Bringing characters to life gives me the ability to live a hundred lives with no boundaries, limits, or rules. I map out each character with great detail to attention, focusing on everything from physical appearance and mannerisms to their purposes, objectives, and struggles. I make an outline for each personality and adhere to it through the main plot and subplots.
As an author, I become attached to their wants and needs, likes and dislikes, making a conscious effort to stay true to their goals. To me, character development is the most important aspect of a story. Have you ever finished a book and held onto the characters in your heart? I have and it’s what I aspire to achieve in each book.
I want my characters to live in your hearts long after the last page is turned and the book placed back on the shelf. It’s one of the reasons I love writing series. Series allow an author to take their characters passed the introductory story and conflict into more obstacles, trials, and tribulations. It’s also a fantastic way to construct a more in-depth magical/fantasy/scifi world with new rules, traditions, and way of life.
By using a reference sheet, I break down aesthetics by broad strokes, the current climate, clothing, and food. I’ll even note TV shows, movies, other books I have read and save or print out images from Pinterest, Instagram, or Google as visual aids to reference for my book. Then I’ll break down the natural ecosystem and animal life including agriculture, livestock, and weather. I’ll create their politics, culture, and economic hierarchy. All of these factors contribute to the new world I’ve created and are important for the reader to feel immersed in my innovative world.
One of the most recent ways I’ve been able to achieve such detail is working with a conceptual editor. I meet with her twice and month and review direction, story line, world building, weapons, anything I want to get feedback on to make sure my story and fantasy worlds appeal to my audience.
Writing can be world of loneliness and solitude. Having a sounding board has given me the ability to be challenged, excited, and invigorated by a second opinion. I also value the feedback of beta readers, who have been exceptional advocates for my character’s development. Their love and support for my book babies has made all the difference. I hope that my author journey is a long and prosperous one where the proverbial pen never runs out of ink.
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