Abby came up with this blog-chain topic: Where do your characters come from? And once they've been introduced to you, how do you get to know them?
Kat's detained at the moment. I think she's in the middle of her mid-life crisis or she's developed an unnatural phobia of computer screens or something, so I've taken over her blog chain post this month.
My name is Jen. I'm what you'd call a supporting character in one of Kat's novels. In other words, I'm only in about four scenes, but I'm okay with that. Bitterness is not part of my character. In fact, my role is to detract from some of the bitterness of the main character.
Kat's been known to call me the voice of reason in the story into which she's thrown me. I can't say for sure, but I think I developed from Kat's own voice of reason. You know, the one that tells her to remain calm in tense situations. (Did I mention I play a very small part? Kinda tells you something about Kat, doesn't it? Uh-huh.)
She'd never admit it, but I think all of Kat's characters are a personification of her emotions. Heather comes from Kat's anger and bitterness.
Nick comes from that part of her that feels bad when she runs over small animals.
Penny comes from that Twisted-Sister-I'm-Not-Gonna-Take-It-Anymore feeling.
And her latest character is a mixture of that twinge of panic/shock of adrenaline/fear-induced stiffness/undeniable curiosity that fills her when things go bump in the night.
My name is Jen. I'm what you'd call a supporting character in one of Kat's novels. In other words, I'm only in about four scenes, but I'm okay with that. Bitterness is not part of my character. In fact, my role is to detract from some of the bitterness of the main character.
Kat's been known to call me the voice of reason in the story into which she's thrown me. I can't say for sure, but I think I developed from Kat's own voice of reason. You know, the one that tells her to remain calm in tense situations. (Did I mention I play a very small part? Kinda tells you something about Kat, doesn't it? Uh-huh.)
She'd never admit it, but I think all of Kat's characters are a personification of her emotions. Heather comes from Kat's anger and bitterness.
Nick comes from that part of her that feels bad when she runs over small animals.
Penny comes from that Twisted-Sister-I'm-Not-Gonna-Take-It-Anymore feeling.
And her latest character is a mixture of that twinge of panic/shock of adrenaline/fear-induced stiffness/undeniable curiosity that fills her when things go bump in the night.
Yep, she gives her feelings names and a backstory. I'm telling you, sometimes I think she belongs in a padded cell.
Since I'm not Kat, I can only guess how she gets to know these personifications in a more intimate manner. Some of us speak louder than others. (a-hem...Heather...and Oh my goodness, gossip queen, Evelyn O'Meara.) Kat also has been known to write scenes from a turning point in each character's past if she's having trouble getting in touch with someone.
I don't know if there's anything special about it. Maybe that's how all storytellers do it. I don't know. I'm not that kind of writer.
But now I'm curious. I think I might check out what Michelle said about the topic yesterday, and then come back to see what Christine will say about it tomorrow.
How do you do it?
11 comments:
Great post! Let the character speak for themselves! And to base them on your emotions, I wouldn't have even considered it.
Jen, I'm glad to hear about Kat, but I sure do miss her own voice.
Nice to meet you! Tell Kat I said hello.
I really need to have my characters write my blog posts too; it would save me some work. ;) Thanks for telling us about the other characters in your world, Jen, and say hello to Kat for me.
What a BRILLIANT post. And dude...I was so gonna have one of my characters answer...Hmm... now what
Bravo, Kat! Love your original approach. Cool that you write backstory turning points to get familiar. Good suggestion.
LOL, this is an awesome way to approach the question Kat...er...Jen.
Do us all a favor Jen - tell Kat she needs to promote you to a more prominent position within the book, since there's obviously alot more to you than just being a secondary character. :)
LOL! This is great! So imaginative.
Great post! I really like Jen's voice!! And everyone on this chain is so imaginative. My post is all in my voice. Ho hum. :-)
Yes! Great post. I love the voice of your character.
This was AWESOME! What a cool idea letting your characters guest post for you. I wish I would have thought of it. lol
Ha - great post! I think all of our characters takes bits and pieces from us!
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