CREATING CHARACTERS FOR YOUR NOVEL FROM YOUR OWN BACK YARD
When I began writing, The
Healing Stones, my current work in progress, I was looking for a quirky
main character, someone a bit off the wall, doesn’t quite fit into the
mainstream. But I had no template from which to work. How was a supposed to
know where to start writing such a character? Was I doomed before I even
started? I began to think back on my life, and all the people I’d met or were
acquainted with. And then it came to me. I did know such a character from a few
years back. I had even thought at the time that she’d be a fascinating person
to write a story about based on what I had learned about her past. I had a
starting point. That’s all I needed. As I began writing, my character began to
take on a life of her own. That’s always fun. Her name is Rachel Byrne.
WHO DO YOU KNOW?
This isn’t the first time
I’ve taken a person from my life and created a character. Margaret Harrison, in
my book Gift of the Loon, was inspired by actress, Kathryn Hepburn. Granted,
I don’t know her personally, but she has come across my radar many times
through her movies and books I’ve read bout her life. You see, I needed someone
who was outspoken, a woman ahead of her time in the way she lived. Ms. Hepburn fit
the bill as the perfect template for the character of Margaret Harrison. She
was such fun to write because she is the direct opposite to me. Her character gave me a lot of freedom to speak
her/my mind, especially when she had to go up against Canadian artist Tom
Thomson, who is also a character in this novel.
BITS AND PIECES
Another way you could
incorporate people you know into your fiction, is to take some characteristic
from one person, and a different characteristic from another – and even a third
or fourth if you have a mind to – to create a brand-new character.
At this point, I’d like
to mention that as a writer, it is beneficial to read biographies as
they will give you lots of ideas to spark your creative juices when creating your
characters.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
Another great way to
build a character is based on what they do for a living. Perhaps you know someone
who has an interesting hobby or occupation that could be incorporated into your
story. This is a wonderful opportunity to interview them. People love being
interviewed. I did this when I was looking to write about a vicar’s wife for my
current work in progress, The Healing Stones. I wanted to know what the
expectations of a vicar’s wife circa 1950s. It took some doing, but I was able
to connect with someone through a friend of a friend, who was happy to help
give me the inside scoop. It was tremendously helpful in creating Cynthia Logan,
vicar’s wife. Even the name Cynthia conjures images of what my character is
like. Yet, another consideration when creating characters.
So, there you have it, a
few things to consider when creating characters for your next novel. It’s
important to note here, that your intention is not to reproduce that character
on the page -- but to take the essence of that person to create a new one. Is there anyone like that in your life? I bet
there is.
Comments
Post a Comment