McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Protagonist Careers

(1/3) > >>

13x13:
So what do you do when your protagonist has a career that you aren't familiar and isn't the typical career for a urban fantasy protagonist(cop, private investigator, etc).  I've been tossing around an idea of the main character being a trucker originally.  I've found some websites with the lingo and some information, but I want to make it as accurate as possible.  Would my best bet be interviewing truckers?  Write the novel anyway and ask someone with trucking experience to review and edit? 

MatthewD44:
either of those options would be viable. I guess it would come down to which one is easiest as you are righting. If I were using one of the people I interview as the template for a major character, then the interview is a must in my mind. But if I were just doing to get a "feel" on how you think in that particular area of the working world, I would go with the edit situation.

meg_evonne:
Smokie and the Bandit, go paranormal?  :) Only kidding.  Actually, as I think about it, that could be really neat!  I'd buy it, more likely to catch it on tv though, maybe you create the next new series, (as long as it isn't with sci fi-- on the other hand Saving Grace is rather gritty and down to earth like this idea would be)--- :D.

Check with Roger the Scrubber or similar name under members.  He drives a truck, if not, let me know and I've a client who drives a truck.  Surely nothing beats actually taking a couple long distance runs in a big wheeler and could be fun.  I have an aunt and uncle who did long distance hauling together.  He tells a story about making a delivery to downtown LA or Chicago or somewhere and he got in late and missed when the place was open, so he had to wait until morning.  Several people tried to break into the back of his truck and he scared them off with a splatter gun blast.

Good writing!  Meg

rinascita:
Not a published author...and knowing I might never be....I probrably am not the best to answer this question for you. But,when has that ever stopped me from giving advice???! :)

I think it is best to write about something you know about, but few fantasy writers have ever met an elf, a wizard..... so there goes that theory :)

If you have a friend that would allow you to go on a cross country trip....or a friend of a friend....
That may give you the experience/knowledge you seek.

Or  hang out at a truck stop....having traveled a good bit I enjoy stopping at the many truck stops...truckers are somewhat isolated and though use to it, there are those that would like a chance to talk to someone during a break.

Yeratel:
Trucker as protagonist versus supernatural foes?  Check out the DVD of Big Trouble In Little China.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page