Creating Great Characters

These last few weeks my brain has been working on overload and I haven't even been able to think about writing. I've found that my "spare" time has been spent reading friends FB posts and playing a game that doesn't take any brain power. So, I've struggled to come up with a good topic for this post. I turned to my blog folder to see if I've used up all my backup posts and found a document full of great links on character development.

For me, my characters have always developed themselves. I've sat through many classes on the best way to develop characters and nothing I've done seems to really fit. My stories tend to develop themselves and I get to know and love my characters along the way. So far it has worked for me. However, I know that my way isn't always the best or most efficient way. Here are some wonderful posts by others that give a more rounded approach to creating great characters.

Holly Lisle: How To Create A Character

MD Lynn: How To Develop Characters When Writing A Novel

Glen C Strathy: How To Create Characters That Are Believable and Memorable

Ingrid Sundberg: Seven Ways to Develop Compelling Characters

Writer's Digest: Quick Tip: How To Develop Your Characters 

I hope you enjoy and Happy Writing!

Book Review--Son of Neptune

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan. I began reading this book and immediately sunk down in my chair for a good read. It was easy, fun, exciting, mysterious, and engaging. I learned more about the craft of writing and just thoroughly enjoyed the story. The characters are as wonderful as the first were in The Lightning Theif and the new additions hold their own. This is a great read for anyone, especially those who love Greek/Roman mythology. It's also a wonderful example of a well excuted story arch for those writers out there. :)

:):):):):)

Percy is confused. When he awoke after his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. His brain-fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight. Somehow Percy managed to make it to the camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he had to continually kill monsters that, annoyingly, would not stay dead. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him.

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. When the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no. Now, because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. 

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother claims he is descended from ancient heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery—although not good enough to help the Fifth Cohort win at war games. His big and bulky physique makes him feel like a clumsy ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely—enough, even, to share the secret he holds close to his heart. 

Beginning at the “other” camp for half-bloods and extending as far north as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment in the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all of whom are destined to play a part in the most important quest of all: the Prophecy of Seven. 

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson--Book Buzzin

TWITTERPATED by Melanie Jacobson. This is on my list. Check it out.

Jessie Taylor is furious when her roommate secretly posts her picture on the dating website LDS Lookup - furious, that is, until she spends all night instant messaging Ben Bratton, a man whose wit and warmth just might make Jessie forget the train wreck of her last romantic relationship. Their first date is a smashing success (literally), but Ben's overall awesomeness can't save Jessie from having to deal with Craig, her competitive coworker whose baiting behavior sets new standards for obnoxiousness. Determined to beat Craig at his own game, Jessie spends long office hours finishing projects and putting out fires, but while her performance wows her boss, it only makes Ben skittish- after a failed engagement to an up-and-coming lawyer, he's not about to pair up with someone who's married to her job. Will Jessie figure out how to be true to herself and take her big chance at love before it's gone with a click of the mouse?

And the winner is . . .

Thank you to all that stopped by for the Freedom To Read Blog Hop Giveaway. Random.org has spoken and the winner is . . .

Sherry!

I hope to see everyone again soon! Congrats to Sherry!

Critiques

I have to admit that I've been struggling with this lately. I know how valuable critics are—from writers and readers just the same. I also know that someone's words can do a lot of damage. First off, let me say that everyone who has ever critiqued my work, I have greatly appreciated everything you have had to say. I've considered the comments made and decided whether or not I agree with them or not. I appreciate the time that you have spent to help make me a better writer.

That being said, the last several weeks I've found myself bristling at any comment about my WIP that has been made. There hasn't really been a reason for the reaction, other than I just felt like I was being ripped apart. Then I realized that I was taking things way too personally. My critic group hasn't been attacking me personally, just trying to help make my work better. I've discovered how fine the line is to being able to take feedback graciously and how to misinterpret the help as attacking.

As writers, we need to be able to develop a thick skin. If we ask for feedback, take it, graciously. Even if it's harsh. Then later on decide if we agree with the criticism or not. Don't bite back or you might not continue to get honest feedback, which is really what we want. It's what makes us better writers. (Just a little side note I've discovered. If one person says something about your work, you can decide whether or not you agree with it. If three people say the same thing, I'd suggest seriously taking a look at what they are telling you.)

So even if you're not a writer, be honest it what you say. If you didn't like something, say it—although you'll probably want to have a reason why you didn't like it. If you are asked to critic someone's work, don't be afraid to give your real opinion, just don't be offended if the writer doesn't agree with you.

Here's a few tips to critiquing someone else's work:

• Be honest
• Find out what they are looking for—i.e. grammar, content, fluency, all of it
• Keep the person in the loop. Life can get busy. If it's going to take you longer than expect, tell them so they don't think you've forgotten about it. I can't tell you how many people have said they'd critic something for me, I send my stuff, hear from them once or twice, but they never finish. If you can't finish, tell them.

Nathan Bransford had a great post on the 10 commandments of editing someone's work. It's wonderful. Be sure to take a look at it. In the meantime, HAPPY WRITING!

Variant by Robison Wells--Book Review

VARIANT by Robison Wells. What a book. I couldn't stop turning the pages. The twist was amazing and I didn't have it exactly figured out, which was really nice. The characters were fabulous. I loved them right away, however, I wanted to throw the book across the room at the end. I don't like cliff hanger endings. It left me with more questions than answers and I'm not sure I want to read the rest of the series until the last one comes out because I'm afraid they will all be that way. I can't recommend this for everyone because there is some brutal violence in it, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

:):):):)

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.

He was wrong.

Now he's trapped in a school that's surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.

Where breaking the rules equals death.

But when Benson stumbles upon the school's real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape--his only real hope for survival--may be impossible.

Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges--Book Buzzin

GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges is on my list to read.


St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?