Thursday, January 8, 2009

"Character is like a root of the tree. Stronger the root, stronger the tree." Author Unknown.

The is true in a person but also true in fiction, in the sense that your characters must be memorable to make your story unforgettable.
Instead of thinking about the big ‘idea’ or high ‘concept - it’s your characters readers will remember.
Remember Scout Finch, Heathcliff, Dirk Pitt, Jack Ryan, Mr. Darcy, or Scarlett O’Hara? I do -even though I forget where my keys are.

How do you make them memorable? Make them likable but give them flaws, give them doubts. Put obstacles in their way to help them grow. Like the statement says below my blog name, Offer a Life, not a text. Invite the reader into the lives of your characters.
I plan a little one on one time with Victoria, then with Russ. Only then can I throw them together. I tried to just start Love By Design but I don’t know Victoria Turner and Russ Rowland near as well as I know Samantha James and Ryan Terell from Playing For Keeps (I wonder if they have kids yet - yes this is how real they are to me - still living outside my story).
So I say...

The more memorable the character, the more memorable the story.

You can quote me on that.

1 comment:

  1. It is a tricky balancing act - make them flawed and memorable, but still someone the reader will grab hold of. The character of Hannibal Lecter always struck me as an amazing example of someone who was vial and evil, but endearing to the reader none the less. "I only ate the truly rotten people." Classic!

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