Creating Characters From Life

One of the best things about reading a novel is finding out what each of the characters want and then learning how they go about getting it. What is at stake? And, for whom? Do you remember finishing a chapter that you just couldn't close the book on - didn't you just have to read on to satisfy your curiousity? That's when you know the author did his/her homework. Homework? Really?

The truth is, every good author spends time working on Character Profiles, or Bio for each character in your story. Beside age, gender and what part of the country the story takes place, you can begin with a listing of attributes. Going deeper then, is the consideration of what is the driving force to make that character behave in certain ways or situations. What are their flaws?  - Be sure to add them, because nobody wants to read about a perfect character, especially since none of us reading are...perfect.

My first novel developed from release writing. After a year or insomnia it was complete. That was ten years ago. Then I began to study the craft of writing. Wow, was there a lot to learn! While there are a myriad of aspects to consider and plan for, creating and keeping a log of character details is extremely beneficial when drafting a story. Each character needs their own worksheet to help you keep their nuances straight; this also applies to what they might say or do.

As we well know, each story has a problem to solve. It's in the telling; the weaving of characters and how they go about responding to and solving the problem that makes it interesting. The most fascinating thing I stumbled on in this process is creating each character's voice.

When considering my antagonist, Emerson Gray, (in my forthcoming novel, The Forgiveness Factor) I needed him to have a sinsiter voice, one truely psychologically scarey. To me, that cinamatic voice comes from Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins' has portrayed a host of psychologically scarred individuals and it's easy to recall his voice from any of those movies. So, in an effort to create a living, breathing character, Emerson Gray comes to life with Hopkins' voice. Although Gray's physical characteristics differ from Mr. Hopkins, what Gray says, his demeanor, etc are deratives of Hopkins' screen performances.

Putting a real life voice to your characters will help set the stage for a good reader connection. Give it a try!

Read and keep writing,
Diane Rau