Tag Archives: character development

Character Development Series – Romance

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Even if you’re not writing a romance, it’s possible one of your characters may be involved in a romance, or at least a flirtation. As an extension, if your character is in a romantic situation, chances are you’re going to write a love scene at some point. It could be something as tame as a first or last kiss or as graphic as porn. I’ve done both, but I usually stay somewhere in between and try to keep it PG-13. Usually. Again, I turn to real people here for inspiration (REMINDER: I won’t use names here, but if you want to know who I’m referring to, send me a private message, and I’ll be glad to share). If you have visuals of your character, study them and use them. If that person has been in a romantic situation, study it. No, I don’t mean Pornhub, unless, of course, you’re writing about a porn star. In that case, knock yourself out (18 and over ONLY).

A couple of reminders: “He” is my go-to pronoun because it’s easier than switching back and forth and using “they” or “their” grates on me. I also use the term “alternative lifestyle” as a catch-all for non-heterosexual interactions because I’m never sure what the current politically correct terms are. That said: Everyone should be able to love how he sees fit. There are no judgments here, and I expect none from my readers. If you’re offended by something, don’t read it. But don’t complain because someone is not offended. Continue reading →

Character Development Series – Backstories and Emotional Connection

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In order to understand a character, a reader should know why that character is the way he is, and this is where the backstory comes in. Even in real life, there is no black and white, and few people are irredeemable. Even the evilest individual has something in his life that can make him seem more real and more human, if not more sympathetic (an explanation is NOT an excuse), and no hero doesn’t have a skeleton or two in the closet, even Steve Rogers (I can’t think of any, but I’m sure he does).

BANGKOK -JULY 22: A waxwork of Captain America on display at Madame Tussauds on July 22, 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand. Madame Tussauds' newest branch hosts waxworks of numerous stars and celebrities

Life experiences make us who we are, and the same is true for your character. That doesn’t mean he can’t be despicable. You want your reader to be glad your character gets what he deserves, whether it’s happily ever after or shot and beaten to death by rebels and getting sodomized with a bayonet while pleading for his life (not my concept–look it up). Or just sent to prison if you work for Disney. But if they don’t know why that character grew to be the person he is, they won’t be as invested in the outcome.

For everything you have your character do, or for everything he is, ask yourself why. Examples: Why did Bellamy sneak onto the drop ship (The 100, TV show – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2661044/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)? Why would Stefan reject his Nazi lifestyle because of a woman (Lightning, Dean Koontz – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning_(novel))? Why was Carrie White’s mother such a religious fanatic (Carrie, Stephen King – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_(novel) and https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074285/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)? And so on.

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Character Development Series – Starting with Real People

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Oh, no, it’s the “DREAM CAST” article! Yep, it sure is.

Every character I have ever created, all the way back to my first story as a child, was based in some way on someone I could see and watch. Some are based on people I know in real life, but I also use celebrities or fictional characters from TV, movies, and videogames–and to be honest, a handful of professional wrestlers. The reason I do this is simple. I’m a visual person, and having someone or something to look at helps me write. In addition, it’s easy to people watch when they’re plastered all over every screen in the world. I use some people for their faces, others for their personalities, and others simply for the way they move, and one character might be based on three different people.

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