I’m interested in getting your thoughts about stuff I see and hear, quotes I read, stuff that passes as knowledge – and starting an authorey conversation.
Hmmm.
HMMM…
I agree. You?
(Like I’m gonna disagree with Hemingway.)
I’m interested in getting your thoughts about stuff I see and hear, quotes I read, stuff that passes as knowledge – and starting an authorey conversation.
Hmmm.
HMMM…
I agree. You?
(Like I’m gonna disagree with Hemingway.)
Dan Alatorre 
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Absolutely right!
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Though I’ve yet to publish, and at this particular point in time yet to finish a novel, I have taken the time to create a complete bio and backstory for every main, and secondary character I’ve ever written about. I may not have one written before the character is created in the storyline but once they enter it I feel it is only fair to create a history for them. Even if the character’s existence is short lived, they are after all people. I think it adds more to the story and invites the reader to ‘buy in’ to the action if the character means more to you as author than just a, ‘well, I need somebody to die here,’ kind of character. But then again, few people have ever read my actual novel material.
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I think it helps the author to do that because then we refer to the character consistently through the story, as far as quirks and personality, etc.
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Yes, because they become more than just ‘cannon fodder’.
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Doing a character bio helps avoid doing it (too much background, an info dump, etc.) in the story. That’s never a bad thing.
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I agree, with a qualifier; sometimes you come across actually, genuine living folk who act like something out of cliché central. In a narrative they need hard work so the author doesn’t get accused of lazy writing.
Some I suppose were born that way, others have become so engrossed in a facet of culture & its media portrayal they just live the part.
And then there are teenagers……. (I survived three)
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Yeah, and people can be pretentious, so you have to choose carefully.
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Minefield.
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Ha!
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I know I did it right when I completed a novel and missed my characters for a few days.
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Isn’t that the truth! I had the same experience. The end of Poggi is that way for me. In the book it’s supposed to be uplifting, a happy ending – and it is; everything works out for everyone… but in reality I was very mixed about ending the story because I was going to miss Sam. She wasn’t going to be with Mike anymore and they were a great team. I knew I’d miss her the most. It was sad to see her go, and I missed her afterwards – so much I brought her back in another story and might give her a series one day. But I console myself that she is still a firecracker every time I open the story (and just as much of a train wreck) so… as you say, that’s how you know you did it right.
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I definitely agree! Plus, I’ve had characters that have seemed to develop such a life of their own that they’ve taken me places I didn’t expect that made the story even better.
One such character was Ben, who I planned on having just a small part in things. He became such a major player that a couple of beta readers have begged me to do a spin-off featuring his own adventures :o)
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Awesome.
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That’s how I was created!
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Ha!
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