Talk to me. How much do you really understand your character's motivation?
Well, I'm knee deep into Laying Down Her Law, and it dawned on me. Who the hell are these people? I mean, I know a little, after all they are my creation. However, much like the fact that you birth your children, you don't truly know their personalities until they get a little older.
That's what's happening, I'm 1/3 of the way through, and it dawns on me that I don't know who they are and where they want to go on a personal level.
So yesterday, I interviewed them. I asked them everything I could think of and I was left with a good character profile on each. I want to know their every motivation, fear, joy and future goals.
Now that I have a better idea who Pepper and Missy are; how do I apply this? I'm going to back to page one and see how I can build a character arc. It's okay if in the beginning Missy rolls her eyes and taps her feet at Pepper's shenanigans but if she's still doing that by the end, I've failed her. She didn't grow.
Do you write off the cuff? Normally, that's my style too. Just don't forget to quiet your mind and listen to the story the way the characters want it told. Sometimes that means getting out of their way. As long as you think about how the plot helps develop them as hopefully, mature, loving adults, and they handle the balls you throw them in a matter that is consistent and evolving with each paragraph, you're golden. Elle
That's what's happening, I'm 1/3 of the way through, and it dawns on me that I don't know who they are and where they want to go on a personal level.
So yesterday, I interviewed them. I asked them everything I could think of and I was left with a good character profile on each. I want to know their every motivation, fear, joy and future goals.
Now that I have a better idea who Pepper and Missy are; how do I apply this? I'm going to back to page one and see how I can build a character arc. It's okay if in the beginning Missy rolls her eyes and taps her feet at Pepper's shenanigans but if she's still doing that by the end, I've failed her. She didn't grow.
Do you write off the cuff? Normally, that's my style too. Just don't forget to quiet your mind and listen to the story the way the characters want it told. Sometimes that means getting out of their way. As long as you think about how the plot helps develop them as hopefully, mature, loving adults, and they handle the balls you throw them in a matter that is consistent and evolving with each paragraph, you're golden. Elle
Love this post, Elle! I find myself doing the same thing, except I do a lot of free writing in their POV. Can't wait to read more about Pepper and Missy.
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