Seven Steps to Creating Great Characters #Characters

Having trouble changing cardboard characters to living, breathing persons? Read on.

Variety is not only the spice of life, it is the key that opens  doors and changes books from bland and boring to can't-put-it-down page-turners.

 Think of your novel as a stage play

Stage plays call for carefully-chosen casts. Consider what characters you need, then conduct "auditions" in order to fill each role. Example: Vivian Leigh and Olivia de Havilland in Gone with the Wind were outstanding as Scarlett and Melanie, but neither could have successfully filled the other's role.

Seven steps to knowing your characters

1. What does each person look like? Find photos online that show the way you see your characters. Note: My editor/publisher graciously allows me to be part of the cover designing process. I spend hours checking out sites for photos she may want to consider. Then she "works her magic." Voila. Great covers.
2. What are character personality traits, quirks, that will help them play their roles?
3. When does story take place? You must know this in order to accurately portray clothing styles, customs, etc.
4. Where is story set? Small town, big town, and regional lingo and customs differ.
5. What is happening in your character's world, local and abroad? Bits of actual history interwoven add authenticity.
6. What do lead characters want? What obstacles stand in the way?
7. Who are in the supporting cast? What qualifies them for their roles? Warning. If they are in danger of over-shadowing lead characters, either tone them down or reject them. 

Tips. 

• Watch characters' names. Avoid having William, Walker or Winnie in the same book. Or surnames such as Campbell, Connor, Carter.
• Don't name minor characters unless they also play a larger part in the story. Example: Stick with "the pharmacist," unless he later hand-delivers medications to shut-ins, etc. 

Examples from new book: Hills of Hope, Cherished Historical Romances #3.

World War 1 Rages Overseas and at Home

Deep in the trenches, far from home, Timothy Wainwright fights for his country and his sanity. His faith in God falters. Even if he survives, how can he stop his stepfather from marrying the girl Timothy loves to Tim’s worst enemy?

In faraway Washington State, Hope Ferrell is driven from home when she refuses to marry the man with whom her father is obsessed.

A cry for help on the battle front and a terrible sickness put Tim and Hope to the supreme test—a reminder that only God can heal broken bodies and broken lives.

Colleen L. Reece, author of 160+ “Books You Can Trust,” six million copies sold, relied on her parents’ stories about the “Great War,” also known as “The war to end all wars” on which to base this book.

1. I rejected a gazillion photos before finding Hope.
2. Sunny personality, modest, loving, but vulnerable.
3. World War 1: 1917-1919

4. Small, western Washington fictional town of Dale; Camp Lewis, (9.1 miles south-southwest of Tacoma; first National Army cantonment for draftee training to be opened; largest military post in the USA at the time). Later became Fort Lewis. and is now Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM); France.

5. What later became known a World War 1, AKA "The Great War," and "The War to End All Wars," is draining America and its Allies of young men and seasoned veterans. Snippets of battle reports take readers to the battle front

6. All Hope Farrell and Timothy Wainwright want is for the war to end so he can come home from overseas and they can begin their life together. Even so, a mountain-sized obstacle blocks their path to happiness. Hope's father is obsessed with Hope marrying the son of an old friend; a man Hope despises.

  

7. Important members of the supporting cast. Each is unique.

  Justin Farrell, Hope's father and Timothy's step-father; considers Dale his town; owns most of the businesses; a law unto himself 

  Luther Jones, Justin's protege and would-be-bridegroom; Timothy's enemy

  Maura Cullen, the Farrell's red-haired, outspoken  housekeeper; can't stand Luther; serves Justin only because of Hope and Tim, who she loves as if they were her own;

  Grace Forsythe, white-haired librarian, takes Hope in when Justin banishes her

  Sam Johnson, irrepressible, daring red-head, whose sense of humor keeps company  "D for Dale" cheered up. Tim's best friend and an example because of his faith in God and insistence he and Tim and the others are going to make it home.

  "Grampaw," oldest of those in company D; veteran of Spanish-American War; steadying influence on the hometown group.

  Sergeant Kincaid, gruff, tough beyond belief, but ready to die with his men.

Other Cherished Romances titles

A Girl Called Cricket #1, frontier Wyoming

Angel of the North, #2, Canadian wilderness

 

COMING Legacy of Silver, #4, Virginia, Civil War era. Storm Clouds Over Chantel, #5, frontier Montana. Love and Cherish, #6. North Carolina backwoods.

  Amazon Author Page