creating characters
I think one of the most important aspects of a novel is the characters. After all, they are the players in this movie that plays only in our minds (unless Hollywood buys the rights, that is LOL). And if the characters don’t resonate, the reader won’t care and it won’t matter how awesome your plot, how unpredictable the twists, how perfect the ending...your readers won’t ever get that far.
So how do you create characters that leap off the pages? Make them realistic, for one. No one really likes a perfect hero with no flaws, perfectly chiseled features and abs, noble, tall, kind, etc. And why? Because no one can relate to such a person! Even Mother Theresa has flaws, folks. It’s when we make our heroic nobleman a little judgmental, or have serious anger issues, or act on his feelings rather than act rationally, that we make the connection. Because we see ourselves in that character. People need to be balanced, both good and bad, in order to really resonate with readers. Unless you are Joffrey Baratheon, then you just need to die a slow death for having zero redeeming qualities LOL.
I remember reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and just being irritated with Mr. Potter because of his attitude. But it was also perfect! Because any teenage boy in Harry’s position would have acted the exact same way! Harry was acting like a pissy little teenager and it reminded me of the many times I acted less than stellar (hell, most of the time) in middle and high school. Even though I wanted to slap Harry silly, it was easy for me to relate.
When it came to writing Alex, I pulled a lot from things that happened to me in middle school. I was bullied but not nearly to the extent that she is. But the feelings evoked are the same. Her reactions to things that happen are done as a teenager would: dramatic and selfish for the most part. But I’d like to think Alex grows from the first to the last book of the series, learns from her mistakes, grows stronger by dealing with the issues of bullying and time travel and near-death experiences at the hands of a sadistic killer. And isn’t that what we all do? Blunder our way through those awkward teen years to emerge on the other side as wiser, kinder, more understanding adult?
So how do you create characters that leap off the pages? Make them realistic, for one. No one really likes a perfect hero with no flaws, perfectly chiseled features and abs, noble, tall, kind, etc. And why? Because no one can relate to such a person! Even Mother Theresa has flaws, folks. It’s when we make our heroic nobleman a little judgmental, or have serious anger issues, or act on his feelings rather than act rationally, that we make the connection. Because we see ourselves in that character. People need to be balanced, both good and bad, in order to really resonate with readers. Unless you are Joffrey Baratheon, then you just need to die a slow death for having zero redeeming qualities LOL.
I remember reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and just being irritated with Mr. Potter because of his attitude. But it was also perfect! Because any teenage boy in Harry’s position would have acted the exact same way! Harry was acting like a pissy little teenager and it reminded me of the many times I acted less than stellar (hell, most of the time) in middle and high school. Even though I wanted to slap Harry silly, it was easy for me to relate.
When it came to writing Alex, I pulled a lot from things that happened to me in middle school. I was bullied but not nearly to the extent that she is. But the feelings evoked are the same. Her reactions to things that happen are done as a teenager would: dramatic and selfish for the most part. But I’d like to think Alex grows from the first to the last book of the series, learns from her mistakes, grows stronger by dealing with the issues of bullying and time travel and near-death experiences at the hands of a sadistic killer. And isn’t that what we all do? Blunder our way through those awkward teen years to emerge on the other side as wiser, kinder, more understanding adult?
About the AUTHOR
Shay West was born in Longmont, CO and earned a doctorate degree in Human Medical Genetics from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical. Dr. West currently lives in Grand Junction, CO with her two cats. When not writing novels, she plays with plushie microbes and teaches biology classes at Colorado Mesa University. She is the author of the Portals of Destiny series and the Adventures of Alexis Davenport series. She has also been published in several anthologies: Battlespace (military scifi), Orange Karen: Tribute to a Warrior (fundraiser), and Ancient New (steampunk/fantasy).
You can find Dr. West and more of her work at Shay-West.com.
You can find Dr. West and more of her work at Shay-West.com.