I’ve started a new segment where I’ve asked a variety of authors to answer a few questions that I pose. Of course, I love a twist. All answers had to be no more than two sentences. Brevity presents a greater challenge. For me the process was delightful as well as insightful. I love that authors…
Tag: characterization
Writing about mental illness without being exploitative
In my novel Red Haze, I have a number of characters who are experiencing extreme situations and have extreme reactions. At its base, the novel is a murder mystery with a paranormal twist. But for the formula to work, the characters needed to react to trauma appropriately: anguish, rage, delusion. These emotions make every muscle…
Author Shorts Question 1: Characterization
I’ve started a new segment where I’ve asked a variety of authors to answer a few questions that I pose. Of course, I love a twist. All answers had to be no more than two sentences. Brevity presents a greater challenge. For me the process was delightful as well as insightful. I love that authors…
On Writing Strong Female Characters
Everyday we’re bombarded with images, videos, and texts telling us how to be and who to be. The worst part: many of them contradict. Especially for women. Case in point: I was recently reading a great novel: suspenseful and well written…a best-seller, in fact. I almost couldn’t finish it, though, because the only lead female…
It’s time to people watch like a big-time creeper!
Personally, I enjoy character research. It’s an excuse to people watch. Every new person I meet is fodder for a character. I think people watching offers a great window into understanding character interactions. Among other things, It can help with: dialogue mannerisms traits background Some of my favorite places for people watching are parks, coffeehouses,…
Writing a character you don’t like
Sometimes a story or poem requires a character (or narrator) you don’t like. In fiction it’s often the antagonist. While this person isn’t always evil, s/he is generally unlikeable. After all, the antagonist is thwarting your main character for some reason. So how do you approach writing a believable character you don’t like? Here’s how…
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