34.969-04:002009-07-29T08:42:34.969-04:00Good morning!
Jessica: I've yet to give any o...Good morning!<br /><br />Jessica: I've yet to give any of my characters a permanent tic. I'm waiting for the right story to come along!<br /><br />Heather: Doesn't that puppy make you melt? So cute... Yes, we all have nervous habits, and let's face it, they can be annoying! It's fascinating to see how the other person reacts. <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-88671670820010427412009-07-29T08:18:51.506-04:002009-07-29T08:18:51.506-04:00Love that picture of the dachshund!
I love the i...Love that picture of the dachshund! <br /><br />I love the idea of giving characters nervous habits or tics and seeing how others react to them. The reactions can tell the reader a lot about that character.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-79762018562616560162009-07-29T07:44:47.496-04:002009-07-29T07:44:47.496-04:00Interesting. I'd never thought of giving a cha...Interesting. I'd never thought of giving a character a permanent tic. <br />btw, my toddler does this to his scabs. I have to put a band-aid over them when he's asleep, otherwise he'll even pull the band-aid off.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.com