tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post1243411347967859138..comments2023-10-30T15:13:22.680+00:00Comments on Strictly Writing: What a CharacterDThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-51314682051475101212010-03-01T04:11:51.401+00:002010-03-01T04:11:51.401+00:00great post
A character becomes real when you know...great post<br /><br />A character becomes real when you know what he/she'd do in a particular situation even before yourselfEeleen Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15221723342556515161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-11451532734477746872010-02-27T16:11:30.284+00:002010-02-27T16:11:30.284+00:00Crumbs, 'scuse all the typos. Obviously can...Crumbs, 'scuse all the typos. Obviously can't type or spell at the weekend.<br /><br />:)Rosy Bhttp://www.rosybarnes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-13521974766986973452010-02-27T16:10:01.170+00:002010-02-27T16:10:01.170+00:00Very much enjoyed this piece and raises some inter...Very much enjoyed this piece and raises some interesting questions for me. I wonder if we have a choice about what characters we end up writing about. I invented a character I really really liked and who embodied a lot of qualities that I think are important...then I found I was not at all interested in writing about her. It was a massive liberation when I finally realised she was holding me back and axed her entirely and went back to the a cast of characters - all of whom are appaling in some way or another! :) I think there has to be something asked and discovered about a character. I don't know whether identification is the key issue for me as a reder or as a writer. But I think this might be the comic sensibility. It is normal in comedy to observe a bunch of people you would never want to spend a single minute with in real life! And yet you can end up rooting for the strangest and most unattractive characters sometimes. (Take old Basil Fawlty for example) and want them to get their come-uppance at the same time. I am quite interested in this paradox.<br /><br />I've decided to stop trying to fit in, however, and just go with the flow. I kind of think your characters end up picking you rather than the other way round.RosyBhttp://www.rosybarnes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-87170019516351712892010-02-27T10:57:16.835+00:002010-02-27T10:57:16.835+00:00I'm also intrigued to read about Lily. Enjoyed...I'm also intrigued to read about Lily. Enjoyed your post very much, Helen. Thanks.Essie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04611324005960689918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-56615105093003919072010-02-26T17:44:57.778+00:002010-02-26T17:44:57.778+00:00Excellent post. Characters are, as you say, more i...Excellent post. Characters are, as you say, more important than plot to many readers. I'd be interested to know if your in-depth knowledge of Lilly was complete when you started the first book in the series or did her background develop in your mind as you spent more time with her.<br /><br />Is there a link, Gina, to Kate Walker's Characterisation Worksheet or is it a case of buying the book?<br /><br />Will certainly go and get a Lily Valentine book, Helen. You've intrigued me.Rosalind Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363027308436257933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-91931138414561411162010-02-26T16:57:04.546+00:002010-02-26T16:57:04.546+00:00Really insightful post, Helen - thanks!Really insightful post, Helen - thanks!Rosy Thttp://www.rosythornton.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-10998796385478886992010-02-26T16:30:05.009+00:002010-02-26T16:30:05.009+00:00I've used Kate Walker's Characterisation W...I've used Kate Walker's Characterisation Worksheet as a basic method for character creation. It's invaluable, and really makes you THINK HARD about your characters, and exactly what kind of people they are.Gina Rossihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16606122346165533631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-63631838131648228542010-02-26T16:05:49.303+00:002010-02-26T16:05:49.303+00:00Ah, I see the earlier comment form our friend in t...Ah, I see the earlier comment form our friend in the far east has been deleted. She certainly was a character LOL.<br /><br />Barjoker - I remember that my first book came to me after years of being asked what I would do if I thought a client was guilty. Would I still rep them.<br />I thought a book based on that conundrum could work.<br />I knew I'd need a strong character to pull it off and invented Lilly.<br />I should say though, that I didn't intend for her to be a series character.<br />But it was the first thing my agent asked about and he convinced me she had legs. Then when he sold the book it was always on the basis that it would be a series.<br />I guess you could say, I've fallen into it, really. Story of my life.<br />HBxHelen Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00266205672947750373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-18979090326612939232010-02-26T14:29:14.206+00:002010-02-26T14:29:14.206+00:00Great post Helen, very timely for me as currently ...Great post Helen, very timely for me as currently wrestling with characters vs story and not being able to pin down either of them! Which came first for you, the character LV or the story?Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804535281320480905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-22023783930920428492010-02-26T12:34:09.165+00:002010-02-26T12:34:09.165+00:00Sounds pretty expert to me Helen - off to Amazon t...Sounds pretty expert to me Helen - off to Amazon to find a Lily book! Well done on your well deserved success to date and long may it continue.Fionnualahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12275984316414726884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-1616868187682900332010-02-26T12:13:11.983+00:002010-02-26T12:13:11.983+00:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.オテモヤンhttp://e-nixi.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-83809841585977152542010-02-26T11:28:48.136+00:002010-02-26T11:28:48.136+00:00Really useful advice here, thanks Helen. I like th...Really useful advice here, thanks Helen. I like the idea of knowing lots of detail about your character that would never appear in the book. I don't think this is something I've thought about enough with my own characters.<br /><br />Good luck with this one and the WIP!Caroline Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04708248040141519582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-29948855291146882242010-02-26T08:53:52.478+00:002010-02-26T08:53:52.478+00:00(oops - finger trouble - that was meant to be '...(oops - finger trouble - that was meant to be 'thank you for your insights'K M Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09801740095715755112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-32828867462519391202010-02-26T08:52:56.140+00:002010-02-26T08:52:56.140+00:00That is an excellent and fascinating post. Creatin...That is an excellent and fascinating post. Creating a stellar character is so important, and yet so hard to pin down, so that you for your insights.K M Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09801740095715755112noreply@blogger.com