Writers on how they write: Kazuo Ishiguro

The Wall Street Journal had a great article last Friday: "How to Write a Great Novel", reflections by 11 novelists on how they approach writing. Since the article is subscription only, I'll feature one writer per day here, highlighting their process with a key excerpt from the article.

Today's writer is Kazuo Ishiguro whose novels include The Remains of the Day (1989) and Never Let Me Go (2005), and screenplays The Saddest Music in the World (2003) and The White Countess (2005).

Mr. Ishiguro, author of six novels, including the Booker-prize winning "Remains of the Day,"typically spends two years researching a novel and a year writing it. Since his novels are written in the first person, the voice is crucial, so he "auditions" narrators by writing a few chapters from different characters' points of view. Before he begins a draft, he compiles folders of notes and flow charts that lay out not just the plot but also more subtle aspects of the narrative, such as a character's emotions or memories.

I like the idea of 'auditioning' narrators. Sounds similar to this exercise: Switch Protagonists.

Have you ever 'auditioned' characters to see who your story's Protagonist was? Started a story with one Protagonist, then found the story drifted over to another character?