A-Z Blog Challenge: C

Today for the A-Z challenge, C stands for character.

When we think of the characters, how many of us think of the people in the story?  Simply those that the play a part in the book?  As in, “an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)”.

When I write, I look try to take it deeper.  I like the definition, “the inherent complex of attributes that determines a person’s moral and ethical actions and reactions”.  What makes them who they are, moves them to act the way they do…what makes them tick?  If you give your characters character, they take on life. 

Take time to get to know their personalities, traits, quirks.  For example, Cole is the main character in my book Cornerstone Deep.  He’s moody, hates the tick of a clock, loves butter, and is an eternal romantic when it comes to Mianna.  Since I wanted him to have these quirks and qualities, I gave him a background that would round him into the person he is in the story.  I shaped him, sketching out a back story for him even though it doesn’t appear in the book.  I believe doing this gives him depth and rounds him as a person. 

My favorite quote from the book is something he spoke, and pretty much sums up his outlook.  “My life is a mirage of endless time.  But you, in this moment, engulf me, rivet my mind, encompass my soul.”  (Yeah, it doesn’t have anything to do with butter…but hey).


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