Can you believe I almost dedicated July's posts to career research??
Thud. Heavy stuff. Too heavy for July! We'll save it for a later month, a serious month.
So what are we talking about instead? Character quirks. Don't yawn. It'll be fun and light and silly because it's summer--easy-breezy time!
We all have favorite parts of writing. Some love to describe details, others love to come up with a killer plot, or an original hook. But I'm guessing we all love developing our characters. I know I do.
My current manuscript features a hot-headed hero (aka: kind of jerky). How can I describe the joy I had in creating this character? Chocolate-fountain good. I rubbed my hands together in glee as he revealed his cluelessness. I laughed as the heroine put him in his place. My heart squeezed when he decided he wasn't worthy, and it rejoiced when he realized he wanted to be a man of integrity. I fell in love with him, even with all his faults. He became the man my heroine deserved.
One thing I wrestle with in my books is how to reveal less-than-likable traits in a character the reader needs to root for? I haven't always succeeded. It's tough to balance likable with needs-to-grow. I've learned a few things along the way and I'm hoping you can share your techniques and tips this month too.
So join me this month as we look at ways we can develop our characters and make them relatable and likable without sacrificing their faults.
Enjoy your weekend!
One thing I've discovered about revealing faults is not to do it too early in a manuscript, but rather hint at them in that early stage instead. And writing them in a humorous way seems to help maintain reader empathy too. Though depending on the book, you can't always do that.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your tips this month, Jill!
OOOOO! I'm excited about these posts! I love character quirks. After reading this post, I want to read more about your hero!!
ReplyDeleteGreat line BTW - chocolate fountain good. That's about as good as it gets.
At the start of a novel I always face the temptation to make one character perfect, but then reality sets in and I remember how key it is to throw some craziness into that character. :D
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth, Jill!
~ Wendy
Eileen: Yeah, my hero is less than stellar right up front. I'm crossing my fingers I've made him likable enough to balance the unlikable. If the editor passes, another lesson learned!
ReplyDeleteKatie: Chocolate fountains are about as good as it gets. Except for "The Melting Pot" restaurant. Have you ever had their chocolate fondue? I just passed out thinking about it!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Fourth to you too Wendy! I tend to show the less than perfect sides in my characters so it never occurred to me the opposite could be true too. Too perfect...who knew? Always something to work on.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and have a terrific weekend!
You know I love my character quirks. I can't wait to see your posts!
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful I have sooo many examples of quirkiness IRL. :0) Have a great Fourth!
ReplyDeletesounds really interested, jill. i'm always interested in quirks. can't imagine why. :) must be the therapist in me...
ReplyDeleteI've recently read a couple of novels with GREAT character quirks: not too much, but just enough to be realistic. They were pretty entertaining. I like writing the quirks - I have some many of my own from which to choose :)
ReplyDeleteThough I beg you all - please no more coffee-a-holics. Please!
I love the way you describe what your characters do and are going to do. That's how I write, too. They just sort of do stuff. Isn't it wonderful when they surprise you and do the unexpected?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Your hero sounds yummy. I love controllable flaws. (Mr. Rochester?) I want to read your book when its done.
What a great topic! I am soooo excited for these posts. I haven't devoted much time in the past to likable but relatable characters with realistic faults and I am trying to remedy that. I love, love, love, developing characters and I want them to have dimension.
ReplyDeleteIt's so great to hear you had such a good experience with writing your hero ;)
I really look forward to reading these posts! I've often wondered how to do this. I've done it already, kind of, but I'm not sure it's working.
ReplyDeleteNo, I've never heard of the Melting Pot. But you can bet I'd be there if the Quad Cities had one. I LOVE fondu! Covering finger foods in melted cheese and chocolate is probably the best idea I've ever heard of.
ReplyDeleteMeganRebekah: Oh, I do know you love your character quirks! :)
ReplyDeleteAngie: Your blog's chock full of quirks--one of the reasons I love it so! Happy 4th to you too!
Jeannie: It is the therapist in you. I bet you could write a whole book on great quirks!
Karin: Ha, ha--don't worry, no coffee-a-holic in this beaut!
Nancy: Ooo, Mr. Rochester--yum, yum!
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Cindy: Are you kidding me?? Your characters pulse to life. You should give me tips!
ReplyDeleteLady Glamis: Some of my techniques are unusual. I can't say they all work, but it's fun thinking about them!
Katie: Ohhhh, chocolate fondue! The Melting Pot brings out a tray of baby brownies, strawberries, banana chunks and marshmallows, and you dip them in this melted chocolate concoction. I could easily tip the pan up and drink it! Soooo good!
Happy fourth of July!!
this is random...but i wanted to tell you that your blog sends more people my way than any other (even more than the seekerville blog did when i posted there) in the long run according to google analytics. interesting! THANKS. :)
ReplyDeleteWow Jeannie! That's really cool! You just made me a happy camper--thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis month is going to be awesome! I love character quirks! I love how differently they see the world. You're right about the balance, it can be very hard. But I love characters that need to grow. :D
ReplyDeleteI love discovering character quirks. I think a lot of the time they are minimalized so that the character can seem almost super human. The quirks are what makes them more likeable and relateable. Give me the flawed any day!
ReplyDeleteDanyelle: I agree and my characters need a whole lot of growth!
ReplyDeleteDiane: I've been disappointed by bland characters. Quirks make them real. I'll take flawed too!
Thanks for stopping by!
I think Eileen's hit on something there. All characters must be flawed, but hinting at it in the beginning of a novel is better than hitting the reader with it. Otherwise they won't like the character enough to root for them.
ReplyDeleteI love character quirks. I think special abilities are fascinating, especially ones I wish I had.
Great thoughts! I enjoyed reading through everyone's comments. I'm in the character development stage for my next book, so these are some great things to keep in mind!
ReplyDeleteErica: I hear you. They need to be imperfect enough to grow but with enough good qualities to root for them. It's tough! At least for me.
ReplyDeleteJody: Fun! Enjoy developing those characters!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love your character Jill- he is a different sort of guy and that makes me like him:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Terri--let's hope editors do too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth!